Bengaluru open their winning account in Hero I-League

A brace from Thoi Singh with nicely complemented one goal each by Eugeneson Lyngdoh and CK Vineeth helped Bengaluru FC (BFC) to get their Hero I-League campaign going. 

Ashley Westwood handed starts to Vineeth, Thoi and Lalchhuanmawia and the trio vindicated the gaffer’s decision. While Vineeth rose to nod home a Rino Anto cross, Lalchhuanmawia picked out Lyngdoh with a peach of a ball which the midfielder brought down with class before calmly placing the ball on ’keeper Nikhil Bernard’s right. Thoi’s brace included a poacher’s goal and a cultured finish after running with the ball from the half line.

CK Vineeth scored his first goal for the BFC – a perfectly placed header in the 34^th minute before an impeccable Eugeneson Lyngdoh finish. Thoi Singh then helped himself to an eight minute brace as BFC picked their first win in the hill city. 

While the BFC would take a one-nil win as happily, the big score and clean sheet will work as the perfect injection of confidence before the key trip to Malaysia where they play Johor Darul Ta’zim on February 4. 

Coming into the game on the back of three consecutive wins, Wahingdoh had chances of their own but were denied by either resolute defending or the woodwork on three occasions. Striker Kim Yong Song was in the thick of things often but John Johnson and Curtis Osano did enough to keep him at bay. Johnson had a header of his own kept out brilliantly by Bernard in the first half.

Westwood had denied a presence of pressure in his pre-match press conference and the boys gave enough advertisement of the fact. The win takes BFC to sixth position on the table and Westwood will be keen to keep the momentum going when the team returns from Malaysia to host Bharat FC (February 8) and Shillong Lajong (February 14) in Bengaluru.

Bengaluru take on tough Royal Wahingdoh

Bengaluru FC (BFC) did not have the best of starts to their campaign, earned just one point from three games. They’ll be under a lot of pressure to come back with very little time against a confident Royal Wahingdoh (RWFC).

3 victories in the as many fixtures give RWFC a record – best start to a season by a promoted team.

Both teams will have had a lot of travelling prior to Saturday’s game. Fitness, recuperation and the changes in weather will all play a part, as noted by RWFC coach Santosh Kashyap after the Bharat FC game. 

Having made the trip to Kolkata earlier this week, BFC were unlucky to go down 1-0 down to East Bengal after having dominated the game and Westwood will look at his squad to add sharper finishing to what was an otherwise brilliant show at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday. 

RWFC announced the signing of two defenders – Naoba Singh and Govin Singh.

BFC gaffer Ashley Westwood assured the mood in the Blues’ camp was anything but down. “The mood’s good as is the morale. If you look at the last nine games, it’s just two that we’ve lost. It’s not disastrous form. It’s just that our two losses have been compounded because they are back to back. There’s no reason to be down and not confident. We are I-League and Federation Cup champions,” said the gaffer on the eve of the game.” 

While BFC are still digging their heels into the new season, league debutants RWFC have gotten off to a dream start. The Santosh Kashyap-coached side is the unlikely leaders after 3 rounds. “It is an excellent beginning for us and we have been playing some good football. Bengaluru may have not had the best start but that doesn’t mean they are easy opponents. We all know the kind of set up they have. Also, they are coming on the back of a Federation Cup win so it’s going to be tough on Saturday,” said Kashyap. 

Westwood too isn’t taking RWFC lightly. BFC haven’t won in Shillong as yet but the gaffer said the record had no bearing on the way his boys are looking at the game. “We don’t even remember opponents and stadiums after a bit. Every new game is taken on merit. We know we are in for a tough one tomorrow. RWFC haven’t won three games by fluke. They have played decent opposition. They have to be taken very seriously and are in good form so obviously, we are expecting a very tough game,” said Westwood who has a completely fit squad to choose from. 

The match between Royal Wahingdoh and Bengaluru FC is slated to start tomorrow, Saturday, 4.30 PM, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong. 

Bengaluru FC fail to break the jinx, go down against East Bengal

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC’s East Bengal hoodoo continued when they were left to rue missed chances by the dozen as the Red and Golds were lucky to nick a goal and three points at the Salt Lake Stadium, on Wednesday.

Ashley Westwood made a statement of intent with the line-up he chose. Substitutes in the loss to Pune, Sunil Chhetri and Robin Singh were both handed starts in a team that featured Sean Rooney too. And it took as many as five minutes for the Blues to unsettle the East Bengal defence. Put through by a precise Joshua Walker ball, Robin Singh had no one but Subhashish Roychowdhury to beat. But a delay to shoot by a fraction cost the striker dear.

