Paro FC lost 1-0 to Bengaluru FC as the first leg match of the Preliminary Round two of the 2020 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup was played at the Changlimithang National Stadium, today.
Bengaluru FC is currently leading the race with the crucial away goal advantage in hand.
Over 8000 football fanatics flooded the Changlimithang National Stadium as Paro FC and Bengaluru FC went head to head for the first time.
In the first minute of the game, the visiting team Bengaluru FC suffered to adapt to the cold weather and the Astroturf pitch. Trying to take advantage of which, Paro FC made several attempts to open the scoreline early by using their forward, Chencho Gyeltshen. However, the champions of Bhutan could not break the deadlock.
On the other side, Bengaluru FC gradually began to get used to the climate and the artificial turf. They began to press and frequently kept the Bhutanese defenders on their toes. Despite the decent effort from both the sides, the first half ended all square with neither side finding the back of the net.
The second half of the game saw a much-improved display from the visiting side as they often tested the home team with quick counter-attacks. Their hard work finally paid off as Semboi Haokip of Bengaluru FC scored in the 53rd minute.
With the motive to bounce back into the game, Paro FC tried to change their tactics by bringing in fresh legs through substitutions. However, nothing seemed to work as the home team had to settle in for a 1-0 loss by the end of the 90th minute.
“Our boys and the opponent team gave their best. As I mentioned before Bengaluru FC is not a small club. For now, they are a top professional club. Our boys tried hard to match them and now we have an away game. We look forward to doing well in the next game,” said Jangchuk Dorji, the Head Coach for Paro FC.
However, the game is far from over as Paro FC still has a chance to turn things around in their away game. The second leg match will be played at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on 12th February.
“We expect another tough game because Paro FC has a good team. But we have the home advantage and our supporters will have a big role to play,” said Carles Cuadrat, the Head Coach for Bengaluru FC.
The winners of the two-legged tie will progress to the play-offs where they will face the winners of the contest between Bangladesh’s Abahani Limited Dhaka and Maldives’ Maziya Sports and Recreation Club for a place in the group stages of AFC Cup 2020.
Passang Dorji
