BFC in a must-win situation

Skipper Chhetri's return will boost the Blues

Bengaluru FC have played Maziya S&RC thrice in the AFC Cup so far. Though the results in each of those ties have favoured the City side, a closer look would reveal that it’s never been a stroll in the park for them.

In 2015 when the sides played the two group stage games of the AFC Cup, it was Shankar Sampingiraj’s winner in the injury time that helped them edge past Maziya at home. While on the road, it was their skipper Sunil Chhetri’s heroics that saw them through.

This year too it was no different as it was their longest serving foreign recruit John Johnson who came to their rescue. The Englishman’s added-time goal was the difference as The Blues once again edged past Maziya 1-0. So when Bengaluru welcome the Maldivian champions on Wednesday, one can surely hope for a close and exciting game at the Sree Kanteerava stadium.

Maziya occupy the top spot in Group E with 12 points while Bengaluru are second with nine points. And a rejig in the competition format means the 2016 finalists need nothing less than three points to make it to the inter-zone play-off semifinals.

Having won the Federation Cup just over a week, Bengaluru walk into the game high on confidence. And the return of their skipper, who missed the semifinal and the final in Cuttack, to a hamstring injury will add spring to their strides.

However, Udanta Singh is set to miss the tie, while CK Vineeth, who ended with a swollen ankle after the final, could start on the bench.

On the other hand, Maziya walk into this game in a relatively comfortable position. They are on top of the Dhivehi Premier League and were on a eight-game winning streak in all competitions, until last week when they went on to lose against Victory SC in the league.

Coached by the Macedonian tactician Marjan Sekulovski, the Maldivians play a passing game and use their midfield to launch their attacks rather than flanks. Romanian Andrei Cordos, a strong and physical centre-half has been vital in the defence with Amdaan Ali and both are expected to start, while Ashad Ali is likely to be the holding midfielder ahead of the central defence.

Asadhulla Abdulla, a goal-getter, is certain to lead the attack while Serbian Aleksander Rakic is expected to play on the right while, Mohammed Umair will expectedly provide the strength in the midfield.

Bagan take on Abahani
Meanwhile in Dhaka, Mohun Bagan will look to sign off the season on a high when they face Abahani Dhaka in the other Group E clash at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

With Cyclone Mora affecting several parts of the region, it remains to be seen whether it has any impact on the match scheduled for 7.45 pm local time.
DH News Service