Bengaluru FC fail to reach AFC Cup final

Bengaluru, October 18 

Bengaluru FC’s bid to reach the AFC Cup final for the second consecutive year ended in heartbreak as they were held to a 2-2 draw by FC Istiklol of Tajikistan in the second leg of the Inter-Zone final here today.

Needing to overturn a 0-1 first-leg deficit, Bengaluru conceded a goal in the fourth minute when Nuriddin Davronov converted a penalty. Bengaluru equalised in the 24th minute through Rahul Bheke but they were reduced to 10 men as Harmanjot Khabra was shown the red card in the 42nd minute. 

FC Istiklol, the 2015 losing finalists, capitalised on the advantage to take the lead in the 56th minute through Dmitri Barkov.

Sunil Chhetri restored parity in the 65th minute but that was not enough for his side to advance as Istiklol enter the final 3-2 on aggregate.

In the summit clash on November 4, Istiklol face defending champions Air Force Club of Iraq, who had beaten Bengaluru in last year’s final. — PTI