Internet Explodes As Bengaluru FC Become First Indian Club To Enter AFC Cup Final

Indian football hit a new high as I-League side Bengaluru FC became the first team from the country to make it to the final of the AFC Cup. Captain Sunil Chhetri led from the front with a double strike as Bengaluru FC beat Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) 3-1 at Kanteerva Stadium.

PTI

Bengaluru made it to the final by virtue of superior aggregate goal difference of 4-2. The first leg in Malaysia ended in a 1-1 draw.

It was a historic moment for Indian football as no club from the country has ever made it to the summit clash of the prestigious second-tier continental tournament.

AFP

The significance of this achievement could be gauged by the fact that only two Indian football clubs - Dempo Sports Club of Goa and Kolkata giants East Bengal - had made it to the semi-finals of the tournament since its inception.

Thank you, India. This is for you! History created. Bags packed because... #BFCvJDT #AFCCup2016 #NotJustOurs pic.twitter.com/aJQp4F4Sgw

¡ª Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) October 19, 2016

The Indian team trailed 1-0 once Shafiq Rahim slotted home for the visitors in the 11th minute but close to half-time (41st minute) Chhetri rose to the occasion and headed home a corner kick from Eugenson Lyngdoh. Chhetri evaded the defence and timed his jump to perfection to bring the 'Blues' back in the match.

AFP

However, the defining moment came in the second half (67th minute) when Chhetri made space for himself from 30-yards and took a crack with his in-step to slot home, beating the outstretched hands of custodian Izham. An indirect free kick was beautifully swerved into the 18-yard box by Chhetri as the lanky Juanan outjumped the defensive melee to place the delivery to perfection as the fans went into delirium.

AFP

The third goal was scored by Bengaluru's Spanish defender Juan Antonio Gonzalez in the 75th minute.

What followed then was barrage of tweets praising he team and Chhetri...

Our first on the night was a header as perfect as they come and we even managed to freeze the moment! #HistoryMen #BFC pic.twitter.com/PdgP7veOw1

¡ª Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) October 20, 2016

Congratulations @bengalurufc ???? to be 1st Indian team to enter #AFCCup finals & big day for #Indianfootbal #BengaluruFC #AFCCup2016 #BFCvJDT pic.twitter.com/lUidJvaeDw

¡ª Vivek John (@jv84john) October 19, 2016

#bengalurufc are the 1st Indian football club to reach the AFC Cup final after beating defending champions Johor Darul Ta¡¯zim! #HistoryMaker pic.twitter.com/PR1zP6Ta5P

¡ª HISTORY TV18 (@HISTORYTV18) October 20, 2016

This is the victory lap :) Great comeback win by #BengaluruFC with a full house extremely vocal crowd!#AFCCup2016 pic.twitter.com/AGaPohzZWA

¡ª Ketan Kulkarni (@Ketan__Kulkarni) October 19, 2016

T 2415 - CONGRATULATIONS team Bengaluru for entering the Finals in the AFC .. football is getting bigger by the day in INDIA .. pic.twitter.com/18Tl1rlGQT

¡ª Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) October 19, 2016

And they nailed it like a boss... @bengalurufc proud of you guys. #namma #BengaluruFC

¡ª Nikhil P Kulkarni (@nikchillz) October 19, 2016

Take a bow! Chettri you are a legend! Top quality goal... To put @bengalurufc in the lead. ?? #AFCCup2016 #bengaluruFC

¡ª Vatsal Nandu (@vatsalnandu) October 19, 2016

@bengalurufc you rockstar youuuuu!!!!????I'm anSuper duper proud fan!!??Congratulations you guys ????????Super inspiring!??????#respect#history????

¡ª Ashwini Ponnappa (@P9Ashwini) October 19, 2016

So chuffed for all the BFC fans on here. If neutrals are this happy, can't even imagine what they must be feeling. #BFCvJDT

¡ª Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) October 19, 2016

So chuffed for all the BFC fans on here. If neutrals are this happy, can't even imagine what they must be feeling. #BFCvJDT

¡ª Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) October 19, 2016

WHO NEED MESSI AND RONALDO WHEN YOU HAVE OUR OWN SUNIL CHETTRI !! #BFCvJDT #Indianfootball #BFC #AFCCup2016

¡ª Khel Now (@KhelNow) October 19, 2016

I've been dying for ages to see something like this happen in India. And then, @bengalurufc happened. #BFCvJDT

¡ª Arka Bhattacharya (@Heilige_Kugel) October 19, 2016

Congratulations to @bengalurufc for reaching @AFCCup final!
You've made India and @IndianFootball proud.????#AFCCup#BFCvJDT https://t.co/ypXaTR426F

¡ª Tottenham Hotspur (@Spurs_India) October 19, 2016

Oh wow @bengalurufc, congratulations. Another step on India's footballing journey. Was a bit worried when the away goal was scored

¡ª Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 19, 2016

Astounding stuff @bengalurufc .. keep dreaming cause you seem to achieve one by one @ParthJindal11 @MustafaGhouse #AFCCup2016

¡ª Mahesh Bhupathi (@Maheshbhupathi) October 19, 2016

You can clearly see which team is playing to win and which team is playing not to lose #BFCVJDT #TheAFCCup @bengalurufc

¡ª Gurpreet Singh (@GurpreetGK) October 19, 2016

Congratulations @bengalurufc u made it lads ???? https://t.co/YWtM6qHf2S

¡ª jeje lalpekhlua (@jejefanai) October 19, 2016