Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts

Bengaluru FC ready for AFC Cup semifinal

The Blues will take on North Korean side April 25 SC in AFC Cup inter-zone semifinal on August 23.

By Sajith

Bengaluru, July 28: Last year's finalists Bengaluru FC are getting ready for the AFC Cup inter-zone semifinals in right earnest. The Blues, who will take on North Korean side April 25 SC at home on August 23, began preparations with an open training session at the Bengaluru Football Stadium on Thursday.

With a couple of fresh signings, the Albert Roca-coached squad will continue to train at their base for in the weekend before heading to Spain on August 5 for a 10-day training camp where they will play friendlies against Spanish Segunda-B Division side UCAM Murcia CF and UAE Pro League side Baniyas S&R.

Bengaluru FC

"The facilities at Pinatar Arena (Spain) are top-class and I thank the management for providing us with this opportunity. The arena will provide us with everything we need to get up and running as fast as possible," said Roca.

Skipper Sunil Chhetri, who netted the winner against Maldives side Maziya that helped the Blues make the semifinal cut also sounded upbeat about the team's prospects in the AFC Cup.

"We've got a really good set of players that I'm confident will turn into a unit with time. There's a nice blend of experience and youth and it's going to be an exciting season ahead," said Chhetri.

Bengaluru FC had defied the odds to reach the final of the AFC Cup last year where they lost by a single goal to Iraq's Al Jawiya at Qatar's Suheim bin Hamad Stadium.

Coach Roca wants the team to go further. "It's important that we utilize this time well so that our team settles in quickly before the crucial AFC Cup tie. While we've managed to retain the core of our team, there're a lot of new signings which means that we need to put in that extra effort to gel as a unit".

OneIndia News

Story first published: Thursday, August 3, 2017, 8:06 [IST]
Other articles published on Aug 3, 2017