Football
ESPN staff 7y

Bengaluru FC keep AFC Cup record intact with 2-0 win over Abahani

Nineteen-year-old Nishu Kumar's first goal for the club and a Marjan Jugovic goal eight minutes from time made it three wins in as many games as Bengaluru FC beat Dhaka Abahani from Bangladesh 2-0 to keep pole position (9 points) of Group E in the AFC Cup at the Kanteerava Stadium, in Bengaluru. 

Bengaluru were dominant in the first fifteen minutes of the game with Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Len Doungel and John Johnson all having good chances early on. Bengaluru did have a scare in the 25th minute when Mohammad Ziban found himself on goal, making the most of an erroneous back pass, but goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte thwarted the danger with a confident charge.

Nishu Kumar shot the hosts into the lead in the 40th minute after some great build-up play. Sneaking into the box to pick up Daniel's pass, Nishu placed the ball beyond keeper Sahidul Alam's left. The first half ended 1-0 to Bengaluru. 

In the second half, Benglauru continued to create more chances. Harmanjot Khabra could have doubled the lead after being slid through by Chhetri in the 59th minute. With only the keeper to beat, he fired his shot straight at keeper Alam. 

The second goal was the result of another swift move with Chhetri picking out Eugeneson Lyngdoh who floated a cross in for Jugovic. The Serbian took his time and saw his shot come off the crossbar before it bounced over the line, a finish the assistant referee confirmed. The goal was Jugovic's second in three games as a substitute.

With Bengaluru to play another home game against Maziya, they are favourites to finish as group winners, and progress to the inter-zonal play-off semi-finals for the 2017 AFC Cup.

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