Bengaluru FC head coach Simon Grayson is very confident ahead of the Super Cup final against Odisha FC in the EMS Stadium in Kozhikode on Tuesday.
This will be their third final of the season after winning the Durand Cup and ending up as runners-up in the Indian Super League finals against ATK Mohun Bagan on penalties. Hence, they would be keen to make it count and win the Super Cup to end their season on a high and also qualify for the AFC Cup.
Ahead of the match, Grayson reiterates the disappointment of losing the ISL finals on penalties and wants his players to understand how far they have come this season.
“We’ve got to another final and like the previous finals, we want to try and win it. Going into the competitions, making sure we’re giving the best we can, with the ultimate aim of winning it. We were obviously disappointed to lose the Hero ISL final on penalties (against ATK Mohun Bagan) after such a great run. There were really tough games for us to come this far, it’s a great achievement for us and we want to achieve even more things,” Grayson stated in the pre-match press conference.
The last time both sides met, Bengaluru FC won the match 3-1 but this time, the stakes will be higher than ever and it will depend on who manages to hold their nerves better. Grayson wants to end it in 90 minutes but he is also prepared for extra time and beyond.
“We will be trying to win it in 90 minutes and so will Odisha FC. We approach that problem as we go along. I think as coaches, you have to make sure that you have one eye on the extra-time situation, on the substitutions, and on how we play the game. As I said before, both teams will be trying to win it in 90 minutes, but if it goes into extra time, both teams will be prepared in the right manner.” the Englishman added.
The Blues are playing the finals for a spot in the AFC Cup on their minds. The winner of the Super Cup will face former I-League champions Gokulam Kerala in the playoffs. The team that wins the playoff will get a group stage spot in the AFC Cup.
Grayson acknowledges the opportunity to represent India in a global tournament and feels that it is a big chance for both teams. He agrees that Bengaluru FC have a tradition of doing well in Asia but the last couple of years haven’t been that great. So he wants to take them back to AFC Cup
“It’s a massive thing for both clubs to represent your country in a tournament of that magnitude and is very pleasing for everybody. Our football club has been used to that for a number of years, but over the last couple of years, have not had much success. We’ve worked extremely hard this year to try and achieve success and we want to win this competition to get to the AFC as well,” he concluded.
It will be a fascinating battle between two teams who have remained consistent in the Super Cup. While Bengaluru FC will start as favourites, one mustn’t count out Odisha FC.
