After a win against the newly promoted Royal Wahingdoh in Shillong and a valiant show against Johor Takzim in their AFC Champions League qualifiers, a rejuvenated Bengaluru FC will look to continue their journey back to top when they lock horns with Bharat FC in their fifth round encounter of the I-League here on Sunday.
The reigning champions are placed seventh in the table with four points, while the visitors are in the ninth place on the 11-team table. While Bengaluru handed the Royals a 4-0 drubbing in their previous league tie, Bharat squanders a host of opportunities in their 1-2 defeat against the Shillong outfit on January 21.
Though their campaign this season has been a journey with more lows than highs, Ashley Westwood, the BFC coach, is upbeat about his team’s future and the morale in the camp.
“The team is doing really well and the morale is very good, especially after the game against Johor. I am very pleased with the team’s performance and the fight they put against the Malaysian opponents. The game has given us a lot of confidence. Moreover, four goals away from home is a good sign,” said Westwood.
With not more than one game in a week for the champions, Bengaluru will be expected to field a strong team when they step out on to the Sree Kanteerava stadium turf on Sunday. With no injury concerns to bother, Westwood will have the whole squad at his disposal.
The Bengaluru fans could finally see captain Sunil Chhetri and Australian Sean Rooney pair upfront with Joshua Walker, Thoi Singh, Beikhokhei Beingaichho and Eugeneson Lyngdoh making up the mid-field.
Curtis Osano and John Johnson could once again be seen marshaling the rearguard while Rino Anto and Keegan Pereira taking up the roles of wing-backs.
Trying to leave a mark at the champions’ home turf would be Stuart Watkiss, coach of Bharat. “We have had a tough start to the season with Dempo first up and then the Royals, who were going through a purple patch. But the boys played a very god game in very challenging conditions,” said Watkiss.
“We are here at the home of champions and I just want my boys to go out there, express themselves and enjoy the feeling of playing against the champions,” he added.
Bharat will be without Adil Khan, while the Indian centre-back Gouramangi Singh will have to clear a medical test prior to the kick-off and the new recruit Syed Rahim Nabi could finally walk out in Bharat colours for the first time.
Published 07 February 2015, 19:27 IST