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.

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!

 

South United held to 1-1 draw by Independents

South United Media 

An interesting tie that could have gone either way finished all even at 1-1 in the end with goals in either half. South United scored early post lemon-break but were unable to make the best of their impetus to close the door and let Independents back into the game. 

South United had defender Shinu and attacker Aaron D’Costa were back in their line-up after their return from suspension and injury respectively. 

South United FC began the game well on the front foot against a determined Bangalore Independents side. The action for the first 45 minutes remained firmly in the opposition half for SUFC which saw them constantly trying to break down the opposition. 

They created chances constantly but were unable to convert any of them. They continued to press the Bangalore Independents defence in the first half but found no breakthroughs. They were thwarted on a few occasions by good goalkeeping or defending, but they squandered a few where a little more composure would have meant a greater lead. 

The second half saw more of the same as SUFC pressed forward but were not as incisive in front of goal. The breakthrough for them came in the 66th minute when club captain Magesh found the back of the net with a well-placed shot. 

Soon after they scored, it began to look like they may rue their missed chances as Independents got a bit of a hold in the game and started to create chances of their own. 

Bangalore Independents struck in the 82th minute to equalise. It was a blow to SUFC and though they pressed for the win, the time was against them. They found a few more chances before the end but once again were let down by poor finishing.

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