Only minutes later, Walker was at the helm of things himself. Skipping past a player and caressing the ball into space, the midfielder caught Roychowdhury off his line and almost scored a contender for goal of the season with the prettiest of chips only to see it ricochet off the crossbar. The rebound fell kindly for Robin but the striker’s hook was off target. The Blues made sure Roychowdhury was the busiest man in the half when Eugeneson Lyngdoh’s rasping strike from 25 yards out drew a save from the ’keeper. 

Despite numerous chances to take the lead, the Blues went into the break with the scores unchanged. Needing to make use of the major share of possession, Armando Colaco's men started the second half with renewed vigour. 

Swift on the counter and clinical down the flanks, East Bengal took the lead in the 53rd minute through Abinash Ruidas. The nippy winger found himself at the right place at the right time to slide in and finish under pressure following Ranti Martins' trap of an Arnab Mondal cross.

Handed the disadvantage early in the second half, the Blues ventured forward to find the all important equaliser with Chhetri and Beikhokhei Beingaichho running riot down the wings. The visitors responded almost immediately when Rooney slid Beingaichho through but East Bengal defender Milan Susak did well to recover and make the block.

The Blues' best chance to pull level fell to Robin when Rooney curled a peach of a cross into the area. The 24-year-old striker's glancing header missed Roychowdhury's far post by inches to keep East Bengal's lead intact. With minutes left to play in regulation time, Westwood sent on Thoi Singh and Lalchhuanmawia to put pressure on the East Bengal backline but the home side stood strong to see the game through and claim all three points. 

Bengaluru begin travels with East Bengal challenge

Bengaluru FC Media

Top two teams of last edition's I-League lock horns for the first time this season as Kolkata giants East Bengal host defending champions Bengaluru FC at the Salt Lake stadium on Wednesday evening.

The Red and Golds had suffered a disastrous campaign in the Federation Cup and have opened their Hero I-League sojourn with a 1-1 draw against Sporting Clube de Goa whereas Bengaluru FC are still fresh from a 3-1 thrashing in the hands of Pune FC in the last. 

With tomorrow's match, Bengaluru begin a key and hectic run of games over the week - playing as many as 3 games in a span of eight days including a clash with Royal Wahingdoh in chilly Shillong and the AFC Champions League trip to Malaysia.

East Bengal enjoy a 3-0 win record over Bengaluru. History and recent results may not give the Blues a big chance, Westwood has more than a resilient bunch who are no strangers to battling odds and coming out  trumps. Though last Saturday at home against Pune didn't quiet go according to plan, Westwood had a second half full of positives to pick from.

“We’ve played East Bengal three times and lost three times so it’s a record as bad as it can get and we’re happy to go into this game as underdogs. They have a good side and the crowd will be behind them. It’s going to be a good, tough game and one that we will be well prepared for,” said Westwood at the pre-game press conference on Tuesday.

Both teams have only a solitary point in their kitty, with the host having played a game less. While the East Bengal will be eager to keep their all win record against the recent Federation Cup winners intact, the travelling squad will be eager to garner their first points against the Kolkata club.

Former national footballer Murugan passes away

Former National player of the 70s Murugan passed away today, 11 am at his residence at Marikuppam, KGF.  He was not keeping well for last three months. Murugan was 71 years old and left behind his wife and 4 sons. 

Murugan was employed with MEG for 16 years, he represented his employer at various state and national level tournaments, also, played for Services and his state.

There’s a nice story about how Murugan took the beautiful game seriously. In 1958, when he was studying in 8^th standard he saw a football selection camp at Chellapa School, KGF, this was for MEG team. His friends forced him to participate. MEG coach made no mistake to identify the fantastic talent and since then there was no looking back for Murugan. 

Post his playing days, he got involved in coaching BEML teams in Bangalore and KGF and also boys from his locality.  

His body will be taken at the burial ground, Marikuppam, and the service will take place tomorrow 5 pm. 

Pune FC wins the battle of professionals

Two quick strikes by the visitors in the first half and a later in the second half sealed the fate of the Round 2 game between Bengaluru FC (BFC) and Pune FC (PFC). 

BFC gaffer Westwood pulled a surprise of sort by benching Captain Sunil Chhetri and Robin Singh. Young left back Lalchhuanmawia was in the starting lineup.  Also, central midfielder Joshua Walker made a comeback after sitting out the first match owing to injury. 

PFC started with all foreigners including their newly inducted player from Portugal Edgar Marcelino. 

The host made their first foray in the 5th minute from left by Keegan Perriera, few minutes later Thoi Singh’s long ranger missed the target. They forced 5 corners in the first half, but failed to take any advantage. 

