Karnataka boys gears up for Sub-Junior Nationals

Karnataka state football team is all set to participate in the Sub-Junior Boys National Football Championship, scheduled to be held in Amritsar, Punjab from 27 October to 6 November 2025. Jordan Paul Mobin of Bengaluru FC will captain the squad, bringing his experience and leadership to the forefront as the team vies for national honours.

The team comprises a talented roster of young footballers: Shayaan Armaan, Rengbek Sekho, E Santhosh, Andrew Charlie Malkachen, Arth Chandramoorthy, CC Ruan Ganapathi, Manggoulen Tuboi, Ved Krishna M, Amom Messi Meetei, Aden Elwyn D'Silva, Gurumayum Prohitkumar Sharma, Jordan Paul Mobin, Eklavya Anand Goenka, Kanav Kutty, DB Basava Gouda, Ethan Zacharia Titus, M Tharun, Nongmaithem Kaiku Meetei, Shaurya Veer Verma, and Asif Khan MS.

Guiding the team through the tournament will be Head Coach Mahendra Mani, Assistant Coach Anwar Hussain, Team Manager Harisha HH, and Physio Jabir Abdul Jaleel.

Fixture for Karnataka 

• 27/10/2025, 9:00 AM – Karnataka 0 vs West Bengal 3 
• 29/10/2025, 3:00 PM – Karnataka vs Uttar Pradesh
• 31/10/2025, 9:00 AM – Karnataka vs Assam
• 4/11/2025 – Semi-finals
• 6/11/2025 – Final

CAFA Nations Cup squad announcement and group stage preview

AIFF Media 

In an atmosphere charged with anticipation and optimism, the Press Club of Bengaluru played host to the unveiling of Khalid Jamil as the new head coach of India’s senior men’s national football team. The press conference, organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), saw President Shri Kalyan Chaubey, Vice President Shri NA Haris, and Deputy Secretary General Shri M Satyanarayan officially welcome Jamil to the media and the country’s footballing fraternity.

Having spent the past ten days in camp with the squad, Jamil addressed the media with a clear focus - preparation and unity, “Our immediate attention is on the upcoming fixtures,” he stated. “We don’t have the luxury of time, so it’s about maximizing short-term preparation. As we move forward, we’ll set sights on bigger goals.”

When pressed about group rivals, Jamil acknowledged the formidable challenge ahead. “We’ve analyzed Tajikistan, IR Iran, and Afghanistan. They’re strong, well-organized teams. But our priority is sharpening our own game and staying mentally resilient. Team belief and unity will be the difference. Progress is visible, but development takes time. We must nurture young talent alongside the established names to secure our future.”

India, drawn in Group B of the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup, faces a tough lineup: opening against hosts Tajikistan on August 29, followed by clashes with IR Iran and Afghanistan. Group winners will advance to the final in Tashkent, while second-placed sides battle for third place.

Jamil also highlighted the professionalism and commitment within the squad. “These players know what’s expected. Once they step on the pitch, focus is total. There are no excuses; everyone is committed. We’ll adapt, give new faces a chance, and work as a unit. That’s the only way forward.”

Following the press briefing, Jamil announced the 23-man squad tasked with representing the Blue Tigers on the continental stage. The team departs for Tajikistan in the early hours of August 26, ramping up preparations in Hisor before the tournament kicks off. 

India Squad for CAFA Nations Cup 2025

• Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Hrithik Tiwari.
• Defenders: Rahul Bheke, Naorem Roshan Singh, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Muhammed Uvais.
• Midfielders: Nikhil Prabhu, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Danish Farooq Bhat, Thounaojam Jeakson Singh, Boris Singh Thangjam, Ashique Kuruniyan, Udanta Singh Kumam, Naorem Mahesh Singh.
• Forwards: Irfan Yadwad, Manvir Singh (jr), Jithin MS, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Vikram Partap Singh.

Coaching Staff

• Head Coach: Khalid Jamil
• Assistant Coach: Mahesh Gawali
• Goalkeeping Coach: Feroz Sherif
• Strength and Conditioning Coach: Manuel D’Souza

Group Stage Overview

• Group A: Uzbekistan (hosts), Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Oman
• Group B: Tajikistan (hosts), IR Iran, Afghanistan, India

India's Fixtures 

• August 29: Tajikistan vs India, Hisor Central Stadium, 21:00 IST
• September 1: India vs IR Iran, Hisor Central Stadium, 17:30 IST
• September 4: Afghanistan vs India, Hisor Central Stadium, 17:30 IST 

Former State Footballer Stephen Passes Away at 38

Former Karnataka footballer Stephen, aged 38, passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025, 11:30 AM at SK Hospital, Jalahalli. He was undergoing treatment for jaundice.

