Karnataka beat Uttarakhand in Santosh Trophy

State boys defeated Uttarakhand 3-1 without much diffuculty in their second game of 76th Santosh Trophy, National Football Championship for senior men played at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi yesterday. Karnataka is placed in Group 1, the other teams include host Delhi, Gujarat, Ladakh, and Tripura. After two straight wins, they are comfortably positioned at the top spot (6 pts) followed by Delhi  (4 pts). 

Forward Jacob Jhon Kattookaren opened the account in 21st minute. Ajay Bisht of Uttarakhand equalized in the later stage of first half. Karnataka were quick enough to take lead in the added time of first half from a Shajan Franklin goal. 

When the game almost looked to settle in with the same score, Ankith P, who replaced Jacob in the later half scored the third goal.  

Karnataka play minnow Ladakh tomorrow, December 27, 11 am at the same venue. 

 

 

Bengaluru FC Colts claim big win over Dream United

Bengaluru FC Media 

Monirul Molla found himself in the thick of things again as Bengaluru FC hit five past Bangalore Dream United FC in their penultimate encounter of the BDFA Super Division League, in Bengaluru, on Thursday. Molla’s strikes, one in each half, were added to by goals from Ankith Padmanabhan (40’), Rajanbir Singh (64’) and Satish Singh (57’ OG). 

Bengaluru began the stronger of the two sides and took the lead just eight minutes in when Molla slipped through the BDU backline to be found by an inch-perfect Shighil NS pass. Molla made no mistake, pushing the ball past the ’keeper and slotting home. Bengaluru’s second goal came in the aftermath of a set-piece when Ankith found himself in space to find the net from close range.

Into the second period, Bengaluru continued to push the needle, scoring just 12 minutes in. A cross into a dangerous area was turned into his own net by Satish, whose attempted clearance was bundled over to give Bengaluru a 3-0 lead.

Bengaluru’s fourth came from a well-worked routine that saw Edwin Rossario clip a cross into the box from the left wing, allowing Moni to flick it on and for Rajanbir to tap home from close range. Into the final ten minutes, Molla would grab another, combining with Akashdeep Singh in the final third, before placing his shot past the United ’keeper.

The Blue Colts next face Kickstart FC in their final encounter of the 2022-23 BDFA Super Division League.

 

Bengaluru cruise past FC Agniputhra

Bengaluru FC Media 

Jan van Loon’s Blue Colts picked up a 3-0 victory to get back to winning ways, against FC Agniputhra in the BDFA Super Division League, at the Bangalore Football Stadium, on Monday. Kamalesh (20’) and Shighil’s (34’) first half strikes ensured a two-goal cushion at the break, followed by Monirul Molla’s (80’) late strike that sealed the points. 

A physical battle ensued in the first period as both sides looked to get a foothold on the game. Bengaluru kept the pressure on the opponents and finally broke the deadlock at the 20 minute mark, with Kamalesh dropping his shoulder and skipping past his man before launching a shot into the roof of the net. 

Ten minutes later, the Blue Colts doubled their lead through Shighil. The midfielder picked up the ball on the edge of the 18-yard-box and saw his low-driven shot go through several defenders and into the bottom corner.

Into the second half, BFC had several chances through winger Thoi Singh and striker Sudeer Kotikala, but luck didn’t favour the Blue Colts. Van Loon brought on Molla and Ankith Padmanabhan to bolster the attack and his substitutes made an instant impact.

Thoi’s shot on goal with ten minutes left to play was parried by Agniputhra ‘keeper Badusha only for Molla to pick up the ball and pass it into an empty net to ensure a 3-0 victory.

The Blue Colts next face Jawahar Union FC, on 16th September, at the same venue. 

 

Bengaluru FC announce squad for Puttaiah Memorial Cup

Bengaluru FC Media 

Newly appointed Blues’ Head of Youth Development Jan van Loon will lead the Bengaluru FC ‘B’ side set to take part in the Puttaiah Memorial Cup, scheduled to take place in two Zones, the club announced on Tuesday. 

