Dying minutes winner keep title hopes alive for FC Bengaluru United

Bengaluru FC & FC Bengaluru United Media 

FC Bengaluru United (FCBU) kept their title hope alive by winning a must-win game against the favorites Bengaluru FC. In the dying minutes it was Ronaldo, who calmly tapped the ball to the back of the net and snatched a thrilling 3-2 win 

Few dubious decisions that went against Bengaluru FC marred the proceedings after the game and Bengaluru’s Harpreet was shown a red card. 

FCBU broke the deadlock in the 34th minute courtesy Asraf’s smart corner. Trinidad and Tobago international Robert Primus jumped highest from a corner and headed home at the far post to put his side 1-0 up. 

The Blue Colts were back on level terms just 13 minutes into the second half. Shivasakthi found space between the FCBU’s central defenders, got to Kalamesh’s through ball and placed his shot to the ‘keeper’s left to make it 1-1. 

It took less than five minutes for FCBU to retake the lead. From a corner, English forward Daniel Carr managed to put the ball into the far corner to put them 2-1 up.

The Blue Colts were denied a chance to restore parity when the referee refused to acknowledge Robin Gurung‘s handball in the box. However, BFC dug deep, kept attacking the FCBU goal and were rewarded deep into stoppage time. Unmarked at the edge of a box from a corner, Damaitphang got his header into the top corner with the ‘keeper well beaten. 

Despite getting the equaliser late in the game, FCBU converted the final chance of the game to lead 3-2 with virtually the last kick of the day and leapfrog the Blue Colts to the top of the table, taking the title race to the final round of the league. 

Bengaluru FC sign fifth Spaniard in Edu Garcia

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC completed their quota of foreign signings and finalized their squad for the upcoming season with the addition of Spanish winger Eduardo 'Edu' Garcia Martin, the club announced on Saturday. Having penned a one-year deal, Edu becomes the eighth overseas player and the fifth Spaniard in the squad for the Blues’ maiden season in the Indian Super League.

Head Coach Albert Roca welcomed his fellow countryman to the Blues’ fold and said, “Edu is an exciting young winger. His versatility down the flank will provide us with great options in terms of personnel as well as our game plan. He will be a great addition to our squad and fits in well with our philosophy.”

Twenty-seven-year-old Edu, who joins the Blues from Spanish side Real Zaragoza, shared his excitement ahead of his first overseas stint, “I'm very excited for joining the club. From the first time, I liked the idea of playing for Bengaluru's team in the Indian Super League. Football in India is growing a lot and it's an important challenge for me. I hope I can help the club to reach the objectives for the season. I can't wait to start!”

Born in Zaragoza, Edu joined his home side Real Zaragoza's youth setup in 2002, aged 12. He progressed through the ranks at the club before making his debut with the reserves during the 2009–10 campaign, in Tercera Division.

In 2012, Edu joined CD Ebro before moving to fellow league team SD Ejea the following season. In July 2014, he returned to Ebro and scored career-best 16 goals during his first season, helping his team gain promotion to Segunda Division B, before adding a further eight in his second season.

The winger then sealed a return to Real Zaragoza in at the start of the 2016-17 season and made 27 appearances for the Los Maños helping them finish 16th with 50 points in the Segunda Division.

Bengaluru sign Bidyananda and Robinson

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC, today, announced the signings of midfielders Bidyananda Singh and Robinson Singh on two year contracts. While Bidyananda joins from ISL side Atletico De Kolkata, Robinson Singh joins the Blues from Mohun Bagan.

A defensive midfielder who progressed through the AIFF Academy ranks, Bidyananda joins the Blues after having represented India at the U13, U14, U15, U16 and U17 sides. The 19-year-old faced the Blues while playing for the AIFF U19s in a friendly in Bengaluru in 2015, a match in which he found the net.

“Bengaluru FC are the best in India and it is a big moment for me to sign for a club that wins trophies and competes with the best in Asia every season. I’m happy to get this opportunity and I’m looking forward to making the most of it,” said Bidyananda following the move.

Robinson, meanwhile, joins the Blues having represented Mohun Bagan for the last two seasons. The 20-year-old has also represented India at the U16, U17 and U19 levels. He was also part of the India team that took part in the AFC U23 Championship qualifiers in Doha, earlier in July.

