Bengaluru go down fighting to Al-Wehdat, out of Champions League reckoning

Bengaluru FC Media 

A valiant effort from JSW Bengaluru Football Club went in vain as they bowed out of the running for a place in the group stages of the 2017 AFC Champions League, after a 2-1 loss to Jordanian champions Al-Wehdat at the King Abdullah International Stadium in Amman, Jordan, on Tuesday. Skipper Sunil Chhetri scored what was to be a consolation for the Blues after goals from Ahmed Wridat and Baha Faisal gave Wehdat a 2-0 lead.

Albert Roca’s 5-2-3 had Johnson, Juan, Ralte, Khabra and Udanta in defence with Lenny and Cameron in midfield, while Chhetri, Lyngdoh and Vineeth formed the Blues’ attack.

Content to sit back and soak in the pressure, Bengaluru pulled off the plan flawlessly in the first half, refusing to give Wehdat any clear chance at goals. For all the half chances that the hosts did create, Amrinder Singh was at his safest best, keeping things clean with the collections.

For all their resistance in a smart first half, Bengaluru conceded soon after the restart when Wridat scored from close after the ball came off the Blues defence and fell at the No. 9’s feet in the box. But just as the Blues were looking to put behind the disadvantage and chase the game, Sena Ralte conceded a needless penalty, bringing Baha Faisal in the box with the ball nowhere near the two. Faisal stepped up and smashed his take to Amrinder’s right even though the ’keeper guessed it right.

Left with a mountain to climb, Bengaluru refused to cave in to the pressure. And their bravery was rewarded in the 68th minute when Chhetri rose to nod home Watson’s take from a Bengaluru corner to stun the home crowd into silence. Sensing the need to add pace in the hunt for an equaliser, Roca threw in Mandar Rao Dessai for Lyngdoh.

Bengaluru’s best chance for an equaliser came in the 83rd minute when Udanta, after being picked by Chhetri, crossed in a delightful ball only to see Vineeth to hit over from close.

The Blues join Maldivian side Maziya S&RC, Bangladesh’s Abahani FC and the winner of the South Zone play-off between clubs from India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Maldives, in Group E of the AFC Cup.

Bengaluru FC Begin U16 Youth League with a draw

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC’s U16 academy side were held to a 1-1 draw by DSK Shivajians in an U16 Y-League Group C game in Nagoa, Goa, on Tuesday.

The Pune-based side took the lead in the 12th minute though a goal from . But the Colts were the clear attacking force in the second half, as they piled on attack after attack but failed to capitalise.

Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia saved the Blue Colts their blushes, controlling a long diagonal from Saqlain Khan before slotting past the DSK ’keeper five minutes from time. Kila’s side next take on Sudeva FC at the same venue on Thursday.

Bengaluru FC colts set for U16 Youth League

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC’s U16 Academy side will take on DSK Shivajians in the U16 Y-League, at the Nagoa Stadium in Goa, on Tuesday. The John Kila-coached side will look to build on their strong performance in the Rest-of-India Zone 1, where they topped the group, scoring ten goals and conceding just one.

Grouped with Red Star Academy (Thrissur) and Sudeva Football Club, a Delhi-based outfit apart, from the Pune-based DSK, Kila mentioned that the aim was to put out good performances to match those in the zonal stages.

“These boys have done well in the zonal round and we’ll be looking to build on that. Some of them have played with the U18s, so there is quality in the side and I’m sure it will reflect on the pitch tomorrow as we look for a win,” said Kila.


The game kicks-off at 9 am.    
 

AFC Champions League Qualifier - Bengaluru FC to play against Al-Wehdat

Bengaluru FC Media 

Finalists in the AFC Cup in 2016, Bengaluru FC begin their continental quest this season with a tough test away at Al-Wehdat in Jordan in an AFC Champions League Preliminary Stage Two fixture to be played at the King Abdullah International Stadium, on Tuesday.

The Blues’ Spanish coach Albert Roca said his side will have to come up with something special on the night if they are to become the first Indian club to make the Preliminary stage one of the competition. “The AFC Champions League is the highest level of competition in the continent, so I don’t think I need to spell out how tough a test this will be. We are coming up against a team that is far more experienced than us but we have to be ready for every sort of challenge if we want to consistently compete in Asia,” said Roca.

The last time Bengaluru competed for a spot in the Champions League group stages was in February 2015 when they took Johor Darul Ta’zim to extra-time in the single-leg tie before going down 2-1.

In Al-Wehdat, Bengaluru have opponents who have won the Jordan League for the last three seasons and 15 times in all apart from 10 Jordan FA Cup titles, 12 Jordan Super Cup titles and 8 Jordan FA Shield titles. In Asia, their best finish was a place in the semi-final of the AFC Cup in 2011.

Though, Bengaluru come into the game having suffered consecutive defeats in the League back home, Roca refused to cite the blip as a reason for worry before what will be his team’s biggest game till date this season. “No one in the team sees it like that. The boys know they cannot afford to make the mistakes that have cost us in the League, against a side like Wehdat and on a stage like this. While I cannot predict Tuesday’s outcome, I know that the team will turn up with the kind of attitude I want to see,” he said.

The Jordanian side, meanwhile, are riding on the back of four straight wins and sit second on the Jordan League table at the half-way stage.

“They are the favourites and we are going to have to be very organized if we want to cause them any trouble. There’s also much talk about the cold weather conditions but we refuse to make much of it,” said Roca.

The Blues arrived in Amman on Sunday morning from Goa but misplaced baggage meant the team couldn’t put in a session in the evening.

Roca’s regular rotation of the squad makes it difficult to predict the kind of starting-XI he will roll out on Tuesday. In attack, CK Vineeth, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Udanta Singh and Roby Norales have all made starts in different games, while the midfield and defence too has seen swapping of personnel.

Al Wahda of UAE awaits the winner of this tie and should Bengaluru fail to get a result against Wehdat, they will drop down the AFC Cup where they may be grouped alongside Maziya S&RC (Maldives), Abahani FC (Bangladesh) and the winner of the South Zone play-off between clubs from India, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Maldives.

The game kicks off at 9.30 pm IST.

