AFC Cup Semifinal second leg: Preview- Bengaluru FC (Ind) vs. Johar Darul Tazim (Mal)

by Chittu Shetty October 18, 2016

On verge of creating history, Blues urges the entire country to rally behind them for support in the second leg of AFC cup Semifinal against defending champions Johar Darul tazim

Blues aim scripting history by become the first Indian club in AFC Cup Final

Defending AFC Cup champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) travel to Bengaluru following a 1-1 draw in Malaysia in the first leg of the semis. With players missing due to suspensions and failing to win the home leg conceding an away goal, JDT has given Blues confidence and belief that they can go all the way. Blues on their part has been very impressive, despite change of coach and team’s foreign players and lack of games; Blues have done well with their performances conceding just one goal in three games.

Bengaluru played out a 1-1 draw with defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim FC in the first leg match away at Johor Bahru in Malaysia. Eugeneson Lyngdoh’s wonder strike had ensured blues came home with an all important away goal advantage when they take on JDT for the second leg at the Kanteerava Stadium on Wednesday.

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Blues and Indian Captain urges fans to come in numbers

Indian football team and Bengaluru FC captain Sunil Chhetri along with teammates and Blues officials has urged the entire nation to root for his club Bengaluru FC as they chase a historic final berth in the AFC Cup on Wednesday.

“But more importantly this is not just about Bengaluru or Karnataka, this is about India. And that is exactly why me and my team-mates have been so vocal about getting the country to rally behind us,” Chhetri said.

The club has put in all possible efforts to get fans thronging to stadium; even inviting I league opponents, East Bengal, Mohan Bagan, Shillong Lajong and Aizawl FC fans to keep the rivalries away for until I league in January and support blues in their AFC journey.

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JDT Coach Mario Gomez had admitted after the first leg that Bengaluru’s high-pressing strategy surprised his side as they struggled at times to find a way past their opponent’s game plan.

“In the first half we lost some options, and our defence did not play well,” he said. “I am not sure whether he is going to (make Bengaluru) play the same way. While they pressed, they did not score more.”

Gomez seemed confident in his side’s ability despite missing key players to suspension, “It is no walk in the park for the knockout round, but we can still do something in India so long we score a goal there.”

Martin Lucero, Pereyra Diaz and Amri Yahyah are suspended for the Malaysian based team, while there are no injury concerns for the visitors. Suspended Lucero may be replaced by Safee Sali while Safiq Rahim could operate as the number ten.

For the blues, Udanta singh and Lalchhuanmawia Fanai will be missing the tie due to Injury. Albert Roca will be looking to field a similar side that faced JDT in the away leg. A packed midfield in 3-5-2 formation could be the Roca’s strategy that could drop to 5-3-2 formation when defending. The Spaniard has maintained that defending the away goal and looking forward for a 0-0 result is not an option and that blues will look for goals for the win.

Away from the Glitz and Glamour of the cash rich Indian Super League, Bengaluru FC are one step away from scripting history and if they do, it will go a long way in ensuring Indian football’s growth.

Teams:

Bengaluru FC: Amrinder Singh (GK), Juan Antonio, John Johnson, Rino Anto, Alwyn George, Álvaro Rubio, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Salam Ranjan Singh, Cameron Watson, Sunil Chhetri (C), C.K. Vineeth

Johar Darul Tazim: Izham Tarmizi (GK), Fazly Mazlan,  Marcos Antonio, Aidil Zafuan, Azammuddin Akil, Azrif Nazrulhaq, Amirul Hadi Zainal,  Hariss Harun, Azinee Taib,  Safiq Rahim (C), Safee Sali

Kick Off: 7 PM, Wednesday, October 19, Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru