Bengaluru FC sign Serbian striker Jugovic

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC have signed Serbian striker Marjan Jugovic in a bid to add some much-needed sting in attack, the club announcedon Monday. Thirty three-year-old Jugovic fills in the slot for the fourth foreigner after the Blues released Honduran Roby Norales early this month, and is on a deal that will keep him at the club till the end of the season.

Standing a little over six feet, Jugovic comes with the experience of having played in the Europa League and the AFC Champions League. Widely traveled, the Serbian has turned out for clubs in Poland, Syria, Iceland and Indonesia and last played for Lebanese club Al-Akhaa Al-Ahli Aley for whom he scored 18 goals in 31 appearances.

“We hope the arrival of Marjan will add impetus to our attacking department. He’s tall, a proper target man and has very handy experience gathered across continents. We have been creating so many chances but have struggled to put them away and Marjan’s got his task cut out. I’m sure he will help get our season back on track,” said Bengaluru coach Albert Roca.

Jugovic, who will wear the No. 36 shirt for the Blues, said he was pleased on signing with Bengaluru. “I’m very happy to join a big club in India and one that’s famous across Asia too. I hope to help the team have a successful finish to the season and will be giving my 100% to the fans, my teammates and the club. I was at the stadium on Saturday and saw the passion of the fans and I’m very excited to play for them,” said Jugovic who arrived in the city on Friday.

The striker will, in all likelihood, make the trip to Punjab when Bengaluru take on Minerva Punjab on March 5.

Bengaluru look to hurl on disorganized East Bengal

AIFF Media 
JSW Media

In a fight between the arch-rivals from Bangalore and Kolkata in Hero I-League, reigning champions Bengaluru FC take on the table-topper Kingfisher East Bengal tomorrow at the Shree Kanterava Stadium.

Though Bengaluru have defeated the Red & Golds at home convincingly in past two seasons, they have tasted a 1-2 defeat in their away game this season.

In what may be termed as a mid-season slump, which seems to be far from over, the Blues are winless in last 6 rounds, and yet to win an away match.

East Bengal’s recent drop in form after six consecutive wins witnessed them picking only 2 points from last three matches. Their woe compounded when they lost the previous match to Aizawl FC. East Bengal still manage to stay at the top with a better goal difference than Mohun Bagan, the later, having played a match less.

Talking to the media, Bengaluru FC coach Roca termed it as a tough game, “We have a lot of positives from the last three games, the way we have played, creating more chances, we were on our way to winning, unfortunately, we were not so lucky!”

More than a month ago, Bengaluru’s fall started against the same team, which coach terms as ‘Pain’.

“We expect East Bengal coming hard on us. From three bad results, I am sure even for them this is an important game.” said the Spaniard.

Goals have eluded Bengaluru and Roca is wary of this, “It (goal) is the most important thing in football, we are creating chances but not efficient enough to score a goal, we are working on it.”

The visitors will be without their injured striker Willis Plaza and Didika Ralte, who is out owing to the automatic yellow card suspension. Bengaluru will go out without John Johnson.

East Bengal Coach, Trevor James Morgan realizes a ‘tough game’ is awaiting his troop. “Bengaluru is a good side with good players. I think we have to we have to perform well and get a result.

He added, “We are quite disappointed with the last two games we played against Shillong Lajong and Aizawl FC. We need to start winning and tomorrow’s game will be a tough one!”

As Harmanjot Singh Khabra set to cut loose against his former teammates tomorrow, so is Robin Singh who’s gearing up to take on Sunils and Eugenes, his ex-co-players.

The match is scheduled at 07:00 pm and it’ll be telecast live on Ten 2.

Bengaluru dominate Mumbai, lose points again

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC were left frustrated, this time against Mumbai FC at the Cooperage Stadium, in Mumbai, as they were held to a goalless draw once again. On a night when the Blues should have come away with three points, skipper Sunil Chhetri’s shot was cleared off the line while CK Vineeth and Daniel Lalhlimpuia saw shots come close to breaking the deadlock, but it just wasn’t to be.

Back from a two-game suspension, Juan Gonzalez replaced Sena Ralte in defence while Alwyn George earned a start ahead of Eugeneson Lyngdoh as Roca stuck to two changes from the side that drew at Aizawl on Wednesday.

