Bengaluru FC earned a precious away goal as they drew 1-1 with reigning AFC Cup champions Johor Darul Ta’zim. Amrinder Singh’s amazing performance in goal meant that the Blues went into the break with the score goalless, but Pereyra Diaz broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute to give Johor the lead.
With Bengaluru FC looking pedestrian in attack, Eugeneson Lyngdoh rifled in a wondergoal into the top corner just minutes later. Bengaluru FC held out for the draw, thus earning a precious away result.
Here are 5 talking points from the game.
#1 Massive result for Bengaluru FC
It was billed as the biggest game in Bengaluru FC’s history, and the Blues kept their heads to pull off a massive result. Make no mistake, Johor are one of the biggest clubs in Asia, and all the predictions before the game was a comfortable win for the hosts, which should leave them disappointed.
The AFC cup defending champions have not been defeated in the tournament so far, and will be bitterly disappointed not to have defeated BFC, having trounced the Blues with a 5-1 aggregate score over both legs of their group stage game.
Looking ahead to the second leg, BFC have a precious away goal to hold on to and can go through with a goalless draw. It’s a huge chance for Bengaluru FC to make a historic appearance in the finals of the AFC Cup, and the Blues will celebrate a fantastic result away from home.
#2 Amrinder Singh’s fantastic audition to be India’s #1
Johor DT’s much vaunted attacking pair of Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Juan Martin Lucero fulfilled their reputation, troubling the Bengaluru defence and often leaving them all at sea. Thus, Bengaluru FC custodian Amrinder Singh had to be at his best to ensure that Bengaluru FC were still alive in the tie.
The BFC keeper was in fantastic form, making a stunning reflex save in the 26th minute to keep out Diaz’ header, and then following it up by ensuring that Lucero’s headed effort was tipped over the bar. However, Amrinder could not do much to prevent Diaz’s point blank headed goal in the 52nd minute.
Despite Gurpreet Singh Sandhu starring for Stabaek in Europe and being Indian manager Stephen Constantine’s first choice, Amrinder’s superb performance should surely make the national team setup take notice. Competition for places is only good, as Amrinder and Gurpreet spur each other on.
#3 Mario Gomez is an incredibly unhappy man
Johor’s attack was much-hyped going into the game, but Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Juan Martin Lucero were fantastic, creating a couple of good chances in the first half. The Argentine pair were a bit wasteful though, and will be disappointed not to have put the game to bed.
Indeed, Johor manager Mario Gomez was happy with his side’s performance after the game, but laid into the referee, plainly describing him as ‘bad’ in his post match press conference. Johor missed a massive opportunity to put pressure on BFC going into the second leg, and face a tricky tie in the second leg.
Gomez has plenty to do tactically going into the second leg, as they were unable to pierce through the 3-5-2 formation Roca had Bengaluru play in the second half. However, with Gomez also having words with the referee on the touchline, the sideshow might actually distract him from accepting his side’s faults and working on them.
#4 Lyngdoh proves why he is BFC’s most important player
Sunil Chhetri is hailed as Bengaluru FC’s most influential player, but Eugeneson Lyngdoh is the beating heart of the I-League champions. India’s best central midfielder has been shunted out to the wing by Albert Roca, but has toiled away without complaining, offering a great deal of protection to his fullback.
Lyngdoh was rather quiet on the wing in an attacking sense for much of the game, but burst into life once Roca went with a 3-5-2 formation and restored him into the centre. With Bengaluru struggling to mount any sort of attack, it would require a moment of magic for the I-League champions to come back into the game after going a goal down.
Up stepped Lyngdoh for the Blues, as he held off a couple of challenges, worked a yard of space and unleashed a well-placed rocket into the top corner, earning BFC a precious away goal that could prove to be pivotal. Perhaps this should convince Roca that Lyngdoh deserves to start in the centre over Cameron Watson.
#5 Roca’s tactics pay off, but he risks losing out if the home leg is similar
Bengaluru FC began the game excellenty, as a high press meant Johor had little time on the ball, and Sunil Chhetri and CK Vineeth had a couple of chances in the opening few minutes. However, the Blues strangely sat off their opponents after the 15th minute, allowing Johor time and space in midfield to exert their dominance, with only Amrinder standing in the way.
Roca changed things up in the second half, employing a 3-5-2 formation as Bengaluru FC looked much more compact. However, BFC did invite a ton of pressure, and could thank the water-logged pitch for playing into their hands as Johor struggled with their fluency.
While a precious away goal will mean that even a 0-0 at the Kanteerava will ensure BFC make a shock appearance in the AFC Cup final, Roca must stay away from the temptation to play defensively – Johor will be much better on October 19th and simply inviting pressure will not benefit a Bengaluru side still coming to terms with his tactics.
Either way, Roca will be extremely pleased that Bengaluru FC are 90 minutes away from making history.
