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The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup action is set to kick off again this week as two Indian clubs are set to face off in the Group E of the continental competition. Indian Super Cup champions Bengaluru FC will host former I-League champions Aizawl FC on May 2, 2018, at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
Albert Roca, the Bengaluru FC manager will be hoping his side brush off last week's loss away in the Maldives against New Radiant SC that saw the Dhivehi Premier League champions outplay the Blues and win 2-0 to take the top spot in the Group. Bengaluru FC's opponents Aizawl FC are on a 4-match winless streak and have not won a single game yet in the AFC Cup. Aizawl FC manager Santosh Kashyap will expect them to bounce back after the defeat to Bengaluru at home and put up a strong fight.
Bengaluru FC
Bengaluru FC will be looking to come back strongly from the loss against New Radiant SC in the Maldives and go all out for the top spot in Group E. The domestic season came to an end with the Super Cup win for the Blues and Albert Roca played a strong side against New Radiant SC last week. The loss was a setback in the quest for the Inter-zone playoffs semi-final as New Radiant moved into the top spot with the win. Bengaluru FC will hope to get all three points from the Aizawl FC and keep the pressure on the Maldivian side.
Here is how Bengaluru FC may line up:
Sandhu; Bheke, Paartalu, Juanan; Nishu, Lenny, Perez, Bose; Udanta, Chhetri, Haokip.
Aizawl FC
Aizawl FC had a bitter-sweet run in the Super Cup as they beat Indian Super League champions Chennaiyin FC in the opening fixture but lost out against fellow I-League club and eventual finalists East Bengal FC in the quarter-finals. Santosh Kashyap's side has been on a poor run in the AFC Cup with just one point in their kitty courtesy the draw against Dhaka Abahani last week. The former Mumbai FC manager will put out his strongest XI to take on the Super Cup champions and could play spoilsport in the Blues' continental cup run.
Here is how Aizawl FC may line up:
Paul; Lalrosanga, Mawia, Varte; Renthlei, Jaryan, Saighani, Lalramhmunmawia, Ionescu, Dodoz, Lalkhawpuiamawia.
Prediction
Bengaluru FC 3-1 Aizawl FC
The clash of the former I-League clubs will likely be a comfortable victory for Roca's men at their 'fortress' in Bengaluru. Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh and a possible appearance off the bench by star striker Miku could see them capture all three points with ease but still expect Aizawl FC to grab a consolation goal.