“I’ve always believed that a move to BFC would be the best path for my career. In terms of the coaching, the professionalism and every aspect of football, this is the right place to be for any young footballer. This move is one that I’ve been working hard for, for a long time,” said Robinson.

Bengaluru set to host the first South Indian derby of the season

AIFF Media 
Bengaluru FC Media 

In a battle between clubs from the southern India, defending champion Bengaluru FC (BFC) take on the newbie Chennai City FC (CCFC) in the second round of Hero I-League at Shree Kanterava Stadium, Bengaluru tomorrow. 

Not many times the city witnessed a South Indian derby. Last time it was played was in 2011-12 season, between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Chirag United Club Kerala. Last time a match between clubs from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu was played in 2002-03, the seventh edition of erstwhile National Football League. In that season, Chennai had Indian Bank and Bengaluru had Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Indian Telephone Industries (ITI). In a 12-team league, Indian Bank survived relegation while HAL and ITI finished 11th and 12th respectively and were relegated in the next season. 

After a convincing win in the starting of the new season, Coach Albert Roca was upbeat, “We are at a stage to build up something, have to be consistent, and try to make things that we are prepared for. Our intention is to keep the team spirit that we have shown to our supporters in the first game.”

BFC have bolstered defense department by adding National player, Sandesh Jinghan, “Sandesh is a good player, he can help us to be stronger, but we have to give him time to settle down mentally, we can’t pressurize him for tomorrow’s game. I know I’m counting on him and I am sure he’ll be important for us in the future. 

Former Barcelona assistant coach looked content with the existing squad. “We have enough good players, I don’t expect any other players joining us. I am happy, we have a good balance in all departments. This is the squad I like!” 

Roca sounded cautious about his opponent, “CCFC got a good squad with most of the players having experience in playing I-League, they will also be hoping to score and put us in trouble. I am expecting tomorrow’s game to more difficult than the last one”, adds the Spaniard. 

He is not in favor of making too many changes, he concludes, “Our first game was good, I don’t want to make too much changes, but the other players must be ready to get in as we are playing the next two matches within a week. 

Coached by Robin Charles Raja, Chennai City bolstered their lineup by adding players having experience in I-League - Karanjit Singh, Debabrata Roy, and Denson Devadas, foreigners Haroon Amiri and Echezona, and local boys Dharmaraj Ravanan and Dhanpal Ganesh. 

Charles is hopeful for tomorrow’s match, “We have started on a positive note, our first game was a draw, and we surely want to do well in the other matches.”  

With not enough preseason and late signings, they have task cut out. 

CCFC must be seeking inspiration from the other big club from South,”BFC maybe a different club but they too are from the same zone. Heard a lot about BFC. We are looking BFC as a role model, we’re learning, and hopefully we’ll catch up with them in coming days.”

Raja further adds, “We’ll give a tough time to BFC tomorrow, and we’ll do well as a team!”

Bengaluru sign ’keeper Nikhil Bernard

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru Football Club on Tuesday, announced the signing of goalkeeper Nikhil Bernard, who last played for I-League side Royal Wahingdoh, until the end of the 2015-16 season. The 26-year-old Bengalurean joins the Blues after securing promotion from the I-League second division with Wahingdoh before helping them finish third on the League table last season.

“I’m very happy to have joined Bengaluru FC. The opportunity to work with Head Coach Ashley Westwood and under the guidance of Goalkeeper Coach Ali Uzunhasanoglu excites me. The training sessions are very dynamic and modern and I’ve learned a lot already,” said Bernard.

Bernard completes Bengaluru FC's goalkeeping roster which includes Lalthuammawia Ralte and another signing in Amrinder Singh, who has joined on loan from Pune FC. 

Bengaluru to play against clubs from Malaysia, Laos, and Myanmar in AFC Cup

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC have been grouped alongside Lao Toyota FC, Ayeyawady FC and one of Johor Darul Ta’zim or Pahang FC in Group H of the 2016 AFC Cup, at the draw conducted here at the Asian Football Confederations’ Club Workshop, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday. Having qualified as cup winners after securing the Federation Cup last season, Head Coach Ashley Westwood is confident of his side putting on a good show in Asia once again.

“I’m happy and excited that the draw has finally taken place as it’s been a long wait since we experienced the AFC Cup last season. We enjoyed our time in the competition last year and we gave a good account of ourselves. We’re looking to do the same again this season,” said Westwood.

