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Bengaluru FC Media
In a fixture that’s never lacked intensity, Bengaluru FC will square off against Mohun Bagan for a third straight time as the I-League resumes after a fortnight-long international break, at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, in Kolkata, on Saturday.
While the Blues’ chances of retaining the League title are all but over, coach Albert Roca believes that the need to put in a good show ahead of an important AFC Cup tie against Maziya S&RC away from home in just three days from now and the prospect of coming up against Bengaluru’s arch rivals on the domestic stage should work as enough motivation for his boys to deliver.
“We are up against Mohun Bagan and that should tell you how important this game is for us. Also, while we may not be able to finish on top of the table, we need to climb as high as possible, on it. It’s going to be a very difficult game because Bagan know that if they drop points, their title aspirations will suffer a major dent too.”
Prior to the international break, Bengaluru faced the Sanjoy Sen-coached side on consecutive occasions, as a goalless draw in the League was followed by a comeback win for the Blues in the opening game of the 2017 AFC Cup. The Spaniard has called for his side, who are in fifth place, to be competitive if they are to take anything away from Kolkata this time around.
“We are the champions of India and we will be playing like that on Saturday. There is no point coming here if we aren’t going be competitive,” said Roca, while addressing the press on the eve of the game.
Bengaluru had as many as seven players away with the national team for the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Myanmar and Roca said he still hasn’t decided the team that he will roll out against Bagan a side that sits in third place on the League table. “We play two important games in four days and I’m going to have to see how we handle this situation. What you can expect for certain is that the team that plays will be one that chases a win.”
Defender Rino Anto and goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte miss out as they continue to recover from their injuries while Mohun Bagan are boosted by the presence of Sony Norde, who trained with the side following his return from international duty with Haiti at the CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifiers.
Arun Pondey of Ozone will captain the BDFA XI in the All India 'Bihar Cup' Football Tournament, to be held at Patna.
BDFA have won the tournament in 2014.
Team is leaving for Patna by train on Monday, March 27, 9 am.
Team
Nadirsha K (Students Union), Srijith R (South United), Sasikumar (Students Union), Kevin HX (Students Union), Vivekananda (Ozone), Shiva Kumar (Students Union), Anup Theresraj (Ozone), Vignesh D (Ozone), Praveen KT (Students Union), Manivannan (South United), Santhos AnnaMalai K (South United), Arun Pondey (Captain-Ozone), Karthick G (Ozone), Sukesh Leon (MEG), Thamodharan (Bangalore Eagles), Nanda V (Students Union), Satish Kumar (South United), Mahesh S (South United), Anto Rusith (South United), Kumar AD (Income Tax)
Mohan – Coach
G Appaji – Manager
Army team MEG and Bangalore Independents lifted BDFA League 2016-17 edition Super Division and A Division respectively.
After a great start, Students Union could not hold on to the top position, and have to content with runners-up in Super Division. Jawahar Union makes a comeback to Super Division next season by coming second in A division. They will join the Vivek Nagar-based club Bangalore Independents, who topped the league in a convincing fashion.
DYES and AGORC will be relegated from Super to A Division and Sri Gajanana and Postal will be relegated from A to B Division by finishing at the bottom of points table.
There was an exhibition match played between the top two teams of both Divisions this evening. In A Division, Bangalore Independents lost to Jawahar Union 0-1 from a 14th minute goal from Jonathan. MEG defeated Student Union 2-0 in Super Division, Faizal and captain Ramu were the scorers.
Several individual awards were given to the players.
Super Division
- Best goalkeeper - Nardesh (Student Union)
- Best goal of the league - Nanda (Student Union)
- Best playmaker – Sukesh Leon (MEG)
- Top Scorers - 8 goals Dada Nabeel (AGORC), Emmanuel (Student Union), Jotin Singh (ASC) and Subash (South United) scoring 7 goals, followed by Neeraj Singh (ASC) scoring 6 goals
A Division
- Best goalkeeper – Kevin (Jawhar Union)
- Best goal of the league – Damodran (Bangalore Eagles)
- Best playmaker – Karthick (Bangalore Independents)
- Top Scorer - Nihal (Jawhar Union) – 12 goals, followed by Dipan Thapa (SAI - 7 goals), Thongmang (Parikrma - 6 goals)
Bengaluru FC Media
An inspired Bengaluru FC claimed a convincing 2-1 win over Mohun Bagan to begin their 2017 AFC Cup campaign with a bang, at the Kanteerava Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Tuesday. After conceding first from a Katsumi Yusa penalty, Sandesh Jhingan and Sunil Chhetri scored a goal each to pick up all three points in the opening match of the 2017 AFC Cup.
