Altamash Nets Two, Assists One In Big Win For Blue Colts

Goa: A superb second half display inspired by an Altamash Sayed brace helped Bengaluru FC B down FC Goa Reserves 4-1 in their Hero 2nd Division League opener at the Nagoa Ground in Goa, on Wednesday.

While Naorem Roshan Singh (51’) opened the scoring for the Blue Colts, Aaren D’Silva (65’) equalised for the hosts in the second half. A quickfire brace from Altamash (70’, 73’) and a late goal from winger Leon Augustine (83’) handed BFC B all three points as they moved to the top of Group A ahead of ARA FC (3 pts) on goal difference.

Going into their first game of the campaign, Coach Naushad Moosa opted for a 4-3-3 formation with Roshan Singh leading the frontline, flanked by Leon and Advait Shinde. Meanwhile, 16-year-old midfielder Emanuel Lalchhanchhuaha made his debut for BFC B after making the roster for the 2nd Division League.

After a lacklustre first half where both sides played cautiously for most parts, the second half sprung to life inside the opening ten minutes. It was Bengaluru who broke the deadlock when Roshan found the back of the net in the 51st minute. Altamash managed to find Advait on the edge of the box on the right flank who turned around intelligently and laid it off for an onrushing Roshan who took one touch before finding the bottom right corner with a left-footed finish.

The hosts restored parity at the other end levelling scores in the 65th minute when substitute Aaren D’Silva finished off from close. Midfielder Kapil Hoble capitalised on a slip from Namgyal Bhutia to cross in from the left allowing Aaren to finish off with ease from close.

Moosa’s boys responded immediately as they restored their lead inside five minutes. A good interchange of play between substitute Lalnuntluanga and Roshan saw the former play Altamash through who was brought down on the edge of the box. The playmaker stepped up and fired home a curling freekick into the top-left corner to make it 2-1 in the 70th minute.

Three minutes later, Altamash made it 3-1 as he completed his brace helping Bengaluru increase their lead. The playmaker sent Leon clear on the right who then cut it back to Lalnuntluanga. The striker played a perfect dummy pulling defenders towards him allowing Altamash who had continued his run, a clean shot on goal which he gladly accepted.

Altamash then returned the favour to Leon who scored Bengaluru’s fourth of the afternoon in the 83rd minute. The winger met Altamash’s corner kick in from the left at the near post to flick home a header past FC Goa ’keeper Shubham Dhas to seal the impressive win.

Bengaluru FC B will face ARA FC up next in Ahmedabad on January 21.