Bangalore: Coach Ashley Westwood has insisted it is “vital” recently-crowned I-League champions JSW Bengaluru defeat Lao Toyota FC in Group H of the AFC Cup on Tuesday.
Bengaluru lost their opening-day encounter with the Laotians 2-1, but have won their last two games in the continental cup and sit second in Group H ahead of the tie at Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
But with a final-day clash against holders and group leaders Johor Darul Ta’zim of Malaysia to come, the Indian side know the importance of a victory as they aim to go six points clear of their opponents and put themselves in a strong position to advance to the last 16 for a second successive year.
“It is vital to win tomorrow as our last game is against Johor and they are the strongest team in the competition, nevermind the group,” said Westwood, whose side saw off Myanmar’s Ayeyawady United 5-3 in their previous Group H fixture.
“We’ve fortunately got a few players fresh so hopefully they’ll be hungry and show it in their performance.
“They’ve got some good foreigners and are a fairly well-balanced team with a bit of pace, but we need to take care of our business and try to get a result.”
After claiming their first-ever AFC Cup win against Bengaluru on Matchday One, opponents Lao Toyota have suffered three defeats on the bounce and go into Tuesday’s encounter needing to avoid defeat to have any chance of progression to the next round.
“We will try to win the game because we won the home match against them, and we still hope to qualify,” said Lao Toyota coach Valakone Phomphakdy.
“We have already played each other but we know it will be different in their country; we have to be careful because they beat Ayeyawady.
“It is a decisive match; if we can get the points tomorrow we can go to the next round, which is why it is also important for both teams."
Tuesday’s other Group H clash sees defending champions Johor travel to Yangon’s Youth Training Centre to take on Ayeyawady with Mario Gomez’s side looking to wrap up top spot in the table having already sealed their place in the last 16 with a 4-1 win at Lao Toyota two weeks ago.
“We have a big team, we have options, so tomorrow we will give a chance to some of our young players,” said Argentine Gomez, whose side are looking to maintain their 100% record in the group stage.
“We talk about the present, but the future is important. Our players all share a mentality, they all know how important winning is and show this every game.”
Ayeyawady, meanwhile, have suffered back-to-back defeats and will need a return to form if they are to keep their dream of reaching the AFC Cup knockout phase for a second successive year alive.
“It’s our home match so we’ll try and get a good result and a win,” said coach U Kyaw Linh.
“We’ll stick to our style of play and our game plan. We have young players in defence and they lose their concentration – in the league they can get away with it but you will be punished in the AFC Cup.”
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