Junior Bengaluru FC goes down to ASC in Super Division

Bengaluru FC Media 

A hat-trick from Jotin Singh scoring goals at the 11th, 54th and 71st minute sealed a 3-1 win for the ASC, as they held a young Bengaluru FC side that could find the net only late in to the game, in the BDFA Super Division League, at the Bengaluru Football Stadium, on Sunday. 

A simple tap-in by Vignesh was a consolation for the young Blues after Seiminlen Doungel, a second-half substitute returning from injury, beat the ASC goalkeeper to hit the cross bar, the ball dropped at the feet of the Blues number 8 who found his name on the score sheet.

Bengaluru FC, dressed in white, started on the offensive but failed to worry the ASC defence. It was mostly easy going for the ASC shot-stopper AK Balwanth, who had just one save to make in the first-half, a 30-yard attempt from Rizul Patiyal.

The ASC team were the stronger of the two and were running the game with their physical presence, finding their way around the Blues' high defensive line.

By the second-half Coach John Kila rung in some changes to bring in striker Seiminlen, who added the much-needed vigour into the Blues' offensive play. Coming back from injury, the number 7 who looks to garner some game time ahead of his return to the senior team, put in a few attempts at the ASC goal, but failed to hit the mark.

The highlight of the match was a 71st minute acrobatic finish by the ASC's Jotin Singh, who found enough space in the Blues' box to complete his hat-trick with an overhead kick which flew past a hapless Bengaluru FC goal-keeper.

A long-ball from the Blues' Ajay Chhetri in the 81st minute found Len Doungel, who beat the keeper but it was a tap-in from Vignesh that helped Blues find the scoresheet.

Bengaluru FC next face Rail Wheel Factory on February 1 at the Bangalore Football Stadium. 

Bengaluru FC academy lads to play in BDFA Super Division

Bengaluru FC Media

A Bengaluru FC side comprising mainly academy players will take on ASC in their opening match of the 2017 BDFA Super Division League, at the Bengaluru Football Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Sunday. 

The John Kila-coached side is set to be joined by first team youngsters Salam Ranjan Singh and Seiminlen Doungel, who will look to get some game time ahead of their return to the senior team.

Asked about his thoughts on the BDFA Super Division, Kila mentioned that the competition gives his young side a chance to play competitive games ahead of the U18 I-League.

“It’s a very good idea for the U-18 boys to play in this League. They can prepare themselves for the U-18 I-League final round and it is also a way to measure their progress as most of the opposition consists senior players. That is the next step for them in their bid to prove that they are worthy of playing in the first team,” Kila said.

Asked about his objectives from the League, Kila said that the U18s will look to take the chance to play with first team players Doungel and Ranjan, who will better the performances of the youngsters ahead of the U18 I-League.

“These boys will be looking forward to playing alongside some of the senior players, who are returning from injury. We will need those players, because it helps in the development of players. We know the League is not going to be easy for us, but it’s an opportunity to do well and increase our levels of performance,” he added.

The game kicks off at 3.15 pm.

Bengaluru stunned by Churchill

Bengaluru FC Media 
AIFF Media 

A ten-man Bengaluru FC fell to their second straight defeat going down 2-1 to Churchill Brothers in a game that saw tempers flare at the Tilak Maidan, in Goa, on Friday. Sunil Chhetri’s opener from the spot was canceled out by Anthony Wolfe before Chesterpoul Lyngdoh scored a second-half winner to consign Bengaluru to their first-ever defeat in Goa.

Ambling at a rather lazy pace, the game came to life in the 20th minute when Fulganco Cardozo brought down Roby Norales just as the Honduran was about to line up his shot, prompting referee Ranjit Bakshi to point to the spot. Chhetri stepped up and smashed his take to score for the first time since Bengaluru’s AFC Cup semifinal tie against Johor Darul Ta’zim in October 2016.

Bengaluru began finding their feet in attack and could have got a second minutes later when Chhetri skipped past two men and sent in the perfect cross only for Norales to head wide when he should have buried it home.
But it was a defensive blunder in the 33rd minute that hit Bengaluru the hardest when Chesterpoul Lyngdoh’s seemingly harmless punt from his own half went over John Johnson’s head and met Anthony Wolfe’s run. With Amrinder Singh off his line and stranded, the striker got Churchill an equaliser with a simple finish.

The goal seemed to have put a spring in the home side’s stride as they went on to grab the lead in the 53rdminute. Picked out by Wolfe in space, Chesterpoul Lyngdoh kept his calm before placing past Amrinder to make it 2-1.

Chasing the game, Roca introduced Udanta Singh and Mandar Rao Dessai to infuse some pace on the wings, pulling Norales and Nishu Kumar out in the bargain. The Blues began throwing numbers in attack and kept possession but kept running into a stubborn Churchill side who had ten men in defence.

CK Vineeth had the best chance in the 73rd minute when he looked to turn in a cross from Mandar. But his take was tipped over brilliantly by Priyant Kumar Singh in goal to deny the Blues.

The Blues were reduced to ten men on 79 minutes as Johnson was given the marching orders following a tackle on Chesterpoul. Tempers flared at the touchline as the Blues looked to chase the game back with the disadvantage, but it wasn’t to be.

Earlier, the Blues started with a tweaked line-up from the side that went down to East Bengal last week as Albert Roca handed Roby Norales a start ahead of Udanta Singh, while Alwyn George and Nishu Kumar came in for Lenny Rodrigues and Sena Ralte. Churchill, meanwhile, had players missing in Clifford Miranda, Brandon Fernandes and Seriton Fernandes. 

The Blues next travel to Jordan, where they will take on Al-Wehdat in the 2017 AFC Champions League Qualifier 2, on Tuesday, before another away fixture in the League against DSK Shivajians in Pune on February 5th. 

Ozone FC hammer Pride Sports

Displaying a much better game, Ozone FC Bengaluru thrashed Pride Sports FC 3-0. All the goals were scored in the first half, with former junior India international Anto Xavier scoring a brace and Vignesh scoring the other one. 

The fight was between the unknown team from Jabalpur, and Ozone FC, both teams were out to make amends of their earlier result, which they lost to Al Fateh and Kenkre respectively. 

