AFC Cup 2017: We need to score goals in order to win & we'll give our best to do that, says BFC coach Albert Roca

BENGALURU FC take on FC Istiklol in the second leg of the AFC Cup Inter-Zonal final at the Kanteerava Stadium today.

At the pre-match press conference, head coach Albert Roca asserted that the team is confident but have to give their 100% no matter what. When asked about the opponents from Tajikistan having a one goal advantage, he said,

"They have a result in their favour, 1-0 is not a good thing for us so we cannot in anyway concede. But we have to score in order to reach the finals and therefore we need to cut down on our errors and everybody needs to focus on giving their best."

He also stated that it's not an easy task to reach the semi-finals of the AFC Cup and the team has done it twice in a row. It's history in itself but there is more and they are capable of doing it once again but the focus for the moment is to win the second leg.

He also said,

"If we enter the finals, the match will be held on our home ground which will be a great advantage for us and so we have all these things on our mind therefore the boys will give their best on the field."

When asked how will the team strike a balance between attacking and defending simultaneously, he said,

"It is important, to win we have to score 2 goals and then keep in mind to not let the opposition score. This is a question of attitude and in a football match anything can happen. We'll have to be on our toes and take risk when it comes to scoring but also be intelligent when to switch and defend. And we reach the finals, believe me, I'll really be optimistic about this season because in a short time the team was able to understand each other and deliver positive results."

The coach also expects the fans to be on fire and do their bit like always because the team needs their fans backing them considering their playing at home.

Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was also present at the press conference and he said,

"At Bengaluru we don't give and that's what we'll try and do tomorrow."

Talking about few changes made to the team in the first leg, coach said,

"Well in order to get results we need to take few risks and we need to be able to risk a little more. To remind you, we were robbed of a penalty towards the end of the match in the first leg and just before that we had three good chances and it was a shame that we couldn't convert any. But tomorrow as I said earlier we need to score and we will have to take more risks and more chances as well as keeping in mind that it's 90 minute game and we need to keep the passion alive till the end. And with the support we are expected to receive at the game, things shouldn't be too difficult."

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