JOIN USAn exciting contest is on the cards as I-League champions Bengaluru FC seek to clinch their maiden Federation Cup football tournament title when take on Dempo FC in the summit clash at Nehru Stadium here tomorrow.
Both the teams had tremendous run in this tournament as they remained unbeaten so far. Dempo FC got the better of Salgaocar (2-0) in the semifinal while a clinical Bengaluru FC blanked Sporting Clube de Goa 3-0 to set up title clash.
Ashley Westwood's side are playing in their first Federation Cup final in their second year of existence. They are a compact side, well organized in the midfield and strong in the defence. Their clinical finish gives them the edge over their rivals.
Both the teams play an open game and it's going to be mouth watering contest tomorrow.
Bengaluru captain Sunil Chhetri has been in fine form and is the joint top scorer along with Dempo's Tolgay Ozbey with five goals each.
In defence, Bengaluru depend on their foreign recruits John Johnso and Curtis Osano while playmaker Josh Walker has kept the attack moving. Striker Sean Rooney has combined well with Chhetri who will be looking to finish as the tournament's highest scorer.
Dempo, who have won the Federation Cup once, will be looking to capture the title on home soil for the second time. They too play attacking game with the likes of Mandar Rao Dessai, Lenny Rodrigues and Romeo Fernandes in good form. Striker Tolgay Ozbey too has been in good touch and he will fight it out with Chhetri tomorrow in the contest for tournament's highest goal scorer.
Westwood said he was happy that his team has kept a clean slate so far.
"We have worked hard for it. We are looking to end on a winning note. It's true that two best teams are playing in the final and we are expecting an exciting and close contest.
The home team does have an advantage of playing at home and support of home crowd but we too have a good record on this ground," he said.