AFC Cup 2016: Quarter-final first-leg - Bengaluru FC 1-0 Tampines Rovers

Bengaluru, Sep 14: Reigning I-League champions Bengaluru FC put one foot in the semi finals of the AFC Cup 2016 as they beat Singapore's Tampines Rovers 1-0 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium today in the first leg of the quarter-final.

Striker CK Vineeth scored the all important goal in the 7th minute as he tapped in an easy ball into the goal. Alwayn George picked up a ball from skipper Sunil Chhetri and attempted a shot. The ball was blocked and an opportunistic Vineeth grabbed the opportunity and found the back of the net.

Bengaluru FC will enjoy a 1-0 lead on aggregate as they travel to Singapore next week. The second leg is scheduled to happen on September 21 (Wednesday).

This was the first competitive game of Bengaluru FC under newly appointed Spanish manager Alber Roca, a man who has the experience of coaching at FC Barcelona.

Roca, fielded all the four foreigners which included new recruits Alvaro Rubio, Cmaeron Watson and Juan Gonzalez. Chhetri started upfront alongside Vineeth.

The home team approached the game in 4-4-2 formation. Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Cameron Watson occupying the left and right side respectively. Alvaro Rubio and Alwyn George started in the central midfield.

Roca's men played calculative football after getting an early goal courtesy CK Vineeth. They kept the possession and stressed on counter-attacks.

The Singaporean side on the other hand failed to make a mark on the pitch as they missed a number of goal scoring opportunities. Credit must be given to Johnson and Juanan for their astute defending against the visitors.

Bengaluru FC are on the verge of scripting history as they are one match away from joining the likes of Dempo SC and Kingfisher East Bengal who had reached the semi finals of the same tournament.

OneIndia News