While Mumbai relied on lumping the ball ahead only for Salam Ranjan Singh and Sandesh Jhingan to win every aerial duel, Bengaluru had more than a few spells of slick possession.

 The Blues best chance came from a counter where Alwyn, after exchanging passes with Udanta Singh, shot straight at Lakshmikant Kattimani when he should have picked a corner. Roca’s men had a chance to make amends within seconds when Udanta sent in a cross only for Daniel to head inches over the Mumbai crossbar.

Roca was forced into a substitution five minutes from the half when Amrinder Singh’s thigh, for which he received treatment early in the game, kept troubling the Blues’ shot stopper as Arindam Bhattacharya came on to mark his debut for the club since signing this summer.

Wanting to up the ante in attack after a first half that yielded no goal, Roca threw on CK Vineeth for Alwyn on the hour mark. With fresh feet and a bag of tricks, Vineeth came close soon after coming on. He waltzed past three yellow shirts, sneaked into the Mumbai box but shot wide. Only minutes later, playing off Chhetri’s smart dummy from a Watson pass, Vineeth shot straight at Kattimani where he should have looked to place the ball in.

But an under-pressure Daniel Lalhlimpuia missed the chance of the half in the 71st minute. Charging out to deal with a long ball played from the centre, Kattimani was left stranded on the edge of the box and with the ball at Lalhlimpuia’s feet. The young striker, looking to make the most of an open net but with yellow shirts on his back, ended up shooting wide.

Bengaluru looked to have got the lead they had been chasing all evening when Chhetri, deftly turning to lose his man in the box, shot on target and past Kattimani only for defender Djelaludin Sharityar to turn up with a save on the goal line. Lyngdoh, who came on for Lalhlimpuia, shot wide in the 87th minute after he was picked out by a perfect cross from Udanta.

The draw leaves the Blues at fourth on the League table, with 13 points from nine games. Roca’s men next face East Bengal at the Kanteerava Stadium on 25th February.

Bengaluru pressing for turnaround as Mumbai FC stand in way

Bengaluru FC Media

Albert Roca said he hoped for a drastic change in luck to compliment the kind of football Bengaluru FC have been playing as the Blues take on Mumbai FC at the Cooperage, in Mumbai, on Saturday. Winless in five games now, Bengaluru FC have often found themselves on the short end of fortune to share points in games they should have comfortably won.

“It’s frustrating for sure to control large parts of the game and then come away with a point. But that’s football and like I have been saying, it’s important to keep any negativity away. We back the kind of quality we have and we will need to show it against Mumbai,” he said.

Bengaluru come into this game on the back of three straight draws and the Sunil Chhetri-led side will have to be more clinical with the chances they have been creating in attack if the trend has to be bucked.

The game also marks the first of the reverse legs for the Blues this season. CK Vineeth scored the first hat-trick in the club’s history when Mumbai came to the Kanteerava in January and Bengaluru will hope the striker, who hasn’t scored since then, finds form in front of goal.

Mumbai, meanwhile, are struggling with a winless streak of their own, having gone on to lose five straight games after the 3-0 defeat in Bengaluru. The Santosh Kashyap-coached side picked their first points since then after playing out a goalless draw against Mohun Bagan on Wednesday and find themselves above only Churchill Brothers on the points table.

But much has changed for Mumbai in terms of their squad since they last played Bengaluru. Four foreign singings in Densill Theobald, Djelaludin Sharityar, Alex Willian and Anderson da Silva have joined Kashyap and showed in glimpses against Bagan what they bring to the side.

“Like us, Mumbai too have been chasing a win for some time now and that is what makes them dangerous. They have even added four foreigners who look experienced and that changes a lot from the last time we played them,” said Roca.

In what is surely some respite for Roca, who has missed key players owing to injury and suspensions, central defender Juan Gonzalez has made the trip to Mumbai having served his two-game ban and will add some much needed strength to a Blues defence that has had a few weak moments in the recent past. John Johnson, however, continues his rehabilitation after fracturing a rib and will miss out on Saturday.

The game kicks off at 7 pm and will be telecast on Ten 2. 

Ozone crash out of I-League second division

Playing a woeful game of catch up, Ozone faltered again at home in the hand of Fateh Hyderabad AFC. The visitors scored two quick goals in the first half, owing to some poor defending from Ozone backs. 

