I-League Media Team

SHILLONG: Bengaluru FC will be aiming to take a big step towards defending their Hero I-League title when they meet with Shillong Lajong FC at the JN Stadium here on Friday evening.

Trailing current leaders Mohun Bagan by just one point (32 to 31) with both teams having played 16 games, a win against Lajong will give them a lot of momentum as they seek to reconfirm their claim to being the best football club in India.

The Reds beat Bengaluru twice last season, but went down 2-0 when the two sides met earlier this year in Bangalore. Speaking on Thursday, BFC coach Ashley Westwood said that that Friday’s result would be unpredictable as he considers Lajong to be a strong side that will give his boys a good fight.

SLFC, however, will continue to be without captain Aiborlang Khongjee, Robin Gurung and Lalfakzuala, all of whom are injured. The host team will also have to try and manage without striker Cornell Glen who is suspended for one match after picking up his fourth yellow card of the season against Dempo in the last game.

These absences may well take their toll on the eighth-placed team, who are still not safe from the relegation zone. Lajong have an advantage in playing all of their remaining fixtures at home, but with 16 points (just two more than bottom-placed side Sporting Clube de Goa) they need a win to give them some more breathing space.

The home team performed admirably against Dempo, beating them 3-0, with a >

The visitors, meanwhile, have a fully fit squad. Their defensive capabilities have been excellent all season; they have conceded just 15 goals this year, the second best figure behind Bagan. They are also on a five-game winning streak – three in the Hero I-League and two in the AFC Cup. In that time they have only conceded one goal and the defending champions have not lost a match since March in the AFC Cup or February in the I-League.

Given what they are going up against, Lajong may well be a little nervous, but the Reds have delivered a few surprises along the way this season and will hope for another one come Friday.

Kick-off: 08-05-2015@ 4:30 PM
 

Hashtag: #SLFCvBFC