Bengaluru creates history, make it to the final of AFC Cup

Bengauru FC Media

Albert Roca’s boys script a stunning comeback to send the reigning champions Johor Darul Ta’zim packing with 3-1 win. It was a packed Sree Kanteerava Stadium, an inspired and stunning second half comeback saw Bengaluru FC etch their names in the annals of Indian football history by becoming the first club to make the final of the AFC. 

A brace from skipper Sunil Chhetri and a debut goal from Spanish defender Juan Gonzalez saw Bengaluru set up a summit clash against Iraq’s Air Force Club who beat Lebanese side Al Ahed in the first semifinal on Tuesday. What made the win even more special was the fact that it was the first time the Blues had beaten the Malaysian club in five meetings. 

For all the pressure Bengaluru threw at Johor, it was the visitors who scored first when Amrinder Singh’s parried save from a strike looped up and Safiq Rahim was at hand to nod home from five yards out. 

The Blues didn’t let the early set-back daunt them and began building up play with big spells of possession. And their best chance came in the 27th minute when 30 seconds of madness saw the ball whizz past the face of the JDT goal three times before Chhetri’s strike took a bit off the crossbar on its way out. 

But the skipper did have his goal in the 41st minute after Eugeneson Lyngdoh swung in a sublime corner that Chhetri sent into goal at the far post with a smartly flicked header, beating Mohammed Izham all ends up. 

Buoyed by the equaliser, Bengaluru refused to let half-time kill the tempo as Chhetri, Vineeth and Eugene kept causing all sorts of trouble for the JDT defence. But the buzz at the Fortress turned into a deafening roar when Chhetri picked his moment in the 66th minute to send home a screamer from 30 yards out as Bengaluru finally got the lead they deserved. 

Juan capped off a dominant performance and put the battle to bed when he rose to head home a free kick from Lyngdoh in the 76th minute. 

Bengaluru set to take on Johor Darul Ta'zim tomorrow

AIFF Media 

Hero I-League champions Bengaluru FC are taking on AFC Cup champions Johor Darul Ta'zim in the much-anticipated second leg of the AFC Cup semifinal at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on October 19, 2016. The first leg ended in a 1-1 stalemate where Eugeneson Lyngdoh scored a peach of a goal against the Malaysian outfit in their home. 

Johor Darul Ta'zim gaffer Mario Gomez, who has to deploy his pawns sans the attacking trio comprising of Jorge Pereyra Díaz, Mohd Amri Yahyah and Juan Martín Lucero, sounded pretty cautious ahead of tomorrow's match against Bengaluru FC.

"Obviously it's (missing three key players) going to hurt us but we have to work on other strengths to seal the spot in the AFC Cup final."

He didn't mince his words to praise Bengaluru FC as well, "Bengaluru have done a splendid job back at our home and they are obviously having an advantage, thanks to their away goal. But I'm a person who prefers to work and obviously we're coming tomorrow to win the tie."

On the other hand, Bengaluru FC coach Albert Roca stated that "this could be special for Indian Football."

The astute Spaniard coach shared with the media that his team won't shy away to play an attacking brand of football tomorrow as they have been doing under his stewardship.

"We know that we have scored against them in Malaysia, which is important. But, our intention is not to sit back and defend. We want to go out and try to score more goals because we will not be able to reach the final with a defensive mindset."

Eugeneson Lyngdoh, who scored a peach of a goal against the defending AFC Cup champions Johor Darul Ta'zim in the first leg, addressed the media as well and cleared his intentions of rewriting the Indian Football history tomorrow.

"Obviously it's about the representation of our country on the bigger stage. We have played up to our potential, but the job is far from done and we need to step up tomorrow to get it done ahead of our home crowd."

Albeit the mercury is soaring up regarding tomorrow's high-octane encounter, Albert Roca mentioned that 'this is a game of football and there will be more such games in the future.'

"I consider that this is a very important match for Indian because only two teams have reached the semifinals and none have reached the final. The people are realizing that this could be special for Indian football. As for me, I try to be calm because I want the team to be calm as well. I do not want them to be overconfident because this is a game of football and there will be more such games in the future. As of now, there is a game tomorrow and we will try to do our best", he signed off on a positive note.

