Bengaluru FC fought hard, but were done in by dubious decisions at the end, as they went down 0-1 to a resolute FC Istiklol side in the first leg of the 2017 AFC Cup Inter-zone final at the Hisor Central Stadium, in Dushanbe, on Wednesday. The second leg at home will be played on October 18.

Bengaluru FC announced their 25-man list for the 2017 AFC Cup knockout rounds on Wednesday as Albert Roca’s men prepare to take on North Korean side April 25 SC, at the Kanteerava Stadium, in a week's time. The new-look squad sees as many as fourteen new faces following the ISL draft.

Bhaichung Bhutia has asked Bengaluru FC players to play their hearts out and not worry about the result ahead of the AFC Cup final against Iraqi club Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya. Bhutia also called the final as the biggest event in Indian football since the 2003 ASEAN Cup final, that East Bengal won.

Bengaluru FC captain Sunil Chhetri has opined that no other Indian football club has a compelling story like them having created history within such short span of time. He has also said that participating in the finals of the AFC cup is the greatest motivation for the young guns in the side.