Bengaluru falter against Churchill
The Blues were reduced to 10 men on 79 minutes as Johnson was given the marching orders following a tackle on Chesterpoul.
Bengaluru: Ten-man Bengaluru FC fell to their second straight defeat going down 1-2 to Churchill Brothers in an I-League game that saw tempers flare at the Tilak Maidan, in Goa, on Friday.
Sunil Chhetri’s opener from the spot was cancelled out by Anthony Wolfe before Chesterpoul Lyngdoh scored a second-half winner to consign Bengaluru to their first-ever defeat in Goa.
The game came to life in the 20th minute when Fulganco Cardozo brought down Roby Norales allowing Chhetri to smash home his first goal of the season.
It was a defensive blunder in the 33rd minute that hit Bengaluru the hardest when Chesterpoul Lyngdoh’s seemingly harmless punt from his own half went over John Johnson’s head and met Anthony Wolfe’s run. With Amrinder Singh off his line and stranded, the striker got Churchill an equaliser with a simple finish.
The goal seemed to have put a spring in the home side’s stride as they went on to grab the lead in the 53rd minute. Picked out by Wolfe in space, Chesterpoul Lyngdoh kept his calm before placing past Amrinder to make it 2-1.
The Blues began throwing numbers in attack and kept possession but kept running into a stubborn Churchill side. C.K. Vineeth had the best chance in the 73rd minute but his effort was tipped over Priyant Kumar Singh.
The Blues were reduced to 10 men on 79 minutes as Johnson was given the marching orders following a tackle on Chesterpoul. Tempers flared at the touchline as the Blues looked to find their way back but it wasn’t to be.