Bengaluru FC vs Istiklol, Live Score and Commentary, AFC Cup 2017 Inter-Zone Final

Bengaluru FC 0-1 Istiklol, Full-time

Updated: 27 September 2017 21:24 IST - Published: September, 27 2017 09:13 PM IST

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.

Full-time: Istiklol 1-0 Bengaluru

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.

90+1' Desperate BFC are launching from the wide areas but the lack of bodies in the box has been their undoing so far.

90+1' BFC have 4 minutes to find an equaliser and go home with a vital away goal.

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.

69' Khabra has been a positive change for BFC but Istiklol have been really good at the back.

66' BFC with their 1st change of the evening as Harmanjot Khabra replaces Collin Abranches.

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.

61' Istiklol with another chance to increase their lead but Nazarov's freekick from an inviting distance is straight at Gurpreet's hands.

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.

46' Istiklol kick us off in the 2nd half.

Half-time: Istiklol 1-0 Bengaluru

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.

45+1' 1 minute added on as we head to the 1st half's close.

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.

38' WHAT. A. SAVE!

Gurpreet with an incredible save to keep Istiklol at bay. The home team are really ramping up the pressure here.

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.

33' Chance for BFC!

Chhetri gets the ball just outside the Istiklol box after a couple of lucky ricochets but the India captain's shot across Stosic's goal is just wide.

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' GOOOOAAALLL ISTIKLOL!

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.

20' Aliev with a glorious chance for Istiklol but the number 9's side-footer is wide of Gurpreet's goal. What an escape for BFC there.

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.

8' BFC with a well-taken freekick on the edge of the Istiklol final third but Lenny's wicked, lofted delivery is dealt with well by the home team.

7' Dimas gets fouled here inside his own half as BFC play the ball out of a tricky situation with neat, passing football.

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.

1' BFC with some early impetus as Nishu gets clear on the left flank but his low cross is straight at Stosic's hands.

1' And we are underway here at the Hisor Central Stadium.

The players are on the pitch and kick-off is imminent.

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.

And here are the 11 Istiklol players who will take to the field at kick-off today.

Stosic, Asrorov, Davronov, Aliev, Barkov, Fatkhulloev, Nazarov, Dhalilov, Ehson, Stetsenko, Dzhalilov.

Here is the Bengaluru FC lineup for today's clash:

Gurpreet, Bheke, Juanan, Abranches, Nishu, Paartalu, Lenny, Dimas Delgado, Dovale, Chhetri, Udanta.

Subs' bench: Mawia, Khabra, Zotea, Alwyn, Subhasish, Sawmtea, Daniel.

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.

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Lalthuammawia Ralte

Defenders: Rahul Bheke, Subhasish Bose, Zohmingliana Ralte, Collin Abranches, Juanan Gonzalez, Nishu Kumar

Midfielders: Erik Paartalu, Dimas Delgado, Antonio Dovale, Lenny Rodrigues, Alwyn George, Harmanjot Khabra, Malsawmzuala

Strikers: Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh, Daniel Lalhlimpuia

The match will kick off at 7.30 pm IST at the Hisor Central Stadium.

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