<p>Bengaluru FC’s bid to win a fifth title in as many seasons of the club’s existence, will face one last hurdle in East Bengal as the two sides go to battle in the final of the Super Cup, at the Kalinga Stadium here on Friday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Albert Roca’s Blues who missed out on the ISL title, going down in a final played just a little more than a month ago, have a shot at redemption and the Spanish manager said hunger and confidence is what will propel the Blues’ charge.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“We’ve kept aside the disappointment of not winning the ISL because it won’t do us any good. If anything, it’s made us hungrier to keep alive the tradition of this club to win a trophy every season. The Super Cup final is another chance and we will be going into the game with the right amount confidence. We’ve been consistent and have had a fantastic season so far. It would be nice to have a trophy for our efforts,” said Roca on the eve of the game.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Bengaluru have been clinical all through the tournament, always finding the answers to come away with a win. The Blues shrugged off the rust to beat Gokulam Kerala FC 2-1 before beating NEROCA FC 3-1. Then, in what was a performance for the ages, a ten-man Bengaluru came from a goal down to beat arch-rivals Mohun Bagan 4-2 and storm into the final.</p>.<p class="bodytext">East Bengal, on the other hand, have been doing just enough to progress. They started with a 2-1 win over Mumbai City FC and followed it up with 1-0 wins over both, Aizawl FC and FC Goa to set up a date with Bengaluru.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Roca brushed aside the talk of Bengaluru’s billing as favourites going into the final but hoped his side would get a grip on the game as it progressed.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“We have a 50% chance to win this and I’m hoping that as the game wears on, we increase that number.”</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Blues are sweating over the fitness of two vital players in defenders Juanan Gonzalez and Rahul Bheke. The Spanish center half was pulled out of the squad minutes before kick-off against Bagan, complaining of pain in his rib cage. Bheke, meanwhile, was an early substitution against NEROCA FC in the quarters after injuring his leg. East Bengal have an injury concern of their own after striker Dudu Omagbemi left the pitch clutching his hamstring and in visible pain.</p>.<p class="byline">Agencies</p>
<p>Bengaluru FC’s bid to win a fifth title in as many seasons of the club’s existence, will face one last hurdle in East Bengal as the two sides go to battle in the final of the Super Cup, at the Kalinga Stadium here on Friday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Albert Roca’s Blues who missed out on the ISL title, going down in a final played just a little more than a month ago, have a shot at redemption and the Spanish manager said hunger and confidence is what will propel the Blues’ charge.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“We’ve kept aside the disappointment of not winning the ISL because it won’t do us any good. If anything, it’s made us hungrier to keep alive the tradition of this club to win a trophy every season. The Super Cup final is another chance and we will be going into the game with the right amount confidence. We’ve been consistent and have had a fantastic season so far. It would be nice to have a trophy for our efforts,” said Roca on the eve of the game.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Bengaluru have been clinical all through the tournament, always finding the answers to come away with a win. The Blues shrugged off the rust to beat Gokulam Kerala FC 2-1 before beating NEROCA FC 3-1. Then, in what was a performance for the ages, a ten-man Bengaluru came from a goal down to beat arch-rivals Mohun Bagan 4-2 and storm into the final.</p>.<p class="bodytext">East Bengal, on the other hand, have been doing just enough to progress. They started with a 2-1 win over Mumbai City FC and followed it up with 1-0 wins over both, Aizawl FC and FC Goa to set up a date with Bengaluru.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Roca brushed aside the talk of Bengaluru’s billing as favourites going into the final but hoped his side would get a grip on the game as it progressed.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“We have a 50% chance to win this and I’m hoping that as the game wears on, we increase that number.”</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Blues are sweating over the fitness of two vital players in defenders Juanan Gonzalez and Rahul Bheke. The Spanish center half was pulled out of the squad minutes before kick-off against Bagan, complaining of pain in his rib cage. Bheke, meanwhile, was an early substitution against NEROCA FC in the quarters after injuring his leg. East Bengal have an injury concern of their own after striker Dudu Omagbemi left the pitch clutching his hamstring and in visible pain.</p>.<p class="byline">Agencies</p>