Bengaluru FC, East Bengal end I-League campaigns on a high | Football News - Hindustan Times
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Bengaluru FC, East Bengal end I-League campaigns on a high

Press Trust of India | ByPress Trust of India
Apr 30, 2017 01:54 AM IST

With comfortable wins in their final I-League games of the season, East Bengal and Bengaluru FC secured the third and fourth positions, respectively, in the league standings

Bengaluru FC (BFC) finished their I-League campaign in fourth position after defeating Churchill Brothers 3-0 in their last match in Bengaluru on Saturday, while East Bengal secured the third place after a 4-0 thrashing of relegated Mumbai FC in Mumbai.

Bengaluru FC players celebrate a goal against Churchill Brothers in the I-League on Saturday.(AIFF)
Bengaluru FC players celebrate a goal against Churchill Brothers in the I-League on Saturday.(AIFF)

Bengaluru FC’s result ensured they ended their campaign on 30 points from 18 matches. Churchill, on the other hand, finished with 20 points from 18 matches, their position in the table to be decided tomorrow.

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Keeping an eye on the forthcoming Federation Cup, which kicks-off on May 7, BFC Coach Albert Roca preferred to rest a number of his star players. Goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte was handed his first I-League game with the Blues fielding just one foreigner -- defender Juanan pairing up with Sandesh Jhingan in central defence.

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With the starting eleven boasting of five U-22 players, the hosts surged into the lead as early as the 5th minute, with former AIFF Academy product Gursimrat Singh swaying an inch- perfect cross from the right flank for another former AIFF Academy product Daniel Lalhlimpuia to tap it in.

A minute before conceding the goal, Churchill, however, had bagged the first corner of the match which they failed to capitalise on.

Meanwhile, some silky touches from the talented Udanta Singh puzzled the Churchill defence. And it was the slippery Manipuri who doubled the lead in the 35th minute.

The final goal for the Blues came in the 84th minute - winger Mandar Rao Dessai curling it in off a pass from Salam Ranjan Singh.

East Bengal finish third

Meanwhile, Willis Plaza struck a brace as East Bengal thrashed Mumbai FC 4-0 in their concluding match to finish third in the I-League.

Coach Oscar Bruzon made two changes in the Mumbai team that drew against Shillong Lajong last Sunday.

The East Bengal attack was well-organised and they played at a very fast pace and with some swift moves often catching the Mumbai defence napping.

In the eight minute, Rowlin Borges worked with wing back Rahul Bheke to break free down the right. Borges after advancing deep sent a low ball into the area. Willis Plaza failed to connect but Bikash Jairu charged in from the left side and with an on-the-run essay found the roof of the net to give the visitors the lead.

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A few minutes later, East Bengal doubled the lead when Plaza, after controlling the ball near the edge of area, beat goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani with a snap shot. The ball brushed the fingertips of Kattimani.

The home side pressed hard after resumption, but in a bid to get back into the game, they let their guard down at the back and paid dearly as the visiting Bengal side added two more goals through Ansleme in the 62nd minute and Plaza in the 68th minute to finish with a deserving win.

Currently, Mumbai FC are in ninth place with 13 points ahead of Minerva Punjab who have 12 points but with a match in hand against DSK Shivajians on Sunday.

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