Known for his skill as a striker, Stephen was a talented player who represented Karnataka in the Santosh Trophy campaigns of 2011 and 2012. Also, he played in various prestigious tournaments during his career including B.C. Roy Trophy in 2007, held in Faridabad, and U-21 National Football Championship.

Stephen also represented BDFA XI in the All India Football Tournament held at Don Bosco, Chennai, where his team emerged as winners in 2012. During his club career, he played for teams such as Universal FC, BEL, KSP, and BEML (KGF), and trained under noted coach Raman Vijayan. He later played for South United FC and continued his football journey as a player-cum-coach with Sree Gajanana FC.

Stephen is survived by his wife, son, and daughter. His body is being kept at his residence behind Aiyappa Swamy Temple, Jalahalli, for final respects. The burial is scheduled for Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Vidyaranyapuram Christian Cemetery.

The Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA), Bangalore District Football Association (BDFA), and Referees Board have expressed their deep condolences on the sudden and untimely demise of Stephen. 

Sporting Club play Diamond Harbour to clinch I-League 3 Final Round berth

With I-League 3 played in the Garden City without much buzz, Group D host, Sporting Club Bengaluru (SCB) thrashed Daoba United FC 6-0 in their previous game to make it an exciting final Group game against Diamond Harbour Football Club (DHFC) on Monday, 3 PM.

In another game played Saturday morning, Diamond Harbour Football Club earned a late win against resilient Abbas Union FC.

With both teams winning all three of their group games, SCB vs DHFC makes it a virtual final of this group.

I-League 3 is a new addition by the AIFF in the Indian football league system, which apparently forms the fourth tier, after ISL, I-League, and I-League 2.

Five groups comprising of five teams are playing I League 3 in a single-legged round robin format with the group topper moving forward to the final round.

Barring Group D, formalities have already been completed - Sporting Clube de Goa (Group A), KLASA FC (Group B), Dempo Sports Club (Group C), and Kerala United FC  (Group E) have made the final cut.

Satyanarayan appointed as new Deputy Secretary General of AIFF

AIFF Media 

The All India Football Federation’s Executive Committee met in Bengaluru, with President Mr Kalyan Chaubey presiding over the meeting on Monday, July 3, 2023.

KSFA General Secretary Mr Satyanarayan M was, upon the proposal of Mr Chaubey, appointed by the Committee as the new Deputy Secretary General of the All India Football Federation. 

FCBU and four new clubs inducted into I-League

Five entities had placed their respective bids for corporate entries into the Hero I-League – Nimida United Sports Development Pvt Ltd (FCBU), YMS Finance Pvt Ltd (Inter Kashi), Namdhari Seeds Pvt Ltd (Bhaini Sahib Village, Punjab), , Concatenate Advest Advisory Pvt Ltd (Delhi), and Bunkerhill Pvt Ltd (Ambala, Haryana). The Executive Committee, in its first order of the day, decided to accommodate all five bidders into the Hero I-League, with the vision of expanding the competition to a stronger league. 

The Committee, in line with AIFF’s long-term plan, Vision 2047, felt it would be prudent to revive a legacy competition like the Federation Cup. To that extent, it decided that the Federation Cup will be the premier cup competition in India from the 2023-24 season onwards.

Bengaluru connection in Bangladesh football

Holding a UEFA Pro License coaching degree and joining another Spaniard, he landed up in the Garden City to head a private football academy more than a decade ago. He then joined the same country mate, assisting him in Goa for an I-League Club. Post that he was attached to a football academy as a Technical Director in Numaligarh Refinery Limited, Assam and then until Covid stuck the world, he was heading the La Liga’s interests in India. 

Javier Cabrera and Oscar Bruzon’s association go a long way. Javier continued Oscar Bruzon’s work at SPT Sports Bangalore and then joined him at Sporting Clube de Goa. 

So, after successfully managing the Bashundhara Kings club in Bangladesh when Oscar suggested Javier to apply for the Bangladesh Senior National Football team head coach, he grabbed the opportunity in both hands. His first experience independently managing a senior national football team after spending several years in the Indian subcontinent. 

The ongoing Bangabandhu SAFF Championship in the Garden City has generated a lot of interest among the Bangladeshi sports lovers. Around 20 media houses are present here. 

Javier is excited to be back in Bangalore. While there are several challenges of managing a senior football team, his contract was extended for one more year, till December 2023. 

Ranked 192 in FIFA ranking Bangladesh played an impressive game against 99th ranked Lebanon in their opening game. The minnows held the much higher ranked opponent to a goalless draw till 79th minute when the boys ran out of steam and succumbed to a two-goal defeat. 

Javier was impressed by the performance of his boys. The next game, against Maldives, again a higher ranked team, was a make-or-break game as far as Bangladesh is concerned. They were down by a goal when the game was 17 minute old, but the boys showed character, and rallied back to win by 3-1 margin.  

