Bengaluru FC vs Istiklol, AFC Cup 2017: Bengaluru FC draw 2-2 but lose 2-3 on aggregate

Bengaluru FC vs Istiklol: Bengaluru FC trailed the tie 0-1 after the first leg. (Source: AFC)

Bengaluru FC came into the second leg trailing Tajakistan’s Istiklol 0-1 after the first leg in the Inter-Zone competition of the AFC Cup. The equation suggested that the Albert Roca-managed side needed to win by two clear goals to go forward. At their fortress in Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru FC maintained their unbeaten streak with a 2-2 scoreline on the night but failed to overturn the deficit after being reduced to ten men in the first half. Bengaluru FC scored courtesy Rahul Bheke and Sunil Chhetri on either side of half time to level things.

Bengaluru FC vs Istiklol Updates:

FULL TIME! Bengaluru FC 2-2 Istiklol on the night and 2-3 on aggregate. Bengaluru FC fail to make it two AFC Cup finals in two years. 

90′ End of the stipulated time. 5 minutes added on. Bengaluru FC 2-2 Istiklol. Two goals needed…

65′ GOAL! Daniel is brought down inside the box after being pushed by an opposite player. The referee points to the spot. Chhetri steps up and makes no mistake with the penalty. Bengaluru FC once again level things to make it 2-2 but trail 2-3 on aggregate

56′ GOAL! Istiklol restore their advantage courtesy Dmitrii Barkov who is on hand at the far post to tap a perfect pass by Fathullo. Bengaluru FC once again trail: 1-2 on the night and 1-3 on aggregate

HALF TIME: Bengaluru FC 1-1 Istiklol. After the first 45 minutes, it is all even in the second leg but the tie is tipped in favour of the Tajakistan side who lead 2-1 on aggregate. They would also feel relieved with the fact that they have a man advantage after Harmanjot Khabra was sent off for Bengaluru FC close to the half time whistle

42′ RED CARD! Second yellow card for Harmanjot Khabra for a challenge from behind. A clear booking that. And rightfully so, he is sent off. Bengaluru FC’s task just got infinitely bigger by being reduced to ten men

31′ CROSSBAR! Bengaluru FC go within inches of taking the lead and equalising on aggregate. And who else but Chhetri to give the visitors Istiklol a scare

24′ GOAL! Rahul Bheke heads in Udanta’s cross to level matters in the game. The aggregate now reads 1-2 and Bengaluru FC are still in it!

10′ Sunil Chhetri creating some trouble for the visitors. He dribbles and cuts inside his marker to shoot at the near post. But his effort is staright at Stosic.

1901 hrs IST: KICK OFF! Soon after kick off, Bengaluru FC concede a penalty within just the second minute. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu brings down an opposite number after the defence is found to be in sixes and sevens. Davronov converts from the penalty spot to get Istiklol another goal and an away goal

1850 hrs IST: TEAMS:

Bengaluru FC: Gurpreet (GK), Bheke, Juanan, Khabra, Nishu, Paartalu, Lenny, Dimas, Udanta, Chhetri (C), Daniel

Istiklol: Stosic (GK), Asrorov, Mawutor, Davronov, Aliev, Barkov, Fatkhulloev, Nazarov, Dzhalilov M, Dzhalilov R, Stetsenko

1850 hrs IST: Hello and Good evening to our live coverage of the second leg between Bengaluru FC and Istiklol in the Inter-Zone stages of the AFC Cup. Bengaluru FC, at home, would be the overwhelming favourites against the Tajaks but would need to do well to score at least two while conceding none.