Bengaluru Seal 3 Points With 2-0 Defeat Of ATK

Two-time I-League champions Bengaluru FC sealed all three points with a 2-0 victory over defending champions Atletico de Kolkata, at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday evening.

Bengaluru went ahead in the 3rd minute of the match thanks to a stunning own goal from Jordi Figueras. Edu Garcia sent a long ball to Udanta Singh who then squared the ball for Miku inside the box, but with the intention to clear, the ATK captain found the back of his own net instead.

The second half started positively for ATK Jayesh Rane missed an easy chance to equalise in the 68th minute from Bipin Singh’s cross.

Bengaluru FC were reduced to 10 men when Rahul Bheke was sent off in the 69th minute after picking up two yellow cards in quick succession.

In the 84th minute Erik Paartalu assisted Miku following a fast break and with just the goalkeeper to beat, he calmly slotted the ball from the centre of the box into the back of ATK net to seal full points.

After the match Bengaluru head coach Albert Roca stated his side weren’t upto the mark and their opponents deserved a better outcome.

‘’My team was not really playing their game. Our intention was to score a second goal but the red card happened. (Gurpreet Singh) Sandhu did a good job. ATK hit the post; I think they deserved a better result,’’ he commented.

‘’We were lucky to win game with 10 men and (especially) when we were not playing that well. There are big games ahead which we have to play well in. We are close to our first goal to be in last four. We have to be humble and work hard. We are physically fit; there are no injuries. It was a shame that (Rahul) Bheke got a red card,’’ commented Roca.