SHILLONG: On a brilliant run after three wins on a trot in their debut season, hosts Royal Wahingdoh FC will take on defending champions Bengaluru FC in a Round 4 Hero I-League match at the JN Stadium in Shillong at 4.30 PM today.
The table toppers, who come to the match after taming city rivals Shillong Lajong, Goan side Salgaocar and first timers Bharat FC, will look to extend their winning streak against the Federation Cup champions who are yet to register a win this season.
The Royals would once again bank on the likes of Jakichand, Seityasen, Densill Theobald, Beekay Bawar and Kim Song Yong to maintain the consistent performance they have displayed in the I-League so far.
Pleased with the team’s performance so far, a confident RWFC Coach Santosh Kashyap said the morale of his side was very high ahead of the crucial home tie against Bengaluru.
“It’s a great beginning for a new club…we are playing very good football at the moment,” Kashyap said adding that it was by no means easy to come back from behind and win games on two occasions.
It may be mentioned that the Royals had rallied to beat both Shillong Lajong and Bharat FC.
Reacting to a query Kashyap refused to accept that the tie against Bengaluru would be the first real test of the season for his side.
“Any new game is a new challenge. At this level every team is a strong contender for a new side like us. Both Lajong and Salgaocar were experienced and even Bharat FC had a lot of experienced players in their ranks,” the RWFC coach said adding that Bengaluru, despite their not-so-great-start to the season, have a great set up and are a very competitive side.
Bengaluru FC Coach Ashley Westwood, meanwhile, said his side was confident ahead of the tie against table toppers and hosts Wahingdoh on Saturday.
“Despite the two losses the morale (of the team) is good. We have just lost two of the last nine games that we played so it’s not disastrous form and there is no reason to be down,” he said.
Westwood was, however, wary of the Royals’ rise and admitted that it would be a tough game for the visitors on Saturday.
Royals skipper Densill Theobald, meanwhile, urged the ‘12th man’ (the fans) to come out in large numbers and get the team going against Bengaluru who are yet to win an I-League game in Shillong.
Recently signed defenders Naoba Singh and Govin Singh would not feature for RWFC in today’s tie as they are yet to be registered with the club.
Meanwhile, referring to his comments on Rangdajied FC that was reported in a section of the media recently, Santosh Kashyap said that he had no ill feelings towards his former club and had great respect for the club and its players.