Bengaluru FC’s unbeaten streak snapped

Bengaluru FC’s unbeaten start to their first-ever I-League campaign came to an end today when an own goal from Robin Singh and a stoppage time strike from James Moga saw East Bengal beating the Steelmen in the round six match of the Airtel I-League at the Kalyani Stadium.

But the JSW-sponsored team remain top of the table for 24 hours at least with 13 points from six matches. Meanwhile East Bengal have successfully bounced back from successive defeats and now have six points from three games.

The heavy ground conditions due to the incessant rains made it difficult for both sides but East Bengal adapted the better and could have taken the lead early on when Cavin Lobo’s cross found an unmarked Edeh Chidi inside the box. However the Nigerian’s effort was blocked by former Middlesbrough defender John Johnson.

Used to playing on the artificial turf of the Bangalore Football Stadium, the visitors struggled to retain possession in the first half but had a couple of good goal scoring opportunities.

East Bengal looked very dangerous in the final third with strikers Chidi and Moga holding up the ball and setting up the runners from midfield. But the Kolkata club was wasteful with their final ball and finish as they didn’t test Bengaluru custodian Pawan Kumar too often.

Curtis Osano could only head it straight at East Bengal keeper Abhijit Mondal despite being unmarked from a Beikhokhei corner while the club’s top scorer Sean Rooney slipped at the vital moment and could only attempt a weak shot after being played clean through on goal by Siam Hanghal.

The second half had an explosive start as Lobo rattled the Bengaluru crossbar with a thunderous effort from 30 yards.

Minutes later, the deadlock was broken as Bengaluru’s second half substitute Robin unfortunately headed home Lalrindika Ralte’s corner to give his former club the lead. Also, the India striker suffered more misfortune as he hit the woodwork after Abhijit failed to clear the danger following a Keegan Pereira cross from the left flank.

East Bengal had chances to double their advantage but both Chidi and Moga failed to convert. In one such opening, the two foreign strikers just couldn't attempt a shot on goal despite having plenty of time and space.

Bengaluru FC threw everything at East Bengal in the final quarter of the game with Rooney, Robin and India captain Sunil Chhetri all looking to equalize. 

The away team put in plenty of crosses with East Bengal goalie Abhijit failing to collect many of those but no Bengaluru player could capitalise.

East Bengal finally sealed the points in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Moga finished off a counter attack with a powerful strike past Kumar to end the Kolkata club’s four-match win less streak in Kalyani. 

[LIVE - VIDEO] Livestream: Bengaluru FC Vs East Bengal - Kick-off 2.30 PM

Bringing you the live telecast of Bengaluru FC's first away game from Kalyani. 

Airtel I-league Bengaluru FC Vs East Bengal - Kick-off 2.30 PM 

High flying Bengaluru FC looks to stretch unbeaten streak in first away game

Bengaluru FC press release

Bengaluru FC are brimming with confidence yet treading with caution in equal measure as they play their first ever away game in the I-League against East Bengal at the Kalyani Stadium, in Kolkata, on Saturday. 

Riding high after the 3-1 win over Dempo earlier in the week, Ashley Westwood's boys are on top of the table and would like to get their travels started with a win. 

Though convincing and dominant in their wins in most games, Westwood knows well enough to let Bengaluru FC get complacent. "We have our ethics in place and are taking every game as it comes. East Bengal may be coming into this game with successive defeats but we're not reading too much into that. We are going to stay grounded and do the job," said Westwood on the eve of the game. 

As if a 1-3 home defeat to Dempo and an ouster from the AFC Cup weren't enough disappointments to deal with, East Bengal will be without a suspended Uga Okpara and an injured Arnab Mondal - both defenders – and Bengaluru would be keen to capitalize on the situation.  

East Bengal Coach Marcos Falopa is also likely to find alternatives for injured midfielders Ryuji Sueoka and Reisangmi Vashum. 

Westwood, meanwhile, hasn't had to alter his selection plans with a completely fit squad at his disposal.

The East Bengal defence would do well to be wary of Bengaluru FC striker Sean Rooney. The Australian has been on a fantastic run scoring five goals from as many games and would love to extend the purple patch away from Bangalore too. 

An interesting battle would be one between East Bengal strikers Chidi Edeh and James Moga and Bengaluru FC's defence that has been stingy this far, letting in just three goals in five games. While the Edeh-Moga pair may not have had many successful hunts, the duo could be more than lethal on their day.