Montenegrin international Darko Nikač scored in the 9th minute - a calm finish to the right corner of net after beating an offside trap. PFC struck once again through central defender 25th minute Luciano Sobrosa. 

It took no time for the BFC coach to bring Sunil Chhetri to the pitch replacing Keegan Perriera. The change impacted immediately with a couple of quick attacks.  

A good built up from center by Walker could have got host their first goal, a brilliant one-touch pass from Sean Rooney set the ball for Chhetri, but PFC keeper was there at the right spot which prevented from scoring. 
Post lemon break, BFC added power in their attack by bringing in Robin Singh for Beikhokhei.  

The score line could have read 3-0 for PFC should Thongkhosiem Haokip not missed a sitter in the 53rd minute. It was a matter of 20-odd minutes, when the tall striker from North-East scored an opportunistic goal from all the hard work that Ishfaq Ahmed did in the center.  

In the 88th minute medio Eugenson Lyngdoh pulled one back for the hosts.    

Pune and Bengaluru FC are the examples to follow in Indian Football: Kareem

Round 2 and the clash is between India’s two most professional clubs – Bengaluru FC (BFC) and Pune FC (PFC). Though both teams have failed to register a win in round 1, bet they are looking to win this game in the Hero I-League campaign!

Needless to say both teams are well prepared in this season, they played against each other few weeks ago during the Hero Federation Cup semifinal, where Bengaluru got the better of Pune in a hard fought battle. The former went on winning the cup.   

PFC has always been a tough opposition for BFC, they could not get past PFC in the last edition of I-League. Though BFC coach Ashley Westwood looked quite content with a draw against Dempo last week, he too is looking for a win.  

Westwood said, “We play every game to win, obviously PFC is a strong team, even they too play to win. Finally it would all come to who got the best formation and tactic in the day”. 

Pune is missing 3 players from their first squad, skipper Anas Edathodika, Prakash Thorat and Fanai Lalrempuia who were in excellent touch from the beginning of the season are out injured. 

PFC’s Moroccan coach Karim Bencherifa assures, “We have 19 players in the squad, everyone is fit and in good form.” 

PFC is bolstered by two new foreign signings - striker Darko Nikač, Montenegrin international as a marquee player and Portuguese midfielder Edgar Marcelino who had plied his trade for FC Goa in the recently concluded ISL. However, Edgar seems to be a doubtful starter on Saturday delay to clearance formalities. 

Kareem trusts in the professionalism displayed by both clubs, “PFC and BFC are the examples to follow in India Football!”

The match between Bengaluru FC and Pune FC is slated to start tomorrow, Saturday, 7 PM, Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore.

Former state footballer Mahendra Prasad passes away

Former Santosh Trophy player, Mahendra Prasad died at his residence yesterday evening owing to respiratory problem. He was 66 years old and left behind his wife and two daughters. 

Prasad started his football career with Binny Mills in the 70s, later he moved on to CIL. He joined HAL in 1978 and ITI the following year, where he played till 1990. 

While representing ITI, Prasad played on all national-level tournaments. A speedy forward in his heydays, Mahendra Prasad was often termed as a goal getter. Also, he played in the midfield position for ITI.

His body was taken to the Christian cemetery on Hosur road, where the  burial took place at 4.45 pm. KSFA and BDFA condoled the death of Mahendra Prasad. 

Bengaluru fail to get past Dempo

Sans three foreigners and regular captain Clifford Miranda, Dempo kept their defense tight and played a goalless draw against the champions Bengaluru FC (BFC).  

Pleasant weather, electric atmosphere, crowd chants, assembling to stadium an hour advance. The match between Bengaluru FC and Dempo Sports Club at Sree Kanteerava Stadium was set for an absolute humdinger. 

For Dempo, new signee Nirmal Chhetri was in the starting lineup. For BFC, last year’s star performer goalkeeper Pawan Kumar was replaced by Ralte, who has shown his nerve under the bar in Durand and Federation Cup. 

BFC kicked off, attacking from left to right, they held the edge as the visitors could field only one foreigner. Tolgay Ozbey and Haroon Fakhruddin were out injured and Costa Rican medio Carlos Hernandez could not be fielded owing to clearance issue.  

The first minute of the game saw Sunil’s floater from the right wing, which was cleared by skipper Callum Angus. A needless charge by defender Debabrata Roy to Beikhokhei, the later was booked on the 9th minute after a rough challenge on Robin Singh. 

Papas’ young Turks Romeo, Holicharan, and Mandar tried making inroads.  Some stout defending from central defenders Angus and Fulgancia Cardozo kept BFCs attack at bay. 

