Bengaluru FC’s women’s side began their KSFA A Division League campaign with a tight 1-0 win at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Sunday. A late goal from Shloka Krishna (70′) proved to be the difference as the girls put in a gritty display to bag all three points.
Ahead of the game, coach Kishore Chavan named an eleven that saw Tanvi Nair, Saisha Chawla and Chinmayi Tili lead the line with Sila Adarsh, Janani Thoppur and Ruthu Sreenandan providing the supply from midfield. The backline featured captain Aabha Kudale along with Rheanna Jacob, Misha Agarwal and Natania Martin, with Shivani Savanth guarding the sticks.
Bengaluru FC dominated proceedings in the first half, having more possession and creating more chances. They very nearly opened the scoring in the 20th minute when a shot from Tanvi deflected off the woodwork before being cleared away by the Pass backline. Chavan also made an attacking change early in the game as Rinsha Mariyam replaced Saisha and made a difference throughout the game from the left with her pace and dribbling. Despite the relentless stream of attacks from Bengaluru, Pass FC held on to keep parity in the game going into the break.
Into the second period, Chavan made more changes, bringing in Shloka and Hasvika Sridharan in a bid to sustain his side’s attacking intent. Once again, luck didn’t favour the girls as another attempt of theirs was denied by the woodwork, this time coming from the foot of Rinsha, seconds before the hour mark.
But Chavan’s changes finally struck gold a minute away from time, when Rinsha’s attempt at goal was deflected into the path of Shloka, who settled herself before unleashing a shot into the top left corner to score and spark off celebrations.
Bengaluru FC will look to build on their winning start when they face United FC Kodagu in their next game on Sunday, May 28.