Ozone proved to be a much better team today, they overpowered their opponent in all departments. Pride Sports, demoralized after conceding three goals in a span of just seven minutes, could not find their feet. They came back in the second half as a better team, did not concede any goal, and came closed to score in few occasions. 

Ozone coach, Bert Zuurman looked content with today’s win, however, felt him team has the potential to perform much better. Ozone went to the field today sans their foreigners – Chika Wali, unwell and Cornell Glenn, seemingly out of the season with an injury that incurred while playing for Trinidad & Tobago. 

Paulo Pedro, the coach from Portugal coaching Pride Sports, was visibly upset on the loss. Felt his team gave a better performance in the latter half. Pride was further weakened by the absence of two foreigners, who could not play owing to transfer clearance. 

Ozone have two away matches in coming days, they play Fateh Hyderabad next week and Pride Sports the week after. 

Bengaluru look to bounce back to winning ways

AIFF Media 
Bengaluru FC Media 

Churchill Brothers, who finally opened their account after a hard-fought draw against DSK Shivajians, will be cautiously optimistic against title favorites Bengaluru FC, whose air of invincibility and high flying run was cut short by a 2-1 defeat against Kingfisher East Bengal.

The respective results saw Bengaluru FC in the fourth position behind Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Aizawl FC while Churchill Brothers move up to the eighth position above Chennai City and Minerva Punjab. 

Bengaluru are still the team to beat and a defeat after three straight wins means that the defending champions would be desperate to put things right as they take on the Red Machines.

Roca, the former Barcelona assistant coach wants his team to continue playing their game even though East Bengal managed to outsmart them.

“Obviously I can’t disclose how we are going to play tomorrow. But the way that we play, we cannot change a lot. We cannot play long balls and we have tried always more or less to play our game. We don’t want to think too much or cry about the last result and I will adjust to see how my team reacts,” he concluded.

As far as the Goan side are concerned, they will be looking to build on the positive performance against DSK Shivajians which saw them walk away with a precious point. However, they find themselves up against a star-studded team like Bengaluru FC but Alfred suggested that his team will not be intimidated by the big names.

The kick-off is at 07:05 pm at the Tilak Maidan in Goa and the match will be telecast live on Ten 2.

Fixture - BDFA Super Division League 2016-17

• 23/1/2017: Students Union 2 (Emmanuel-6', Praveen KT-45'+2') Vs DYES 0
• 24/1/2017: CIL 3 (Riva Lambdry-1', 45'+2', 77') Vs AGORC 0
• 25/1/2017: South United FC 2 (Magesh-14', Subaash – 51') Vs RWF 2 (Nandakumar-34', 81')
• 28/1/2017: AGORC 2 (Dada Nabeel-13', Abhishek-59') Vs DYES 2 (Bala Gangadhar-71', Vikas-88')
• 29/1/2017: Bengaluru FC 1 (Vignesh V-80') Vs ASC 3 (Jotin Singh-11', 54', 71')
• 30/1/2017: South United 1 (Subash-70') Vs MEG 2 (Sajeesh Mutath-13', Surai Singh-89')
• 31/1/2017: Ozone FCB 2 (Akshay-70', 89') Vs Students Union 3 (Sudhir-50', Emmanuel-61', Praveen-90'+5')
• 1/2/2017: Bengaluru FC 2 (Sourav-47', 86') Vs RWF 2 (Jayavandan-69' [P], Madan-71') 
• 2/2/2017: ASC 2 (Jotin Singh-19', 30') Vs DYES 0  
• 3/2/2017: MEG 2 (Ayush-24, Christopher-55') Vs CIL 1 (Dhanji-54')
• 4/2/2017: Bengaluru FC 3 (Vignesh V-13', Sourav-45', Ajay Chetri-88') Vs South United 2 (Subash-18' [P], Manivannan-27')
• 6/2/2017: Students Union 3 (Praveen-50', Nanda-58', Michael-81) Vs RWF 1 (Samanth-74') 
• 7/2/2017: CIL 1 (M Lokesh-71') Vs ASC 1 (Jotin Singh-27')
• 8/2/2017: MEG 2 (Ramu-7', Chiranjeevi-27') Vs DYES 0 
• 11/2/2017: RWF 1 (Prakash-81') Vs ASC 4 (Neeraj-17' 52', 78, Jotin Singh-31') 
• 12/2/2017: Students Union 2 (Praveen-55', Akshya-80') Vs MEG 2 (Christoper-7', Dhanji Singh-36')
• 13/2/2017: Bengaluru FC 1 (Beikhokhei-82') Vs CIL 1 (Lorng Riva Landry-26')
• 14/2/2017: South United 6 (Subash-9', 54', Santhosh-17', Satish-31', Senthil-78', 83') Vs DYES 0
• 17/2/2017: Bengaluru FC 2 (Beikho-15', Sourav TP-56') Vs Students Union 3 (Emmanuel-68', 79' Naveen-89')
• 18/2/2017: AGORC 1 (Pradeep Kumar-34') Vs RWF 0 
• 19/2/2017: South United 6 (Subash-30', 69', Satish-36', 82', Solaimalai-85', Manivanan-86') Vs ASC 0 
• 20/2/2017: Ozone FCB 0 Vs MEG 1 (Liton Shil-81')
• 21/2/2017: Students Union 2 (Sudhir-9', Micheal-29') Vs CIL 1 (Vignesh-90'+1') 
• 22/2/2017: AGORC 1 (Dada Nabeel-12') Vs ASC 2 (Sonu-86', Neeraj Singh-90'+2')
• 24/2/2017: Bengaluru FC 2 (Shankar–15' [Pen], Beikho-71') Vs MEG 1 (Liton Shil-39') 
• 25/2/2017: RWF 3 (Satish Kumar-23', Midhun-48', 83') Vs CIL 3 (Stali-5', Lokesh-7', Vignesh-45'+1)
• 26/2/2017: AGORC 2 (Dada Nabeel-61', 84') Vs Students Union 4 (Emmanuel-12', 64', 77', Sudhir-13')
• 27/2/2017: Bengaluru FC 1 (Daniel-39') Vs Ozone FCB 1 (Vivekananda-19') 
• 28/2/2017: South United 2 (Magesh-43', 66') Vs CIL 2 (Lokesh M-39', 70')
• 1/3/2017: Ozone FCB 0 Vs ASC 0 
• 2/3/2017: Bengaluru FC 3 (Seiminlen Doungel-30', 45'+3' [P], 79') Vs AGORC 0
• 3/3/2017: MEG 3 (Liton Shil-47', Ayush-81', Dipan Thapa-84') Vs RWF 2 (Nanda Kumar-2', Shamanth-79') 
• 4/3/2017: Ozone FCB 6 (Sabeeth-22[P]', 71', 78', Mark Anthory-44', Anup-62' [P], 90') Vs DYES 2 (Santosh-50', Sarvana-85') 
• 5/3/2017: South United 2 (Magesh-4', Santhosh-88') Vs Students Union 2 (Nanda-11', Akshay-77') 
• 6/3/2017: Bengaluru FC 1 (Ajay Chhetry-6') Vs DYES 0
• 7/3/2017: Ozone FCB 1 (Vignesh G-10') Vs CIL 0 
• 8/3/2017: RWF 2 (Nanda Kumar–44', 48') Vs DYES 0  
• 10/3/2017: ASC 4 (Sreejith-22', Diwakar-24', Neeraj-83', 90'+1') Vs Students Union 1 (Nanda-51')
• 11/3/2017: Ozone FCB Vs AGORC  
• 13/3/2017: CIL 3 (Stalin-29', 41', 45'+1') Vs DYES 0 
• 14/3/2017: Ozone FCB 5 (Madan [OG]11', 64'[O.G], Shilton-45'+2', Kapil-81', 87') Vs RWF 0
• 15/3/2017: South United 2 (Subash-54', Pawan-73') Vs AGORC 1 (Dada Nabeel-90'+1') 
• 16/3/2017: ASC 1 (Deepak Singh-21') Vs MEG 3 (Liton shil-36', Dipan Thapa-67', Christopher-76')
• 17/3/2017: Ozone FCB 3 (Anto Xavier-31' @Akshay-35', Vivekananda-42') Vs South United 1 (Mani Dinho-23')  
• 17/3/2017: MEG 3 (Asif-11', Christopher-39', Vishnu-78') Vs AGORC 2 (Nabeel-13' 81') 

