Bengaluru FC opened up a three-point gap over Mohun Bagan at the head of the I-League table with an engrossing 3-1 win over Salgaocar SC here on Sunday.
Thoi Singh put BFC ahead in the first half before the visitor drew level through Daryl Duffy on the other side of the break.
As a wretched, unrelenting rain continued to pour down on the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, BFC secured victory with goals from the excellent Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Curtis Osano. Bagan has played 17 games to BFC’s 18, but the latter is firmly in pole position to defend the league title. The result also left Salgaocar in the ninth spot with 17 points and fighting desperately for survival.
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BFC did much of the early running, although Salgaocar was not exactly inert. C.K. Vineeth had an early penalty appeal turned down before he headed S. Shankar’s cross wide. The Kerala forward had a gilded opportunity when Sean Rooney squared for him inside the box but his shot was easily saved by Karanjit Singh.
The game had begun under a powdery drizzle which swiftly escalated into a heavy downpour. The goal arrived in this unrelenting rain, when Lyngdoh’s corner was punched out by the goalkeeper. The ball was not cleared and fell kindly for Thoi, who lashed it in first-time from the edge of the area.
Salgaocar mostly defended deep, but it was not without its moments at the other end of the field. Djidja Douhou kept the BFC defence occupied throughout while Khalid Baleid fired wide from close range.
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The home team finished the first half strongly, creating a couple of decent openings, but Salgacoar stormed back after the interval. Bikash Jairu and Gilbert Oliveira came on at the break as the visitor drove forward. Douhou drew a sharp save from Ralte before setting up the equaliser. The Ivorian’s cross from the right on 71 minutes was met by a diving Duffy.
BFC might easily have panicked but it didn’t. It is quite easily the fittest team in the league and has consistently seen opponents wilt in the closing minutes. As it was, BFC went ahead two minutes later, as Salgaocar rushed up the other end in search of the winner. Rooney hared down the left flank before floating a fine cross into the box. Vineeth’s header was blocked but Lyngdoh was left with a tap in.
The outcome was confirmed not long after, when Osano soared above the defence to head home Lyngdoh’s corner. The Kenya-born centre-half is hugely popular with the fans and his first-ever goal for BFC was met with lusty applause.
The result: Bengaluru FC 3 (Thoi Singh 26, Eugeneson Lyngdoh 73, Curtis Osano 80) bt Salgaocar SC 1 (Daryl Duffy 71).