BFC set for Sporting test

Defending champions Bengaluru FC will look to close down the gap with league leaders Mohun Bagan when they resume their I-League commitments against Sporting Clube de Goa at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Tuesday.

The Blues find themselves in second position with 17 points from 10 games, while Bagan enjoy a healthy lead on the top with 21 points and a game in hand. The BFC coach Ashley Westwood knows the journey from here won’t be an easy one and any slip up could cost them the title, especially with newcomers Royal Wahingdoh staying on their heels in third spot.

“Like I have always said, every game in the league is very important. It’s not a league with 17-18 teams where you can afford to relax a bit. With just 20 games, every game is crucial and we know that,” said the Englishman.

BFC has three home games lined up in a row — after the Sporting tie, they will clash against Wahingdoh on April 3 and Mumbai FC on April 7 — and they need to cash in on that factor.
“We have been doing well, both in the league and the Asian competition and that is something that we are very proud of. We will look to continue our positive run and try put pressure on others as the league goes on,” Westwood added. The coach confirmed that he will have the complete squad, except Shankar Sampangiraj and Siam Hangal who are with the India U-23 squad, at his disposal on Tuesday.

Trying to halt the champions at their home turf will be a struggling Sporting side who find themselves at the foot of the table with just five points from 10 games. BFC beat them 3-1 in Goa early in the season and the Mathew D’Costa-side knows that any blunder could see their wait for the first win of the season continue.

“They (Bengaluru) are a very good side and they have shown their quality this season too. But, we are here to play our brand of football and I am confident that the boys will put up a good show tomorrow,” said Costa who believes that his side has enough to get a positive result from the tie.

Anthony Wolfe is once again expected to form the fulcrum of the Sporting attack, while new recruit Odafa Okolie will give the Goans a much needed boost in the attack. With one of the Indian Super League’s finds, Sandesh Jingan, nursing an injury, the Portuguese addition Miguel Garcia will marshal the rear guard, while the Syrian Mahmoud Al Amenah will take charge of Sporting’s midfield.
DH News Service