NEW DELHI: Sunil Chhetri produced an inspired captain’s display to lead JSW Bengaluru FC into the AFC Cup final after they ended Johor Darul Ta’zim’s title defence with a 3-1 semi-final second leg win at home to advance 4-2 on aggregate.

The Indian international led his team’s recovery after Johor scored against the run of play on 11 minutes through skipper Safiq Rahim. He equalised half an hour later after he headed home a Eugeneson Lyngdoh corner.

He put the Hero I-League champions in front in the 68th minute with a stunning shot from outside the box. Spanish defender Juan Antonio completed the win nine minutes later with a headed goal off a Lyngdoh free kick.

The final whistle sees the hosts make history as the first Indian side to reach the AFC Cup final and set up a final date with Iraqi side Air Force Club to determine the new champions in Doha on November 5.

Bengaluru head into the second leg buoyed by the crucial away goal in their 1-1 first leg stalemate in Johor three weeks ago, as well as the absence of Johor’s suspended key attacking trio of Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Martin Lucero and Amri Yahyah.

Despite doing all the early running, the Indian side were unable to deliver the killer ball in the final third and paid the price as they fell behind against the run of play after 11 minutes.

Arminder Singh could only parry Safee Sali’s shot inside the box onto the path of Safiq, who made no mistake with a header from close range into an empty net to put the visitors in front.

Undeterred by the early setback, Bengaluru kept up the pressure with Chhetri and Lyngdoh causing problems for the Johor defence with their intelligent plays up front.

The former saw his shot from a tight angle saved point blank by Johor goalkeeper Izham Tarmizi following a flick-on from Antonio off a Lyngdoh corner in the 28th minute.

He was not to be denied four minutes before the break when he rose to head home another Lyngdoh corner inside the box to level the score.

The skipper was rewarded again in the 68th minute when he beat a Johor defender before unleashing an unstoppable dipping shot from outside the box that left Izham with no chance to put the hosts in front.

Antonio put the icing on the cake for the expectant home crowd 13 minutes from time when he headed home a Lyngdoh free kick from 30 yards inside the box to complete and help Bengaluru reach the AFC Cup final.

(Report courtesy: www.the-afc.com / Picture courtesy: Bengaluru FC).