BFC face Abahani test
Bengaluru FC will look to take a big step towards qualifying out of the group stages of the AFC Cup when they take on Bangladesh side Abahani Limited Dhaka at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, in Dhaka, on Tuesday.
Albert Roca’s Blues lead Group E with nine points from three games while Abahani, in their debut AFC season, are bottom of the pile. However the Spaniard cited the hosts’ pursuit of their first points as enough reason for Bengaluru to up the momentum they have been building.
“While things do look difficult for Abahani, we would be foolish to assume they won’t cause us any trouble. They are at home and are in search of a win and we will have to be at our best. We also realise that a win here will set us up really well to make it to the knock-out stages of this tournament,” said Roca while addressing the press on Tuesday.
Nishu Kumar and Marjan Jugovic scored one in each half at the Fortress when the Drago Mamic-coached side came visiting two weeks ago. The Blues outplayed Abahani in every department and Roca will hope his side can turn up with an encore. The win is part of Bengaluru’s impressive run of winning six games on the spin without conceding, across competitions.
Earlier, the flight carrying the Bengaluru squad ran into heavy turbulence, forcing the plane to fly back to Kolkata. The Blues then arrived in Dhaka late into the night on Monday but managed to put in a session at the Bangabandhu Stadium on Tuesday. travelling with the team. The official word is that Sen is not well.
With an eye on the Federation Cup, Mohun Bagan have also decided to rest their top goalpoachers Sony Norde and Darryl Duffy. Brazilian defender Eduardo and senior striker Balwant Singh have also not travelled with the team.
Bagan will be dependant on their Japanese midfielder Katsumi Yusa and India international Jeje Lalphekhlua in their bid to stay in the second tier continental championship.
Mohun Bagan are placed third in group E and need to win their remaining three matches as only one team qualifies for next stage from each group.