I-League: Bengaluru FC eyeing second spot as they take on Kalyani Bharat FC
Pune, April 23 Champions Bengaluru FC, currently placed third, will look to make progress in the Hero I-League when they square off against Kalyani Bharat FC at the Balewadi Stadium here on Friday. Ashley Westwood's team had, only two days earlier, blanked Pune FC 2-0 in a performance that left little to be desired and a win against the League's newest side will take the Blues to second on the table.
While Westwood lauded the team on the way they went about the win, he admitted the Blues would have to churn out an encore on Friday if they are to take away anything from the game.
"On Tuesday, we came with a plan, executed it and got the job done. But we are well aware that the game against Bharat will be a tough one given the fact that we will be up against a side which has one of the best defensive records in the League.
"They may not have won as many games as they would have liked to, but there were many occasions where they came close to turning a draw into victory.
"We will have to reproduce a high standard of football if we are to take anything away from this game," Westwood told the press on Thursday.
A Eugeneson Lyngdoh wonder strike separated the two sides when Bharat travelled to Bengaluru early in the season.
Robin Singh available after serving suspension, Bharat FC have 3 players suspended
Westwood will have Robin Singh back in the reckoning after the striker served his suspension in the game against Pune FC and it will be interesting to see the formation the coach chooses to roll out on Friday.
"We have a fully fit squad and no suspensions to deal with. I feel sorry for leaving a few players at home given how tightly knit a squad we are, but what it goes to show is the depth in squad we have," the coach said.
Meanwhile, Bharat have to contend with three suspensions in defenders Dharmaraj Ravanan, Gouramangi Singh and goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya.
The race to the title was handed a twist on Wednesday when Dempo scored a dramatic late winner to down second-placed Royal Wahingdoh 3-2 in Goa.
Earlier last week, the Shillong side beat leaders Mohun Bagan in similar fashion and an identical scoreline to throw things open.
But while Westwood believes the title is Bagan's to lose, he is confident that the Blues' form should stand them in good stead at the end of it all.
"We expected Wahingdoh to lose games. They are not a consistent side. As for Bagan, they have got it all to lose. Whether they can remain consistent, we need to wait and see. In my opinion, we are the best side in the League.
"Our form across the League, the Federation Cup and the AFC competitions is incredible. Whether it's enough, we need to wait and see," said Westwood.