AFC Cup Match Preview: Bengaluru FC vs Warriors FC
Bengaluru FC take on Singapore’s Warriors FC in tomorrow’s AFC Cup clash at the Shree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru. Bengaluru FC are currently placed in the third position in Group F behind Persipura Jayapura and Maziya Sports & Recreation. Bengaluru have a chance to move up the table if they take all 3 points from tomorrow’s clash against the weakest team in the Group. Yet again the Indian side will miss several first team players, who are with the national team in Nepal.
Venue
Sri Kanteerava Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Bengaluru, India. It is used mostly for football matches. The stadium can hold 24,000 people. It also includes two outdoor rock climbing walls, a running track, a football field and a volleyball court. It is Bengaluru's main sports stadium and several national level teams hold their training sessions here.
Kick-off
March 17, 2015: 7:00 pm – India (IST)
Possible Starting line ups
Bengaluru FC (4-5-1-): Lalthuammawia Ralte; Rino Anto, John Johnson, Curtis Osano, Gurtej Singh; Josh Walker, Darren Caldeira, Thoi Singh, Beikhokhei Beingaichho, Sean Rooney; C.K Vineeth
Ashley Westwood will yet again miss the services of six first team players, who have national team commitments to fulfill. In their absence, The British manager is likely to test his bench strength fielding players like Darren Caldeira, CK Vineeth, etc, who have spent most of the season on the bench.
Warriors FC (4-5-1): Neezam Abdul Aziz; Irwan Shah, Marin Vidosevic, Razak , Nur Asyidiq Sukarto; Fahmi Jaafar, Shi Jiayai, Nurhisham Suleiman, Nicolas Velez, Hafiz Rahim; Hafsyar Farkhan.
Key Battles
Nicolas Velez vs John Johnson
Argentine attacker Nicolas Velez will be the main threat for Warriors FC in tomorrow’s game against Bengaluru FC. Velez has scored the maximum number of goals for his team in this season. John Johnson should mark him tightly in tomorrow’s game.
Sean Rooney vs Marin Vidosevic
Sean Rooney is the most formidable attacker in the Bengaluru FC squad for tomorrow’s game against Warriors FC in the absence of Sunil Chhetri. Croatian center back, Marin Vidosevic of Warriors FC must keep a check on the Australian forward.
Prediction
Bengaluru FC 2-0 Warriors FC