Preview: AFC Cup - Bengaluru FC vs Persipura Jayapura
Bengaluru FC take on Indonesian giants Persipura Jayapura in a Group E match today at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. The fate of the group is already decided as both the sides have qualified for the next round.
The only positive point about this match is that both the teams will want to win and finish at the top of the group table. An interesting and exciting match is on the cards as the champion sides of the individual countries take on each other for supremacy.
Venue
Sree Kanteerava Stadium, also spelled Sri Kanteerava Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium in Bengaluru, India. It is used mostly for football matches. The stadium holds 24,000 people and 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
May 12, 2015, 7 pm (IST)
Possible starting line-ups
Bengaluru FC (4-5-1): Ralte; Rino Anto, John Johnson, Curtis Osano, Lalchhuanmawia; Josh Walker, Shankar Sampingiraj, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Sunil Chhetri, CK Vineeth; Sean Rooney
Ashley Westwood will get the services of all of his players in this match. There is no injury crisis in his squad and a full strength squad is likely to feature, even though the match does not have much significance as both the sides have qualified.
A win for his side by a good margin may see Bengaluru FC topping the group which will be a great achievement for the debutants. Bengaluru were restricted to a draw in the game against Shillong Lajong. They will possibly keep an unchanged side from that match.
Persipura Jayapura (4-3-3): Sulaiman; Pae, Faksawer, Salampessy, Sanadi; Alom, Wanggai, Pugliara; Solossa, Kabes, Kone.
Persipura Jayapura will be looking forward to picking up full points from this away tie against Indian champions Bengaluru FC on Tuesday in Bengaluru. Persipura had defeated Bengaluru 3-1 at home, and, in general, they have a much superior side than the Indian outfit.
Key Battles
Boaz Solossa vs John Johnson
Boaz Solossa is one of the best Indonesian players in the country. He plays mostly as a number 10 in the Persipura side and he is the most dangerous player among the ranks. He creates chances and also scores quite frequently. To stop Persipura from the scoring goals, John Johnson will have to mark Solossa hard in tomorrow’s clash.
Sunil Chhetri vs Ricardo Salampessy
Sunil Chhetri is the most formidable attacker in Bengaluru FC’s ranks for tomorrow’s games against Persipura. The Indian international is in good form right now and his runs down the wings will be decisive. Indonesian international defender Ricardo Salampessy will have to keep Chhetri under strict vigilance to avoid any risk in their penalty box.
Prediction
Bengaluru FC 1-2 Persipura Jayapura