I-League 2015/16 – Fed Cup champs Bengaluru FC favorites against injury-hit Salgaocar
Salgaocar FC will host Federation Cup champions, and last year’s runners-up Bengaluru FC, in their opening match of the 2015/16 I-League at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco on Saturday. It will be the visitors, who will be feeling at home, after defeating the Goan side on all occasions in the league.
After the extravaganza of the Indian Super League (ISL) and the passionate performance of the Indian team in the SAFF Cup, the football enthusiasts in the country will be served more action with the I-League set to kick off today. The team to watch out in this edition will again be the team from Bangalore, who finished as Champions and runners-up in the past two editions.
Salgaocar, who finished seventh in the last edition of the league, have overhauled the team with Scottish coach Malcolm Thomson coming in place of Derrick Pereira, who who now handles the reigns at new entrants DSK Shivajians.
The JSW-owned club leads the head-to-head record against Salgaocar FC with five wins in the last six games. The only defeat for the Bengaluru side came in the Durand Cup semi-final, in 2014, on penalties.
Team News
Bengaluru FC roped in eight new faces for the season including seasoned performers like Amrinder Singh, Alwyn George, Kim-Seong-Young and Seminlen Doungel. North Korean striker North Korean striker Kim Song Yong joined the team from Royal Wahingdoh in place of Sean Rooney.
The Ashley Westwood coached club looks the most balanced side, with Indian stars like Sunil Chhetri, Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Thoi Singh, to add to the foreign contingent of Curtis Osano, John Johnson and Josh Walker. The absence of Indian International Robin Singh through injury and contractual problems will be only headache for the coach before the opening match.
To add to the managerial change, the Green and Whites have also added the I-League Player of the Season, Jackichand Singh, and Seityasen Singh from Royal Wahingdoh. The Goan club has also roped in Keenan Almeida, Reagan Singh, Gabriel Fernandes and Manandeep Singh to further strengthen the squad.
Scottish striker Darryl Duffy, Cameroon forward Calvin Mbarga and Scottish Midfielder Martin Scot will fill the foreign quota for Salgaocar. However, the injuries to Duffy, Mbarga, Scott and Seityasen Singh will weaken the Goan side before the opening match.
Prediction
Bengaluru FC 2-0 Salgaocar FC
With Salgaocar struggling with injuries, this match is likely to go in favour of Bengaluru.
The game kicks off at 7.05 pm
Comments
Leave a comment0 Comments