Bengaluru FC rode on Egueson Lyngdoh and Kim Song Yong's strikes to defeat Lao Toyota 2-1 and storm into the knockout stage of the AFC Cup at Sree Kanteerava Stadium here today.
Lyngdoh and Kim scored in the 45th and 60th minutes respectively, while Homa scored the lone goal for the visitors in the 67th minute.
The Ashley Westwood's boys were pumped up to bag the three points and played for a win right from the word go as they came into the game after winning the I-League title for the second time in three years. They had also won their last AFC Cup match against Myanmar's Ayeyawady United 5-3.
Bengaluru are now placed second in the standings with nine points from five matches, next only to table toppers Johor Darul Ta'zim, who have bagged 12 points in Group H.
Toyota are placed fourth with three points from five matches, and their hopes of qualifying getting dashed.
Westwood's boys also took revenge against the visitors, who had beaten them 2-1 at Vientiane in Laos.
The entire match was dominated by Bengaluru in front of an almost empty stadium as the hosts created several chances.
The hosts spilled five scoring chances towards the closing stages of the first session, before they could get one past the Toyota goalkeeper.
Compared to the first half, the second half was an even-stevens contest with both sides making some exciting moves.
In the first half, Toyota faced some heat from BFC strikers as they constantly invaded the danger zone.
In the 45th minute, Lyngdoh with the perfect header gave the Blues a lead they deserved.
The goal forced the visitors to come up with something different in the second half to keep their hopes alive in the tournament, but could not in spite of getting a goal.
Bengaluru had another chance in the 50th minute when Lyngdoh seemed to have beaten the off-side trap but referee signalled for a foul on a visiting defender.
The home side consolidated their lead in the 60th minute when skipper Sunil Chhetri set up Kim to do the rest by bulging the net for the second time for the hosts.
The star Toyota footballer from Japan, Homma, reduced the margin for the visitors after he headed home from a free kick.