Dempo missed scoring opportunity twice in first half - in 21st minute a looping corner from Farncis Fernandez touched Angus’s head missed the top corner. Another one in 34th minute BFC keeper when Ralte failed to clear a Jewel Raja’s long shot and Holicharan failed to latch the opportunity on his follow-up.   

BFC earned a penalty in the 44’ minute after continuous pressure in the last 5 minutes of first half.  Angus handballed inside the box, however, Dempo keeper Kattimani guessed Sunil Chhetri’s shot on the right side.   

Both teams failed to score in the second half. 

Bengaluru begin I-League campaign against Dempo

Round 1 of Hero I-League season, country’s best two teams in contention, newly laid natural turf, bigger capacity stadium, LED infused floodlight - football-loving fans of the Garden City couldn't have asked for a better weekend! 

A very similar position for the host Bengaluru FC too! After winning I-League last season, they have won the Hero Federation Cup few weeks back outdoing the same rival.  

Bengaluru FC proved to be a tormentor for India’s best football club for the past decade, Dempo Sports Club. They’ve have defeated them in past three occasions.

Coach Ashley Westwood feels his boys have worked on their fitness level in last 5 months and conditioned well for a long season. “Other than Joshua Walker, who picked up an injury in the Federation Cup finals, the rest of the team looks fine. We are in great form, only hope to be consistent, and carry forward to the rest of the season”, says coach. 

For the 5-time champions Dempo, it will be a bumpy start to the race. They have few injury concerns – Afghanistan international Haroon Fakhruddin has been ruled out and Tolgay Ozbey and Clifford appears to be a doubtful for tomorrow’s match.

Dempo captain believes that the JSW-promoted club from Bangalore holds advantage, “Bengaluru FC is playing at home, the best team in the country at this moment, and the Hero Federation Cup champion”, said the India international. 

Clifford did not reveal much on Dempo’s strategy for the game rather it is up to Coach Arthur Papas’ plate. But his team is not intimidated, “Despite of all concerns, we still have 11 players to play”, affirms Clifford. 

The match between Bengaluru FC and Dempo Sports Club is slated to start tomorrow, Saturday, 7 PM, Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore. 

Dempo SC captain Clifford Miranda and Bengaluru FC Captain Sunil Chhetri  pose with the Hero I-League trophy during the Launch Press Conference in Bangalore.

Westwood: We want to put up a good show in the Asian level

Bengaluru FC couldn’t have asked for a better start. After winning I-League last season, they have recently won the Federation Cup. Only club from the Garden City after ITI (who won the inaugural edition back in 1977)!

Here’s an interesting trivia, other than losing out to Salgaokar in tie-breaker (after a goalless draw for 90‘+30‘minutes) in Durand Cup, they’ve lost only to Shillong Lajong in an away match in March last year. So two defeats in last 10 months.

They have a packed season ahead including AFC Champions league qualifiers. Coach Ashley Westwood feels his boys have worked on their fitness level in last 5 months, and conditioned well for a long season. “Other than Josh Walker, who picked up an injury in the Federation Cup finals, the rest of the team looks fine. They’re in great form, only hope to be consistent, and carry forward to the rest of the season”, says coach.  

Last season Ashley got a more compact team comprising of 14 core members. In this season until now, he has rotated with 18 players. 

BFC seems to bully India’s best football club for the past decade Dempo as they have defeated them in past 3 occasions, and meeting them again on coming Saturday, January 18. 

Owing to FIFA U-17 World Cup work, the blues will be moving out from their fortress Bangalore Football Stadium to much bigger Kanteerava Football Stadium. Also, that would mean moving on from artificial turf and playing in natural turf. 

In spite of being the I-League and Federation Cup champions, pressure doesn't deter him believes the gaffer, “There was pressure last year too - as a debutante, we started our season with a bang, 4 win and a draw in the first 5 games. Quite quickly the word was out that we’re a team to beat, and every team raised their game against us! 

Generally prioritizing games has been a challenge for the Indian clubs who qualify for Asian clubs, most of the time faltering in the Asian-level. However, coach takes match by match feels his priority is the next game, rather than prioritizing I-League or AFC cup.  

“We want to play well and defend our title and put up a good show in the Asian level”, the gaffer proudly signs off.

