Match facts
When: Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Start time: 1930 local (5 pm IST)
Where: Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore
Big Picture
It is a testament to how well Bengaluru FC played the first leg of their AFC Cup quarterfinal against Tampines Rovers, that they will perhaps be a little disappointed not to come to Singapore with a bigger advantage.
The odds were completely stacked against Bengaluru ahead of last week's clash at the Kanteerava Stadium, with the team having not played a competitive game since May, and going through a managerial transition following the departure of Ashley Westwood.
To compound the hosts' woes, unrest in the city of Bengaluru meant that the team had to play the game behind closed doors, neutralising the home" advantage expected from their trademark boisterous supporters.
None of that seemed to matter, though, as Bengaluru dominated the first leg, with the 1-0 win in the end perhaps flattering Tampines. Bengaluru were assured in defence, calm in midfield, and hardworking up front, though it should be mentioned that they missed a host of chances, with Sunil Chhetri particularly failing to find the mark on several occasions. But for that, Bengaluru could well have been out of sight.
Nonetheless, a win and a clean sheet sets Bengaluru up nicely for the second leg, as they aim to become only the third Indian side after Dempo and East Bengal to reach the AFC Cup semifinals -- a feat that will be every bit as impressive as their two I-League triumphs.
Tampines will take heart from the fact that they have never lost at home in the AFC Cup, but Bengaluru's new coach Albert Roca has already said that his team will be looking to "play and score goals" in Singapore, rather than sit back and defend their lead.
In the spotlight
There was a distinct Spanish flavour to Bengaluru's performance last week. The team pressed high up the field, passed out of the back, and overloaded the midfield to close out the channels available to Tampines. Their new recruits Cameron Watson and Alvaro Rubio were at the heart of it all, pulling the strings from midfield. While Rubio played further ahead, booming forward whenever a counterattack opened up, Watson was more withdrawn, dictating the tempo of the game with sweeping passes, and sometimes even filling in at defence. Roca said after the first leg that Watson and Rubio "lifted the performance of the entire team", and a similar showing from the two in Singapore would go a long way towards Bengaluru's push to the semis.
Tampines' coach Akbar Nawas admitted that his side had underestimated Bengaluru in the first leg, while also bemoaning the way the team lost possession of the ball in their own half and defensive third. Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant and Canadian wide player Jordan Webb were both kept quiet at the Kanteerava last week, and will need to up their game to inspire a team that has failed to score for two games running for the first time under Nawas.
What they said
"The humidity makes things difficult, so we try not to lose too much energy. I am confident of us adapting to the surface at Jalan Besar as there is little difference there from the one we have back in Bangalore." - Bengaluru FC coach Albert Roca.
"It will be an uphill task for us if Bengaluru score an away goal. Even though we are under pressure, we have to go all out and stay composed." - Tampines Rovers coach Akbar Nawas.
Form guide (last five matches, most recent first)
Tampines LLWWL
Bengaluru FC WWLLL