Bengaluru FC pipped Salgaocar 3-2 while Royal Wahingdoh edged past Mumbai FC 2-1on the inaugural day of the Federation Cup football tournament Sunday.
In Vasco, Sunil Chhetri struck a brace, and Australian forward Sean Rooney was the other scorer for Bengaluru. Goa giants Salgaocar struck through Gurjinder Kumar and Ivorian Douhou Pierre, with all the five goals coming during a pacy first half of the Group B encounter at the Tilak Maidan.
The group A exchange at Margao’s Nehru Stadium saw promising striker Jackichand Singh come up with a double strike while Josimar da Silva got the reducer for Mumbai FC.
Bengaluru FC tried to control the game from the outset, but Salgaocar matched the offensives after Chhetri – adjudged player of the year for 2014 – scored from the spot in the 25th minute.
Attempting to put home the skipper’s cross from the left, Rooney’s shot struck defender Pawan Kumar’s hand before the referee pointed to the spot. Chhetri calmly put in the easiest setpiece.
Salgaocar got their equaliser a little later when Gurjinder scored from a freekick variation from 30 yards.
Five minutes before the breather, Bengaluru again shot into the lead after a brilliant build-up saw Chhetri finish with the outside of his boot by following up on a Beikhokhei Beingaichho floater.
It took only a minute for Salgaocar to quell the Bengaluru celebrations when Pierre outwitted Englishman Josh Walker and smashed home from outside the box.
But Bengaluru had the last laugh before the halftime break. Darting down the left, Chhetri picked out Rooney with an inch-perfect pass and the Australian scored one that mattered the most with a simple finish.
Bengaluru FC face Mohun Bagan in their second group game Tuesday.
Manipuri Jakichand, who was the cynosure of all eyes in last season’s 2nd Division League becoming the top scorer, found the target on either side of halftime to steer the Shillong side clear in their first Federation Cup outing.
It all started in the 34th minute. Bekay Bawar’s left-wing cross found Jackichand unmarked in the area and the striker made no mistake from close, tapping in with ease.
Crossing over, Jackichand made space for himself to bring up his brace off a Bawar layoff.
Luck also seemed to be donning the Shillong side’s colours as Chika Wali’s header from close range came off the horizontal four minutes into the hour mark. But Josimar seemed determined to turn the tide. Collecting possession from Matsugae, the veteran Brazilian ran the ball into the box before letting loose a rasping right-footer that crashed into the net.
That was that though for the yellow strips as their counterparts sat back in the dying moments of the match to see off the tie.
(IANS)