Shivajians beat Bengaluru, throw open Group B in Hero Federation Cup

AIFF Media 
Bengaluru FC Media

DSK Shivajians rode on Spanish import Juan Barraso's brace to defeat JSW Bengaluru FC 2-0 in the ongoing 38th edition of the Hero Federation Cup here at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, Odisha today (May 10, 2017), to throw open Group B.

A sly goal from the penalty spot in the 71st minute followed by a peach of a goal from a free-kick more than 30 yards out in the 76th minute from Juan Barraso led DSK Shivajians to a hard-fought win over their opponents.  

Meanwhile, DSK Shivajian’s win means that three teams out of four find themselves level on points in Group B. While Mohun Bagan still lead Group B with three points out one match and a goal difference of +4, both DSK Shivajians and JSW Bengaluru FC have gathered three points out of two matches played.

DSK Shivajian’s Korean import Kim Song Yong leading the line gave the Bengaluru FC defensive pairing a tough time. Flanked by Lallianzuala and Juan Barraso, Dave Roger’s men utilised the wings in the early minutes, searching for an early goal. In the 9th minute, Lallianzuala connected on a cross from the left flank, but he was flagged offside.

For Bengaluru, the first real chance came in the 19th minute when a corner kick was met by a thumping John Johnson header, only for the DSK to make a goal line clearance. Three minutes later, the Blues had another chance from a set piece after Juan Fernandez’s header flew inches past the DSK goal off a Cameron Watson free-kick.

Bengaluru FC despite dominating possession through the first half and enjoying healthy spells in the final third, could not make much of it. The half-time scoreline read 0-0.

The second half began in a different manner. This time it was JSW Bengaluru FC that attacked early on and DSK custodian Subrata Pal had to make two saves – first from a Eugene shot followed by palming away a corner kick.

Sunil Chhetri in front with Daniel Lalhimpuia while Nishu Kumar gave Bengaluru FC width on the flanks as the Blues adopted an attacking stance. On the other end, however, DSK Shivajians came close to scoring had it not been Ralte’s quick reflexes.

The Bengaluru custodian in the 50th minute palmed away a Lallianzuala cross which was aimed towards Kim’s direction. With no real pressure, Kim would have had a free header if not for Ralte’s quick thinking. Shortly after, Rohit Kumar tried to catch Ralte off his lines, but the former’s shot was misguided.

With neither team fostering any real goal scoring opportunity in the remainder of the time, the match culminated in the midfield where both cancelled each other out. In the 70th minute, DSK were awarded a penalty after Lallianzuala was brought down in the box. A cool finish by Juan Barraso from the spot gave Dave Roger’s men the lead.

In the 76th minute, Barraso scored a screamer from a freekick more than 30 yards out to double DSK’s lead. Dave Rogers and his men held on to the two-goal advantage as the full-time read 2-0. 

Bengaluru FC keen on steadier show ahead of DSK challenge

Bengaluru FC Media 

Albert Roca called his Bengaluru FC side to iron out the creases and keep things tight as the Blues ready to take on DSK Shivajians in a Group B clash of the Federation Cup, at the Barabati Stadium, in Cuttack, on Wednesday.

Bengaluru got their campaign off to a winning start with a 3-2 defeat of Shillong Lajong on Monday but made things harder than they needed be after coasting to a 2-0 lead. And Roca believes the margin for error will keep getting lesser as the tournament progresses. “We let our guard down after getting a two-goal lead and we were almost made to pay for it. We’re happy we could come away with a win and take a lesson back with us on not letting things slip when we are in control. We’re going to have to be very cautious against DSK because one small lapse can affect how your tournament pans out,” said Roca.

DSK suffered a 4-0 defeat to Mohun Bagan in their Cup opener and while they would be keen on their first points in the tournament, the Dave Rogers-coached side will also look to set right their 7-0 defeat at the hands of the Blues only a fortnight ago in the League.

“We cannot ride on the fact that we beat DSK by a heavy margin. I said in the press conference after that game that while the result was good, it’s not one that we will be talking about the next day. The slate is clean on Wednesday and we will have to earn our points.”

The Blues suffered a minor blip when John Johnson had to be substituted at the start of the second half with a thigh injury and Roca said he is in constant touch with the medical team with updates before he decides if the English defender will take the pitch against DSK or not. Goalkeeper Amrinder Singh who sat out of the win over Lajong with fever will also be a late decision for selection.

Roca will have a lot of positives to take back from the win against Lajong. Midfielder Eugeneson Lyngdoh seems to be getting better with every passing game while Udanta Singh has forged a good understanding with Harmanjot Khabra down the right. 

The game kicks off at 4 pm and will be beamed live on the Ten 2 network.

U18 I-League: Bengaluru and DSK play out goalless draw

Bengaluru FC Media 

A dominant Bengaluru FC U18 Academy side drew with DSK Shivajians in their opening Group C game of the U18 I-League, at the Barasat Stadium, in Kolkata, on Firday. The Blue Colts dominated proceedings by giving little or no space to their opposition and extinguishing any signs of an attack from he Pune outfit in midfield.

The John Kenneth Raj-coached side had a chance to go ahead in the 30th minute when Amay Morajkar, with only the ’keeper to beat, shot the ball straight into his hands. Sourav TP too came close when he dribbled past his marker and had only the ’keeper to beat. His shot, however was wide off the mark. The Blue Colts’ final chance came from a corner in the final minute, when a ball from Vignesh V fell to an unmarked Sourav who was unable to hit the target.