Roca’s two changes from the game on Saturday included starts for CK Vineeth and Salam Ranjan Singh ahead of Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Nishu Kumar as Bengaluru started out in what looked like a 4-2-3-1 formation.
The Blues had an early scare when Arindam Bhattacharya under pressure to get rid of a back pass, could clear only as far as Katsumi Yusa. It took the defence to rush back in numbers and stuff the danger out.
But just when it seemed like the teams would hit the showers without anything to show for in the first half, Bagan were awarded a penalty in the 35th minute when Jhingan’s trailing leg caught Sony Norde in the box. Arindam picked the right side but Yusa’s take was hit with enough power to fly beyond and give the Kolkata club the lead.
Finding themselves down by a goal, Bengaluru decided to dig deep and own the second half like a team possessed. Eugeneson Lyngdoh came on for Lenny Rodrigues as the Blues began pegging the Bagan defence back. And in what was poetic justice, Jhingan hit home Bengaluru’s equaliser from a well-worked set-piece in the 51st minute. Making a late run into the box, the defender met Watson’s corner with a sweet hit that flew past the defence and Shilton Paul as the Kanteerava erupted.
With their tails up and sensing fear in the Bagan ranks, Bengaluru constantly invaded the Mariners’ box with darting runs from either flank. In the 57th minute, Shilton stepped out of the box with the ball in his hand, giving the Blues a freekick in a dangerous position. Chhetri made no mistake with his effort, which pried through the Bagan wall and found the net to send the Blues faithful into frenzy.
Bengaluru had numerous chances to extend their lead. Vineeth’s cross for Lyngdoh was inches away from the midfielder’s diving header before a miscued effort from Daniel Lalhlimpuia saw the ball fizz past Paul’s frame. A free-kick from Juanan seemed like the icing on the cake for the Blues but his take was inches away from the Bagan crossbar.
Bengaluru now head into the international break before returning to face the Mariners in the I-League at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, on April 1st.
Bengaluru FC Media
Bengaluru FC will look to get their AFC Cup campaign off to the perfect start when they take on League rivals Mohun Bagan for a second time in four days at the Kanteerava Stadium, in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
Albert Roca’s team created history last November in Doha by becoming the first Indian club to make the final of a continental competition when they played eventual champions and Iraqi side Air Force Club who edged the Blues 1-0. While Roca said his team would draw confidence from that phenomenal run, he admitted that the slate was clean and the attempt for an encore would only be tougher. “What we achieved last season in this competition was special. But now we are back to square one and we will have to work twice as hard. The fact that we made the final last year does give us confidence but it doesn’t let us take anything for granted,” said the Spaniard.
A tweak in the format this year pits two Indian clubs against each other for the first time in the competition, adding to the history that this new yet fierce rivalry Bengaluru and Bagan share.
The two sides played out an entertaining and furiously-paced 0-0 draw on Saturday and with only 48 hours to recover, it would be interesting to see whether Round Two will be as intense on the physical front. “The schedule is punishing and tomorrow’s game will be our fourth in nine days. But we’ve got work around the circumstances and deliver. We had a recovery session on Sunday and I’m confident that the boys will have enough to give what is a very important game, everything,” said Roca.
Though the Blues have been batting indifferent form in the League, there have been a fair number of positives from recent performances that Roca’s boys can take into the game on Tuesday. John Johnson’s return to the side has brought with it some much-needed stability at the back, while young Nishu Kumar has been growing in confidence with every passing game in the left-back position. Eugeneson Lyngdoh was handed a start on Saturday and the midfielder showed glimpses of the confidence he had been missing as the Blues took the fight to Bagan in an inspired second half showing.
New signing Marjan Jugovic, who has AFC experience, got close to 30 minutes on the weekend and it’s left to be seen if Roca deems him ready to start against the Kolkata club.
“The game against Bagan was a tough one but I am very pleased with the way we took the fight to a good team that is contending for the League title. Let’s hope we can finish our chances on Tuesday.”
