AFTER A CLOSE BRUSH WITH the missile crisis in North Korea and experiencing earthquakes in Tajikistan, Bengaluru FC are set to play through a national emergency in Maldives.
The Blues are set to play TC Sports Club in Male in the first leg of the playoffs for AFC Cup 2018 group stage qualification. But due to the political unrest and possibilities of violence in the streets, the Ministry of External Affairs advised the Federation Cup winners not to make the trip right now.
But the Asian Football Confederation has not decided to postpone the game, and the Maldives government has extended an invitation to Bengaluru FC to play the game as per schedule. So as things stand, if the two-time top division champions of India decide not to show up, TC Sports may be handed a 3-0 walkover win.
BFC are supposed to fly to Maldives today for the Tuesday fixture and TFG has learned that they're going after all. The club is eager to continue its fourth straight appearance in the continental tournament and doesn't want to take any chances.
The second leg of this playoff takes place at Kanteerava on 20th February and if Bengaluru manage to win this tie, it will set them up for an epic opening clash in the AFC Cup group stage against the current champions of India, Aizawl FC, on 7th March.