Bengaluru FC need to address their woes in front of goal against Transport United in AFC Cup

Bengaluru, January 29: Bengaluru FC will need their reserves to step up their game against Transport United as they seek Asian glory in their AFC Cup preliminary stage second leg at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Tuesday (January 30).

Coach Albert Roca rested regulars like Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh, Juanan Gonzalez and others for the trip to Thimphu last week and returned home after a goalless draw. These main squad members instead turned in a terrific display against NorthEast United to take Bengaluru FC to the top of the Indian Super League table.

Asia’s coming back home again! Catch the Blues in action against Bhutan’s Transport United in their @AFCCup Qualifier. Get your tickets on @BookMyShow now: https://t.co/B5Tx0sUFE9 #BENvTRA 🔵 pic.twitter.com/R8SCFhiJiX

— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) January 28, 2018

However, only a clear win against the Bhutanese champions on Tuesday will guarantee a spot in the second preliminary play-off for Bengaluru FC, the 2016 AFC Cup finalists. If BFC pass this hurdle, they will have another two-legged play-off against Saif Sporting Club Limited (Bangladesh) or TC Sports Club (Maldives) on Feb 13 and Feb 20.

Bengaluru FC fielded a young squad with midfielder Toni Dovale as the only foreigner and handed starts to defender Zohmingliana Ralte, striker Daniel Lalhlimpuia and Bengaluru FC academy graduate Prashanth Kalinga. While the defenders faced no problem, Lalhlimpuia missed two easy chances in the second half, which could have more or less settled the tie by now.

"We couldn't get the job done in Bhutan but I'm happy that the boys who stayed back managed to get enough rest. The travel and conditions were hectic, and it would not have been possible for the team to take the pitch 100% against NorthEast United if everyone would have travelled," Roca remarked before the NEUFC game.

BFC will have to approach this game with a fresh mind and hope they have tackled their woes in front of the goal. Given they have an away ISL game against ATK on Feb 3, Roca is expected to rotate his squad again.

Striker Miku, midfielder Edu Garcia and defender John Johnson do not feature in the AFC Cup squad anyway. BFC may further rest midfielders Dimas Delgado and Erik Paartalu against Transport United and bank on youngsters again to complete the job.

Transport United's defenders Choki Wangchuk, Kinley Penjor and Tenzin Dorji were not easy to break down. They stuck together as a compact unit and gave little space for BFC attackers inside the box. The two times that BFC did find holes in the transport backline, Lalhlimpuia struck wide.

Wing play and scoring off headers from set-pieces could do the trick for BFC. Transport United do not really boast of a tall player while BFC have relatively tall defenders Gonzalez and Rahul Bheke in their ranks.

As for Transport, their scoring chances were far and between. The two Dawa-s of their team - Dawa Tshering and Dawa Tshering - were commanding their positions in the midfield and attack. But given BFC dominated possession and Transport were stuck warding off the threats, there was nothing much they could do. Eze Collins is their only foreign player - from Mozambique - but he was benched in the first leg.

Transport United boast of an enviable record of being unbeaten in the National League. They had just one draw - in their opening match against Thimphu city. They recorded their biggest win - 13-0 - against Phuentsholing. However, that league has only six teams and it ended in September 2017.

The AFC Cup first leg last week was Transport United's first competitive game since that league ended.

No wonder the hosts Bengaluru FC are the favourites.

Bengaluru FC vs Transport United

AFC Cup preliminary stage second leg

Live at 8 pm

Telecast details still not known