AFC Cup 2017: Bengaluru FC vs Mohun Bagan Preview: High voltage affair in AFC Cup opener

Swapnaneel Parasar

AFC Cup 2017: Bengaluru FC vs Mohun Bagan Preview: High voltage affair in AFC Cup opener image

Mohun Bagan seemed to have been robbed after only managing a point after having a clear goal disallowed in their last encounter at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. 

Bengaluru FC though have their own grouse with the referee as Sunil Chhetri looked to have been shoved in the box, which the official turned a blind eye to. 

Hence even though their last encounter ended goal less, there was plenty of drama which will see a second coming, come Tuesday. 

Roca: Bengaluru need to create more chances

Subhasish Bose received his marching orders for picking up two bookings in the I-League encounter but Sen will look to rely on him to guard the left side against the wily Udanta Singh.

Eduardo Fereira and Anas Edathodika will continue in defense while the impressive Pritam Kotal will look to pick up from where he left off.

The Mariners will be hopeful of more moments of magic from their talisman Sony Norde who was held in check by Sandesh Jhingan for the majority of the game.

In attack, Balwant Singh will look to continue upfront alongside Darryl Duffy with Jeje Lalpekhlua expected to be on the bench.

Shilton Paul will have to be wary in goal, as Debjit Majumder has not traveled with the squad while Prabir Das will look to start after sitting out the last game. 

Sen prioritises I-League over AFC Cup

Albert Roca though will continue with a 4-3-3 even though he had switched to a 3 man defense late on, in search of a goal. 

Nishu Kumar will continue to bomb down the left while CK Vineeth will most likely start instead of Daniel Lalhlimpuia upfront. 

Sunil Chhetri and Udanta Singh will be on either side of attack, as Bengaluru desperately need their talisman to fire. 

Eugeneson Lyngdoh who made a start after being benched for a couple of matches is expected to be on the starting lineup, after showing glimpses of his brilliance last time around. 

Arindam Bhattacharya will have to carry on his good work in goal if Bengaluru want to shut Bagan out. 

With Bengaluru's league hopes up in smoke, this will be one competition where they would look to make it big, especially after reaching the finals last time around. 

Meanwhile Mohun Bagan are in a different predicament and with Sen having already said that I-League is a bigger priority, both teams might come into the match with starkly different intentions. 

However with the spice added two days back, expect a fiery and competitive encounter of football. 

Kickoff is at 19.00 IST

PREDICTED LINE-UPS
Bengaluru vs Mohun Bagan AFC

Bengaluru vs Mohun Bagan AFC


TEAM NEWS

BENGALURU F.C.

Injured: Amrinder Singh, Lalthuammawia Ralte, Gursimrat Singh Gill, Lalchhuanmawia Fanai

Doubtful: Rino Anto

Suspended: None

Key Players: Sunil Chhetri


MOHUN BAGAN A.C.

Injured: Debjit Majumder, Raju Gaikwad, Kinshuk Debnath, Pronay Halder, Kean Lewis

Doubtful: Shouvik Ghosh

Suspended: None

Key Players: Sony Norde

 

Swapnaneel Parasar