Bengaluru ride late goal to top of AFC Cup table
BANGALORE: It took an unlikely source but Nishu Kumar’s injury-time winner was worth its weight in gold as Bengaluru FC beat Maldivian side New Radiant SC 1-0 to surge on top of the AFC Cup Group E table as sole leaders, at the Kanteerava Stadium on Tuesday.
Bengaluru had a big chance in the 15th minute when ’keeper Mohamed Imran charged outside the New Radiant box in a bid to clear an attack, but was left stranded after Thongkhosiem Haokip stole possession. The striker went for goal only to see his shot headed out by defender Haroon Amiri off the line.
Roca started the second half with one change, bringing in Subhasish Bose for Zohmingliana
Ralte, looking to add more pace in attack down the wings. With both defences at their stubborn best, chances weren’t easy to come by. Daniel Segovia, who scored in the win over Aizawl last week, could have broken the deadlock in the 65th minute when a cross in defence deflected and fell to him. The Spaniard was left with a tinge of regret for not shooting sooner as a swarm of New Radiant shirts succeeded in taking the ball off him after some effort.
Skipper Sunil Chhetri came on
for Haokip in the 70th minute.
Chhetri, operating on the right, was sent through on goal in the 84th minute but a nudge from defender Angel Paz was enough to break the skipper’s momentum.
With three minutes of added time, with New Radiant custodian Imran coming off his line to intercept Chhetri, the skipper rolled the ball across for an incoming Nishu, who tapped home to hand Bengaluru the lead and with it, the three points.