With the AFC Cup now out of their way, East Bengal will be looking to bring semblance to their I-League campaign with a win on Saturday but will be up against a team that will throw in all to protect pole position they have rightfully staked claim on. 

[VIDEO] Post-match Press Conference - Bengaluru FC Vs Dempo SC

Arthur Papas - Dempo SC 

Ashley Westwood - Bengaluru FC 

[PICS] Bengaluru FC Vs Dempo I-League, 2013-14

Goal no. 1 that came from your Siam

Goal two and marching ahead

Admiring beauty

Gaffer any day!

Chhetri get past Samir naik

This was another gem from Rooney, scored, almost!

Creative medio Beto too had a bad day

 That's game, set, and match!

And that's the third one...

Gaffers intense look says it all

Surprise-surprise, he might demand a closed-door I-League match, you never know

Bengaluru FC remain unbeaten, stay on top of I-League table

“You can’t go down 2-0 within first 10 minutes, and then win the game!” Dempo coach Arthur Papas’ post-match view perhaps summarizes the match. 

Bengaluru’s Manipuri striker, Siam Hangal, who was adjudged the Man of the Match, opened the scoring for the hosts in the sixth minute with a superb volley from outside the box that beat a diving Dempo goalkeeper Subhashish Roy Chowdhury all ends up. 

A brace by Australian striker Sean Rooney helped Bengaluru FC beat Dempo Sports Club 3-1 in their Airtel I-League encounter at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Wednesday. 

With this win Bengaluru FC maintained their unbeaten record at home as they went to the top of the table with 13 points from five matches. 

On the other hand, the Goan side lost their second match in the league and are struck on six points from as many matches. 

Sean Rooney scored the second goal the 11th minute. Sunil Chhetri entered the box from the left flank and his right rooter was punched out by Subhashish only to find Rooney lurking at the edge of the box. Rooney made no mistake in placing the ball into the far corner of the net. 

Rooney scored his second goal of the match in the 61st minute to take his tournament tally to five goals when he made a run through the centre after receiving the ball from Darren Caldeira. 

With only the goalkeeper to beat, Rooney made no mistake as he slid the ball past Subhashish to make it 3-0 for the hosts. 

Two minutes later, the visitors pulled one back, when Miranda’s curling left footer from a free kick beat the entire defence. 

After getting one goal back, the visitors piled on the pressure in the Bengaluru half but some brilliant defending by John Johnson and Curtis Osano ensured that the visitors didn’t reduce the margin further. 

[LIVE] Airtel I-League 2013-14 - Bengaluru FC Vs Dempo

Airtel I-League 2013-14
Round 5  Wednesday, October 23, 2013  Bangalore Football Stadium Kick-off: 3.30 pm
Scorer:  Siam-6', Rooney-11' 61'	3	-	1	Scorer: Clifford Miranda-63
Bengaluru FC: Pawan Kumar; Kurtis Osano, John Johnson, Rino Anto, Keegan Perriera; Darren, John Menyongar, Siam Hangal; Beikhokhei, Sean Rooney, Sunil Chhetri Sub: NS Manju, Vishal Kumar, Malemnganba, Robin Singh, Thoi Singh, Karam Sawhney, Bruno Colaco
Dempo Sports Club: Subhasish; Debabrata Roy, Honda, Simon Colosimo, Samir Naik, Peter Carvallo, Jewel Raja, Clifford Miranda, Beto, Jeje, Billy Mehmet Sub: Laxmikant Kattimani, Shallun Pires, Romeo, Mandar, Godwin Franco, Joy Ferrao, Dom Sahil Tavora
LIVE UPDATES
90+4' ref blows the long whistle, another satisfying win for the host 90+3' final sub for BFC - Sam OUT Thoi Singh IN 90' 4 mins of time added 87' One more corner for Dempo, header did very little damage to BFC  84.50' Corner cleared by Pawan Kumar  84' Dempo earns a corner, Romeo's run, halted by Keegan.  79' Double substitution for Dempo, Joy IN Jewel Raja OUT | Mandar IN Clifford OUT  77' Coach of our Senior National team, Wim Koovermans is right here, watching the proceedings 71' Double substitution for BFC, Robin IN Sean Rooney OUT | Malemn IN Beikho OUT 63' Dempo pulls back one from a Clifford freekick  61' One more for BFC, and Rooney's second!  46' second half resumes  45+2 - half time... 45' two mins added 43' corner for Dempo again, no harm caused to BFC 39' and this time a freekick being wasted. The deadball of experts Dempo are having a bad game. Clifford totally offcolor today 37' Dempo waste a corner   36' Rooney miss an easy chance, John Menyongar tapped the ball with great anticipation and  passed to Rooney, takes a loose shot. 34' Clifford's nasty challenge to John Johnson, earns a yellow card. first booking of the match.   33' a mini clash between Beto and Pawan Kumar inside the box, the later was lying on the ground.   32' Still a comfortable 2-0 lead. Dempo still could not recuperate from those early goals   29' Could not repeat the Beikho-John Johnson goal from a corner. The later was thoroughly marked by Dempo defense 28'  Beikho forces a corner   27' Freekick for BFC from the left flank, Johnny to take. 24' the team from Goa is trying to play a holding game 23.31' regrouping phase for Dempo22' With those two quick strikes, it is all BFC at the moment.  18' misspass galore, everywhere - from midfield to Defense. Dempo having a torrid time!  11' And one more, Australian Rooney. as if one was not enough. 2-0! 6' Goal, early inroad and an exciting longranger from Manupuri Siam Hangal 1-0! 2' wayward shot, wasted. 1.50' freekick for Dempo, Clifford to take.  0.01' Match kicks off, Dempo attacking from left to right.  Hello folks, R-5 of Airtel I-League and BFC Vs Dempo this time, GCSStars.com will go live from 3.15 pm!

