New Delhi, Nov. 6 -- Bengaluru; Substitute Akshunna Tyagi's strike in the 91st minute ensured a tight 4-3 win for FC Bengaluru United against Mohammedan SC in the Indian Football League here on Friday.
FC Bengaluru United raced to a two-goal lead inside the opening 20 minutes through headers from Marat Tareck and Gautam A. Virwani.
Mohammedan pulled one back in the 26th minute through Maharabam Maxion, but Ngangbam Naocha Singh restored Bengaluru's two-goal advantage in the 53rd minute.
Lalthankima reduced the deficit once again five minutes later before Lalremsanga Fanai equalised in the 78th minute.
Just when the Kolkata side looked set to secure a point, substitute Akshunna Tyagi struck a stoppage-time winner with another header to seal all three points for FC Bengaluru,
It was their first-ever victory in the Indian Football League.
Jojo was finding spaces in dangerous areas and the young midfielder could have broken the deadlock but his header was straight at the goalkeeper. The midfielder made amends for that miss soon, providing a perfect assist to give his side the lead.
Marat Tareck used his physical presence to rise above his marker and power home Jojo's corner with a thumping header as Bengaluru scored their first ever goal in the IFL.
Bengaluru continued to apply pressure in the Mohammedan Sporting's half and doubled
their advantage just before the 20th minute with another set-piece goal.
Dhruv Sharma delivered a curling corner from the left, which Virwani met with a superb header into the top corner.
Mohammedan responded well after conceding twice, creating chances with Lalremsanga Fanai at the heart of their attacks.
The striker capitalised on an error by Bengaluru captain Abdul Hannan and cut the ball back to Yash Chickro, whose first-time shot was blocked.
The rebound fell to Maharabam Maxion, and the midfielder's powerful effort crept over the line beneath goalkeeper Manjunath Hirekurbar's hands. The home side went into half-time with a 2-1 lead.
Bengaluru did not have to wait long to score their third, with right back Ngangbam Naocha Singh restoring their two-goal advantage.
Dhruv, who had been impressive on the left wing throughout the match, delivered a looping cross towards the far post.
Naocha Singh got ahead of his marker to meet the delivery and guided a simple header past the goalkeeper.
Mohammedan cut the deficit to one goal again five minutes later.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.