BFC play out 1-1 draw against Sreenidi Deccan, Chennaiyin beat ARA in Stafford Cup

KSFA Media 
Bengaluru FC Media 

Chennaiyin FC, Chennai, became the first team to log full points defeating the ARA FC 1-0 in a Group D match of the Stafford Challenge Cup 2023 football tournament on Friday. In another match in Group C, local hopefuls Bengaluru FC drew with Sreenidhi Deccan FC, Hyderabad, 1-1 after leading by an early goal.

In the first game today morning, Bengaluru FC did well to take the lead in the 15th minute when Harmanpreet Singh rushed in to tap home the ball following a melee inside the box.  Harmanpreet, Thoi Singh, and captain Biswa Darjee combined well to threaten the opponents, but their finishing let them down.

Sreenidhi Deccan worked the ball at a fast clip and looked like finding the equaliser any moment. It did come in the 68th minute when skipper Arunkumar managed to chip the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Lara as the ball landed into the net.

After being on level terms, it was the Deccan side which let BFC off the hook when skipper Biswa Darjee failed to beat Lara in a one to one situation. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Chennaiyin beat ARA 1-0

Keeping up a steady flow of attacks, Chennaiyin Fc carved out the ARA defence and opened up scoring chances, but their finishing let them down. This was evident when their skipper Senthamil failed to fill an untenanted net with goalkeeper Sangramjit Roy Coudhury out of his charge. But he made amends soon after when a lob from Rajat Roy hit the crossbar and rebounded back into play. Senthamil was close on hand to fill the net.

ARA boys tried their best to force the pace and attack from both flanks but the CFC defence did not yield. They were backed well by goalkeeper Mohanraj who rushed out time and again to bring timely saves.

Chennaiyin could have made it 2-0 but midfielder Sharon’s long chip hit the crossbar and rolled out. In the dying moments, substitute Zomuansanga failed to tap home a pass from Senthamil. Though they tried hard, the Ahmedabad boys failed to break the compact opponent defence and crashed to defeat.

Bengaluru FC Colts make semifinal with 1-0 win over Roots FC

A late winner from Lalremtluanga Fanai was enough as Bengaluru FC edged 1-0 past Roots FC in a Zone ‘B’ encounter of the Puttaiah Memorial Cup, at the Bangalore Football Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Saturday. The victory is the Blue Colts’ second on the trot, having beaten Kodagu FC 5-0 in the opener early on in the week.

Earlier, Jan van Loon made one change to his side as Dipesh Chauhan replaced Sharon Padattil in goal. A first half that saw majority of the action in the middle of the park saw both sides struggling to create chances. Thoi Singh came closest to breaking the deadlock when he met a cross from Sudheer Kotikala, but the winger’s shot blazed over the bar. 

Bengaluru had their best chance of the half just moments before the break when Robin Yadav’s shot from distance tested the Roots goalkeeper, but the shot was parried away to safety. Into the second period, Bengaluru came out firing and found the net within five minutes of the restart. 

Akashdeep, found deep by Thoi, sent in a cross for the forward to run onto but the side-footed attempt was off-target. Only moments later, Thoi’s freekick was tipped over the bar. The Blue Colts continued to push forward and saw another big chance go begging when Akashdeep was found unmarked in the 18-yard-box by Felixson Fernandes, with the defender's low cross met with power by the striker, but the effort was off target.

With five minutes left to play in regulation time, substitute Lalpekhlua made an instant impact off the bench, setting up Fanai with a deep cross. The winger, who skipped past his man, sent in an inch-perfect pass for the midfielder, who nodded it beyond the goalkeeper.

The Blue Colts face Kickstart FC next, on 15 August, at the same venue. 

 

Bengaluru Colts begin Puttaiah Cup campaign with 5-0 win

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC begin their Puttaiah Memorial Cup campaign with a 5-0 victory over Kodagu FC, at the Bangalore Football Stadium, on Thursday. Akashdeep Singh (34’, 47’), Thoi Singh (53’), Lalhmingchhuanga (81’) and Edwin Rosario (86’) were on target for the Blue Colts.