When this article gets published, Javier’s boys will be ready to take on Bhutan, ranked few notches above in FIFA ranking. Should Bangladesh win, which is well within the realm of the possible, they will make it to the last four of Bangabandhu SAFF Championship.

Former Aircraftman checks in the Garden City

More than a decade back, 13 seasons ago to be precise, a shy looking 19-year-old Nepalese boy was introduced to Indian Football. Rohit Chand was signed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under the Asian quota rule for their mission to I-League in 2010-11 season. 

While HAL rather had a dull season, somehow managing to stay afloat in the league, but a few marked impression among the football loving fans of the Garden City, and Rohit Chand was among one of them. 

Rohit lasted with the public sector aerospace and defence establishment for two seasons, as much as the team lasted in Indian Football, thanks to AFC's tedious club licensing criteria especially for the public sector units. From thereon, his journey would only go upwards – representing the senior Nepal national team, playing league in Indonesia and Malaysia for several seasons, and finally becoming one of the greatest footballing ambassadors of this Himalayan nation. 

Rohit is back in Bengaluru, doing National duty for Nepal in SAFF Championship. He has visited other cities in India, Delhi in during Nehru Cup and Thiruvananthapuram for SAFF Championship, but first time in the Garden City after leaving HAL. 

Playing the first game of the tournament yesterday, Nepal, comprising of a relatively younger batch suffered a loss against Kuwait. The evening rains lifted Rohit’s mood. He was recalling his HAL team mates, for many have hanged their boots and, taken up football coaching. 

Though the infamous Bangalore traffic brought the team late in the Kanteerava Stadium to witness the game between India and Pakistan, Rohit was seen taking notes. 

He quips, “we’ll play a better game on Saturday.”

Head Digital Works Junior Football League to kick off on June 11

Aiming to promote grassroot level football in Karnataka and inspire young talent to take up the sport seriously, the Junior Football League (JFL) will kick-off on 11th June in Bangalore.

With Head Digital Works as the title sponsor, JFL will try to make waves in the world of junior football and create a brighter future for the sport in India.

“Currently, very few players from Karnataka are being represented at the top level in football, either at the ISL or in the national team. Our objective is to organize grassroot level competitive leagues to develop young players locally who can then progress and represent the state at the national level. To highlight the importance of this league, we would like to use this opportunity to show our support to a few outstanding achievers who have managed to reach the top level in the sport. We hope that through more events and leagues like ours, we can one day inspire more players to represent our state at the highest level,” said a spokesperson for JFL.

The launch event on 16th May was graced by some of the most notable personalities from the football fraternity in Karnataka and will be felicitated for their dedication and hard work towards the development of the football community in the state.

GUESTS OF HONOR:

• Ravi Babu, Head Coach, Santosh Trophy Winner (Karnataka)
• Vignesh D, ISL Winner (Mumbai City FC)
• Arjun AG, Khelo India Vice Captain (Karnataka)

Bengaluru to host SAFF Championship in June

AIFF Media 

The SAFF Championship 2023 will be hosted in Bengaluru, Karnataka, from June 21 to July 3, 2023, All India Football Federation President Mr. Kalyan Chaubey announced in the city on Sunday, March 19, 2023.

AIFF Secretary General Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran was present on the occasion, along with AIFF Vice President and Karnataka State Football Association President Mr. NA Haris and Karnataka Olympic Association President Dr. K Govindaraj.

This will be the 14th edition of the tournament, and India will be hosting it for the fourth time. Over the years, the Blue Tigers have asserted their dominance in the SAFF Championship, winning it eight times; the Maldives are the closest to India, having won the title twice.

The 2023 SAFF Championship will be played from June 21 to July 3, with all member associations of the SAFF are expected to fight it out for the top prize.

The tournament will see the teams divided into two groups and play round-robin matches in the group stage, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the semi-finals. The date for the Draw will be announced later.

"It is an extremely happy occasion for me to announce to all of you that we would be hosting the SAFF Championship in Bengaluru in June/July this year," said Mr. Chaubey. "SAFF is a great opportunity for us to promote love and brotherhood between all the countries in the South Asian region, and I am sure that the players of each National Team will do everything in their power to give a great account of their countries.

"I would like to welcome all the visiting teams with open arms, as we promote brotherhood across borders. Football is one of the most powerful ways to spread the message of love between people, and it is a moment of pride for us to be able to host all of them," he said.

A former India International, Mr. Chaubey had won the SAFF Championship on two occasions with the Blue Tigers – 1999 in Goa, and 2005 in Karachi.

"I’ve myself won the SAFF Championship on two occasions, and I can tell you from a player’s perspective how special it is to lift that trophy, and get that medal," said Mr. Chaubey. "I am sure all of our players will be raring to go and play out there with big hearts."

