Internet Desk: History beckons Indian champions Bengaluru FC as the Bengaluru club will be the first Indian club to play the AFC Cup final. The Air Force Club of Iraq, is the oldest club in the country. They are also one of the most successful clubs in Iraq, as the Falcons have won the domestic title 10 times. However, their performance in this particular tournament has not been up to the mark for they are the only Baghdad team not to have reached the final of the championship even once. Though the club has represented in the AFC Champions League thrice.
Road to the final: Both the finalists are high on confidence after some great performances in the semi-finals. While the club from Iraq beat the Lebanese club Al Ahad 4-3 on aggregate, Bengaluru FC beat the defending champions quite comfortably, the aggregate reading 4-2 in favour of the Indian side. Both teams are set to deliver their best on Saturday when they face-off for the final time in this year’s AFC Cup. History will be rewritten whichever club wins the final for it will be the maiden trophy for both the clubs.
Squads for the final:
Air Force (Iraq): Haitham Kadhim (captain), Fahad Talib, Samal Saeed, Mohammad Abdul-Zahra, Ibrahim Kamil, Ayad Sadir, Hammadi Ahmad, Ali Saad, Bashar Rashan, Osama Ali, Zaher Midani, Moayad Ajan, Salah Hilal, Akram Hameed, Haidar Hussein Askar, Makadji Boukar, Majid Jawad, Ahmed Mohammed, Hussein Jawad, Mahammad Ali Karim, Emad Khalaf, Saad Attiya, Ali Sabah, Ihab Kadhim, Abdul-Aziz Koni, Ahmed Nadhem, Halgurd Mulla Mohammed, Abdul-Aziz Drezi, Amjad Radhi and Ahmad Abdul-Amir.
Bengaluru FC(India): Sunil Chhetri (captain), Amrinder Singh, Juanan, NS Manju, Keegan Pereira, John Johnson, Alvaro Rubio, Rino Anto, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Vishal Kumar, Shankar Sampingiraj, Seminlen Doungel, Beikokhei Beingaichho, Alwyn George, Udanta Singh, Nishu Kumar, Lalchhuan Mawia, Salam Ranajn Singh, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Cameron Watson, Lalthuammawia Ralte, Malsawmzuala, CK Vinneth, Darren Caldeira, and Gursimrat Singh Gill.
The Key battles:
Sunil Chhetri vs Mohammad Abdul-Zahra: The battle could seal the fate of the trophy. Presently India’s no.1 Indian forward has played a magnificent role throughout the tournament to lead his side towards the moment which the Indian football fans dreamed for so long. His outstanding goals in the second leg of the semi final earned his team the ticket to play the illusive final as well. His battle with Mohammad Abdul-Zahra, the 27 years old Iraqi central defender will be a treat to watch. The strong and solidly built defender has performed splendidly well as a marker and it is without a doubt, that he will be the man who will mark India’s all time highest goal scorer.
Makadji Boukar vs Nishu Kumar: Makadji Boukar, the Cameroonian international has certainly been the most important player for the Iraqi side and his brisk counter attacks and runs from the right flank could push Bengaluru FC on the back-foot. It will be the young Nishu Kumar who will be dealing with him. Nishu has been a find for the season and his recent form will no doubt make the life difficult for the Cameroonian Right winger, who happens to be the only foreigner in the side.
Eugeneson Lyngdoh vs Haitham Kadhim: Euegeneson Lyngdoh is no doubt the best attacking midfielder in India right now. His intelligent passing, venomous long rangers, decisive final passes have been a trouble for all the teams so far. Haitham Kadhim, the Iraqi international and Air Force captain will certainly have a stiff task on his hands to keep him on check. The rich experience of playing more than 35 international matches for the Middle-East power-house is undoubtedly a phenomenal achievement for the Iraqi defensive midfielder but Eugene’s usual brilliance will no doubt be a stiff challenge for him.
Ralte vs Fahad Talib: It could have been a battle of the two best goalkeepers in the final. But the suspension of in-form BFC custodian Amrinder Singh will no doubt put the Indian team under pressure. Amrinder had been in tremendous form despite the silly goal he conceded in the second leg of the semi final and Fahad is rated to be the best young goalkeeper in Iraq right now. The 22 years old Iraqi custodian is a regular choice in the Iraq U23 national team and has produced some stellar performances in the AFC Cup this season. Fahad’s consistent brilliance earned him a place for the senior national squad as well in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers as well. Amrinder’s replacement Ralte too has caught the eyes of everyone, especially the way he performed in the first couple of seasons in the I-League for Bengaluru FC. Ralte is an energetic goalkeeper with superb reflex and a lot of courage.
Halgurd Mulla Mohammed vs Rino Anto: Halgurd has been outstanding in the last couple of years, both for his club and his country. The left winger can also play as a second striker and his speed and with the ball control can become deadly for Bengaluru FC to deal with. Though Rino Anto has been in incredible form and his flexibility on both the flanks is adding stability to the BFC side. A memorable performance in the final from Rino can lift BFC to the ultimate glory.
Juanan vs Amjad Radhi: The most interesting battle of the big final. Juanan, the hugely experienced Spanish defender has played in some of the top clubs including Real Madrid “B” team, Fortuna Dusseldorf and Deportivo “B” team in the past and his presence in the Bengaluru FC central defense has certainly made a big difference so far. Juanan also scored the 3rd goal for BFC in the second leg of the semi final to secure his team’s spot in the final. Amjad Radhi has been the front-line forward both for his club and his country for a long time. An extremely opportunist forward who can capitalize on the slightest of the opportunities. Tall and strong Juanan will throw a tough challenge to Amjad for sure.
Hammadi Ahmad vs John Johnson: Hammadi Ahmad has been the top goalscorer of the AFC Cup this season with 15 goals. The 27 years old Iraqi forward also scored 6 goals for his national team off 35 appearances. An extremely talented ball-player and a genuine goal poacher. His partnership with Amjad has turned out to be a menacing threat for all the teams in the competition. Former Middlesbrough defender John Johnson too is ready to take the challenge. The British defender has been instrumental in BFC’s success in the last three seasons and he is only getting stronger under new coach Albert Roca. Hammadi’s presence inside the box needs an “ever-agile” Johnson which has been his trademark since his arrival in Indian football.