# Match played in empty stadium due to curfew after deadly violence in Bangalore
# Bengaluru FC snatch a 1-0 win with a seventh minute goal
By Rizal Abdullah
Indian champions JSW Bengaluru FC snatched a 1-0 win over Singapore’s Tampines Rovers in the first-leg AFC Cup quarter-finals match played in an empty stadium due to curfew in the city of Bangalore on Wednesday.
C.K. Vineeth struck the all-important winner as early as the seventh minute to give Bengaluru a one goal cushion for next week’s return-leg in Singapore.
Following deadly violence in India’s IT city the match was played behind closed door due to security concerns after rampaging stone-pelting mobs set vehicles on fire.
Inside the empty stadium Indian national striker Vineeth made the difference against Tampines Rovers after India national skipper Sunil Chhetri’s pass caught the visitors defence on the wrong foot for Eugeneson Lyngdoh to go through.
Lyngdoh set up Vineeth to fire from close range – beating Tampines Rovers national goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud, But that was the only time Izwan was beaten as he stood well between the posts after this goal.
Bengaluru goalkeeper Amrinder Singh was also in his element to keep Tampines Rovers at bay.
Jermaine Pennet, Billy Mehmet and Hafiz Sujad had chances coming their way for Tampines Rovers but they muffed all on a night when the visitors also lost former international Mustafic Fahrudin through injury after 20 minutes of play.
“We were not good enough,” said a disappointed Tampines Rovers coach Akbar Nawas on his team’s defeat.
“We need to step up our game (in the return-leg), luckily we are only 1-0 down.”
RESULT AFC CUP QUARTER-FINAL (First-leg)
JSW Bengaluru FC 1 Tampines Rovers 0
