Sporting Club Bengaluru become Super Division champion in their debut season

FC Bengaluru United needed only a point to pocket the BDFA Super Division title for the third consecutive time. However, their worst fear came true as they slumped to a 1-3 defeat to Kickstart FC. 

With today’s result, FC Bengaluru United (45) help Sporting Club Bengaluru (46) with a point ahead in the table, became BDFA Super Division champion in their debut season. Kickstart FC (42), very much on the title race till round 16, salvaged some pride by spoiling FCBU’s party, they finish in third position. 

Two bottom-placed teams Bangalore Eagles and ADE along with Jawahar Union, who failed put a team in the league are relegated to BDFA 'A' Division. 

Top Scorers: 

Princewill Emeka Olariche, Kickstart FC(20)

Kouassi Bernard YAO, Sporting Club Bengaluru (18)

 

Roots FC continue fine run, beat Eagles 2-0

Debutant Roots FC, continuing their fine run created another upset beating Eagles FC 2-0 in BDFA Super Division played at the Bangalore Football Stadium today. Earlier on the day, favourites Kickstart notched a five-goal win over Young Challengers.

Roots took lead in 20th minute from young and talented Vishal, Anirudh scored the second goal from a penalty in the later half. With 2 win and a draw, Roots FC look impressive on the points table. 

Kickstart in their usual style meant business right from the beginning. They were 2-0 in the first half. Emeka and Nikhil Raj both scored a brace and Sarath getting his name on the scoreboard. 

It is three-on-three for Kickstart and yet to concede a goal. 

File Pic

 

Kickstart lift Puttaiah Memorial Cup

Kickstart started the 2022-23 season on a brilliant note by winning Puttaiah Memorial Cup played at the Bangalore Football Stadium this evening. Kickstart lost the inaugral game at the group stage but improved from then on, and peaked when it mattered the most. In the final today, Bangalore Eagles FC could hardly match up to their ability, and handed a 3-1 loss. 

I-League veteran, Princewill Emeka was quick enough to latch on a slow Eagles defense to give Kicstart an early lead. 

Eagles too had their share of chances after conceding, but their strikers lacked finesse and most often than not the ball landed in Kickstart defence.   

Just when everyone was hoping for an equilizer, central midfielder Ryan Wilfred with his astute football sense scored a goal. The game was only 28 minuted old and by then Kickstart we sitting pretty with a two-goal cushion. 

Eagles reduced the margin in the added time when Eagles striker Sanju Kumar was unnecessarily tripped down inside the box and defender Bhanu Prakash made no mistake to score from a penalty spot.   

Princewill was seen in action again after changing ends. Abhisekh, with his speedy run from the right flank floated for one Princewill, which the later made no mistake in putting the ball on the back of the net. 

Kickstart failed to score more despite making enough moves. Bangalore Eagles looked good but in patches and lacked the skill to match Kickstart in all department. 

Kickstart and Bangalore Eagles to play Puttaiah Memorial final

Bengaluru FC Media 

Kickstart put up a much better show in the knockout stage defeating ASC 2-1 in the first semi-final of Puttaiah Memorial. In the later semi-final, it was heartbreak Bengaluru FC Colts as they bowed with a shootout loss against Bangalore Eagles, at the Bangalore Football Stadium, on Tuesday. it was Goalless at the end of regulation time, Jan van Loon’s side went down 2-4 on penalties.

Bengaluru started on the front foot, creating multiple chances through Damaitphang Lyngdoh, Thoi Singh and Sudheer Kotikala. The Blue Colts came close to finding the opener in the 13th minute when Kotikala was put through on goal by midfielder Bekey Oram, but his shot rolled wide off the post. 

Minutes later, Kamalesh found Thoi Singh in the box, but the winger’s touch was too heavy and his shot was off-target. BFC came close on multiple occasions but couldn’t find the finishing touch against a stubborn Eagles backline. 

Into the second period, the Blue Colts sent on Monirul Molla and Amay Morajkar in place of Kamalesh Palanisamy and Lyngdoh, in an attempt to add more attacking impetus. Close to the hour mark, Lalpekhlua joined the fold. Bengaluru almost scored through an outrageous attempt when Monirul and Sudheer attempted overhead kicks at the same time, but the ball went over the crossbar. 

In the 75th minute, Lalpekhlua ran down the wing and broke into the 18-yard-box before putting in a low cross for Morajkar, who connected well with the ball, but saw his effort go wide. With five minutes left on the clock, Fanai found Lalpekhlua with a defence-splitting pass. The striker took a touch and struck it goalward, but the ’keeper was there to parry it away. 

