Kolkata: Leaders Bengaluru FC blanked Mohun Bagan 2-0 to go four points clear at the top of the table and inch closer to the title after their round 24 I-League fixture at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Sunday.
Thoi Singh put the visitors in front at the stroke of halftime while Sean Rooney doubled the lead in the 60th minute to help Bengaluru restore their four-point lead at the top, while Mohun Bagan remained in danger of relegation with 24 points from 22 outings.
Mohun Bagan enjoyed a lot of possession in the opposition half but they never really tested Bengaluru custodian Pawan Kumar. Bengaluru, on the other hand, lacked penetration from open play and only looked dangerous from crosses with Mohun Bagan keeper Shilton Paul having to come out and punch clear twice.
As the half progressed, both teams struggled physically due to the hot and humid conditions. But Bengaluru broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime almost out of nothing. A needless back-header by Denson Devadas sent Rooney behind the Mohun Bagan backline and the Australian's cross from the right flank was headed into the back of the net by Thoi.
In another match, Sporting Clube de Goa rallied to hold Churchill Brothers to a 1-1 draw and split points in the 23rd round of the I-League, played at Nehru Stadium. Churchill Brothers, who needed a victory badly in their quest to avoid relegation, took the lead in the 72nd minutes. Sporting fought back and found the equaliser in the 80th minute through Boima Karpeh.
Churchill Brothers, who had more of the exchanges and scoring chances, have themselves to blame for as they failed to score with Wolfe being the worst offender. They now have 19 points from 20 matches. While Sporting Clube de Goa remained on fourth place with 33 points from 22 matches.
Both the teams played an attacking game but failed to break the deadlock in a barren first half. Churchill Brothers, who are looking desperate for a win in order to avoid relegation, started on a promising note as they showed a lot of urgency, especially in the later part of the first half but wasted the chances that came their way with Anthony Wolfe being the main culprit.
Churchill's midfielder Abdel Shabana, who led the attack from the middle, was instrumental in initiating most of the moves.
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