Bengaluru FC secures AFC Cup group stage spot with win against Eagles
Group D matches will also be held in Maldives
Bengaluru FC won against Club Eagles by 1-0 in the match
India’s Bengaluru FC has defeated Maldives’ Club Eagles in the playoff match of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup, securing a spot in the in the group stage.
Bengaluru FC won against Club Eagles by 1-0 in the match played at the Maldives National Football Stadium on Sunday night.
Eagles brought in seven of the top players in local football for the match including the country's most successful footballer, Ali 'Dhagandey' Ashfaq. However, he was not seen on the pitch for Sunday's game, due to "medical reasons".
Both teams started out strong and had scoring opportunities at the start of the game, with Bengaluru taking the lead at the 26th minute with a goal from Jayesh Dilip Ran.
Eagles had chances to tie the game in the remaining minutes of the half as well as the second half, but failed to do so.
With the win, Bengaluru FC joins Maldives Maziya Sports and Recreation Club, India’s Mohun Baghan and Bangladesh’s champions, Bashundhara King in the Group D of the AFC Cup group stage.
The group stage matches, also to be held in Maldives, are set for 18th, 21st and 24th of August.
