AFC Cup Preliminary Stage: Bengaluru FC play Bhutanese champions Transport United in a must-win clash

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC will look to get the job done when they face Bhutan National League champions Transport United in the second leg of the 2018 AFC Cup Preliminary Round One at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, on Tuesday. Coming back from a goalless draw in Thimphu, the tie hangs in the balance as the winner takes all from the second leg.

Having rolled out a heavily rested side in the reverse fixture, it will be intriguing to see the side that Albert Roca rolls out as he banks on home advantage to progress.

“Transport United are a side that can be dangerous on their day and we can’t take this game lightly. Our fans and the Fortress will provide us that extra bit of push. We know that a win can take us through but we know that the equation is the same for them and that they will put on a strong show,” said Roca on the eve of the clash.  

It was the Blues who dominated the game in Bhutan, creating numerous chances throughout the two halves. However, the boss rued the lack of a finishing tough in the attacking third. “We fell short in terms of finishing last week and that is an area we have been working hard on in our training sessions and I think that will be key to the result.”

The game will the Blues’ third in eight days, and the Boss has hinted that the second leg of the tie might once again see some changes. “We’re playing a game almost every three days and it’s important to make use of the entire squad to keep them in the best shape possible. We must win, but at the same time the focus is on the larger picture. The depth in our squad is big and I know that whoever is given a chance will go out there and do their best.”

The game kicks off at 8 pm.

Bengaluru FC face Bagan in AFC ahead of Sunday’s Fed Cup final

Bengaluru FC Media 

In what will be a precursor of the Federation Cup final, a rested Bengaluru FC side will take on Mohun Bagan in a Group E game of the AFC Cup at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, in Kolkata, on Wednesday. While both Bengaluru and Maziya S&RC are level on points 9 points from 4 games, Albert Roca’s side continue to lead the group owing to a better head-to-head record over the team from the Maldives who host Abahani Dhaka Limited in the group’s earlier kick-off.

With the battle for who makes it out of the group set to go down to the last round where Bengaluru host Maziya on May 31, Roca chose to hand a fair number of players some much needed rest. “This will be our fifth game in 8 days and it’s a situation we have to manage. The heat in Cuttack has taken a lot out of the squad and it was only fair that some of the boys get time to recover before the final.Wednesday’s AFC Cup game is a great chance for the other boys on the squad who have been thorough professionals and have put their hand up whenever the team has needed them,” said Roca on the eve of the game.

While John Johnson and Harmanjot Khabra miss the fixture with suspensions, Cameron Watson hasn’t traveled after taking ill. Amrinder Singh and Juanan Gonzalez are among the other players who haven’t traveled. Skipper Sunil Chhetri has, meanwhile, made the trip back to Bengaluru to have his injury assessed by the club’s medical team.

Mohun Bagan are out of contention in the AFC Cup and given the Federation Cup final scheduled in four days from now, manager Sanjoy Sen too could hand his key players some much-needed rest.

“No matter what squad Mohun Bagan or we decide to go with, I have no illusions of this game being one where we can afford to take our foot off the pedal. The conditions will be tougher for us and I’m confident that the boys will make the most of the experience,” added Roca.

The Blues came back from a goal down to beat Bagan 2-1 in the home leg of this fixture and Roca has told his young side to draw inspiration from that night. “Bagan have always been tough competitors and both the clubs are always fighting for titles. The younger players on the team have a point to prove to me and I’m looking forward to a good show.”

The game kicks off at 7 pm.

Bengaluru FC keen on steadier show ahead of DSK challenge

Bengaluru FC Media 

Albert Roca called his Bengaluru FC side to iron out the creases and keep things tight as the Blues ready to take on DSK Shivajians in a Group B clash of the Federation Cup, at the Barabati Stadium, in Cuttack, on Wednesday.

Bengaluru got their campaign off to a winning start with a 3-2 defeat of Shillong Lajong on Monday but made things harder than they needed be after coasting to a 2-0 lead. And Roca believes the margin for error will keep getting lesser as the tournament progresses. “We let our guard down after getting a two-goal lead and we were almost made to pay for it. We’re happy we could come away with a win and take a lesson back with us on not letting things slip when we are in control. We’re going to have to be very cautious against DSK because one small lapse can affect how your tournament pans out,” said Roca.

