FC Bengaluru United (FCBU) began their Stafford Challenge Cup 2023 in style with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Dempo FC. FC Bengaluru United sustained a high intensity throughout, barely giving Dempo FC a sniff, to emerge worthy winners. The goalscorers for FC Bengaluru United were Selwyn Miranda (7’), Irfan Yadwad (34’), Shubha Ghosh (88’) and Aenam K Jyrwa (94’).
FCBU began the game in a dominant style, controlling possession from the very beginning. They had their first chance in the 4th minute, a strong strike from Yadwad just narrowly missing the goal. FCBU kept up the pressure and were rewarded three minutes later. Good build up play by Nikhil Raj allowed Miranda to strike from the edge of the D to the bottom right corner of the goal to get FCBU up 1-0. The Bangalore boys continued to dominate proceedings through the first half working hard on their set pieces, a shot off an FCBU corner from Yadwad going over the crossbar. Yadwad finally had redemption in the 34th minute, making the most of a confusion in the box, following an error from the Dempo FC goalkeeper who failed to collect the ball cleanly from the cross. Most of the game in the first 45 minutes was played in Dempo FC’s half, with FCBU playing a high line and Dempo unable to penetrate the opposition defence.
FCBU started the second half from where they left off – they continued to dominate proceedings right through the half and would be disappointed to not finish the several chances that they had. In the 49th minute a chance to go 3-0 up went begging as Yadwad missed scoring off a clean shot from Raj. A good cross from Sudhir Pottikela beat the Dempo FC keeper, but Nikhil Mali hit the shot wide of the goal. The final moments of the game though suddenly saw things come together again for FCBU – in the 88th minute a good cross from Miranda saw Ghosh head in the ball strongly to get FCBU up 3-0. Soon enough it was 4-0, in the 4th minute of extra time: Aenam K Jyrwa slipped past the FCBU defence to get the ball in and register an emphatic victory for the Bangalore team.
