Bengaluru FC hope to seize advantage in chilly Shillong

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood said he will not be counting Rangdajied United’s battle with relegation as an indicator of the side his team will be playing at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Shillong on Saturday. 

The clubs, at either extremes of the I-League table, have met two times this season where Bengaluru have come out winners once while their Federation Cup meeting ended in a draw. 

The League leaders would also look at this as the ideal chance to stretch their lead at the top of the table to six points after second-placed Sporting Clube de Goa went down 1-3 to Mohammedan Sporting in Kolkata on Friday.  

“Rangdajied have a new coach and a new signing. We have played them twice and they are definitely better than what the League table suggests,” said Westwood at the pre-match press conference on Friday. 

Placed 13^th, Rangdajied lost patience with former coach Santosh Kashyap and Herring Shangplian is the new man at the helm for a week now. The Shillong team has also brought in Ranti Martins from United SC to shore up their attack. 

The weather in the hill city has been chilly over the last few days and showers on the eve of the game haven’t made matters better. But Westwood believes the climate would make it a good game. “We aren't going to see anyone cramping up or dehydrated and that will surely make it a good game.” 

Skipper Sunil Chhetri returns to the side after sitting out of the draw against Mumbai FC last week and it would be interesting to see what first XI Westwood chooses to field. Rangdajied, meanwhile, will miss their Japanese left-back Yohei Iwasaki who sits out with a suspension. 

Interestingly, given the number of clubs he has been with, it will be the first time that Chhetri plays in Shillong. “I have always heard about the fans and atmosphere here and I’m looking forward to the game tomorrow. We just need to stick to what we have been doing and hopefully we can walk away with a good result from here,” he said. 

The game kicks off at 5 pm. 

[VIDEO] Nike Magista: Teaser campaign for Nike's revolutionary football boot

For Nike, a marquee tournament in Brasil is the ultimate moment for a revolution in football design, and they've been working towards this moment for a long time. 

Nike have redefined what was possible in running footwear with Nike Flyknit in 2012, and again in basketball with the Kobe 9. 

Now Flyknit will be just one element of a boot that will redefine what is possible for the beautiful game. 

As they prepare for a big launch, check this video to know a little more about what they are talking about! 

Bengaluru FC striker duo Chhetri and Robin in India squad, Vineeth on standby list

AIFF Media

National Coach Wim Koevermans has announced his squad of 20 Players for India’s International Friendly against Bangladesh slated to be held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa on March 5, 2014. The kick-off is at 6pm.

While Pune FC Goalkeeper Amrinder Singh and Churchill Brothers Striker Balwant Singh got their maiden call-ups to the National Camp, Goalkeeper Subrata Paul, Mumbai FC defender Sandesh Jhingan and Alwyn George made a comeback to the Squad.

The Squad assembles in Goa on March 1 while due to Airtel I-League commitments, Amrinder Singh, Gurjinder Kumar, Sandesh Jhingan, Arnab Mondal, Mehtab Hossain, Lalrindika Ralte and Aibhorlang Khongjee would be joining the pack on March 2.    

The 20-member squad list is as follows:

GOALKEEPERS: Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar SC), Amrinder Singh (Pune FC), Subrata Paul (FC Vestsjaelland).

DEFENDERS: Denzil Franco (Churchill Brothers), Arnab Mondal (East Bengal), Aibhorlang Khongjee (Mohun Bagan), Sandesh Jhingan (Mumbai FC), Gurjinder Kumar (Pune FC), Narayan Das (Dempo SC).

MIDFIELDERS: Mehtab Hossain, Lalrindika Ralte (both East Bengal), Lenny Rodrigues (Churchill Brothers), Rocus Lamare (Salgaocar SC), Alwyn George, Clifford Miranda (both Dempo SC), Francis Fernandes (Salgaocar SC), Victorino Fernandes (Sporting Clube de Goa).

FORWARDS: Sunil Chhetri, Robin Singh (both Bengaluru FC), Balwant Singh (Churchill Brothers).

LIST OF STANDBYES:

Subhashish Roychowdhury (Dempo SC), Arindam Bhattacharya (Churchill Brothers), Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (East Bengal); Raju Gaikwad (East Bengal), Nicolau Colaco (Salgaocar SC), Mohan Raj (Sporting Clube de Goa); Pronay Halder (Dempo SC), Denson Devadas (Mohun Bagan), Md. Rafique, Asif K (both United SC); CK Vineeth (Bengaluru FC), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Dempo SC), Thongkhosiem Haokip, Gabriel Fernandes (both Pune FC).  

[PICs] Bengaluru FC vs Mumbai FC matday pics

Source: Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC Share Point With Mumbai FC

Bengaluru FC Media

Robin Singh finished off some brilliant work by Beikhokhei Beingaichho, placing his header home as Bengaluru FC drew 1-1 with Mumbai FC at the Bangalore Football Stadium, in Bangalore, on Sunday. The equalizer came after Mumbai FC defender Ebi Sukore gave the visiting team a 47^th minute lead that they would soon lose. 

While the result still leaves Bengaluru FC in pole position on the table with a three-point lead over Sporting Clube de Goa, Ashley Westwood believed is boys had the chances to stretch the gap to five. 

With skipper Sunil Chhetri missing the fixture owing to a suspension, Singh started in the centre while Sean Rooney played on the right. Westwood handed the captain’s armband to young right-back Rino Anto who has been impressive all season. Bengaluru made all the right noises to start with but weren’t capitalizing on all the possession they had. Mumbai FC, on the other hand, were content soaking in the attacks. 

