UPDATE: Bengaluru FC beats Shillong Lajong 2-1. Sunil Chhetri (7′, 32′) scored both the goals. Haokip (81′) scored from free kick
Bangalore: Filled with a sense of renewed confidence after eking out a fantastic win at Salgaocar last week, Bengaluru FC will look to keep the momentum going when they clash with sixth-placed Shillong Lajong at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Sunday.
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 on 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 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, 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. “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 Glenn, Shillong Lajong 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. Westwood, on the other hand, will be pleased that both goals against Salgaocar came from first time scorers this season, easing central striker Sean Rooney of pressure. “Shillong haven’t been beaten in six games and pose a good threat from Glenn. It should be a good, entertaining game,” said Westwood.
The game kicks off at 3 pm.