Fixture - BDFA A Division League 2016-17

• 23/1/2017: Parikrma 2 (Thangmong-23', Chiranjeevi-29') Vs Income Tax 1 (Karthigeyan -58') 
• 24/1/2017: Bangalore Eagles 1 (Sathish Kumar-70') Sri Gajanana 0
• 25/1/2017: BUFC 0 Vs Jawahar Union 0 
• 28/1/2017: Postal 1 (Wesley-68') Vs Sri Gajanana 2 (Surya-58', 59')
• 29/1/2017: Bangalore Independents 2 (Karthick-23', Zabi-44') Vs Bangalore Eagles 2 (Bhargav S-11', Nirmal-46') 
• 30/1/2017: ADE 1 (Kabilan-42') Vs SAI 1 (Dip Majumdar-26')
• 31/1/2017: Income Tax 2 (Shivakumar-25', Karthgeyan-46') Vs BUFC 0
• 1/2/2017: Postal 0 Vs Jawahar Union 3 (Nihal-4', 62', Philip-37')
• 2/2/2017: Parikrama 2 (Nikhil-63', Andrew-73') Vs Sri Gajanana 2 (Stephen-9', Jackey-50') 
• 3/2/2017: Income Tax 3 (Shivakumar-2', Syed Ahamed-72', Karthigeyan-80'+4') Vs Bangalore Eagles 1 (Sunil- 34')
• 4/2/2017: ADE 0 Vs Bangalore Independents 1 (Zabi-59')
• 6/2/2017: Jawahar Union 3 (Nihal-54', 64', 80') Vs Parikrama 2 (Chiranjeevi-48', Thanmava-58')
• 7/2/2017: Bangalore Independents 4 (D’souza-17', 73', Zabi-52', Kiran-76') Vs Sri Gajanana 0 
• 8/2/2017: ADE 0 Vs BUFC 2 (Naresh-19', Islam-64') 
• 10/2/2017: Income Tax Vs SAI 
• 11/2/2017: ADE 1 (Prashanth-15') Vs Postal 1 (Ricky Joy-68') 
• 12/2/2017: SAI 0 Vs Bangalore Eagles 1 (Thamodaran–47')
• 13/2/2017: Bangalore Independents 3 (Kiran-20', Murali-51', Karthik-69') Vs Jawahar Union 1 (Aksahy-37')
• 14/2/2017: Income Tax 2 (Shivakumar-21', 47') Vs Sri Gajanana 2 (Sridhar-30', Bharath-79') 
• 17/2/2017: ADE 2 (Sharath-32' Kapil-68') Vs Parikrama 1 (Thongmang-28' )
• 18/2/2017: Bangalore Independents 0 Vs SAI 4 (KC Singh-4', Dip Mazumadar-6', 55', Sudarshan-76')
• 19/2/2017: BUFC 1 (Naresh-59') Vs Bangalore Eagles 0
• 20/2/2017: Postal 1 (Arvind-80') Vs Parikrama 1 (Tongmang–34')
• 21/2/2017: Jawahar Union 5 (Arjun-16', Nihal-59', 74', 80', Susairaj-68' [OG]) Vs Sri Gajanana 2 (Surya-18', Sridhar-64') 
• 22/2/2017: SAI 6 (C Singh-1', 33', Suresh Singh-10', Dip Majumdar-19', 75', 79') Vs BUFC 0 
• 24/2/2017: Bangalore Independents 3 (Karthick-3', 34', Shiva Kumar-13') Vs Income Tax 0 
• 25/2/2017: Parikrama 2 (Sunil-2', Thong Mang-65') Vs Bangalore Eagles 0
• 26/2/2017: SAI 2 (Deep Majumder-28' KC Singh-40'+1') Vs Postal 1 (Ricky Joy-72')
• 27/2/2017: ADE 0 Vs Jawahar Union 4 (Jonathan-10', 56', Nihal-44', Christopher-52')
• 28/2/2017: Sri Gajanana 0 Vs BUFC 2 (Clivert-13', 56') 
• 1/3/2017: Bangalore Independents 2 (D'Souza–12', 15') Vs Parikrama 1 (Chiranjeevi-65') 
• 2/3/2017: Income Tax 2 (Amal Deepak Pai-16',Karthikegan-36') Vs Postal 1 (Prashanth-4') 
• 3/3/2017: Jawahar Union 2 (Nihal-48', Philp-50') Vs Bangalore Eagles 2 (Sunil-18' Thomadaran-64') 
• 4/3/2017: Sri Gajanana 2 (Sridhar-65', Surya-73) Vs SAI 4 (Sudarshan-11', Pramatesh-19', 60', Zaif-64') 
• 5/3/2017: Bangalore Independents 3 (Zabi-7, Karthick-12', D’Souza-40') Vs BUFC 1 (Achotha-57') 
• 6/3/2017: SAI 0 Vs Income Tax 2 (Amal Pai-18' [P], Shiva–40'+2')
• 7/3/2017: SAI 2 (Zaib-31', Razak Ahamd-38') Vs Parikrama 2 (Ajay-36', Nikhil-56')
• 8/3/2017: Postal 0 Vs Bangalore Eagles 0 
• 10/3/2017: Income Tax 1 (Joseph Daniel-17') Vs Jawahar Union 1 (Nishad–48')
• 11/3/2017: Postal Vs BUFC 
• 13/3/2017: ADE 1 (Kabilan-53') Vs Sri Gajanana 2 (Arun-78', Susairaj-80')
• 14/3/2017: Jawahar Union 5 (Nihal-15', 39, Philip-54', 39', Akshay-55') Vs SAI 2 (Zaib -28', Dip Majumdar-50')
• 15/3/2017: BUFC 1 (Islom-43') Vs Parikrama 2 (Ravibabu R-13', Chiranjeevi-73')  
• 16/3/2017: Postal 1 (Rickey Joy- 58') Vs Bangalore Independents 3 (Udith-12', 77', Sudesh-70', Milton-71')
• 17/3/2017: ADE 1 (Manoj-25') Vs Bangalore Eagles 0
• 18/3/2017: ADE 1 (Kabilan-55') Vs Income Tax 1 (Syed Ahamed-14)

