#2 Albert Roca
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The Spaniard took charge of Bengaluru FC at the end of the I-League season, and his only commitment in 2016 was the AFC Cup knockout rounds. Bengaluru were in the quarterfinals when Roca took over and it was a challenge for him.
They played Tampines Rovers in the quarter-finals and the home leg was especially testing. Bengaluru had to play at home, but without the support of their adoring fans as the unrest in the city meant the game had to be played behind closed doors.
But they played Tampines out of the park. They should have scored more than just the one CK Vineeth goal that went in, but it was a terrific performance. In the second leg, Bengaluru were professional and stayed organised in defence to get a 0-0 draw.
But the semifinal performances were the biggest credit to Roca’s influence on the side. In Malaysia against Johor Darul Ta’zim, Bengaluru delivered a fabulous team performance. They pressed high up the field, the midfielders were energetic and Juanan and John Johnson commanded the defence pretty well. When all that was beaten, Amrinder Singh had a majestic game in goal behind them.
Eugeneson Lyngdoh came up with a piledriver of a goal to give Bengaluru a priceless away goal and the draw. At the Kanteerava Stadium, Roca took the call to put Sunil Chhetri on the left wing and put Lyngdoh central to maximise his influence on the game. And both of them responded with big performances as Bengaluru ran out 3-1 winners.
The final was a bridge too far, but there was enough in the campaign for the players and Roca to be immensely proud of.
