By I-League Media
AIZAWL: Aizawl witnessed one historical chapter to unfold today while first ever Hero I-League pre-match press conference took place in the heart of the city. Both coaches from Aizawl FC and Bengaluru FC turned up for the press conference at Aizawl Press Club to talk about the much anticipated encounter tomorrow.
Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood anticipates a nervy match and he mentions that Aizawl FC has a good blend of local and foreign players. He opined that the 16 matches are not enough to give a true reflection of the most consistent sides and further added that each team will have to try and win every game. Meanwhile, he doesn’t forget to wish the newbies all the luck ahead of the big match tomorrow, “I am expecting Aizawl FC to have a good season ahead.”
He adds more that each person stepping out onto the pitch tomorrow will have to play their best to come out as the winners. Aizawl, where the match is to take place tomorrow, is at a higher altitude than the other cities and it could be a key factor for none but the home team. Reflecting upon this, Westwood admitted that they arrived in Aizawl two days prior to the match in order to get acclimatized and have at least two practice sessions before the match.
BFC’s keeper Thuammawia, who hails from Mizoram, speaks his heart out about his excitement and doesn’t hide his emotion ahead of the match, albeit he’ll keep his emotions aside tomorrow.
Aizawl FC’s coach Manuel Retamero Fraile speaks to the media that his team will go for a win against Bengaluru FC. Talking about the previous match with Mohun Bagan where AFC lost with a 3-1 score, Manuel says, “Having played against champions in the very first match, my boys played their heart out and we showed our true potential. Once we could have gotten a bit luck by our side, tables could have been turned.”
Unwilling to divulge which of his players will be starting tomorrow, Manuel adds, “Anyone can make into the starting lineup. The best eleven, who’ll be most effective based on the given circumstances, will hit the pitch against Bengaluru FC.”
having known well that they are pitted against a brutal side tomorrow, Manuel believes that the support of enthusiastic local fans will be an advantage for the Aizawl side. Manuel heralds, “It’s not only the eleven guys will play against Bengaluru FC tomorrow, entire Aizawl let alone Mizoram will be there. We’re fully aware of the fact that we’re not only Aizawl FC tomorrow, we’re going to represent entire Mizoram.”
Aizawl FC skipper David Lalrinmuana professed that his team can leave the ground with three pointer tomorrow once they play to their true capacity.
Match hashtag: #AFCvBFC
Kick-off: 01:00 PM at Rajiv gandhi Stadium, Aizawl
