Bengaluru FC wrapped up their Stafford Challenge Cup campaign with a 0-1 defeat in their final Group C encounter against Kenkre FC, at the Bangalore Football Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Tuesday. Stafford Challenge Cup: Kenkre FC beat Bengaluru FC by 1-0.
Striker Jay Bhavnani’s first-half penalty (41’) proved to be the difference between the two sides. Ahead of the game, Bengaluru Coach Naushad Moosa made three changes to the side that featured against Delhi FC on Sunday, with goalkeeper Lara Sharma, midfielder Shreyas Ketkar and Rajanbir Singh returning to the fray.
The Blues started well, creating chances aplenty and went close on several occasions, but it was the away side that took the lead, against the run of play. Nearing the halfway mark, Ashish Jha brought Raul Almeida down in the box, prompting referee Sreekumar Pillai to point to the spot.
Bhavnani then stepped up to convert from 12 yards out, sending Sharma the wrong way to put his side in the lead. Into the second period, the Blues sought a reaction with Moosa making a double change bringing on Satendra Singh and Vinith Venkatesh, who replaced Jha and Amay Morajkar.
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An end-to-end encounter ensued between the sides with Bengaluru pushing for an equalizer. But the Blues were unable to trouble Kenkre ’keeper Aryan Surwade in goal. Moosa continued to ring in the changes, bringing on Harsh Patre on for Ketkar and a little later, winger Ashik Adhikari replaced Thoi Singh.
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