Bengaluru FC B will face Kodagu FC in their opening encounter on Thursday, August 11th, with matches scheduled to take place at the Bangalore Football Stadium, in Ashok Nagar.

“The Puttaiah Memorial Cup has always been a special trophy for the club and we look forward to giving our best in order to bring the trophy home. The boys have been training well and I can’t wait to see them showcase what we’ve been working on in the tournament,” said Van Loon, ahead of his side’s opening match.

The squad features new signings Clarence Fernandes, Felixson Fernandes and Ankith P, who also featured in the Premier League NextGen Cup that was held in the UK, late last month. Karnataka’s own Sudheer Kotikala will also feature in Jan van Loon’s side in the Puttaiah Memorial Cup. The Blue Colts’ defender Robin Yadav will captain the Blue Colts for the tournament. 

“We’ve been tracking the progress of the boys in training, and things are looking very positive. They’re working hard as a team and everyone is fighting for a spot in the starting XI. This squad is a mix of young and experienced players, and we’re looking forward to seeing them working together,” said Kaizad Ambapardiwalla, Assistant Coach of Bengaluru FC B.

Following the opener against Kodagu FC, scheduled for 4 pm, the Blue Colts will face Roots FC on August 13th and Kickstart FC on August 15th. 

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Athul Raj, Dipesh Chauhan, Sharon Padattil

Defenders: Tomthingganba Meitei, Vanlaltleipuia, Oinam Ronex, Ashik Adhikari, Clarence Fernandes, Rajanbir Singh, Felixson Fernandes, Robin Yadav

Midfielders: Bankit Diengdoh, Abu Swalih, F Lalhminngchhuanga, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Bekey Oram, Damaitphang Lyngdoh, Amay Morajkar, Shighil NS, Kamalesh Palanisamy, Edwin Rossario, Ajay Chhetri, Vinith V

Forwards: Ankith Padmanabhan, Lalpekhlua, Basudev CM, Monirul Molla, Akashdeep Singh, Thoi Singh, Sudheer Kotikala

Karnataka stun defending champions Services 1-0

AIFF Media 

Karnataka caused another major upset as they pipped defending champions Services 1-0 in a Group B clash of the Hero 75th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy at the Manjeri Payyanad Stadium in Malappuram on Thursday, April 21, 2022.

The winner was scored in the first-half by Ankith P and the result meant Karnataka got their revenge on Services after the defending champions had gotten the better of the side from South India in the semifinals of the previous iteration of the tournament in 2019. Services, who have now lost twice, have a mountain to climb if they are to make the last four.

Both coaches revealed that they wanted their team to attack from the word go. And that seemed evident as it was a see-saw battle in the first half. While Karnataka preferred to take the aerial route, Services opted to play grounded passes.

The first chance of the match fell to Karnataka. A move down the right saw Kamalesh P attempt a cross. It seemed to strike the hand of a Services defender and the ball rolled towards Sudheer Kotikela, who failed to direct the ball goalwards. The Karnataka players appealed for a handball but referee Pratik Mondal waved play on.

That sprung Services into action. Liton Shil had two long range attempts, but both were gathered easily by Karnataka goalkeeper Jayanthkumar Krishnamurthy.

Karnataka tried to play out from the back on a couple of occasions, and one such attempt almost ended in disaster. Moirangthem Ronaldo Singh intercepted a loose back pass and bared down on goal. His attempt, however, was straight at Jayanthkumar Krishnamurthy who saved the blushes of his teammate.

Services kept pressing hard for the first goal and it should have arrived in the 28th minute. Some fine build-up play, which included a clever dummy from Vivek Kumar, meant the ball landed at the feet of Liton Shil who had the goalkeeper at his mercy. He tried to open up his body and place the ball but Jayanthkumar Krishnamurthy was ready and made a fantastic save to ensure parity.

