Al Wehdat produced a scintillating performance as they trounced Bengaluru FC 2-1 in the preliminary round of the AFC Champions League qualifiers. The hosts scored two quick-fire goals in the opening minutes of the second half.
Sunil Chhetri’s well-timed header, twenty minutes from time made things interesting but the Jordanian champions held on for a memorable victory. As Bengaluru now get ready for another assault at the AFC Cup title, we look back at five of the biggest talking from the game.
#1 Confident Bengaluru refused to crumble in first half
Bengaluru were in for an intimidating night. Heading out of the tunnel, 13,000 vociferous fans made their presence felt. A green wave surrounded Chhetri and company but the Blues never let the situation get the better of them. Not for one moment did Bengaluru crumble under pressure against the 15-time Jordanian champions even when Al Wehdat took the game by the scruff of the neck.
For large parts of the first half, the visitors were pegged back in their own half. There were, in fact, moments when The Green Giants could and should have opened the floodgates. But they failed to do so. The home side were guilty of fluffing their opportunities in the final third. While Bengaluru never really tested Al Wehdat’s keeper, they made sure the opposition didn’t run away with the match. A combination of luck and persistence ensured they finished the first half at 0-0.
#2 Remember the name - Munther Abu Amarah
Both sides descended upon King Abdullah International Stadium in contrasting forms. While Al Wehdat have been in their zone registering four wins on the trot, Bengaluru, on the other hand, were handed two consecutive defeats by East Bengal and Churchill Brothers in the I-League. To add to their woes, the visitors couldn’t practice on Monday, since their training kits and luggage were misplaced.
And to make matters worse, they were up against one man in particular who caused havoc in Bengaluru’s half. Remember the name- Munther Abu Amara. The number 7 was easily the best player on the pitch.
Still only 24, Amara was a livewire all across the final third. The speedy Jordanian international is a bag full of tricks and treats and unleashed them all against a relatively slow Bengaluru defence. He combined well with Ahmad Elias and Ahmad Maher. Though he primarily plays as a right winger, Munther made some blinding runs from the centre right into the opposition box. The diminutive attacker was certainly a delight to watch.
#3 Sena Ralte had no idea what was in store for him
Bengaluru’s left back had a night to forget. Ralte possibly had the toughest task among all his teammates as he was up against Munther Abu Amarah on the right flank. He began the game on a positive note but as the game progressed Ralte was handed a footballing lesson by Al Wehdat’s star winger.
Every time Munther had the ball, he ran at Ralte with immense confidence and got the better of him nearly every single time. And it was no surprise when the home side’s opening goal stemmed from the right wing. And no prizes for guessing who the architect was. Amarah danced passed Ralte before whipping in a dangerous cross into the box. The resulting loose ball fell to Ahmad Maher Wridat who let loose from inside the box.
Apart from the goal, Ralte had a torrid time coming to terms with the pace of the game. As a result, he couldn’t support Chhetri on the wings. That made the captain an isolated figure on the left flank.
#4 Bengaluru coming to terms with Alvaro Rubio’s absence
"The AFC Champions League is the highest level of competition in the continent, so I don’t think I need to spell out how tough a test this will be,”.
Bengaluru FC coach, Albert Roca knew very well that his side were up against a far superior team. But that didn’t deter the visitors from holding their own. This was always going to be a battle won in the middle of the park as Al Wehdat possess some of the best midfielders in the Jordanian league.
In Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Cameron Watson and Lenny Rodrigues, The Blues boasted of a formidable midfield line up of their own. But this was the first international match this season Bengaluru were playing without the dependable Alvaro Rubio. The defensive midfielder was always a calming and influential presence on the pitch and without him, the visitors found it arduous to break up play and feed the ball into open pockets. Something that the Spaniard did with relative ease and elegance.
#5 Al Wehdat failed to put the game to bed
For all their dominance, the Jordanian side ended the match knowing very well they should have been in a much better position. Slick one-twos, overhead kicks and tricks, Al Wehdat executed them all, as they put on a show for the capacity home crowd. But their failure to finish off their well-worked moves meant that they were in for a nervous final fifteen minutes. Al Wehdat were effortless in their approach but not efficient.
Their midfielder Elias had a wonderful opportunity in the dying minutes to extend the lead. But his weak effort was parried away by Bengaluru keeper, Amrinder Singh. There was little doubt that the Jordanian outfit was the better side on the night. But had CK Vineeth connected better from Udanta Singh’s cross, things could have very well ended differently.
