Kolkata: Bengaluru FC landed their maiden win in the Durand Cup 2021 as they edge past Kerala Blasters with 2-0 , who were down to 8 men over the time.
Ivan Vukomanovic’ s side had started the game with a dominating foot but had eventually lost their grip on the match as they failed to convert the chances. Kerala could have scored the opening goal at 33rd minute when Srekuttan was denied by Bengaluru custodian Lara before denying Adrian Luna’s free kick six minutes later.
At the stroke of the end of the first half , the deadlock was broken by Bengaluru’s Namgyal Bhutia who netted home a brilliant freekick rendering Kerala ‘keeper Albino Gomes helpless.
In the second half , Kerala Blasters had more to add to their worry as the southern most side recieved three red cards in 20 minutes , starting with RV Hormipam at the 64th followed by Sandeep Singh and Yendrembam Denechandram Meitei.
The second goals for the Blues came at the 71st minute Leon Augustine sublimely put past Gomes a brilliant cross by Harmanpreet.
With a clean sheet to his name along with a string of brilliant saves, Bengaluru custodian Lara was declared to be the Man of the Match.
