THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Bengaluru FC ‘B’ held 2-2 by TRAU FC in a thrilling clash

Action from BFC 'B's 2-2 draw against TRAU FC at the Bangalore Football Stadium, in Bengaluru. (Photo courtesy: Bengaluru FC)

Bengaluru FC ‘B’ were held to a 2-2 draw by Manipur’s TRAU FC in a fourth-round encounter of the Second Division League at the Bangalore Football Stadium, on Monday, which proved to be a thrilling one for a packed West Block at the Bangalore Football Stadium. The result saw Bengaluru FC ‘B’ (8 points) extend their unbeaten start to the campaign and are now third in Group C behind leaders TRAU FC (10 pts) and Langsning FC (9 pts).

The Blues held the lead on two occasions as Robinson Singh (9’) and Parag Shrivas scored on either side of a Konsam Phalguni Singh (11’) strike for TRAU FC in the first half. Asheer Akhtar’s (58’) second half own goal pulled the visitors level.

Going into their second consecutive clash at home, BFC ‘B’ Coach Naushad Moosa made one change in the starting line up with Ajay Chettri starting in place of Lalengzama.

The game got off to a good start with both sides attacking from the whistle and sharing three goals in a four-minute span around the ten-minute mark. The Blues broke the deadlock in the 9th minute when midfielder Robinson curled in a free-kick from the edge of the box after Ajay was fouled. The goal was his second from a set-piece in as many games. Two minutes later it was Phalguni Singh who levelled the scores after his powerful drive from a short free-kick deflected off a defender and beat Aditya Patra in the Bengaluru goal.

The Blues attacked immediately at the other end and restored their advantage after defender Prashanth Kalinga’s cross in from the left was opportunistically met by striker Parag inside the box who headed in from close for his first goal of the campaign.

The hosts had a brilliant chance in the 35th minute to further increase their lead but midfielder Altamash Sayed and defender Prashanth Kalinga both failed to convert it from close.

The second half was an intense affair with both sides playing at a high tempo, creating chances at either end. It was however, the visiting team who were lucky to pull level in the 58th minute when a free-kick from Wahengbam Angousana Luwang fell to Asheer, whose attempted clearance ended up in the back of the net with a hapless Patra rooted to his spot.

At the other end, Bengaluru pushed up in search of a winner and had chances through Robinson and Altamash, but both were denied by Tajuddin in the TRAU goal. The visitors almost found the winner through striker Prince Emeka only to be denied by Aditya, who once again pulled off a blinder as the ball cannoned back into play off the upright.

BFC ‘B’ travel to Imphal next, where they will face TRAU FC in their reverse fixture on Saturday, April 21.

(Bengaluru FC)