<p>Knowing that a win against Shillong Lajong will take them a step closer towards qualifying for the semifinals of the Federation Cup, Bengaluru FC will be raring to go against their winless opponents here on Friday. <br /><br /></p>.<p>But BFC coach Ashley Westwood, who raided Shillong for Eugeneson Lyngdoh in the close season, isn’t taking anything for granted . <br /><br />“We have been fortunate to watch Lajong the two times they have played in this Cup,” the English coach said. <br /><br />“Although they didn’t get the result they would have liked, they could have won both games. They are a dangerous side with youth and energy, the kind who keep pushing till the final minute. We will have to be at our best to get something out of the game.”<br /><br />BFC, who began their campaign with a thrilling 3-2 win over Salgaocar on December 28, are placed second in Group B with four points from two games with only goal difference separating them and Pune FC. <br /><br />Their fitness may not be upto speed yet given the side is coming off an eight-month break but their new signings — midfielders Josh Walker and Eugeneson and ’keeper, Lalthuammawia Ralte, another former Shillong player, have hit the ground running. <br /><br />Lajong, who are yet to open their account from two games, do have happy memories of playing against BFC. In their home tie last season in the I-League, they thrashed the Blues 3-0 with both keeper Pawan Kumar and Curtis Osana seeing red. <br /><br />One player who would want a different result this time is BFC skipper Sunil Chhetri, who scored a brace during the side’s win over Salgaocar. <br /><br />“We were dominant in our game against Salgaocar and showed a lot of character in our game against Bagan. We’ve been doing things correctly and the boys are keen to keep the momentum going,” he said. <br /><br />After facing the North Eastern club, BFC close their Group engagements with a game against Pune FC on January 5. <br /><br />The other match on Friday sees Mumbai FC locking horns with East Bengal.</p>
<p>Knowing that a win against Shillong Lajong will take them a step closer towards qualifying for the semifinals of the Federation Cup, Bengaluru FC will be raring to go against their winless opponents here on Friday. <br /><br /></p>.<p>But BFC coach Ashley Westwood, who raided Shillong for Eugeneson Lyngdoh in the close season, isn’t taking anything for granted . <br /><br />“We have been fortunate to watch Lajong the two times they have played in this Cup,” the English coach said. <br /><br />“Although they didn’t get the result they would have liked, they could have won both games. They are a dangerous side with youth and energy, the kind who keep pushing till the final minute. We will have to be at our best to get something out of the game.”<br /><br />BFC, who began their campaign with a thrilling 3-2 win over Salgaocar on December 28, are placed second in Group B with four points from two games with only goal difference separating them and Pune FC. <br /><br />Their fitness may not be upto speed yet given the side is coming off an eight-month break but their new signings — midfielders Josh Walker and Eugeneson and ’keeper, Lalthuammawia Ralte, another former Shillong player, have hit the ground running. <br /><br />Lajong, who are yet to open their account from two games, do have happy memories of playing against BFC. In their home tie last season in the I-League, they thrashed the Blues 3-0 with both keeper Pawan Kumar and Curtis Osana seeing red. <br /><br />One player who would want a different result this time is BFC skipper Sunil Chhetri, who scored a brace during the side’s win over Salgaocar. <br /><br />“We were dominant in our game against Salgaocar and showed a lot of character in our game against Bagan. We’ve been doing things correctly and the boys are keen to keep the momentum going,” he said. <br /><br />After facing the North Eastern club, BFC close their Group engagements with a game against Pune FC on January 5. <br /><br />The other match on Friday sees Mumbai FC locking horns with East Bengal.</p>