Defender aleksandar jovanovic

Head Coach Antonio Lopez Habas: Bengaluru FC open their Kalinga Super Cup campaign with a Round of 16 tie against Inter Kashi at the Kalinga Stadium on Wednesday. With a spot in the AFC Champions League 2 Playoffs the ultimate goal, Gerard Zaragoza’s side takes extra motivation in hopes of qualifying for the continental cup.

"Qualifying for the AFC Champions League 2 Playoffs by winning the Kalinga Super Cup is a big motivation. I want the players to win everything on offer. BFC is a club that has done well in Asia in the past, and we want to return there," Zaragoza said in the pre-game conference.

With a maximum of six foreign players allowed to start a Super Cup tie, Zaragoza arrives in Odisha with victory in the tournament ensuring a spot in next year’s continental competition. Key to the Blues’ efforts will be the contributions of Edgar Mendez, Ryan Williams, Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Alberto Noguera in attack, along with skipper Sunil Chhetri’s constant goal threat. Defender Aleksandar Jovanovic, who has announced his decision to retire from professional football at the end of the tournament, will be eager to bow out on a high.