BFC held to goalless draw in AFC Cup

Bengaluru FC began its 2018 AFC Cup campaign with a 0-0 draw against Bhutanese side Transport United.

Action from the AFC Cup clash between Bengaluru FC and Transport United on Tuesday.

A young Bengaluru FC side was held to a goalless draw in the first leg of its preliminary round AFC Cup qualifying clash against Transport FC at the Changlimithang Stadium on Tuesday. The result means that BFC will need to win the second leg at home on January 30 in order to advance to the playoff round of the qualifiers.

Goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte captained a relatively young BFC side as head coach Albert Roca started with midfielders Malsawmzuala and Alwyn George along with defender Zohmingliana Ralte and striker Daniel Lalhlimpuia. Bengaluru boy Prashanth Kalinga, a product of the club's youth academy, made his first-team debut, starting in defense.

It took half an hour for the first real chance of the game, as Boithang Haokip’s perfect corner-kick from the right found Toni Dovale clear at the edge of the box. The Spaniard however, failed to make the desired connection.

Early in the second half, Daniel had back-to-back chances inside five minutes, but the striker blazed wide on both occasions. Lenny Rodrigues saw a long-range effort saved as BFC struggled to find a way past the rival defence.

BFC will now host NorthEast United in the ISL on Friday.