Johnson to miss AFC Cup

Bengaluru FC’s defensive mainstay John Johnson is set to miss the rest of the AFC Cup campaign owing to personal commitments.

The new-look 25-member squad that was announced on Wednesday for the knockout stage of the tournament sees as many as fourteen new faces following the Indian Super League draft, and features two graduates from Bengaluru’s academy in Ballari.

The first leg BFC’s AFC Cup inter-zonal semifinal against April 25 SC of North Korea will be played at the Sree Kanteerava stadium on August 23 with the return leg slated for September 13 at the May Day Stadium, in Pyongyang.

Stating Johnson’s absence as a big blow to the club, head coach Albert Roca believed his players will step up to the occasion and fill in for the Englishman.

“Johnson’s absence is a massive blow, but we are aware of his situation and it was the right decision to make for us to let him be at home. It is unfortunate for us, but his return for the club’s ISL campaign will be a boost,” he said.

Johnson’s absence means, newcomers Zohmingliana Ralte or Joyner Lourenco could be slotted into the backline along with Spaniard Juan Gonzales. Apart from Gonzales, Australian midfielder Erik Paartalu, and Spaniards Toni Dovale and Dimas Delgado make up the foreign contingent for the knock-out rounds and Roca believes his side is ready for the task ahead.

“We’ve had very little time to prepare but the trip to Spain has been good exposure for the boys. We’ve tested ourselves against good opposition and this is the squad that we’ve been able to put together. We have a week more to prepare and I believe the boys will be ready for the challenge,” the head coach said.

The squad also features Bengaluru academy graduates Leon Augustine and Prashanth Kalinga.

The squad: Goalkeepers: Lalthuammawia Ralte, Abhra Mondal, Calvin Abhishek. Defenders: Rahul Bheke, Subhasish Bose, Zohmingliana Ralte, Collin Abranches, Joyner Lourenco, Juanan Gonzalez, Nishu Kumar, Prashanth Kalinga.

Midfielders: Erik Paartalu, Dimas Delgado, Antonio Dovale, Boithang Haokip, Lenny Rodrigues, Alwyn George, Harmanjot Khabra, Malsawmzuala, Robinson Singh.

Strikers: Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Thongkhosiem Haokip, Leon Augustine.