FC Bengaluru United emerged victorious against United SC, 1-0, on a sultry afternoon at the Bangalore Football Stadium. In their final game of 2nd Division, I League Qualifiers. Irfan Yadwad (12′) was the sole scorer for the men in red, while Kabir Taufiq was phenomenal as the custodian between the posts. The victory ensures that they finish their campaign with 6 points, in four matches. While the two-time Karnataka Super Division Champions will not gain ascension to the I-League, the season has highlighted their dominance at home along with a tremendous prowess for scoring goals.
Proceedings commenced in full throttle with FCBU bursting forward with intent. Their first chance of the game came as early as the 12th minute when a piercing long ball long found an eager Irfan Yadwad, at the edge of the box, but the league’s top scorer put it wide. Soon after another opportunity fell his way in the 12th minute, on the back of a quick move, he found the net with precision, to give the home team the lead, 1-0.
While both teams fought to break the deadlock, FCBU looked in command for the majority of the first half. In the 30th minute, FCBU failed to capitalize on a golden opportunity, only for the midfielder to place it over the posts.
Ifran Yadwad found himself in a one on one with goalkeeper yet again in the 30th minute, but an attacking piece of goalkeeping forced the Goan striker to chip it over the goal. Minutes before half time, Rahul Roy took a thunderous strike on goal, for United SC but Kabir Taufiq pulled off a spectacular save to maintain the scoreline.
United SC attacked tenaciously in the second half, which began with an opportunity for skipper Tarak to equalize for United SC, but he failed to capitalize on a difficult situation and the scoreline remained unchanged. FCBU showed tremendous resolve holding onto their lead while they fended off numerous waves of offence from United SC. In the 56th minute, Kabir Taufiq made two acrobatic saves in quick succession, reiterating his purple match and ensuring a clean sheet for FC Bengaluru United.
With the final whistle, the end of the season drew upon FC Bengaluru United. A season that saw them winning the historic Stafford Cup and registering solid performances in the Karnataka Super Division and the 2nd Division I-league Qualifiers. Fans will be eager to see the Bengaluru based team back in action.
