The 2015 Federation cup final is at hand and it will be played between Dempo & Bengaluru FC. The 36th edition of the Federation Cup, the national cup tournament in the nation will be played in Goa at the Fatorda Stadium and the home crowd will be looking to back Dempo to win the Federation cup for the 2nd time in their history.
Bengaluru FC have been steadily growing in the Indian football scene and have made it to the final for the first time in their history, they only came into existence in 2013 and have had a meteoric rise in Indian football and will be looking to win the Federation Cup.
Team News:
Both the teams should be playing with their full strength of players, the teams have come into the final not having lost a game between them. Dempo are the home team and have a bit of an advantage and it has been their attacking pair of Romeo Fernandes and Tolgay Ozbey, the pair have been on fire this Federation Cup and have scored 9 goals from the 10 that Dempo have notched up.
Speaking of notching up, Sunil Chhetri, the captain of the newly formed Bengaluru FC has also done well for the first timers as he has scored 5 goals in the tournament and is tied with Ozbey with 5 goals as the leading scorers. Bengaluru have the clinical finishing that has seen them win the I League in their first season in existence while Dempo also play an open attacking game and this should be one enjoyable match.
Key Battles:
Romeo Fenandes vs. Curtis Osano
Romeo has been in brilliant form from the ISL and he has continued it in the Federation cup linking up brilliantly with Tolgay. Curtis has been one of the stalwarts for the Bengaluru team and this battle could be a key in deciding the fate of the game.
Tolgay Ozbey vs. John Johnson
The other defence vs. attack battle from the game which could be swinging in Dempo’s side. The Australian Ozbey has been in scintillating form and Johnson would have to be at his very best to keep the striker at bay.
The Dempo defence vs. Sunil Chhetri
Bengaluru have depended on Sunil Chhetri to reach the finals of the tournament and if the Dempo defence do as well as they have done during the tournament, they could ensure the trophy comes back to Goa and to Dempo for the 2nd time.
Stats:
Tolgay and Chettri lead the tournament having scored 5 goals each.
Dempo have kept 3 clean sheets from the 5 games they have played.
Fernandes and Tolgay have scored 9 goals out of the 10 goals from Dempo.
This would be the first final in the Federation cup for Bengaluru.
Quotes:
Bengaluru coach Ashley Westwood: ” “Dempo have been playing good football and have some players who are in form. They are fast and can attack well. Our defence is something we can pride ourselves on. We have so far kept three clean sheets and up front also Sunil has been really good.”
Dempo coach Arthur Papas: “Players are improving while new players have come in and made an impact. The group works together, for each other and it’s not about one player alone. The strength of the team is the squad.”
Possible starting line-ups:
Dempo starting XI: Caiado, Honda, Gawli, S. Fernandes, Pires, Castanha, Tavora, Naik, Antao, Fernandes, Ozbey
Bengaluru starting XI: Ralte, G. Singh, Manju,Johnson, Osano, Singh, Hanghal, Beingaichho, Lyngdoh, Chhetri, Rooney
Prediction:
A tough match to call, especially with both teams heading into the final unbeaten but Dempo being backed by the home crowd should just sneak this one by a goal.
Quotes courtesy: FreePressJournal
Picture courtesy: IndiaTv, Rediff & Goal