One up and one away for Bengaluru FC

Bengaluru, September 11: AFC Cup runners-up Bengaluru FC Club have descended on Pyongyang as they get ready for the return leg of the inter-zonal semifinal against the North Korean club 4.25 SC.

The match will be held at 1.30pm IST (5pm local time) at May Day Stadium.

Having gained a handy 3-0 lead in a rain-soaked opening leg at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, the Blues hold the aces as they eye their second final of the premier Asian competition in a row.

The job's only half done as the Blues head to DPR Korea for the second leg of their @AFCCup Inter-zonal semifinal against 4.25 SC. #425vBEN pic.twitter.com/opQYHhaFYd

— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) September 11, 2017

Last year they lost to Iraq's Air Force club 0-1 in the final held at the neutral venue in Doha's Qatar Sports Club Stadium.

BFC coach Albert Roca has already spoken about the need to go a step higher this time.

All said and done qualifying for the finals would be the immediate goal for the Blues.

This is the first time that any Indian club is visiting North Korea and with conditions set to be the decisive factor, BFC is taking nothing for granted as evident from senior pro Harmanjot Khabra's words.

"It going to be a massive experience playing the away leg for all the players as the conditions will be so different. The climate is totally different and so will be the artificial surface in the stadium" Khabra told BFC website.

Their players are much more suited to the surroundings and this is their home advantage. They do have some quality players in the attacking third and we have to be on our toes at all times. A good thing is that we haven't conceded a goal in the home leg but still we're working on the few mistakes that we made during the game and want to improve," the ace midfielder added.

Whoever is through takes on the winner of the other last-four tie between Tajikistan club FC Istiklol and the Philippines' Ceres Negros FC.

The Tajik club holds a 4-0 lead from the opening leg at home.

The return leg will be played at Pana-ad Park and Football Stadium in Bacolod City at 7.30pm local time (5pm IST) tomorrow (September 12).