In a match where both teams needed to win to retain chance to qualify to the next stage, Fateh took the lead in the third minute from a goal from Nima Tamang. They struck again in the 23rd minute from a cross from Bangalore boy Manoj Swamy Kannan which Bonison Singh made no mistake. 

Anto Xavier reduced the margin for Ozone in the 40th minute. 

With the inclusion of Satish Kumar and Vignesh G in the fisrt half, Ozone tried come back to the game. However, they failed to crack Fateh defense. 

With 7 points and an away game in hand, Ozone are out of I-League Second Division. They currently stands at 3rd position in Group C after Fateh Hyderabad AFC and Kenkre FC. 

Unlucky Bengaluru settle for draw after wasting a penalty and getting a goal disallowed

AIFF Media 
Bengaluru FC Media 

In a much anticipated Hero I-League match between Aizawl FC and Bengaluru FC, the final whistle blew with a 1-1 tie with both goals scored in the first half within a span of 5 minutes by Brandon and Chhetri. Brandon Vanlalremdika (40′) opened the goalmouth whereas Sunil Chhetri (45′) cancelled the home team’s lead at the stroke of the first half.

Meanwhile, this goal added another feather in the talismanic striker’s hat as he leapfrogged Bhaichung Bhutia to score the most number of goals combining NFL & I-League. Bhaichung Bhutia had enjoyed the cushion until today with 89 goals.

Bengaluru FC did no less scoring an equaliser just 5 minutes later when captain Sunil Chhetri received the ball and shot it straight into the top corner of the box from about 30 yards away. The half time ended with the 1-1 tie.

Aizawl FC looked the better team in the first half with 3 shots on target while the away team had a single shot on target. Away keeper Amrinder Singh also saved his team in the 32nd minute when he successfully blocked a powerful shot by Alfred Jaryan moments after Al-Amna’s header hit the bar.

Hero I-League has always drawn a large crowd of ardent football fans in Aizawl, and today’s match too saw a great number of spectators. The second half kicked off again to a vibrant start.

Bengaluru FC missed their chance to lead in the 55th minute when Sunil Chhetri stepped up to take the penalty which was punched away by Aizawl FC keeper Albino Gomes. Gomes now claims two penalty saves this season, earlier came when he denied Fabio Pena in their home match against Shillong Lajong.

Just minutes before the match ended, Zohmingliana Ralte headed a free kick by Lalramchullova but that failed to see the back of the net and flew over the bar instead.

Aizawl FC maintain their enviable unbeaten record at their home in the ongoing season. Though Bengaluru FC halted their four matches winning streak at their home, the highlanders would be happy with the solitary point earned from today’s tie.

Aizawl FC keeper was declared the Hero of the Match for his splendid blocks.

Aizawl FC still are third in the table with 17 points from 9 matches with Kingfisher East Bengal and Mohun Bagan above them. Bengaluru FC remain stranded at the fifth spot with 12 points playing one match less.

Khalid Jamil, Aizawl FC coach commented on the match, “We deserved full points judging from the way my boys played.”

Bengaluru FC coach Alberto Roca also opined, “We should’ve got the three points. We can still be champions this season.”

Bengaluru FC will be heading to Mumbai for their next match while Aizawl FC will start preparations to take on Kingfisher East Bengal on February 20, 2017. 

Bengaluru face Aizawl FC tomorow

Bengaluru FC Media 

Albert Roca believes that a tough fixture away from home against a team in form could be just what Bengaluru FC need to fix a wobble as the Blues take on Aizawl FC at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, in Aizawl, on Wednesday.

A combination of injuries, suspensions and moments of poor luck has stretched the Blues’ winless streak to four games in the League. But the Spanish coach was confident that his side are close to turning a corner if the chances being created in attack are anything to go by. 

“We’ve been playing some good football and it’s only a matter of putting to bed the chances we are creating. Against Minerva, we were plain unlucky. But that’s football. We’ve picked ourselves up and are focused on the challenge that Aizawl will throw at us. They are a team that’s high on confidence and are playing at home which means everything is against us. It’s going to be a test of our character and I’m sure the boys will be up to it.”

Having played a game more than Bengaluru, Khalid Jamil-coached Aizawl are third on the table with 16 points and have turned up with some impressive performances this season. Their biggest win came last weekend when Aizawl clawed back from a goal down to beat Churchill Brothers 3-1 at home.