With the Blues travelling to previously unchartered territory in Laos and Myanmar, Westwood is confident that the trips will help broaden his side’s experience on the Asian circuit.

“You can’t really say whether the draw has been favorable or not, because all the teams are in it by virtue of being champions or cup winners from their own countries. What stands out is two countries we’ve not played in before with Myanmar and Laos. It’s an opportunity for the side to broaden their experience and we’re looking to go out there and put on good performances,” he said.

While Lao Toyota and Ayeyawady FC’s positions in the group are certain, Johor Darul Ta’zim, who won the competition last season will play in the AFC Champions League playoff. Should Johor fail to qualify to the group stages of the Champions League, the Blues would meet familiar foes in this season’s AFC Cup.

“We played Johor last season and put on a really good performance against them, so if it is to be them, it would be nice to face a side that we’re familiar with. Pahang recently had a good cup run in Malaysia and they have a good blend of foreigners and Malaysians, as does Johor,” Westwood opined.

The Blues begin their AFC Cup campaign with an away fixture against Lao Toyota FC on 24 February 2016.  

Schedule

• February 24, 2016: Lao Toyota FC Vs Bengaluru FC
• March 9, 2016: Bengaluru FC Vs Johor Darul Tazim/Pahang FC
• March 16, 2016: Ayeyawady FC Vs Bengaluru FC
• April 13, 2016: Bengaluru FC Vs Ayeyawady FC
• 27 APR, 2016: Bengaluru FC Vs Lao Toyota FC
• 11 MAY, 2016: Johor Darul Tazim/Pahang FC Vs Bengaluru FC 

Ernst & Young FC win BFC Corporate Football Rumble 2015

BFC Media 

Striker Lokendar Singh guided his team EYFC to a 2-0 victory over Hewlett Packard in an action-packed final of the BFC Corporate Football Rumble at the Bangalore Football Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Sunday. The second goal was netted by Umar in the 19^th.

It was Lokendar’s third goal of the day, having scored twice in the semi final against MindTree, which ended 5-1 in favour of his side. Other goals came from Chandan and Surjit, along with an own-goal. Mahesh pulled one back for MindTree in the 20^th minute.

In the second semi-final, HP overcame ANZ by a solitary goal that came in the dying minutes from Dhiran.

The victory makes EYFC the second corporate team to win the BFC Corporate Football Rumble, the 2014 edition having been won by Thompson Reuters. 

BFC Corporate Football Rumble - Day 1

Bengaluru FC Media 

Hewlett Packard registered a thumping 7-0 victory over Arbor Brewing Company while defending champions Thompson Reuters beat ITC Infotech 6-1 in Groups B and D respectively on day one of the BFC Corporate Football Rumble 2015 at the Bangalore Football Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Saturday. The goals for HP came from Strukt (2), Paul (2), Solomon (2), and Arjun. Thompson Reuters’ goal scorers were Kalai, Surender, Dario (2), Nikhil and Reynold. The loan goal for ITC was netted by Prince.

In other matches, KPMG blanked ITC 6-0 with prolific goal scorer Umashankar finding the net four times and Bharath twice.  There was more grief for Arbor as they suffered a 5-0 defeat to SIEMENS in another Group B encounter. Raju (3), Harshit, and Odneil found the net for SIEMENS.  In Group C, Amazon beat Ernst and Young 4-2 and lost to ANZ 2-0, while EYFC beat ANZ 2-0.

The final round of group games take place tomorrow, with the knock-out rounds scheduled for later in the day.

Westwood: We want to put up a good show in the Asian level

Bengaluru FC couldn’t have asked for a better start. After winning I-League last season, they have recently won the Federation Cup. Only club from the Garden City after ITI (who won the inaugural edition back in 1977)!

Here’s an interesting trivia, other than losing out to Salgaokar in tie-breaker (after a goalless draw for 90‘+30‘minutes) in Durand Cup, they’ve lost only to Shillong Lajong in an away match in March last year. So two defeats in last 10 months.

They have a packed season ahead including AFC Champions league qualifiers. Coach Ashley Westwood feels his boys have worked on their fitness level in last 5 months, and conditioned well for a long season. “Other than Josh Walker, who picked up an injury in the Federation Cup finals, the rest of the team looks fine. They’re in great form, only hope to be consistent, and carry forward to the rest of the season”, says coach.  