Upbeat Dempo meets unbeaten Bengaluru FC

AIFF press release 

Bengaluru FC will look to continue with their good run at home as they take on Dempo Sports Club of Goa in their Airtel I-League encounter at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Wednesday. With just one win from five outings so far, former champions Dempo have managed to gather their much-needed confidence after a thumping win against East Bengal in the last match. 
The hosts meanwhile are unbeaten so far in the four matches they have played this season.

However, the Goan outfit, presently seventh on the league table, will be wary of their opponents, who are one of the three unbeaten teams in the league and are presently second on the points table. 

Bengaluru FC, who have played all their matches at home so far, will once again be looking forward for another impressive performance from their English defender John Johnson. Johnson, who was the man of the match in the last three matches, has stood like a wall at the back and the Dempo forwards will have a tough time getting the ball past him. On the other hand, the Dempo defenders will also need to keep an eye on Johnson, as he has scored three goals for his team and all of them have come from corners. 

Upfront, Bengaluru’s Aussie striker Sean Rooney has managed to make life tough for opposition defenders and he, along with Sunil Chhetri will be hoping to do the same on Wednesday also. 

But Coach Ashley Westwood has admitted that he will be a bit cautious against Dempo. “Our team is in good spirits but Dempo are a good side. I saw their last game on TV. They have one of the best squads in the league. They’re certainly going to provide us with a big test,” said Westwood. 

On the other hand, having tasted success at last against East Bengal, Arthur Papas’ boys will be looking for another away victory. Under pressure after failing to pocket three points from their four matches, Dempo had put up a clinical performance on Saturday against the Kolkata outfit. 

“It’s always nice to come back to winning ways. We were always confident but it was just a matter of time before we started clicking as a team,” said Clifford Miranda, who scored Dempo’s opening goal against East Bengal.

While Beto and Miranda scored for the Goans in that match, Irishman Billy Mehmet impressed all with his runs down the flanks. These three players will once again have to play a key role, if Dempo wants to stop Bengaluru’s impressive run in the league so far. 

Miranda admitted that Bengaluru FC will have the advantage, but at the same time they too have a plan in place for the hosts. “They’ve played four home games and that gives them an advantage. Any team that plays these many home games in one stretch has an advantage,” said Miranda. “Set pieces have been their strength. We’ve worked on it but it only takes one moment to get it wrong,” he added. 

Liverpool and DSK Shivajians launch international academy in Pune

Press Release

Liverpool Football Club in partnership with the Indian team DSK Shivajians Football Club today announced the launch of a full-time coaching academy in India, LFC International Football Academy DSK.  This academy will be a world class purpose-built residential complex, featuring full-size pitches, practice areas, classrooms, changing rooms, a gym, canteen, lecture theatre, residential and medical facilities.

The LFC International Football Academy will officially open in first week of January 2014 and will be a market-leading development center for young players in India, servicing DSK Shivajians. The programme, which will support aspiring young footballers up to the ages of 18, will provide promising players with the opportunity to develop their game in a professional academy environment.

