What’s the story?
Two-time I-League champions Bengaluru FC have announced the signing of striker Cornell Glen ahead of their Federation Cup campaign. The Blues have signed the former Shillong Lajong frontman on loan from Ozone FC Bengaluru.
A statement on Bengaluru’s official website read: “Blues Fortify Attack With Loan Signing Of Trinidad And Tobago International.” Glen effectively replaces Serbian forward Marjan Jugovic in the Blues squad. Jugovic, who joined Bengaluru in February, will miss the Federation Cup through injury. India’s premier cup competition starts on the 7th of May.
The context
Bengaluru finished fourth in the recently concluded I-League season, an unsatisfactory campaign for a club that came into the season as the defending champions. Their signings this season have been hit and miss, as Glen becomes their third foreign striker signing this year.
Roby Norales was brought in in January as the fourth foreign player, but he was shipped off to Ozone after a handful of games. Jugovic joined Bengaluru’s ranks in February, but the Serbian has now been ruled out of the cup after suffering a torn meniscus last month. Whether Glen can be the striker to lead the Blues to cup glory remains to be seen.
The heart of the matter
Glen comes with a goalscoring pedigree in India, having netted 30 goals in 38 appearances for Lajong in his time with the Shillong-based outfit. He also played in the 2006 World Cup representing Trinidad and Tobago. He has played 71 times for his country, scoring 24 times.
With Glen joining Bengaluru’s ranks, the Blues will enter the Federation Cup as one of the favourites. The Federation Cup is the only realistic chance for Albert Roca’s side to win a silverware this season, but they are still in the AFC Cup, where they made the final last year.
What’s next?
Bengaluru face Bangladeshi side Abahani Limited in a group stage game of the AFC Cup on Wednesday, but Glen is ineligible for that game. With the registration window for Asia’s second tier competition now closed, the 35-year-old will have to wait until the Inter-Zone Playoff round to have himself registered for the AFC Cup.
Author’s take
With all their foreign strikers this season being more miss than hit, the pressure on Glen to impress straight away will be immense. With his ability in front of goal, the Trinidadian will be expected to hit the ground running as the Federation Cup doesn’t allow too many chances. Bengaluru, having lost their title this season, will hope to reclaim the Federation Cup which they last won in 2014-15.
