Kallang, Sep 20: Reigning I-League champions Bengaluru FC visit Singapore to take on S-League side Tampines Rovers in a crucial AFC Cup quarter-final second-leg encounter on Wednesday (September 21).
Bengaluru FC are ahead on aggregate by 1 goal as they had beaten the Singaporean club 1-0 last week in Bengaluru in the first-leg.
A draw would be enough for Albert Roca's men to book their semi-final berth for the first time in the club's history. They will join the likes of Dempo SC and Kingfisher East Bengal, the other two Indian teams who had reached the last four stage of the competition previously.
The Blues look confident and are a stronger side on paper. Former FC Barcelona assistant manager Albert Roca, who is charge of the Indian side deployed brilliant counter-attacking tactics in the home match.
Kick-Off: 4:50 PM (IST)
Venue: Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang
The match will be telecasted on Star Sports 4 and HD and hotstar.com
Team News
Tampines Rovers manager Akbar Nawas is expected to keep an unchanged starting XI with former English Premier League player Jermaine Pennant upfront.
The home side will go all out as they have to score at least a goal to take the match to extra time or scorer 2 or more goals to win the contest.
Albert Roca is likely to make just one change with Lalchhawnmawia Fanai replacing U-19 player Nishu Kumar. Nishu had an impressive debut but as this is an away match Roca might opt for a more experienced Fanai.
The Indian side played tactically in their home tie and mostly depended on counter-attacks. The former Barcelona man will stick to his defensive tactics in this match too in order to get at least a draw and seal their semis berth.
Possible line-ups
Tampines Rovers (4-4-2)
Goalkeepers: Izwan Mahbud
Defenders: Shakir Hamzah, Irwan Shah, Hafiz Abu Sujad, Jufri Taha
Midfielder: Jordan Webb, Izzdin Shafiq, Fabian Kwok, Yasir Hanapi
Strikers: Jermaine Pennant, Billy Mehmet
Bengaluru FC (4-4-2)
Goalkeeper: Amrinder Singh
Defenders: Rino Anto, Juan Gonzales, John Johnson, Lalchhuanmawia Fanai
Midfielders: Alwyn George, Cameron Watson, Alvaro Rubio, Eugeneson Lyngdoh
Strikers: Sunil Chhetri, CK Vineeth
Prediction
Tampines Rovers 1-1 Bengaluru FC
OneIndia News