Football
Debayan Sen 6y

ISL leaders Bengaluru FC shift focus to AFC Cup

Match facts

Transport United v Bengaluru FC AFC Cup Playoff, preliminary round

Where: Changlimithang Stadium, Thimpu

When: Tuesday, January 23, 5:30 pm IST 

The Big Picture

Bengaluru FC (BFC) return to one of their favourite stomping grounds and continental competitions when they meet Bhutan's league champions Transport United in the first leg of their preliminary round play-off encounter of the AFC Cup. The return leg takes place in Bengaluru on January 30, and the winners will proceed to the play-off round against either Bangladesh club Saif Sporting or TC Sports of Maldives, to also be played over two legs in February.

BFC are top of the ISL table, having won seven of their first 11 matches, and have been the most prolific scorers. Out of the eight foreigners at his disposal, coach Albert Roca has picked defender Juanan Gonzalez, midfielder Dimas Delgado and striker Toni Dovale to go with Australian midfielder Erik Paartalu, who fulfills the AFC nation quota among the four foreign players. Miku, top-scorer for BFC this season, did not travel.

BFC, finalists in 2016, have always made the knockout stages after competing in the group matches while Transport United are getting their first shot at the AFC Cup following their first National League triumph in 2017, a league they won picking up 28 points from 10 matches, scoring 37 goals and conceding just 11.

In the spotlight

One of the key players of Transport United's 2017 title-winning run was Indian striker Nagen Tamang, who came in from I-League club Royal Wahingdoh in August 2017. Darjeeling-born Tamang has also turned out for Rangdajied United in the I-League, and his experience of having come up against a majority of the BFC players could prove to be vital.

Roca has opted for a young squad for these preliminary matches, possibly with an eye on the next league game against NorthEast United at home on January 26, but one regular who features in the squad is winger Udanta Singh. Udanta has been impressive this season providing pace and penetration along the flanks. With Sunil Chhetri also picked for the side travelling to Thimpu, expect BFC to try and put the tie to bed in the away leg itself.

Form guide (last five matches, most recent first)

Transport United WWWWW

Bengaluru FC WLWWL

Quotes

"It's very important for us to make use of the entire squad. We're the only ISL team playing Asian competition this season, and our schedule is hectic. But this is what we always wanted, to represent India in Asia, so there's no complaints. With the competition rules, we can only play four foreigners so that provides a good opportunity for all our Indian boys, especially the youngsters to rise to the occasion. Our 'B' team players have been working hard, and that's why they have been brought into the squad and I hope they will respond to the occasion."

- Albert Roca 

^ Back to Top ^