Bengaluru sign Albert Serran to bolster defense

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC, on Friday, announced the signing of 34-year-old center-back Albert Serran, ahead of their Indian Super League campaign, set to kick off in a month’s time. A widely travelled defender, Serran joins the Blues as their seventh foreign signing, having turned out for Carles Cuadrat’s men in two pre-season friendlies, against Villarreal CF B and FC Barcelona B. 

“It's a great experience in my career to sign for Bengaluru FC. The pre-season in Spain was great and I had the chance to meet the staff and players. I was given a warm welcome and felt very good from the beginning. I'm expecting to arrive in Bengaluru soon, to know more about the fans and the city,” said Serran after completing formalities. 

Born in Barcelona, Serran is a product of RCD Espanyol’s youth system and appeared in three La Liga games during his time with the Periquitos. In 2008, Serran signed a three-year deal with Swansea City, then in the Football League Championship. Serran left Swansea in 2011 and went on to play for AEK Larnaca, Alcorcon, Anorthosis Famagusta and Doxa Katokopia, before joining Albanian Superliga champions FK Kukesi in 2017. Serran’s most recent contract was with Morrocon side Chabab Rif Al Hoceima. 

Having bowed out of the 2018 AFC Cup with a 5-2 aggregate loss to Altyn Asyr FK, the Blues prepare for their Indian Super League opener, against Chennaiyin FC, at the Kanteerava Stadium on September 30.

Bengaluru FC look to turn tide against Altyn Asyr

Bengaluru FC Media

Carles Cuadrat’s Bengaluru FC are confident of climbing the proverbial mountain when they take on Altyn Asyr today at the Kopetdag Stadium, for a spot in the Inter-Zone final of the AFC Cup. Having suffered a 3-2 defeat at home, the Blues will need to win by a two-goal margin in the capital in what could be a comeback for the ages.

Though Cuadrat admitted that conceding three goals at home was far from the ideal scenario going into a second leg, he was confident that the late fightback at the Kanteerava has given his side belief and a chance against tough opponents. “Altyn Asyr is a good team who have been doing well in this competition. When they came to Bengaluru, they were in the middle of their league commitments and you could tell by how fit they were. They took advantage of the options they had in front of our goal. It was a bit of a shock to go down by three goals at home but we slowly took control of things in the second half and we had enough chances to put them in trouble. We have two goals that make us believe we have a shot at going ahead in this competition,” said the Spaniard while addressing the media on Tuesday.

The team from Turkmenistan didn’t have much of the ball in the first leg, but they made their reliance on the counter attack matter, with clinical finishing. Cuadrat said the early goals were a tad bit disappointing because they knew how the visitors would tackle the tie. “When you’re down a goal at home you want to get right back into it and that’s where we conceded another one on the counter attack. We have been watching Altyn Asyr’s games in the AFC Cup and we know they don’t really have a lot of possession during the game. Most games they usually have around 45 percent possession. They know they must defend well and punish the other teams on the counter. So, it wasn’t a surprise.”

The Blues will do well to be wary of the threat that the hosts possess through Altymyrat Annadurdyyew and Wahyt Orazsahedow, both of who were on target in Bengaluru. Winger Myrat Yagsyyew, who had to be substituted early in the game owing to a groin injury, remains a doubtful starter for the fixture.

The biggest positive that Bengaluru FC can take from the defeat and into the second leg is the attitude they displayed even after conceding three goals. The attack switched gears in the second half and had Altyn Asyr defending in numbers. The Blues were left feeling hard done-by after two stonewall penalty decisions were waived away by the referee. But goals from Rahul Bheke and Erik Paartalu were justice to the kind of turnaround they orchestrated.

Harmanjot Khabra, who missed the game with illness, has made the trip to Turkmenistan and it needs to be seen if he will have a part to play on Wednesday. Cuadrat also hinted at a possible rejig in the way he approaches the game and the team he rolls out. “We weren’t happy with the way things went in the first game and we would like to fix that. If it means us having to change and reshuffle, we will. In the end, we don’t have an option but to keep trying things that can keep us alive in the competition,” he said.

The winner of the tie will go on to face North Korean side 4.25 SC in the Inter-Zone final after they cruised past Singapore’s Home United FC 11-1 on aggregate in the other semifinal clash.