The referee blew the whistle for full-time with both teams failing to break the deadlock, signaling penalties to decide the winner. Fanai and Amay failed to score from the spot, while the Eagles scored all their attempts, consigning Bengaluru to a semifinal exit. 

The Bangalore Eagles will face Kickstart FC in the final of the Puttaiah Memorial Cup.

ASC beat Eagles, maintain all-win record, both move to knock-out round

Maintaining an all-win record in Zone A. ASC blanked Bangalore Eagles FC 3-1. But before both teams met in the evening, MEG and Dream United FC played an 1-1 draw, which ensured the other teams from Zone a to qualify for semi-final. 

Dream United and MEG finished the table collecting 1 and 2 points respectively, while the qualifiers to semis ASC and Eagles finished with 9 and 4 points respectively. 

Coming back to the game, ASC boys showed their keenness to score right from the begining. After the resistance displayed by Eagles' defence, ASC managed to open the account in 40th minute from Premkumar Singh. Six minutes later, in the added time, an opportunistic Tony Huidrom scored the second goal. 

Eagles got a consolation goal via Immanuel Derricks but not before ASC scored their third goal from Melem Tomthin Metei in 66th minute. 

ASC enter semifinal in Puttaiah Memorial

Jashandeep Singh's winner in the the added time of second half produced a late win for ASC over Dream United thus ensuring a semifinal spot in Puttaiah Memorial Cup. ASC is placed in Zone A, they defeated MEG in their first match.

 

ASC took the lead via Raj Singh in 21st minute. Former Boca Juniors, Bangalore graduate Elvis Nongtdu with two goals in quick succession in second half pulled back Dream United.  

It was ASC's Raj Singh who again came for the rescue of his team in the 88th minute. ASC came with a final strike when everyone thought that the game is heading for a draw. 

In the first game played today, Bangalore Eagles played a goalless draw against MEG.  

Tomorrow's match - Zone B

 - 2 PM: Kodagu FC Vs Kickstart FC

 - 4 PM: Bengaluru FC Vs Roots FC 

Eagles, ASC make winning start in Puttaiah Memorial

Bangalore football season kick-started with Puttaiah Memorial today with Bangalore Eagles taking the initial honours against Dream United. Both teams are  placed in Zone A, Playing in Bangalore Football Stadium, Eagles won the game 2-1. 

Earlier, Saravanan, former international footballer, and Dr.S L Anthony, Chairman, BDFA inaugurated the tournament. 

The other Zone A game of the day was a derby of sorts between two army teams – ASC defeated MEG from a Niraj Singh goal in the 77th minute of the game. 

Tomorrow’s game will see two powerhouse teams Kickstart and Bengaluru FC on the pitch. The former will take on debutants Roots FC while the later will be playing against Kodagu FC. 

Result - Zone B

• Bangalore Eagles FC 2 (Britto Carlos-55’, Parikram Borah-76’) Vs Dream United FC 1 (Sachidananda S-75’)
• ASC 1 (Wahengbam Niraj Singh - 77) Vs MEG 0

August  11, 2022 - Zone B

• 2 PM: Kickstart FC Vs Roots FC
• 4 PM: Bengaluru FC Vs Kodagu FC

 

Puttaiah Memorial to kick-off 2022-23 Bangalore football season

Bangalore football season for 2022-23 set to kick-off with Puttaiah Memorial tournament, a league-cum-knockout Cup format played between the Super Division teams. This will be followed by the elite BDFA Super Division League. 

Puttaiah Memorial, which will commence from August 10 will be played between 8 teams at Bangalore Football Stadium. 4 teams are placed in 2 groups, with top 2 teams making to the knock-out stage. 

MEG, ASC, Dream United, and Bangalore Eagles are placed in Zone A and new entrant Roots FC, Kickstart FC, Bengaluru FC, and Kodagu FC are grouped in Zone B. 

