Bengaluru and Aizawl clash in AFC Cup group match tomorrow

Indian Super League runners-up side Bengaluru FC face former I-League champions Aizawl FC in an AFC Cup Group E clash at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium here tomorrow.

Both sides are taking on each other in the continental competition in the midst of their campaign in the inaugural Super Cup tournament in Bhubaneswar. Bengaluru and Aizawl have made it to the quarterfinals of the knock-out Super Cup tournament.

Bengaluru began their AFC Cup group stage campaign with a 1-0 win over Abahani Dhaka FC through a second half strike from Daniel Lalhlimpuia, while Aizawl went down 1-3 to New Radiant SC in Maldives.

Bengaluru coach Albert Roca said tomorrow's match would be a tough one and his players will have to play their best.

"It's a new experience because we've never played Aizawl FC in the AFCCup. They deserve to be here because they had a very good season last year, and we expect a tough game tomorrow. They are pumped up after their win over Chennaiyin FC in the Super Cup so it won't be easy for us," Roca said at the pre-match press conference.

Asked about his possible team composition, he said, "I can't say much about the squad composition at the moment. We're playing back-to-back matches in two competitions and I have to manage the squad as a coach. There might be a few changes, but we'll decide that later."
"It's not easy, but comfortable. I'm not a fan of the (artificial) pitch there in Aizawl. To play on a natural surface is better for everybody."