AFC Cup: Bengaluru FC looks to extend vice-grip of Group E

Table-topper Bengaluru FC will look to stretch its perfect record in Group 'E' as it takes on Abahani Dhaka in the AFC Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, in Dhaka, on Wednesday.

Defender John Johnson and skipper Sunil Chhetri train ahead of the AFC Cup tie

Table-topper Bengaluru FC will look to stretch its perfect record in Group 'E' as it takes on Abahani Dhaka in the AFC Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, in Dhaka, on Wednesday.

BFC leads with nine points from three games and a fourth win will help the 2016 finalist take a big step towards qualifying for the knockout stages.

Abahani is currently at the bottom having lost all its matches, but manager Albert Roca was in no mood to underestimate his opponent.

“While things do look difficult for Abahani, we would be foolish to assume they won’t cause us any trouble," he said. "They are at home and are in search of a win and we will have to be at our best.”

Even as BFC failed to defend its I-league crown, the club is in the midst of a fine run of late. It has recorded six successive victories across competitions without conceding. 

“We’ve got something good going for us,” said Roca. “We’re finishing off the chances we create, an area which was a bit of concern a few months ago. And our defence has been tight. The team realises that they need to keep this going if we are to succeed in the two competitions that we have a chance of winning.”

Against Churchill Brothers on Saturday, Roca chose to rest the likes of Sunil Chhetri, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Cameron Watson, John Johnson and Nishu Kumar but against Abahani most should return.