AFC CUP: Bengaluru FC qualify for Inter Zone playoff

by Chittu Shetty May 31, 2017

Returning Captain Sunil Chhetri produced a pin point freekick early in the second half to send southerners through to Inter Zone Playoff for AFC Cup 2017

Blues celebrate Sunil Chhetri curling free-kick

In a drab affair, a second half goal meant Bengaluru FC through to the next round of the AFC Cup based on better head to head record after topping the group table with 12 points on par with Maziya.

Bengaluru started out in a 3-4-3 formation, with Sandesh Jhingan, Juanan and John Johnson in defence. Harmanjot Khabra and Nishu Kumar were the wingbacks, with Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Cameron Watson in the middle. Vineeth started upfront flanked by Alwyn George and Sunil Chhetri on either side. Maziya started with the same side that beat Abahani Limited Dhaka 2-0 in their previous game.

The game began with blues taking control early carrying out attack through the wings. Soon Visitors began to see more of the ball and in the 6^th minute came the first chance of the game for the visitors. Habeeb latching on Asadhulla’s ball twisted and turned before firing the ball agonizingly wide of Amrinder’s post.

In the 17^th minute, another chance went abegging for visitors when another Habeeb’s attempt came off the post as Nishu cleared the ball. Habeeb missed another chance later in the half when a misunderstanding between Juanan and Johnson presented the visitor with a chance only to waste it again. At the other end, Vineeth came close quite a few times one of which went past the post to crash into the advertising hoardings. Both the teams headed into the tunnel at 0-0 with Maziya looking the better side.

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Second half began with Bengaluru coming out all guns blazing, first Eugeneson’s shot ended up being too weak then Khabra’s dangerous ball was nicked away by kovacevic just in time. However, Blues soon found themselves in lead when Juanan was fouled just outside the box, skipper Chhetri who had an disappointing day till then produced the much need moment of magic as he sent in a sumptuous curler past the wall into the top left corner.

Few minutes later, Maziya had the best chance of the game when Asadhulla and Aleksandar Rakic were alternating with shots when the ball fell to Ashadh, yards away with Amrinder stranded and the goal beckoning. However he missed an open goal as Maziya were left to pay for their profligacy. The missed proved crucial as blues soon shut their defence and played on counter. Lenny and Daniel had a chance to double the lead but former’s shot was straight to keeper while the latter slipped and missed the control of in an one-on-one situation.

Maziya too had few half chances for them but none of them were capitalized as Blues went home with three points and better head to head record which meant through the group stage for Inter Zone Play-off.