Bengaluru, meanwhile, come off the back of a frustrating 1-1 stalemate at home against Minerva Punjab FC, where a late own goal canceled skipper Sunil Chhetri’s opener, his fourth goal in as many games. The Blues will be without foreign centre backs John Johnson and Juan Gonzalez, who are still serving suspensions, and the coach expects expects a tough clash on Wednesday.

“Aizawl are doing well and it is important to be cautious in our approach as we know that we cannot afford to slip up again. We cannot take them lightly or be complacent and have to put our chances away if we are to take anything away from this game,” he said.

The game kicks off at 2 pm and will be streamed live on i-league.org.

Minerva steal a point from Blues’ fortress

AIFF Media 
Bengaluru FC Media

In an attempt to mend their mid-season decline, the Blues from the Garden City returned to their fortress to take on Minerva Punjab FC in the Hero I-League. However, they failed to maintain an all-win home record for this season and played a 1-1 draw. 

Captain Sunil Chettri gave them the lead in the 50th minute, the joy was curtailed when a defensive mistake from Sandesh Jhingan equalized the score.  

Bengaluru came in the game with a lone foreigner in Cameroon Watson. They brought in Sandesh Jhingan and Salam Ranjan Singh in the central defense for their original choice of John Johnson and Juanan, who are out of suspension. 

BFC in their trademark way was building attack from the back. Visitors could not damage much to the hosts’ defense.  

In the 9th minute, Vineeth was fouled by the Minerva left stopper back, which earned his team a free-kick. The free-kick couldn’t harm much to Minerva, but there was a follow-up that witnessed the first positive attack.   
BFC earned their first corner in the 11th minute, a quick snapshot by Captain Chettri from Cameroon was efficiently blocked by keeper Arnab Das Sharma. 

Few minutes later Vineeth came up hurriedly, latched the ball, and shot it diagonally, but couldn’t find his teammate in the second post. 

BFC came close again in the 33rd minute from a free kick from Sena Ralte, which was won from an infringement on Udanta Singh, but the strikers could not tap the ball inside the box. 

The only mentionable strike from the visitors in the first half came in 35th minute, when left back Sena Ralte brought down Minerva’s Suouvik Das. Kareem Omolaja Nurain’s free-kick almost took a dip to the BFC goal after the ball got deflected from a defender. 

Minerva did well to keep the scoreboard blank at the lemon break. 

Bengaluru barged a series of attack at the beginning of the second half and kept pressure in opponent’s half. The goal came in the 50th minute - Udanta ran down from the right flank and delivered a precise cross, Minerva defense failed to clear the ball, and Sunil Chhetri comes in, his half volley finds the ball at the back of net. 

Minerva Punjab FC equalized in the 79th minute from a rather harmless cross from Germanpreet Singh. The ball bounced in front of a sliding Sandesh Jhingan, taking a touch went into the goal, leaving keeper Amrinder completely off guarded. 

Keeping the Bengaluru attack on check, Minerva defense committed too many infringements, inviting free-kicks near the 18 yard box, which BFC failed to convert.

Bengaluru FC skipper Sunil Chettri was declared the Hero of the Match!

Ozone boys fail to qualify the final hurdle, Minerva win their second Nike Premier Cup

AIFF Media

Minerva Punjab FC, the defending champions, have mesmerized the football-loving crowd of the Cooperage Stadium in Mumbai with a scintillating performance to clinch the Nike Premier Cup for second successive year. Jeakson Singh (7′), Lalchhanhima Sailo (11′) and Md. Shahjahan (33′) smacked three first-half goals to dash the debutante Ozone FC Bengaluru’s dream of winning the Nike Premier Cup in their debut season akin to the champions Minerva Punjab FC. 

Right from the start, Minerva started to attack the opponent’s defence and it only took them, 3 minutes to build up their first proper attack of the match, though it did not result in a goal. Minerva scored the first goal of the match through their captain Jeakson Singh within the ten-minute mark.
This out of the world long-range made the people present at the stadium go into a frenzy. The goal shot was taken at least 15 metres away from the penalty box. 

The second goal came 4 minutes after the first one from Sailo. This goal was an exact replica of the first one, expect this one went inside the top left corner of the goal and the first one was banged into the right corner of the goalpost.

Thanks to the pressing football by the Minervans and a perfect assist from Sailo, Md. Shahjahan nailed the final one in the Ozone FC coffin on 33 minutes. 

