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Champions Bengaluru FC made their exit from the 132nd Durand Cup with a fluent 2-0 win over Gokulam Kerala FC as the group stages of the tournament concluded at Kolkata’s Kishore Bharati Krirangan. Gokulam Kerala had already qualified for the quarterfinals topping Group C with six points, after having won both their opening matches. Bengaluru FC finished second in the group with five points.
Bengaluru FC coach Bibiano Fernandes rested Ashish Jha and played Satyendra Yadav upfront while also giving Sahil an opportunity to man the Bengaluru FC goal in place of Amrit Gope, who played the first two games.
Gokulam Kerala FC’s Domingo Oramas on the other hand, with a big quarterfinal coming up, just retained three from their previous Kerala Blasters game and rested his key players like Sreekuttan, Nili Perdomo and Alex Sanchez, although he was forced to play them later in the game.
A period of pressure by Bengaluru FC in the middle of the half saw them force a few corners one after the other and Gokulam Kerala in the end tried to sneak a lead but overall, it was a barren goalless first 45 minutes.
After the break, Gokulam Kerala took the initiative and a ball from the left-flank from Calvin found the head of Shijin, whose header just missed the target.
The deadlock required inspiration to be broken and Robin Yadav provided that in the 57th minute, getting his free-kick right, for the first time in this tournament. It was a world-class goal.
Then just before regulation time, two substitutes combined as Monirul Molla drove in getting the better of Bouba Aminou and slid it across for Lalpekhlua, who made no mistake with the finish. It was a pleasing display by a largely young Bengaluru FC side.
