Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
BENGALURU: Three years, three trophies — two I-Leagues and one Federation Cup — Bengaluru FC have a pretty impressive kitty. Their second league title came in front of 11,431 roaring fans, as the Blues downed Salgaocar FC 2-0 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Sunday. The match against defending champions Mohun Bagan has now been rendered inconsequential.
Requiring a win to be crowned champions for the second time in three years, an attacking BFC picked up from where they left off against East Bengal. The hosts’ attacking supremacy showed just eight minutes in, as Eugeneson Lyngdoh’s 25-yard strike gave Ashley Westwood’s side an early lead. Seminlen Doungel added the icing on the cake in the 87th minute.An adventurous journey has seen striker Robin Singh out for the entire campaign; Eugeneson Lyngdoh also limped off against Mumbai FC, just four matches into the season.
At one point, Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan were also in top form, as they were six points clear after an 11-match unbeaten streak.
East Bengal also put up some fantastic displays in the first half of the season. But the Blues, three years into their existence, have recaptured glory.
After 11 games, Bagan were favourites, but everything changed when their coach Sanjoy Sen was handed an eight-game suspension, later reduced to four games, by AIFF. But damage was done, and the most important moment for Bengaluru came when the clear favourites lost to Aizawl and East Bengal, before drawing against Shillong Lajong.
Credit should go to gaffer Westwood, who has always had clear vision and a Plan B. “It has been a fantastic season. We didn’t have individual match-winners, who could take the team forward. But team effort and talented players rewarded us,” an emphatic Westwood said.
COACH Westwood On his Way Out?
Ashley Westwood might be on his way out after BFC offered him a pay-cut for the season ahead. “I wanted to stay, but the club have offered me a wage drop. This does not fit with my line of ideas. We no longer stand where we used to. I believe I’ve done a decent job and if the club don’t want to keep me, I’ll move on or just take a gamble,” he said. If club officials are to be believed, BFC and Westwood are still in talks, and a positive outcome may be on the cards.