In the second half, just when it seemed Ozone FC were starting to settle down and getting a hang of the match, the Minervans came out and put up two back-to-back attacks. 

Ozone’s best chance of minimizing the gap came on 83 minutes but yet again the Minerva defense was up to the task. The danger was averted with a beautifully executed sliding tackle. 

The most commendable part was that both the team maintained a high tempo throughout the match. Moreover, for Ozone FC, who came into the second half with a deficit of three goals, never for a moment gave up the fight, even during the extra time they were running after the ball with utmost zeal, they always had the hunger for goal in their game but it seems the game planning let them down. 

Ozone FC, who earned huge accolades for their bravado on their debut season, are awarded a cheque of INR 1.5 Lac whereas Minerva Punjab FC are bestowed with the snazzy Nike Premier Cup trophy and a hefty cheque of INR 5 Lac.

Bengaluru confident of good show against Minerva

AIFF Media 
Bengalru FC Media 

In an important Round 7 match of the Hero I-League, Bengaluru FC take on new comer Minerva Punjab FC tomorrow evening at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore.  

The hosts are going through a mid-season slump. They are back home after a tough away journey where they failed to register single a win in three games. Minerva Punjab is coming with a morale-boosting win and draw back home. 

Interestingly, both teams locked horns few days back in the semifinal of the U-16 Youth League, where the team from Punjab got the better of Bengaluru. The later look to turn the table this time around. 

Talking to the media, Bengaluru coach Roca agreed his team is down for now, but fortunate that this has happened at an early stage, so there is enough time to retrieve, and come back in title contention. 

“We need to keep fighting because that’s the first thing we need to do. It is all about mentality and positive attitude and we’re prepared for the game. We’re eager to win!” stated the Spaniard. 

The Steelmen received a jolt in the absence of central defender duo, John Johnson and Juanan, who are out for tomorrow’s match owing to suspension by the AIFF disciplinary committee after their away game against Churchill Brothers. 

“I’m confident about the players who will be there tomorrow on the pitch, we’ve have to face the situation, which at present might not be in our favor. We have to be there and try to do our best!” remarked Roca. 

BFC is yet to find a replacement for Roby Norales, who after having a stint with the Blues was loaned out to Ozone FC. He is currently doing duty in I-League Second Division. Roca is hopeful about getting the fourth foreigners slot filled next week. 

Must be a big match tomorrow for the team from North. After collecting a point in their away first game against Chennai City FC, they were pointless in next three (away) rounds. Team has just gathered momentum after a draw and a win. 

Minerva coach, Surinder Singh said, “Team is doing well and they are slowly coming together, we are looking for a positive result.” 

“Even a draw would do for us, considering this is our away match. Something is always better than nothing” quipped coach, who believes in taking each match at a time. 

The match is scheduled at 7:05 pm and will be telecast live on Ten2 television channel.

Points Table BDFA League 2016-17 - Super & A Division

 March 18, 2017

Super Division 

A Division 

Ozone enter Youth League final after thrashing Lajong 4-1

In the semifinal of the U-16 Youth League, Ozone boys beat the team from North-East, Shillong Lajong FC 4-1 and cruise to the final of U-16 Youth League. The Hosur-based academy boys will play the winner of previous edition (U-15), Minerva Punjab Football Club, who defeated other team from Bangalore, Bengaluru FC, in the second semifinal, 1-0. 

Ozone scored two goals in each half - Ignatius John opened the account early in the 20th minute followed by Ajay Alex in 28th minute. Parvaj Bhuiya reduced one for SLFC in the first half. Ignatius John and Manvir Singh scored the other two goals in the later half. 

The final will be played at the same venue, Cooperage Ground, on Friday, February 10. 

Ozone and Bengaluru take on Lajong and Minerva respectively in U16 Youth League semifinal

In what could be an all Bangalore affair in the ongoing U-16 Youth League, lads of Ozone Football Club Bengaluru play against Shillong Lajong Football Club and Bengaluru FC boys play against winner of last edition (U-15) Minerva Academy FC tomorrow at Cooperage Stadium, Mumbai. 

Both teams from the Garden City had an outstanding run thus far in the U-16 Youth League. Ozone maintained all-win record right from the zonal-qualifiers to quarter-final stage. Bengaluru FC too retained all-win record except an 1-1 draw match against DSK Shivajians in quarterfinals. 

