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AFC Cup 2017: Bengaluru FC vs Istiklol - Probable starting XI for the Blues

Can  BFC repeat their Johor performance from last year?
Can BFC repeat their Johor performance from last year?

The 2017 AFC Cup west zonal second leg final between Bengaluru FC and FC Istiklol will take place at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore on Wednesday, Oct 18. The team from Dushanbe, Tajikistan go into the game in Bangalore with a one-goal advantage over last year's runners-up. 

The first leg at the Hisor Central Stadium, Hisor was a doggy affair as FC Istiklol managed to dominate large spells of the game but failed to penetrate the away side's defence on many occasions largely due to poor finishing.  

BFC was the poorer side in the first leg but got away from Tajikistan with only a goal to overcome at the Kanteerava Stadium. However, BFC could have managed to salvage the game at Hisor with a couple of great chances at the end of the game. 

The goal from Dmitry Barkov still separate the sides as they get ready to do battle in the game that will decide the finalist that takes on Air Force Club Iraq in the 2017 AFC Cup final. 

 Here we take a look at BFC's probable starting eleven against FC Istiklol as the club look to appear in their second consecutive AFC Cup final. 


Goalkeeper

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu 

Sandhu is key for BFC
Sandhu is key for BFC

No surprises in the team here, as new signing from Norwegian club Stabaek FC and Indian national team goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu will play in goal in Wednesday's game at the Kanteerava. 

Sandhu kept BFC in the tie during the first leg as he made a host of great saves to deny the Tajikistan club from increasing their advantage. In a game where Bengaluru FC was pegged back, Sandhu kept his side in the tie displaying a commanding performance between the sticks. 

The BFC faithful will hope for a relaxing outing for Sandhu, although the experienced 6-foot 4 inches tall keeper will be wary of the attacking threat posed by the away side. 

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