Singapore giants Tampines Rovers crashed out of the 2016 AFC Cup after a goalless second-leg quarterfinal draw against a gutsy Bengaluru FC at Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday night.
The S.League outfit lost 1-0 on aggregate to the Indian champions, failing to overturn a one-goal defeat from the first leg on Sept. 14.
Akbar Nawas made three changes from the first leg, with Shakir Hamzah, Afiq Yunos and Hafiz Sujad entrusted to turn the tide in the home side's favour. Captain Fahrudin Mustafic was ruled out with a groin injury.
Tampines took 11 minutes to register their first-shot on target, courtesy of Hafiz Sujad's long range effort from a counter attack, Bengaluru keeper Arminder Singh tipping the ball to safety.
Then, there was cause for concern on 13 minutes after Tampines' ex-England U21 winger Jermaine Pennant stayed down after a heavy challenge from Eugeneson Lyngdoh.
But the S-League marquee signing was fit to continue after receiving treatment for what appeared to be a wrist injury.
Bengaluru were adapting well to the Jalan Besar artificial turf quite well, and almost shocked the hosts through a direct corner, which found the bottom post of Izwan Mahbud's goal in the 30th minute.
Eight minutes later, the visitors should have taken the lead.
A quick free kick found the first-leg goalscorer C.K. Vineeth in acres of space, and the striker's low cross across goal was only inches away from connecting with Lyngdoh's stretching leg.
Relieved by the escape, Tampines immediately launched an attack which almost ended with a Pennant opener.
Match Report | @bengalurufc defeat @MightyStags to set up #AFCCup2016 semi-final clash against @OfficialJohor | https://t.co/qM7RADvXLP pic.twitter.com/u6iq4nDH8g
- The-AFC.com (@theafcdotcom) September 21, 2016
But, despite good chest control, the 33-year-old rammed his half-volley high into the fence behind Arminder's net.
Tampines needed to find at least a goal in second half to stay in the competition. But it was Bengaluru who almost dealt them a blow through their captain Sunil Chhetri three minutes after the restart.
Izwan's save gave them a lifeline before Arminder was called into action on the other end to tip away a free kick. Shakir Hamzah had to be stretched off after a collision midway through the half, and in came Ismadi Mukhtar as Tampines desperately went in search for an equaliser on aggregate.
They had two chances in the space of minutes to come agonisingly close.
Jordan Webb did well to size up a shooting opportunity for Yasir Hanapi, but the midfielder's tame effort was comfortably gathered by Arminder on 74 minutes.
The Bengaluru custodian, however, had to be alert five minutes later to palm away a Webb effort which deflected off Nishu Kumar's legs.
Pennant had chance late on to force the tie into extra-time, but lashed a left foot effort wide before Sujad fired right into Arminder's arms after great work from Webb down the left.
Lyngdoh could have sealed the triumph in the dying stages of the game, but his close-range effort came off the post.
That miss proved academic, as Bengaluru went on to book a semifinal meeting with defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim on Sept. 28 and Oct. 19.
It was the fourth consecutive game in all competitions that Tampines' star-studded attack failed to produce a goal.
Tampines Rovers: Izwan Mahbud (GK) (C), Jufri Taha, Izzdin Shafiq, Jermaine Pennant, Shakir Hamzah (Ismadi Mukhtar 67'), Yasir Hanapi (Sufian Anuar 83'), Afiq Yunos, Hafiz Sujad, Jordan Webb, Irwan Shah, Billy Mehmet
Bengaluru FC: Arminder Singh (GK), John Johnson, Juanan, Rino Anto, Nishu Kumar (Salam Ranjan 80'), Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Alwyn George (Vishal Ravindrakumar 89'), Cameron Watson, Alvaro Rubio, C.K. Vineeth, Sunil Chhetri (C)