• 10 AM: Ozone FCB Vs Shillong Lajong FC
• 3 PM: Bengaluru FC Vs Minerva Academy FC

Bengaluru stage second-half comeback, eke out a draw against DSK Shivajians

Bengaluru FC Media 

An inspired last 16 minutes that had a delightful Sunil Chhetri (74th) finish and a debut goal in a Blues’ shirt for Salam Ranjan (90th) saw Bengaluru claw back from two goals down to end things at 2-2 against DSK Shivajians, at the Balewadi Stadium, in Pune, on Sunday. The draw leaves the Blues on fifth position in the League standings with 10 points from six games.

With John Johnson serving a suspension, Albert Roca handed Keegan Pereira and Salam Ranjan Singh their first starts of the season while Sena Ralte was named on the bench.

In a first half that belonged to the hosts, Amrinder Singh turned up with a brilliant save off the line with his feet from a Holicharan Narzary shot in the 3rd minute. Juan Quero then had a shot come off the crossbar before Juan Gonzalez killed danger with a perfectly timed slide to get to the ball after Kim Song-Yong’s low cross had got past Amrinder across the face of the goal.

Bengaluru had a big chance of their own when Eugeneson Lyngdoh combined well with Vineeth before seeing a low drive whiz past the goal, needing only a Bengaluru touch to make it count. Having done well to keep the hosts at bay, the Bengaluru defence had a moment of horror as DSK got the lead in the 40thminute. Keegan, in failing to read Quero’s pass for Narzary, drew Amrinder off his line only for the DSK striker to get the ball at his feet and an empty goal at his mercy from where he made no mistake.

Struggling to string together attacks and looking completely bereft of ideas, Bengaluru were further pegged back in the 55th minute when Milan Singh’s long ball over Bengaluru’s high line of defence clipped Ranjan’s leg before rolling on to Narzary’s path. With only Amrinder to beat, the young striker put it through the ’keeper’s legs to make it 2-0.

But just when it seemed like the hosts were coasting with the game, Bengaluru pulled one back in the 74thminute through Sunil Chhetri. Picked up by a smart ball from Cameron Watson, the Blues’ skipper brought the ball down deftly with his chest before calmly putting it past Paul.

Throwing everything they had at the DSK defence, the Blues attacked with intent as shots from Chhetri and Vineeth were blocked away. The pressure paid off for the away side, as a corner swung in by Cameron Watson in the dying minutes was nodded home by Ranjan to bring things level.

Roca’s side would have walked away with the three points but for Lenny Rodrigues’ attempt in the dying minutes which struck the DSK woodwork as Chhetri’s attempted shot from the rebound hit a DSK player.

The Blues next face Minerva Punjab FC at the Kanteerava Stadium, on Saturday.

Bengaluru FC boys qualify for U16 Youth League semifinal

Bengaluru FC Media 

A goal from Rahul Rajan gave Bengaluru FC’s U16s side a 1-0 win over Red Star FC in the U16 Y-League, sending the John Kila-coached to the semifinal of the tournament for the first time. Sudeva FC’s win over DSK Shivajians was not enough as the Blue Colts ended the group stages with 7 points from three games, one more than the Delhi-based side. 

Despite attacking with intent for most of the first half, the young Blues were unable to find the Red Star net as Joseph Vanlalhruaia and Lalrintluanga squandered opportunities to take the lead. 

Starting the second half with renewed vigour, a pass from Vanlalhruaia over the Red Star back-line found Rajan unmarked as he trapped the ball and shot past the ’keeper to give BFC the lead. Red Star’s attempted forays into the Blue Colts’ area were thwarted away. 

Against the run of play, the Blue Colts almost doubled their lead as Chequvara’s attempted shot was parried away after the striker was sent through on goal. Kila praised his young side, who will now face one of Minerva Football Academy or Tata Football Academy in the semifinal. 

“I am proud of this team, their performances and the staff who’ve worked so hard in getting them to the semifinals of this tournament. There’s a lot of room for improvement and I’m sure that with the right direction, there’s more than just good results to come for these boys,” said Kila.

U-16 Youth League - Ozone move to semis

Ozone romped home in style by pumping 3 goals to opponent India Youth Soccer Association today at the Navelim ground, Goa. With an all-win record in the quarter final group stage, the lads qualify to the semifinal of the U-16 Youth League. 

