<p>After playing down title hopes for the duration of their campaign, Bengaluru FC boss Ashley Westwood finally admitted that it was ‘secretly always on my mind’. <br /><br />Speaking to the media here at the Kempegowda International Airport on Tuesday, a day after beating Dempo 4-2 at Fatorda in Margao, Westwood revealed that he thought they could win the title even before they had kicked a ball. <br /><br />“We were never supposed to win it. But I knew it (we had a chance) when we gave the Indian national side a real good game. <br /><br />“I knew we had the basis of a good team,” he said. </p>.<p>“But it’s the responsibility of a manager to not the let the pressure get on to the boys. I just wanted them to remain focussed and relaxed.”<br /><br />One of the League’s premier centre-backs John Johnson said he knew it was within their grasp when they beat Mohun Bagan away from home. <br /><br />“At the away game at Mohun Bagan, that was a massive game for us. When we showed great character and won 2-0, I thought 'this could be our chance, this could be our year. This is our year now.’” <br /><br />Striker Robin Singh said it was an emotional time for everyone associated with the club. </p>.<p>“After the match on Monday (against Dempo), I had tears in my eyes. When I was walking to congratulate my team-mates, they were all welled up as well. This shows how much the tournament means to us.” <br /><br />Skipper Sunil Chhetri, who is the joint-top leading scorer with 14 along with Shillong Lajong’s Cornell Glen, described Westwood’s ‘madness’ as one of his best attributes. <br /><br />“Apart from his technical and coaching qualities, the one aspect that really makes him the best is his madness. <br /><br />“A mentor, a friend at times on and off the field. If there is one reason why we are standing here as I-League champions, it’s because of him.”</p>.<p>Even as he was saying this, Westwood was being lifted by his players and support staff. <br />An apt end to what has been a surreal beginning.</p>
<p>After playing down title hopes for the duration of their campaign, Bengaluru FC boss Ashley Westwood finally admitted that it was ‘secretly always on my mind’. <br /><br />Speaking to the media here at the Kempegowda International Airport on Tuesday, a day after beating Dempo 4-2 at Fatorda in Margao, Westwood revealed that he thought they could win the title even before they had kicked a ball. <br /><br />“We were never supposed to win it. But I knew it (we had a chance) when we gave the Indian national side a real good game. <br /><br />“I knew we had the basis of a good team,” he said. </p>.<p>“But it’s the responsibility of a manager to not the let the pressure get on to the boys. I just wanted them to remain focussed and relaxed.”<br /><br />One of the League’s premier centre-backs John Johnson said he knew it was within their grasp when they beat Mohun Bagan away from home. <br /><br />“At the away game at Mohun Bagan, that was a massive game for us. When we showed great character and won 2-0, I thought 'this could be our chance, this could be our year. This is our year now.’” <br /><br />Striker Robin Singh said it was an emotional time for everyone associated with the club. </p>.<p>“After the match on Monday (against Dempo), I had tears in my eyes. When I was walking to congratulate my team-mates, they were all welled up as well. This shows how much the tournament means to us.” <br /><br />Skipper Sunil Chhetri, who is the joint-top leading scorer with 14 along with Shillong Lajong’s Cornell Glen, described Westwood’s ‘madness’ as one of his best attributes. <br /><br />“Apart from his technical and coaching qualities, the one aspect that really makes him the best is his madness. <br /><br />“A mentor, a friend at times on and off the field. If there is one reason why we are standing here as I-League champions, it’s because of him.”</p>.<p>Even as he was saying this, Westwood was being lifted by his players and support staff. <br />An apt end to what has been a surreal beginning.</p>
