Bengaluru FC were crowned champions of the 2017 Hero Federation Cup after beating Mohun Bagan 2-0 in extra time. Sunday’s finale at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack was a close encounter with both sides wasting numerous opportunities to win the game in regulation time. Two goals from CK Vineeth (Kerala Blasters FC) in the second period of extra time, however, ensured Bengaluru’s triumph over the Kolkata giants.The Blues started the encounter looking the brighter of the two sides and even had the ball in the back of the net through Udanta Singh (Mumbai City FC) early on. The youngster’s goal though was ruled out for offside much to the relief of the Mariners. Sony Norde (Mumbai City FC) fired in a wicked corner for Mohun Bagan soon after for Eduardo Ferreira (FC Pune City) to connect with his head.The Equatoguinean defender’s header rattled the woodwork before Katsumi Yusa (NorthEast United) forced a goal-line clearance from Sandesh Jhingan (Kerala Blasters FC) during the resulting play. Be that as it may, both sides failed to break the deadlock and headed into the break at 0-0.Bengaluru had the ball in the back of the net four minutes into the second half. It was John Johnson, who rose highest to head home FC Pune City midfielder Eugeneson Lyngdoh’s free-kick but again the goal was disallowed for offside. The Mariners responded moments later through a stinging effort from Balwant Singh, which required Amrinder Singh’s (Mumbai City FC) intervention in goal.Both teams’ failure to make the most of their chances in normal time meant that the match headed into extra-time. After a goalless first half of extra time, Bengaluru finally got their noses in front in 107th minute thanks to Vineeth. The Kerala-born winger demonstrated wonderful touch on the edge of the opposition penalty box before sending a deflected effort off Anas Edathodika (Delhi Dynamos FC) into the net to make it 1-0.If there was an element of luck involved in his first goal, his second strike of the evening in the 119th minute was some brilliant individual play. The pacey winger ran at Bagan’s defence before firing low and hard to make it 2-0 and clinch the trophy.
