Bengaluru : With a shortened league leaving very little margin for error, Ashley Westwood called on his side to build on a good start and fall back on their consistent performances as the Kanteerava Stadium gets set to host Bengaluru FC’s first home game on the new season with Shillong Lajong for opponents, in Bengaluru, on Sunday.
Handed two away fixtures to start the season with, the Blues churned out exactly what was asked of them, picking six points on the trips to Salgaocar and Aizawl. And while a game at home may come as an assurance of sorts for most, Westwood doesn’t expect an easy ride on Sunday. “It will be a tough 90 minutes. They have good foreigners and their Brazilian forward seems like a threat. Teams from the Northeast always have a good spirit and most teams raise their game when they come to Bengaluru,” said the gaffer at the pre-match press conference.
Lajong, meanwhile, have played one game – a 0-0 draw at home to Mumbai FC and coach Thangboi Singto hopes his boys rise to the challenge of playing against a good team. “John Johnson and Curtis Osano are solid in defence, they have the best Indian players and we will do all we can to get the result we want.”
Westwood has started both games with summer signing Kim Song Yong partnering CK Vineeth in attack and whether he persists with the combination on Sunday, remains to be seen. “Kim and Vineeth are very different players. While Kim is more of a target man,
Vineeth is someone who can run in behind defences. Any new partnership needs a bit of time and this pairing gives us options. We have played two strikers and one wide man. I am happy with them so far, I just hope they start scoring more goals as we go forward,” said Westwood.
Lajong have a completely fit side to choose from while Westwood will be without Daniel Lalhlimpuia who faces at least four more weeks on the sidelines with an injured knee. The Blues, on Thursday, announced the replacing of injured midfielder Joshua Walker with Englishman Michael Collins who is due to arrive in the country shortly.
Westwood is banking on the consistency of his boys to be the driving force behind the new season. “A few teams will be able to sustain their form over 16 games. We have been the most consistent side last season and I hope we continue to keep it going.”