AFC Cup: BFC takes on Hong Kong’s Kitchee

Midfielder Eugeneson Lyngdoh, the I-League player of the year, said, "We are confident. There's a desire to go one better this season (BFC lost in the round-of-16 last year)."

The BFC attack — without C.K. Vineeth, who is out with a sore shoulder — will have to be at the top of their game to make an impression against a very strong Kitchee defence.

Bengaluru FC (BFC) takes on Hong Kong side Kitchee SC in a one-off Round-of-16 AFC Cup fixture, at the Mong Kok Stadium (Hong Kong) on Wednesday.

BFC will miss the services of head coach Ashley Westwood, who is serving the third of a four-game suspension. At a press conference on Tuesday, Technical Analyst Mathew Holland said, “We’re up against a very tough team. It’s a Round-of-16 match, which is always going to be tricky, but we are confident because we have prepared well.”

Midfielder Eugeneson Lyngdoh, the I-League player of the year, said, “We are confident. There's a desire to go one better this season (BFC lost in the round-of-16 last year).”

Kitchee, which finished on top of Group 'F' to coast into this knockout round, conceded just once in the league stages. The BFC attack — without C.K. Vineeth, who is out with a sore shoulder — will have to be at the top of their game to make an impression. North Korean forward Kim Song Yong, meanwhile, missed the trip owing to visa issues.

The match kicks off at 5.30 p.m. IST, and will be televised live on Star Sports 4.