South United announces partnerships with NIVIA and Spectrum Physio

South United Football Club, Bengaluru’s first privately-owned football club, has officially named Spectrum as its Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Partner and NIVIA as its Equipment Partner for the coming season.

These partnerships provide South United players access to quality physiotherapy and equipment to help better their game, both on and off the field. 

NIVIA, established in 1934, manufactures world-class sports equipment. The Indian company, headquartered in Jalandhar, is a leading manufacturer of sports equipment, footwear, and accessories for sports like Football, Volleyball, Basketball, and Running.

NIVIA will provide equipment for the main team players and training gear for the best players from the South United grassroots program. The players from the program are children trained under the South United Soccer Schools banner, plied across Bengaluru and Mumbai. 

Spectrum Physio Pvt. Ltd., has been a pioneering physiotherapy team in Bangalore for the past seventeen years. Adapted from western health care models, the company provides premier physiotherapy and rehabilitation services in India. It currently has more than thirty-five qualified and dedicated physiotherapists working under one roof. 

South United, as a part of this deal, would be provided with fitness and rehabilitation regimes executed by Spectrum’s staff. They would also have a physiotherapist on duty during all South United matches. 

Mr. Sharan Parikh, Director, South United FC said “We believe in providing high quality facilities to our players, and these partnerships with NIVIA and Spectrum are meant to bring better value to our players, both on and off the field. We are dedicated to improving grassroots level sports in the country, and the right equipment and access to quality physiotherapy and rehabilitation is important for any player. We are on a mission to better ourselves, and look forward to more partnerships to help us secure just that!” 

On the Partnership, Dr Dhanajeyan Jayavel, M.D. of Spectrum Physio Pvt. Ltd., had this to say: “Spectrum Physio is happy to bring its 17 years of sports injury expertise to aid SUFC for their season. As the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Partner, we are looking forward to a mutually beneficial association with the Club.”

NIVIA CEO, Mr. Rajesh Kharbanda said, “We are pleased to associate with South United, a club that is progressively getting better with every season! Backed by generations of sportsmen, NIVIA has always challenged the unfamiliar and walked the less explored path to create opportunities for Indian sports sector. We are proud to be part of the journey SUFC are on.”

South United will be participating in the Bangalore Super Division from 25th January 2017. 

Bengaluru suffer first defeat of the season, fails to overcome East Bengal hurdle

Bengaluru Media 
AIFF Media

Bengaluru FC’s flawless start to the I-League campaign was dented when the Blues went down 2-1 to East Bengal in a high-voltage clash that saw tempers flare at the Barasat Stadium, in Kolkata, on Sunday. CK Vineeth’s opener for Bengaluru was matched with an Ivan Bukenya tap in before second-half substitute Robin Singh did the star turn for the hosts with a goal in the 79th minute to take the Kolkata club to second on the points table, with Aizawl FC set to play Mumbai FC later in the day.

Albert Roca rang in just the one change from the side that beat Mumbai FC on Wednesday, replacing Nishu Kumar with Sena Ralte in the left-back position as the youngster occupied an injured Sandesh Jhingan’s place on the Bengaluru bench.

With his sheen refusing to rub off, Vineeth shot Bengaluru to the lead in the 23rd minute after Eugeneson Lyngdoh’s run down the left was perfectly cut back into the path of the striker who put it past TP Rehenesh with a firm strike to silence the home fans at Barasat.

But East Bengal needed just five minutes to draw level when Bukenya caught the Blues’ defence off-guard and turned in a low corner to make it 1-1. Tempers flared when Sunil Chhetri was brought down by Mehtab Hossain as both sides went into the tunnel with the scores level and everything to play for.

Trevor Morgan started the second half throwing in striker Robin Singh for a rather ineffective Ildar Amirov and the change seemed to work as the former Bengaluru man drew Amrinder Singh into a save, hit the crossbar and slid in a delightful cross that Plaza, with an open goal at his mercy, missed completely.