Singh smashed the bar from the right in the very second minute, making a statement of intent. But it was in the 33^rd minute that the striker should have pulled the dagger only for his touch to let him down. Beingaichho squeezed in on the right and found Singh who had to simply tap home from close. But Singh’s touch let him down as the ball bobbed off his feet and out of danger.

While it was all Bengaluru in the first half, it was Mumbai FC who shot to a lead two minutes into the second. Picked out from the left, Sukore turned Curtis Osano the wrong way before calmly tapping home, much to the home support’s shock. 

But Bengaluru refused to let the goal negate all the hard work they had been putting in and reaped a reward in the 55^th minute. Set free down the right, Beingaichho dazzled with some sublime skill that saw him take out two Mumbai FC defenders before sending in an inch-perfect cross that Singh nodded in to spark the crowd to life. 

Going for the kill, Westwood pulled off a slightly-injured Beingaichho as CK Vineeth came on for his Bengaluru debut. Minutes later, striker Karan Sawhney came on for Siam Hanghal as Bengaluru pressed for a winner. However, Mumbai staved off attack after attack as the game ended with players from both sides exchanging words. Bengaluru FC have 31 points from 16 games while Mumbai FC, on 10^th place, have 18 from 16 games.  

Bengaluru FC look to settle scores against Mumbai FC tomorrow

With just nine games - three home and six away to go, I-League topper Bengaluru FC enters into the crucial period of the season when they take on Mumbai FC at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Sunday, 4 PM. 

Bengaluru FC realize they cannot afford a slip up in their quest for what would be a stunning debut season as just two points separate second-placed Sporting Clube de Goa from the Blues. 

The steel men would be keen to settle scores after a heated away leg saw Ashley Westwood’s boys concede from the last kick of the game that ended 2-2 in Pune. 

Gaffer Ashley Westwood is not taking Mumbai FC, which is lying low at tenth in points table lightly, “Any side at the bottom will always be a dangerous proposition. We never take anything for granted. This game will be as tough as it gets,” said at the pre-game press conference. 

Asked if playing six of the remaining nine games away from home could be a hurdle for the Blues, Westwood begged to differ. “You play a complete season league as per the schedule and it’s the first half and the second half of the League put together that decides a champion. 

A key absentee for the Blues would be skipper Sunil Chhetri who misses the game with a suspension and Robin Singh, in all likelihood, should start ahead with Sean Rooney and Beikhokhei Beingaichho. 

Mumbai FC have added five IMG-R players in their rooster, also, they got a new set foreigners in Alfred Jayran and Ebi Sukore bolstering their attack. 

They have a doubtful starter in skipper Climax Lawrence who is suffering from an eye infection impacting his visibility. 

Namma football fans interact with their favorite players at BFC Day Out

Bengaluru FC Media

Football fans of the city got an inimitable experience to interact with the players over a day of football and fun at the BFC Day Out, an initiative by Bengaluru FC, celebrated today at the Bangalore Football Stadium. 

A pleasant Sunday morning saw 5-a-side tournament played by fans, the teams were coached by the BFC players. This event was followed by an exhibition game played by the journalists. 

Colm Toal: Disappointed with today's BFC vs U-19 result

With his team getting thrashed by the leader of I-League, Colm Toal, chief coach, youth development, was a disappointed man. Off-course, nothing much Colm could do with this depleted squad. 

After putting up a spirited performance in the first half, the second string India U-19 boys succumbed to the mighty BFC. Namma-Steelmen got the better of the juniors 4-0, Robin Singh scored 3 and one by Karan Sawhney. 

"We got outplayed today, we played against a very good team, it is like men against boys!" Toll added, "An eye-opener for the boys the standard they need to get to if they want to play in the I-League. The team that we played in the first half was very good and you can see why they are at the top the of I-League with that performance today. A good experience for us!

Colm pointed that his boys played against quality foreigners and Indian players. In his eighteen months together with this group, he has not played against a team with such a physical presence!

Colm hope to play against the Goan clubs in the coming months, "We are hoping we can organize our boys to sign up for I-League clubs. Four have signed for Shillong, but today, they saw what they need to be. Physically, technically and mentally! 

In his final remarks, he sounded impressed with Bengaluru FC, "They've got a good coach, good support staff and quality of players. We need more clubs in India doing what this club is doing."

[PICs] India U-19 Vs Bengaluru FC friendly

Friend, associate of GCSStars.com, Ivin, sends us these pics, he's right at the stadium now. Keep the spirit going bro!

  

[Notice] Selection trial for District Womens Football Tournament

BDFA is organizing a selection trial for the inter district women football tournament. Organized by the state football body, KSFA, this will be the first of its kind in Karnataka. Mysore will be hosting this tournament from the 3^rd week of February. 

The selected footballers will be playing for Bangalore District Football Association. Other participating districts are Bellary, Shimoga, Kodagu, Tumkur, Mandya, Mysore, Belgaum, and Dakshin Kannada. 

Interested footballers are requested to report to Ms. Chitra Gangadharan, Saturday, February 8, 5 pm, at National College Ground, Basavangundi. 

For further query, please contact the following numbers – 8197096461 and 9448429773.

Santosh Trophy: Karnataka crash out of Santosh after losing to Kerala in a thriller

10 minutes of added time, Kerala scores in the 8th and 9th minute with 1-2 down, and throws Karnataka out of Santosh Trophy. Was it a fairly officiated game? 

Karnataka simply needed a point to qualify for the final round of Santosh Trophy. However, making matter worse, they lose out to the runner-up of last edition Kerala 2-3. 

Top two teams qualify to the final round; Karnataka is virtually out of this tournament. With Tamil Nadu playing against a much easier opponent Andhra Pradesh in front of their home, Karnataka can only hope to qualify at the expense of Tamil Nadu, which is highly unlikely to happen.