Bengaluru FC up against Tampines Rovers in AFC Cup second leg (Preview)

Bengaluru FC will be eyeing an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup semi-final spot when they take on Singapore's Tampines Rovers in their quarter-final second leg here on Wednesday.

Bengaluru won the first leg at home 1-0. Bengaluru's Spanish coach Albert Roca said in a release that his side would not be making much of their one goal advantage as he expects Tampines Rovers to come all guns blazing.

Midfielder C.K. Vineeth scored in the first leg last week to give Roca's side a slight edge. But Roca believes Bengaluru have their task cut out.

"The second leg is always a big challenge. It isn't going to be easy given we have only the one goal to show for and Tampines will look to make things difficult in a bid to reverse the situation. But we have to be prepared for that," Roca said according to the release.

"I am happy because after six weeks we have tried to create a new style of play, which is not easy. We have good players and they have been really involved in trying to adapt to the new concepts."

"The players have shown in the first leg that they can adjust to the new style of play and I hope they can do the same here in Singapore."

Tampines coach Akbar Nawas said his side would be under pressure expect his squad to give a good account of themselves.

"The pressure is always there, no matter how much we say it isn't. We need to step things up from the start and should not make the mistake of taking Bengaluru lightly," he said.

"History too isn't making things easier on the hosts who attempt to be the first side from Singapore to make the last four of AFC Cup since 2004."

Bengaluru landed in Singapore on Sunday and practised at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Monday.

--IANS

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