But for all his individual brilliance, it was a lapse in defence that Robin capitalized on to make it 2-1 in the 79th minute. A rare error in judgment saw the ball skim off John Johnson’s head and fall on to the path of Robin’s run. With only Amrinder to beat, the striker made no mistake as he slotted calmly past the ’keeper to give the home side a late lead.

The Blues threw everything they had at a stubborn East Bengal defence as shots from Chhetri and Vineeth were saved by Rehenesh. A Lyngdoh effort sailed high of the East Bengal frame in the dying minutes as Morgan’s side held on for their third consecutive win of the season.

The Blues next travel to Goa where they will face Churchill Brothers, at the Fatorda Stadium, on Friday.

Ozone kick off I-League Second Division campaign on Friday

Ozone Football Club Bengaluru (OFCB), the professional football club from Bangalore will start their second division I-League campaign on Friday when they take on Kenkre Sports Club at the Bangalore Football Stadium. 

OFCB is placed in Group C in the preliminary round along with Kenkre Sports, Pride Sports, and Fateh Hyderabad. This season of I-League second division matches will be played in home and away format.

Schedule

• Saturday, Jan 21, 2017: Ozone FCB Vs Kenkre Sports Club
• Friday, Jan 27, 2017: Ozone FCB Vs Pride Sports 
• Sunday, Feb 5, 2017: Fateh Hyderabad Vs Ozone FCB 
• Friday, Feb 10, 2017: Pride Sports Vs Ozone FCB  
• Thursday, Feb 16, 2017: Ozone FCB Vs Fateh Hyderabad 
• Friday, Feb 24, 2017: Kenkre Sports Club Vs Ozone FCB 

Vineeth’s hat-trick moves Blues to the top

AIFF Media

The battle between the Blues and Yellows, Bengaluru FC (BFC) and Mumbai FC (MFC), the top and third placed team in Hero I-League played at the Kanterava Stadium ended in one-sided affair, with hosts thrashing MFC 3-0. Star from Kerala, CK Vineeth scoring all three, first hat trick for the Bengaluru FC.  

BFC gave start to CK Vineeth and Nishu Kumar for the first time in this edition of I-League. MFC sported an all-Indian team having two former BFC player in Thoi Singh and Siam Hanagal in their lineup. 

Both teams looked confident at the start – BFC relying on a pressing game and their opponent counter attack, also resorting to physical game. 

While the majority of the chances in the first half were created by the Bengaluru, but Mumbai were no pushovers, creating chances from the right-flank via former-international Steven Dias.   

The script so far looked very similar to BFC’s previous match. 

In the one minute of added time, just when everyone thought the first-half will end goal-less, host scored. Udanta played to Cameroon Watson, which the defender horribly missed, CK Vineeth was there at the top to bang the ball inside the goal. 

Vineeth again came back in action after changing end. This time from a Khabra’s cross, which the former smashed home. The cross from Khabra apparently looked harmless, with no one marking Vineeth, MFC defense made a complete mess of the situation. 

Vineeth completed his hat trick in the 65’ minute from an identical combination with Harmanjot Khabra. Keeper Laxmikant Kattimani, who failed to follow Vineeth’s turn, fell short, while the ball went past him. 

Post third goal, Bengaluru was all over and Mumbai FC couldn’t match their performances from last two Hero I-League fixtures.

CK Vineeth was adjudged the Hero of the Match. 

Khaleel steps down as the president of state football association

At the governing board meeting of Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) held, yesterday, January 17, AR Khaleel, President of KSFA announced that he is resigning from his position with immediate effect due to his failing health. 

Also, governing board unanimously passed a resolution by duly electing NA Haris, MLA of the  Shanthinagar constituency and patron and member of the governing board as the acting president with full powers of the existing president until election of a regular president by the association after the following due process of election for the office of the President as prescribed under the constitution of KSFA.

Khaleel had been the president of KSFA since 1989. He joined the Bangalore District Football Association (BDFA) in 1953, took over as treasurer of the KSFA in 1961, and became KSFA vice-president in 1981, and president thereafter.

Nail-biter on card as blues take on nemesis Mumbai FC

AIFF Media 
Bengaluru FC Media 

With the sole intent of consolidating the good start, Hero I-League title contender Bengaluru FC (BFC) take on Mumbai FC (MFC) tomorrow at the Sree Kanterava Stadium, Bengaluru. 

Both teams have made a perfect start to their league campaign – BFC winning both their home ties convincingly and MFC winning a home and away. Bengaluru tops the points table with a better goal difference. 

MFC have always been a hard nut to crack for the champions. In the last three editions of I-League, they’ve manage to beat them only once, that is last year at home. 

Roca, whose two timely substitutions in the last match paid rich divided sounded cautious. He said, “After two wins, they’ll come stronger mentally and they have enough talents to put us in trouble, but we’re ready for a hard battle.”  

Thoi Singh and Karan Sawney, two former BFC men have truly prospered for Mumbai in the last match. 

Bengaluru have signed few Indian players lately - Lenny, Harmanjot Khabra, and Mandar Rao Dessai among them have featured in the starting eleven. 

According to Roca, “It is not easy for the new players to understand the philosophy of the new club from the first week. What I want from them is to be at par with the existing team at the earliest. But we have to give them time for that.” 

“We are trying to build a superior team, this team is under construction, we’re adjusting things, and not completed yet!” added coach. 

Roca is completely aware of opponents’ strength, which is speed. They have a good forward in Victorino Fernandes, he plans to cut the supply of long balls. 

BFC’s philosophy is to build the game from behind against MFC’s counter attack theory. So for Roca it is important not to lose the ball and give Mumbai the opportunity to counter attack.
Bengaluru would want to bag full points before they play a difficult away game against East Bengal this weekend. 

The Essel Group-owned MFC is trained by Santosh Kashyap, a shrewd coach capable of upstaging the big-wigs! 

Talking to the media, coach sounded positive, “Great start for us in I-League, our players have put in the best effort, and team is high on confidence.” 

Kashyap is targeting for a top three finish. “I have great respect for BFC, we are going to meet the strongest opponent. Believe tomorrow’s match is going to be a championship match for us.” he adds.   
Mumbai will take the field sans foreigners, owing to transfer formalities, which is yet to be completed.

