AFC Cup: Bengaluru FC rests Johnson, Miku for preliminary stages

Erik Paartalu, Juanan Gonzalez, Dimas Delgado and Toni Dovale make up the four-man foreign line-up for Bengaluru FC for its preliminary and play-off stage matches of the 2018 AFC Cup.

ISL's joint top scorer for the season Miku will be rested for the AFC Cup preliminary and play-off stage matches.

John Johnson and Miku have been rested for Bengaluru FC’s (BFC) upcoming preliminary and play-off stage matches of the 2018 AFC Cup, the club announced on Saturday. The foreign duo is expected to be available for BFC’s group stage matches, should the side win both the
preliminary and play-off stage ties to make the cut.

The qualifying stage squad consists of seven young players from the BFC ‘B’ setup. Erik Paartalu, Juanan Gonzalez, Dimas Delgado and Toni Dovale make up the four-man foreign line-up.

BFC travels to Thimphu (Bhutan), where it will face Transport United in the away leg of the Preliminary round on Tuesday.

Head Coach Albert Roca explained the need to rest stars like Johnson and Miku. “It’s very important for us to make use of the entire squad. We’re the only ISL team playing the Asian competition this season, and our schedule is hectic. But this is what we always wanted - to
represent India in Asia. Our ‘B’ team players have been working hard, and I hope they will respond to the occasion,” Roca said.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Lalthuammawia Ralte, Abhra Mondal, Calvin Abhishek

Defenders: Zohmingliana Ralte, Juanan Gonzalez, Joyner Lourenco, Asheer Akhtar, Rahul Bheke, Collin Abranches, Harmanjot Khabra, Prashanth Kalinga, Nishu Kumar, Subhasish Bose

Midfielders: Erik Paartalu, Dimas Delgado, Lenny Rodrigues, Malsawmzuala, Leon Augustine, Robinson Singh Khumukcham, Bidyananda Singh, Myron Mendes, Boithang Haokip, Alwyn George

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Toni Dovale, Cletus Paul, Thongkhosiem Haokip