ISL 2017: Bengaluru FC's domestic schedule to be tweaked for AFC Cup commitments?
What's the story
The Indian Super League may have to make changes to the schedule as Bengaluru FC's 2018 AFC Cup campaign is set to get underway.
The AFC announced the draw for the upcoming AFC Cup campaign on December 6, with the Bengaluru-based side slated to face Bhutan's Transport United in a Preliminary Stage tie.
In case you didn't know
Bengaluru FC won the Federation Cup last season by defeating Mohun Bagan. By virtue of that win, they have gotten entry into the two-legged Preliminary Stage. Their two matches against the Bhutan club are set to take place on January 23 (away) and 30 (home).
The heart of the matter
To avoid a clash, their midweek away fixture in the ISL against Chennaiyin FC will need to be postponed. That match is currently scheduled for 31st January.
If Bengaluru FC defeat their Bhutanese opponents, they would take part in the playoffs. The AFC playoffs are scheduled for February 13th (away) and 20th (home). Shoehorned between the two playoffs, is their home game against FC Pune City on the 16th.
AFC Cup’s Group E fixtures will kick-start from March 6th onwards. With the JSW-owned franchise in a prime position to make it into the ISL play-offs, it will be interesting to see if the fixtures clash with the two-legged semi-finals scheduled to take place in the second week of the month.
Bengaluru FC are the only Indian club to feature in the top 50 spots of the AFC Clubs ranking. Bengaluru are also leading the ISL rankings table so they are pretty much in with a shout of making it into the ISL playoffs.
What's next?
Bengaluru FC will next face Pune City FC on the 14th of December. Out of 4 matches played, they have won three and lost just one.
Sportskeeda's take
It will be interesting to see how Bengaluru manage a hectic schedule between domestic and continental commitments, and how far the ISL will go in adjusting their schedule for them.