BANGALORE (India): John Chidi netted a hat-trick as Mohammedan Sporting beat Bengaluru FC Reserves 3-1 in a Group B match of 2nd Division League here on Thursday.
Chidi scored in the 41′, 75′ and 88th minutes respectively while ) scored a hat-trick while Biswa Kumar Darjee (PG – 74′) were on target for the hosts.
Despite some quick and accurate passes from both sets of players, neither side was able to establish dominance over the midfield during the early stages which made for an end-to-end, open encounter.
Mohammedan were pressing high without the ball, trying to put pressure on the Bengaluru defence which looked organised and comfortable to dictate the pace of the match and limit the Mohammedan’s options to counterattacks.
Playing out from the back, the Calcutta side were looking to connect with Chidi but Jagdeep Singh had little trouble defusing the searching long balls and crosses aimed at the forward.
By midway through the first period Bengaluru were piling on the pressure. Bekay Oram and Emanuel Lalchhanchhuaha led Bengaluru’s offensive efforts but like their opponents, failed to be as lethal as they needed to be in front of goal.
Inevitably, failing to convert their chances came back to haunt Bengaluru as Black Panthers took the lead in the 41st minute minute through Chidi who slotted past Bengaluru keeper Aditya Patra.
Going into the second-half, Black Panthers continued to apply pressure and made some decent runs forward. The hosts kept up the pressure on their opponents and eventually managed to restore parity in the 74th minute when Biswa slotted from the spot after Hira Mondal tackled Oram inside the box. (Source: MSC)
