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Bengaluru FC are India’s only representatives at the knock-out stages of AFC Cup 2015. They take on Hong Kong’s South China AA who qualified from the Group G as group toppers. The South China side is a formidable opponent and will be a tough nut to crack for the Indian side.
Bengaluru are making their maiden appearance in the knock-out stages of the tournament and they would hope to put up a decent to show and keep their opponents at bay. If they can make it past this stage, they will achieve another milestone of qualifying for the quarter-finals in their debut campaign.
Venue
Hong Kong Stadium is the main sports venue of Hong Kong. Redeveloped from the old Government Stadium, it reopened as Hong Kong Stadium in March 1994. It has a maximum seating capacity of 40,000, including 18,257 at the main level, 3,153 at an executive level, 18,507 upper-level seats and 57 seats for wheelchair users.
The stadium is located in So Kon Po hong Kong Island, a valley near Causeway Bay. Most international football matches held in Hong Kong are played at this stadium.
Kick-off
May 26, 2015, 5:30 PM IST
Possible starting line-ups
Persipura Jayapura (4-3-3): Mora Medrano; Chak Ting Fung, Chan Wai Ho, Bojan Mališi?, Jack Sealy; Chan Siu Kwan, Leung Chun Pong, Lo Kong Wai; Chan Siu Ki, Daniel McBreen, Mahama Awal
Bengaluru FC (4-5-1): Lalthuamawia Ralte; Rino Anto, John Johnson, Curtis Osano, LalchhuanMawia; Josh Walker, Shankar Sampingiraj, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Sunil Chhetri, Sean Rooney; Robin Singh
Bengaluru FC will field their best possible side against Hong Kong’s South China AA on Tuesday in their AFC Cup round of 16 clash. The Indian side have played very well to reach the knockout stages of the tournament in their very first appearance.
Ashley Westwood’s men will go all guns blazing to win this important tie and make it to the quarter-finals and make India proud. Robin Singh may start in this game due to his physical presence which is required in an international game. Even though Bengaluru will be featuring in a title deciding clash on Sunday against Mohun Bagan, they will probably not rest their top brass of players in this important tie.
Key Battles
Chan Siu Ki vs John Johnson
Chan Siu Ki is one of the most celebrated attackers in the South China squad. He is an extremely talented and experienced footballer and has the capacity to change the colour of a match single-handedly. John Johnson will be deployed by Ashley Westwood to stop Chan and avoid any danger in front of their goal. Johnson will be assisted by fellow defender Curtis Osano, and the two of them will look to stop their opponents from Hong Kong.
Sunil Chhetri vs Bojan Malisic
The Indian striker, who generally operates from the left flank, will be the most important player as far as Bengaluru FC are concerned. A lot will depend on Chhetri’s performance and his ability to create and score goals.
He is familiar with these conditions as he has played against South-east Asian sides several times in his career. South China’s Serbian defender Bojan Malisic will have to keep Sunil Chhetri under strict vigilance to avoid any danger.
Prediction
South China AA 1-0 Bengaluru FC
