AFC Cup 2021: Can Bengaluru FC bounce back against Bashundhara Kings?

The stakes are very high for both teams in the upcoming clash at the continental showpiece.

The AFC Cup 2021 campaign for Bengaluru FC did not begin according to the plans. They lost the opening game against ATK Mohun Bagan 2-0 on earlier in the week. Bengaluru FC are now sitting at the bottom of Group D and will face Bashundhara Kings in their next fixture. Their upcoming opponents started their campaign with a win over Maziya S&RC and will hope to continue their form on Saturday.

There is a lot riding on the clash between the clubs from India and Bangladesh respectively. The contest looks evenly matched on paper and the result could go either way. Having said that, here is a preview of what is to come when the Blues face Bashundhara Kings.

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The Stakes

Benagluru FC

The stakes are very simple for Bengaluru FC. It is a do-or-die situation for Marco Pezzaiuoli’s men. Following the defeat against ATKMB, they are now one loss away from losing the chance to qualify as group toppers. It is a make-or-break situation for the Blues and they must deliver the goods when the two teams face each other. 

Bashundhara Kings

The Bangladesh-based outfit come into the fixture against Bengaluru FC with a lot of confidence. The Bangladesh Premier League outfit is on a four-match winning streak across all competitions. They opened their account in the AFC Cup with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Maziya S&RC. A victory against the former ISL champions will put them in the driving seat for knockouts qualification.

Team News

Bengaluru FC may be without Ashique Kuruniyan, who missed out the previous game as well due to an injury. The winger picked up a knock against Club Eagles in the qualifying match. However, no major injury concerns are present for them, which means the Blues will have an almost full squad to choose from. Rohit Kumar could start in place of Ajay Chhetri after impressing in his debut against Club Eagles.

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Bashundhara Kings could go into the game with an unchanged XI. The outfit will be relying on their attacking capabilities to hurt the ISL outfit. Eyes will be on Robinho, who scored one of the two goals against Maziya S&RC in the previous game. 

Predicted Lineups

Bengaluru FC: Gurpreet (GK); Costa, Musavu-King, Golui, Singh; Rane, Chhetri, Suresh, Chhetri, Udanta; Silva.

Bashundhara Kings: Rahman (GK); Barman, Shafiei, Ghosh, Kazi; Fernandes, Zoni, Ahmed, Robinho, Rahman; Becerra.

Man to Watch

Cleiton Silva (Bengaluru FC)

The Brazilian leads Bengaluru’s attack as a target-man and is the obvious threat to the opposition. However, the striker is a touch out of form and needs to find the back of the nets to get back into his rhythm.

He will be looking at the upcoming game like a hungry lion out for blood. Bengaluru FC needs the striker to add to the two goals he managed to score in the AFC Cup qualification rounds. 

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Robinho (Bashundhara Kings)

Robinho is an extremely dangerous operator in the Bashundhara Kings’ ranks. The 26-year-old winger is on loan from Brazilian club Fluminense and was on the scoresheet against Maziya S&RC.

Bengaluru FC defenders must be wary of the threat the Bashundhara Kings forward poses with his quick movement and finishing. The full-backs will need to be vigilant or otherwise the winger can hurt them.

Telecast

The match will kick off on August 21, 2021, at 4:30 PM IST at the Maldives National Football Stadium. The match will be shown on the Star Sports Network and be available to watch on Hotstar and JioTV as well.

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