AFC Cup Final: Bengaluru FC vs Air Force Club – The Big game preview

by Chittu Shetty November 5, 2016

A big game awaits the Indian champions as they take on Iraqi side Al Quwa Al jawaiya (Air Force Club) for the Asian glory, a chance to go further in the history books.

A chance to rewrite History Books

Since its Inception three years ago, Bengaluru FC has been on road to creating history every now and then, be it winning I league in its debut season or the Federation cup or the AFC campaigns, BFC has managed to surprise the football pundits regularly with their achievements. Now as Bengaluru lock horns with Air Force Club of Iraq in the final clash of AFC Cup, Another history beckons the Blues as they aim to become the first Indian football club to clinch the continental title.

By defeating the defending Champions Johor Darul Tazim of Malayasia, Bengaluru FC has already etched their name in Indian football history books as the first Indian club to qualify for the final of a continental tournament.

For a club that has been so accustomed to creating history, a stern test lays ahead when they face the Iraqi side Air Force Club, which, just like Bengaluru, is also playing in its maiden AFC Cup final, at the Qatar Sports Club Stadium. India has failed to win any Asian level title, be it on club level or international level, since the national team won the Asian games Gold in 1962.

East Bengal came close when they won the first ASEAN Championship in Indonesia in 2003, defeating Thai club BEC Tero Sasana 3-1 in the final, But that was a tournament competed by 10 sides from South East Asian countries with East Bengal being an invitational team.

Also Read: Bengaluru FC – The Untold Journey

Game Preview:

Air Force Club or Al Quwa Al Jawiya, were supposed to play their fourth AFC Champions league this year but after failing to clear club licensing criteria, they were put into AFC Cup group. Since then, Air Force Club have been on a good run in this competition losing just one game in the group stage and steamrolling most of their opponent since then. Riding on star striker Hammadi Ahmed, Air force Club has been on goal scoring spree against their opponents, pumping in 26 goals so far in this tournament in just 11 games.

While Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya will be without Bashar Resan for his sending off in the semi-final and Samal Saeed for second Yellow card, the Iraqi side still has great talents in their side. Apart from tournament top scorer in Hammadi Ahmed, they have two time Iraqi PL Golden boot winner in Amjad Radhi and 20-year-old Humam Tariq who has been becoming a regular in the Iraq national team since making his debut at the age of 16, his pace will be a big concern for the blues as he is also termed the fast player in the Iraqi side

Also Read: AFC CUP: Know Bengaluru FC’s Final opponent

Bengaluru FC, under Albert Roca, has been in superb form having defeated the Singaporean side Tampines and Defending AFC cup champions Johor Darul Tazim in semifinals. Although not favorites for the win against the mighty Iraqi club, after the performance against JDT, Bengaluru will be expected to give a run for the money for the Iraqi side and could possibly create an upset.  Blues are also expected to receive a massive crowd support as apart from travelling west block blues, a large number of Indian nationals settled in Qatar will be rooting for them.

Bengaluru will be without their regular keeper Amrinder Singh for the game, after the Custodian picked his second yellow card in the Knockout stage. Lalthammawia Ralte will start in between the sticks, his first start in over six months after having last played in the Group stage of AFC cup against Ayeyawady United. Bengaluru FC’s Australian import Watson is doubtful for the game after he picked up Stomach bug, a day prior to the game.

With a solid defence and midfield that has all four Blues foreign contingent, the goal scoring responsibilities will be on Indian Strikers CK Vineeth and the talismanic Sunil Chhetri. The good news for blues is that Udanta Singh may feature on the bench and if he plays, his pace could give an added advantage.

With the entire country’s football fans watching Bengaluru FC first AFC Cup final, a win here will be a huge paradigm shift in Indian Football.

Kick-off: 21:30 IST