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Filled with a sense of renewed confidence after eking out a fantastic win against Salgaocar FC earlier in the week, Bengaluru FC will look to keep the momentum going when they clash with sixth-placed Shillong Lajong FC at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Though 10 game weeks is a good indication about how a team would look through the season, Westwood isn’t making much of Bengaluru FC’s position in the table. “We are not expected to win the League. Success is an added bonus for us. That said, we play every game and cup wanting to win it.”
Bengaluru FC have a bit of a Shillong touch to themselves in assistant coach Pradhyum Reddy, who led Lajong to I-League promotion in 2011 and ex-Lajong midfielder John Menyongar. But Westwood said Reddy’s presence is an advantage irrespective of who the opponents are. “We don’t need a special occasion to realise the advantage we have with him on our team. He knows Indian football really well and it always helps,” said Westwood.
Lajong FC, meanwhile, are coming into the game on the back of a six-game unbeaten streak, a pattern that coach Thangboi Singto says will hold his team in good stead for the big game against Bengaluru FC. “Bengaluru FC are doing well and the win over Salgaocar will only work as extra motivation for them. However, we have been unbeaten in six games and believe in ourselves,” said Singto.
In Trinidad & Tobago striker Cornell Glen, Shillong Lajong FC have the League’s top scorer and they will be banking on him to fire against a team whose home record has no blemish of a loss so far. Westwood, on the other hand, will be pleased that both goals against Salgaocar FC came from first time scorers this season, easing central striker Sean Rooney of the pressure of scoring. “Shillong haven’t been beaten in six games and pose a good threat from Glen. It should be a good, entertaining game,” said Westwood.
The game kicks off at 3pm at the Bangalore Football Stadium.
