After winning from Defenders FC of Sri Lanka, Paro FC will host Bengaluru FC of India for the Preliminary Round two of the 2020 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup at the Changlimithang National Stadium tomorrow.
At the pre-match press conference today, both the sides looked confident as they shared their excitement for the big game tomorrow.
“We have represented India in Asia for the last four years and we are very happy to be back in the AFC Cup and starting our game tomorrow against Bhutan, Paro FC,” said Sunil Chhetri, the Captain of Bengaluru FC.
“We know that Bengaluru FC is a big club in South East Asia. However, we are playing at home and we have a big advantage,” said Jangchuk Dorji, the Head Coach for Paro FC.
“Boys are ready to face Bengaluru FC who is superior to us in terms of technical, physical and everything. But we will take this as a challenge and we have prepared well for the big match,” added Jigme Tshering Dorji, the Captain of Paro FC.
The Technical Director and Assistant Coach of Paro FC assured spectators will see a much-improved display by the home team tomorrow.
“Obviously you will see a lot of changes in the tactical progressions in the game. You will see changes in players and expect some changes in the formation as well because it is all modern football now,” said Puspalal Sharma, the Technical Director/Assistant Coach for Paro FC.
Bengaluru FC announced a 30 man squad ahead of the 2020 AFC Cup preliminary stages yesterday. As many as nine B team players from the club along with the likes of Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Udanta Singh will feature in Carles Cuadrat’s side.
On the other hand, Paro FC will not have the presence of their first-choice goalkeeper due to an injury he sustained during the last match against Defenders FC. Meanwhile, Chencho Gyeltshen is all fit to face his former club.
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. Paro FC will play their second leg match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on 12 February.
Passang Dorji
