Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bengaluru: Manuchehr Dzhalilov says that FC Istiklol have just one final step to make in order to reach a second AFC Cup final in three years as the Tajikistan champions prepare to face India’s JSW Bengaluru in the second leg of the Inter-Zone final on Wednesday.
Having finished as runners-up on their debut campaign in 2015, Istiklol were eliminated at the group stage last year, but have come back strongly in the 2017 edition and remain unbeaten in nine games.
Dmitri Barkov’s first-half header secured a narrow 1-0 victory over 2016 runners-up Bengaluru three weeks ago and the side will now go into the second leg at Sree Kanteerava Stadium knowing that should they avoid defeat a place in the final – which would be held in Dushanbe – is assured.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/dzhalilov_infographic_png.html
