FC Bengaluru United rout Young Challengers

FC Bengaluru United Media

FC Bengaluru United (FCBU) contained any sort of challenge from Young Challengers as they routed them 6-0 in their ninth game of the BDFA Super Division campaign. FCBU attacked with finesse in a performance that serves fair warning to their upcoming opposition.

 

They have been quick off the blocks in all their previous games and it was no different this time around with chances being created from the third minute of the game. Ronaldo capitalised on a deflected cross from Anup to set up a shot for Naro, who firmly headed it into the bottom-right corner of the goal. 

Naro and Ronaldo were in the thick of things, creating chances, and attacking the goal. The duo combined to push FC Bengaluru United 2-0 in the 25th minute.  

FCBU created chances at will and their defence led by Robert Primus never allowed the Young Challengers a look-in. They continued to dominate the same way in the second half. They were up 4-0 by the 60th minute, courtesy goals from Kiran and Anup while substitutes Ronald and Monotosh combined to push them 5-0 up soon after. 

Young Challengers, though upped the ante on the attack, but the FCBU defence held firm, and finally, Naro struck in the 89th minute to seal a commanding 6-0 win. 

 

Bengaluru FC ease past ASC 3-0, keep title charge going

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC kept their charge towards a third successive BDFA Super Division title going with a 3-0 defeat of ASC & Centre FC, at the Bengaluru Football Stadium, on Friday. Goals from Thoi Singh and Shivasakthi (2) gave Sandesh Bhoite’s team all three points, allowing them to remain in contention to defend their title. 

The Blue Colts were on top of the game from the beginning and the side’s top scorer Shivasakthi was in the thick of things when he found Akashdeep Singh with a ball over the ASC defence but the winger saw his shot blocked away. Despite creating a host of chances in the first period, both defences stood firm to end an entertaining first half goalless.

Ten minutes after the restart, the Blue Colts broke the deadlock through Thoi Singh. The no. 10 made his way to Shivasakthi’s through ball from the left flank, took a touch before finishing past ASC custodian Premchand Singh.

Only four minutes later, the Blue Colts doubled their lead when Akashdeep’s low cross from the right was tapped in by Shivasakthi from close range. Akashdeep almost turned provider again, when his pass for Kamalesh found the midfielder in space but the shot fizzed just wide of the post.

Eight minutes from time, Shivasakthi got his second of the day when he capitalized on a defensive error from ASC skipper Robinson Singh, lifted it over the last man and finished low into the corner to seal the points for the Blue Colts.

Bengaluru FC are back in action on March 4 when they take on MEG.

 

Bengaluru United sneak thrilling win over ASC

FC Bengaluru United Media 

A goal from Asrar Rehber in the dying minutes of the game helped FC Bengaluru United steal a thrilling 2-1 victory over ASC in their eighth game in the ongoing BDFA Super Division campaign. With this win, they keep their unbeaten streak intact. 

FC Bengaluru United began with strong attacking play – in just three minutes, a long shot from Stendly went over the bar. They continued attacking but the finishing play kept eluding them and it was ASC who went up in the 11th minute. They made the most of a freekick from the edge of the box and it was one of the rare times in the tournament thus far that FC Bengaluru United had allowed the opposing team to get ahead.  

FCBU continued to create chances right through the first half, but were unable to see them through, and went into half-time a goal down. However, they kept up the attacking play in the second half and it finally yielded a positive result – an assist through Ronaldo allowed Chaitan to neatly tap in the ball for an equalizer in the 70th minute. With the score equal, both teams had their foot on the pedal, creating chances, but conversion eluded them. 

FC Bengaluru United rung in aggressive substitutions and hit pay dirt – Asrar came on in the dying minutes and made the most of a defensive error to slot the ball cleanly over the goalkeeper to help sneak in a hard-fought 2-1 victory for his team in the final minute of the match. 

With this win, FC Bengaluru United are back at the top of the points table, with four games to go.

 

Shivasakthi's first-half hat-trick help Bengaluru regain top spot

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC returned to winning ways with a 3-0 defeat of Bangalore Independents FC, at the Bengaluru Football Stadium, on Monday. Striker Shivasakthi’s first-half hat-trick proved the difference as Sandesh Bhoite’s side regained their spot at the summit in the BDFA Super Division standings.