Ozone lads, who train at Hosur must have been the most impressive performers in U-16 Youth League, they have conceded only one goal and scored 11 goals in three quarter final group matches.  

Continuing the good form, talented striker Ajay Alex scored a brace again today. Manvir scored the other goal in 37th minute. 

Mohun Bagan defeated Pride Sports in an identical margin, finishing second in Group A. 

Semi-finals and final will be played at Mumbai on Febrary 8 and 10 respectively.  

 

Bengaluru loan Roby Norales out to Ozone FCB

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC have loaned Honduran striker Roby Norales to Second Division side Ozone FC till the end of the season, the club announced on Friday. The twenty-six-year-old who joined the Blues one game into the I-League season didn’t seem to fit into the plans of coach Albert Roca, prompting the club to trigger the move to fellow-Bengaluru side Ozone FC.

Norales, who came off the bench and scored on his Blues’ debut against Chennai City FC, replaces Ozone striker Cornell Glenn who suffered a fractured arm, ruling him out for the rest of the club’s Division Two campaign.

“After a month of working closely with Roby, the staff felt that he doesn’t fit into the team’s plans. The club spoke with the player and both agreed that it would be best to loan him out to a club where he would get more playing time. Roby has been a thorough professional and we wish him the best of luck on his new stint,” said club COO, Mustafa Ghouse. 

U-16 Youth League - Bengaluru win against Sudeva FC

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC’s U16 Academy side grabbed a late win against a resilient Sudeva FC from Delhi, in the U16 Y-League, at the Nagoa Ground, in Goa, on Thursday. After conceding in the early stages, the persistent Colts scored two in the 66th and the 82nd minute of the game to clinch their first win in the campaign.

Bengaluru suffered a setback in the 15th minute as Bupender Singh, Sudeva’s striker gave the opponents a lead early in the game. Just when the Colts seemed to have settled into the pace of the game, youngster Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, the goal scorer from the previous clash against DSK Shivajians, was stretchered off with an injury. The first half saw many chances for the Bengaluru side but Sudeva took the lead going into the break.

The Colts came out all guns blazing in the second half as they continued to display their dominance in possession and were rewarded with a goal in the 66th minute. A mistimed tackle by Sudeva’s defender allowed Lalrintluanga Chawnglut to score from the spot.

The game remained level until the 82nd minute when a delicate lob by Amay Morajkar saw the ball fall to the feet of Rahul Ranjan who got his name on the score sheet with a neat finish to give the Blue Colts their first win of the campaign.

The Colts next face Redstar Football Academy from Thrissur on Sunday.

Sourav’s brace helps Bengaluru draw against RWF

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC’s reserve side played a 2-2 draw against Rail Wheel Factory in their second clash of the BDFA Super Division at the Bangalore Football Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Wednesday. A brace by striker Sourav TP helped the young Blues secure a point after goals from Jayavandhan S and Madan Kumar in the space of three minutes had given RWF the lead in the second half game.

The Blues were the dominant side for most parts of the match, with Sourav putting one across the RWF ’keeper in the 42nd minute after the reserve team displayed incisive attacking football in the first half.

But RWF leveled the scores in the 69th minute from a penalty slotted home by Jayavandhan, after Blues defender Jestin brought down an RWF player in the box. The youngsters then went down two minutes later as RWF’s Madan Kumar headed in a corner kick.

With the final whistle nearing, the Blues attacked with intent and got through to the RWF net in the 86th minute, as Sourav converted after a scuffle in the box, following a well-placed free-kick by Prashanth Kalinga into the RWF box.

Bengaluru FC next face South United at the same venue on Saturday.

Ozone boys thrash Pride Sports, inch closer to semis spot

Ozone football academy thrashed Pride Sports FC 6-0 their 2nd U-16 Youth League Quarter final match today morning at the Navelim ground, Goa. 

Umashankar (24’, 33’) and Manvir Singh (53’, 72’) score two each, and Captain Ajay Alex (88’) and Ignatius John (93’) score the other two goals. The boys from the Hosur academy have won their first match against Mohun Bagan 2-1. 

With two win from as many matches and a high goal difference, they are almost thru to the Semifinal. Ozone football academy will play their last group match against Indian Youth Soccer Association (IYWA) on Friday.