I-League: Bengaluru FC keen to get back on track

I-League new entrants Bengaluru FC will look to bounce back from last week’s defeat against East Bengal Club when they take on Mumbai FC in what is the first of a couple of important away games that club plays at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune within a week.

Bengaluru FC are on 13 points like Pune FC, three behind league leaders Salgaocar FC; while Mumbai FC are currently on six points.

“We are determined to get back on track. Two away games in four days will be a good test for us and it’s important that the team stays focused and does everything to ensure positive performances,” said Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood on the eve of the game.

Mumbai FC are going through a bad run they would like to end for certain, having picked up just one point from their last four games and the Khalid Jamil-coached team would look to buck the trend at home. However, they will take on Bengaluru FC without their influential skipper Haroon Amiri with the Afghanistan captain having been sent off in Mumbai FC’s 2-3 defeat to Shillong Lajong FC last week and his absence at the heart of defence is something Bengaluru FC would do well to capitalise on.

Bengaluru FC skipper Sunil Chhetri said the team is focused and is keen to do well on Saturday. “An away game is always a challenge but we have been training well and hope we can swing the result our way against Mumbai FC.”

The Blues have enjoyed a fantastic start to their debut season and the loss to East Bengal Club was the only game where Westwood’s boys haven’t scored. They next play Pune FC on Wednesday, November 6.

Saturday’s game kicks off at 3pm at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune.