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Bengaluru FC got off to a flying start in the Hero Junior League after a thrilling 2-1 win over Raman Sports Academy at the Centre for Sports Excellence in Yelahanka on Thursday, January 2. Early goals from Ishaan Raghunanda (6′) and Monirul Molla (7′) proved to be decisive for the Junior Blues as Sham S (59′) pulled one back for the hosts in the second half.
With the win, Bengaluru FC moved to the top of Group B in the Karnataka Zone with three points from this opening round encounter.
Beginning the game on the offensive, Sachin Badadhe’s boys scored a quickfire double in the first ten minutes of the game, to gain a two-goal advantage. First, it was Ishaan who ran free down the right flank, and with the rival custodian Nikhil B. rushing out to clear, the Bengaluru FC attacker clipped it over him and into the open goal in the 6th minute.
Moments later, the Blues doubled their lead when Ishaan turned provider to strike-partner Molla. Ishaan’s cross into the box was diverted home from close range by Molla, who did well to evade his marker and get the decisive touch on the ball.
While the Blues had a two-goal cushion to protect from the second half, the hosts came out aggressively in the second. They pulled one back in the 59th minute when Sham S. found the back of the net, and two minutes later the striker almost got Raman SA level only for his long-range shot to come off the woodwork.
The hosts had two chances to level the scorer in the final quarter of the game but couldn’t capitalize on them. It was Bengaluru FC custodian Raj Biswas who kept the lead intact saving Harish K’s penalty in the 74th minute and when Raman SA had another shot at equalizing the score in the 90th minute, Sham hit his attempt wide from the spot as Badadhe’s boys sealed a narrow win.
Bengaluru FC now host Jain Academy for Sporting Excellence in the next round in Bellary on January 6.
