Johor: Bengaluru FC take on defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim in what is an inconsequential Group H tie of the AFC Cup at the Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium, in Johor Bahru, on Wednesday.
The encounter would do well to make the most of some valuable game before the Round-of-16 fixture that takes place on May 25. Irrespective of the result, the Blues will finish second behind Johor as both teams have made the knockout stages and assistant coach Matthew Holland, who will be at the touchline following head coach Ashley Westwood’s suspension in the game against Lao Toyota, said the I-League champions would be looking to give a good account of themselves against what is more than just a very good team.
“What’s always important to us is the performance. But we will definitely look to come and give a very good account of ourselves. We have to be appreciative of the fact that JDT are not just a very, very good team in Malaysia, they are the best,” said Holland.
Johor have had a flawless Cup campaign winning all of their group games.
BFC suffered a disappointing exit in the Federation Cup after being crowned I-League champions for the second time in three seasons but midfielder Michael Collins said the team has put the blip behind them and believes a good show against JDT will instill confidence in the dressing room.
Bagan face South China
Guwahati: Having secured a pre-quarters berth, table toppers Mohun Bagan may rest their key overseas duo of Sony Norde and Cornell Glen in their AFC Cup group G league match against a determined South China at the Indira Gandhi Stadium.
Unbeaten Mohun Bagan are five points clear of South China and Sanjoy Sen may look to ring in radical changes in the team with its return leg of Federation Cup semifinal against Shillong Lajong FC slated in four days' time.
While Mohun Bagan can take it easy, South China, who lie a point ahead of Yangon United and Maziya, cannot afford to relax. The result will determine their pre-quarterfinal hopes.
Debjit Majumdar, Kingshuk Debnath, Dhanachandra Singh and Pronay Haldar may also sit out of the starting line-up.