Last season Ashley got a more compact team comprising of 14 core members. In this season until now, he has rotated with 18 players. 

BFC seems to bully India’s best football club for the past decade Dempo as they have defeated them in past 3 occasions, and meeting them again on coming Saturday, January 18. 

Owing to FIFA U-17 World Cup work, the blues will be moving out from their fortress Bangalore Football Stadium to much bigger Kanteerava Football Stadium. Also, that would mean moving on from artificial turf and playing in natural turf. 

In spite of being the I-League and Federation Cup champions, pressure doesn't deter him believes the gaffer, “There was pressure last year too - as a debutante, we started our season with a bang, 4 win and a draw in the first 5 games. Quite quickly the word was out that we’re a team to beat, and every team raised their game against us! 

Generally prioritizing games has been a challenge for the Indian clubs who qualify for Asian clubs, most of the time faltering in the Asian-level. However, coach takes match by match feels his priority is the next game, rather than prioritizing I-League or AFC cup.  

“We want to play well and defend our title and put up a good show in the Asian level”, the gaffer proudly signs off.

[Pic Gallery] Pre-season friendlies - Bengaluru FC in Guangzhou, China

Pic: Bengaluru FC

BFC 0 Vs Eastern AA, Hong Kong 2 - Beikhokhei battles with an Eastern AA player

BFC 0 Vs Eastern AA, Hong Kong 2 - Rooney's run is halted by an Eastern AA defender

BFC 0 Vs Eastern AA, Hong Kong 2 -  Beikhokhei battles with an Eastern AA player

BFC 0 Vs Guangzhou R&F, China 3 -  Eugeneson tries to block a pass from a Guangzhou R&F player

 

BFC 0 Vs Guangzhou R&F, China 3 - Thoi battles for possession with a Guangzhou R&F player

BFC 0 Vs Guangzhou R&F, China 3 - Beikho vies for the ball with a Guangzhou R&F player

BFC 0 Vs Guangzhou R&F, China 3 - Thoi makes a pass under pressure from a Guangzhou R&F player

BFC 0 Vs Guangzhou R&F, China 3 - Lyngdoh attempts a pass 

Bengaluru begin their pre-season training

BFC Media 

Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood said his team is unfazed by the pressures of their title defence as the I-League champions kicked-off their pre-season training at the Bangalore Football Stadium, in Bangalore, on Friday. 

The team, including the four new signings, went through a light session and Westwood stressed the need to get the boys to the standards the coaching staff has set for them, this season. “We are looking forward to the season and cannot wait to get started. We’ve only been away four weeks but it feels like ages. We have valuable additions and will stress on setting a platform for the coming season,” said Westwood. 

While Bengaluru FC may not have shopped for the more famous names in the summer, Westwood believes the new signings bring with them just what the club needs. “In Lalchhuanmawia, we have a left-back who is athletic, has ability, a good left foot and more importantly will be serious completion for Keegan (Pereira). Eugeneson (Lyngdoh), in the midfield, has played well against us and is good with both feet while Udanta (Kumam) – for me – is one of the best young players in the country. He is a rough diamond and will learn things here.” 

The gaffer believes the inclusions will create competition within the team for places in the starting XI. “We need genuine competition. Look at the German team. They would have made two or three changes and you wouldn’t even notice. It is important to create an environment like that.” 

The biggest signing for Bengaluru FC this season was that of marquee player and former England under-20 skipper, Joshua Walker. The Englishman replaced Liberian John Menyongar – a move that raised a few eyebrows given the impact the latter had on Bengaluru’s title triumph. But Westwood put the questions and doubts to rest. “Menyongar was a No.10 – an attacking midfielder. But we had to get him to adapt in a role that suited our style of play. With Josh, he is more naturally suited to play in that position. He has a good range of passing. While both have their own strengths, Josh ticks a few more boxes than Menyongar. Also, he is ten years younger than Menyongar and at this club, we have our eye on the future.” 

“But I have always maintained that we have to respect what Menyongar did for this club. If we could have had five foreign players, he would still be at the club. I’m sure Manchester United wanted to keep Rio Ferdinand and Chelsea, Ashley Cole. But that’s football – you have to evolve and improve. You can’t stand still.” 

Apart from defending their I-League title, Bengaluru FC will compete in the AFC Cup and Westwood says the team will definitely have a plan. “We are going to go into Asia which means coming across teams with different styles. We’ll work with different combinations and situations and that’s what pre-season is for,” concluded Westwood. 

