AFC Cup: Bengaluru FC await Ayeyawady United test
Coach Ashley Westwood said his side would fall back on their good run of form as Bengaluru FC shift focus to the Asian Football Confederation (AF) Cup when they host Burma's Ayeyawady United FC at the Kanteerava Stadium on Wednesday.
Bengaluru beat I-League title rivals East Bengal 3-1 and are on the cusp of a second championship in three years should they triumph over Salgaocar at home on April 17.
Westwood hinted at changes in the first team.
"We always chop and change. I don't think we've used the same side for two consecutive games this season. We have watched a lot of videos of our opponents and will look at our players who are fit. We will rotate and settle on a formula that will help us win," said Westwood while addressing the press on Tuesday.
Bengaluru are on three points along with Ayeyawady United and Lao Toyota while reigning AFC Cup champions Johor Darul Ta'zim continue to lead Group H with 9 points. Bengaluru's only win of the campaign has come against Ayeyawady whom they beat 1-0 in Myanmar last month.
A Bengaluru win will help in their bid to qualify out of the group. Westwood, however, refused Bengaluru to be considered the favourites.
"They are a decent side. When we beat them at home it was the first time they lost as hosts in somewhere around three-and-a-half years. They are a technically good team and are capable of winning. We surely won't be going in as favourites. We have got a chance and that's all you can ask for," he said.
Both sides have a player missing owing to suspensions. While the hosts will be without midfielder Michael Collins, Ayeyawady will be without central defender Hanson Samuel.