BFC keeps marauding Mohun Bagan at bay

A lively encounter between Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant, witnessed by more than 20,000 open-throated fans at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, ended in a goalless draw here on Saturday.

The result preserved Bagan’s position at the top of the table (13 points) and BFC’s in sixth place (8), but on the night, the home side would have been happier, for it kept a clean-sheet against Sergio Lobera’s marauding outfit, which averaged nearly four goals a match leading in.

Bagan, in fact, had two gilt-edged chances towards the fag end but fluffed both. Forward Jamie Maclaren headed a superb ball onto the path of Dimitros Petratos only for his fellow Aussie to miss a one-on-one with Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

Moments later, defender Alberto Rodriguez, after escaping his marker, connected cleanly with a corner but hit the ball wide.

All through the contest, BFC played with a low block and the plan was to funnel the ball through inverted right-winger Ryan Williams via fast breaks. The 32-year-old undoubtedly made his presence felt, but against the mighty Bagan, he had to be a menace.

In the first half, he came close twice but couldn’t trouble Vishal Kaith in goal, and in the second period he was denied by an inch-perfect sliding tackle from the excellent Subhasish Bose.

BFC talisman Sunil Chhetri saw two of his hits from inside the area blocked off by Anirudh Thapa.

Bagan was the better side overall, stringing together many a flowing passing move. But it paid the price for not being clinical in the final third.

The result: Bengaluru FC 0 drew with Mohun Bagan Super Giant 0.