Kashyap is content with his current batch, “I believe in Indian players and they have responded positively in such a short span of time. Boys have been fantastic on home as well as away matches.” 
“I have trust and confidence in them; they are doing good job!” adds the Mumbai-based coach who believes in playing attacking style of football. 

The match is scheduled at 7 pm and will be telecast live on TEN2.

BDFA Super & A Division League kicks off on Jan 23

After a long wait, Super and A Division BDFA League 2016-17 will commence from 23rd January at the Bangalore Football Stadium. 

This is going to be a 10-team league affair where daily two matches will be played. First match starts at 1:30 pm and the other one on 3:15 pm. 

In the A division, Income Tax will kick-off their campaign against Parikrma, who got promoted to A division last season. 

In the Super division, DYES will fight against Students Union. 

A Division	Super Division
SAI	Ozone FCB
Income Tax	South United
ADE	MEG
Bangalore Eagles	ASC
Bangalore Independents	Bengaluru FC
BUFC	RWF
Postal	Students Union
Jawahar Union	DYES
Parikrma	CIL
Sri Gajanana	AGORC

Bengaluru super-subs score to maintain all-win record

AIFF Media

On the auspicious day of Sankranti, in what could be termed as a South Indian Derby in the Hero I-league, Bengaluru FC, thanks to late goals from their substitutes Roby Norales and CK Vineeth, defeated Chennai City FC 2-0.

BFC started again with an all-Indian attack leaving Cameron Watson on the bench and having introduced Mandar Rao Dessai in the starting line-up.

Chennai City FC almost had the same first eleven from their last match sans the Afghani international Haroon Amiri and throwing the Brazilian forward duo Charles and Marcus in the starting eleven.

The hosts looked in superior touch from the go in their usual flair – concentrating on possession, trying to build up the game from back. Bengaluru FC were sailing through Chennai City FC defence and came close to scoring.

The first shot for the visitors came only in the 23rd minute of the match. Till then the visitors looked no match for the hosts, a team yet to settle down.

Chennai City FC defence kept doing double duty, focused more on clearing the ball rather building any attack. The strikers managed to squeeze past Bengaluru FC defence in few occasions but were ineffective in front of the goal.

Much to the wonder of supporters, Bengaluru failed to score in the first half.

At the beginning of the second-half, Chennai City FC substituted Marcus for local Bangalore boy Michael Regin.

Bengaluru FC were looking for an opening, brought in debutant Roby Norales for another debutant Mandar Rao Dessai and CK Vineeth for Daniel.

The Much awaited goal finally came in the 77th minute. The Honduran striker, Roby Norales, took advantage of a deflected ball and smashed it into the back of the net.

Bengaluru FC doubled the lead in three minutes from a dexterous cross by Udanta from the right flank, which Vineeth charging inside penalty box banged home.

What a super choice of substitution Albert Roca made, both substitutes came in the goal scoring party!

Bengaluru FC play their next game at their home in four days’ time against arch-rivals Mumbai FC.

Chennai City FC keeper Karanjit Singh was adjudged the Hero of the Match. 

Bengaluru set to host the first South Indian derby of the season

AIFF Media 
Bengaluru FC Media 

In a battle between clubs from the southern India, defending champion Bengaluru FC (BFC) take on the newbie Chennai City FC (CCFC) in the second round of Hero I-League at Shree Kanterava Stadium, Bengaluru tomorrow. 

Not many times the city witnessed a South Indian derby. Last time it was played was in 2011-12 season, between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Chirag United Club Kerala. Last time a match between clubs from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu was played in 2002-03, the seventh edition of erstwhile National Football League. In that season, Chennai had Indian Bank and Bengaluru had Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Indian Telephone Industries (ITI). In a 12-team league, Indian Bank survived relegation while HAL and ITI finished 11th and 12th respectively and were relegated in the next season. 

After a convincing win in the starting of the new season, Coach Albert Roca was upbeat, “We are at a stage to build up something, have to be consistent, and try to make things that we are prepared for. Our intention is to keep the team spirit that we have shown to our supporters in the first game.”

BFC have bolstered defense department by adding National player, Sandesh Jinghan, “Sandesh is a good player, he can help us to be stronger, but we have to give him time to settle down mentally, we can’t pressurize him for tomorrow’s game. I know I’m counting on him and I am sure he’ll be important for us in the future. 

Former Barcelona assistant coach looked content with the existing squad. “We have enough good players, I don’t expect any other players joining us. I am happy, we have a good balance in all departments. This is the squad I like!” 

Roca sounded cautious about his opponent, “CCFC got a good squad with most of the players having experience in playing I-League, they will also be hoping to score and put us in trouble. I am expecting tomorrow’s game to more difficult than the last one”, adds the Spaniard. 

He is not in favor of making too many changes, he concludes, “Our first game was good, I don’t want to make too much changes, but the other players must be ready to get in as we are playing the next two matches within a week. 

Coached by Robin Charles Raja, Chennai City bolstered their lineup by adding players having experience in I-League - Karanjit Singh, Debabrata Roy, and Denson Devadas, foreigners Haroon Amiri and Echezona, and local boys Dharmaraj Ravanan and Dhanpal Ganesh. 

Charles is hopeful for tomorrow’s match, “We have started on a positive note, our first game was a draw, and we surely want to do well in the other matches.”  

With not enough preseason and late signings, they have task cut out. 

CCFC must be seeking inspiration from the other big club from South,”BFC maybe a different club but they too are from the same zone. Heard a lot about BFC. We are looking BFC as a role model, we’re learning, and hopefully we’ll catch up with them in coming days.”

Raja further adds, “We’ll give a tough time to BFC tomorrow, and we’ll do well as a team!”

Sandesh Jhingan join Bengaluru

Bengaluru FC Media 

I-League champions Bengaluru FC, on Thursday, announced the signing of defender Sandesh Jhingan on a season-long loan deal from Indian Super League side, Kerala Blasters FC. The 23-year-old becomes the Blues’ seventh signing, adding to their roster, and coach Albert Roca feels Jhingan’s introduction into the side will provide depth to an already formidable defensive line-up.