The match is scheduled at 7 PM on October 19, 2016, and it'll be telecast on Star Sports 1 & Star Sports HD 1.

Not just Bengaluru, this match is about India: Sunil Chhetri

AIFF Media 

This is the third time an Indian Club will be trying to break the jinx of making it to the Final of the AFC Cup, Dempo SC and Kingfisher East Bengal having made it to the last four earlier. A couple of days prior to Bengaluru FC’s crucial second-leg semifinal against defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim FC, the iconic Sunil Chhetri urges the Country to rally behind the Blues. In a freewheeling chat, Chhetri speaks about ‘this being about India,’ BFC’s success mantra, the opponents, whether it’s advantage BFC and much more. EXCERPTS:

You have been vocal on your SM handles asking fans for support. Why and how is this match different?

To put it simply, this game will decide if Indian Club Football can write a new chapter in history or not. We’re on the brink of something special and it’s going to take a determined 90 minutes to set foot where no Club from the Country has before. But more importantly this is not just about Bengaluru or Karnataka, this is about India. And that is exactly why me and my teammates have been so vocal about getting the Country to rally behind us.

In your playing Career so far (both for Country and Club) where would you rate this match in terms of significance?

At the Club level this game is up there simply because of what we could achieve should things go our way. No Club from India have been in a final before, and for us -- in our three years and some months old existence -- to be able to do that will be so special. I’ve won the major Trophies with different Clubs and I cherish every one of them. But to make the final of an Asian tournament will be up there.

People often curse Indian Clubs for lack of vision. But here we are looking at a Club some barely three years old and on the threshold of history. How do you define that?

It’s all about pulling out a blueprint of what you want to achieve and working single-mindedly to getting it done. In three years we’ve won the League twice, lost it with three minutes to the clock once and have won the Federation Cup. You can’t get that lucky, can you? Everyone at this Club -- the Players, staff, owners, management and even the fans -- are obsessed with wanting to be the change. And when everyone thinks alike, you can affect a change. That’s exactly what has been happening at BFC.

You have played Johor thrice this season and haven’t been able to get past them. 
What do you need to do this time?

On paper we don’t need to get past them to progress as even a 0-0 draw will do. But the Coach hates playing that way and so do the Players. In the 4 times we have played Johor, we’ve come really close on two occasions [2-1 after extra time and 1-0 in Bengaluru]. And then we managed to take a point away last month. The belief is there. They are a strong Team and are Champions with good reason but we always back ourselves and more so when we’re playing at Home.

Do you believe its advantage BFC after the 1-1 draw in the first leg?

It sure is an advantage but not a really big one. If JDT score a goal early on, we’re going to be chasing this game. What the away goal has done is given us the belief that we can go out there, take the fight to the Champions and come away with a reward. They are a quality side and will come all guns blazing. We need to stick to our plan and I think we will be alright.

Big match, Big Player – will the second leg be a Sunil Chhetri special?

Believe me when I tell you it won’t even matter if Amrinder Singh scores on the night if it means us going through to the final. But yes, I would like to play my part in the game. I relish big nights and stages and for us, till date, this would be the biggest game. If it turns out to be a Sunil Chhetri special, so be it.

Lyngdoh strike gives Bengaluru big advantage in semifinal

Bengaluru FC Media 

A familiar moment of magic from Eugeneson Lyngdoh set the Blues up nicely for a return leg of the AFC Cup semifinal after the midfielder’s equaliser in the 56th minute gave Bengaluru FC a 1-1 draw against reigning champions Johor Darul Ta’zim at a packed Larkin Stadium, in Malaysia, on Wednesday.

A resolute Bengaluru defence conceded early in the second half but Lyngdoh brought the Blues back to life four minutes later and more importantly, gave them a vital away goal to take back home to Bengaluru as the Indian champions ready for the second-leg at the Kanteerava on October 19.

Refusing to sit back and soak in the pressure as most would have expected them to do at the Larkin, the Blues began rather confidently, enjoying a better share of the possession and even creating a couple of half chances early on through Sunil Chhetri and CK Vineeth. Eugeneson Lyngdoh too came close in the 30th minute but his attempt to place the ball past ’keeper Mohd. Izham lacked sting and direction.

