An inspired Bengaluru FC came from behind to claim a convincing 2-1 victory over Mohun Bagan to get their 2017 AFC Cup campaign off to a winning start at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
After conceding the first from a Katsumi Yusa penalty, Sandesh Jhingan and Sunil Chhetri scored a goal each to pick up all three points in the opening match of the 2017 AFC Cup group E encounter.
Roca's two changes from the game on Saturday included starts for CK Vineeth and Salam Ranjan Singh ahead of Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Nishu Kumar as Bengaluru started out in what looked like a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Bengaluru had an early scare when Arindam Bhattacharya, under pressure to get rid of a back pass, could clear only as far as Katsumi Yusa. The defence had to rush back in numbers and prevent any chance of a goal.
Ten minutes from half-time, Bagan were awarded a penalty when Jhingan's trailing leg caught Sony Norde in the box. Arindam picked the correct side -- his right -- but Yusa's shot was hit with enough power to fly beyond and give the Kolkata club the lead.
Finding themselves down a goal, Bengaluru came into the second half inspired as they started creating chances early on. Eugeneson Lyngdoh came on for Lenny Rodrigues as the home side began pegging the Bagan defence back.
Making amends for the first-half penalty, Jhingan hit home Bengaluru's equaliser from a well-worked set-piece in the 51st minute. Making a late run into the box, the defender met Watson's corner with a sweet hit that flew past keeper Shilton Paul to restore parity.
With their tails up, Bengaluru constantly invaded Bagan's box with darting runs from either flank. Just six minutes after the equaliser, Shilton stepped out of the box with the ball in his hand, giving Bengaluru a free-kick just outside the box. Chhetri stepped up to pierce the Bagan wall, giving Bengaluru the lead.
The home side created numerous chances after the goal. Vineeth's cross for Lyngdoh was inches away from the midfielder's diving header before a miscued effort from Daniel Lalhlimpuia saw the ball fizz past the net. A free-kick from Juanan seemed like the icing on the cake for the Blues but his take was inches away from the Bagan crossbar.
Bengaluru FC now head into the international break before returning to face Bagan in the I-League at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, on April 1.