Ex-Champions Bengaluru FC come calling as Aizawl prepare for historic home bow

by Kaushal Shukla January 16, 2016

History beckons in the Mizoram capital, as Aizawl FC get set to make their home bow in the Hero I-League later today at the picturesque Rajiv Gandhi Stadium. Visitors for this historic game are ex-Champions Bengaluru FC who have already started their game with a win over Salgaocar in their last game. But playing in front of the passionate Aizawl crowd will be different proposition even for Ashley Westwood’s seasoned campaigners.

Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood anticipates a nervy match tomorrow saying Aizawl has got a good blend of local as well as foreign players. He opined that the 16 matches are not enough to give a true reflection of the most consistent sides and further added that each team will have to try and win every game. Meanwhile, he doesn’t forget to wish the newbies all the luck ahead of the big match tomorrow, “I am expecting that Aizawl FC will have a good season ahead.”

He adds more that each person stepping out onto the pitch tomorrow will have to play their best to come out as the winners. Aizawl, where the match is to take place tomorrow, is at a higher altitude than the other cities and it could be a key factor for none but the home team. Reflecting upon this, Westwood admitted that they arrived in Aizawl two days prior to the match in order to get acclimatized and have at least two practice sessions before the match.

BFC’s keeper Thuammawia, who hails from Mizoram, speaks his heart out about his excitement and doesn’t hide his emotion ahead of the match, albeit he’ll keep his emotions aside tomorrow.

Aizawl FC’s coach Manuel Retamero Fraile speaks to the media that his team will go for a win against Bengaluru FC. Talking about the previous match with Mohun Bagan where AFC lost with a 3-1 score, Manuel says, “Having played against champions in the very first match, my boys played their heart out and we showed our true potential. Once we could have gotten a bit luck by our side, tables could have been turned.”

Unwilling to divulge which of his players will be starting tomorrow, Manuel adds, “Anyone can make into the starting lineup. The best eleven, who’ll be most effective based on the given circumstances, will hit the pitch against Bengaluru FC.”

having known well that they are pitted against a brutal side tomorrow, Manuel believes that the support of enthusiastic local fans will be an advantage for the Aizawl side. Manuel heralds, “It’s not only the eleven guys will play against Bengaluru FC tomorrow, entire Aizawl let alone Mizoram will be there. We’re fully aware of the fact that we’re not only Aizawl FC tomorrow, we’re going to represent entire Mizoram.”

Aizawl FC skipper David Lalrinmuana professed that his team can leave the ground with three pointer tomorrow once they play to their true capacity

Press Release by I-League Media