“At the Academy in Liverpool we aim to develop outstanding players and good human beings. The results speak for themselves as just last season seven Academy players made their first team debuts. Education and community work is key to the development of our young players and we look forward to taking our knowledge and experience to India” said Academy Director, Frank McParland.

Coaches from Liverpool FC will work on the project in India and will pass on technical expertise from the Club to the players and coaches involved in the Academy. Over time the Club will introduce more full time coaches from Liverpool FC to oversee each age group at the Academy.

“This is the first time an English top-flight club has partnered with an Indian team to help them bring through local talent. Millions of our LFC family are based in India so we are very excited to be working with DSK Shivajians and being part of the game’s development in the country,” commented Chief Commercial Officer at Liverpool FC, Billy Hogan.

The brainchild of this strategic partnership is Mr. Shirish Kulkarni himself, Executive Director of DSK Group. Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Shirish Kulkarni said “This is a strategic move for us at DSK Shivajians FC and as well as for aspiring young footballers who will get the opportunity to train and get direct supervision from one of the world’s most reputed football clubs, Liverpool FC. We are delighted with this partnership and believe that this will go a long way in inspiring and honing skills of both current players and aspirants and give them an opportunity to actualize their potential.”

Mr. Kulkarni further added, “I am a footballer at heart and Liverpool has always been my favorite club. I have been playing from a young age with DSK Shivajians and a dream team till now was just that…a dream. However, it is today our privilege to be in a position where we can, not just help bring in a world-class pool of talent, infrastructure and expertise to Indian grounds but also to do it with a club that has my loyalties. I am very confident that this academy will go a long way in placing India strongly on the national and international map of professional football.”

DSK Shivajians will utilize their facilities at DSK Supinfocom International, situated in Loni for this facility. This new facility will also enable Liverpool FC to run its world-renowned soccer schools program giving youngsters the opportunity to learn how to play football the same way as Liverpool FC greats Robbie Fowler, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard.


This strategic partnership has been facilitated by India’s leading football consultancy Libero Sports India which has extensive experience in managing football projects as well as football players in the South Asia region.

[PICS] Bengaluru FC Vs Mohammedan Sporting, I-League, 2013-14

[LIVE] Airtel I-League 2013-14 - Bengaluru FC Vs Mohammedan Sporting

Airtel I-League 2013-14
Round 4  Sunday, October 10, 2013  Bangalore Football Stadium Kick-off: 4 pm
Scorer: John Johnson -11', Sean Rooney-28'	2	-	1	Scorer: Joshimar-78'
Bengaluru FC: Pawan Kumar; Vishal Kumar, Curtis Osano, John Johnson (C), Keegan Perreira; Malemnganba Meitei, John Menyongar, Thoi Singh, Darren Caldeira, Beikhokei Beongaichho; Sean Rooney Sub: Bruno Colaso, NS Manju, Robin Singh, Sunil Chhetri, Rino Anto, Karan Sawhney, Sian Hangal
Mohammedan Sporting Club: Sukhwinder Singh; Dhanarajan (C), Sandeep Sangha,  ; Penn Orji, Collin Abranches, Gagandeep Singh, Rahesh Masih, Samson Ramengmawia, Jerry Zirsangha; Joshimar, Tolgay Ozbey Sub: Antony Sonen, Ajay Singh, Kanhtang Paite, Israil Gurung, Justin Stephen, Somnath Khara, Basanta Singh
LIVE UPDATES
90+3' Ref blows the whistle peep-peep-peep. a convincing win, BFC stays on the top of the table! 90' +3 added to the time. 89' Robin misses one this time, clashed with the defender, lying on the ground. 87' A good effort from Chhetri - dribbles pass the central defender and places the ball, misses by a whisker.  86' Few mins back, Robin was replaced by Beikho, what a game the later had!  83' A great attempt from Robin Singh from the left. 78' Joshimar scores, reduce margin for MdSp. 46' 2nd half starts, 2 changes for BFC Chhetri in Meitei out and Rino Anto in Vishal kumar out 45+1 half-time, excellent display of the game!  45' 1 minute added time39' corner for MdSp, taken in a diff. variation, but wasted. 38' Freekick wasted by Tolgay! 37' Joshimar pulled down gently outside the box, freekick for MdSp from a good spot  35.30' Substitution for Md. Sp - Ajay Singh in Manandeep out  32' A great display of the game from Ashley's wards. started from their own penalty box and went till the opponents's box with loosing possession. great fitness level.   28' G-O-O-A-L, one more, a header again, and this time from Aussie Sean Rooney from Thoi's center.  24' ... and John's brilliant header-goal, only if you are interested, only here - http://www.gcsstars.com/2013/10/pics-bengaluru-fc-vs-mohammedan.html 23' Md Sp trying to come back to the game.   11' G-O-O-A-L and this is what we predicted? Johnson's goal from Beikho's corner. This is insane, third time in a row.     9. BFCs attack from the left wing, Malemn takes a a rather wayward long ranger.    6.10' MdSp got two back-to back corners, the first corner from Sandeep was dipping in, Pawan kumar clears it. 5.15 good display by Pen in the midfield, gave to tolgay  3' first attack for BFC from right flank, Rooney carries, floats to the box. 2.23' THrowin for MdSp.   1.30' Darling of the crowd Johnson clears a rather innocuous ball. 0.1 Match starts, BFC attacking from left to right. Hello folks, R-4 of Airtel I-League and the BFC Vs MdSp this time and GCSStars.com will go live from 3.30 pm, well before the kick-off!

