AFC Cup 2017: 4 records that Bengaluru FC broke after beating 4.25 SC for a place in the semis

Federation Cup holders Bengaluru FC were held to a goalless draw by North Korean side April 25 Sports Club (4.25 SC) and therefore, booked their spot in the Inter-Zonal final of the AFC Cup 2017.

The Bengaluru-based ISL outfit kick-started their game retaining all those names who started in their win against the same side last month. The new entrants to the ISL outplayed the North Korean outfit as they dominated the game at the heart of the pitch.

The midfield trio, Erik Paartalu, Dimas Delgado and Lenny Rodrigues played well throughout the game, imposing themselves well against the North Korean side. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and his teammates in defence displayed solidity at the back. Sandhu made some amazing saves as well.

With this draw, Bengaluru FC have now advanced into the Inter-Zone final, breaking new records in the process.

Here are the four records:

#4 BFC became the first team to stop April 25 SC from scoring a goal in AFC Cup 2017

The North Korean side came into the Inter-Zone semi finals after trouncing their opponents in the group stage. The Pyongyang-based club had scored 14 goals in the AFC Cup 2017 group stage while conceding only three.

The team who had devastated the opponents with more than a dozen goals at the group stage was held firmly by the Bengaluru defence. The North Koreans failed to muster chances to break the Bengaluru rearguard.

The Juanan-led Bengaluru backline never conceded an inch to their opponents.The only big chance that the North Korean side had was the penalty, which was obviously refuted by India international Sandhu.

#3 First Indian team to have kept a clean sheet in the AFC Cup Quarter Finals

Juanan (4), Khabra (10) and Gurpreet (45) were the key players for BFC against 4.25 SC

The Bengaluru FC defence was firm and reliable throughout the 180 minutes. They became the first Indian team to keep a clean-sheet in the quarterfinals.

Dempo SC, East Bengal, and Mahindra United are those who made their continental jaunt into the quarterfinals.

In 2004, East Bengal made their AFC Cup debut. The Kolkata-based football club advanced into the quarters where they lost as the score card read 3-0 in Al-Jaish's favour.

In 2007, Mahindra United also made their AFC drift into the quarterfinals. The team faced Al-Nejmah in the quarterfinal, and despite their brilliant performance, Mahindra lost 5-4.

The following season, Goan club Dempo SC also made their run into the quarterfinals. The team faced successfully encountered a win against Singapore club Home United and became the first Indian club to make it into the semi-finals. In the next game, however, they were clobbered by Lebanese side Safa (5-1).

In 2013, East Bengal again made their entry into the quarterfinals. East Bengal performed fine against Semen Padang, winning the battle for 2-1. In the semi finals, they were bashed by Al-Kuwait 7-2.

All these teams have conceded a goal or more in AFC Cup quarterfinals and the performance the Bengaluru defence put in throughout the two legs is appreciable. With this high-class performance against an attacking side like April 25 SC, they signaled the strength and depth of their defence.

#2 First Indian club to play in back-to-back AFC Cup semifinals

BFC beat Johor Darul Takzim in the AFC Cup semis last year

An overt fact, Bengaluru FC is the only Indian club to play in back-to-back semifinals. The only Indian entrants in semifinals of the continental competition have been East Bengal, Dempo SC and Bengaluru FC.

While the other two made only once into it, Bengaluru FC have created records by making the semifinals twice in a row. A much discernible fact for the fast growing Indian Football Community.

Bengaluru FC made their entry into the finals of AFC Cup last year after displaying a stunning performance against 2015 champions Johor Darul Takzim. In the final, they faced Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya. However, the Iraqi club never gave Bengaluru a chance to score as they clinched the much-coveted cup.

#1 The first ISL team to make it into the Inter-Zone Final

As we all know, the JSW group won the bid for a new ISL club earlier this year and Bengaluru FC became one of the two new entrants to the popular franchise league. .

Therefore, with their winning performance against 4.25 Sports Club, Bengaluru FC became the first ISL team to make it into the Inter-Zone final of the AFC Cup.

The team already have had their pre-season in Spain and will look comfortable after another successful AFC Cup campaign. The experience earned from playing Asia's best in the AFC Cup will surely stand the Blues in good stead for their ISL bow

Edited by Abhijit Bharali