It was a cagey first half with both teams struggling to create chances early on, but the Blue Colts broke the deadlock through Akashdeep with ten minutes left to the break. Shighil’s darting run down the wing saw him find empty space to put in a low cross for the forward, who smashed with power beyond the goalkeeper’s reach to make it 1-0.

The chances kept coming from there, but the referee blew the whistle for half-time before Bengaluru could double their lead. Into the second half, the Blue Colts ran riot, scoring from kick-off courtesy of Akashdeep once again. The forward picked up a cross from Thoi and slotted it beyond the ‘keepers reach.

Sudheer Kotikala, who made his debut in Blue set up BFC’s third of the evening. The forwards’ cross found Thoi in space and the winger capitalised with a smart finish from close range. 

Robin Yadav was brought down in the box late into the game and Lalhmingchhuanga stepped up to the occasion and struck it with power into the top left corner to make it four. With four minutes left on the clock, the goalkeeper split the ball and Edwin was there to tap it into an empty net. 

The Blue Colts face Roots FC next, on Saturday, at the same venue. 

 

Bengaluru FC, Dream United end in 1-1 draw in BDFA Super Division League opener

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC began their 2021-22 BDFA Super Division League campaign with a 1-1 draw against Bangalore Dream United, at the Bangalore Football Stadium, on Wednesday. Jagdeep Singh (4’) gave the Blue Colts an early lead, before Nima Lepcha’s second half penalty (64’) levelled the score.

The Blue Colts started the game on the front foot, and almost took the lead in the third minute when Lalthangliana lobbed the ball over the onrushing Dream United goalkeeper Nidhinlal Moolakaveedu, but couldn’t power his shot into an empty goal. Jagdeep made amends a minute later, latching onto a loose ball at the edge of the box and curling his shot in, to put his team 1-0 up.

In the 20th minute, Lalthangliana found space inside the box and cut back to skipper Biswa Darjee, whose looping shot sailed just over the crossbar. Despite being pegged back for most of the half, Dream United had two good chances in the space of as many minutes to get the equaliser. Abdulla SK wriggled free of two defenders in the box but saw his shot sail over the bar, before T Hariharan’s effort from close range in the 39th minute whizzed past the face of the goal.

Dream United got back on level terms just past the hour mark, when the referee pointed to the spot following Robin Yadav’s handball in the box. Nima managed to squeeze his penalty past Manik Baliyan’s outstretched hands to make it 1-1.

Down to 10 men in the final minutes after R Suhas picked up a second yellow card, Dream United ambled with possession and defended in numbers to hold on to a draw. The Blues Colts are back in action on October 30, at the same venue, when they take on ADE FC.

Shivasakthi score five, Bengaluru FC register massive win against Income Tax

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC continued their winning start to the BDFA Super Division campaign with a convincing 8-1 defeat of Income Tax FC, at the Bengaluru Football Stadium, on Wednesday. Eighteen year old Shivasakthi was the star of the day, with his five goals helping Sandesh Bhoite’s side climb to the summit of the table on goals scored.

Bengaluru’s early pressure paid off with the side taking the lead in the 3rd minute when Lastborn Mawphiang ran down the right flank and his low cross into the box was finished by Shivasakthi. The second goal, 12 minutes later, was almost a carbon copy of the first. The striker managed to get to the end of a low pass into the box, with Monirul Molla getting the assist this time. Shiva then turned provider, as his pass found Ratanbi Singh who took the ball past Goushik in goal and finished into an empty net.

Shivasakthi got his hat-trick just before the half hour mark, when he intercepted a pass on the halfway line, carried it into the box and finished low past Goushik. Only three minutes later, he got his boot to Lalthangliana’s cross and beat the ’keeper to put the Blue Colts 5-0 up. Income Tax scored with their first shot on goal, when Vasanth managed to capitalise on a defensive lapse before beating Dipesh Chauhan at the far post. 

The Blue Colts dominated proceedings on the other side of the break, and it took only five minutes for them to add to the scoreline again. Shiva latched on to N.S. Shigil’s through ball, managed to feint his way past the ‘keeper before sending his marker the wrong way and finishing into an open goal.

Things went from bad to worse for Income Tax, when their custodian Goushik was shown a second yellow card after he was adjudged to have handled the ball outside the box. Bekey Oram, on as a substitute, scored from a free kick only moments later to put the Blue Colts 7-1 up. From the edge of the box, Oram managed to find a gap in the Income Tax wall and Andreco could only watch as the ball sailed past him. 