The hosts slowly gained a foothold in the exchanges and it took a brilliant save from Amrinder at point-blank range to deny Juan Lucero a headed opener. The Blues shot-stopper literally pulled the ball out before it crossed the goal line with what was easily the save of the game.

JDT had another big chance in the 37th minute when Mohd. Azinee decided to finish off his run with a strike that he should have put away only to shoot wide. Amrinder wasn’t done yet when he made himself big to keep out a strike from Lucero in the 44th minute.

But it was Lucero’s fellow Argentine striker Diaz who finally broke Amrinder when he nodded home a Safiq Rahim corner from close in the 52nd minute. It was important that Blues didn’t let their shoulders drop as they picked themselves up and were rewarded courtesy another moment of magic from Lyngdoh at the Larkin, just four minutes later. With the ball at his feet and no one challenging him, Lyngdoh let fly a strike with his left from 30 yards out, beating Izham all ends up and silencing the home crowd.

Earlier Roca rung in just one change from the team that drew 0-0 in Singapore last week, bringing in Salam Ranjan for Nishu Kumar as the Blues stacked up in a fluid 3-5-2 set-up. The hosts will be missing both Lucero and Diaz for the second leg after the strike pair picked up their second bookings in the knock-out stages.

Bengaluru keen to mount strong challenge against Johor

Bengaluru FC Media

Albert Roca has called on his Bengaluru FC side to stand up to the challenge of what will be their sternest test yet when they take on reigning champions Johor Darul Ta’zim in the first leg of the AFC Cup semifinal at the Larkin Stadium, in Malaysia, on Wednesday.

The Blues will be up against a dominant JDT side that only last week claimed their third Malaysian League title in a row – a feat they achieved without losing a game. Earlier in the season the Malaysian team won the FA Cup and the Charity Shield to make it three trophies in 2016 for the Mario Gomez-coached side.

“We know everything about the opponent. They deserve to be here and are a very strong rival. We are not scared about that. For us, it’s a nice challenge and the aim is to put on a performance,” said Roca while addressing the press on Tuesday.

Johor are part of Bengaluru’s history in continental football by being the Blues’ first ever opponents in AFC competition when the two teams battled it out in the ACL qualifier at the Larkin Stadium early in 2015. The Malaysian team didn’t progress in the Champions League but went on to win the AFC Cup while Bengaluru bowed out at the Round-of-16 stage. This season the two sides met again, after being drawn in Group H with Johor winning both legs of the league stages to finish top of the table while Bengaluru qualified to the knock-out stages by finishing second.

But much has changed for the Indian champions since then, who brought on Spanish coach Roca and shuffled the player roster too. “Yes, we haven’t beaten Johor yet but we’ve had two very close games and we can take positives from that. We are a stronger team now than when we last played them. We have a new coach, new systems, a few new players and it’s all coming together. We go into every game wanting to score and win and tomorrow will be no different,” said defender John Johnson who has been with the Blues for three seasons now.

An interesting sub-plot to the game will be the battle between Bengaluru’s defence and Johor’s free-scoring Argentine strikers Martin Lucero and Pereyra Diaz.  Meanwhile, in attack, Bengaluru will look to be a lot more clinical in front of goal than they have been over the last two games.

Having progressed after playing out a 0-0 draw (1-0 aggregate) against Tampines Rovers in Singapore last week, the Blues chose to stay back and took a bus across the border to Johor, on Sunday. However, they will still be without Udanta Singh, Lalchhuanmawia and Keegan Pereira (injury and illness). 

“We do have a few injuries and unfortunately, those players cannot participate. But that is not an excuse as we have a good squad and we have to prove it tomorrow,” said Roca. 

The semifinal will be only Roca’s third competitive game since taking charge but he was confident of the way the team has been responding to the change. “We have tried to create a new philosophy and our team is improving. We are inching closer to the way we want to play. We know our limits, but we know we cannot sleep and we have to keep progressing as a team.” 

The game kicks off at 6.15 pm IST. 

Bengaluru go down fighting to Johor Darul Ta’zim

Bengaluru FC Media 

A young and resilient Bengaluru FC side battled hard but were unlucky to go down 1-0 to a full strength Johor Darul Ta’zim team in an AFC Cup Group H game at the Kanteerava, in Bengaluru, on Wednesday. Skipper Safiq Rahim scored with a contentiously awarded second-half freekick to leave the Blues feeling hard done given the way they refused to give anything for most of the game.