 

Stafford Challenge Cup kicks off tomorrow

Stafford Challenge Cup, the once-elite football tournament of South India makes a comeback after three decades tomorrow, Thursday, February 23, 2023. The 12-day long tournament will see 15 teams distributed in 4 groups, with the winner from each group advancing to the knockout round.

With some players just coming off a tough Santosh Trophy pre-final round , most others will be using the event to prepare for the upcoming I-League 2 competition. 

BDFA Super Division teams FC Bengaluru United, Kickstart FC, Bengaluru FC (Reserves), MEG, FC Deccan, Roots FC, ASC will be seen in action. 

Gokulam and Roots open the action at 1.30 pm at the Bangalore Football Stadium while in the second game at 4.00 pm, Dempo Goa will meet MEG.

Group A – FC Bengaluru United, MEG, Dempo FC, Goa, FC Deccan
Group B – Roots FC, ASC, Gokulam Kerala FC 
Group C – Bengaluru FC (Reserves), Kenkre FC Mumbai, Sreenidhi Deccan FC, Delhi FC 
Group D – Kickstart FC, Chennaiyin FC (Reserves), ARA FC, Ahmedabad, Kerala United FC

FIXTURE

Group A

• Feb 23, 4 PM – Dempo FC 1 (Shreyash Gajanan Naik-86') Vs MEG 1 (Ayush-16') 
• Feb 25, 9:30 AM – MEG 2 (Shaik Muzeeb-35', 60') Vs FC Deccan 1 (Sachidananda S-42') 
• Feb 25, 4 PM – FC Bengaluru United 4 (Selwyn Frazer Miranda-6', Irfan Yadwad-33', Subha Ghosh-89', Aenam Graffenberg Jurwa-90'+1') Vs Dempo 0 
• Feb 27, 9:30 AM – FC Bengaluru United 4 (Irfan Yadwad-2', Selwyn Frazier Miranda-27', Subha Ghosh-58', Nikhil Mali-68') Vs MEG 1 (Imnaakum -84'[P])  
• Feb 27, 1:30 PM – Dempo 2 (Vinay Vijay Harji-74', Asmon Mevon Viegas-77') Vs  FC Deccan 0
• Mar 1, 9 AM – FC Bengaluru United 2 (Irfan Yadwad-11', 17') Vs FC Deccan 0 

Group B

• Feb 23, 1:30 PM – Gokulam Kerala FC 1 (Samuel Mensah Konney-87') Vs Roots FC 1 (Yohan Victor Britto-64') 
• Feb 25, 1:30 PM – ASC 3 (Shakti Gurung-15', Ajendra Singh-35', Alwin E-82') Vs Gokulam Kerala FC 2 (Samuel Mansah Konney-14', 24')  
• Feb 27, 4 PM – ASC 2 (Khundongbam Somananda Singh-55', Francis Zonuntluanga-90'+5' [P]) Vs Roots FC 0  

Group C

• Feb 24, 8:15 AM – Bengaluru FC 1 (Harmanpreet Singh-15') Vs Sreenidhi Deccan FC 1 (Kharch Khup Hangzo-68')    
• Feb 24, 4 PM – Delhi FC 1 (Gaurav Rawat-54) Vs Kenkre FC 0   
• Feb 26, 8:15 AM – Sreenidhi Deccan FC 2 (Pauminthang Munsong-21',  VineethKumar Velmurugan-62') Vs Kenkre FC 0   
• Feb 26, 1:30 PM – Delhi FC 2 (Fahd Temuri-90+5', Amay Morajkar-62'[OG]) Vs Bengaluru FC 1 (Leon Augustine-9')  
• Feb 28, 11:55 AM – Kenkre FC 1 (Jay Bhavanani-42'[P]) Vs Bengaluru FC 0  
• Feb 28, 1:30 PM – Delhi FC 3 (Gaurav Rawat-48', Fahad Temuri-74', Ajay Singh-81') Vs Sreenidhi Deccan FC 2 ( Vineeth Kumar Velmurugan-46', Aditya Tomar-87') 

Group D

• Feb 24, 10:45 AM – Chennaiyin FC 1 (Senthamil S -22') Vs ARA FC 0  
• Feb 24, 1:15 PM – Kickstart FC 3 (Edwin Rossorio-55', Sathish Kumar-61', Muzamiri Abdallah MTanga-84') Vs Kerala United FC 2 (Rahul M-12'[OG], Akmal Shan-42')
• Feb 26, 10:55 AM – Kickstart FC 2 (Edwin Rossario-61', Bikash Yumnam-82'[OG]) Vs Chennaiyin FC 2 (Senthamil S-15', Moirongthem Givson Singh-45'+2') 
• Feb 26, 4 PM – ARA FC 5 (Shanid Valan-5', Naro Hari Shrestha-38', Yami Longvoh-45'+3', Fredson Marshall-79' [P], Pratik Swami-87') Vs Kerala United FC 0  
• Feb 28, 8:15 AM (HAL ground) – Chennaiyin FC 9 (Joseph Lalvenhima-22', Niketh N-41', Vipul Velayudhan-45'[OG], Moirangthem Givson Singh-51', Senthamil S-66', 90'+3', Solaimalai R-73', Chris Anthoy White-82', Rahul Manjula-90') Vs Kerala United FC 0 
• Feb 28, 8:15 AM – Kickstart FC 3 (Muzamiri Abdullah MTanga-45'+3'[P], 58', Finto-6') Vs ARA FC 1 (Naro Hari Shrestha-90'+67'[P])  

