The I-League champions are on the cusp of their first ever AFC Cup semi-final appearance, but they need to maneuver around carefully past seething S.League Stags...
Bengaluru FC draw their carriage into the kernel of southeastern Asia, Singapore, with the melliflous purr of narrative and the benign force of expectation spurring them onwards, as they gear up to face Tampines Rovers in an Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) Cup quarter-final second-leg, on Wednesday, 21st September.
The Mighty Stags, who will indulge the Steelmen with a welcoming Singapore Sling, trail the vistiors by a goal on aggregate, after succumbing to a C K Vineeth strike in the first-leg, which was held in the Information Technology (IT) capital of India.
Bengaluru FC and Albert Roca will be modestly confident after a gritty display in their previous tie. Despite barely having a pre-season of note, the reigning domestic champions of India showed their ingrained class by following the Spaniard's instructions to the tee. The gaffer will expect nothing less than the same, a week after their successful pursuit, which was also his first competitive tie in charge of the club.
The playing eleven is expected to have just a few minor tweaks for the Indian side, with a 4-3-3 formation expected to be in place. With more 37 minutes of action now under his belt, Lalchhawnmawia Fania is expected to replace Nishu Kumar in the starting eleven for the Jindal Steel Works (JSW) owned team. He will partner Rino Anto, Juan Gonzalez and John Johnson in defense, in front of Amrinder Singh.
Alwyn Gerorge's superb showing in Benglauru should be enough for him to stave of Udanta Kumam's return to the first eleven, especially as the 20-year-old continues his rehabilitation from injury. The former will partner Sunil Chhetri and Ck Vineeth in a three-pronged attack, which is expected to drop back to form a five man midfield when Bengauru FC find themselves devoid of possession.
Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Alvaro Rubio and the industrious Cameron Watson are expected to anchor Bengaluru FC's midfield.
Tampines Rovers find themselves on a stretch of sluggishness. Having had time to reflect on a "bad" performance, as stated by coach Akbar Nawas, the Singapore-based side need to pull their best performance out of the drawer considering this could be yet another failed stint for them in the AFC Cup, having never progressed past the quarter-finals before in seven attempts.
The S.League side coach will have already planned for life without Fahrudin Mustafic, his skipper, considering the nature of the injury that pulled the naturalized Singapore international off the pitch in the Subcontinent.
The trio of Jermaine Pennant, Jordan Webb and Billy Mehmet will be pressurized for goals, considering they have a 24 goal haul cumulatively, for the domestic season. Yasir Hanapi is once again expected to control central midfield.
An inspired Bengaluru must expect Tampines Rovers to be out of the blocks quickly, considering the nature of tie. Roca will need all his trump cards in his sleeve and ready for a deep shovelling in Singapore to come home with a semi-final showcase.
Kick off from the Jurong West stadium is at 5 PM IST.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário