(Football news) After the game was tied at 1-1 in normal time, Bengaluru FC defeated ATK Mohun Bagan in a thrilling penalty shootout at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) today to go to the Reliance Foundation Developmental League (RFDL) finals.
The pivotal seventh spot-kick in the shootout, which would have given the Blues this resounding victory, was missed by Thumsol Tongsin. After an hour of torturous end-to-end play, Bengaluru FC’s Huidrom Thoi Singh scored a miraculous goal in the 61st minute to enable the Blues take the lead and break the tie.
Thoi entered this competition after scoring an incredible hat-trick in the first half against FC Goa in the National Group Stage. He picked up the ball towards the midway point of the game, sped past a few ATK Mohun Bagan defenders, and then unleashed a strike from outside the box that went in the back of the net to give Bangalore a vital lead.
In the final 10 minutes, ATK Mohun Bagan found their composure and began to apply pressure by making some great passing plays. With a few minutes left before halftime, they were awarded a free kick close to the touchline, and Ningombam Engson Singh pounced on the deflected kick to smash a strong shot and score the equalise to send the match to penalties.
In the shootouts, both teams remained competitive for a large amount of time, but ATK Mohun Bagan ultimately lost thanks to a superb save by Bengaluru custodian and captain Sharon.
“Football always brings us new training sessions, new experiences and new games. In two days, we have the third-place playoff, which we want to win. Then there is the Next Gen Cup. So, there is always a next opportunity, a next exam,” said ATK Mohun Bagan coach Josep Maria Roma Gibert as he reflected on his team’s loss after a highly competitive clash.
“There is no time to regret. There is no time to cry. We will cry a little bit now in the changing. Tomorrow there is a training session and then we keep moving to the third-place game. This is football. This is life,” he added.
Thoi Singh, who won Player of the Match for this match, on the other hand, was praised highly by Bengaluru FC coach Kaizad Ambapardiwalla.
“Thoi has developed really well because he has been starting and playing games continuously. His style of play has also improved at the same. If you observe tonight’s goal as well, technique wise, his entire performance levels have gone up very high,” Ambapardiwalla touched upon the impressive form demonstrated by his star player.
Brief Scores:
Bengaluru FC 1 (7) (Huidrom Thoi Singh 61’) – 1 (6) (Ningombam Engson Singh 87’) ATK Mohun Bagan
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