TIL Desk Sports/ An inspired Bengaluru FC claimed a convincing 2-1 win over Mohun Bagan to begin their AFC Cup campaign with a bang at the Kanteerava Stadium here on Tuesday. After conceding first from a Katsumi Yusa penalty, Sandesh Jhingan and Sunil Chhetri scored a goal each to help Bengaluru pick up all three points in the opening match of the 2017 AFC Cup.
Bengaluru coach Albert Roca made two changes to the starting XI, bringing in C.K. Vineeth and Salam Ranjan Singh ahead of Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Nishu Kumar as the hosts started out with what looked like a 4-2-3-1 formation.
The hosts had an early scare when goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya, under pressure to get rid of a back pass, could clear only as far as Katsumi Yusa. The Bengaluru defence had to rush back in numbers and stuff the danger out.
But just when it seemed like the teams would hit the showers without anything to show for their efforts in the first half, the visitors were awarded a penalty in the 35th minute when Jhingan’s trailing leg caught Mohun Bagan winger Sony Norde in the penalty box.