PANJIM: Bengaluru FC were punished for their lacklustre performance as they suffered their first defeat of the Hero Indian Super League season 7, courtesy to David Williams 33rd minute strike.
ATK Mohun Bagan put up a champions display and totally outplayed their opponents at Fatorda Stadium. The home side pinned their opponents in their own territory and gave them little chance to get the goal.
The win took the Kolkata side level on points with Mumbai City with 16 points from seven matches while Bengaluru FC stayed third with 12 points.
ATK Mohun Bagan had series of opportunities early in the game but Manvir Singh just couldn’t get the act right for the defending champions. He had two chances in the first quarter and bit his efforts hardly created any trouble for the opponents.
The first chance for Manvir arrived in the 11th minute. Subhasish Bose drilled in a low cross for Manvir, who got the better of Bheke but his first time shot was easily swallowed by the keeper Gurpreet. His second attempt was set-up by Garcia with a sublime through ball, which was also dealt by the Bengaluru keeper.
Arindam Bhattacharja was forced to bring out a save which was rather an easy shot from Sunil Chhetri. The Indian skipper should have done better with his first real chance in the game.
At the other end, ATK Mohun Bagan broke the deadlock when Carl McHugh found Williams with a long ball. But it was Australian with his brilliant first touch, before making room for him to fire a stunner past Gurpreet Singh.
ATK MB had the chance to inflate the lead in the second half but this time Williams couldn’t direct his shot in the frame.
Bengaluru who were rather clueless throughout the game had the glorious chance to restore parity in the 73rd minute. A poor goalkick from Arindam set BFC on the attack. Leon Augustine found Suresh Wangjam on the right side and the latter cut it back to Cleiton Silva. Silva should have scored from touching distance but instead shot wide.
The visitors custodian came with yet another fine save to deny Manvir Singh from finding the back of the net. At the other end, ATK Mohun Bagan defence were brilliant throughout and kept a check on their opponents as they held on to their one-goal lead till the final whistle.
