AFC Cup: Bengaluru seek home comfort against Lao

Bengaluru FC captain Sunil Chhetri (second from left) trains with team mates in Bengaluru on Tuesday, the eve of their AFC match against Lao Toyota FC. (Photo: R. Samuel)

With the I-League trophy safe in their cabinet, Bengaluru FC will look to confirm a spot in the knockout round of the AFC Cup when they host Lao Toyota FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Wednesday.

There are striking similarities between the two sides. Founded in 2013, both have quickly established themselves as major players in their domestic leagues while also contributing strongly to their national team.

After four group matches, Johor Darul Ta’zim have booked a place in the knockout stages with 12 points. The second qualifying spot has BFC, Lao and Ayeyawady United FC all jostling for position.

The Garden City club lead that race with six points and a win on Wednesday will confirm their continued participation in the tournament unless Ayeyawady manage to pull off a surprise win over Johor.

Head coach Ashley Westwood’s decision to field a young side against Mohun Bagan in their last league tie during the weekend, which ended in a 5-0 loss, shows how important this match is for the JSW-owned side.

“It was just a case of playing some young boys to get experience. Although we lost 5-0, it was a valuable lesson for the youngsters. No one likes to lose but we can take positives out of it,” he said.

“To be honest, it is vital to get three points. We need to win and for that we have to put out our best side. We did rest a few players in the last match.

“The last game for us is against Johor and they are probably the strongest side in the competition. We can’t expect to go to Johor and win that one. Depending on the result they might take that game lightly but we can’t rely on that and we need to take care of our own business,” remarked Westwood on the day.

“We are champions of the I-League and we want to back it up with a good show tomorrow.”

While the Men in Blue did field an all Indian line-up in their last Asian tie, there is little doubt that all foreigners will be back in the starting line-up for the crunch match.

John Johnson and Curtis Osano will be tasked to negate the treat of Sitthideth Khanthavong and Kazuo Homma even as A. Malsawmzuala is likely to play the screening role to control Itsuki Yamada. Michael Collins and Eugeneson Lyngdoh will form the creative hub for the home side, with the former particularly lethal in deadball situations as well.

Up front, the onus will be on Sunil Chhetri and Kim Song-Yong to get the goals against a Takahiro Saito-led defence.