Meanwhile Bagan will look to use the threat of winger Sony Norde who was kept quiet all evening by the Bengaluru defence. Coach Sanjoy Sen has options in attack in Jeje Lalpekhlua and Balwant Singh and the latter, in all likelihood, could be handed another start.
AIFF Media
Bengaluru FC Media
A pleasant evening at the Garden City witnessed the duel between winners of the last two editions of Hero I-League. Bengaluru FC despite playing with one-man advantage for good 30-minutes, failed to break Bagan defense the match ended in a 0-0 draw.
Also, it was a duel of sorts between the hundreds of Green and Maroon fans who travelled across the country and the home grown Blues’ supporters who flocked to the fortress to see their team’s win.
Mohun Bagan kicked-off from left to right. Playing with a 4-4-2 formation - Darryl Duffy and Balwant Singh on the attack.
The visitors made the first positive move in 4th minute orchestrated from the left flank. BFC got their initial chance in the 8th minute when Captain Sunil Chhetri fouled in the top of the 18-yard box, however the shot went wide.
Earlier, Bengaluru continued with the same starting eleven from their last round match (against Chennai City FC) keeping Serbian Marjan Jugovic on the bench.
Exchanging attacks Duffy took a nice lurking shot in the 18th minute, Bengaluru keeper Arindam put his fingertips to avoid the danger.
Attacking football from both ends made the game beautiful for the fans.
Keeper Arindam again came in action when Katsumi’s free-kick from a close position, which he earned from a foul that Balwant connected spectacularly saved.
It was the Japanese Katsumi Yusa seen spearheading maximum attacks from the right flank for the visitors. Scot Duffy seen coming close to goal
Bagan kept on adding pressure for most of the first half, missing target in few occasions.
Back in the game post lemon break, Bengaluru pressed hard in Bagan defense, garnering couple of free-kicks and corners with no positive outcome.
66th minute saw a brilliant thru from Katsumi for Haitian international Sony Norde that had goal written on it, unfortunately called offside.
Few minute later Bagan suffered a big jolt when left back Subhasis Bose was given marching order by referee Srikrishna. Coach Sen promptly replaced striker Duffy with Prabir Das, playing as left full-back.
High time for Bengaluru to put pressure on Bagan defense with one man advantage.
A header from Sony Norde’s free-kick was put on the back of the Bengaluru’s net much to the joy of the Bangan crowd piled on the lower East Block. However, referee cancelled out owing to an infringement on keeper.
The final five minutes saw a barrage of attack from the blues, but the Bagan defense kept calm and avoided late danger.
Bengaluru FC keeper Arindam Bhattacharya took away the Hero of the Match.
Bengaluru FC Media
AIFF Media
After witnessing a freaky Round 13 where all the home teams failed to register a win, Bengaluru FC take on Mohun Bagan tomorrow at their fortress Sree Kanterava Stadium.
Bengaluru failing to register an away win against newbie Chennai City FC have been without their first choice keeper Amrinder for a while. The required understanding between defense is yet to build - resulting the first goal in their last match.
Averting a close call against Mumbai FC at home, Bagan came in the Garden City sans custodian and most consistent performer of previous two seasons Debjit, out injured in the last match and medio Pranoy Halder.
Bengaluru returning late evening yesterday (after playing Chennai) opted for evening practice today while Mohun Bagan practiced in the morning at the venue.
Speaking to media in the pre-match press conference, Bengaluru coach, Albert Roca in his customary manner termed tomorrow’s encounter as a tough game, “Mohun Bagan is in title contention, they’ve come here to fight for three points. Also, it is time for us to play well and ensure we win.”
Now that the hope of retaining Hero I-League is fading away, are they in a dilemma to focus on the AFC game, which they will be playing against the same opponent three days later?
“We always focus on our very next game. In our mind, we have the first game (tomorrow) to fight, and then we’ll take the next game. ” opined the Spaniard.
He further added, “We’ve been generating lot of chances, but most important is to score - we need to be more aggressive inside the 18-yard box, strikers should score more goals.”
Bengaluru have been fairly unlucky, few of their goals in away matches have been disallowed. Coach, not sounding frustrated, said, “We will not surrender, we will keep working, keep trying, and let’s see how we change our luck!”
The champions of two seasons back, Mohun Bagan have task cut out should they want to be in title contention. Coach Sanjoy Sen is under immense pressure after giving away 5 points in last two rounds.
“Priority is 3 points - this is important for us to stay afloat for championship and definitely I-League is our priority!”
