Bengaluru FC edge Club Eagles, advance to AFC Cup group stage

Jayesh Rane scored the only goal of the game for the Blues.

Bengaluru FC of India defeated Club Eagles of Maldives 1-0 in their playoff to seal a place in the 2021 AFC Cup Group Stage at the National Stadium in Male, Maldives on Sunday. Bengaluru advance to Group D of the 2021 AFC Cup, with their first match against fellow India side ATK Mohun Bagan on Wednesday. Bangladesh's Bashundhara Kings will play Maziya Sports & Recreation of Maldives in the other Matchday One tie.

The South Zonal champions will advance to the Inter-Zone semi-final against FC Nasaf of Uzbekistan or FC Ahal of Turkmenistan from the Central Zone.

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After a cagey start at the National Stadium, Club Eagles seized the initiative as they began to create chances but Bengaluru goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh, bidding for a fifth appearance in the AFC Cup Group Stage, was in fine form.

Bengaluru, the 2016 AFC Cup runners-up, also began to find more space with the talismanic Sunil Chettri forcing a parry out of Mohamed Faisal in the 26th minute with the Club Eagles custodian then saving Ashique Kuruniyan's effort from the rebound.

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There was no denying Bengaluru a minute later though as Sarthak Golui's long-range throw flew across the face of goal to find debutant Jayesh Rane, who fired a crackling strike past Faisal to break the deadlock.

Club Eagles responded positively but the closest they came to restoring parity was in the 44th minute through Mohamed Naim's corner kick.

The ball deflected off Golui's legs but 'keeper Gurpreet Singh was quick to react as Bengaluru took their lead into the break.

Bengaluru adopted a patient approach in the second half with set-pieces their main arsenal at doubling their lead but disciplined defending by Club Eagles kept the Indian club at bay.

With Bengaluru dominating possession, Club Eagles were forced to rely on counter-attacks and had a golden opportunity in the 67th minute when Hassan Raif sent a sublime pass into the final third to Ali Fasir but the striker was unable to shrug off the defenders as he sent his effort wide.

The Indian club could have closed off the match on a high in the 84th minute when Chettri pulled the ball back in the centre of the box for Leon Augustine but the substitute failed to finish but it didn't matter in the end as Bengaluru advanced to their sixth AFC Cup group stage appearance.

The Blues will be back in action on August 18 when they take on ATK Mohun Bagan in their opening group stage clash, at the same venue.

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