The game kicks off at 5 pm IST. 

Puttaiah and Prasanna Kumar Memorial Cup to take place in September

Puttaiah and Prasanna Kumar Memorial Cup, the knockout football tournament for the Super and A Division teams respectively will commence on the second week of September. Bangalore District Football Association (BDFA) invites entry from the BDFA Super and A Division teams. 

Entry fee for the participating teams are: 

Super Division 

• Professional club – 6,000/- 
• Institutional club – 4,000/- 

• Private club – 2,000/-  

A Division

• Professional club – 5,000/- 
• Institutional club – 3,000/- 
• Private club – 2,000/- 

Clubs should ensure that they have submitted players’ Registration Form ‘A’ for the 2018-19 season on or before August 31, 2018. 

The last date of receiving entry fee is September 8, 2018.  

BUFC win KSFA Impetus Cup

BUFC girls kept their dominance intact and got through the defense of Mangalore FC to lift the inaugural Impetus Trophy Women's Football Trophy. Skipper and former India international Amulya scored the only goal of the match from an assist from Paromita Sit. 

Paromita, another international player was adjudged the highest scorer of the tournament after scoring 10 goals from 4 matches. She also received the best striker of the tournament. 

Paromita on a roll, BUFC take on Mangalore in Impetus Trophy final today

Former India international, Paromita Sit marked her class by scoring another hattrick for BUFC in the semifinal match against Parikrma in the KSFA organized Impetus Trophy for women's football tournament. BUFC defeated Parikrma 4-0. The other goal was scored by Nadia. 

Paromita has scored 10 goals in the tournament, this was her third hattrick in as many matches. BUFC take on Mangalore FC today 3 PM at the Bangalore Football Stadium. 

SF 

• Mangalore FC 2 (Jandila-30’+1’, Diana Desouza-60’+2’) Vs Christ University 0 
• BUFC 4 (Nadia-15’, Paromita-23’, 29’, 51’) Vs Parikrma 0

Christ, Parikrma, BUFC, and Mangalore in final four of Impetus Trophy

Quarter Finals 

• Christ University 2 (Sanjana-26', 33') Vs NMKRV 0  
• Parikrma 2 (Priyanka Rajput-10', 34') Vs BBFC 0 
• BUFC 9 (Paromita-2', 11', 24', 42', Harshita-27', 56', Anushika-32', Aishwarya-35', Hamsha-45') Vs Misaka United 0 
• Mangalore FC 4 (Diana Desouza-8', 20', Mahadevi-32', Sabnum-41') Vs SFS College 0 

Semifinal fixture for Sunday Aug 26, 2018 

• 3 pm: Christ University Vs Mangalore FC
•  4.30: pm Parikrama Vs BUFC 

Results on Friday, August 24, 2018 

• SFS College 1 (Tanya-41') Vs Shining Star FC 0
• Mangalore FC 2 (Diana Desouza-12', Melita-17') Vs Akshara Montessori Academy 0 

Christ University, Mangalore score big win in Impetus Trophy

• NMKRV 1 (Manasa-45') Vs SJCC 0 
• Christ University 9 (Sonali-1', 9' John S Padgaum-2', 10', Spandana-16', 26', 45', Rosiga-35' Anju-55') Vs Jothi Nivas College 0
• Mangalore 9 (Diana Desouza-6', 15', Jothi-9', 42', Jonapila-11', 27', 50', Melija-12', Seetha-50') Vs Malleswaram 0 
• Parikrama 3 (Raksha-9' Danilla-21', Janavi-35') Vs Belgaum United 0 

Friday (August 24, 2018) Matches

• 3 pm: Shining Star FC Vs SFC
• 4.30 pm: Akshara Vs Montessori Academy

Bengaluru go down to Altyn Asyr after producing an inspired second-half comeback

Bengaluru FC Media 

What seemed like a tie that was done and dusted sprang back to life after Bengaluru produced an inspired second-half comeback against Turkmenistan side Altyn Asyr in the first leg of the AFC Cup Inter-Zone semifinal at the Kanteerava Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Wednesday. The Blues conceded three goals, before scoring two of their own to take a 2-3 result to Ashgabat for the second leg, set to be played in seven days’ time.

