Bengaluru: Ashley Westwood's Bengaluru FC would be looking to sustain the momentum that last Sunday's win provided as they host Shillong Lajong, a struggling mid-table team, in an I-League game here on Saturday.
The spectacular goal by new signing Eugeneson Lyngdoh, who is fast emerging as the club's spearhead, helped the team post a 1-0 win over visiting Kalyani Bharat FC, and having beaten Lajong twice (both at home) in three meetings, Bengaluru FC have an excellent opportunity to post another success that will put them in the mix of league leaders.
Currently, the defending champions are on seven points after five games while Thangboi Singto's Lajong have just three points from four outings, one of which they lost 2-5 to hosts Pune FC who scored all their goals in the first-half.
As such, Lajong, who did better in their next game against East Bengal while losing 1-2, face a tough task against Federation Cup winners who are obviously riding high after a poor start to their campaign.
The last time the two teams met, Bengaluru FC won 1-0 in a Federation Cup league game with Robin Singh scoring the winner in the 50th minute.
Lacking in experience but plenty of youth in their ranks, Lajong can still prove a handful and Bengaluru FC need to be on their toes. The hosts went unpunished for some glaring lapses in the defence against Kalyani last week and it was left to Lyngdoh to save them the blushes.
The hosts need no reminding the 0-3 drubbing that Lajong handed out last year in Shillong with the visitors down to nine-men after red cards to goalkeeper Pawan Kumar and central defender Curtis Osano.
Both teams have plenty to gain. Three points from a win would take champions Bengaluru FC closer to the top while Lajong, whose only victory thus far has been against Mumbai FC, need a dose of success to revive their campaign.
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