DSK suffered a 4-0 defeat to Mohun Bagan in their Cup opener and while they would be keen on their first points in the tournament, the Dave Rogers-coached side will also look to set right their 7-0 defeat at the hands of the Blues only a fortnight ago in the League.

“We cannot ride on the fact that we beat DSK by a heavy margin. I said in the press conference after that game that while the result was good, it’s not one that we will be talking about the next day. The slate is clean on Wednesday and we will have to earn our points.”

The Blues suffered a minor blip when John Johnson had to be substituted at the start of the second half with a thigh injury and Roca said he is in constant touch with the medical team with updates before he decides if the English defender will take the pitch against DSK or not. Goalkeeper Amrinder Singh who sat out of the win over Lajong with fever will also be a late decision for selection.

Roca will have a lot of positives to take back from the win against Lajong. Midfielder Eugeneson Lyngdoh seems to be getting better with every passing game while Udanta Singh has forged a good understanding with Harmanjot Khabra down the right. 

The game kicks off at 4 pm and will be beamed live on the Ten 2 network.

Bengaluru take on Chennai, look to keep momentum going

Bengaluru FC Media

Buoyed by a tough win away from home on Sunday, Bengaluru FC will look to keep the momentum going when Albert Roca’s side take on Chennai City FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Chennai, on Wednesday. Lenny Rodrigues headed home the Blues’ winner at Minerva on a pitch far from fit to play on and Roca believes it will take more such grit if his side are to get past Chennai City and build on the win.

“The circumstances we find ourselves in demand that we fight harder than we have ever needed to. The boys showed that in Punjab where the conditions were far from the best to play football in. Chennai are going to be tough opponents given their position on the table,” said Roca on the eve of the game.

Chennai, sitting only above Mumbai FC on the table, were denied three points on Sunday against DSK Shivajians when they conceded an equaliser in the last minute to share points with the Pune side.

Bengaluru have looked a more composed side since the return of John Johnsons from injury. The arrival of striker Marjan Jugovic too has added strength in attack and the Serbian, who was pulled off around the hour mark against Minerva, could get a longer look in on Wednesday.

The Blues won the home leg of this fixture in January when goals from CK Vineeth and Roby Norales broke down a stubborn resistance from Chennai and Roca said it’s vital that his team does justice to the chances they create. “In most games we are the team that is playing the football but we come undone because we don’t finish off the good work we do up until the attacking third. We’ve been working on these aspects in training and I’m sure it will show in the games ahead.”

Chennai meanwhile, are winless in four games after stalemates against Churchill Brothers and DSK Shivajians and losses to Shillong Lajong and Aizawl FC. The V. Soundararajan-coached side are buoyed by the addition of centre-back Celestine Anyichie, who missed the club’s visit to the Kanteerava, and will look to the Nigerian’s aerial presence to keep the Blues’ attack at bay.

The game kicks off at 7.05 pm and will be telecast live on Ten 2.

Bengaluru FC sign midfielder Khabra

Bengaluru FC Media 

With less than a month to the start of the 2016-17 I-League season, Bengaluru FC have strengthened their roster by signing experienced midfielder Harmanjot Khabra, the club announced on Monday. The versatile 28-year-old who can play in defence too, last turned out for Indian Super League side Chennaiyin FC and joins the Indian champions on a season-long loan deal.  

“I’m thankful to the Bengaluru FC who pursued me. I must be doing something right to have been picked up by the champions of India. This is a new era in my career and I want to make the most of it. I’m looking forward to playing alongside the likes of Chhetri and Eugene and want to do my bit in helping BFC win trophies,” said Khabra who turned out for East Bengal for seven seasons, a few of them as skipper of the Kolkata club. 

Hailing from Kaharpur in Punjab, Khabra passed out from the Tata Football Academy before signing for Sporting Clube de Goa with whom he spent three seasons. Having turned out for the India U16 and U19 sides, Khabra made his senior team debut in 2011. 

Blues coach Albert Roca said he was confident that his new signing would add impetus to a season where Bengaluru looks to defend its League title and will be competing in the AFC Champions League preliminary qualifying stages. 

“Harmanjot comes with a lot of experience that will be very handy as the season progresses. It’s going to be a busy and a tough calendar for us and while it was important to add to the squad, we wanted to be sure about the quality being brought in and Harmanjot ticks that box,” said Roca. 

Khabra, who took part in his first training session with Bengaluru on Monday, will wear the number 10 shirt for the Blues.