Robin Singh played super sub to prod home two minutes from time before being sent off as Bengaluru FC came from a goal down to share points with Mumbai FC in a heated I-League game that ended 1-1 at the Kanteerava Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Tuesday. Blues coach Ashley Westwood was left feeling hard done at the result and understandably so given the domination Bengaluru enjoyed through the game.
Westwood made three changes to the squad that drew 3-3 with Royal Wahingdoh last week. Udanta Singh was handed his first start for the Blues while Shankar Sampingiraj and Keegan Pereira replaced Thoi Singh and Lalchhuanmawia.
The night grew more frustrating for the Blues who, after calling the shots for over an hour, conceded from a corner in the 68th minute when Bheke rose to nod home John Coutinho’s corner. But it was Robin’s calm finish five yards from goal that saved Westwood’s team from a defeat they wouldn’t deserve. Having earned a corner, Joshua Walker whipped in his take only for John Johnson to head it down to Robin who finished without fuss.
Earlier, in the first half, it was all of Bengaluru FC against a stubborn Mumbai FC defence that fell back in numbers. But the deadlock wasn’t to be broken as that half ended scoreless.
Sensing the need to shuffle things around a bit Westwood rung in a triple substitution, one of which was forced after Keegan Pereira was helped off the pitch following a clash with Ashutosh Mehta. With Lalchhuanmawia coming in at left-back, Robin Singh and Beikhokhei Beingaichho were introduced for Udanta and Eugeneson Lyngdoh.
With five minutes of added time being signaled, Bengaluru threw all they had and even came close When John Johnson blasted a shot above.