In one of the biggest continental clashes to be played on Indian shores in a while, Bengaluru FC took a slender advantage with an early CK Vineeth goal that gives them a 1-0 lead to take to Singapore.
Even though the Bengaluru side may rue several missed chances, the result was a good one after a series of defeats in friendlies under new coach Albert Roca. Tampines' coach Abdul Nawas was upfront in his assessment when he said they played poorly and the Singaporean favourites need to improve drastically to pull off a favourable result in the return leg.
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At the end of the day, as CK Vineeth later tweeted, it was a pretty good Onam for him and for BFC.
JSW Bengaluru FC
Amrinder Singh (GK) – 6/10
The usually reliable goalkeeper seemed a tad nervous as he flapped at a few of the balls put into his box. He did put in an otherwise tidy performance and had very little to do as Tampines couldn't produce much in the final third.
Nishu Kumar – 6.5/10
A surprise inclusion from Albert Roca, the lad from Muzaffarnagar impressed in defense, with a superb tackle in the 26th minute denying Jordan Webb a free run into the box being one for the highlights reel. He was a constant threat bombing down the left flank and one of his ambitious runs culminated in a shot that took a deflection and narrowly flew over the bar. Was subbed out early in the second half as Roca opted for the experience of Lalchhuanmawia to close out the game.
John Johnson – 7/10
The Englishman had a shaky start – a collision with the powerfully built Billy Mehmet almost ending his game before it even began. But he grew into the game and soon imposed his presence in the BFC box. Took one for the team when he got booked for a tackle that stopped a dangerous looking Tampines counter-attack just before the half-time whistle blew.
Juan Gonzalez – 5.5/10
The Spaniard who made his debut for BFC in this high-voltage clash had a few scares initially – including a rushed challenge that gifted Webb a golden opportunity – but showcased just why the national champions have brought him in. He was solid in defence and put in a couple of solid blocks.
Rino Anto – 7.5/10
The Malayalee right back had a superb game both defensively and going forward where he put in a few tempting crosses that nearly paid off. Made few errors, and his energy was sustained throughout.
Alwyn George – 7/10
The diminutive midfielder was at his all-action best during the game, and although his shot was blocked, luck went his way when it rolled across to CK Vineeth. He was a constant menace on the BFC right and was subbed out in the 75th minute to give the returning Udanta Singh a run-about.
Cameron Watson – 7.5/10
Another debutant, the Australian excelled in the “Makelele” role and broke up Tampines' attacks constantly. Watson seems to be another astute buy by BFC.
Alvaro Rubio – 8.5/10
The third debutant in the BFC team, the Spanish midfielder who used to be a mainstay at Vallodid showcased his vast class by putting in a Juan Carlos Valeron-esque performance. He and Watson absolutely bossed the midfield and this seemed to herald a new beginning for BFC's midfield.
Eugeneson Lyngdoh – 7/10
The superstar from Shillong was his usual hard working, run-till-your-lungs-burst self and put in a couple of decent crosses, while also challenging well on the far post for crosses from the other flank. He did appear a little lost on the wings though and if Watson and Rubio continue in this form, Roca may have to change formation to get the best out of Lyngdoh.
Sunil Chhetri (C) – 7.5/10
Captain Marvel came up with the stand-out moment of the match when his slide-rule through ball to Alwyn George split the Singaporeans’ defence right down the middle. The pass alone merits the rating, but he showcased more skill throughout - one dummy that he played on the edge of the box completely bamboozling two defenders. His finishing was off-mark though, and he may yet rue the missed chances.
CK Vineeth – 8.5/10
With his pace and constant Vardy-esque running, the Kannur man was a big thorn in the Tampines's side. He took his chance with aplomb to score the only goal of the game, although he was guilty of not putting away a couple of other chances.
Substitutes
Lalchhuanmawia Fanai– 6/10
Came in on the hour mark to lock down the defence, and achieved his task with trademark grace
Udanta Singh – 5/10
The Manipur lad on his return to full fitness had a decent run out.
Malsawmzuala – N.A.
