Bengaluru FC to host 2016 AFC Cup quarter-final clash against Tampines Rovers behind closed doors

Tampines Rovers take on Bengaluru FC in the 2016 AFC Cup quarter-final at the Kanteerava Stadium on 14 September.

Bengaluru FC will miss crowd support during their 2016 AFC Cup quarter-final clash against Tampines Rovers on 14 September.

The team management decided to host the tie behind closed doors at the Kanteerava Stadium due to the unrest prevailing in Bengaluru over Cauvery river issue.

"In the wake of the recent turn of events and after lengthy consultation with the Bengaluru Police, the AFC and the AIFF, we at Bengaluru FC have had to take an extremely difficult decision of playing Wednesday's AFC Cup quarterfinal against Tampines Rovers at the Kanteerava Stadium, behind closed doors," a statement on the club's official website read.

Tampines Rovers were also denied crucial training time on Monday ahead of their away fixture.

The Stags, who were supposed to train at the Kanteerava Stadium on Monday evening, were forced to stay indoors following the curfew that was imposed in the capital city of Karnataka.

The South Indian state and its neighbour Tamil Nadu have been having a tussle over the release of water from Cauvery, which is shared by both the states. The tensions escalated on Monday evening when miscreants in Bengaluru started attacking and torching Tamil Nadu vehicles. A person was killed and another was injured in police firing in the city, according to Press Trust of India.

However, the S.League league champions, who will face the home side Bengaluru FC on 14 September made the most of their time by training indoors. The team management came up with a makeshift plan to have a small warm up session in the car park of the hotel where the team has been staying.

Tampines have been gearing up for the crucial away leg against The Blues, who stunned Hong Kong's Kitchee 3-2 in their round of 16 clash. The visitors, who lost their last competitive game against Home United in their domestic league would have to be on top of their game against an impressive side that consists of Indian national team captain Sunil Chhetri, who has been in good goal scoring form.

Relying on the firepower of their wingers Jermaine Pennant and Jordan Webb and striker Billy Mehmet, the Tampines would be looking to head home with a win under their belt.

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