JOIN USBFC look to sign-off on high
Riding on their new-found form, Bengaluru FC will look to sign off on a high when they take on Churchill Brothers in their final I-League tie at the Sree Kanteerava stadium on Saturday.
Going into the tie, Bengaluru are placed fourth on the table with 27 points from their 17 games. And on Saturday, Albert Roca and his boys will hope to add another three points to their kitty even though it won’t make any change in their standings.
But with an AFC Cup game to play in Dhaka on Wednesday, Roca hinted that he would tinker around with his personnel.
“We expect to make some changes,” said the Spaniard on the eve of the tie. “We know how important the next (AFC Cup) game is. Moreover we have a few players who have been playing all through the season, so they deserve some rest. And the others have been so committed to the cause, I think they also deserve a chance to play for Bengaluru FC.”
The change in the line-up could see players like Mandar Rao Desi, Seminlen Doungel and Alwyn George start against Churchill. But Roca’s persistence with his ‘pass-and-move’ philosophy would mean some of the best passers in the side like Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Cameron Watson still featuring in the match.
Challenging the champions in their own den will be Derrick Pereira’s Churchill. Like Bengaluru, the Goan side too are coming on the back of a resounding 6-1 win over Chennai City FC in their last fixture. Pereira stated the win had helped to boost the morale of the side.
“Definitely. But that’s not only because of the big win but also because we achieved our goal (of avoiding relegation),” said Pereira.
“Tomorrow we are up against a big side. But for us it’s not just about this game. We see this as a preparation for the Federation Cup in May.”
Churchill, the only Goan side in the league this time, didn’t have a great start to the season. It was only after Pereira took over from Alfred Fernandes that the Goans began to pose some serious challenge.
Stiff fight expected
On Saturday, one can expect nothing less as Churchill look to take the fight to Bengaluru with the likes of Anthony Wolfe and Bektur Uulu leading the charge. While striker Ansumana Kromah is doubtful after suffering a minor accident before boarding the Bengaluru flight, the likes of Brandon Fernandes and Chesterpoul Lyngdoh will hope to leave a lasting impression when they line-up against a top side.