Bengaluru held to 1-1 draw by Rangdajied

Manjeri: Lamine Tamba’s late goal helped Rangdajied United FC to hold I-league leaders Bengaluru FC, 1-1, for a draw in the Group ‘B’ match played here on Saturday. In an evenly-fought match, Bengaluru FC’s Thoi Singh put them in lead in the second minute of the game but Lamine Tamba cancelled out the advantage in the 79th minute with his fine header.

Sunil Chhetri’s men seemed to cruise into a second win but Rangdajied were brilliant as they fought back to secure a draw and a point from the match.

Earlier, Thoi Singh’s quick run through the middle of the box gave them the early advantage, as the midfielder scored from an unexpected angled shot, befuddling Rangdajied United FC custodian Surjay Pariyar.

Though a goal down Rangdajied FC played a spirited game as their foreign forwards Kim Song Yong and Edmar Figueira constantly tormented the opposition with their dribbling skills and sprints. At the other end, BFC forwards Sean Rooney and Chhetri matched their counterparts. With both teams attacking, a beautiful game was crafted along with timely tackling by the defenders.

But both teams failed to make an impact before the halftime whistle to end it favourably for BFC.

The match went into a scrappy mode in the second half as both teams were not able to pull off any major attacks.  Most of the attacks by both teams ended in the final third and the match turned dull.

Bengaluru FC came close to scoring in the 72 nd minute as they were awarded a spot kick at the edge of the box but Sunil Chhetri’s kick flew wide off target. While the match was turning  to be a gloomy affair in the second half, Rangdajied UFC hit back unexpectedly. Lamina Tamba headed in the free-kick taken by Edmar Figueira in the 79 th minute and the match again was evenly-poised.

Ashley Westwood subbed in Robin Singh, who scored a double in the opening match, but the move did not make any major upsets.

Five minutes later Rangdajied United received another free-kick at the final third but Edmar’s shot missed the target by a whisker. Without any other major attacks, the match ended in a draw, a result that was least expected.

With the draw, Bengaluru FC are leading the group with four points while Sporting Clube de Goa are in second position with three points. Rangadajied FC have two points from the two draws and reigning champions East Bengal are in the bottom of the table with just one point. The group winners could be decided only after their final games to be held on Tuesday.