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The 2017 AFC Cup west zonal second leg final between Bengaluru FC and FC Istiklol will take place at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore on Wednesday, Oct 18. The team from Dushanbe, Tajikistan go into the game in Bangalore with a one-goal advantage over last year's runners-up.
The first leg at the Hisor Central Stadium, Hisor was a doggy affair as FC Istiklol managed to dominate large spells of the game but failed to penetrate the away side's defence on many occasions largely due to poor finishing.
BFC was the poorer side in the first leg but got away from Tajikistan with only a goal to overcome at the Kanteerava Stadium. However, BFC could have managed to salvage the game at Hisor with a couple of great chances at the end of the game.
The goal from Dmitry Barkov still separate the sides as they get ready to do battle in the game that will decide the finalist that takes on Air Force Club Iraq in the 2017 AFC Cup final.
Here we take a look at BFC's probable starting eleven against FC Istiklol as the club look to appear in their second consecutive AFC Cup final.
Goalkeeper
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
No surprises in the team here, as new signing from Norwegian club Stabaek FC and Indian national team goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu will play in goal in Wednesday's game at the Kanteerava.
Sandhu kept BFC in the tie during the first leg as he made a host of great saves to deny the Tajikistan club from increasing their advantage. In a game where Bengaluru FC was pegged back, Sandhu kept his side in the tie displaying a commanding performance between the sticks.
The BFC faithful will hope for a relaxing outing for Sandhu, although the experienced 6-foot 4 inches tall keeper will be wary of the attacking threat posed by the away side.
Central Defenders
John Johnson
After having missed the first leg through injury, John Jonhson is facing a race against time for fitness. Although word from various sources around the club say the Englishman will be ready in time for the massive clash in the inter-zonal final.
A huge force at the back for BFC, Johnson brings to the table an added goal threat on set plays.
A losing finalist in the cup final last season, Johnson has been a loyal servant to the club and will be keen to add the AFC Cup trophy to his honours this time out.
Juan Antonio
Spanish centre-back and another member of last year's final loss, Juan Antonio will be a key figure at the back for BFC on Wednesday. The first leg was a tricky game for the Spaniard who will be keen to put in a shift and take the club to their second consecutive final appearance.
Juan Antonio scored the third and final goal in the club's big 3-1 at the Kanteerava, at the same stage of the competition last season, against Johor Darul Takzim. The club is India's first and only team to make an Asian Cup final appearance.
Rahul Bheke
26-year-old Indian defender and new signing Rahul Bheke has joined the BFC ranks and has proved to be a good fit in the centre of defence capable and comfortable in playing in either a back two or back three.
With the central threat posed by the away side in the first leg, manager Alberto Roca will be wary of the extra space the opposition team was provided by his side in the first leg. With Johnson back in contention, the back three of Bheke, Johnson and Juan Antonio will be hard to break down.
Wing Backs
Harmanjot Khabra
Veteran Indian footballer Harmanjot Khabra will be asked to play a right-wing back role that he has cemented since his arrival at BFC under manager Alberto Roca.
A double-footed player with great composure on the ball Khabra will a threat running up and down the right flank.
A substitute in the first leg, Khabra came on for youngster Colin Abranches and made an impact during the last half hour of the first leg.
Nishu Kumar
22-year-old Nishu Kumar is a probable starter in the left-wing back role as he has played in a similar position all through the tournament this year and in crunch games last season during the 2016 AFC Cup.
A versatile player, Nishu's work rate and positional sense make him favourite to start down the left supporting the team in attack as well as defence.
Midfielders
Dimas Delgado
Spanish new signing Dimas Delgado had a poor first leg as he failed to make an impact on the game's proceedings in Hisor. However, Roca has acquired the player with a certain understanding of his talents that include not giving away cheap possession with the ability to create attacking openings for his strikers ahead.
Delgado will have to put in a solid, hard shift along with his midfield partners who he will just play ahead of, in what I believe will be a 3-5-2 formation employed by the Spanish manager Roca.
Eric Paartalu
New recruit from the A-League Eric Paartalu will be a vital figure in the side at Kanteerava as he will revert back to his holding midfield role after filling in at centre back during periods of the game in Hisor.
With Johnson back in defence, Paartalu will be giving license to intercept play in the middle of the park, an area where BFC was beaten in the first leg.
Lenny Rodrigues
Paartalu will play alongside Lenny Rodrigues, who has proved to be an excellent passer and interceptor of the ball in the middle of the park for Bengaluru. Rodrigues was overrun in the first leg and will be eager to play in the AFC Cup final.
Rodrigues and Paartalu will be midfield enforcers for BFC and will have to play in an aggressive manner with attacking intent that justifies their titles as enforcers for the Indian side.
Forwards
Sunil Chhetri
Bengaluru FC and Indian football team captain and talisman, Sunil Chhetri has won all there is to win in Indian club football. All that eludes the prolific goalscorer from India is an Asian footballing medal. Chhetri was close to accomplishing that dream last season as BFC was beaten in the final by Air Force Club Iraq.
However, Chhetri and the BFC faithful will be raring to go on Wednesday to script another fantastic tale in Indian football history. Victory on Oct 18 over FC Istiklol will see BFC take on last year's winners in a repeat of the 2016 AFC Cup final.
Udanta Singh
21-year-old Udanta Singh has lit up the Kanteerava Stadium with some spellbinding performances during his two years at the club thus far. The BFC faithful will be hoping for the young Indian forward to turn up on the occasion and guide the club to their second AFC Cup final.
A potent, powerful dribbler with an eye for goal, Udanta's blistering pace will affect the opposition side. With Chhetri upfront as his strike partner, the Kanteerava Stadium is set for what could be another historic night of Asian football.
