Despite Bengaluru FC topping a tough group featuring Salgaocar SC, Mohun Bagan, Pune FC and Shillong Lajong, coach Ashley Westwood struck a cautious note ahead of Friday’s semifinal against Sporting Clube de Goa in the 36th Hero Federation Cup football at Fatorda’s Nehru stadium.
The only outsider in the semifinal pack — the other three are popular Goan sides, Sporting Clube, favourite Dempo SC and its arch-rival Salgaocar — Bengaluru FC was led ably by captain Sunil Chhetri who is the joint top-scorer with four goals in the league stage.
Westwood saw an in-form East Bengal crack under pressure when Sporting striker Victorino Fernandes was on the prowl in the deciding league tie, striking three goals to steal the show for the locals.
“Sporting are a good side with good Indian players and dangerous foreigners,” noted the BFC coach, after training at Vasco’s Tilak Maidan.
Westwood added, “We are the only ones flying the flag from another State in an event dominated by Goan sides. Any away game is always difficult. Kolkata and Pune teams faced the situation in this tournament.
“We want to do well in the Federation Cup and will do our best to produce a positive performance. The odds are against us,” he said.
Chhetri is back hunting for goals in familiar territory, having played here during his Churchill Brothers days. Known as a big-match player, Chhetri has thrilled followers so far.
“We all saw what Sporting are capable of. We are wise enough not to bask on past glory. Our performance is proof of the hard work put in. There is still work to be done for us to make the final,” he said.
Meanwhile, Salgaocar’s Derrick Pereira knows what to expect in a Federation Cup semifinal as his injury-affected squad gets ready to take on Dempo in the other semifinal. Twice in the past, Salgaocar defeated Dempo in the semifinals when he was a player.
“In 1994, we beat Dempo in the semifinals and lost the final on penalties to Mohun Bagan. Then in 1997, Salgaocar defeated Dempo in the semifinal and East Bengal in the final,” he said.
The ex-India defender also won a Federation Cup as coach for Mahindra United. “Two matches away from the title is a situation which should motivate the players to give their best. It has been a hectic tournament for us, fatigue and injuries hurt us, but the way the boys bounced back after losing the first game gives me hope. We got better with every match once the team got over the early defeat and took away the positives.”
Dempo has benefited from the advantage of having the main bunch compete at a higher level in the Indian Super League. “The ISL appears to have helped them combine better and look like playing as a team,” said the Salgaocar coach, opting for a recovery session in the hotel pool.
“Dempo has shown how dangerous they can be down both flanks, they play a tight game in the middle,” he added.
Pereira will miss two key players — striker Darryl Duffy and defender Francis Kasounde, both foreigners recovering from injuries — for Friday’s semifinal. “Duffy and Kasounde’s presence would have helped us. They will have to be rested to be ready for the I-League.”
Salgaocar will field youngsters, for whom the absence of foreigners is a godsend, the chance to prove their worth.
The coach is confident these youngsters can do the job. “I believe whatever happens, happens for the good. Performing against a team like Dempo in a Federation Cup semifinal will boost their careers.”
Douhou Pierre remains the outstanding player for Salgaocar, capable of breaking down any defence and keeps popping up in the goalmouth to convert chances.
The semifinal line-up: Dempo Sports Club vs Salgaocar Sports Club (4 p.m.), Bengaluru FC vs Sporting Clube de Goa (7 p.m.).
