Sunil Chhetri is confident that his team will give everything in the AFC Cup final against Iraq's Al Quwa Al Jawiya, also known as Air Force Club, in Doha, Qatar on Saturday.
The India international scored a brace in the semi-final second leg, helping his side knock out defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim, much to the delight of the passionate supporters who flocked the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on 19 October.
In their three-year history, since their inception in 2013, Bengaluru have achieved a lot of success including two I-League titles and have pushed themselves hard in their second AFC Cup appearance and have given themselves a chance to clinch glory.
However, a bigger challenge awaits the Blues as they take on the West Asian giants, who have captured the imagination of the football fraternity in the region in their maiden AFC Cup campaign.
Also read - AFC Cup final: TV listings, live streaming information and preview
Chhetri though is unperturbed by the opposition but maintains that they are pumped up to make use of the opportunity to create history. The 32-year-old striker, who has scored 51 goals in 91 international caps, believes that their Doha dream will have a huge impact to Indian football.
"These are the matches that players like us live for. These are the matches where we get to create history with everyone behind us and feeling proud for us. We just need to play to our strengths," Chhetri was quoted as saying by the tournament's official website.
"This voyage of ours is huge for our nation. Being a part of this team, especially captaining it, gives me a lot of happiness and a lot of joy. I feel privileged. It's an honour to be a part of a team like Bengaluru FC.
"We'll do our best. That's what we've been doing in all our games that have been played till now"
Coach Albert Roca is confident that his boys will be able to adjust well to the physical style of play that is expected of Air Force Club on Saturday.
"Iraq always has produced very good teams, very strong physically. And now it seems this team [Air Force Club] has scored a lot of goals, and their attack is very strong, so we have to be prepared for that," Roca said.
"All the players in my team know they have good qualities and I am sure they will help us win the title."
On the other hand, Roca's counterpart Basim Qasim reportedly said his team has analysed the strengths and weaknesses of the I-League club and that they will raise their game on the big night.
Notably, Air Force Club have been their local season on a high winning two consecutive games, including one against former AFC Cup finalists Arbil.
