Table-toppers Bengaluru FC take on champs Churchill

Buoyed by their first win against Sporting Clube de Goa, defending champions Churchill Brothers would be aiming to keep the momentum going as they face table toppers Bengaluru FC on Friday in an Airtel I-League clash.

Churchill Brothers, who finally won their first match of their campaign after nine failures, are placed at the bottom with seven points.

They will be looking once again at their new foreign recruits for a win against the Bangalore side, who sit atop the table with 21 points from 11 games.

Churchill’s signing of new players has done the trick for the team. Egyptian Abdelhamid Sahbana scored on debut and the team will once again depend on him for success.

“The win has certainly raised our confidence. The new foreigners have played their role well and hope they continue to play in the same manner tomorrow (Friday) against Bengaluru FC, who are doing well and occupy the top position along with Pune FC.

“It’s going to be a tough match, but we are ready for the challenge. We have worked our strategy against them and hopefully our boys play to the game plan and notch (a) second win,” said Churchill Brothers coach Mariano Dias.

BFC are coming into this game with their tails up and having recently notched up their first away win against Salgaocar, coach Ashley Westwood and his troops will be gunning for all three points.

Forward Sunil Chhetri scored a brace for BFC in their last game Shillong Lajong and he will look to get his name on the scoresheet again to keep his newfound confidence going.
In the day’s other games, Shillong welcome third-placed Salgaocar, while Mohun Bagan, who are in 11th place, will be looking to climb up the table when they host United SC.