Fixture - 69th Santosh Trophy South Zone Qualifiers

Group A

• January 15, 2015: Kerala 6 Vs AP 0  
• January 17, 2015: AP 0 Vs Karnataka 1 
• January 19, 2015: Karnataka 0 Vs Kerala 4 

Group B

• January 16, 2015: Services Vs Pondicherry 
• January 18, 2015: Pondicherry Vs Tamil Nadu 
• January 20, 2015: Tamil Nadu Vs Services 

Xavier to lead Karnataka in Santosh Trophy qualifiers

Ekalavya awardee and HAL legend Xavier Vijaykumar will lead the state team for the 69th Santosh Trophy south zone qualifiers. Assisting Xavier will be former junior international Chethan Kumar. Matches will be played at the MDSC Stadium, Manjeri, Malappuram, Kerala. 

Karnataka is placed in Group A along with host Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. The other group comprises of Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, and Services.  

Team

• GoalKeeper: SMD Razak (RBI), MP Thomas (Dharwad)
• Defender: KB Nikhil Das (CIL), Prem Kumar (Income Tax), BV Chetan Kumar (Vice-Captain - Income Tax), Vivekananda (CIL), R Viiay (CIL)
• Midfielder: Xavier Vijay Kumar (Captain - Students Union), Prakash B (CIL), R Manivannan (South United), M Lokesh (Income Tax), P A Anup Theres Raj (Student Union), M Sunil Kumar (South United), Deepan P (Students Union), Shahzad KI (Mangalore)
• Forward: K Gopi (Student Union), K Kaviarasan (ADE), P Pradeep Kumar (CIL), V Vinoth Kumar (RBI), Vinu K Vargese (Mangalore) 
  Coach: JL Andrew GK coach: Shyam Shahi Manager: ST Bhoopal Chief de mission: SA Basheer

BDFA to participate in Don Bosco - Fr. Mcferran Trophy

Winner of 2011 and 2013 edition, BDFA XI is set to participate in the Don Bosco - Fr. Mcferran Trophy. The national-level invitational tournament will be played in DBYC Wisdom Town, Grant Lyon, Red Hills, Chennai. A total of 24 teams is participating this tournament, played between January 11 thru 25. 

Super Division team, ASC is the Bangalore connection in the Don Bosco - Fr. Mcferran Trophy. Other notable teams are Pune FC and Hindustan Eagles (Kerala). BDFA XI will play their first match against Tiruvallur DFA XI on Sunday, January 11, 3.30 pm. 

BDFA XI team  

• Goalkeeper: Dayalan (ADE), Kabir (South United)
• Defender: John Peter (South United), Shivakumar M (ADE), Yatish Pratap (DYES), Stephen Raj L (CIL), Keith Raymond (South United), Siva Kumar V (RWF), Kishore Kumar (Young Challengers) 
• Mid-fielder: M Suji Kumar (Captain-Students Union),  Sukesh Leon (Students Union), Sridhar M (CIL), ManiMaran (Young Challengers), Akash (South United), Karthick (Bangalore Independents), Gouri Shankar A (DYES), Sudarshan V L (South United)
• Strikers: Pravaruth (South United), Raj Kiran P (ADE), Shaik Inayath (Jawahar Union), Deepak R (ADE), Tony Luiz Robert (South United), 
• Manager: Mohd Imtiaz 
• Coach: R Mohan
• Asst.Coach: R Gopal

Fixture

• FINAL - Sunday, January 25, 2015, 3 PM: ASC 0 Vs BDFA XI 1 (Anup Raj-38')  
• Semi-final: 
• BDFA XI 2(4)  Vs Arrows FC 2(2)  
• ASC 1(6) Vs ICF SA, TN 1(5) 
• Quarter final
• January 14, 2015: BDFA XI 1 (John Peter-10[pen]) Vs Hindustan Eagles 0 (winner of Hindustan Eagles Vs Kerala Police)  
• January 20, 2015: ASC 9 (A Ramesh-27', Jotin-35', 40', 52', 84', Ramachandran-45', 47', 56', 60') Vs DBYC, Kochi 0 
• Pre-Quarter final: 
• January 12, 2015: BDFA XI 1[3] (Pravaruth-25' Tie-breaker-Sujikumar, Sukesh Leon, John Peter) Vs Tiruvallur DFA XI  1[1] (Vijay-88' Tie-breaker-Apthish)   
• ASC 1 () Vs Indian Bank 0 

Individual Awards 

• Best Goalkeeper: VP Sathish Kumar (ICF, Chennai)
• Best Defender: John Peter (BDFA XI)
• Best Midfielder: Brocin (DBYC, Cochin)
• Best Attacker: Jotin Singh (ASC Bangalore)
• Best Upcoming Player: Nandakumar (Hindustan Eagles, Chennai)
• Best Upcoming Player: Lalremruata (Pune FC – Jr)
• Top Scorer: Timothy (Arrows FC, Chennai) - 5 goals