AFC CUP: Bengaluru FC knocked out after 5-2 defeat against Altyn Asyr FK

Bengaluru FC was knocked out of the AFC Cup after losing 0–2 against Altyn Asyr FK of Turkmenistan in the second leg of the inter-zone semi-final clash at the Kopetdag Stadium here on Wednesday.

Altymyrat Annadurdyyev and Vahyt Orazsakhedov both scored in the second half to settle the game 5-2 in aggregate across both the legs. They had won the opening tie 3-2.

A goal down and into a must-win fixture, coach Carles Cuadrat made just one change into the paying XI with Harmanjot Khabra replacing Boithang Haokip in the right-back role.

Bengaluru started well and had created consecutive chances in the first 30 minutes, but both Miku and skipper Sunil Chhetri fired wide from close ranges. Udanta Singh and Nishu Kumar attacking from the flanks then came close but failed to test Mamed Orazmuhamedov at goal.

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Their best chance of the opening half, however, came in the 38^th minute when Miku found Chhetri with a delicate pass, but the Indian forward was halted in his run with a brilliant tackle.

Both sides went into the break goalless as Chhetri earned a yellow for an alleged dive inside the Asyr penalty box.

But the game was sealed 11 minutes after play resumed as the home team struck twice. Annadurdyyev first scored the opener in the 50th minute before Striker Vahyt Orazsakhedov added the second to make the scores 5-2 on aggregate.

Bengaluru kept on pushing for a goal and nearly managed to find one when Miku getting some space shot in the 65^th minute but Asyr custodian Mamed was alert to palm the ball away.

Chhetri then came close a few minutes later, but his shot hit the upright before the ball rolled away for a goal-kick.

Altyn Asyr eventually won 5-2 to knock Bengaluru out of the competition. ‘The Blues’ now return home to prepare for the ISL and will play their first match against defending champions Chennaiyin FC, exactly a month later at home.