With an ill Harmanjot Khabra having to sit out of the game, Cuadrat started with Rino Anto at the right-back position while Xisco Hernandez made his Bengaluru debut, playing in the middle.

The visitors couldn’t have asked for a better start away from home when Vahyt beat the last line of defence and rose to nod home Nurmyradov Selim’s cross from the right in the 11th minute.

The Blues looked almost certain of squaring things up in the 15th minute when Chhetri   was picked with a precise cross from Miku. The skipper measured the flight and picked his spot with a calm header only for ’Orazmuhamedov Mamed to clear the ball with an outstretched left foot.  

Just when Bengaluru looked like getting back into the game, Altyn Asyr got a second through Altymyrat in the 24th minute. The leading scorer of the Turkmenistan side’s AFC Cup campaign, Altymyrat managed to sneak in a low but powerful hit past Sandhu at the near post.

Not allowing the deficit to kill their resolve of a fightback, Bengaluru gave the Altyn Asyr defence an edgy last ten minutes in the first half where Miku, Chhetri and Nishu had chances stuffed out by desperate blue shirts in the box.

Things slipped further for Bengaluru soon after the second half began when Vahyt got his second and Altyn Asyr’s third goal of the night. Sandhu had an uncharacteristically weak moment allowing Vahyt’s to roll past from under him.

With little to lose, Bengaluru kept plugging away as Udanta Sigh made life difficult for Altyn Asyr’s men on the left. The visitors seemed happy to sit back and defend in numbers as Bengaluru moved the ball all around, prodding for an opening. The Blues finally got one back in the 63rd minute when Bheke smashed home from in the box. Chhetri’s header from Udanta’s cross smashed the post only to bounce back to Bheke who wouldn’t miss.

The goal breathed fresh life into Bengaluru’s charge as they got into a rhythm that Altyn Asyr found tough to handle. The defending was frenetic at best but just enough to keep Miku, Udanta and a host of white shirts at bay.

Bengaluru were left feeling hard done when they thought they had two shouts for what looked like legitimate penalties, turned down by referee Iida Jumpei. But the Blues piled on the pressure, finding a second through Erik Paartalu. With Xisco’s initial cross headed out of the Altyn box, Udanta picked up the pieces and swung in a second that was nodded home by the Aussie.

The Blues fly to Ashgabat, where they will take on the Turkmenistan champions on August 29th, at the Kopetdag Stadium.

Paromita nets hat-trick in Impetus Trophy women’s tournament

A hat-trick by Karnataka state captain and India international Paromita Sit powered BUFC to a 5-0 win over Happeners Foundation on day one of the KSFA-Impetus Trophy Women’s Football played at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Wednesday.

Paromita’s teammate and another India international Amoolya Kamal and Anoushka added one each to Paromita’s hattrick.

In another match Amita scored all Four goals in Misaka United’s 4-0 win over SNS FC. In other matches Shining Stars and BBFC won their respective matches.

Results 

• Shining Stars 3 (Aishwarya-23’, Rafiya Fathima-27’, Ruksar Bhanu-33’) Vs Kickstart FC 0
• BBFC 2 (Maria-5’, Susan 56’)  Vs Rani FC 1 (Mintu-47’)
• BUFC 5 (Paromita Sit-5’, 34’, 49’, Amoolya Kamal-15’, Anoushka-38’)Vs Happeners Foundation 0  
• Misaka United 4 (all goals by Amita) Vs SNS FC 0 

Matches on Thursday, August 23

• 11.30 am: SJCC Vs NMKRV
• 1.00 pm: Christ University Vs JNC 
• 3.00 pm: Malleswaram Vs Mangalore 
• 4.30 pm: Parikrama Vs Belgaum United 

Impetus trophy, women’s football tournament kicks off tomorrow

The Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) will be conducting Impetus Trophy, a Women's Football Tournament here in Bengaluru. This tournament would also act as a selection for the Karnataka state team for the Senior Women's national football championship. all matches will be played at the Bangalore Football Stadium. 

The inaugural edition of total Impetus Trophy has attracted 18 teams, which will be played in knock-out format. 

In the opening match tomorrow, Shining Stars will take on Kickstart FC at 11.30 am followed by BBFC Vs Rani FC at 1.00 pm; Happeners Foundation vs BUFC at 3.00 pm, and SNS FC Vs Misaka United at 4.30 pm.

