BENGALURU: Bengaluru FC will battle it out against Indonesian side Persipura Jayapura to decide the winner and runners-up of Group E as also to avenge their away defeat in the AFC Cup clash at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Tuesday.
Both have already made the round of 16. The visitors need only a draw to top the group while the hosts must win as they trail by a point. Persipura scored a 3-1 win over BFC back home and have 13 points from four wins while BFC have 12 from four wins. The other two teams in the group, Maziya have four points while Singapore’s Warriors have drawn a blank, losing all five games to date. The winner of Group E will take on Group G runners-up Pahang FA of Malaysia while the runners-up will clash with Hong Kong side South China Athletic Association with both clashes billed for May 26. The winners advance to the double-legged quarterfinal stage.
Brazilian coach Osvaldo Lessa said that they would take it easy rather than go flat out. “We will adopt a rather easy approach as there is no point in stretching the team. The boys are fit and raring to go. Bengaluru FC are a good side and tough opponents,” said Lessa.
Bengaluru will face opposition striker Boaz Solossa who has netted four so far. Korea Republic midfielder Joon-Sik Lim (33), Argentine striker Robertino Pugliara (31) and Cote d’Ivoire striker Lancine Kone (35) are their experienced foreign signings. BFC’s answer comes in the form of skipper Sunil Chhetri who has scored thrice. BFC have a comparatively younger side with the likes of Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Udanta Singh, Shankar Sampangiraj and Vineeth doing wonderfully well in their first season with the team.
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