Hit with a slew of injuries and playing what was their fifth game in 14 days, the Bengaluru FC line-up was always going to be an interesting one. And Ashley Westwood threw in more than just a few surprises in the starting XI, handing defender Ranjan Salam Singh his BFC debut while Bengaluru boy Vishal Kumar got his first minutes on the pitch this season as part of a five-man defence that included Keegan Pereira, Lalchhuanmawia and Chhuantea.

Curtis Osano and CK Vineeth, who Westwood said would be doubtful starters, didn’t make the squad as Udanta Singh had Len Doungel for a partner in attack.

The reigning AFC Cup champions’ opener came in the 55^th minute after Keegan was harshly adjudged to have brought down Mohammed Amirulhadi on the edge of the box even as Bengaluru protests of a dive fell on deaf ears. Safiq stepped up and sent his take beyond Lalthuammawia Ralte’s right to finally break Bengaluru’s resistance.

Only minutes earlier, the Blues could have had a goal of their own when an unmarked Johnson headed wide from Udanta’s freekick. But Bengaluru’s best chance came in the 85^th minute when Udanta’s cross from the right was palmed away by ’keeper Mohammed Izham only to fall to Alwyn George. With Izham on the floor, George beat his marker but inexplicably fired wide from close as the Bengaluru bench threw their arms up in disbelief.

Bengaluru next travel to Myanmar where Westwood’s side take on Ayeyawady on the 16^th in what will be a must-win game if the Blues are to keep hope of getting out of the group alive. 

Bengaluru take on Johor Darul Ta'zim tomorrow at Kanteerava

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC will be up against reigning champions Johor Darul Ta’zim of Malaysia when AFC Cup action returns to the Kanteerava Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Wednesday night but Blues gaffer Ashley Westwood said his side will play without the burden of pressure and look to give a good account of themselves.  “It’s going to be a good game. They are a good team and are champions of the AFC Cup with right reason. We’ve played them last season and know what to expect from them. They have made a couple of changes from last year and I believe they are stronger,” said Westwood of the opposition that is coached by Argentine Mario Gomez.  The two sides met in the AFC Champions League qualifier last season at the Tan Sri Dato Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium – a dramatic game that Eugeneson Lyngdoh took to extra-time swinging home directly from a corner in the 90th minute before Chanturu Suppiah’s winner in the 98th minute quelled what was more than a valiant show on Bengaluru's Asian debut.  Injuries have hampered Bengaluru’s season and with the Blues set to play their fifth game in 14 days, a packed schedule hasn’t helped either. “We’ve traveled away to Laos, played at home before traveling to Shillong and then Goa with most of these trips being 3 am starts. There is fatigue from all the travel but we’ll see who looks fresh at training and pick a team that will give us the best chance to qualify out of the group." said Westwood.  Striker CK Vineeth and central defender Curtis Osano, both recovering from groin strains, are doubtful starters while Lyngdoh is yet to completely recover from a fracture. Midfielder Shankar Sampingiraj, meanwhile, has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a ruptured cruciate.  JDT began their title defence in emphatic fashion, beating Myanmar club Ayeyawady United 8-1 with their Argentine striking pair of Pereyra Diaz and Juan Lucero among the goals while club and national team skipper Mohd. Safiq bagged a hat-trick. “They (JDT) are a very good side technically. They play with a lot of quick touches and have good players. They have a good set of strikers, a good defence and good foreigners. They have spent good money in the transfer market and that has let them buy the best out there. They are a good side but not unbeatable. We aren’t going into this game to make up the numbers but to give a good account of ourselves. We are playing a decent Asian side and we believe we are one as well,” said Westwood.  Echoing the gaffer’s sentiments was skipper Sunil Chhetri who said the team was motivated to do well, given the manner things ended up the last time they played JDT. “We backed ourselves there and did well and when we play at home, we back ourselves even more. As players we are going to look the other way in terms of fatigue and hectic travel and go out there and give nothing less than 100%.” 

Valiant Bengaluru go down 2-1 to Johor Darul Ta’zim

Bengaluru FC Media 

A heroic Bengaluru FC went down 2-1 to Johor Darul Ta’zim FC after a goal in extra time by substitute Chanthuru Suppiah quelled a remarkable fight by the Blues in the AFC Champions League preliminary play-of tie at a packed Larkin Stadium, in Johor, Malaysia, on Wednesday night. 

