I-League: Bengaluru FC hopes to get back to winning ways against Punjab

Bengaluru FC hopes to stem its flow of lacklustre run in the I-League - it has not registered a win in the last three matches - when it takes on Minerva Punjab at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday.

Albert Roca..."We have to move straight ahead, and fight, fight, fight."

A middling Bengaluru FC (BFC) will look to get on track when it takes on Minerva Punjab FC, at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Saturday. Bengaluru, without a win in its last three I-League fixtures, lies fifth on the points table.

The unit will take the field without two key central defenders, John Johnson and Juan Gonzalez. While Johnson sits out due to a red card received in an acrimonious battle against Churchill Brothers last month, Gonzalez has been handed a two match ban for his role in the fracas witnessed in the same encounter.

> Preview: Chennai hoping to turn things around under new coach

Coach Albert Roca stated that Sandesh Jhingan and youngster Salam Ranjan will man the back-line. Jhingan, who was out for nearly a month due to an injury, is set to return. “We’re happy that Jhingan has recovered. This match will be tough for him because he has not played for a while, but he is mentally prepared,” Roca said.

The Spaniard called on his wards to step up to the plate, after a string of sub-par performances. “We have to move straight ahead, and fight, fight, fight. This is not the time to hesitate and think of bad results,” an animated Roca said.

Minerva Punjab has not had an easy ride either. Around a week ago, the I-League newcomer recorded its first victory of the campaign. “It was very important to get those three points against Mumbai FC. It was a big boost for the boys, and now they are confident and motivated,” coach Surinder Singh said.

DSK v Lajong

In the other fixture, Shillong Lajong FC will aim to make it five home wins in a row when it takes on DSK Shivajians at the JLN Stadium on Saturday afternoon.