Male: A first-half goal from debutant Jayesh Rane helped Bengaluru FC beat Eagles 1-0 in the AFC Cup play-off encounter on Sunday at the National Stadium to sail into Group D (south zone).
The former ISL champions join compatriots ATK Mohun Bagan, Bashundhara Kings (Bangladesh) and Maziya Sports and Recreation in the group. Earlier, BFC made it to the play-offs after thrashing Tribhuvan Army 5-0 in the preliminary Stage 2 of the competition.
Both the teams were pretty average in the first half, although the Blues midfielder Rane broke the deadlock at the 26th minute. Following Eagle’s failure to clear a Sarthak Golui long throw, Rane pounced on the ball to place it at the bottom corner past Mohamed Sinaahu putting Bengaluru 1-0 up.
Get in, Bengaluru!🔥 Marco Pezzaiuoli and his men are through to the Group Stages of the 2021 AFC Cup. 🔵 #WeAreBFC #BluesInAsia #BFCvEFC pic.twitter.com/wWMBdmCPJK
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) August 15, 2021
The hosts could have taken the lead in the 17th minute but the goal was ruled offside. However, the visitors almost conceded an equaliser just a minute before the break, as Golui closely pulled a shot back to his net which Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was quick to clear much to the relief of the Indian side.
Bengaluru survived a scare when Ali Fashir missed the target after beating Alan Costa and Sarthak 20 minutes into the second half. The Indian side had their chances to extend the lead in the dying minutes after Leon Augustine failed to capitalise on the opportunity.
Bengaluru will be back in action a couple of days later when they on ATK Mohun Bagan on August 18, in their opening match of the Group D at the same venue.
