AFC cup: Bengaluru FC scores a fine comeback win

Bengaluru FC scored a fine comeback win as it erased a goal’s deficit to beat host Aizawl FC 3-1 in a Group E match of the AFC Cup here at the Indira Gandhi Stadium on Thursday.

Leonce Dodoz opened the scoring for Aizawl early in the first half before Daniel Segovia got the equaliser for the visitor in the final minute of the session.

Rahul Bheke and substitute Daniel Lalhlimpuia found the net once each after the break to complete the scoreline for Bengaluru FC which now has full six points from its second successive win.

Bengaluru coach Albert Roca rested, among others, the two key names in the offence — Sunil Chhetri and Kuman Udanta Singh — and the goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

Aizawl, recovering under the care of new coach Santosh Kashyap, opened the account right in the fifth minute on a move that built up through the centre.

Romanian playmaker Andrei Ionescu played a nice forward pass for Albert Zohmingmawia, who was lurking unmarked near the BFC box.

The BFC goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte charged out sensing danger but could not save the situation completely as Albert’s attempt rebounded off him giving Dodoz an open goal to slot home.

Bengaluru tried to regroup. Subhasish Bose was the most notable name in the BGFC build-ups. The Blues found the equaliser off a penalty awarded in the last minute of in the opening half when the Aizawl FC scorer, Dodoz, made the cardinal error of handling while trying to clear a header by the BFC defender Erik Paartalu following a corner. Spanish striker Daniel Segovia found the net from the spot.

Rahul Bheke gave BFC the lead in the 64th minute nodding home a cross from Alwyn George. Daniel, who replaced Thongkhosiem Haokip in the second half, found the net off a fine grounder to make it 3-1 for BFC and take the game away from Aizawl FC.

The result: Aizawl FC 1 (Leonce Dodoz 5) lost to Bengaluru FC 3 (Daniel Segovia 45+1-pen, Rahul Bheke 64, Daniel Lalhlimpuia 77).