Hisor: Erik Paartalu has admitted that it’s “do or die” when JSW Bengaluru take on Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol in the second leg of the AFC Cup Inter-Zone final after the Indian side suffered a 1-0 defeat in the first leg on Wednesday.
The 2016 runners-up dominated possession at Hisor Central Stadium but struggled to create chances and fell behind to Dmitri Barkov’s superb diving header in the 27th minute.
Bengaluru pushed for an equaliser as the game wore on and came agonisingly close in stoppage time as Istiklol twice cleared efforts off the line in quick succession to remain unbeaten so far in the competition.
“I think we felt the best we possibly could physically and we did quite well, particularly in the first half when we kept possession the best we have this season,” said Paartalu.
“But we let crosses in too easily and didn’t turn our possession into penetration. We kept the ball well but couldn’t penetrate well enough to create clear-cut chances.
“We would have loved an away goal but it wasn’t to be. It now means we must score two and keep them goalless.”
Australian Paartalu joined Bengaluru in July and made his competitive debut in the 3-0 first-leg victory over DPR Korea’s 4.25 SC in the Inter-Zone semi-final in August, before being part of the team that secured a scoreless draw in Pyongyang to book a meeting with Istiklol.
Normally deployed as a holding midfielder, Paartalu stepped back into a three-man defence on Wednesday to counter the threat of an attack that features Tajikistan internationals Manuchehr Dzhalilov and Jahongir Aliev as well as Russian goalscorer Barkov.
Back on home soil in three weeks’ time, Bengaluru will now need to deal the Tajik side a first defeat of the tournament, although Albert Rocca’s team can look ahead with confidence in the knowledge that they boast a 100 percent record in front of their own fans.
“It’s a tough scenario because keeping them goalless and scoring multiple goals ourselves is a challenge,” added Paartalu.
“But we have to believe [we can do it], give everything for it and be confident at home. Our fans will be there in numbers and it’s do or die.
“I think this team and this club perform well when everything is on the line.
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com