BENGALURU: Bengaluru FC played out a goalless draw against Dempo SC in second match of the Hero I-League, at the Kanteerava Stadium, here, on Saturday.
Sans three foreigners and regular captain Clifford Miranda, Arthur Papas’ boys kept their defense tight, controlled midfield in the second half, and played a goalless draw against the champions Bengaluru.
BFC held the edge as the visitors could field only one foreigner. Tolgay Ozbey and Haroon Fakhruddin were out injured and Costa Rican medio Carlos Hernandez could not be fielded owing to clearance issue.
The first minute of the game saw Sunil’s floater from the right wing, which was cleared by skipper Callum Angus. A needless charge by defender Debabrata Roy to Beikhokhei, the later was booked in the ninth minute after a rough challenge on Robin Singh.
Dempo missed scoring opportunity twice in first half – in 21st minute a looping corner from Farncis Fernandes touched Angus’s head missed the top corner. Another one in 34th minute BFC keeper when Ralte failed to clear a Jewel Raja’s long shot and Holicharan failed to latch the opportunity on his follow-up.
BFC earned a penalty in the 44’ minute after continuous pressure in the last five minutes of first half. Angus handballed inside the box, however, Dempo keeper Kattimani guessed Sunil Chhetri’s shot on the right side.
Kattimani was also adjudged the Hero of the Match for his performance.