The Blues Colts dominated proceedings from the start and took the lead with just six minutes on the clock when Thoi Singh found himself in space and unmarked in the middle of the pitch. The midfielder picked out Shivasakthi with a through ball and the Blue Colts’ no. 9 finished past the onrushing Nishanth N. to put BFC 1-0 up. Only two minutes later, he doubled the lead when he won the ball off Navneeth Krishna at the edge of the box and finished with a first-time effort that found the bottom corner.

Shivasakthi completed his hat-trick right on the half hour mark when he dropped deep to evade his markers and picked Thoi’s run on the left wing with a through ball. The winger cut into the box past Independents defender Surendra and pulled it back to Shivasakthi, who smashed it into the roof of the net from close range to make it 3-0.

Four minutes into the second half, the Blue Colts almost added a fourth to the scoreboard when Monirul Molla, on as a half time substitute, found his way into the box and picked out Shivasakthi but the striker’s shot was straight at the ‘keeper. The Blue Colts controlled proceedings for the rest of the half, rang in several changes and saw out the game with ease, to take all three points and go top of the standings.

Bengaluru FC are back in action on February 26 when they take on ASC.

Bengaluru go down 1-0 to Eagles

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC saw their six-game winning streak come to an end with defeat to Bangalore Eagles FC, at the Bengaluru Football Stadium, on Monday. Cletus Paul’s late goal meant Sandesh Bhoite’s side dropped points for the first time this season, keeping them in second place on the BDFA Super Division table, a point behind FC Bengaluru United.

An exciting opening half saw end-to-end action as both teams tried to impose themselves on the other. With both sides having their attackers pressing from the front, the game eased into a cagey affair as the battles moved into midfield. Bengaluru almost took the lead midway through the half when Kamalesh put the ball in the back of the net after a well-worked set-piece, but the assistant on the far side had his flag up for offside.

Bengaluru started the second period strong with chances falling to Muhammad Inayath and Shivasakthi, but neither were able to find the net. Inayath came close to putting the Blue Colts ahead in the 71st minute but his shot from the edge of the box, which looked like it was sneaking into the bottom corner, was parried by Eagles’ custodian Nihal Hussain.

Sensing the need to switch things up, Bhoite withdrew Bekey Oram and replaced him with Damaitphang Lyngdoh, before Inayath made way for Emboklang Nongkhlaw shortly thereafter. 

Desperate to claim their seventh win on the trot, the Blue Colts stuttered at the back in possession when Robin Yadav gave the ball away fifteen yards outside the box. Eagles attacked and sent the ball through to Paul, who managed to slot home past Sharon Sivan to give his side a lead they would protect until the final whistle.

Bengaluru FC are back in action on February 22 when they take on Bangalore Independents FC.

FC Bengaluru halt MEG's winning run, thrash them by 4 goals

FC Bengaluru United Media 

FC Bengaluru United putting their most commanding performance of the league when it mattered the most routed MEG 4-0 in the seventh game of the ongoing BDFA Super Division Campaign. MEG were coming off the back of an all-win run, but United combined skill with alacrity and aggression to emerge worthy victors.

United’s positive intent was evident from the word go as they hit the ground running, putting the MEG defence under tremendous pressure. MEG finally succumbed in the 22nd minute when a cross from Ronaldo, which was deflected by the defender, was picked up by an alert Malem, who neatly shot the ball into the top corner of the goal. 

MEG tried to respond a few minutes later, but the header after a good throw in was just wide of the goal. FC Bengaluru United not lifting their foot off the pedal, created chances at will with Chaitan, Ronaldo, Malem, and Hayden in the thick of the action. In the 37th minute Arun made the most of a defensive lapse to regain control of the ball and feed it to Ronaldo who did not make any mistake.  

The second half was no different as FC Bengaluru United continued their domination. Despite the 2-0 lead, they did not let the intensity dip, attacking the MEG defence with strong wing play and quick counters. In the 73rd minute, Chaitan’s nimble play was parried away by the MEG keeper, only to find Vignesh who calmly tapped the ball in. 

3-0 soon became 4-0 in the 82nd minute when Vignesh’s through ball was deftly taken by Anup all the way into the box for Chaitan to complete the finishing touches.

An emphatic performance from FC Bengaluru United, perhaps their most dominating effort so far!

