Football
Army lose 5-0, crash out from AFC Cup Preliminary stage
Though the Indian Super League side Bengaluru were made to wait until the 51st minute to get on the scoresheet, they taught a harsh lesson to Army once they broke the deadlock.Sports Bureau
The Tribhuvan Army Club faced a thumping 5-0 defeat against Bengaluru FC to crash out from the second round of the AFC Cup Preliminary stage at the GMC Athletic Stadium in Goa, Wednesday.
Army, the runners up of the Martyrs Memorial 'A' Division league, conceded all goals within 15 minutes of the second half in the one-sided match. Though the Indian Super League side Bengaluru were made to wait until the 51st minute to get on the scoresheet, they taught a harsh lesson to Army once they broke the deadlock.
Bengaluru's Rahul Bheke opened the floodgates when he headed Brazilian forward Cleiton’s corner from the crowded zone. India and Bengaluru captain Sunil Chhetri doubled the advantage a minute later capitalising on a cross by Harmanjot Khabra.
Forward Silva made it 3-0 during the hour mark with a display of brilliance as he dribbled past two Army defenders and goalie Bishwas Chaudhary after collecting a pass from skipper Chhetri. Cleiton and Bheke both completed their brace in the 65th minute as they were both on the targets.
Bengaluru will vie against the winners between Abahani Limited of Bangladesh and Maldivian side Eagles in the playoff final. The winners among them will secure a place for the AFC Cup group stage.
Army, the runners-up of the Martyrs Memorial 'A' Division League, were representing Nepal instead of the champions Machhindra Club in the inter-country club competition as the latter failed to obtain AFC Club licence. In the first leg played at Dasharath Stadium on April 7, Army had edged Sri Lanka Police SC 5-0.