Cuttack: DSK Shivajians FC rode on a brace by Spanish import Juan Barraso to defeat Bengaluru FC 2-0 in a Group B match of the 38th edition of the Federation Cup football tournament at the Barabati Stadium here on Wednesday.
A goal from the penalty spot in the 71st minute followed by a peach of a goal from a free-kick more than 30 yards out in the 76th minute from Juan Barraso led DSK Shivajians to a hard-fought win over the former I-League champions.
DSK Shivajians` win means that three teams out of four find themselves level on points in Group B.
Defending champions Mohun Bagan lead Group B with three points after thrashing DSK Shivajians 4-0 in the only match they have played so far. Both DSK Shivajians and Bengaluru FC meanwhile, have gathered three points after playing two matches each.
DSK Shivajians` South Korean import Kim Song Yong lead their forward line and gave the Bengaluru FC defence a tough time.
With Lallianzuala Chhangte and Juan Barraso on the wings, DSK Shivajians utilised the flanks in the initial minutes, searching for an early goal. In the ninth minute, Lallianzuala connected on a cross from the left flank, but he was flagged offside.
For Bengaluru FC, the first real chance came in the 19th minute when a corner kick was met by a thumping John Johnson header, only for the DSK Shivajians defence to make a goal line clearance.
Three minutes later, Bengaluru FC had another chance from a set piece after Juan Fernandez`s header flew inches past the DSK Shivajians goal off a Cameron Watson free-kick.
Despite dominating possession through the first half and enjoying healthy spells in the final third, Bengaluru FC could not make much of it.
The second half began in a different manner. This time it were Bengaluru FC who attacked early on and DSK custodian Subrata Pal had to make two saves — first from an Eugeneson Lyngdoh shot followed by palming away a corner kick.
Experienced striker Sunil Chhetri and his striker partner Daniel Lalhimpuia played upfront for Bengaluru FC while Nishu Kumar gave them width on the flanks as the the former I-League champions adopted an attacking stance.
At the other end, however, DSK Shivajians came close to scoring had it not been for Bengaluru FC goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte`s quick reflexes.
The Bengaluru custodian in the 50th minute palmed away a Lallianzuala cross which was aimed towards Kim`s direction. With no real pressure, Kim would have had a free header if not for Ralte`s quick thinking. Shortly after, Rohit Kumar tried to catch Ralte off his lines, but the former`s shot was misguided.
With neither team fostering any real goal scoring opportunity in the remainder of the time, the match culminated in the midfield where both cancelled each other out. In the 70th minute, DSK were awarded a penalty after Lallianzuala Chhangte was brought down in the box. A cool finish by Juan Barraso from the spot gave DSK Shivajians the lead.
In the 76th minute, Barraso scored a screamer from a freekick more than 30 yards out to double DSK`s lead.
DSK Shivajians held on to the two-goal advantage as the full-time score read 2-0.
Source: Zee News