Bambolim: A second-half goal spree saw Bengaluru FC mark the start of Marco Pezzaiuoli’s reign at the club with a much convincing 5-0 win over Nepalese side Tribhuvan Army FC in their 2021 AFC Cup Preliminary Stage two clash at the GMC Stadium, in Bambolim, on Wednesday(14 April).
Rahul Bheke and Cleiton Silva scored twice while skipper Sunil Chhetri netted once. The win handed the Blues passage into the Playoff stages of the continental competition. Gabonese defender Yrondu Musavu-King made his Bengaluru debut partnering Juanan Gonzalez at the back.
The Blues made a strong start to the game, controlling possession and also being patient in their search for an opening goal. Ashique Kuruniyan and Bheke provided with on the flanks, as Bengaluru looked to stretch the visitors and found gaps in their defence.
Tribhuvan Army made their first foray into the Blues’ box in the 13th minute, which just forced a regulation save from Gurpreet Singh Sandhu – a speculative effort from the edge of the area. Within two minutes, Tribhuvan skipper Nawayug Shrestha raced free down the left flank but Bheke’s well-timed sliding tackle stopped him in his tracks.
The Blues’ best chance of the first half fell in the path of skipper Chhetri, but his effort from within the box was parried away by TAFC custodian Biwash Chaudhary. Kuruniyan’s effort on the rebound was also saved by Chaudhary, and the sides made their way into the tunnel with the scoreline unchanged.
The Blues came out all guns blazing in the second half, and their persistence was rewarded just six minutes into the game after the break when Bheke nodded home a corner from Silva to put Bengaluru 1-0 up. Just a minute later, a scramble in the box made the ball fall to Chhetri, who made no mistake to slot past Biwash to double the Blues’ advantage.
The Blues then added two more in very quick succession, with Silva’s stamp on both. Chhetri flicked the ball to the Brazilian, who shrugged off his marker, rounded around the ‘keeper and then shot it home into an empty net to make it 3-0 on the night.
A minute later, Udanta wriggled free of three players down the right flank and found Bheke, whose cross into the area was brought down by Cleiton and finished on the turn past a hapless Biwash in the TAFC goal.
In what was a repeat of the Blues’ opener, Silva’s corner on 65 minutes was nodded home once again by Bheke for Bengaluru’s fifth of the evening. Pezzaiuoli then shuffled players, sending on Ajith Kumar, Edmund Lalrindika and Namgyal Bhutia.
Damaitphang Lyngdoh’s introduction in the 75th minute had a touch of history to it, as the Meghalaya-born midfielder became the Blues’ youngest-ever player. The Blues will face either Abahani Dhaka Limited (Bangladesh) or Club Eagles (Maldives), in their playoff clash, scheduled to take place at the same venue.
