AFC Cup 2017: Bengaluru FC 2-2 Istiklol

FT : Bengaluru FC 2-2 Istiklol

A Pulsating second half, dominated by Bengaluru FC was eventually not enough for the Blues as they fall 2 goals courtesy no away goals. Chances galored at both ends, with Bengaluru having better chances but they would rue of not finishing those off.

Istiklol went ahead after Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a big mistake though a Penalty, but a Rahul Bheke header levelled things up. Bengaluru were down to 10 men after Khabra was sent off for a second yellow. Istiklol went ahead through Barkov but Bengluru restored parity through Chhetri.

Istiklol will now face defending Champions Air Force Club (Iraq) on November 4th in the Big Final.

That's it from Sportskeeda for today. This is Sayak signing off. Thank You and Good Night.

90+4' Sunil Chhetri booked for charging on after he was flagged offside.

90+1' Several Chances for Bengaluru FC in the final moments but all of them went abegging.

90' Istiklol are not looking so confident as they looke earlier as Bengaluru are attacking in urgency and desperation.

86' Dimas (Bengaluru) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Chance for Bengaluru as the time is against them.

83' A dangerous long throw from Rahul Bheke endangers Istiklol Defense but somehow cleared away.

83' Udanta Singh (Bengaluru) wins a free kick on the left wing which is headed away for a Bengaluru corner.

78' Substitution, Istiklol. Dilshod Vasiev replaces Dmitri Barkov because of an injury.

74' Substitution : Bengaluru.

Boithang Haokip replaces Nishu Kumar.
Alwyn George replaces Daniel Lalhlimpuia.

69' Substitution, Istiklol. Hasan Muhammadjoni replaces Fatkhullo Fatkhulloev.

65' and Chhetri puts it away! The game is still alive!

64' Penalty! Bengaluru. Daniel Lalhlimpuia draws goes down as Penalty conceded by Oleksandr Stetsenko (Istiklol)

62' Attempt missed. Nuriddin Davronov (Istiklol) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right following a corner.

57' GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL! Dmitri Barkov (Istiklol) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Manuchekhr Dzhalilov after Bengaluru defense were stranded and appealing for offside.

56' Attempt missed. Nuriddin Davronov (Istiklol) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Fatkhullo Fatkhulloev.

54' Romish Dzalilov (Istiklol) is shown the yellow card for hand ball.

53' Substitution, Bengaluru. Toni Dovale replaces Lenny Rodrigues.

50' Attempt saved. Manuchekhr Dzhalilov (Istiklol) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jahongir Aliev with a cross.

47' Foul by Manuchekhr Dzhalilov (Istiklol) as Bengaluru get a free-kick in their own half

46' Substitution, Istiklol. Amirbek Juraboev replaces Siyovush Asrorov.

Second Half kicks-off!

HT : Bengaluru 1-1 Istiklol

Bengaluru have a mountain to climb against a resolute Tajikistan side. There have been plenty of chances for the Blues but they have been unable to convert those. Harmanjyot's sending off has put up extra pressure for the Federation Cup Champions. Tune back in 10 minutes to find out if Bengaluru FC qualifies for AFC Cup 2017 Final.

43' RED! A Second yellow for Harmanjyot Singh Khabra as Bengaluru are in sorts of trouble as they are now down to 10 men and 2 goals behind.

31' OFF THE POST! Chhetri's shot hits the crossbar as Istiklol survive. Bengaluru despite trailing on away goals and aggregate are looking very positive.

30' CHANCE! for Daniel as he doesn't attempt a first time shot as a crucial chance to go ahead in the match goes abegging.

24' GOAAAAAAAAAAAAL! Khabra with a long throw as Bheke heads it in. Bengaluru need two more to stand any chance of advancing!

17' Shouts for Penalty as Chhetri has been brought down but the Referee is unmoved. Bengaluru players protest but the referee blows the whistle for a goal-kick.

11' MISS! Istiklol could have ended the game here but a shot against the run of play goes inches wide.

10' SAVED! Sunil Chhetri drives in a fierce shot but a brilliant save from Nikola

CHANCES at both ends. Bengaluru quickly move forward for their first goal but saved. Istiklol also forces Gurpreet to pull off a save on the other hand.

and a GOAL! Gurpreet Singh Sandhu almost saves it but the pace takes it in.

2' Penalty to Istiklol as Gurpreet Singh Sandhu makes a huge mistake as Bengaluru defense were in sixes and sevens,

Kick-off in Bengaluru as Bengaluru FC trail 0-1 on Aggregate!

It's buzzing here in Bengaluru as we have a look on the Line Ups for today.

We are now 20 minutes from kick-off as both teams are at the end of the warmup routines.

Here is the Istiklol lineup:

Stosic (GK)
Asrorov
Mawutor
Davronov
Aliev
Barkov
Fatkhulloev
Nazarov
Dzhalilov M
Dzhalilov R
Stetsenko

The lineups are out. Here is the Bengaluru XI who will take to the field at kick-off today:

Gurpreet (GK)
Bheke
Juanan
Khabra
Nishu
Paartalu
Lenny
Dimas
Udanta
Chhetri (C)
Daniel

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the AFC Cup 2017.

Today, Bengaluru FC take on Istiklol in the second leg of the Inter-Zone Final. The Blues are trailing by a solitary goal on aggregate from the first leg and a win is mandatory for Albert Roca's side to make it into their second successive final.

In the final await familiar foes in Iraq's Air Force Club and Roca will look to overturn the narrow deficit from the first leg. All the key players are available for the Blues with captain Sunil Chhetri primed to find the net again today after scoring for India against Macau in a 4-1 rout last week.

FC Istiklol have an upper hand in the tie with the Tajik champions having won 1-0 in the first leg which was played at their home. The Tajik club will be hoping to finish their job in the second leg, but facing the Blues at the Kanteerava won't be easy for the 2015 runners-up. The vehement Bengaluru FC fans are only one of the test the Tajik club have to face. The rain which has been pouring down in the city for last two days and the wet conditions might affect the Tajik club just like it affected the North Korean club April 25 SC who were defeated 3-0 at the Kanteerava in August.

FC Istiklol are in superb form after winning the domestic title last month and will be a difficult opponent to face for the Bengaluru team, but Albert Roca just needs a little bit of inspiration to lead his team to the finals just like he did it against the Malaysian club Johor Darul Takzim in 2016 semi-finals. Bengaluru FC will depend on the inspiration from captain Chhetri as they've always had.

The match kicks off at 7 pm Indian Standard Time and you can readSportskeeda's detailed preview here.

AFC Cup 2017: Bengaluru FC 2-2 Istiklol - As it happened

Full Time : Bengaluru (2) 2-2(3) Istiklol