Bengaluru FC show character to script historic triumph
The Blues' exploits in the AFC Cup should mark a watershed moment in Indian football.
Seldom has Indian football ever had such high expectations on a single day as this one. Only on two previous occasions has an Indian team qualified for the semi-finals of a continental competition. Bengaluru FC (BFC) needed a goalless draw or a win to script history. The preparations for this game were in overdrive. Regular pre-match rituals had an extra spice, official letters were sent to members of rival Indian clubs to make their presence felt and social media was abuzz with talk only about this game. In the end, this and a sublime effort from the Steelmen saw the team become the first ever Indian team to make it to the final of the AFC Cup. To add more gloss to this fine achievement, Bengaluru FC outplayed the champions of the 2015 edition of this tournament. Johar Darul Ta’Zim or JDT in short were not unknown opponents for the Garden City club. The Malaysian champions had edged BFC in an AFC Champions League qualifier. What Albert Roca’s side dished out in front of 21,000 screaming fans was nothing short of sweet revenge. The home team were in for a shock as the visitors inched forward on aggregate thanks to a combination of quick counter-attacking play and poor goalkeeping from BFC custodian Amrinder Singh. The early goal did not dampen the fans in any way. What was more heartening to see is that the team kept their calm and stuck to their game despite the need to score twice to turn the tie in their favour. John Johnson was a rock at the back, Alvaro Rubio conducted the orchestra from midfield, CK Vineeth kept the JDT defence on its toes while the lethal duo of Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Sunil Chhetri were a thorn in the side of the opposition defence.Editorial by Khel Now-Feature Columnist Srinivasan Mohan , Srinivasan Mohan is an ardent football fan from the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Engineering and an MBA in Marketing. He has been following football since 2000 and is an ardent Bayern Munich and Chelsea supporter. He has had stints with Goal.com and 90Minutes magazine. Srini as he is commonly know, is someone who loves writing on the Bundesliga and is also fascinated by Serie A. Apart from writing, he spends his time drumming, reading, and working out. You can follow him on Twitter.
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