A Sunil Chhetri free-kick was enough for Bengaluru FC to seal their place in the inter-zonal semifinals of the AFC Cup 2017 as the Blues overcame Maziya S&RC of Maldives 1-0 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Chhetri, who had his Federation Cup cut short due to injury, made his way back to the Bengaluru line-up as Albert Roca opted for a 3-4-3 formation with CK Vineeth, who scored a brace in the Fed Cup final, preferred up front to Daniel Lalhlimpuia.

Bengaluru had their hearts in their mouths as Maziya almost grabbed an early lead; winger Aleksandar Rakic saw his header from an Ali Samooh cross crash into the post. Maziya, needing only a draw to progress created very little else of note as they sat back in midfield, happy to let Bengaluru dictate the proceedings.

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In what was a frustrating first half for Bengaluru, Roca’s men created a host of half chances but Maziya, defending in numbers, did just about enough to keep danger at bay and keep it goalless at half time.

With 12 minutes of the second half played, Juanan Gonzalez was brought down in a dangerous position as Chhetri stepped up to take the free-kick. It was a piece of magic from the BFC skipper as his set-piece flew into the top corner to give Bengaluru a crucial lead.

Needing a goal to keep hopes of qualifying alive, Maziya threw numbers in attack and almost conceded on the counter from the Blues as Eugeneson Lyngdoh set up Daniel Lalhlimpuia through with only the goalkeeper to beat but the striker lost his footing and possession with it.

In the end, BFC ran the clock down and the West Block Blues celebrated progress with chants of “Chhetri, Chhetri!” after the final whistle.