Bangalore FC held Sporting with a last-gap equalizer

N. Shiva Shakti came on as a fine substitute to find an equalizer in injury time and hold Bengaluru FC (BFC) 10-man Mohammedan Sporting to a 1-1 draw in the final Group A league match of the 131st Durand Cup football tournament in Salt. Lake Stadium here on Friday.

As a result, Mohammedia Sporting finished as group champions with 10 points from three wins and one draw. Bengaluru FC finished second with eight points from two wins and as many draws.

While both reached the quarters, Jamshedpur FC (six points), FC Goa (four) and Indian Air Force (zero) were eliminated from the league stage.

On the attack

Sporting looked more organized to begin with and put the star-studded Bangalore side under pressure from the start.

The local giants found the lead in the 13th minute when their wing-back Abhash Thapa met a rasping volley from Sheikh Fayaz at back-centre. Bangalore goalkeeper Lara managed to block the shot, but Pritam Singh was close to slotting home the rebound.

Sporting were reduced to 10 men in the 74th minute when midfielder Abhishek Halder was substituted with his second booking of the match. Bangalore continued to press for an equalizer but failed time and again as the attacking combination of Sunil Chhetri and Roy Krishna failed to make much of a difference in the Sporting box.

A late substitute, Sivashakti came to BFC’s rescue and helped them maintain their unbeaten record against Mohd. sport

Meanwhile in Guwahati, two second-half goals helped hosts North East United beat Sudeva Delhi 2-0 to secure their first win of this year’s tournament.

Results:

Group A: Mohammad Sporting 1 (Pritam Singh 13) drew with Bangalore FC 1 (Sivashakti 90+2).

Group D: North East United FC 2-0 North East United FC beat Sudeva Delhi FC 0-0