Bengaluru FC take on Al-Wehdat Sports Club of Jordan tomorrow night in the 2nd qualifying AFC Champions League, and they’re on the verge of history. Although they’re struggling in the domestic League, they have more than enough quality to put away a team on their day.
So, let’s go one step further, let’s us book them to win this one and the next Play-Off game. Why not dream? That is when things get tasty when they reach the Group stages. So here we look at five things which might happen if Bengaluru FC reaches the group stages of the AFC Champions League.
#1 First Team to reach AFC Champions League group stages
This is a given. The furthest any Indian team has reached is the AFC Champions League has been the playoff round 2, as Mohun Bagan did last year, after beating Tampines Rovers in the first playoff round.
They were schooled by Shandong Luneng Taishan F.C. (of China, who by the way have the likes of Graziano Pellèlle this year) in the second playoff round, who beat Mohun Bagan 6-0. But, Bengaluru FC, thanks to India’s superior AFC MA Ranking this year compared to previous tournaments, will be equalling the record just by playing Al-Wehdat. Reaching the Group Stages will give something to cherish for a long long time.
#2 Increase in India’s AFC MA Ranking
Okay, I will be honest with this one, there won’t be any expert in the world who’ll explain to you how and why exactly is the FIFA Rankings and UEFA Rankings calculated the way they are, but nonetheless they’re very important.
So back to the matter at hand, AFC MA Ranking (MA- Member Association) are how AFC decides if a club from a particular country goes into the AFC Champions League (Group stages or one of the preliminary stages) or the AFC Cup. The Rankings are calculated based on the performance of a country (the clubs) in AFC Competition in the last four years and the country’s FIFA Ranking (70-30 weightage).
Thanks to India’s climb in the FIFA Rankings, and Bengaluru FC’s performance in the AFC Cup last year, they haven’t had to play the third playoffs, and if the upward curve continues we’ll be seeing the day when Indian teams reach the AFC Champions League Group stages directly.
#3 Big clubs and big players might be coming to India
Picture this, imagine players like Ramires, Jackson Martinez, Paulinho or Alex Texiera coming to play in the Kanteerva stadium? Wouldn’t it be awesome? That might not be possible now with the rule of East Zone teams playing in the East Zone, but nevertheless, It is not often that you get to see a top player in his prime coming to India for a match that really matters.
If Bengaluru FC win their playoff games, and reach the group stage, they’ll be piped against Al-Rayyan, Al-Hilal and Persepolis Tehran, who are all giants of East Asia in their own right.They might not have big names or household names Chinese clubs have, but they have big players and better teams.
Who knows, if Bengaluru FC manage another miracle and then another, they might manage to get Jiangsu Suning F.C. in the final.
#4 Media coverage of the I-League and Indian Football
Sadly, but honestly, media coverage of Indian football is the bare minimum apart from a few pockets in the country where the game is popular and has been for quite a while. The end product of the game in India is often compared to the game in England and other popular Leagues in the world.
Which is sometimes unfair, and is the reality. Hence, smaller columns, and unknown names and the sport doesn’t grow at the rate it deserves to. A big competition, a big club and the word ‘history’ are things which beckon media coverage, and so goes the story!
#5 Fuels the whole debate for I-league and ISL
Ahh, this one is for the commoners. The Indian football lovers, the ones who break their heads over what is wrong with the club they support, one who goes to the stadium every third day to should and scream.
Does Indian football need ISL to take over the mantle? Or AIFF needs to push clubs to maintain themselves? If a club which has been in existence for five years can do it, then what can a club which has been in existence for hundred years do with a healthy dose of investment and infrastructure?
Bengaluru FC have definitely revolutionised football in the country, they have shown a structure which every football club should follow. The ISL’s franchise based system is anything but, and if they do reach the heights of the Champions League, can you still call the current system a failure? Questions, questions, questions.
Let me know what you think will happen if Bengaluru FC reach the Group Stages of AFC Champions League @soumalyamoitra7.
