THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Champions Bengaluru FC look to end season on a high

John Johnson

John Johnson
Adamant Sports

I-League champions Bengaluru FC make a return to Goa exactly a week after they rewrote Indian football history, taking on Sporting Clube de Goa at the Nehru Stadium, in Fatorda, Goa, on Monday. Ashley Westwood’s history men became the first club in the League’s history to win the championship in its debut season beating Dempo 2-4 at the same stadium and the Englishman will want his team to end the season on a memorable high.

With the title sealed, Westwood could be tempted to rest a few of his regular starters, making way for the younger lot. A suspended John Menyongar and Thoi Singh should see Darren Caldeira starting.

Goa has been a happy hunting ground for Bengaluru who have won three out of three games in the beach city and Oscar Bruzon’s Sporting are well aware of the fact. Though the hosts cannot progress beyond 4th position, Sporting would be keen to exact revenge of the 5-3 defeat by Bengaluru in the Federation Cup. The only other game the two sides have played was a 0-0 draw at Bangalore in the League.

Much of Monday’s focus will be on Bengaluru skipper Sunil Chhetri who stands the chance to finish the League as top scorer. Chhetri is tied on 14 goals with Shillong Lajong striker Cornell Glen who failed to build a lead, not scoring in Sunday’s 1-2 loss to Mohun Bagan. The Incisive striker has been a revelation on the left – a position he had never played in before Westwood decided to use him there.

“We are really looking forward to end the season in the same professional manner we have shown all through the campaign. It is going to be a good occasion for the players to play in, knowing they will be going into the game as champions. It’s something that the players should really be proud of,” said Westwood on the eve of the game.

Bengaluru FC to have open-top bus parade and ceremony at stadium on Tuesday

I-League champions Bengaluru FC will raise a toast to its fantastic supporters from the garden city when they display the I-League trophy on an open-top bus parade that starts on Kamaraj Road before making its way to the Bangalore Football Stadium where the trophy will be on display followed by an interaction between players and the fans on April 29, Tuesday. The celebrations will end with the BFC awards night at hotel Leela Palace.