Bengaluru FC beat Sporting, set up title clash with Dempo

Bengaluru FC maintained their unbeaten run as they scored a convincing 3-0 win against Sporting Clube de Goa in the second semi-finals to set up a title clash with Dempo FC in the 36th Hero Federation Cup football, here today.
Bengaluru, who had more of the exchanges, scored through Sean Rooney(28th), Sunil Chhetri(38th) and Eugeneson Lyngdoh(87th).
Both the teams started cautiously as they tried to guage each others' strength. Bengaluru FC came into this match unbeaten and played a composed game as they moved the ball around well, with Beikhokhei Beingaichho sending a couple of delightful crosses.
First he sent a high cross into the box for Chhetri, who in turn, headed to Sean Rooney and the latter's header was collected by keeper Ravi kumar in the 14th minute.

A minute latter, Ravi Kumar once again came with a brilliant save when he dived to his right to collect Sunil Chhetri's header.
Bengaluru finally broke the deadlock in the 28th minute. A swift move from the middle by Chhetri, who picked up Keengan Pereira and the latter raced into the box and sent a low cross into the box for Sean Rooney, who slammed the ball into the net.

Ten minutes later, the visitors increased the lead when a move on the left saw Rooney lay a pass for Chhetri inside the box and he got the better of rival defender Chandrashekar Chinta.

Victorino Fernandes worked hard upfront and troubled the rival defender and Sporting, who tried to get the better of rival defence with long balls, too had their moment to score.
After the change of ends, Bengaluru continued to dictate terms and nearly swelled the lead when a move from the right saw Rooney send in a cross which Chhetri missed to connect.
The second half turned a bit physical and the hosts, who trailed by a couple of goals, tried hard but rival keeper Althuammawia Ralte once brought off a diving save.