AFC Cup 2016: Bengaluru FC 0-1 Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya - 5 talking points
Bengaluru FC put up a strong fight but succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Iraq Air Force club in the AFC Cup 2016 final. The teams were equally matched in the first half and the Blues would have fancied their chances going into the second 45.
However, a moment of magic from Amjed Radhi, where he danced his way past three Bengaluru defenders and then squared the ball to a waiting Hammadi Ahmed, proved to be enough for the Iraqi club.
Also read: Twitter reacts as Bengaluru FC heartbreakingly lose the AFC Cup Final to Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
Bengaluru faltered on the brink of history, but nevertheless, Albert Roca and Indian fans, in general, will be proud of their achievement.
On that note, take a look at the 5 talking points from the game:
#1 Just the beginning for Bengaluru FC
The Blues might have lost the game on the night, but they won the hearts of millions of Indian football fans. Having already made history by being the only Indian club to reach the finals of the AFC Cup, Bengaluru ultimately fell short of another historic achievement.
The side coached by Albert Roca were massive underdogs in the quarter-finals as well as semi-finals. A solid showing against Tampines Rovers ensured that they would have a rematch with reigning champions Johor. In the semi-finals, the Blues were simply unstoppable, especially at home, and tore apart a much more fancied side to reach the finals where they ultimately lost out to Al-Jawiya.
However, their performances over the course of the tournament leave nothing to be desired. Undoubtedly, the club and their officials will have set their sights on the AFC Champions League in the coming years and who is to say that they might not leave their mark on Asia’s Premier club competition.
For now, though, it is back to the I-League where they will have to be at their best in order to defend their title against the likes of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.