Bangalore will take on the Mariners in the must-win game of the Indian Football League 2020-21. Blues are standing at sixth in the table, four points behind the playoff spot, while Habas’ men desperately looking for the three points to keep themselves in the top-spot hunt.
Match Timings: Feb 09, 7:30 PM IST
Team Preview
Bengaluru are not playing brand football this season, and they stand at sixth in the table. Blues shared the spoils against Chennai in Fatorda, but the victory against Bengal before this game boosted the mindset. 2021 offered disappointments to this team, and they added just one win. Esmael Goncalves got the first shot on target in the 6th minute, but Gurpreet Singh Sandhu pushed it away, and Rahim Ali struck a good shot. Fran Gonzalez also had a good header on target through Parag Srivas’ pass. Sunil Chhetri came close to strike, but Eli Sabia blocked the shot. Gurpreet made another good save to deny Lanzarote to score. Blues goalkeeper Gurpreet played an important to avoid a goal from Chennai. He made a great save when Lanzarote delivered a ball to Esmael Goncalves, and the forward’s shot was taken from close range
After the cooling break, Fran Gonzalez sent the ball into the net through a good cross from substitute Xisco Hernandez but the referee flagged for the off-side. Blues got a fine free-kick, but they couldn’t trouble Vishal Kaith. Bengaluru is in deep trouble after a mixed-up show. They have very slim chances to earn the playoffs qualification as Blues have four matches in hand and have to take all 12 points. Bangalore cannot look for the playoffs, and they would aim for a better finish at the table. They can get enough fight from Jamshedpur, Bengal, Chennai, and Kerala for the mid-table spot.
Meanwhile, the Mariners are coming off a dominating 4-1 victory over Odisha. Kolkata giants took the early lead in the 11th minute with a Manvir Singh strike. Cole Alexander equalized for Odisha before the first half, and the first half ended with 1-1. Mariners proved one more time that why they’re the second-half dominating team of the season. Habas’ side retook the lead in the 54th minute, and Manvir Singh completed a brace. Roy Krishna also joined the party by scoring another brace to assure a 4-1 victory over Kalinga Warriors. Habas’ men are still on the hunt for the AFC Champions League qualification, and they have to rely on Mumbai as well. They are four points behind Mumbai, and the next few matches will be crucial for them.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
Bangalore
Lalthuammawia Ralte; Wungngayam Muirang, Namgyal Bhutia, Biswa Darjee, Amay Morajkar, Xisco Hernandez, Kristian Opseth, Edmund Lalrindika, Naorem Singh
Current Form:
Previous Match: goalless draw with Chennai
Mohun B.
Arindam Bhattacharya (GK), Sandesh Jhingan, Pritam Kotal, Subhasish Bose, Tiri, Pronay Halder, Javier Hernandez, Lenny Rodrigues, Manvir Singh, Roy Krishna, Marcelo Pereira
Current Form:
Previous Match: 4-1 victory against Odisha
Key Players
Bangalore
Sunil Chhetri
5 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Cleiton Silva
5 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Mohun B.
Roy Krishna
11 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Manvir Singh
4 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