30-man squad for 2018 AFC Cup knock-outs, 13 B-Team boys in the Bengaluru squad

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC announced their 30-man squad for the 2018 AFC Cup knock-out rounds, as Carles Cuadrat’s men gear up to take on Turkmenistan’s champions Altyn Asyr FK in the first leg of the inter-zone semifinal, at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, on August 22. 

The squad which returned from a two-week Spanish tour regrouped at the Bengaluru Football Stadium on Friday ahead of their big game next week. “We have returned from a very satisfying pre-season tour of Spain and it all builds up to two important AFC Cup games we will be playing in the span of a week. The boys have done everything we asked of them over the last one month. Now is about being competitive and giving our best shot in these games," said Cuadrat who is set to take charge for the first time in a competitive fixture for the Blues.

Bengaluru who clinched the South Zone title for the second successive season in dramatic fashion are up against Group-D champions Altyn Asyr, who in similar manner toppled last-year’s runners-up FC Istiklol Dushanbe from Tajikistan to seal their berth in the knockouts.

Miku, who netted a staggering twenty goals last season, was not named in the squads for the preliminary and play-off as well as the group stages of the competition, but is set to feature for Bengaluru FC on the continental stage for the first time. Joining him are Juanan Gonzalez and Erik Paartalu (Asian player) who have been the mainstay in the squad along with new signing Xisco Hernandez as the overseas players.

While Dimas Delgado misses out due to an injury sustained in Spain, Cuadrat is hopeful Xisco will provide the flair in his absence. “A muscle injury meant we had to take the tough decision of leaving Dimas out. Xisco, who replaces him, has some good qualities and provides a good option for us. He has been working hard during the pre-season and has blended in quickly,” added Cuadrat.

Keeping faith in youth, Cuadrat has also named thirteen boys from Bengaluru FC B – twelve of whom played in the 2nd Division League last season while six are graduates from the U18 side of the BFC Residential Academy. Four of those six featured for the club in the U18 Youth League last season as well, while the duo of Namgyal Bhutia and Naorem Roshan Singh plied trade for Indian Arrows in the I-League on loan from the Blues before returning for the 2nd Division League campaign.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Soram Poirei, Aditya Patra

Defenders: Juanan Gonzalez, Rahul Bheke, Harmanjot Khabra, Sairuat Kima, Rino Anto, Nishu Kumar, Asheer Akhtar, Gursimrat Singh Gill, Biswa Darjee, Rakesh Oram

Midfielders: Xisco Hernandez, Erik Paartalu, Robinson Singh, Bidyananda Singh, Boithang Haokip, Kean Lewis, Altamash Sayed, Ajay Chhetri, Naorem Roshan Singh, Namgyal Bhutia, Lalengzama Vangchhia, Myron Mendes, Leon Augustine

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Thongkhosiem Haokip, Miku, Udanta Singh

Sub-junior national qualifier: State boys lose to Telengana

Sub-junior (South Zone) National Qualifier - Karnataka ended their campaign rather prematurely after they were beaten by host Telengana yesterday. Playing the South Zone qualification at the Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad, Telengana recorded a 3-0 win. 

This loss thus concludes state boys run to emulate last year’s feat of qualifying to the final round. In their first match, Karnataka thrashed Pondicherry 6-0. Telengana move to the final round with two straight win, they defeated Pondicherry 6-1. In last year’s qualifier played at Ananthpur, Andhra Pradesh, our boys defeated Telengana 4-0.   

Meanwhile, from the other group, Kerala will take on Tamil Nadu today, which will decide the second team from South Zone. The topper team from both groups will be playing the final round.

Karnataka win the inaugural match of sub-junior national qualifier

Karnataka thrashed Pondicherry 6-0 in the inaugural match of the sub junior national (South Zone) 
qualifying round at the Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad today. 

State boys are grouped along with Pondicherry and host Telangana whereas thAuguse other group consists of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Karnataka will play their next group match against Telangana on August 15. 

Rayaan Shakeer scored a brace for the state team - opened the account in the third minute of the game followed by another one in 78 minute. Konthoujan Binod Singh, Udit. G, and Pranav. B scored a goal each.