FCBU eyes top spot in Group C with a win against Golden Threads FC in the 2nd Division I-league

by Chittu Shetty April 8, 2023

FC Bengaluru United is all set to take on Golden Threads FC in their fifth Group C match of the 2nd Division I-league Qualifiers.

After a series of away games, the team is back home at the Bangalore Football Stadium. Following a stunning 5-0 victory in their previous game against Chennayin B, the team is eager to maintain their momentum. FCBU are currently placed third on the table, and a victory against Golden Threads FC will catapult them to the top berth. Shajan Franklin, the midfielder who found the back of the net twice in the last game, shared his thoughts on their recent victory, his natural style of play, and his expectations ahead of their upcoming clash on Sunday.

Following a grueling 1-1 deadlock in their away game, against Golden Threads FC, the men in red redeemed themselves with authority, putting on a dominant display against Chennayin B. On the victory, Shajan said, “It was a very good win for us. I think we played a team game, the whole team worked together to create opportunities and the strikers got into the right positions.” He further commended their coach, Fernando Varela on having a key impact on the team’s mindset. “The coach is always urging us to play for each other and not for ourselves and this is becoming a part of the team philosophy. Even when we are faced with a disappointing result, he ensures that we don’t dwell on it for too long, we take our mistakes and try to rectify them at the next opportunity.”

Franklin also spoke about the smooth transition with Fernando Varela and how he has impacted the team. “We have always placed an emphasis on fitness, but now we are also focusing on our skill set on the ball. The coach is pushing us to focus on our positioning and play each other in more from different areas on the pitch, rather that purely attacking from the flanks.”

One of the most sought-after traits in the midfielder who recently won the Santosh Trophy with Karnataka is his ability to win the ball in key areas and disrupt the opposition’s counterattacks. Franklin attributes his natural style to his early days as a 7-a-side footballer in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. “7-a-side football is very intense and fast-paced, you have to try to win the ball as often as you can, playing this way at a young age has impacted my style and I think that is why I am aggressive even when we are defending.”

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