Bengaluru FC look to qualify for AFC Cup knockouts

Their confidence boosted by the I-League triumph, Bengaluru FC will now look to secure a place in the last 16 stage of AFC Cup when they take on Lao Toyota at Sree Kanteerava Stadium here tomorrow.
After lifting the I-League title for the second time in three years and winning the last match against Myanmar's Ayeyawady United 5-3, Ashley Westwood's boys will be pumped up to bag three points.
At present, BFC are placed second in the standings with six points from four matches, next only to table-toppers Johor DT, who have bagged 12 points in Group H fixtures.
Lao Toyota are placed fourth with three points from four matches, and still have their qualifying hopes alive.

Westwood's boys would be eyeing to take revenge against the visitors, for they had beaten them 2-1 at Vientiane in Laos. Star striker Sunil Chhetri and Eugeneson Lyngdoh will be keen to do the job for the hosts.
"To be honest, it is pretty vital that we get the three points tomorrow as it will be difficult to win against Johor. They are the holders, they have a huge budget and some really good local and international players," Westwood told reporters.

He said the team is looking to back up the performances of the I-League by playing good football against Toyota after a brief break.

"We are the champions of I-League, and are looking to back up the performances of the league by doing well tomorrow. We have got a few players hungry," he said.
Westwood, however, said his priority is to win tomorrow's match, instead of musing over the strategy for last-16 AFC encounters.
"We have got a tough fixture list, but that's how it is and we have to manage it. We have got a squad for a reason. We cannot look too far ahead. We have to take it one game at a time," he said.
Though Westwood has faith in the ability of his team, he is not taking Toyota lightly.

"They have got good foreign players. (Kazuo) Homa is a good. He is decent. Experienced and decent. Knows how to use his body well. They have got good ability in the team, fast. They want to play football and that is a good thing," he said.
Homa was one of the star strikers of the last match against BFC.
Toyota coach Valakone Phomphakdy admitted the match is very important for them to keep their hopes alive.
"Tomorrow, we will try to play to the best of our abilities and try to qualify," he said.