Bengaluru FC win their first points

Sunil Chhetri led from the front with a first-half strike as Bengaluru FC fought for a 10 win over Ayeyawady United of Myanmar in an AFC Cup match in Yangon yesterday. Chhetri scored in the 34th minute of the Group H game, as Bengaluru claimed their first win of their campaign this season.

Having lost their first two games, Bengaluru made the trip knowing that even a draw could prove fatal to their chances to come out of the group and Westwood's boys made their intentions clear, constantly running at Ayeyawady.

It was Chhetri's move that led to the goal when, after picking the ball the goal when, after picking the ball at the edge of the box, he did well to find Udanta with a deft flick. The No 21 chose to cut back for the skipper who seemed to have miscued his shot. But Ayeyawady keeper Vanlal Hruai dived to his left in anticipation only to see the mis-hit ball trickle in on his right.

The Indian outfit could have added two more goals, but CK Vineeth and Udanta Singh narrowly missed giving BFC additional goals.Bengaluru are now placed third in the group with three points.

The opening 45 minutes was an even battle despite Bengaluru going into the break with the lead. The home side pushed for the equaliser in the second half, but Yangon despite their dominance were unable to breach the Bengaluru defence.

This left them open to the counter attack. Second-half substitute, Vineeth did well to beat the off-side trap and finding himself with only Hruai to get past, shot at the keeper.

Udanta should have doubled the lead minutes later when he raced through on goal only, to see his effort miss the target with just the keeper to beat. Benguluru FC will play their home leg match against the same opponents on April 13.