FCBU and Agniputhra game ends in a 2-2 draw

FCBU Media 

A late equaliser in extra time saw defending champions FC Bengaluru United held to a 2-2 draw by FC Agniputhra in the ongoing BDFA Super Division Championship at the Bangalore Football Stadium. The goal scorers for the defending champions were Mohmed Kdouh (14) and Irfan Yerwad (37) and they were leading 2-1 into extra time, but a last-minute goal from FC Agniputhra saw the defending champions record their third draw of the tournament. 

FC Bengaluru United started off trying to control possession and creating chances - in the fifth minute, an overlapping run from Ashok Singh set up a decent chance for Mohmed Kdouh to head the ball into the goal, only to see it miss the left post by inches. FC Bengaluru United continued to create chances but were unable to see them through. Finally, in the 14th minute, smart interplay in the midfield led to the wing where Ashok, courtesy a deft left foot, set up another header chance for Kdouh, who this time did not disappoint. Twenty one minutes later, after a series of missed chances, FCBU went up 2-0 - Lalramzhua Khiangte and and Ashok combined to send the ball into the heart of the opposition’s defence; Irfan got a touch on the ball to sneak in and score. 

FCBU suffered an early set back in the second half - 53 minutes in, Jairo Rodrigues was shown the red card to leave FCBU one man down and their defence under pressure. The defending champions scrapped hard to shore up their defence but finally succumbed in the 78th minute as FC Agniputhra converted the penalty opportunity. Three minutes into extra time, FC Agniputhra sneaked in the equaliser; the final score line 2-2. 

Bengaluru FC, ASC play 1-1 draw

Bengaluru FC Media 

A ten-man Bengaluru FC played out a 1-1 draw against ASC & Centre FC, in the BDFA Super Division League, at the Bangalore Football Stadium. Monirul Molla’s (24’) strike was canceled out by Elangbam Meitei (45’) as the points were shared on Friday.

Bengaluru started well and kept the ball in the opposition's box. The first chance came to Kamalesh P in the 17th minute when the ball ricocheted in the box before landing at the midfielder's feet. Kamalesh took a touch before firing a shot that Mutum Singh, in goal, saved. 

The Blue Colts capitalised on a loose pass from ASC & Centre FC less than ten minutes later. Molla’s constant press paid off as he took advantage of the situation before slotting it past the ’keeper from close range to make 1-0.

Bengaluru looked in control of the game, but a moment of madness cost the Blues the lead. Rajanbir Singh was sent off for sabotaging a goal-scoring opportunity with what seemed to be a reckless tackle. Meitei stepped up for the freekick and placed it in the bottom corner, beyond the reach of Sharon Padattil, to level the score at half time. 

Into the second period of action, Jan van Loon made some attacking changes to his squad, bringing on Shighil and Thoi Singh. The winger ran straight into the thick of things and was a menace down the left wing. 

The chances kept coming, but the Blue Colts couldn’t find the back of the net. With ten minutes left on the clock, Lalpekhlua was brought on as Bengaluru threw everything at ASC in a bit to score a late winner.

Bengaluru FC next face Bangalore Independents at the same venue, on 31st October. 

FCBU thrash Friends United in BDFA Super Division

FCBU Media 

FC Bengaluru United beat Friends United FC 5-0 in the ongoing BDFA Super Division tournament at the Bangalore Football Stadium. After a goalless first half which saw the two-time defending champions squander several easy chances, FC Bengaluru United came into their own in the second half to notch up five goals through Lalramzauva Khiangte (63), Bedashwor Singh (75, 89), Shibil Muhamed (84), Mohmed Kdouh (86).

As has been the trend in several of their games, FCBU started strongly, looking to create chances early on and control the game. They soon dominated possession and looked to create several chances through clever passes, corners and free kicks but were unable to nail the finish and find the back of the net. Chesterpaul Lyngdoh, Praful Kumar, Aenam Jyrwa, Lalramzauva Khiangte and Irfan Yarwad were all in the thick of the action but were unable to get their team on the scoreboard.

