Possible Starting XI for Bengaluru FC in the AFC Cup final against Air Force Club Iraq
On 5th November 2016, Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium in Doha will hold the AFC Cup final between Bengaluru FC and Air Force Club Iraq. The Iraqi side progressed to the final overcoming a stubborn Al Ahed side from Lebanon to make their first final in their maiden tournament appearance.
Bengaluru FC, on the other hand, beat defending AFC Cup holders Johor Darul Takzim 4-2 on aggregate to progress to the final; the first time any Indian club has reached a final of an Asian competition.
Alberto Roca has overseen the Indian club’s history-making run to the final from the knockout stages of the competition, since taking over from previous Blues boss Ashley Westwood. Roca has continued Westwood’s development of young Indian footballers giving the likes of Nishu Kumar and Alwyn George valuable playing time in crucial encounters to further enhance their careers.
The youngsters have proudly delivered when given the opportunity and could be rewarded by the Spaniard head coach to make an appearance in the final.
Bengaluru will be without goalkeeper Amrinder Singh, who is suspended for the game. Roca will heavily rely on the talents of captain Sunil Chhetri and Eugeneson Lyngdoh to deliver the goods in the final.
We take a look at the possible starting XI Alberto Roca will field against Air Force Club Iraq.
Goalkeeper
Lalthuammawia Ralte
The 23-year-old Mizo-born Bengaluru FC goalkeeper, Lalthuammawia Ralte, will play the most important game of his professional career thus far in the final of AFC Cup against Air Force Club Iraq. The former Shillong Lajong goalkeeper has made three appearances in the tournament in the group stages under former Blues manager Ashley Westwood.
With Amrinder Singh suspended for the game in Doha, as a result of two yellow cards picked up in the previous round, Ralte will fill in for the first choice Blues keeper.
Ralte played in both the fixtures against Ayeyawadi in the group stage as well as against JDT in the group stage.
The keeper will be making his first and most important appearance for the Blues under head coach Alberto Roca and is confident of doing the job for his teammates, the manager, the club and his country.