AFC Cup 2016: 5 reasons why you should watch Bengaluru FC take on Johor
If you’re a Bengaluru FC fan or an Indian football fan, you’ll already know that the biggest match in Indian club football history will be in Bengaluru on October 19th, when the boys from Bengaluru take on the defending champions of the AFC Cup – Johor Darul Ta’zim of Malaysia, in the semi-final of the AFC Cup at the Kanteerva Stadium, Bengaluru.
Bengaluru FC took a vital away goal on their travels to Malaysia and are in the driving seat, with a goalless draw all that they need to see them through to the finals of the competition and create history.
The Bengaluru FC fans are some of the most vociferous fans in Indian football and back their team to the hilt, and will be doing so once again, come matchday.
If you haven’t decided on being there at the Kanteerva Stadium on the 19th, here’s five very good reasons why you should!
#1 Witness history unfold
Bengaluru FC are no strangers to making history and breaking them time and again, since the club’s inception in 2013.
From winning the league in their very first year to winning a title every season since, Bengaluru FC have had a fairytale journey. They could create more history for Indian club football by progressing to the finals of the AFC Cup and become the first Indian team to do so.
For the uninitiated, the AFC Cup is the second tier cup competition for clubs in Asia, akin to the Europa League in Europe.
(Video Courtesy: The AFC Hub YouTube Channel)
East Bengal and Dempo are the two other Indian clubs to have reached this far in the competition, both succumbing to losses in the semi-final in 2013 and 2008 respectively.
A goalless draw is all that is required for Bengaluru FC as they will progress on the away goals rule, but the Bengaluru FC team and their faithful will know that defending the whole 90 minutes, that too against the reigning champions, will be an arduous task.