Bengaluru’s final goal on the day came from a mix up in the Income Tax defence. Akashdeep failed to get enough on his shot, but a failure to clear their lines saw the ball deflect off Shashidharan and into the far post past a hapless Andreco.

The Blue Colts are back in action on February 2 when they take on Students Union FC.

Bengaluru FC boys keep the ball rolling with 4-2 win over Deccan

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC came from a goal down to beat FC Deccan 4-2 at the Bengaluru Football Stadium on Wednesday. Coach Sandesh Bhoite made one change from the opening game of the BDFA Super Division season as Bekey Oram moved to the bench and Kamalesh replaced him for the Blue Colts.

Despite having the majority of possession and dominating the game, Bengaluru fell behind to a well-worked goal as Deccan moved the ball to the left flank and Kaviarasan’s first time finish from the cross beat Dipesh Chauhan in goal.

However, the Blue Colts took less than five minutes to equalise when Shivasakthi dropped back to pick up possession, turned his marker and thread in a through pass to Kamalesh. The midfielder took a touch before composing a firm, low finish past Dilip.

Early in the second half, Deccan had a chance to retake the lead when the referee pointed to the spot following a foul by Jagdeep Singh, despite the linesman deeming the contact to have happened outside the area. Dipesh did well to dive right and save Sajeesh’s effort to keep the scores level.

Four minutes later, the Blue Colts took the lead through Akashdeep Singh. The winger cut into the box and finished past the ‘keeper at the far post to give the Blues the lead. Only two minutes later, the Blue Colts won a penalty of their own when Shivasakthi was bundled over inside the area. Thoi Singh’s low shot beat Dilip, who went the wrong way, to make it 3-1.

Sajeesh then atoned for his penalty miss nine minutes from time when he rose high to head home from a corner, but all hopes of an FC Deccan revival were thwarted when the Blue Colts added one more to the board on the 90th minute mark. Lastborn Mawphiang carried the ball forward on a counter and picked out Omega Vanlalruaituanga, who finished from the edge of the box to make it 4-2 and seal the points.

The Blues are back in action at the same venue on January 27 when they take on Income Tax FC.

Bengaluru FC cruise past Young Challengers

 Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC began their BDFA Super Division League campaign with a convincing 3-0 win against Young Challengers FC, at the Bengaluru Football Stadium, on Friday. Lalhmunmawia’s goal in the first half was added to by strikes from Shivasakthi and Ratanbi Singh as the Blue Colts capped off a dominant performance.

Bengaluru were on the front foot from the start, with Sandesh Bhoite’s side camping in the opposition half, dictating proceedings for the most part. The first shot at goal came in the eighth minute when, with possession just outside the box, Bekey Oram saw an opening. The youngster’s opportunistic strike sailed just over the bar.

Bekey’s presence in the midfield was key to Bengaluru having a majority of the possession, and he was central to the move that put the side ahead. The midfielder won the ball in midfield, found Akashdeep Singh’s run with a perfectly weighted ball and Lalhmunmawia made no mistake in finishing the winger’s cross on the half volley.

Past the half hour mark, Shivasakthi got the ball at the edge of the box, turned his marker and evaded a few challenges but his shot lacked power and it was an easy save for the ’keeper. The final chance of the first half came in the 41st minute when Bekey’s danced past a few challenges and, with the ’keeper coming off his line, attempted a lob but was denied by a goal line clearance.

Five minutes into the second half, Bengaluru had a penalty and a chance to double their lead. Shigil NS, on as a half time substitute, won the spot-kick after he was brought down by Challengers’ goalkeeper Dilip V. However, Lalhmunmawia’s effort from the spot was saved by Dilip, who then did well to block the rebound.

Despite the miss, Bengaluru stayed on top of their game, and their persistence was rewarded in the 62nd minute when Shigil played Shivasakthi through. The Bengaluru forward found himself one-on-one with the ’keeper and beat him at the near post to double his side’s lead.

