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Bengaluru: Buoyed by their first win the League and an inspired show in the AFC Champions League qualifier in Malaysia over the fortnight, Bengaluru FC will be keen to keep the momentum going on Sunday evening when they host Bharat FC at the Kanteerava Stadium. Coach Ashley Westwood will be banking on recent performances as Bengaluru look for first home win of the season.
Blues’ coach Ashley Westwood brushed aside talks of a slow start to their title defence saying the mood in the camp was far from tense. “All the lads within the club know that we’re a good side. They know that we play well, we train well and we’ve had two really good performances. We’re the current League and Federation Cup champions and with regards to form it doesn’t get much better than that. We’re not looking into past results, we’re just looking forward,” said Westwood.
Bharat FC’s first ever away fixture
Bharat’s trip to Bengaluru will be the club’s first ever away fixture and Westwood said that his side are more concerned about their own tactics than that of the opposition. “We’ve seen Bharat FC play a couple of times. But, we have our own systems and we like to think that teams might be more worried about us than we are of them,” said Westwood.
Bengaluru’s 0-4 defeat of Royal Wahingdoh had as many as three different scorers, advertising the attack-minded squad Westwood had bred. Summer acquisition Eugeneson Lyngdoh in particular, has been the man of the moment. The midfielder has two goals in four league games and his goal straight from a corner against Johor Darul Ta’zim in the Champions League tie is still being shared all over the internet.
Bharat FC come to Bengaluru in search for their first competitive win ever. The Stuart Watkiss-coached side drew Dempo before going down to Wahingdoh but the Englishman said he’s here for nothing but a win.
“I think we’ve had quite a tough start. Dempo were definitely one of the better teams. Maybe we caught Royal Wahingdoh at the wrong time, they a great start to the season. I’ve been pleased with the way we’ve adapted over the first two games even though we haven’t got that victory yet,” he said. The game kicks off at 7 pm and will be telecasted live on Ten Action.
