Bengaluru FC will look get their maiden Federation Cup campaign off to a happy start when they go to battle with Sporting Clube de Goa at the Manjeri District Sports Complex in Malappuram on Wednesday. Ashley Westwood’s boys have been drawn in Group B – dubbed the ‘group of death’- alongside Cup holders East Bengal, Sporting Clube de Goa and Rangdajied United.
The two teams have played each other just once in a goalless draw at the Bangalore Football Stadium but have had a constant eye on each other given their positions on the League table. While Bengaluru FC are in pole position, the Oscar Bruzon-coached Sporting are only three points adrift.
However, Westwood isn’t dwelling much on what the table says. “Like I’ve said before, there are so many teams who have reshuffled their squads and everyone has the ‘unknown’ element to them so we aren’t taking positions in the League as an indicator of what we might expect,” said the Englishman on the eve of the game.
In skipper Sunil Chhetri, Bengaluru have the League’s highest scorer while strike partner Sean Rooney too has been among the goals. Sporting have marksmen of their own in striker Boimah Karpeh (7) and midfielder Ogba Kalu (7) and it will be interesting to how the defence of both teams turn up.
While Bengaluru FC are being touted as favourites for the tournament, Westwood begs to differ. “We are looking forward to this game and our preparation has been good. This is a completely different competition from the I-League and we will be trying our best to match the standards that have brought us success in recent months.”