Shivasakthi then turned provider for Bengaluru’s third goal, as he found Ratanbi Singh on the overlap. The latter, who came on as a substitute, cut past his marker and unleashed a shot that bounced off the underside of the bar and into the goal. Dipesh Chauhan, a spectator for most of the match, showed good reflexes in the dying moments of the game to preserve his clean sheet.

The Blue Colts are back in action on January 20 when they take on FC Deccan at the same venue.

Bengaluru beat Bangalore Eagles, secure first win in this season in BDFA League

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC secured their first win of the campaign after overcoming Bangalore Eagles 1-0 in a Round 2 encounter of the BDFA Super Division League at the Bengaluru Football Stadium on Wednesday. Striker Edmund Lalrindika (49’) netted the only goal of the game, as Naushad Moosa’s boys moved up to 10th in the standings with 3 points.

The Blues Colts began the game on the offensive in a 4-3-3 formation, with Moosa making one change to the team as defender Muhammed Rafi replaced Robin Yadav. Sairuat Kima, Ajay Chhetri and Aditya Patra joined Edmund as the first team players in the squad.

Despite some early attacks by Bengaluru, it was the rivals who created the first close chance of the game in the 5th minute. Sairuat Kima’s weak pass was intercepted by Satish Kumar, and the attacker unleashed a first time effort that ’keeper Aditya Patra brilliantly tipped over on to the crossbar as the Colts breathed a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile at the other end, Bengaluru pushed ahead but with the Eagles playing a high pressing counter attacking game, Moosa’s boys were finding it tough to penetrate through their back line.

The second half began in the same was as the first, with BFC surviving a close chance. It was another defensive error from the Colts’ defense and once again it was Patra who came to the rescue to deny Satish Kumar again in the first minute of the second half.

Despite the shaky start to the second half, the Blue Colts gathered their composure and netted the opener in the 49th minute. Rafi, playing his first game this season, pumped in a long ball from the right flank to find Kima who flicked it on to the far post where an unmarked Edmund headed it home.

Both sides continued to attack each other for the rest of the half, but lack of a killer touch in the final third let them down as the game ended with a solitary goal.

Bengaluru FC now play Students Union in their third game on Saturday, November 23.

Bengaluru Reserves put eight past Hindustan

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC Reserves extended their winning run to three games, hammering Delhi-based Hindustan FC 8-0 in a completely one-sided affair at the Bengaluru Football Stadium, on Friday. The win took Bengaluru’s tally to 9 points as they cemented their position at the top of Group-A standings in the Hero 2nd Division League after they sealed their biggest ever win in the competition.

While Naushad Moosa’s boys controlled the entire game, it was a brace each from Parag Shrivas (16’, 43’) and Leon Augustine (51’, 57’) along with goals from Advait Shinde (11’), Myron Mendes (20’), Emanuel Lalchhanchhuaha (60’) and Altamash Sayed (61’) that gave Bengaluru a well-deserved win.

Dominating proceedings from the word go, BFC broke the deadlock in the 11th minute through a set piece. Altamash found Myron on the right, whose low cross into the box was finished off by Advait on the second attempt after his first was blocked by the ’keeper. Five minutes later, Myron with a long ball found Parag free on the left who ran past his marker before finishing off at the far post with a low finish.

Myron had a penalty kick saved by custodian Varun Bisht in the 19th minute before making amends a minute later with a close-range finish at the far post on Parag’s cross from the left.

The Blue Colts missed another penalty at the half hour mark when Altamash hit his effort from the spot wide, before Hindustan FC missed the third penalty of the afternoon when Jaskaran Singh too fired off target after Aditya Patra had brought Franko Paul down.

The hosts finally made it 4-0 minutes from the breather when Parag completed his brace heading home Altamash’s corner kick in from the left.

Bengaluru struck four in quick succession in the opening quarter of the second half. First it was Leon who poked home from close on Advait's pass after Myron's effort from outside the box came off the crossbar in the 51st minute. Six minutes later, he completed his brace tapping home Parag’s low ball in from the left.

Emanuel and Altamash scored two in as many minutes from outside the box around the hour mark to make it 8-0 for the Blue Colts. The home side had quite a few chances in the remainder of the second half, but some poor finishing and last-ditch defending from the visitors meant the score remained unchanged.

The league now breaks for three weeks with Bengaluru Reserves resuming their campaign with an away game against Hindustan FC in Delhi on February 25.