Adding to the misery is the last two matches where team took lead and conceded two quick goals. However, what is comforting Sen is the performance of second-half in their last match, and hopes to continue that performance tomorrow.
Sen feels that there’s no added pressure, “Teams from Kolkata always play for championship, now we have an addition in Bengaluru FC, who too are doing well. Of course there is pressure, but we’ve to overcome it by playing well, scoring and winning.”
Defense seems to be the main worry and they’ve failed to hold lead many a times. There’s a long list of injured defenders in Raju Gaikwad, Kinshuk Debnath, and Kean Lewis.
An exciting match in prospect as Bengaluru FC have never beaten Mohun Bagan at their fortress and failed to muster in previous two seasons.
The match is scheduled at 7:05 pm and will be telecast live on Ten 2 television channel.
Bengaluru FC Media
Bengaluru FC endured another frustrating night, this time at the Nehru Stadium, in Chennai, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Chennai City FC on Wednesday. A second-half own-goal from John Johnson had given Chennai the lead only for Daniel Lalhlimpuia to equalize on a night when the Blues rued missed chances.
Albert Roca made changes to the side that beat Minerva Punjab FC 1-0 in Ludhiana over the weekend, choosing to start with Daniel, Mandar ahead of CK Vineeth and Jugovic.
Bengaluru had Chennai on the ropes from the get-go when Mandar saw his header from a cross, kept out by Karanjit Singh in the 4th minute. Daniel then had a shot on target kept out by Celesitine Echezona as the Blues attacked from all over the pitch. Sunil Chhetri too saw an attempt on goal from an Udanta cutback, saved.
But for all of Bengaluru’s authority on the game, it was Chennai who found themselves with the lead in the 53rd minute when John Johnson headed a seemingly harmless cross from Nandhakumar on the right and watched in horror as it flew past Arindam Bhattacharya and into the Blues’ net.
A quick response was what Bengaluru needed and they found one within five minutes of conceding. Sent on a chase he won down the right, Udanta’s cross was pushed away by Karanjit Singh only to fall at Daniel’s feet and the striker calmly shot home the equaliser.
Sensing the need to build on the momentum, Roca brought on striker Marjan Jugovic for Mandar Rao Dessai as the Blues relentlessly pressed for a second. They came agonizingly close in the 63rd minute when Juanan saw a header from a corner saved off the line by Debabrata Roy.
Nishu Kumar then saw two delightful low crosses roll across the face of the goal with no Bengaluru body close enough to get a foot on them. Looking to shake things up a little, Roca made his final two changes in quick succession, replacing Cameron Watson and Daniel with Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Vineeth.
Bengaluru then had a shout for handball turned down deep into injury time but the Blues’ best chance of the half came when Lyngdoh’s looped free-kick into the area was nodded into a dangerous area for Dharmaraj Ravanan to clear off the line in what was to be the last action of the night.
The Blues next face Mohun Bagan at the Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday.
Bengaluru FC Media
Buoyed by a tough win away from home on Sunday, Bengaluru FC will look to keep the momentum going when Albert Roca’s side take on Chennai City FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Chennai, on Wednesday. Lenny Rodrigues headed home the Blues’ winner at Minerva on a pitch far from fit to play on and Roca believes it will take more such grit if his side are to get past Chennai City and build on the win.
“The circumstances we find ourselves in demand that we fight harder than we have ever needed to. The boys showed that in Punjab where the conditions were far from the best to play football in. Chennai are going to be tough opponents given their position on the table,” said Roca on the eve of the game.
Chennai, sitting only above Mumbai FC on the table, were denied three points on Sunday against DSK Shivajians when they conceded an equaliser in the last minute to share points with the Pune side.
Bengaluru have looked a more composed side since the return of John Johnsons from injury. The arrival of striker Marjan Jugovic too has added strength in attack and the Serbian, who was pulled off around the hour mark against Minerva, could get a longer look in on Wednesday.
The Blues won the home leg of this fixture in January when goals from CK Vineeth and Roby Norales broke down a stubborn resistance from Chennai and Roca said it’s vital that his team does justice to the chances they create. “In most games we are the team that is playing the football but we come undone because we don’t finish off the good work we do up until the attacking third. We’ve been working on these aspects in training and I’m sure it will show in the games ahead.”
