Tampines Rovers test for BFC

Singapore: Albert Roca believes Bengaluru FC would not be making much of their one goal advantage as he expects hosts Tampines Rovers to fire on all cylinders when the two teams clash at the Jalan Besar Stadium, in Singapore, on Wednesday eying a semifinal place of the AFC Cup.

The Blues traveled to Singapore on the back of a CK Vineeth strike in the first leg of the quarterfinal last week to give Roca’s side a slight edge. But the Spaniard said his side have their task cut out. “The second leg is always a big challenge. It isn’t going to be easy given we have only the one goal to show for and Tampines will look to make things difficult in a bid to reverse the situation. But we have to be prepared for that,” said Roca said on Tuesday.

In what was the club’s first competitive game since winning the I-League in May, BFC put on a fluent display at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium last week, leaving Rovers to do the chasing for most of the game. In fact the Blues created enough chances to kill the tie at home but for some wasteful finishing which gives both sides everything to play for on Wednesday.

“I am happy because after six weeks we have tried to create a new style of play, which is not easy. We have good players and they have been really involved in trying to adapt to the new concepts. The players have shown in the first leg that they can adjust to the new style of play and I hope they can do the same here in Singapore,” asserted the Spaniard.

Meanwhile Rovers coach, Akbar Nawas said his side would be under pressure but urged his squad to give a good account of themselves. “The pressure is always there, no matter how much we say it isn’t. We need to step things up from the start and should not make the mistake of taking Bengaluru lightly,” he said. History too isn’t making things easier on the hosts who attempt to be the first side from Singapore to make the last four of AFC Cup since 2004.