FC Bengaluru United started the second half in a similar fashion, controlling possession, and creating chances but were unable to convert any of them. The deadlock was finally broken in the 63rd minute, a brilliant freekick from Mohamed Kdouh was neatly finished by Lalramzauva Khiangte in the top left corner of the box to get the defending champions on the scoreboard. FCBU continued to keep up the pressure and soon after their second goal followed. Selwyn Miranda ran in from the left and his pass was neatly finished by Bedashwor in the bottom right corner of the goal. 

In the 84th minute, a piece of individual brilliance from Shibil Muhamed drew the Friends United keeper out, only to see the ball dribbled past him to get FCBU up 3-0. Two minutes later the fourth goal came when Kdouh smartly scored off a volley from a well-constructed corner from Selwyn Miranda.  In the closing minutes of the game, a defensive error from Friends United saw FC Bengaluru United get the fifth goal of the game through Bedashwor to seal a comfortable win.  

Bengaluru fail to break the deadlock as they play out a goalless draw against Roots

BFC Media

Bengaluru FC played out a 0-0 draw against Roots FC, in a BDFA Super Division League encounter, at the Bangalore Football Stadium, on Tuesday. Roots FC’s resolute backline marshaled by goalkeeper Arun H, kept the Blue Colts at bay, and saved a point for the hosts. 

The first half saw both sides battle for possession early on with the Blue Colts eventually finding the right rhythm. The first chance of the game fell to BFC midfielder Kamalesh P in the 28th minute, who rounded the ’keeper and slotted the ball into an empty goal, but referee Suresh Devraj, upon consultation with his assistant, ruled the goal out for a foul in the build-up.

Close to the end of the first half, Bekey Oram put in a low cross into the 18-yard-box, but Monirul Molla and Ankith Padmanabhan failed to capitalise as the ball deflected off Roots midfielder Gautam Rajesh, before being cleared away. 

Into the second period, the Blue Colts put the pressure on the RFC backline and kept the ball in the opposition's half. The biggest chance of the game came in the 68th minute when Ankith found Molla unmarked in the box, but the striker’s effort from distance went wide of the frame. 

The rub of the green failed to favour Bengaluru when another chance went begging in the closing stages. Felixson’s cross into a crowded penalty area found substitute Vinith Venkatesh unmarked. But Venkatesh, having struck the ball with his first touch, saw his effort come crashing back into play off the crossbar. Ankith managed to get another shot away on the rebound, but it was easy pickings for Arun. 

The Blue Colts kept pushing for the opener, but the Roots backline remained stubborn and saw the game out. BFC now sit in 4th place with 16 points on the board. Bengaluru next face ADE FC on October 14th, at the same venue.

 

FCBU play out 1-1 draw against Sporting Club Bengaluru

FCBU Media

In an action-packed game at the Bangalore Football Stadium, defending champions FC Bengaluru United were held to a 1-1 draw in the ongoing BDFA Super Division Championship against Sporting Club Bengaluru. 

Both teams started on a positive note, trying to create chances, but it was Sporting who seemed to wrest the early advantage. The FC Bengaluru United defense was put under pressure for the first time; the early momentum that FCBU enjoyed in their previous games was missing as Sporting looked to create strong chances. As they pressed on, it was Manoj Kannan who was the star for the FCBU in the defense, holding fort like a rock. However, despite FCBU’s best attempts, it was Sporting who got on the scoreboard in the 41st minute. A strong drive from the right wing caught two FCBU defenders on the wrong foot, and an awkward bounce for FCBU goalkeeper Srijith set up an easy chance for Sporting to convert. 

Determined to keep their unbeaten record intact, FCBU came out much stronger in the second half, looking to counterattack and create chances. A cross from Aenam in the 51st minute was headed in just wide from Mohamad Kdouh.  The very next minute, Chesterpaul’s cross was headed just above the goal post by Jairo. FCBU continued to press on strongly and it was in the 71st minute that they got on the scoreboard, courtesy of a penalty taken by Irfan Yarwad. Both teams continued to press hard in the final 20 minutes but were unable to convert any further chances as the score line ended in a hard-fought 1-1.