<div>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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />“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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />“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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br /></div>
<div>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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />“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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />“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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br /></div>