Came in late to replace the energizer bunny that is Lyngdoh, and had too little time to have any really effect on the game.
Tampines Rovers FC
Mohamed Izwan Bin Mahmud (GK) (C) – 7.5/10
The Singaporean shot-stopper was at his best today, with a couple of quite remarkable saves in the 31st and 34th minute from close range off CK Vineeth being the standouts of a solid performance. Could not be faulted for the goal – the defence was simply carved open, offering him too little protection
Ismadi Bin Muhamad Mukhtar – 6/10
The right back was outmuscled comprehensively by Sunil Chhetri for the goal and was beaten in the air quite a few times at the far post. He did, however, combine well with the free-floating Jordan Webb as well as Izzdin and put in a couple of dangerous crosses that created confusion in the BFC box.
Muhammad Jufri Bin Taha – 5/10
The experienced defender looked at sea during the opening minutes, as he and his central defensive partner appeared taken aback by the energy of the BFC forwards. He grew into the game, dealt comfortably with the BFC set pieces and a couple of brawny clearances helped in nipping BFC attacks in the bud.
Mustafi Fahrudin – 3/10
The talismanic Serbian-turned-Singaporean had a game he'd like to forget soon. He was caught off the pace in the early exchanges and was soon forced to withdraw due to injury by the 20th minute. His absence on the pitch was a huge dent for Tampines' confidence.
Muhammad Irwan Shah Bin Arismail - 6/10
The versatile left-back who is known more for his ability to bomb forward, was caught out for the BFC goal, but almost recovered – with his pace allowing him to put in a block on Alwyn George; unfortunately for him, the ball broke to CK Vineeth.
Like most of his team-mates grew into the game in the second half, but wasn't as effective going forward as he usually is.
Muhammad Izzdin Shafiq Bin Yacob – 4/10
The midfielder was largely anonymous throughout the game and couldn't enforce his presence on a midfield that was bossed by BFC. A disappointing game for the Singaporean.
Muhammad Yasir Bin Hanapi – 6.5/10
Hanapi got clattered in the 34th minute and looked like he was going to follow Mustafi into the treatment room, but he picked himself up and continued. The knock seemed to have snapped him into life and he was a constant threat in and around the BFC box. Had a good shot that swerved just over on the 76th minute.
Muhammad Hafiz Bin Abu Sujad – 5/10
Along with Izzdin, Hafiz had a rather disappointing game with flashes of promise buried deep under an inconsistent performance. His most notable involvement was when he was fouled by Cameron leading to a free kick in a dangerous position - which Jermaine Pennant promptly slammed into the wall.
Jordan Webb – 7/10
The Canadian livewire was a constant threat down the flanks for the Singaporean no.2 side. He had an atrocious miss in the 9th minute, blazing a clear chance over and ruining the chance for Tampines to get right back into the game.
He created several chances as the game went on, and timed a run a second too early and got caught offside with no-one but Amrinder between him and the goal.
Jermaine Pennant – 5.5/10
The former Arsenal and Liverpool winger was slated in as a striker but had a free-floating role in which he sporadically showed just what he was capable of. The biggest name on the pitch, Pennant had chances throughout but showed none of the finishing capability he had shown while bagging a hattrick on debut for Arsenal FC.
His set-pieces were erratic, and despite some displays of his dribbling ability couldn't create much – his much-vaunted pace long lost, he ended up looking a little lost ambling up and down the pitch.
Billy Mehmet – 6/10
A graduate of the much vaunted West Ham Academy, the nomadic striker who had a spell with Goan giants Dempo, Mehmet had an outing much like his fellow Englishman. He got absolutely clattered by John Johnson in the 2nd minute but put that behind him as he tried to impose his physicality on the game. Played in a delightful through ball to Webb -though the Canadian was caught offside. Was a nuisance throughout, but could come with an end product to match the effort.
Substitutes
Afiq Yunos – 5/10
The defender had to come in early to replace the injured Mustafi and did well to stem the early flow of constant attacking from the BFC offensive unit.
