PANJIM: Bengaluru FC’s misery continued as they suffered their fourth consecutive defeat in the Indian Super League after going down fighting 0-1 against SC East Bengal at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Saturday.
Matt Steinmann scored the only goal of the game in the 20th minute to help SC East Bengal record their second win in the competition and remain unbeaten in their last five games.
Interim coach Naushad Moosa made four changes to the starting eleveln handing first start of the season to two defenders Parag Srivas and Ajith Kumar. Erik Paartalu and Udanta Singh were the other two players to start for BFC.
For East Bengal, it was just one change as Jacques Maghoma returned in the starting eleven while Daniel Fox was eligible to play after his red card against Goa was overturned.
The home side started brightly from the word go and nearly took the lead in the first minute. But Sunil Chhetri’s lob shot was easily saved by SC East Bengal Debjit Majumder. BFC came once again close when Cleiton Silva had the chance but his header from Juan Gonzalez’s cross failed to see the framework.
At the other end, SC East Bengal took the lead through Matt Steinmann, who scored with a fine finish when he guided in Narayan Das’ low cross in the box. Steinmann scored his third goal of the campaign for SC East Bengal.
East Bengal were in total control of the game and made Bengaluru FC chase shadows in the later stages of the game while Bengaluru looked far from convincing upfront and struggled at the back in the first session.
SC East Bengal dominated and created a couple of chances before the half-hour mark and nearly extended their lead. But both their efforts failed in the final third as their players failed to connect the ball in front of the goal. Ankit sent in a perfect cross in the box, but Narayan Das’ diving finish diverted wide. Minutes later, another chance went begging for SCEB, as Harmanpreet Singh couldn’t get to the end of Ankit’s through pass.
In the second half, BFC looked to have come with a plan as they put up a much decent display. The former ISL champions displayed a better brand of football and tried testing the keeper from a distance.
It was Chhetri once again with a shot from inside the box, but Debjit was alert to thwart the danger. The keeper was at his best on the Saturday night, as he frustrated the Indian skipper pulling off yet another save later in the game.
At the other end, Maghoma sprinted and his deflected pass found Harmanpreet at the edge of the box. The 19-year-old’s first touch proved heavy and his shot blazed off target. Later Bright saw his effort saved by Gurpreet Singh.
