Bengaluru FC arrives in Maldives ahead of playoff game against Eagles
Eagles took the chance to change seven players in the squad, and brought is some of the biggest names in the local football world for Sunday's game
(File photo) Bengaluru FC will face Club Eagles in the playoff game on Sunday
India’s Bengaluru FC has arrived in the Maldives for their AFC Asian Cup playoff match against Club Eagles.
Sports Minister Ahmed Mahloof announced the team's arrival to Maldives, where the AFC Cup Group D matches are to be held this month.
While the playoff game was initially scheduled to be held in May, it was postponed after some of the Bengaluru FC players were seen violating the country's Covid-19 safety protocols; three players from the Indian club were seen roaming the streets when they were under direct instruction to remain isolated unless for trainings or matches.
The sports minister wrote to AFC asking to take action against the team, who chose to postpone the match after highlighting the seriousness of the issue.
Bengaluru FC President Parth Jindal apologized for the "inexcusable behavior" of three of the team members, adding that the "strictest action" will be taken against them.
Acknowledging this, the Maldivian sports minister thanked Jindal and Bengaluru FC management "for respecting [the] decision [to cancel match] at that difficult point".
While the Indian team is gearing to play against Club Eagles, Mahloof wished the Maldivian club "all the best to secure their slot in the group stage".
Winner of Sunday's playoff game will join India’s ATK Mohun Bagan FC, Maldives' Maziya Sports & Recreation, and Bangladesh's Bashundhara Kings in Group D of the AFC Cup.
The matches will be held across three match days on August 18, 21 and 24, with the eventual group leaders advancing to the single-leg Inter Zone Semi-final.
While Club Eagles' coach Mohamed Shazly said that Bengaluru is "stronger" than any other team currently qualified for the group stage, he added that Maldives football star Ali "Dhangandey" Ashfaq's presence in the team will "intimidate them".
The team checked into an accommodation facility on Saturday, to create a safety bubble ahead of the match against Bengaluru.
Eagles took the chance to change seven players in the squad list submitted, and brought is some of the biggest names in the local football world for the playoff game. In addition to Ashfaq, Akram ‘Aku’ Abdul Ghanee, Ali ‘Sentey’ Fasir, Mohamed ‘Bakaa’ Arif, Ismail ‘Messi’ Easa, Ahmed ‘Ammadey’ Hassan as well as goalkeeper Mohamed Faisal will wear Eagles' jersey for the playoff match.