BFC Reserves host Hindustan FC in 2nd Division League today

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC are set to host Hindustan FC in their first home game of the Hero 2nd Division League 2018-19 when they face off at the Bengaluru Football Stadium today.

Going into the game on the back of two successive away wins Naushad Moosa’s boys are riding high on confidence. However, he expects his team to stay away from any complacency against a side who is yet to pick up any points.

While the Blue Colts’ have taken a three-point lead at the top in Group-A after two rounds, they’ve also netted eight times so far which is the most by any team in the 2nd Division this season. On the other hand, Hindustan FC come into the game on the back of two disappointing defeats. While they opened their campaign with a narrow 3-4 loss to ARA FC in Ahmedabad, they went down 0-6 to FC Goa Reserves on Monday. Playing their third successive away game, the Delhi-based side will be eager to bounce back and get their first points of the campaign against BFC B.

“Hindustan FC have a lot of new players and it takes time for players to gel. After two games, they will definitely be in better shape and have an understanding of each other. They will be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of their team and will definitely try to come back stronger at us. I don't want my players to be casual in any game and certainly not on Friday. Winning or losing is part of the game, but it's important that they stick to our plan and enjoy the football,” added Moosa.

While the game will be the last before the league takes a month-long break for the Santosh Trophy, Moosa believes it’s vital for his colts to get a positive result on Friday. “I honestly wish we didn't have a long break as we don’t want to halt the momentum. At BFC, our philosophy is to play attacking football with the aim of winning every game, so momentum plays a big role. A few of our players will join the Karnataka State Team for the Santosh Trophy and this is a platform for them as well. The exposure and the games that they play will help them build confidence when they return for the second half of the campaign.”

The game kicks off at 3.30 pm at the Bengaluru Football Stadium. 

Bengaluru announce 25-member squad for ISL

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru Football Club have named their 25-man squad for the 2018-19 edition of the Indian Super League which kicks off in little under two weeks, the club announced on Tuesday.

Having selected a new-look squad from the player-draft after making the move to the ISL last year, the Blues, who finished top of the league with a record tally of 40 points, have retained as many as twelve players this season while five youngsters make the move up from Bengaluru FC B.

Head coach Carles Cuadrat who took charge of the side in the AFC Cup Inter-Zone semifinal last month, has been working hard with the boys and expects a tough season when the league kicks off in two weeks. “Our season began much before most clubs given we had our AFC Cup commitments. This has given us time to work with the squad we have. We have managed to retain a fair number of players from last season which is always a good thing. This season will also see five players from Bengaluru FC B fight for a place on the team and that is always encouraging as a club. There’s a good mix of experience and youth and every one of the players is hungry. It’s going to be a tough season, but one that we will give everything we have,” said the Spaniard.

While Sunil Chhetri will continue to lead the squad in his sixth season as a Blue, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, defenders Rahul Bheke and Harmanjot Khabra along with attackers Boithang Haokip, Thongkhosiem Haokip and Udanta Singh are the Indian players to be retained. Midfielder Kean Lewis and defender Sairuat Kima are the new domestic players signed earlier this season while, defenders Rino Anto and Gursimrat Singh Gill and goalkeeper Soram Poirei return to Bengaluru.

Among the foreigners, Miku, who netted 20 goals last season will lead the forward line alongside Chhetri and joining him are Dimas Delgado, Juanan Gonzalez and Erik Paartalu. With the teams now allowed to sign only seven foreigners, as compared to eight last season, the Blues have brought in Xisco Hernandez, who made his debut last month in the AFC Cup, as well as attacker Chencho Gyeltshen and new signing Albert Serran.

The five BFC B boys making the move up to the first team include Bidyananda Singh and Asheer Akhtar, who have made their BFC debut in the AFC Cup, along with Altamash Sayed, Aditya Patra and Ajay Chhetri. While all five impressed for BFC B in the 2nd Division League last year, Ajay was even part of U18 team last season and helped the team all the way to the final phase of the Youth League in Shillong.

The Blues begin their Indian Super League campaign against defending champions Chennaiyin FC at the Fortress on September 30.