 

Bengaluru Colts keep title defence on track with 4-0 win over Dream United

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC’s perfect start to their BDFA Super Division League continued with a 4-0 defeat of Bangalore Dream United FC at the Bengaluru Football Stadium, on Tuesday. The win, their sixth in six games, sees the Blue Colts take a three point lead atop the League standings.

Sandesh Bhoite’s boys dominated proceedings from the get go, and the pressure paid off with an early lead when a corner in the 11th minute fell to an unmarked Jagdeep Singh. The right-back’s lob into the six-yard box was finished on the volley by skipper Robin Yadav to put the Blue Colts 1-0 up.

Bengaluru controlled play after taking the lead but couldn’t convert their chances. Bangalore Dream United, on the other hand, had their only shot on target in the closing stages of the first half, but Blue Colts’ custodian Sharon Sivan produced an outstanding one-handed save on the stretch to deny Avhishek Singh.

It took five minutes for the side to double their lead in the second half, as Shivasakthi, on as a half time substitute, cut inside in the box and used the outside of his right foot to curl the ball into the far corner with BDU ’keeper Anandu rooted to his spot.

The final ten minutes saw Bengaluru add two more to the scoreboard when, in the 82d minute, Anandu managed to save Shivasakthi’s effort from close range but Akashdeep Singh reacted to slot home the rebound. Four minutes later, Akashdeep turned provider when his low cross into the box was finished at the near post by Monirul Molla.

Bengaluru FC are back in action on February 15 when they take on Bangalore Eagles FC.

Two late strike from Amoolya give BUFC a winning start in Intimacy Women’s League

When it just looked like the game between BUFC and newcomers Rebels FC in the Intimacy Women’s Super Division Football League will end sharing spoils, evergreen Amoolya Kamal came up with a match-winning display. 

Captaining the Bangalore United FC squad against Rebels FC, the 2019 winners and last year’s runners up, Amoolya struck in the 87th minute.

The large band of Rebels FC  fans were vocal throughout the game but seizing a chance inside the box, Amoolya beat Tanvi Mavani with an angled drive that went in off the far post.

While that strike broke the hearts of the Rebels’ supporters, the BUFC star turned on the magic again during injury time to slot home and with two goals in six minutes it was a sad end to Rebels’ opener in the Super Division.

Earlier in the first game, Parikrma FC proved too good for Slamzers FC from Belgaum winning by a 3-0 margin. Priyanka seemed to have a poor day under the bar for the visitors as in the very 7th minute Shobana scored and then two more goals within the first quarter ended Belgaum’s hopes. Nadiya and Vaishnavi scored in the 13th and 24th minutes respectively.

The matches are being streamed live on ‘thebridge.in’

Wednesday’s matches:

- 9.00 am: Misaka United FC vs Bengaluru Braves

- 11.00 am: Kickstart FC vs Bengaluru Soccer Galaxy

Maatru Pratishtana thrash Indian Football Factory with help from Jyoti’s brace

Jyothi’s brace helped Maatru Pratishtana FC power past Indian Football Factory (IFF) 5-1 in the opening match of the KSFA’s Intimacy Women’s Super Division Football League at the Bangalore Football stadium on Monday morning, February 8, 2021.

After Mary Victoria, former Indian star from Karnataka and India’s first women’s coach inaugurated the 10-team women’s League along with former Indian international Mr. Aslam Khan, Dy. Gen. Secretary of KSFA, the much-anticipated opener got off to an exciting start.

Much was expected from IFF as they were the runners-up of the inaugural edition in 2019 but newcomers MPFC it was that went ahead midway through the first half.

Jyothi made the most of a confused defence and scored in the 24th minute. Five minutes before the break MPFC took a 2-0 lead when Alisha beat Kodi Alekhya under the IFF bar.

Jyothi doubled her tally 10 minutes into the second half before IFF pulled one back through an Aparna penalty.

Maatru, however, never allowed IFF into the game and late goals by Kaushalya (69th) and Soumya (87th) helped them sail through with a 5-1 verdict.

Sharda of Maatru Pratishtana FC was adjudged Player of the Match and was awarded an Intimacy Lingerie Gift Coupon by former Indian player Mary Victoria.

Winners of 2019 and runners-up last year BUFC open their campaign on Tuesday against newcomers Rebels while Slamzers from Belgaum, the only outstation club in the League clash in the second game.

