MARGAO: Man of the match Sean Rooney's double strike guided Bengaluru FC to a 3-1 win over Sporting Clube de Goa in round eight of the Hero I-League, played at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda here today.
Bengaluru who held more of the ball possession and scoring chances scored through Rooney (29th, 45+1) and substitute Beikhokhei Beingaichoo (85th). Sporting pulled one back through substitute Anthony Wolfe (66th).
The win takes Bengaluru FC to 13 points from eight matches. While Sporting Clube de Goa remained at the bottom with three points from seven matches.
Bengaluru FC looked better side in the first half as they held more of the ball possession with quick short passes and put on sustained pressure on the rival defense that soaked the pressure until their citadel fell in the 29th minute.
Following a free kick on the left defender Lalchhuanmawia, who received the ball, made a run and send a cross deep into the box where Robin Singh headed it to Rooney, who gently placed the ball to the far corner of the net with a left-footer beating keeper Ravi Kumar all ends.
Sporting Clube de Goa who failed to play collectively in the midfield brought in Anthony Wolfe in place of Sumeet Passi and had a chance to equalize ten minutes later when a move between Kalu and Victorino saw the latter setting up Kalu inside the box but he delayed in taking the shot and was disposed by the rival defender.
Bengaluru FC kept on the pressure and increased the lead when Rooney once again found the net in the injury time before the interval. It was his shot from top of the box from a free kick which took a deflection from the rival wall and beat the keeper to find the far end of the post.
The hosts put up improved performance in second half with Anthony Wolfe and Victorino Fernandes combining well upfront.
Wolfe than scored in the 66th minute when he chipped the ball over the onrushing keeper Lalthuammawia Ralte into the net.
Sporting than pressed hard to find the equaliser until the visitor took the match away from them when substitute Beikhokhei Beingaichho found the net in the 85th minute from close after the ball deflected Sunil Chhetri and came to him off a cross from Robin Singh which rival defender Rojen Singh failed to intercept.