AFC Cup: Key game for Bengaluru FC

Needing just a draw to qualify for the pre-quarter-final of the AFC Cup, Bengaluru FC take on Maziya Sports and Recreation Club at the National Football Stadium here on Tuesday.

The Blues sit second on the Group E table with nine points from four games, five more than third-placed Maziya who have played an equal number of games. Indonesia's Persipura Jayapura have already booked a berth to the last-16 while Singapore's Warriors FC have already been eliminated.

Coach Ashley Westwood said his team would be going for the win keeping in mind the bigger picture of coming out as group leaders.

"Winning the group is something we want to do because it means we get a favourable draw in the next round. So, we will be trying to win the game against Maziya as we will against Persipura.

"We are a new club and fresh in this tournament, so we want to win as many games as we can and make a name for ourselves.

"We will be approaching tomorrow's game in a positive manner which is something that you are always guaranteed from us," said Westwood at a media briefing here Monday.

Shankar Sampingiraj scored a dramatic injury-time winner when Maziya came to Bengaluru in a game that ended 2-1 and while Westwood says his side were confident, they aren't taking anything for granted.

"When I say we are confident, it's confidence in our own abilities, not about winning the game. You can never guarantee a result in football. Maziya are a good side and we are expecting a very tough game," the coach said.

Bengaluru registered their first away win in Asian competitions, putting on a stellar performance in a 1-0 defeat of Warriors in Singapore while on the Indian I-league front, Westwood's boys are on an eight-game unbeaten run and will hope to carry the form into the game against the Maldivian side.

Left-back Lalchhuanmawia hasn't made the trip owing to a suspension and spare his absence, Westwood has a fully fit and available squad to choose from.

Maziya too have a player missing in central defender Zhivko Dinev. The Bulgarian is believed to have suffered a knee injury that will keep him on the sidelines for a while.