Fixture 

• Aug 10, 2022, 2 PM: Bangalore Eagles FC 2 (Britto Carlos-55’, Parikram Borah-76’) Vs Dream United FC 1 (Sachidananda S-75’) 
• Aug 10, 2022, 4 PM: ASC 1 (Wahengbam Niraj Singh - 77) Vs MEG 0
• Aug 11, 2022, 2 PM: Kickstart FC 0 Vs Roots FC 1 (Vishal R-45'+2') 
• Aug 11, 2022, 4 PM: Bengaluru FC 5 (Akashdeep Singh-32', 46', Huidrom Thoi Singh-54', Lalhmingchhuanga-82', Edwin Rossario-86') Vs Kodagu FC 0 
• Aug 12, 2022, 2 PM: MEG 0 Vs Bangalore Eagles FC 0 
• Aug 12, 2022, 4 PM: Dream United 2 (Elvis Nongtdu-70', 76') Vs ASC 3 (Wahengbam Raj Singh--21', 88', Jashandeep Singh-90'+4') 
• Aug 13, 2022, 2 PM: Kodagu FC 1 (Gagandeep Singh-65'[P]) Vs Kickstart FC 3 (Sharath Rajkumar-7', 37', Abhishek Shanker Powar-13') 
• Aug 13, 2022, 4 PM: Bengaluru FC 1 (F.LalRemtluanga-87') Vs Roots FC 0 
• Aug 14, 2022, 2 PM: MEG 1 (Shaik Muzeeb-17'[P]) Vs Dream United 1 (Palzor Bhaitia-40') 
• Aug 14, 2022, 4 PM: ASC 3 (Laishram Premkumar Singh-40', Tony Huidrom-45'+1', Melem Tomthin Metei-66') Vs Bangalore Eagles FC 1 (Immanuel Derricks-70' [P])
• Aug 15, 2022, 2 PM: Roots FC 1 (Anirudh Mukundan-48') Vs Kodagu FC 0 
• Aug 15, 2022, 4 PM: Kickstart FC 1 (Shrath Raj Kumar-25') Vs Bengaluru FC 0  
• Aug 17, 2022, 1:30 PM, Semi final I: ASC 1 (Waheng Bamni Raj Singh-88') Vs Kickstart FC 2 (Deepak Panth-47'[OG], Abhishek S-53') 
• Aug 17, 2022, 3:30 PM, Semi final II: Bengaluru FC 0 [2] (Clarence Savio Fernandes, Bekay Oram) Vs Bangalore Eagles FC 0 [4] (Immanuel Derricks, Parikram Borah, Bhanu Praksh G, Nithul Das)  
• Aug 19, 2022, 4 PM, Final: Kickstart FC 3 (Princiwill Emeka-5', 47', Ryan Wilfred-28') Vs Bangalore Eagles FC 1 (Bhanu Prakash-45'+2'[P]) 

Eagles rally back to win against Bengaluru FC

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC went down for the first time in the 2021-22 BDFA Super Division League, with a 2-1 loss to Bangalore Eagles at the Bangalore Football Stadium, on Thursday. Strikes from Cletus Paul (45’) and Harpreet Rulbir (86’) saw the Eagles claw their way back and claim the points, after an own goal from Ajith Arasu (35’) had given the Blues the lead in the first half.

Sandesh Bhoite made two changes to the side as Macarton Nickson and Monirul Molla replaced Thoi Singh and Bekey. The backline was marshalled by Harpreet Singh and Robin Yadav while Biswa Darjee and Edwin Rossario were tasked with controlling the proceedings in midfield once again. 

The Blue Colts dominated the opening half hour but failed to capitalise after a flurry of missed opportunities, with shots from Lalthangliana and Omega being met by former BFC custodian Shain Khan Chilappuram for the Eagles. 

Five minutes past the half hour mark, Omega’s looping cross fell to Eagles defender Ajith Arasu, whose attempt to clear the ball was nodded past his own 'keeper to give the Blue Colts the lead.

However, miscommunication in defence allowed former Blue Colts striker Cletus Paul to score the equaliser for the Eagles only ten minutes later. Jagdeep Singh and Harpreet Singh clashed with each other, conceding possession in a dangerous area, and Paul finished past Dipesh to make it 1-1 on the stroke of half time.  

Bengaluru looked to the bench as Rahul Raju was brought on for Molla in the second period. The Blue Colts had their first big chance 20 minutes later when Omega and Lalthangliana exchanged passes before the latter's looping cross into the area. The header came in from Macarton, but could only find the woodwork.

After a second half that ambled in cagey fashion, a darting run from another former BFC man in Jacob John down the left flank saw him get past Jagdeep and send in a pin-point cross for Harpreet Rulbir, who tapped home from close range to give the Eagles the lead in the dying embers. 

Bengaluru would push forward and Lalthangliana's shot on the volley in added time was the closest they came to an equaliser, but it deflected just off target in what was the last action of the game.

The Blue Colts are back in action on December 6th, when they face Young Challengers FC at the BFS.

  

FC Bengaluru United seal dominant win over Eagles

FCBU Media 

FC Bengaluru United put in a commanding performance to beat Bangalore Eagles 4-0 in their third game of the ongoing BDFA Super Division Championship 2021-22. A brace from Luka Majcen (1, 33), Ronaldo Oliviera (16) and Batskhemlang Thangkiew (81) sealed an all-round show from the defending champions.

FCBU were quick off the blocks, getting into their opposition’s half in the very first minute of the game. A corner taken by Ronaldo was beautifully flicked to Majcen who powered in a header to get his team on the scoreboard. FCBU kept the pressure up, constantly creating chances especially from the wings. 

