Bengaluru: Bengaluru FC have their task cut as they need a clear win against Bhutan’s Transport United in the second leg of the preliminary stage clash here on Tuesday, to progress to the second round of qualifiers in the 2018 AFC Cup.
After a goalless draw against Transport United in the first leg in Thimphu last week, Bengaluru FC have it all to do in the second leg.
Bengaluru FC coach Albert Roca is in no mood to write off Transport United and considers the Bhutanese side a formidable outfit going by their recent performances.
“Transport United are a side that can be dangerous on their day and we can’t take this game lightly. Our fans and the Fortress will provide us that extra bit of push,” said Roca on Monday.
For the record, Transport FC had remained unbeaten in 2017 Bhutan National League Championship. In comparison, Bengaluru FC’s performance at AFC Cup has been encouraging as they had reached finals in 2016, but fell short in the regional final last year.
It will be interesting to see how Roca rotates his squad as he had fielded a relatively young side in Thimpu.
The game will the Blues’ third in eight days, and the Boss has hinted that the second leg of the tie might once again see some changes. “We’re playing a game almost every three days and it’s important to make use of the entire squad to keep them in the best shape possible. The depth in our squad is big and I know that whoever is given a chance will go out there and do their best.”
