The big news: Sunil Chhetri powers his side to the final

Bengaluru FC became the first Indian side to book a place in the AFC Cup finals as skipper Sunil Chhetti's two goals, along with one from Juan Antonio gave them a 3-1 (4-2 aggregate) win over defending champions Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim in the 2nd leg semi-final at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Wednesday. The two teams were deadlocked 1-1 after the first leg.

Bengaluru went behind after Johor's Safiq Rahim scored early in the first half, but Chhetri stepped in and steered his team to victory. Albert Roca’s side booked a date with Iraq’s Air Force club on November 5 in Doha where they shall fight for the AFC Cup title. Bengaluru will fancy their chances in the final given the red hot form they are in. The significance of this achievement could be gauged by the fact that only two Indian football clubs — Dempo Sports Club and East Bengal — had made it to the semi-finals of the tournament since its inception.

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