The second goal wasn’t long in coming – in the 16th minute a deftly crafted play between Denil and Batskhemlang set up a scoring opportunity for Ronaldo who made no mistake. There was no let-up in the intensity from the defending champions – in the 33rd minute, Bedashwar Singh and Denil combined to set up an easy tap-in for Majcen.

Bangalore Eagles upped the ante in the second half but the FCBU defence held firm, with Kinshuk, Robin Gurung, James Singh keeping them at bay, together with Srijith at the goal. A stunning long ball from Kinshuk Debnath in the 81st minute, followed by a perfect set up courtesy Ronaldo and Majcen, helped create an easy chance for Batskhemlang to make it 4-0. FCBU will be happy with their third consecutive win, and the fact that they haven’t conceded a goal thus far - an all-round team effort that holds them in good stead for the remainder of the game ahead.

 

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.

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. 

 

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.

Bengaluru cruise past Eagles 5-1, go 8-points clear at the top

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC recorded a fifth consecutive win in dominant fashion as they brushed aside Bangalore Eagles 5-1 in a Round-7 encounter of the BDFA Super Division League at the Bangalore Football Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Friday.

A brace each from Leon Augustine (35’, 64’) and substitute Lalnuntluanga (87’, 90’) after skipper Myron Mendes’ (20’) opener handed the Blue Colts their sixth win of the campaign. The result meant Naushad Moosa’s boys took their tally to 18 points after seven games, extending their lead at the top of the table to eight points.

The game began on a sour note when Edmund Lalrindika was withdrawn after a tackle down the flank saw the Blue Colts’ striker unable to continue. Bengaluru broke the deadlock in the 20th minute as Altamash Sayed’s free-kick from the right was headed home by Myron at the second post.

The Blue Colts then doubled their advantage in the 35th when Leon struck from close range after left-back Parag Shrivas did well to keep the ball in before sending a low powerful cross into the box to Leon who timed his run well for a finish that creeped in at the far post.

Bangalore Eagles pulled one back early on in the second half when a flailing hand from Parag in the BFC box caught a cross and prompted the referee to point to the spot. Striker Gopi levelled the scores with his penalty in the 50th minute.

However, it was the Blues Colts who restored their two-goal cushion when Leon completed his brace in the 64th minute. Myron, with a delicate chip, found Leon making a run into the box on the right, and the winger found the back of the net at the far post on the volley.

Striker Lalnuntluanga, on for Edmund in the first half, struck a brace late on to complete the rout. Biswa Darjee was the provider on the first instance, setting Lalnuntluanga up with a perfectly threaded pass in the 87th minute. On the stroke of regulation time, the striker scored his second, poking Leon’s aerial ball past an advancing Abhishek in the Bangalore Eagles goal, before slotting home from close.

Bengaluru FC will next face Bangalore Independents on Tuesday, December 11.

South United smash Eagles, register second win

South United FC Media

Putting the ghosts of their 0-3 defeat in their previous game, South United came out on top against Bangalore Eagles, and recorded a 3-0 win.  

After a cagey first 10 minutes, South United started gaining some ground in the game. They began to threaten through Riswanali and Aaron on the wings. In the 14th minute, Aaron found Riswan in the box with a looping cross which took the attacker slightly wider than he would have hoped, but he cut back in and skipped past a challenge before making some space for himself to register the first goal of the game. 

The goal gave SUFC impetus which saw them register two more great chances in the 5 minutes following the first strike. The Eagles were able to regain some semblance of control following that patch of chaos as they slowed the game down. 

The boys clad in orange played with more confidence after the first goal but saw the play disrupted often by some poor challenged from Eagles. 

The second half saw a similar pattern as the first 10 minutes of the game as both teams struggled to get a hold of the game. A 56th minute stunner from Nidhin woke the stadium as he found himself in the opposition box on the right and smashed one home from the outside of his right boot. The strike left everyone including the Eagles goalkeeper befuddled as to how the strike had ended up in the goal. 

The second goal for South United FC saw the Bangalore Eagles try and find some more incisiveness in their attack and they started to threaten through some long-range shots and crosses cut back from the touchline. It drew some breath-taking saves from the SUFC custodian Jayanth. 

The home side put the outcome of the game to bed in the 85th minute as Aaron was played through on goals and he was brought down as he tried to skip past the keeper. Shinu put away the resulting penalty with a low hard finish to the goalkeeper’s right. 

Some solid defending and more commanding work from Jayanth in goal ensure that South United FC finished with a clean sheet. 

MEG lift Super Division, Independents are A Division champions

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)

Points Table: BDFA A Division - 2014-15