Bengaluru FC sign former English U-20 captain and EPL player Josh Walker

BFC Media  

Bengaluru FC, on Monday, named English midfielder Joshua Walker as their marquee signing for the coming season. Walker’s credentials include captaining the national team’s under-16, 17 and 20 sides, turning out for Middlesbrough in the English Premier League and scoring against Bayern Munich in a UEFA Cup Round of 32 game while on loan with Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen in 2008. He was also skipper of the England team in their under-20 World Cup campaign in 2009. The club have signed him on a one-year deal. 

The big catch in Walker means Bengaluru FC have completed their list of the stipulated four foreigners for the season after striker Sean Rooney and the central defensive pair of John Johnson and  Curtis Osano signed new deals with the I-League champions. 

“I am very excited to start this chapter of my career with the champions of India. I’ve been with John Johnson at Middlesbrough and he has only nice things to say about his stint with Bengaluru FC. I am also looking forward to play under Ashley Westwood. I cannot wait to get there and play in front of the amazing fans of the club of whom I have heard much about,” said Walker.
Walker began his career at Middlesbrough where he progressed through the youth system before making his first-team debut for the club in 2006. His four-year spell at Middlesbrough included loan spells to Bournemouth, Northampton Town, Rotherham United and Aberdeen. 

Walker spent last season with Conference Premier team Gateshead for whom he scored 5 times in 30 appearances.  

Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood said he was pleased with the club’s latest acquisition and that he had no doubt about the impact Walker would have in the team’s title defence. “Joshua is a talented player, comfortable with both feet and has a great attitude. He will fit in seamlessly into our scheme of things. There’s a fair number of clubs in England that were chasing his signature and it says a lot that we, at Bengaluru FC, have made him our player. Getting him also means we have been able to abide by the AIFF’s rule of signing a marquee player,” said Westwood. 

[PICs] Bengaluru FC vs United Sports - Away

Courtesy: Bengaluru FC and United Sports Media

[PICS] Bengaluru FC Vs Sporting Club de Goa Press Conference & Practice - I-League, 2013-14

Bengaluru FC look to get back on the road

Press release

Bengaluru FC will look to bounce back from last week’s defeat against East Bengal when they take on Mumbai FC in what is the first of an important two away games that club plays at the Balewadi Sports Complex within a week. 

Bengaluru FC are on the third spot (13) with league leaders Salgaocar (16 - with a match more played) and Pune FC (13 - with better goal difference and a match less played). 

Hosts Mumbai FC finds itself in a precarious situation going into the Round 8 match against Bengaluru FC, at the Balewadi Sports Complex Stadium here on Saturday. They have lost three matches on the trot at home and a fall from No 5 to No 10 in the I-League standings!

“We are determined to get back on track. Two away games in four days will be a good test for us and it’s important that the team stays focused and does everything to ensure positive performances, “said Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood on the eve of the game.

Mumbai FC are going through a run they would like to end for certain, having  picked up just one point from their last four games and the Khalid Jamil-coached team would look to buck the trend at home. However, they will take on Bengaluru FC without their influential skipper Haroon Amiri. The Afghanistan player was sent off in Mumbai FC’s 3-2 defeat to Shillong Lajong last week and his absence at the heart of defense is something Bengaluru would do well to capitalize on.

Bengaluru FC skipper Sunil Chhetri said the team is focused and is keen to do well on Saturday. “An away game is always a challenge but we have been training well and hope we can swing the result our way against Mumbai FC,” said Chhetri.  

The Blues have enjoyed a fantastic start to the season and the loss to East Bengal was the only game where Westwood’s boys haven’t scored. They next play Pune FC on November 6.

Saturday's game kicks off at 3 pm.

[PICS] Bengaluru FC Vs Dempo I-League, 2013-14

Goal no. 1 that came from your Siam

Goal two and marching ahead

Admiring beauty

Gaffer any day!

Chhetri get past Samir naik

This was another gem from Rooney, scored, almost!

Creative medio Beto too had a bad day

 That's game, set, and match!

And that's the third one...

Gaffers intense look says it all

Surprise-surprise, he might demand a closed-door I-League match, you never know

[PICS] Bengaluru FC Vs Mohammedan Sporting, I-League, 2013-14