Semifinals

• Mar 3, 3:30 PM – Chennaiyin FC - Gr D Winner 2 (Givson Singh-18', Sajal Bag-45'+3') Tie-breaker 4 - Sajal Bag, Senthamil Elangbam, Tondon Meitei, Chris Anthoy White Vs Delhi FC - Gr C Winner 2 (Fahad Temuri-67'[P], 90'+2') Penalty 2 - Fahad Temuri, Karndeep Singh 
• Mar 4, 3:30 PM –  FCBU - Group A Winner 3 (Irfan Yadwad-45'[P], 49', 51') Vs ASC - Gr B Winner) 2 (Ajendra Singh-61', Khundongbam Samananda Singh-80')  

Final 

• Mar 6, 4 PM – Chennaiyin FC 1 (Senthamil S -71') Vs FC Bengaluru United 2 (Vinil Poojary-31', Irfan Yadwad-90'+3) 

Karnataka make it through to Santosh Trophy semifinal

pic: AIFF Media 

With three teams - Punjab, Karnataka, and Kerala vying for the semi-final spot from Group A in the 76th Santosh Trophy, Punjab took on Kerala while Karnataka were playing against host Odisha in  their last group game.

Karnataka took the lead from side-back Sunil's opportunistic in the 17th min of the game. Odisha quickly equalized via captain Prabin Tigga's goal, then took lead from Chandra Muduli in 35th minute. 

Half-time score read 2-1 for Odisha. 

Karnataka were quick to make it 2-2 from a Shajan Franklin's beautiful header. Post that the state boys dominated the proceedings but the winning goal eluded them.

Punjab takes the top spot with 11 points (3 win and 2 draw) and with 9 points (2 win and 3 draw), Karnataka came as the second best team from their Group thus qualifying for the semi final, which will be played at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

Seven from Bangalore in Services team

While we wait for tomorrow’s final group game against Odisha to see Karnataka moving to the last four of the 76th Santosh Trophy, Services with 10 points (3 wins, one draw) became the first team to secure a place in the semi-final spot be played at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

This year’s Services team got several players from the Garden City who have excelled in BDFA Super Division League for many years –ASC’s Jashandeep Singh, Deepak Singh, Oinam Gautam Singh, Safeel PP and MEG’s Liton Shil and Christopher are seen turning out for Services in the ongoing Santosh Trophy played in Odisha. The head coach Mileswamy Govindaraju Ramachandran too is from Bangalore, coming from the ranks of ASC football team. 

While MEG’s and now a part of the Army Red team, Liton Shil seems to be the most popular, his colleague Christopher too scored regularly for MEG in the league until few seasons back. The ASC players are relatively new in the setup but have made an impression. Shafeel was a part of the Karnataka Santosh Trophy campaign four year back. 

    Standing (from Left) - Jashandeep Singh (1st), Coach MG Ramachandran (6th)
    Kneeling (from Left) - Safeel PP (2nd), Christopher (3rd), Deepak Singh (5th), Oinam Gautam Singh (10th), Liton Shil (12th)  

asasas

Bangalore City FC win B Division League title, Roots FS take second spot

Bangalore City FC’s fine six-match winning run was enough to clinch the BDFA B Division League title and a promotion spot. Though they received a jolt by losing to the league runner up Roots FS in their last game but that didn't come in their way of the league title. 

Goans FC did not turn up for their matches and RS Sports pulled out after playing 6 rounds (loosing all) – both teams are relegated to C Division. As per BDFA League (2022-23) Rules 16, result of matches played against R S Sports stand Null and Void. 

Roots FS took the field against Bangalore City FC’s in their last round game. The equation was simple, an outright win would earn them the second position, ahead of Royals FC and Bangalore Warriors, and a spot in BDFA A Division.

In the game between Roots and Bangalore City, the latter dominated the proceedings, took lead 8-minutes before regulation time. Roots looked anything but winning the game from there.

The drama unfolded in the final 5 minutes of the game, which was primarily the injury time. Roots were awarded a penalty at the beginning of the added time, which went wasted. An own goal by Bangalore City in 70’+4‘ min made the score level. It was left to Roots scoring the winning goal in the last minute thus securing a promotion ticket to the BDFA A Division.  