Down to a second half goal by Harris Harun who nodded home a corner on a night where Bengaluru hit the post twice, the Blues staged a resurrection in the final minute of regulation time. Armed with a corner, Eugeneson Lyngdoh swung in one that beat everyone before bulging the back of the net as a noisy Larkin slumped into silence. 

Despite trailing away from home after Harun’s goal and playing in front of over 17,000 people, the Blues remained unfazed as they kept going in their search for an equalizer. And with less than 10 minutes to go, the Blues nearly found it. Skipper Sunil Chhetri’s impeccable control and lob was able to beat his marker but Marlias was on hand to tip it away. 

The chances were even through the game and Bengaluru barely looked like the away team, constantly pressing making all the right noises in attack. 

Westwood started with Beikhokhei Beingaichho on the right and Sean Rooney in the centre while Lalchhuanmawia got the nod at left-back as Bengaluru erased a shaky few initial minutes to get string together a rhythm they would keep till the half-time whistle. 

The Blues had a few half-chances, the first of which came from a corner in the 14th minute. Picked out by a Beikho delivery, Johnson seemed to be caught wrong-footed when he was in a good place to pull the trigger. Johnson was in the thick of things again but while he got everything right, the post played spoiler to his goal-bound header in the 24th. 

But Westwood’s men were dealt another early blow when, just seven minutes into extra time, Suppiah was sent through on goal. The striker placed the ball calmly past Ralte. Faced with a tough battle and with few minutes on the clock, Bengaluru began throwing the kitchen sink at Johor who did enough to soak in the attacks. Having produced a magical moment once on the night, Bengaluru did all they could to stir up an encore that wasn’t meant to be. 

Chhetri controls the ball as Johor Darul Ta'zim's Kunanlan looks on

Bengaluru FC set for big night in Asia

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC will add a key chapter to their little but event-filled history when the Blues take on Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim in the AFC Champions League preliminary qualifier to be played at the Larkin Stadium, in Johor, Malaysia, on Wednesday.

Ashley Westwood’s League and Federation Cup champions take the field at 6.15 pm IST for what is arguably their biggest night yet and the gaffer has said his boys are keen on giving a good account of themselves on the Asian stage. The Blues had embarked on a pre-season tour to China earlier this season with an eye on the Asian challenges this campaign. The odds are heavily stacked against Bengaluru who also have 18,000 Johor fans spurring their side on, to deal with.

“On the day anything can happen. We'll go into the game and apply ourselves correctly which is our framework and see where it takes us. You can't be overconfident in football. We are hopeful. We are looking forward to our experience in Asian Football,” said Westwood at the pre-game press conference on Tuesday.

After a rather indifferent start to their title defence, Bengaluru’s last game was a big 0-4 win away from home to leaders Royal Wahingdoh and the result has done the Blues’ confidence a fair amount of good. But Westwood isn’t making too much of it with relation to the challenge in Johor.

“The morale in the camp is good. We've come here on the back of a 4-0 victory which stands us in good stead. But this is football and change is regular. We don't look at anything into the past and we're looking forward to a good match. Hopefully we can do ourselves some justice and look what we can bring to the table. They are a good side with some quality players. It will be a difficult as they are the champion side.”

Johor, on their part, began their own title defence of the Malaysia Super League with a 2-0 win over Pahang last week and while coach Bojan Hodak admitted that playing at home will work for them, he wasn't willing to write the tie off as a cakewalk. “Of course, we are playing at home and I have always said that if you are playing at home, no matter who you are up against, you are always favourites. But it's going to be a tough match. Bengaluru are a good, organised and physical team. We have seen a few of their videos. The good thing is that we beat Pahang FC and the spirit in the camp is good,” he said.

Hodak said Johor would be without Argentine striker Luciano Figueroa who picked up an injury and the coach wasn't willing to take a gamble on him. Westwood, meanwhile, has a completely fit squad to pick from. A win on Wednesday would see Bengaluru travel to play Bangkok Glass in their bid to move closer to the league stages of Asia's premier club competition.

Medio Joshua Walker trains at the Larkin Stadium