Team

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Soram Poirei Anganba, Aditya Patra (U21)

Defenders: Rahul Bheke, Albert Serran, Sairuat Kima, Juanan Gonzalez, Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Rino Anto, Nishu Kumar, Asheer Akhtar, Gursimrat Singh Gill

Midfielders: Erik Paartalu, Kean Francis Lewis, Dimas Delgado, Bidyananda Singh, Boithang Haokip, Francisco ‘Xisco’ Hernandez, Ajay Chhetri (U21), Altamash Sayed

Forwards: Nicolas Ladislao Fedor ‘Miku’, Sunil Chhetri, Thongkhosiem Haokip, Udanta Singh, Chencho Gyeltshen 

BFC colts begin U15 Youth League against Roots Football School

Bengaluru FC Media 

It’s the start of the competitive season for Bengaluru FC Under-15s as they kick off their campaign in the 2017-18 edition of the U15 Youth League against Roots Football School at the Centre of Sports Excellence in Yelahanka on Friday, 27th October 2017. 

Drawn in the Karnataka Zone, the Blues are grouped with five other city-based teams in Bangalore Youth Football League, Stadium Sports Foundation, Boca Juniors Soccer School and Ozone FA apart from Roots Football School.

Led by Ghanian coach Sadiq Abubakar, the Under-15s are based at the BFC Residential Academy in Bellary and have played a host of friendly games in Karnataka, Navi Mumbai and Goa preparation for the competition.

All the home games of the Under-15s will be played at the FSV Arena in Hennur, while the other teams will host their games Bangalore Football Stadium in Ashoknagar and the Centre of Sports Excellence in Yelahanka.

Meanwhile, newly formed BFC ‘B’ will also be in action in their first ever competitive tournament, when they take on Viva Chennai in the quarterfinal of the 12th G. V. Raja All India Football Tournament at the Chandrassekharan Nair Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram , Kerala.

Organized by the Thiruvananthapuram District Football Association, the annual G. V. Raja Tournament kicked off on 23rd October, and features 12 teams from all over India. Led by Naushad Moosa, BFC ‘B’ left for Kerala on Wednesday, and are seeded directly into the quarterfinals, and will play their semifinal game on the Sunday 29th, if make it through to the last 4. The final is scheduled on 5th November. 

Bengaluru FC ‘B’ ready for inaugural season

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC announced a 28-member squad which will be part of the club’s first ever reserve side, known as Bengaluru FC ‘B’, for the 2017-18 season.

The squad, led by AFC Pro-License holder Naushad Moosa, is formed with a view of bridging the gap between the BFC Academy and the first team. Keeping the player pathway as the focal point of the Blues’ newest project, the management is committed on providing the best facilities at a professional level for up and coming Indian talent and has signed several young players for the season.

While two graduates, Leon Augustine and Prashanth Kalinga, from the inaugural batch of BFC’s Residential Academy in Bellary have been drafted into the squad, seven exciting players from the India U-19 set-up have also been signed. These youngsters, along with six other BFC Academy players who are part of BFC ‘B’, are eligible to represent the Blues in the U18 I-League.

Meanwhile, five players from the squad - Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Robinson Khumukcham, Prashanth Kalinga and Leon Augustine - are part of the Blues squad for the ongoing AFC Cup 2017.

Club CTO Mandar Tamhane said, “When we started the BFC Residential academy, we also had plans for BFC ‘B’. With competitive action at the national stage only available till the Under-18 level, it’s very crucial for youngsters graduating out of the academy to get competitive action. At 18, not all players are ready for the intense demands of the first team, and so with the ‘B’ side we are trying to bridge that gap. It’s no different than our first team, and along with a few graduates from our academy, we have scouted for some talented young players from all over the country who do have the potential to progress through to our first team.”

Head Coach Naushad Moosa said, “It is very important to have a reserve side in a club. With Bengaluru FC ‘B’, there’s a platform for youngsters to improve their game while rubbing shoulders with the established stars and getting a ton of competitive action at the same time. We know this season is going to be a challenge for us, but the management has provided with a great structure.”

The squad, formed predominantly with Under-23 players, has been training over the last few weeks at the Bangalore Football Stadium, and will be playing in the 2nd Division League, conducted by the All India Football Federation, apart from the upcoming BDFA Bengaluru Super Division, and other all-India level tournaments.