“In Jhingan, we have signed a player who can turn out as a central defender and provide cover in full-back positions. He is coming off the back of a very good ISL campaign and his introduction adds to a squad that will need his presence as we look to compete in both the I-League and the AFC competitions,” said Roca.

The towering Jhingan, who is known for his aerial prowess, started his career at United Sikkim in 2011 and moved to Mumbai FC before joining ISL side Kerala Blasters in 2014. The Indian international, who has turned out for the country on 12 occasions, then went on loan to Sporting Clube de Goa and most recently to DSK Shivajians in the previous edition of the I-League.

Asked about his shift to the Blues’ camp, the Chandigarh-born defender said he is elated to have joined the club and had no second thoughts about the move.

“It feels great to be here. Bengaluru FC are the champions and one of the best clubs in India right now, so it’s an honour to have been approached by them. I had no doubts in my mind and when the offer came about I just said yes,” he said.

Coming into a Blues side that won its opening game in the I-League, the defender maintains that his aim is to contribute towards winning Albert Roca’s first League campaign.

“Bengaluru FC are the champions, so to maintain the momentum and retain the top spot come the end of the season, is the main aim. What this club has is a complete and competitive squad, so for me personally, the aim is to fit in and help the team win matches,” Jhingan added.

Bengaluru set off their title defence in style

AIFF Media

With a poster put up by the supporters urging team for the third star on the crest, Bengaluru FC sporting their new pink outfit thrashed Shillong Lagong FC 3-0 at the Kanteerava Stadium. 

Bengaluru started in 4-3-3 formation, with an all-India attack comprising of Udanta, skipper Sunil Chhetri, and Daniel. They handed start to newcomers, Lenny Rodrigues, Harmanjot Khabra, Sena Ralte. Shillong started with eight U-22 players keeping Dipanda Dicka on the bench. 

The first 20 minutes witnessed a lackluster show with both teams failing to make any intrusion in opponents’ defense. 

A corner from Eugenson in the 26th minute opened the goal for the steelmen – the strikers failed connect to head from Eugenson’s delivery, went to the Daniel who was on the other end, the later tricked a Shillong defender and floated the ball on the box, which the strikers again failed to connect. Adding to the misery, SLFC defenders failed to clear the ball, and in the melee Udanta tapped the ball to the back of the net.

Post the goal, BENGALURU forayed into the opponents’ defense many times making them jittery, Vishal Kaith’s timely intervention, prevented them to score. 

Bengaluru almost got their second goal in the last minute before the lemon break, Eugenson missing a one-on-one with the keeper, the follow up from Chhetri hit the post, while Vishal was not in the position. 

Bengaluru continued pressing after changing ends, owing to some shabby defending by the highlanders. 

They got the second goal again via Udanta in the 68th minute. Lajong barely looked threatening as the ball rarely crossed the half-line. 

The best was kept till the 79th minute. Season’s first exciting goal came from debutant Sena Ralte with a 30-yard smasher. 

Udanta’s brace gave him the man of the match. 

Bengaluru keen to start like champions

AIFF Media 
Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC (BFC) start defending the Hero I-League title when they host the highlanders Shillong Lajong FC (SLFC) tomorrow at the Kanteerava Stadium. It has been an astounding 2016 for the club from the Garden City - winning Hero I-League title, soaring at the Asian-level by reaching the AFC Cup final. 

It is a beginning of a new I-League season and the Steelmen know the importance to start well. Coach Albert Roca made it clear, “We have to go for three points and you have to play tough from the very first minute if you want to achieve the title again”. 

The former Barcelona assistant coach added, “There’s pressure, challenge - that’s football, and we are ready for the moment. The fact that we have achieved in the AFC Cup will help our self-esteem tomorrow. We have to go 100% as the difference between us and them (SLFC) are not that big.”
Mid-fielder, Cameron Watson who stuck a formidable combination with Álvaro Rubio in the AFC Cup, the later will be missed in I-League. “Álvaro brought so much to the game - his footballing knowledge prevailed in the field. It was a privilege to play alongside him”, said Watson. 

Coming back to I-League, he added, “This (I-league) is a new experience for me, I haven’t seen any I-League teams playing other than the individual players playing in the ISL. Owing to the success the club achieved last year, it is going to be tougher this season. For now I’m concentrating on the Shillong game.” 

BFC have strengthened their squad by signing top Indian players Harmanjot Khabra, Lenny Rodrigues, Mandar Rao Desai, and Arindam Bhattacharya. Roca sounded positive, “It is always difficult to settle down in a new team, but the new players have shown they are up for the challenge. They are experienced, played I-league for many years, and have already played with some of the teammates before. They know the other I-League teams and their style of playing, so it is time for them to show at the level that they deserve.”

Bengaluru FC have been tough for the team from North East, especially in the past three seasons. The only time SLFC won was at home that too a couple of years ago. 

Head Coach Thangboi Singto, who has been with the team from the very beginning is appeared positive for tomorrow’s match, “It’s good to start with the best team, might be difficult for us, but helps you to know where you stand. We will come as the best we can. 

Thangboi promised a good game and hopeful of taking points away from the home team. 

Goals for SLFC came far and few in last season - that should be the primary concern for the SLFC coach. “This year we have strengthened in the scoring department, hopefully the players on board will do the needful. But it is not going to be easy, if you look around the teams, every team has toughened including the new entrants who will try to make a mark in the league.” 

Other than their foreigners Dan Ignat, Yuta Kinowaki, Aser Pierrick Dipanda, Fábio Pena and keeper Vishal Kait, SLFC comprise of players from North-East with many U-23 players flourished from their football academy. 

Policy of SLFC from the beginning is to promote talents from the North East region. They have done reasonably well in doing that. Players from SLFC have progressed well in the years including Lalthuammawia (GK), Eugeneson, and Chuaante who are in Bengaluru FC.

Keeping the optimism, Thangboi summed up, “At the end of the day, goals win matches, and we need to better that. Hopefully we’ll start doing that from our first match!” 

The match is scheduled at 7 Pm tomorrow (January 7, 2017) and it’ll be telecast live on Ten 2.