Intimacy Women’s Super Division League Kicks off from Monday

Women’s football in Karnataka received a huge boost as the Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) signed a deal with the Chennai-based VNH Naidu Hall for sponsorship of the state’s women’s football.

“We are delighted to announce a one-year deal with VNH Naidu Hall which kicks off with the Intimacy Karnataka Women’s Super Division Football League on Monday, February 8 at the Bangalore Football Stadium,” said KSFA President Mr. N.A Haris. 

“The hosting of the 4th Hero Indian Women’s League last year was a huge impetus to women’s football and with this support from VNH Naidu Hall, women’s football will now move on to the next level,” he added. 

The sponsorship covers the Karnataka Women’s Super Division League, the Karnataka Women’s ‘A’ Division League and a couple of small sided games to accommodate entry level girls taking to the game through a calendar year.

 “We are very happy to partner with the KSFA for the upcoming season of the Karnataka Women’s League. We are sure that our proactive partners at the KSFA will have a great impact in improving the standards of women’s football in the country,” said Mr. G. Venugopal, Chairman of VNH Naidu Hall.

 “This partnership showcases our longstanding commitment and vision of empowering women. Our goal is to improve access to high quality activewear that is affordable and within the reach of women from all walks of life. Girl or a woman, Mother or a player, Dancer, or a homemaker, make your feminism shine out!” Mr. Venugopal said.

Ten teams including defending champions Kickstart Women’s FC and runners-up BUFC will play a round-robin league and at stake for the toppers is a slot in the Hero Indian Women’s League 20-21, the country’s top club competition for women.

The other clubs in the fray are: Misaka United FC, Parikrma FC, Slamzers Belgaum, Bengaluru Soccer Galaxy, Bengaluru Braves, Rebels Women's FC, Indian Football Factory and Maatru Pratishtana FC. 

Bangalore Eagles hold ASC in Citrus Ventures BDFA Super Division League

Eagles played with much guts against ASC and prevented them to come back to winning ways in Citrus Ventures BDFA Super Division League. 

ASC always a gritty side in the local football league started as favorites against Bangalore Eagles. Eagles this season managed to build a formidable side under the stewardship of footballer Chinta Chandrasekhar Rao comprising young Manoj Kannan, former Junior India International and Indian Arrows and Bengaluru FC player Vishal Ravindra, and former Santosh Trophy player Gopi. 

After a goalless first half, ASC started the second half with a barrage of attacks mainly through the left flank. They soon got the goal from a nice strike from Shafeel PP. 

Showing some urgency Eagles made forays to the ASC territory. It was Vishal’s trademark long throw that fetched his team the much-needed equalizer - while clearing the throw that was looping inside the 18-yard box, ASC’s Deepak Pant headed the ball inside his own goal. 

ASC was quick enough to counter back, however, the winning goal eluded them. The match ended in 1-1 draw. 

 

Bengaluru FC cruise past ADE, go top of the league table

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC added to their perfect start in the BDFA Super Division League with a 3-0 defeat of ADE FC at the Bengaluru Football Stadium, on Thursday. The win, their fifth in as many games, sees the side go top of the League standings on goal difference.

Sandesh Bhoite’s side dominated proceedings in the first period, having the majority of the possession and creating multiple chances. Thoi Singh, NS Shigil, Damaitphang Lyngdoh and Lalthangliana had several chances to break the deadlock but the scores were unchanged as the sides went down the tunnel at the break.

Bhoite made as many as four changes at half time, with Muhammed Inayath, Jagdeep Singh, Kamalesh and Omega Vanlalruaituanga taking their place on the pitch. Only seven minutes into the second half, Bengaluru had the lead. Kamalesh, having won the ball in midfield, played Thoi Singh through. The midfielder’s shot ricocheted off ADE bodies and fell to Damaitphang Lyngdoh, whose first-time volley nestled the back of the net before ADE ’keeper M. Gunashekhar could react.

Damaitphang’s movement in the middle of the park helped him evade his markers and he made it count in the 55th minute. With time and space on the left wing, he picked Thoi Singh’s run into the box from the opposite flank. The winger got to the cross but was clattered over as he tried to cut inside, and the referee pointed to the spot. Thoi’s penalty was saved by Gunashekar but the rebound fell kindly to the Blue Colts’ number 10, and he finished without fuss to double the Blue Colts’ lead.

