Bengaluru FC v April 25 SC

AFC Cup Inter-Zone Semi-final, 1st Leg

Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru, 7 pm onwards

The big picture

Bengaluru FC (BFC) begin life as an Indian Super League (ISL) club by picking up from where they left off as an I-League team - representing India in the AFC Cup, a tournament they made the final of in 2016. A lot has changed in the BFC setup since then - most of it brought about by their decision to join the ISL fold -- forcing coach Albert Roca to rebuild his team...

Bengaluru FC have signed India's top goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu from Norwegian side Stabaek FC on a one-year deal ahead of the 2017-18 season. 

Gurpreet, who is now the first Indian player to be signed by an Indian club from a European team with a transfer fee, will be available for Bengaluru's AFC Cup campaign, as well as their Inter-Zonal semi-final against North Korean side April 25 SC on August 23. 

"While the experience of playing in Europe was fantastic, lack of game time...

India begin their preparation for a crucial AFC Asian Cup 2019 qualifier away to Macau on September 5 with two friendlies against Mauritius and St Kitts & Nevis in Mumbai on August 19 and 24, respectively.

Macau, ranked 183 in the world, may not provide the most formidable opposition, but neither will the two opponents India face in Mumbai, both ranked lower than India and one fielding a second-string side. India, though, must look at this as an opportunity to let their younger players take centre...

The 2017 edition of the Tri-nation Football Series will be held in Mumbai, with the hosts India getting their campaign underway against Mauritius on August 19. India, currently ranked 97 in the world, will play their second match on August 24, against St Kitts & Nevis. 

The tournament is a part of the national team's preparatory process for the AFC Asian Cup qualifying match against Macau on September 5. India, who have had an upsurge of good results in the last two years, are currently...