While Johor Darul Ta’zim has an unprecedented record at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, the hosts on the night Bengaluru FC will be looking to create history. Should they secure a draw, Bengaluru will become the first Indian side to make it into the final of the AFC Cup. This would also ensure that Albert Roca, the newly-appointed head coach of Bengaluru FC gets his career off to a fantastic start. However, as many know, it ain’t over till the fat lady sings and should Johor net a goal, it would indeed be a very interesting encounter between the two.

Venue: Sree Kanteerava Stadium

Bengaluru FC

The equation for the Blues is quite simple. Lay siege to the goal manned by Amrinder Singh and ensure that no goal goes past. Albert Roca will be hoping that his central defensive partnership of John Johnson and Juanan will be able to pull this off. Moreover, Roca has the reputation of playing youngsters in the full-back role, something that was not necessarily done by former coach Ashley Westwood. The likes of Nishu Kumar and Ranjan Salam Singh have shown tremendous defensive acumen as they have manned their positions in the few matches they have played under Roca.

The midfield is an area that the former Barcelona coach will be looking to add some fire to. Of course, the presence of Cameron Watson and Eugeneson Lyngdoh adds a lot of solidity to the midfield, the presence of players such as Alwyn George may as well be seen as a weak link. With a month left on Alvaro Rubio’s BFC contract, the former Valladolid skipper will be aiming to make a mark in the grand scheme of things.

One thing the Blues have thrived on since their inception is the support of the fans. With the Sree Kanteerava Stadium expected to be packed to the rafters, the Blues will indeed have their wish of playing in front of a full house for perhaps the first time in their history.

Johor Darul Ta’zim

While Bengaluru FC has been in somewhat of an impressive ascend towards AFC Cup glory, the fact of the matter remains that JDT has never lost to the Indian Champions. Having been drawn in the same group as the Blues in the group stages, Johor completed the double over their opponents including a massive 3-0 hammering at Johor Bahru. Moreover, Bengaluru has never defeated Johor in the few matches they have played over the years. However, this time around, JDT seems to be chasing the game, something they are most certainly not used to. 

Safiq Rahim will be looking at the likes of Pereyra Diaz and Hariss Harun to make an impact and score the necessary goal to allow JDT their much-deserved qualification into the final. They also happen to be the defending champions. 

Playing XI (Probable)

Bengaluru FC: Amrinder Singh (GK), Rino Anto, Juan Antonio, John Johnson, Nishu Kumar, Alvaro Rubio, Cameron Watson, Sunil Chhetri (C), Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Alwyn George, CK Vineeth

Johor Darul Ta’zim: Izham Tarmizi (GK), Marcos Antonio, Asraruddin Putra Omar, Zafuan Abdul Radzak, Amer Saidin, Safiq Rahim (C), Kunanlan, Hariss Harun, Steven Robbat, Pereyra Diaz, Martin Lucero

Image Courtesy: My Sumber