Our site uses cookies to deliver a better experience. Please click accept to agree with the use of all cookies. You can change the cookie settings here.
That's all from us here. Thank you for joining us. Stay tuned for more live coverage of the AFC Cup 2017 as BFC welcome Istiklol in October to India. Until then, goodbye.
90+3' What a chance for BFC. Amid appeals for handball, Istiklol barely survive a last-gasp attempt from BFC to equalise as Udanta's pace on the break nearly create the goal. As Chhetri and co address the referee, the man in the centre blows his full-time whistle. It's full-time here and Istiklol have a narrow 1-0 advantage to take to Bengaluru.
88' BFC are in search of a lucky break here but Chhetri's hopeful shot from outside the box is blocked clear by the Istiklol defence. That sets the hosts on their way for another counter-attack but Aliev's rushed shot is straight at Gurpreet.
87' BFC are barely hanging on here are Istiklol are stationed inside the BFC defensive third for the past few minutes. Corner after corner has been dealt with well, and Alwyn George now replaces Lenny Rodrigues.
80' Aliev has been a constant threat to the BFC defence and the Istiklol no 9 dribbles his way into the byeline but his cross-shot is just over the bar. Although Gurpreet had his angles covered, it could've been much more than a wasted chance for the Tajiks.
75' Daniel comes on for the ineffective Toni here for BFC. The Spaniard was wasteful in possession and did barely anything to stretch the Istiklol backline.
75' That probably sums up the evening for BFC. Lenny creates some space to shoot but the Goan midfielder slips at the moment he was lining up the shot. BFC are threatening but Istiklol look the most likely to score the next goal in the game.
72' Dzhalilov goes around Gurpreet and slots the ball into an empty net only for it to be ruled offside. BFC survive yet again, but it was another instance where the home team cut BFC apart.
62' BFC with some moments of joy in attack now as Abraches' cross into the box is worked well by Chhetri to create an opening but Istiklol keep their shape to deny the visitors. All BFC need is one clear-cut chance to close the deficit.
58' Bheke has been a weak link in BFC's defence. The defender from Maharashtra has looked out of sorts this evening, leading to a plethora of chances for Istiklol.
54' Another lucky escape for BFC as their sleepy defence lets Dzhalilov get a clear shot at goal but the striker's attempt is over the bar. What a miss from Istiklol as BFC survive, yet again.
52' Another fine save by Gurpreet as he keeps out a Fatkhulloev freekick into the top corner. The India number 1 has had a phenomenal game so far, probably the best of the BFC lot today.
49' Fatkhulloev runs clear on the left halfspace and cuts inside for a shot. However, the Istiklol captain's effort sails over the bar. Istiklol are continuing from where they left off in the 1st half.
47' Istiklol with an early opening here as Abranches loses the ball in a dangerous position but Dimas does the dirty work and Gurpreet collects the ball comfortably.
It's been a dominant 1st half display from the home side leading to Gurpreet conceding his first BFC goal. However, the Blues can take solace from the fact that it's still 1-0 and it was the same last year against Johor Darul Takzim when they came back in the second half to take home a 1-1 result after badly suffering in the first half.
43' BFC have been really toothless in attack. They started positively but gradually, after Paartalu's deep switch, there has been a lack of bite up top for BFC. Luckily for them, it's only 1-0 here.
39' Dzhalilov with a jinking run almost gets clear on goal but Paartalu's important intervention at the nick of time saves BFC. This has been really brilliant from Istiklol.
36' Nishu goes for goal here after some lovely footwork from Chhetri, but the young left-back's attempt is a tame one. BFC are pushing for the equaliser but not having any luck.
30' Istiklol are really intent on driving home their advantage. They are not providing an inch to BFC here as the away team struggle for time on the ball.
27' A poor ball out from Gurpreet caused all the problems but it was Fatkhulloev's inch-perfect cross from the right that was met by Barkov, who angles the ball perfectly beyond Gurpreet to give Istiklol the lead.
27' Istiklol are pressing well inside the BFC half to prevent the visitors from building up. The hosts' ploy has worked so far as Udanta is isolated up top.
23' Poor attempt at passing out from the back by BFC as Lenny gifts possession to Istiklol but Juanan and Bheke cover Dzhalilov well to render the opening wasteful. BFC are really struggling in front of the vociferous support from the Istiklol faithful.
18' Toni with a perfectly weighted diagonal ball to Nishu on the left but the India U-23 international's cross is headed clear and Istiklol turn it into a counter attack. The header from a very good final effort is, unfortunately, just wide of target.
14' Toni with two poor passes just in front of the Istiklol defensive third and that allows the hosts to break clear of the pressure that was created. BFC looking good going forwards but a few individual mistakes need to be ironed out.
12' BFC are looking to buildup gradually but a possession turnover from Bheke leads to an Istiklol chance but their target man up front heads the ball straight at Gurpreet. Chance for the hosts.
4' Istiklol are having most of the possession here but Stetsenko's shot from outside the box is blocked by Juanan and BFC come away with the ball. Measured buildup from the Blues here but their balls into the final third have almost always conceded possession.
We are only 30 minutes from kick-off here at the Hisor Central Stadium, and Istiklol will be pretty pumped today considering it's their home leg. Bengaluru, however, shut their North Korean opponents - April 25 SC - at the cauldron of the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang last time out hence they will be confident of another good showing today. Can Gurpreet Singh Sandhu maintain his perfect clean sheet record today? The former Stabaek 'keeper has played twice for the Blues and hasn't let in a goal yet.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the AFC Cup 2017.
Today, we have Indian Federation Cup champions Bengaluru FC taking on Tajikistan club Istiklol in the Inter-Zone playoff final later in the evening.
The Blues are on the back of a comfortable 3-0 aggregate win over April 25 Sports Club in the Inter-Zone semi-final earlier this month and will look to make their second AFC Cup final appearance in two years. Interestingly, their opponents in last year's final - Air Force Club - have progressed to the final once again hence the onus will be on Albert Roca's men to set up a rematch of the 2016 final with a win over Istiklol.
FC Istiklol, meanwhile, entered the 2015 AFC Cup final in what was their tournament debut. They will be extremely confident about putting forward their best foot this time around with Bengaluru FC, given their magnificent form in the run-up to this game.
Here is the Bengaluru FC squad that has travelled to Tajikistan.
