Match: Tampines Rovers v Bengaluru FC
Date: 21 September, Wednesday
Time: 7:30pm SGT /5pm IST/12:30pm BST
Venue: Jalan Besar Stadium
Competition: 2016 AFC Cup
TV Coverage: In Singapore, the TV coverage of the clash between Tampines Rovers and Bengaluru FC will be on Fox Sports Singapore.
Overview
Tampines Rovers host Bengaluru FC in the 2016 AFC Cup quarter-final second leg at the Jalan Besar Stadium on 21 September.
The Stags, who were completely outplayed in their away fixture at the Kanteerava Stadium on 14 September, face a tough test against Bengaluru FC at home on Wednesday. Despite being robbed off home support, The Blues got off to a good start as striker CK Vineeth struck in the seventh minute which remained the only goal of the first leg.
Banking on the performances of their defenders in the home leg, Bengaluru FC will be upbeat about taking on the Tampines strikers Jordan Webb and Billy Mehmet in Singapore. Led by John Johnson, the Bengaluru backline was solid and made sure the S.League club did not head home with away-goal advantage after the first leg.
Bengaluru Coach Albert Roca has been particular about creating defensive superiority. The way Juan Gonzalez, Rino Anto and Nishu Kumar combined at the back with Johnson would have given him a lot of confidence in his first outing.
A win at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday would be a fitting start for the former Barcelona assistant coach at Bengaluru FC, who have tasted phenomenal success in their three-year history.
"We know that Tampines have nothing to lose. They will go all out in Singapore and we must be wary of that. I'm sure we will be ready for it and we'll try to get through to the next round," Roca was quoted as saying by Bengaluru FC's official website, after their first leg win.
On the Tampines side, it will be all about stepping up under pressure. Webb an Mehmed have to go all out on Wednesday to break the I-League champions' defense. Winger Jermaine Pennant will also be crucial to the home side's chances on Wednesday. After a dull show in the first leg, the former Liverpool star would want to prove his mettle and take his side through to the next round.
Tampines would look to be aggressive and negate the lead at the earliest on Wednesday but should be careful about opening up at the back as an away goal for the visitors would almost end their chances of making to their first-ever AFC Cup semi-final. Coach Akbar Nawaz conceded that his team had underestimated Bengaluru during their first leg. He would want his side to be sharp and more creative in the return leg.
Backed by home support, the Singapore club would want to avenge their away defeat and maintain their perfect cup record at home. With the chances of winning the 2016 S.League title taking a hit after their recent loss to Home United, Tampines would want to assert their supremacy with a good show in the ongoing AFC Cup.
TV Schedule
India: Star Sports 4
Bangladesh: Star Sports 4
Indonesia: Fox Sports Indonesia
Malaysia: Fox Sports Malaysia
United Arab Emirates: beIN Sports Arabia 7
Bengaluru FC
Possible XI: Arminder Singh; John Johnson, Juan Gonzalez, Rino Anto, Nishu Kumar; Alvaro Rubio, Cameroon Watson; CK Vineeth, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Alwyn George; Sunil Chhetri
Tampines Rovers
Possible XI: Izwan Mahbud; Muhammad Jufri Taha, Afiq Yunos, Abu Sujad, Irwan Shah; Jermaine Pennant, Fabian Kwok, Izzdin Shafiq, Jordan Webb; Billy Mehmet
