Bengaluru FC beat Tampines 1-0 in AFC Cup quarters first leg

Judging by the balance of play, the margin should have been bigger in favor of the home side, but given the conditions in the city leading up to the game, Bengaluru would take the win secured by CK Vineeth’s 7th minute goal with both hands.

Bengaluru will travel to Singapore for the second leg on September 21.

Indeed, despite being in pre-season training for the start of the new I-League campaign, it was Bengaluru that always looked the more unsafe side and more likely to find the net than Tampines, despite the fact that the Singapore side had striker Billy Mehmet back in action after suspension. BFC pressed in packs, holding the ball for longer and their strikers ran into space more often than usual. Long balls were used only when the ball had to be cleared away for a counter.

Early on, left-back Nishu Kumar found it hard to catch up with Rovers’ Jordan Webb, which gifted the Canadian winger a couple of opportunities. By then, Nishu found his groove and even joined in the attack.

Tampines improved in the second half but managed only one real effort on goal.

Bengaluru continued to press throughout the rest of the first half creating numerous chances thanks to an error-strewn performance from the Stags.

Tampines slowly began to see more of the ball, but suffered a blow in the 20th minute when skipper Mustafic was forced off with an injury to be replaced by Afiq.

The Men in Blue nearly doubled the lead on the half hour mark as Rino sent in one of his trademark crosses allowing Chhetri to cushion the ball into the path of Lyngdoh. Chhetri laid the ball down for Vineeth, whose feeble attempt was pocketed by Rovers goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud. Alwyn got a good first touch, but then drifted wide. He unleashed a right-footer straight at the goal, but a couple of deflections sent it over the crossbar.

Credit to Tampines, who came out battling after the break and came close to grabbing an equaliser in the 50th minute. Rovers were quick on the ball, but BFC fought to win each and every ball.

Chhetri nearly pulled off a repeat of the opening goal in the 34th minute, playing through Vineet who was denied by Izwan, who dived bravely at his feet. Alvaro Rubio and Alwyn George started in the central midfield. The winger was swift and skipped past the Rovers’ defenders to pull the ball back from the touchline inside the box and cross towards Vineeth at the far post. BFC survived a few shaky moments at the end but saw the game out.