Riding on a confidence-inducing start to their Federation Cup campaign, Bengaluru FC next face the challenge of Shillong team Rangdajied United in a Group B fixture at the MDSC Stadium, in Manjeri, on Saturday. Ashley Westwood’s team moved to the top of the table with three points, beating Sporting Clube de Goa 5-3 before East Bengal and Rangdajied played out a 1-1 draw in the group’s other game.
Bengaluru put on a commanding show for most parts of the game against Sporting but Westwood knows well enough than to take their next opponents lightly. “We’re looking forward to tomorrow’s game. We have another tough opponent in Rangdajied United who are coming on the back of a decent result against East Bengal. We are well aware that we need to at our best to try to get a result. Hopefully the boys will be full of confidence, especially since we scored five in our last game. It’s just important that we don’t get complacent because every game presents itself as a difficult task,” said Westwood.
Westwood would have surely sat down and ironed out the defensive lapses that saw Bengaluru concede three goals in the space of 17 minutes before Robin Singh struck to put the issue beyond doubt. But the boys would be keener on taking the many positives from the win as they approach a very vital game.
The team had a light session on Friday and Westwood is pleased with the way things are going. “The spirit in the camp is very good. The morale of the team is blossoming all the time and we are very happy with our preparations and facilities as we try as a club to leave no stone unturned. Hopefully, this gives us a good platform to continue our progress.” The game kicks off at 19.30 IST.