Confident Bengaluru FC ready for tough Royal Wahingdoh hurdle
Shillong: Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood said the mood in the Blues’ camp was anything but down as the reigning I-League champions’ pursuit of their first win brings them to Shillong where they play leaders Royal Wahingdoh at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, on Saturday.
Having made the trip to Kolkata earlier this week after a draw and a loss, Bengaluru were unlucky to go down 1-0 down to East Bengal after having dominated the game and Westwood will look at his squad to add sharper finishing to what was an otherwise brilliant show at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday.
“The mood’s good as is the morale. If you look at the last nine games, it’s just two that we’ve lost. It’s not disastrous form. It’s just that our two losses have been compounded because they are back to back. There’s no reason to be down and not confident. We are I-League and Federation Cup champions,” said the gaffer on the eve of the game.
While Bengaluru are still digging their heels into the new season, League debutants Wahingdoh have gotten off to a dream start. The Santosh Kashyap-coached side have won the three games they have played and are unlikely leaders after three rounds. “It is an excellent beginning for us and we have been playing some good football.
Bengaluru may have not had the best start but that doesn’t mean they are easy opponents. We all know the kind of set up they have. Also, they are coming on the back of a Federation Cup win so it’s going to be tough on Saturday,” said Kashyap.
Westwood too isn’t taking Wahingdoh lightly. Bengaluru haven’t won in Shillong as yet but the gaffer said the record had no bearing on the way his boys are looking at the game.
“We don’t even remember opponents and stadiums after a bit. Every new game is taken on merit. We know we are in for a tough one tomorrow. Royal Wahingdoh haven’t won three games by fluke. They have played decent opposition. They have to be taken very seriously and are in good form so obviously, we are expecting a very tough game,” said Westwood who has a completely fit squad to choose from.
The game kicks off at 4.30 pm.