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On a day to remember for DSK Shivajians FC, the side from Pune beat Bengaluru FC by 2-0 in their second game of the Federation Cup. Juan Quero opened the scoring from the spot on the 71st minute and added another two minutes later courtesy a brilliant 30 yard free kick.
DSK Shivajians who opted to start with six U-22 players in their first eleven and 11 U-22 players in the match day squad made the exuberance of their youth count on the day. The first half started off in a somewhat sluggish manner under a scorching 36 degree sun, with both sets of players looking visibly fatigued, with this being their second game in 48 hours.
An early duel developed down Bengaluru FC’s right wing with Sairuatkima battling and keeping at bay an increasingly aggressive Udanta Singh who sought to whip the ball into Sunil Chhetri in the middle. DSK Shivajians got their first chance of the game on the 9th minute as Lallianzuala Chhangte found himself clear infront of goal, only to find himself inches offside. This was, however, a sign of things to come, with Ricky Lallawmawma cutting past four defenders to win the side a corner minutes later. As the game wore on however, it developed into a scrappy affair, with both sets of players reeling under the extreme weather conditions. With eight men in the DSK Shivajians defence, the frustration was showing on the faces of Sunil Chhetri and Co. in the Bengaluru FC attack as they were just unable to find a way through. Mawihminthanga, who was given the task of marking Sunil Chhetri was only adding to the India captain’s woes, with the young Mizo lad not giving India’s all time leading goalscorer any space. Both sides went in level at the break.
The second half started off with Juanan Gonzalez coming close for Bengaluru FC, only to find Subrata Pal, who returned to the starting XI in fine form. At the other end an all Mizo affair saw Lalthuammawia Ralte keep out Lallianzuala Chhangte’s ball which was destined for the head of the onrushing Mawihmingthanga. Moments later, the Bengaluru FC keeper found himself in action again to block Kim Song Yong’s shot. With DSK Shivajians throwing more bodies into attack, Ralte found himself in the thick of things once again, coming off his line to go head to head with Kim Song Yong outside the box, just beating the big North Korean striker in the air.
It was the 70th minute that saw decisive action, however, with a great run by Lallianzualla Chhangte end with Ralte bringing him down inside the box to give away a penalty to DSK Shivajians. Juan Quero, coolly converted from the spot to put the Pune based side ahead. Minutes later, Chhangte was again fouled, this time outside the box, to see Juan Quero step up once again. This time the Spaniard showed a tremendous amount of quality from range to blast the ball into Ralte’s net from 30 yards out.
Albert Roca was furious. The remainder of the game saw Bengaluru FC pile on the pressure, only for DSK Shivajians to remain rather unaffected with a rock solid defence. Vanlalremkima, Mawihmingthanga and Rohit Kumar put in the shift of a lifetime to stop the Bengaluru FC attackers, rated as some of the best in the country. As a whole Dave Rogers boys managed to remain watertight at the back, while looking threatening every time they attacked. As the final whistle blew, it was rather impossible for the big Englishman on the touchline not to have a smile on his face as he had just made history by beating Bengaluru FC and winning a game in the Federation Cup, both for the first time.
“What I’ve got in my players is desire, commitment, energy, youthfulness, experience, and enthusiasm. We’ve brought a squad of 24 players and we’ve got to utilise everybody. To play three games in five days is difficult for anybody. I thought today, our counter-attacking football was second to none, and overall to a man, we got out tactics spot on, and we nullified Bengaluru FC to corner kicks and Free-Kicks and they never opened us up once, and I’m really proud of my squad. The result has put everything in our own hands. If we win day after, we qualify,” said DSK Shivajians manager Dave Rogers.
Singling out Jerry Mawihmingthanga for praise, Dave Rogers added, “I put Jerry Mawihmingthanga on Sunil Chhetri, and Sunil never got a kick of the ball. That’s a credit to the maturity, mentality and physicality of this young boy. This boy is so emotional and so passionate about his football, and he’s a credit to the football club.”
DSK Shivajians FC will next play Shillong Lajong FC on May 12.