Bengaluru FC look for third straight win

Quite a contradictory setting - a team riding on the top after a pair of back-to-back wins and their opponent lying at the bottom with two losses from as many matches. 

Confident Bengaluru FC, unbeaten, sitting pretty at the top with 7 points and goal difference of +4 and then juxtaposed Mohammedan Sporting, yet to open their account with a goal difference of -5. 

So, are the spectators going to see a David vs. Goliath fight? Well, that's not something in Bengaluru FC gaffers mind, "We treat each team equally, and we’ll go in tomorrow's match just like any other match. The league is just 3 rounds old, you can't really say anything by looking at the table." Ashley further adds, "They might be at the bottom of the points table, but they are a good team with quality foreigners!" 

Nigerian Abdul Aziz Moshood, popularly known as Bola bhai, is a worried man. Mainstay in defense, Luciano Sobrosa, who helped Mohammedan Sporting to win Durand Cup is out injured, his midfield maestro Penn Orje is not fully fit, and Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey is far from his goal scoring form. But he puts up a brave face, "We might have lost the matches, but we played well relatively, and mind it we were playing against better opponents." 

Is it an away win or a safe draw that is going in his mind? He smiles, "Be it home or away, it doesn't matter to us, my endeavor is to get points." 

Bola Bhai is quite impressed with the progress of the JSW-sponsored team, "They have really played well!". He is not deterred with his opponents' physical aspect and fitness-level, adds, "Football is a skill game, if they are physically strong, we can counter them by moving the ball around." 

The match kicks-off at 4 pm, Bangalore Football Stadium. 

