Bengaluru FC qualify for AFC Cup knockouts

Press Trust of India  |  Dhaka 

Benguluru FC produced a professional performance to blank Abahani 4-0 before outside help from Aizawal FC ensured their qualification for the Inter-Zonal semifinals of the AFC Cup.

(13th min), Nishu Kumar (16th, 58th) and (60th) struck for Bengaluru, who topped Group E with a resounding win and advanced in the competition.

Bengaluru needed a win to qualify and were also relying on Aizawl FC to beat Maldives' New Radiant.

Moments after Bengaluru's win, Aizawl came to their rescue by defeating New Radiant 2-1.

Bengaluru finished the group on 15 points, New Radiant 12 and four points apiece for Abahani and Aizawl.

The Blues were always in control of the game and led 2-0 at half time courtesy goals from Segovia and Kumar.

Bengaluru had 55 percent ball possession with 11 of their 16 shots on target. Abahani only entered the striking area five times and had just one shot on target.

The outcome was on expected lines but with qualification on the line, Bengaluru had to deal with pressure.

Bengaluru's previous visit to had ended in defeat to the Bangladeshi side in the group stages of last year's AFC Cup campaign with late goals from and handing Roca's men a 0-2 loss.

In a more recent meeting between the sides, scored a 72nd minute winner at the in March when Blues began their continental campaign

Bengaluru had beaten Aizawl 5-0 in their previous game.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Wed, May 16 2018. 21:30 IST