BDFA B Division will be concluded tomorrow after the following games: Bangalore City FC Vs CIL and Bangalore Warriors Vs Al Fateh FC. 

If Bangalore Warriors wins tomorrow, they will be tied at same points with Roots FS, however the latter would still be above Bangalore Warriors in the points table with a Head-to-Head win (3-2). 

The top two teams in the Points Table, Bangalore City FC and Roots FC, will be playing an exhibition game tomorrow before the prize distribution ceremony.

Karnataka beat Goa 2-0 in Santosh Trophy

AIFF Media 

Karnataka took three points against a hapless Goa side to inch ahead in the battle for Riyadh spots in Group A of the Hero Santosh Trophy today. With today’s 2-0 win, Karnataka lead the Group with 7 points.

Goa had one of the first chances of the game early in the first half, a long range freekick somehow evading everyone before rolling past the post. From there though it was one-way traffic, Karnataka doing enough to get the win and also register a clean sheet, their second of the competition.

Jacob John scored opened the account in 33rd minute, with Abhishek Powar adding another one in early second half. 

Karnataka play their fourth game against Maharashtra on Friday, February 17 at OFA 7th Battalion Ground, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. 

 

Karnataka lose to Kerala in final, bags silver in Khelo India

Two goals in a gap of 12 minutes in the later part of first half sealed the gold medal for Kerala in the final of the Khelo India Youth Games played at Emerald Heights School, Indore, Madhya Pradesh today morning. 

Sreeraj CP for Kerala opened the account for his team in the 31st minute of the game and Kiran K scored in 43rd minute. The strikers for Karnataka, who gave team the lead in almost every game failed to score in the final game. time 

Karnataka despite having an impressive outing ends up being the second best in this 8-team tournament. 

Karnataka qualify to the Khelo India final

Karnataka boys after resisting attacks from a strong Punjab team beat 3-2 to reach the final of the Khelo India Youth Games. The keenly contested first semi-final was between group A winner Punjab, coming from an all-win record in the group stage and Karnataka, runner up from the other group. 

Karnataka took the lead and it was Abhishek again up to his goal-scoring exploits, scoring the first goal for his team via penalty in 18th minute. He has scored in every game played so far in KIYG - total of 5 goals in 4 games. 

Punjab pulled back with a strike from the JCT Football Academy student Karandeep Singh Manota. The semi-final was up for some late first-half action - Punjab took 2-1 lead in through Karandeep again in 45 min, while captain Vishal’s goal made the scoreline 2-2 in the added time. 

Ishaan Raghunanda scored the winner after lemon break, sealing the fate of the game and qualifying for the final. 

In the second semi-final, Kerala defeated Meghalaya 5-3. Karnataka will take on Kerala in the final on Friday, February 10 at the same venue.  

Karnataka lose to Meghalaya in Khelo India, advance to semis as group runner-up

Karnataka boys lost to the group winner Meghalaya 2-1 in the ongoing Khelo India Youth Games at Indore today morning. With 2 wins and a loss, they qualify as the second placed team to final four. Karnataka will play against Group A winner Punjab, who progressed to semi-final after completing an all-win record in their group. The other semi-final game will be played between Meghalaya (7 pts) and Group A runner-up Kerala (6 pts). 

Karnataka took an early lead in the game, with Abhishek proving his goal scoring mettle, taking his goal-scoring tally to 4 in this edition of Khelo India. Meghalaya restored parity in the 40th minute via Cannyson Kharnaior. After changing ends, Blanangshngain Khongsdam, who came in as a replacement for Fashioning Syngkli in the first half, scored the second goal (68'). 

The semi-final will be played on Wednesday, February 8.

 

Karnataka boys beat Odisha in Khelo India Youth Games, move to semi-final

Karnataka boys notched their second consecutive win in Khelo India Games beating Odisha 3-1 at the Emerald Heights School ground, Indore, Madhya Pradesh. FC Bengaluru United Academy wards Ishaan Raghunanda (21’) and Aditya Kalasur (90’) scored the first and third goal while Abhishek Pawar scored the second goal in the 57th minute of the game. 

In the other Group B game, Bengal and Meghalaya ended in 1-1 draw. Karnataka now top the Group B table with 6 points and move to semi-final round, followed by Meghalaya (4). 

In group A, Punjab made to last four with back-to-back win. The second semis spot in this group will be decided tomorrow between Arunachal Pradesh and Kerala; both teams - with a win and loss are at 3 points. 

Karnataka play their final group game on Monday, February 6, against Meghalaya. 

Stafford Cup to return after three decades

Stafford Challenge Cup, perhaps the oldest national-level football tournament and the Blue Riband event football event in South India is set to make a return to Indian Football after three long decades. 

In a press conference hosted by the Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA), NA Haris, Vice President, AIFF and the President of KSFA announced the revival of the historic tournament, which started in 1938 and went on till 1993.

