Bengaluru FC takes on Transport United in AFC Cup

Bengaluru FC will begin its 2018 AFC Cup quest with a clash against Bhutanese side Transport United in a preliminary round fixture at the Changlimithang Stadium here on Tuesday.

Bengaluru FC midfielder Boithang Haokip takes a shot in training at the Changlimithang Stadium, in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Monday.

Bengaluru FC will begin its 2018 AFC Cup quest with a clash against Bhutanese side Transport United in a preliminary round fixture at the Changlimithang Stadium here on Tuesday. With an eye on a busy ISL schedule, BFC has made the trip with a relatively young squad that includes four players from the Bengaluru FC ‘B’ team and a few experienced hands in Lenny Rodrigues, Lalthuammawia Ralte, Toni Dovale and Alwyn George.

In Transport United, BFC will be up against the Bhutan National League champion, who went through the entire 2017 league season unbeaten. However, with just six teams competing in the top tier, gauging the side's quality is difficult. “Transport United are opponents who we do not have too much information about which makes things a little tricky for us," said BFC head coach Albert Roca. "But from whatever little we have seen on video, you can tell they are a good side.”

BFC will also have to contend with high altitude and temperatures as low as two degrees in the evenings. The return leg of the fixture will be played at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on January 30. Victory in the two-legged tie will send BFC to the play-off round of the qualifiers.