United SC is a challenge we are looking forward to: Westwood

 Bengaluru FC will look to use last weekend’s emphatic 3-0 win over Churchill Brothers to propel their title charge as they arrived in Kolkata where Ashley Westwood’s team plays United Sports Club at the Kalyani Stadium, on Thursday.

The League leaders put on a stellar second-half performance at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Saturday where skipper Sunil Chhetri turned up with a double while fellow-striker Robin Singh scored from a fantastic solo effort and Westwood would like to see his attack come out all guns blazing against a United side who haven’t had the best run going. “We are looking forward to our return game in Kolkata on Thursday as we go into it on the back of a good win against Churchill Brothers. Saturday’s performance was a positive one and was exactly what I was looking for from the boys as it showed real character after a defeat,” said Westwood on the eve of the game.

The teams have met just once, in a League clash in October where a John Johnson goal did the job for Bengaluru but the gaffer is certain Thursday’s game will be anything but easy. “It is going to be a tough game against United Sports who have been difficult opponents to crack. They have showed good character through tough times and with the injection of a new coach, their approach will be different. We know we have to give 100% to get anything out of the game but it is a challenge we are looking forward to.”

Bengaluru have a bit of a United SC touch to them with the acquisition of winger CK Vineeth from the Kolkata club in January and it will be interesting to see whether the youngster will have a role to play at Kalyani. United are also without seasoned striker Ranti Martins who has been loaned to Rangdajied United, being replaced by fellow Nigerian Waheed Adekunle and despite the troubled times, technical director Subrata Bhattacharya will hope his team finds a reaction.

Bengaluru. Who have traveled with a completely fit squad, will also be buoyed by the solid show the defence, spearheaded by Johnson, put on against Churchill. Westwood didn’t hesitate to mention how much more he enjoyed the win because it came with a clean sheet and the defence will need to dish out such performances as the League nears an interesting end. 

Credit:Bengaluru FC