Liton's gilt-edged chance was followed by a sucker punch from Karnataka. Against the run of play, Bavu Nishad TP put in a delightful cross from the right which was met by a fine header from Ankith P. He had a lot to do from a difficult angle but his header looped over the keeper to hand Karnataka the lead going into the break.

Services coach Priya Darshan must have had some stern words to tell his players and they started the better of the two. In the very first minute after the restart, Pintu Mahata released a through ball towards goal with Liton Shil in a foot race with the keeper. Jayanthkumar Krishnamurthy won the race and claimed the ball at some personal cost.

Moirangthem Ronaldo Singh, who was operating from the right in the second half, won Services' first corner of the second half which yielded another half-chance. A smart flick at the front post by Vivek Kumar could not be met by Liton Shil. And that proved to be his final contribution as he was substituted.

Substitute Dip Majumdar had the chance to make an immediate impact. Tongbram Krishnakanta Singh's cross from the left was met by an unmarked Dip Majumdar who failed to keep his shot down.

Karnataka's defenders held their shape well, defended deep, and tried to play on the counter. That meant Services had to rely on long rangers and crosses as they desperately tried to look for the equaliser. Substitute Deepak Singh had a half-chance as he crept in unmarked from the right but failed to direct his header goalwards.

Services' sustained pressure almost bore fruit in the 86th minute. A cross from the left was met by Vivek Kumar who headed it back towards the danger area with the goalkeeper woefully out of position. Defender Amal Das met the ball sweetly with his right foot and the ball was heading towards goal but Pavan S made a brilliant goal line clearance.

That proved to be the final chance of the game and Karnataka players celebrated a famous victory. The result meant Group B remains in the balance. Karnataka, with two wins under their belt, will face Manipur next in their bid to qualify for the semifinals. Services will be hoping to make amends and get their campaign back on track in their next encounter against Odisha on Monday.

 

Lightning first half display helps Kickstart beat Bengaluru FC and keep them in title contention

Bengaluru FC Media  

Kickstart FC’s four first half goals were enough to see pick up all three points, in a BDFA Super Division encounter at the Bangalore Football Stadium, on Tuesday. Goals from Ankith P (12’), Solaimalai (33’, 45’) and Princewill Olariche (42’) saw Kickstart get off to a flying start. The Blue Colts managed to score twice in the second half but it would count for nothing. Macarton Nickson (47’) and Robin Yadav (89’) got on the scoresheet for Bengaluru FC.  

It was Ankith’s in the 12th minute of the game who found himself in a great position during Kickstart FC’s first attack of the game, and managed to get a shot off his right foot to send the ball past Dipesh Chauhan in goal. Bengaluru FC kept pressing for the equaliser but their efforts were futile after Solaimalai’s initial shot was saved, but the rebound fell kindly to the same player only for him to curl it past Dipesh in goal to double the lead in the 33rd minute. 

The Blue Colts struggled to find their rhythm which resulted in Kickstart FC capitalising and scoring two more in the last five minutes of the game. Princewill Olariche scored KFC’s third of the afternoon after putting his laces through the ball on the volley and burying into the bottom corner. It went from bad to worse for the Blues as Solaimalai scored his second goal of the game in the dying minutes of the first half after finding himself in the right place at the right time in the box and booting it into the roof of the net from close range. 

The Blue Colts came out a different team in the second half and were on the attack from the get go. Bengaluru FC scored within the first two minutes of the second half after a beautifully threaded through ball from Thoi Singh found Macarton Nickson who made the perfect run to stay onside to find himself in a 1v1 position with the goalkeeper. 

The forward kept his cool and slotted it past Jayanthkumar Krishnamurthy to make it 4-1. Macarton made all the right noise after coming on in the second half creating multiple chances for the Blue Colts. The BFC number ten found himself through on goal again in the 80th minute and was brought down by the goalkeeper, but the referee chose to wave on play. Bengaluru did get a penalty awarded to them a minute from time, that Robin Yadav converted to make it 4-2.