I-LEAGUE Media Team

BANGALORE: Less than a week after recording their first home win in the Hero I-League, the Blues from the Garden City are back at their Fortress when they meet Shillong Lajong FC in the Round 6 game at the Kanteerava tomorrow.

The team from Meghalaya did not have the best of the start – 3 losses and only a win after making the best finish (Sixth) in the previous season.

Speaking to the media, Lajong coach Thangboi Singto attributed the struggle to his foreign players, “Most of the time foreigners make difference in I-League, unfortunately for us, our foreigners joined late. We’ve only 3 for now, our fourth foreigner is yet to join us.”, said Thangboi.

With the motto of promoting football in the North-East, the team comprise of players only from North-East barring foreigners and goalkeepers.

The newly laid natural turf of the match venue has failed to impress Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood. The gaffer is not mincing words, “This pitch is not a good surface – uneven and bumpy, deepened by the dew-factor of the night, which causes the ball to move fast.”

Bengaluru have several players in their starting lineup in keeper Lalthuammawia Ralte, defender Lalchhuan Mawia, and medio Eugeneson Lyngdoh, who were once a part of Shillong Lajong FC. That would help the visitors as they are aware of their playing style. However, Thangboi overturned the theory, “tomorrow’s match is not about individuals, Bengaluru play as a unit.”, quipped the coach.

Bengaluru FC striker Sean Rooney will be in action tomorrow after sitting out the last match due to an injury. For Shillong Lajong, defender Robing Gurung sprained his thigh muscle, and he seems to be 50-50 for tomorrow’s encounter.

Match KO: Feb 14 @ 7 pm IST (Ten Action)
Hashtag: #BFCvSLFC