[PICS] Bengaluru FC Vs United Sports, I-League, 2013-14

[VIDEO] Bengaluru FC Vs United Sports - post match reactons

Video courtesy: Tridib Bose 

Home team 

Away team 

[LIVE] Airtel I-League 2013-14 - Bengaluru FC Vs United Sports Club

Airtel I-League 2013-14
Round 2  Sunday, October 6, 2013  Bangalore Football Stadium Kick-off: 4 pm
Scorer: John Johnson-3'	1	-	0	Scorer:
Bengaluru FC: Pawan Kumar; Vishal Kumar, Curtis Osano, John Johnson, Keegan Perreira; John Menyongar, Darren Celdeira, Beikhokei, Siam Hangal ; Sean Rooney, Sunil Chhetri Sub: NS Manju, Malemnganba Meitei, Robin Singh, Thoi Singh, Rino Anto, Bruno Colaco, Lalrojama Fanai
United Sports Club: Sangram Mukherjee; Dhanachandra, Bello Rasaq, Anupam Sarkar, Dipak Mondal, ; Asif K, Jayanta Sen, Eric Brown, Souvik Chakraborty; Ranti Martins, Md. Rafique Sub: Biswajit Biswas, Vineeth, Barun Oraon, Baldeep Singh, Snehasish Chakraborty, Abhijit Das, Surajit Bose
LIVE UPDATES
90+3 Ref blows the final whistle 1-0 for BFC, stadium erupts, and our Namma-Bengaluru team at the top of the I-league table 90+2 Defense lapse at the other end, corner, last chance for United Sports! 90+1 when you have John Johnson in defense, seldom you need to worry! 90' 3 mins added 87' Rock solid John Johnson in defense!    83' Substitution for BFC, Malemn IN Chhetri OUT   79' United's coach Elco shown the door, he sits outside the dugout.  78' Nasty challenge by Menyongar! 77' Freekick for United, gone futile  74.50 USC doing all good till the midfield, but clueless inside the box, sheer brilliance of BFC defense 71' Deepak gets a yellow card after he brought down Keegan! 46' Match resume after lemon break, one change for USC, Surojit Bose IN Rafique Out  45' +2' first half concludes, a good game displayed by both the teams, Ranty is thoroughly checked by Curtis Osano  45' +2 minutes time added42' great counter from USC, Deepak Mondal falters inside the box 40' BFC pressurizing USC defense for last 4 minutes  37' unbelievable miss by Rooney, got the posession after a fumble by Anupam Sarkar. 1-1 with keeper, Sangram punches out   36.20 lovely touch from Ranty, plays 1-1 with Rafique, no one was there to collect his final delivery 35' Dipak comes upfront, earns a freekick for his team, wasted by Eric  30' Nothing productive from Ranty so far, but medio Eric Brown looked impressive for USC   26.30 a great pass by Captain Chhetri for Darren, the later fumbles on the penalty box  25.50' By far a good display of possessional football by USC, BFC is relying on couter attack  24' A great thru pass for Ranty from Jayanta Sen, he was in an offside dilemma.  22' BFC on attack mode, coming from the right flank this time. thwarted by USC defense  20' Vishal fouled by Jayanta, John Menyongar takes freekick, wasted   18 Keegan makes a goal line save, lucky BFC, consistent attack from USC  17.45 Eric's freekick, almost got the equalizer for USC 16.45 Siam fouls Jayanta, freekick for USC 13.56 Great pass from the mid for Ranty, he sets up for Rafique, offside!  12' BFC earns their 2nd corner, but time, John could not repeat his feat! 9.52' Some good solo skills by USC striker Md. Rafique, fouled, Eric brown takes the freekick, wasted!  8.17' Defender John seems to be the foreigner of the season, great attitude    5' Throw in for USC, Dhana throw cleared by John Johnson  3'00 G-O-O-A-L As if this was scripted! Beikho takes the corner, and John Johnson heads a goal!   2.24' Dhana clears the ball, corner for BFC 1.29' Long ball for Ranti, offside 0:00 match kicks off 3.59' USC kicking off, attacking left to right! 3.57 Crowd has already gathered, chanting BFC-BFC-BFC, great atmosphere!   3:50 United Sports' new foreigner on trial Hassan was seen on the sideline not on the ground! 3.45: BFC is keeping the winning combination, Malemn and Thoi is back, in the team list, but not in the starting XI   Hello folks, GCSStars.com will go live from 3.30 pm, well before the kick-off!

[PICS] United Sports Practice - I-League, 2013-14

Confident Bengaluru FC meets injury-struck United Sports

The host Bengaluru FC, riding on a confident show so far and their opponent United Sports Club, 100% win record till date, a developed side with foreign experts and a team to beat! Sunday’s battle at the Bangalore Football Stadium will be the battle of the top two teams in I-League. 

“A new developing side perhaps require development in all areas”, cites gaffer Ashley Westwood. "We play every game to win" and should take them to the top of the league table. 

News from the Bengaluru FC camp is that, Manpreet Singh, who is yet to start a game for the JSW-sponsored team is out injured due to ACL tear. The good news is definitely in the form of Malemngamba Meetei who will come back to tomorrow’s match after seating out the match against Rangdajied United owing to heavy fever.

United Sports have injury woes galore. As if running an I-League team without a sponsor was not enough, the team regrouped quite late in the season. With less than 3-weeks of practice they started their I-League campaign, and yet managed to win the first two matches convincingly. 

United's Dutch coach Eelco Schattorie puts his team’s situation as "Survival Mode" and he states, “It is difficult to prepare a team in less than three weeks". 

In last couple of weeks he has seen five of his prominent players getting injured - midfield general Lalkamal Bhowmick fracturing his ankle, Tapan Maity, Dipak Mondal Jr, goalkeeper Swaroop Das, and the latest being central defender Anupam Sarkar. Sarkar fractured his nose in today's practice session after he went for a header and looks doubtful for tomorrow's game.  

Also in the list is talented midfielder Vineeth who could not join the practice session today owing to sickness.  

When you have a team ‘playing every game to win’ and another high on morale, despite of woes on and off the field, sure the match will reach great heights!