In line with AIFF's aim to revive some heritage events, the KSFA will be organizing the Stafford Challenge Cup at the Bangalore Football Stadium from February 23, 2023, onwards. A total of 16 clubs will be invited and they will be clubbed into four groups. The four clubs in each group will play a round robin format in their respective groups and the top team in each group will qualify in the knockout semi-finals and final. The final is scheduled for March 6, 2023. 

Talking to the media, M Satayanarayan, Secretary, KSFA mentioned about tactfully utilising the period between final round of Santosh Trophy, which is ending on February 20 and I-League 2 2022-23, which is starting early March. 

“We had very less time this year, our plan is to include the Stafford Challenge Cup in the AIFF football calendar next season. This will help us in better planning to organize the event get top teams”, said Haris. 

Developmental teams from ISL and I-League like Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Gokulam Kerala, Dempo, and Sreenidhi FC along with I League-2 participants, ARA FC from Ahmedabad, FC Bengaluru United, and Delhi FC will be seen in action.

Other teams from outside the state of Karnataka include Kenkre FC and PIFA from Maharashtra, International FC from Punjab and Kerala United. The other four local clubs from Bengaluru are Kickstart FC, Roots FC, MEG, and HAL. 

Group A	Group B
FC Bengaluru United MEG Dempo International FC Punjab	Roots FC HAL SC Gokulam Kerala FC PIFA Sports FC
Group C	Group D
Bengaluru FC Kenkre FC Sreenidhi Deccan FC Delhi FC	Kickstart FC Chennaiyin FC ARA FC Kerala United FC

BDFA League B Division 2022-23 - Schedule & Fixtures

Participating teams: 

1. CIL
2. Postal
3. Goans FC
4. Md. Sporting
5. Royals FC
6. RS Sports
7. Vehicles
8. Bangalore City FC
9. Bangalore Warriors FC
10. Roots FS
11. Al Fateh FC 

* Goans FC did not turn up for their matches, they will be relegated to C Division the next season.

** After 6 rounds, RS Sports have pulled out of BDFA B Division. As per BDFA League (2022-23) Rules 16 of is applicable, result of matches played against R S Sports will stand Null and Void. They too will be will be relegated to C Division the next season.

