A second consecutive AFC Cup final appearance beckons Bengaluru FC (BFC) as it takes on 2015 finalist FC Istiklol in the first leg of the inter-zonal final at the Hisor Central Stadium here on Wednesday.
“We know how close we are to a shot at the final but we’ve kept that out of our thoughts for the moment,” insisted coach Albert Roca on the eve of the match.
“Over the next two games, it’s only Istiklol that we are concerned about.”
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The task at hand remains formidable.
This will only be the new-look BFC squad’s third competitive appearance after the Indian Super League draft held more than two months ago.
Its opponent is coming off a 5-0 win in the 16th and final league match of the season over the weekend as it ended the domestic campaign as champion.
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It has remained unbeaten with 13 wins and three draws and has also scored a whopping 50 goals and conceded just seven.
But the fact that Istiklol will have three of its regular starters suspended will certainly help BFC.
Game kicks off at 7.30 p.m. IST and will be streamed live on AFC’s Media Channels (Facebook and YouTube).