AFC Cup Semis Highlights: Sunil Chhetri brace powers Bengaluru FC to Historic Win
Sunil Chhetri-led Bengaluru FC didn't disappoint Indian football fans as they carved out a famous win in the AFC Cup semi-final against Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim.
- Dattaraj Thaly
- Updated: October 19, 2016 09:05 PM IST
Bengaluru FC on Wednesday created history after becoming the first Indian club to enter the AFC Cup final. Riding on skipper Sunil Chhetri's brace, the home side brushed aside Johor Darul Ta'zim 3-1 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate.
20:55 hrs IST: BFC become the first Indian club to enter the AFC Cup final. What a day for Indian football.
FULL TIME | @bengalurufc 3-1 @OfficialJohor - Bengaluru FC progress to the final! #AFCCup2016 #BENvJDT pic.twitter.com/d9FiJ1JzkJ
— AFC Cup (@AFCCup) October 19, 2016
20:54 hrs IST: Final whistle! BFC WIN!
20:50 hrs IST: Four minutes added on. BFC almost there...
20:45 hrs IST: JDT attack, but the BFC backline, led by Johnson, folds firm.
20:41 hrs IST: Amrinder makes a smart save to deny Eldstal
20:39 hrs IST: Keegan replaced Chhetri
20:35 hrs IST: GOAL! Juan Antonio has put this game to bed! Fine header off Eugene's free-kick. Quality stuff from BFC.
20:33 hrs IST: Vineeth is yellow carded.
20:29 hrs IST: GOAL!
66' GOLAZOOOOOOOOO! Chhetri takes a touch and hits home brilliantly from 30 yards out! WHAT A STRIKE! OH MY WORD! #BFCvJDT 2-1
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) October 19, 2016
20:21 hrs IST: Gary replaces Amirul for JDT.
20:20 hrs IST: Chhetri's cross is easily dealt with by the JDT defense.
20:15 hrs IST: Alwyn's attempted shot is miscued and the visitors clear their lines.
20:13 hrs IST: Lyngdoh wins a corner after Antonio puts in a tackle to prevent the cross.
20:07 hrs IST: Vineeth tees it up for Chhetri but the BFC skipper fails to test the keeper.
20:04 hrs IST: The second half is underway.
19:59 hrs IST: BFC are just 1 goal away from creating history. The second half promises to be a cracking affair.
19:46 hrs IST: Eugeneson Lyngdoh's corner was met with a firm header by the BFC skipper. That was an impressive header for a short man like Chhetri.
19:41 hrs IST: GOAL! Chhetri scores a header to level proceedings.
19:35 hrs IST: Hariss attempts to hook a cross into the area but Nishu puts in the challenge. JDT corner
19:30 hrs IST: Chhetri comes agonizingly close to scoring the equalizer.
19:28 hrs IST: Match summary so far...
25′ Yellow Card Johor D. T.
— AFC Cup (@AFCCup) October 19, 2016
Bengaluru 0:1 Johor D. T.#BENvJDT #TheAFCCup pic.twitter.com/2pRvDflzBZ
19:26 hrs IST: Yellow card for JDT's Antonio
19:20 hrs IST: BFC are working hard to bring their strikers into play. The crowd is willing them forward.
19:12 hrs IST: GOAL! Safiq Rahim scores for JDT
11' Goal. JDT take the lead here at the Fortress as Amrinder's parry falls kindly to Safiq who nods home. 0-1. #BFCvJDT
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) October 19, 2016
9' Some really good pressure by the Blues who now have a freekick after Rino is brought down. #BFCvJDT 0-0
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) October 19, 2016
19:10 hrs IST: Resolute defending from the visitors with wave after wave of BFC attacks.
19:08 hrs IST: BFC's Rubio is fouled in the middle of the park.
19:03 hrs IST: The home team has started off reasonably well. The noise is deafening.
19:00 hrs IST: Here we go!
16:56 hrs IST: The men that could make history tonight.
Here is the complete confirmed lineup of @bengalurufc and @OfficialJohor #BFCvJDT#AFCCup2016 pic.twitter.com/ybrNBNu5ju
— Indian Football News (@indianfootynet) October 19, 2016
18:54 hrs IST: The players make their way out on to the field. The home fans have turned out in large numbers for this all-important fixture. What an atmosphere!
18:38 hrs IST: Our mantra was to take one game at a time. We never thought we'd reach this far, the Bengaluru FC skipper further added.
18:36 hrs IST: We are pumped up. Boys are optimistic and looking forward to the contest, says Sunil Chhetri.
18:32 hrs IST: No Indian club has made it to the final of the AFC cup till date. East Bengal and Dempo SC faltered at the semi-final stage previously.
18:30 hrs IST: Some of the biggest Indian clubs, including Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, have vowed to support Bengaluru FC today.
Speaking on the eve of the game, Bengaluru skipper Sunil Chhetri said, "They are very strong side, but I am really positive. We fancy ourselves here. That's the kind of vibe this ground gives me."
Sunil Chhetri, one of the country's most decorated footballers, has played a prominent role in Bengaluru FC's trophy-laden three years of existence. On Wednesday, he could yet surpass his achievements with the current I-League champions by leading them to the AFC Cup final.
To make matters easier for hosts Bengaluru FC, Johor Darul Ta'zim will be without two key players, Juan Martin Lucero and Pereyra Diaz, both of whom are suspended for the tie. The club is also expecting an attendance of more than 20,000 for what promises to be a cracking affair against the Malaysian club.