AGENCIES
NEW DELHI
I-league champions Bengaluru FC will make their AFC Cup quarter-finals debut against Tampines Rovers of Singapore in September, following the draw in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
This is already Bengaluru FC's best performance in the continental competition, having lost to South China of Hong Kong in the round of 16 last year. The 2016 edition saw the Indian club finish their group stages in second place behind Malaysian club Johor Darul Ta'zim, before a 3-2 away victory over Hong Kong's Kitchee in the round of 16. Since that victory, they have parted ways with their English-born coach Ashley Westwood, and are yet to announce a replacement.
The other Indian club in contention - 2014-15 league champions Mohun Bagan - however, were eliminated 2-1 after extra time by Tampines Rovers.
The first leg of the quarter-finals is slated to take place in Bengaluru on September 14, with the return leg scheduled to be played in Singapore on September 21. The quarter-final lineup (first team to play at home first): Air Force Club (Iraq) vs. Al Jaish (Syria); Al Ahed (Lebanon) vs. Al Muharraq (Bahrain); South China (Hong Kong) vs. Johor Darul Ta'zim (Malaysia); Bengaluru FC (India) vs. Tampines Rovers (Singapore).
