Bengaluru: Defending I-League Champions Bengaluru Football Club will lock horn with Maldives side Maziya Sports and Recreation Club in Group ‘E’ opening AFC Cup encounter here on Tuesday.
In the ongoing I-League series, the hosts have managed just a point from three matches played so far.
Coash Ashley Westwood talking to newsmen about tomorrows match said, “We don’t know much about Mazia. We know that they have three international players and also few Maldivians as well. They are going to be a strong side. Nevertheless, we would like to win to gain confidence, before we end our domestic quest this season, which has been on a slower side this year.”
In its maiden encounter in the AFC Cup, the Bengaluru FC will be banking on captain Sunil Chhetri, who has not been among goals this season.
About Chhetri’s performance, Westwood said “scoring a goal every two matches stands perfect in the position he is playing.”
Chhetri said “the goals will come, and everybody in this club is backing me and are not pressurising. Definitely, I am also backing myself. The goals will come.”
Bengaluru FC have the chance to become the first Indian side to seal a berth in the AFC Champions League group stage if they manage to win three consecutive play-off matches.
When asked about injuries, Westwood said everybody was fit and were looking forward to the contest.
Bengaluru FC will also depend on Joshua Walker to create openings, while Sean Rooney and Chhetri will be expected to be clinical in front of goal. (UNI)