Only eight minutes later, Thoi was in the thick of the action once again when he was taken down in the box, prompting the referee to award another spot-kick. Jagdeep stepped up this time, sending Gunashekhar the wrong way to put the Blue Colts 3-0 up. With a comfortable lead, the Blue Colts saw out the rest of the fixture and climbed their way back to the top of the charts. 

Bengaluru FC are back in action on February 9 when they take on Bangalore Dream United FC.

 

Eagles halt FC Bengaluru United’s winning streak

 FC Bengaluru United Media 

FC Bengaluru United’s winning streak in the ongoing BDFA Super Division campaign hit a road bump as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bangalore Eagles in their fifth game. 

Both teams began aggressively and were soon testing the defenses. For FC Bengaluru United, Malem’s shot in the 21st minute flew just wide. Brandon too failed to convert a deft header from Ronaldo in the 35th minute. Eagles too had their chances, but the FC Bengaluru United defence held firm. 

The stalemate was broken in the 37th minute when Malem made the most of Chaitan’s smart run down the wing to sneak past the Bangalore Eagles’ defence and get FC Bengaluru United on the scoreboard. 

Bangalore Eagles were not daunted and came back strongly soon after the second half began. A long throw in was not completely dispensed with by the FC Bengaluru United defence allowing the Bangalore Eagles striker to power in the equalizer. FC Bengaluru United rung in the substitutions with Arun, Anup, Asrar and Stendly coming on.

In the dying minutes, one of many missed chances, a shot from Stendly missed the goal.

Akashdeep scores four as Bengaluru FC come from behind to register 5-2 win over Students Union

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC made it four wins in four in the BDFA Super Division League with a 5-2 defeat of Students Union FC, at the Bengaluru Football Stadium, on Tuesday. Akashdeep Singh was the star of the day for Sandesh Bhoite’s side, with his four goals helping Bengaluru come from behind to take all three points and retain their place atop the League standings.

The game was off to a frantic start with both teams eager to impose themselves from the go. With just six minutes on the clock, it was Students Union who took the lead through Japanese striker Tazki Yoshida. Murli Srinivas won a duel with Harmanpreet Singh in the box and squared the ball to Yoshida, whose shot had enough power to sneak into the goal despite Dipesh Chauhan getting his gloves to it.

The Blue Colts responded less than four minutes later, when Akashdeep was brought down by a clumsy tackle in the area, prompting the referee to point to the spot. The winger then made no mistake, converting his penalty to bring the Colts back on level terms.

The turnaround was complete one minute before the break when Shivasakthi, who spent most of the half playing on the SUFC defenders’ shoulders, finally broke the offside trap to get to Thoi Singh’s ball. Seeing Abhishek Ramesh come off his line, the striker opened his body and put the ball into the far corner, giving his side the lead.

Bengaluru needed little time to find their rhythm in the second period and only four minutes after the restart, Shivasakthi turned provider. Receiving the ball at the edge of the box, the striker twisted and turned his markers before finding Akashdeep free, whose shot hit the back of the net before Abhishek could react. Akashdeep then completed his hat-trick only moments later when he got to the end of Shivasakthi’s cross and cushioned the ball past the Students Union custodian to make it 4-1.

Akashdeep then got his fourth of the afternoon with a similar finish from inside the box, after Thoi Singh got into the area and found him with a low pass. Into the closing stages, Sanjay S. pulled one back for Students Union but it was too little too late. Union were then reduced to ten men heading into injury time when substitute ‘keeper Jeevan Kumar was given his marching orders for a rash challenge on Shivasakthi outside the box.

The Blue Colts are back in action on February 4 when they take on ADE FC.

 

Nikhil hat-trick floors ADE, Dream United upsets ASC 1-0

Riding on a hat-trick by Nikhil Raj, Kickstart FC registered a big margin win over ADE 7-0 in their fifth game of  Citrus Ventures BDFA Super Division league. 

The youngster opened the account for his team in the 3rd minute of the game and pumped two goals more after changing ends. Uzochi Emmannel scored agoal a piece in each half while Vignesh and Karthik scored one goal each.

In the other match of the day, Dream United upset favorite ASC with a one goal win. Midfielder Dorjee continued his good form after winning last week's Outsanding Player award scored the only goal in the early minutes that was taken ASC by surprise. 

ASC kept pressing for most of the game, but the forwards failed to open Dream's goalmouth.