Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood pleased with his side’s progress

by Kaushal Shukla March 5, 2015

Ashley Westwood saw his Bengaluru side collect a point against Mumbai FC at Cooperage on Tuesday evening, despite being the dominant force for majority of the game. But coach Ashley Westwood wasn’t too miffed with the result as he felt his side played a good game against hosts Mumbai FC.

“I am happy with a point. It was a game which we could have won, but we played well, showed great fitness levels and skills and a point is not too bad away from home especially against a good side like Mumbai FC”.

Westwood saluted the efforts of opponent shot stopper Nidhin Lal and highlighted his performance as the one which made the difference. “Their goalkeeper was brilliant and he made some six or seven saves from the top drawer. It was really difficult to score against him today, so we take the point”.

The Englishman was pleased with goal scorer Eugenson Lyngdoh’s performance and hailed the quality of his goal. “Eugenson has been brilliant for us and today was no different. He absolutely worked his socks off today and scored an absolute stunner when the chance came his way”.

Unlike the others, Bengaluru don’t have a break to enjoy as continental action resumes for the Indian Champions. Westwood’s side travels to Jayapura to face Indonesian side Persipura in the AFC Champions League.

“It’s a long travel and we will be without a few players, who will be away on national duty, but that is why we have squads and it gives a chance to other players”.

Westwood was pleased with his side’s progress and brushed off any talks of his side having a topsy-turvy campaign. “I don’t think we are patchy. I feel we are bang on track. We are the Federation Cup winners and a point off the top and have lost just three games so far. And since I have been here, we have never been battered. We have always been in games and some errors have cost us the game. So I feel we are doing really well and I feel we are the best team in the country”.

Ashley Westwood also felt his side have already exceeded expectations, but that did not mean they could afford to relax. “When we started off last season, our main aim was to remain in the division, consolidate our place in the second season and try to challenge for the title in the third. But we have managed to get there a lot earlier which is good, but we must keep the hard work going”.

Bengaluru sit in third place tied with Mohun Bagan, although the Kolkata side has played three games lesser and a point off leaders Pune FC who have a game in hand over Bengaluru FC.