Chennai meanwhile, are winless in four games after stalemates against Churchill Brothers and DSK Shivajians and losses to Shillong Lajong and Aizawl FC. The V. Soundararajan-coached side are buoyed by the addition of centre-back Celestine Anyichie, who missed the club’s visit to the Kanteerava, and will look to the Nigerian’s aerial presence to keep the Blues’ attack at bay.
The game kicks off at 7.05 pm and will be telecast live on Ten 2.
AIFF Media
Bengaluru FC Media
Bengaluru FC broke a jinx, claiming their first win in over a month and a half as a Lenny Rodrigues header in the 17th minute gave them a 1-0 victory against Minerva Punjab FC at the Guru Nanak Stadium, in Ludhiana, on Sunday. The result marked Albert Roca’s first away win in charge of the Blues and sends them to fourth position with 16 points from 11 games.
The Blues shaped in a 4-4-2 where John Johnson returned to the centre of defence alongside Juan Gonzalez while Serbian striker Marjan Jugovic made his Bengaluru debut. And it didn’t take long for Johnson to show the kind of assuredness he brings with him, winning every aerial duel while giving Juan the freedom to join in attack. Nishu Kumar at left-back was a constant threat, taking on the Minerva defence bravely and giving enough reason for Bengaluru to throw numbers in the box in attack.
But in what was the most important ‘first’ on the day for Bengaluru, Lenny leaped high to nod home Cameron Watson’s take from the corner, a goal that marked his first since signing for the Blues in the summer.
Having learned well enough about the lack of assurance a one-goal lead has given them in the past, Bengaluru kept pressing for a second with Jugovic and CK Vineeth working hard together on a pitch that didn’t really help the cause. Jhingan saw a header from a corner bounce inches wide in the 40th minute as Bengaluru could take just the goal to the dressing room at half time.
In a second half that saw a better-adjusted Bengaluru side, Udanta Singh had a shot saved in the 49th minute before Jugovic saw his looping header float inches high of the Minerva crossbar. Looking to keep things tight and close the game, Roca threw in Harmanjot Khabra for Jugovic and Daniel Lalhlimpuia for CK Vineeth.
Lalhlimpuia had more than a few efforts to double the Blues’ lead, combining well with the skipper, but lacking the finishing touch as the Blues settled for the one-nil win.
Bengaluru next face Chennai City FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Chennai, on Wednesday.
Bengaluru FC Media
AIFF Media
Albert Roca said he was confident his Bengaluru FC side would dig deep and turn up with the goods as they begin a key month of football with a trip to Jalandhar to take on Minerva Punjab FC at the Guru Nanak Stadium, on Sunday. The Blues travel to Chennai next before hosting Mohun Bagan twice in a span of four days in the League and the AFC Cup and Roca felt that there was no better time than now to get what’s been a difficult season for Bengaluru, back on track.
“We can’t change results that have gone by. What we can do is work harder to make sure results ahead go our way. Minerva away from home will be a game that will require us to give everything if we are to change our fortunes. We play four games in nine days and it’s important that we start this phase well,” said Roca on the eve of the game.
Bringing some much-needed respite to a side that’s been hit with injury, a run of frustrating results and patches of poor form, is the return of John Johnson to the squad. The central defender, who has missed four games this season owing to a rib injury, has made the trip and could start alongside Juan Gonzalez.
Also grabbing focus will be new striker Marjan Jugovic who has put in a few training sessions with the team and it remains to be seen whether or not Roca chooses to start with the Serbian.
“It’s good to have John back in the squad as he’s always been a positive influence on the team and is one of the voices on the pitch and I’m certain he will have a key role to play tomorrow. We’re also glad to have Marjan who has showed more than just glimpses of his experience, in training. These inclusions give the squad the kind of strength we need at the moment,” said Roca.
The pitch conditions at the Guru Nanak Stadium haven’t been the best and Roca voiced his concern while admitting that his side would have to find a way around it. “I hope everyone realises that a pitch like this is bad for the show. They are the home team and will have a better understanding of the surface. So, it’s up to us to adapt as quickly as possible.”
Minerva put behind a shaky start to the League, steadied things and are now on an unbeaten run of six games. The side from Punjab managed to snatch a very lucky point when they came to the Fortress in February. A stray cross caught the foot of Sandesh Jhingan before looping over a wrong-footed Amrinder Singh in a game that Bengaluru dominated completely.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 04:30 PM and it’ll be aired live on Ten 2.