1. 16-2-2023: CIL Vs Bangalore City FC 
2. 16-2-2023: Al Fateh FC Vs Bangalore Warriors 
3. 15-2-2023: Vehicles 6 (Surya Prakash S-3', 44', Carlton Joel-20', Rohit M-42', Murali -57', Naveen Kumar R-65') Vs CIL 1 (Md. Ameeruddin-28') 
4. 14-2-2023: Roots FS 2 ( Nehumbemo L Mozhul-70'+4'[OG], Darien Marcel Christopher-70'+5') Vs Bangalore City FC 1 (Nehumbemo L Mizhul-62')   
5. 14-2-2023: Md. Sporting  6 (Thotrimung MP-13', Sufiyan Akbar Sayed-21', 31', 62', Nemreyo Mashangva-30', Adarsh Rajendra Kamagouda-43') Vs CIL 1 (Swapnil Mallick-59')
6. 13-2-2023: Royals FC 1 (K Arun-69) Vs Postal 0  
7. 13-2-2023: FC Vehicles 3 (Surya Prakash -23rd.48th. Lathesh S-47') Vs Al Fateh 1 (Zaib Sheriff-39')   
8. 12-2-2023: Roots FS 3 (Darshan V-14', Chris Shawn Martin-35', 46') Vs Bangalore Warriors 2 (Heman Veerasimha-7', Saleem A -19'[P]) 
9. 11-2-2023: Bangalore City FC 4 (Jonathan Aditya Piers-6', 56', 60', Fazil Hassan Ahmed-44') Vs Al Fateh 0  
10. 10-2-2023: Postal 5 (Samuel Gogi-9', 64', Darshan -27', Dheeraj Srinivas-35'+2, '64') Vs Vehicles 3 (Satish R-33', 66', Surya Prakash-55') 
11. 8-2-2023: Royals FC 5 (Vijayakumar R-14', Velu-16', Samuel G-33', K Arun -63', Saleem R-66') Vs Al Fateh FC 0  
12. 6-2-2023: Royals FC 1 (Saleem R-24') Vs Md. Sporting 1 (Hyyan Aijaz Shaikh-68')
13. 6-2-2023: Bangalore Warriors 4 (Kevin Lourd Nadan-12', 33', Bharath M -24', Arvind Raj W -70') Vs Vehicles 0 
14. 2-2-2023: RS Sports 1 (JB Trishanth-13') Vs Al Fateh FC 4 (Zaib Sheriff-37', 41', 68', Tariq Sheriff-51')    
15. 31-1-2023: Royals FC 2 (Vikram V-28', SanjayKumar S-67') Vs CIL 0 
16. 27-1-2023: Postal 5 (Dhanush S-5', 62', Nandakumar D-17', 65', 70'+1') Vs Md. Sporting 1 (Samarth Bandekar-55') 
17. 27-1-2023: Vehicles 4 (Lathesh S-4', 6', R Hrithick Roshan-36', Surya Prakash-61') Vs Roots FS 0 
18. 25-1-2023: Bangalore City FC 5 (Jonathan Aditya Piers-25', 37', 42', 46', Rahul KR-65') Vs RS Sports 0
19. 25-1-2023: Bangalore Warriors 2 (Md. Rayan-15', Kevin Lourd Nadan-33') Vs Royals FC 0 
20. 23-1-2023: Roots FS 2 (Darshan V-27', Satish S-53') Vs Md. Sporting FC 0 
21. 19-1-2023: CIL 2 (Vignesh R-18', Md. Ameeruddin-47') Vs Postal 1 (Dheeraj Srinivas-37') 
22. 19-1-2023: Bangalore City FC 1 (Ranen Bejoy Thomas-70'+1') Vs Vehicles 0
23. 17-1-2023: Royals FC 0 Vs Roots FS 0  
24. 17-1-2023: Md. Sporting 3 (Nivarutti Pavanoji-17', Pavan Desai-32', Iklas Nizami-52') Vs Al Fateh FC 0 
25. 13-1-2023: Bangalore Warriors 3 (Md. Rayan-2', Kevin Lourd Nadan-9', Mohit Singh-58') Vs RS Sports 0 
26. 6-1-2023: Royals FC 2 (Saleem R-55', Velu -68') Vs Vehicles 0 
27. 4-1-2023: Bangalore City FC 2 (Divin Davis-24', Abhishek Panchamiya -48') Vs Md. Sporting FC 1 (Thotreimung MP-34')
28. 4-1-2023: Al Fateh FC 3 (Shaik Inayathulla Saheb-27', Ankith S Reddy-42', Zaib Sheriff-32') Vs CIL 1 (KrishnaKumar-58') 
29. 2-1-2023: Postal 3 (NandaKumar-8', Sunil Kumar Kurup-33'[OG], Subba H-69') Vs Roots FS 1 (Gambheer B -26') 
30. 2-1-2023: RS Sports 0 Vs Vehicles 8 (Surya Prakash-7', 34', Karthick K -27', 64', Lahesh S - 38', Calton Joel-40', Aakshy N- 42', Naveen Kumar R-48')
31. 29-12-2022: Md Sporting 1 (Thotreimung MP-14') Vs Bangalore Warriors FC 1 (Md. Rayan-25')  
32. 29-12-2022: Bangalore City FC 1 (Jonathan Aditya Piers-61') Vs Royals FC 0 
33. 27-12-2022: Al Fateh FC 2 (Shaik Inayathulla Saheb-18', 43') Vs Postal 0    
34. 26-12-2022: Bangalore City FC 3 (Abhishek Pancchamiya -37', 44', 63') Vs Bangalore Warriors 0 
35. 23-12-2022: Roots FS 4 (Darin Marcel Christopher-44', M Rohan Gorge Mathew-68'[OG], Chris Shawn Martin-70'+2'. Shawn Sebastien-70'+4') Vs Al Fateh FC 2 ( Shariq Sheriff-36', 44'[P]) 
36. 22-12-2022: Bangalore Warriors 1 (Mohammd Rayan-69') Vs CIL 0 
37. 20-12-2022: Bangalore City FC 5 (Jonathan Aditya Piers-13', 60', Abhishek Panchamniya-35'+1', Abijith MA - 40', 63') Vs Postal 1 (Samuel Hopi-67'[P])
38. 19-12-2022: Roots FS 5 (Mathialagan-23', 62', Liyan Thanveer-35', Chris Shawn Martin-53', Shawn Sebastian-65') Vs CIL 0 
39. 19-12-2022: Md. Sporting 2 (Nivrutti Sunil Pavanoji-30', Abhishek Sunil Cherekar-50') Vs RS Sports 0 
40. 16-12-2022: Bangalore City FC Vs Goans FC 
      Bangalore City FC got walkover as Goans FC did not turn up 
41. 16-12-2022: Md. Sporting 2 (Adarsh Rajendra Kamagouda-7', Sufiyan Akbar Sayed-35') Vs Vehicles 1 (Surya Prakash-36') 
42. 15-12-2022: Royals FC 3 (Samuel -27', Velu-33', Sanjaykumar S-67') Vs RS Sports 1 (Md. Navas-24') 
43. 15-12-2022: Bangalore Warriors 3 (Arvind Raj W-64', Veersimha -40', Kevin Lourd-54') Vs Postal 1 (Dheeraj Srinivas-12')