The Blue Colts face Minerva Punjab Academy in their second Group C clash at the same venue on Sunday.

Bengaluru look to keep momentum going against DSK

AIFF Media 
Bengaluru FC Media 

The business end of the Hero I-League at the Garden City will witness the winner of the previous edition, Bengaluru FC hosting DSK Shivajians tomorrow at the Sree Kanterava Stadium, Bengaluru. 

While the primary focus will be on the hills at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Aizawl where the front-runners of Hero I-League, Aizwal FC and Mohun Bagan will be battling it out, and probably winner of the Hero I-League title will be decided, the significance of the Bengaluru versus DSK match would be to maintain the winning form - both teams won their respective last round I-League matches.  

After winning two I-League tiles and finishing another one by a whisker, this edition of I-League must have been a disappointing one for the Steelmen. Out of League contention, they are making amends of their poor start in the League. With a couple good wins in the previous two rounds of I-League complemented by top performance in AFC Cup Group league stage, they stand a bright chance of finishing among top three in the I-League. 

The Pune-based corporate team Shivajians increased East Bengal’s woes by defeating them at their home on last Sunday. Arguably, a top performance, considering they’ve won only three matches playing 15 games prior to that. With three teams in 17 points, they would definitely like garner away points and take the sixth spot in the points table. 

DSK’s Keeper and Indian national player Subrata Paul was brilliant under the bar as he thwarted several of East Bangal attacks. A form that he would like to carry tomorrow. 

The match is scheduled at 7:05 pm and will be telecast live on Ten2 television channel.

Bengaluru stage second-half comeback, eke out a draw against DSK Shivajians

Bengaluru FC Media 

An inspired last 16 minutes that had a delightful Sunil Chhetri (74th) finish and a debut goal in a Blues’ shirt for Salam Ranjan (90th) saw Bengaluru claw back from two goals down to end things at 2-2 against DSK Shivajians, at the Balewadi Stadium, in Pune, on Sunday. The draw leaves the Blues on fifth position in the League standings with 10 points from six games.

With John Johnson serving a suspension, Albert Roca handed Keegan Pereira and Salam Ranjan Singh their first starts of the season while Sena Ralte was named on the bench.

In a first half that belonged to the hosts, Amrinder Singh turned up with a brilliant save off the line with his feet from a Holicharan Narzary shot in the 3rd minute. Juan Quero then had a shot come off the crossbar before Juan Gonzalez killed danger with a perfectly timed slide to get to the ball after Kim Song-Yong’s low cross had got past Amrinder across the face of the goal.

Bengaluru had a big chance of their own when Eugeneson Lyngdoh combined well with Vineeth before seeing a low drive whiz past the goal, needing only a Bengaluru touch to make it count. Having done well to keep the hosts at bay, the Bengaluru defence had a moment of horror as DSK got the lead in the 40thminute. Keegan, in failing to read Quero’s pass for Narzary, drew Amrinder off his line only for the DSK striker to get the ball at his feet and an empty goal at his mercy from where he made no mistake.

Struggling to string together attacks and looking completely bereft of ideas, Bengaluru were further pegged back in the 55th minute when Milan Singh’s long ball over Bengaluru’s high line of defence clipped Ranjan’s leg before rolling on to Narzary’s path. With only Amrinder to beat, the young striker put it through the ’keeper’s legs to make it 2-0.

But just when it seemed like the hosts were coasting with the game, Bengaluru pulled one back in the 74thminute through Sunil Chhetri. Picked up by a smart ball from Cameron Watson, the Blues’ skipper brought the ball down deftly with his chest before calmly putting it past Paul.

Throwing everything they had at the DSK defence, the Blues attacked with intent as shots from Chhetri and Vineeth were blocked away. The pressure paid off for the away side, as a corner swung in by Cameron Watson in the dying minutes was nodded home by Ranjan to bring things level.

Roca’s side would have walked away with the three points but for Lenny Rodrigues’ attempt in the dying minutes which struck the DSK woodwork as Chhetri’s attempted shot from the rebound hit a DSK player.

The Blues next face Minerva Punjab FC at the Kanteerava Stadium, on Saturday.

Bengaluru FC boys qualify for U16 Youth League semifinal

Bengaluru FC Media 

A goal from Rahul Rajan gave Bengaluru FC’s U16s side a 1-0 win over Red Star FC in the U16 Y-League, sending the John Kila-coached to the semifinal of the tournament for the first time. Sudeva FC’s win over DSK Shivajians was not enough as the Blue Colts ended the group stages with 7 points from three games, one more than the Delhi-based side. 

Despite attacking with intent for most of the first half, the young Blues were unable to find the Red Star net as Joseph Vanlalhruaia and Lalrintluanga squandered opportunities to take the lead. 

Starting the second half with renewed vigour, a pass from Vanlalhruaia over the Red Star back-line found Rajan unmarked as he trapped the ball and shot past the ’keeper to give BFC the lead. Red Star’s attempted forays into the Blue Colts’ area were thwarted away. 

Against the run of play, the Blue Colts almost doubled their lead as Chequvara’s attempted shot was parried away after the striker was sent through on goal. Kila praised his young side, who will now face one of Minerva Football Academy or Tata Football Academy in the semifinal. 

“I am proud of this team, their performances and the staff who’ve worked so hard in getting them to the semifinals of this tournament. There’s a lot of room for improvement and I’m sure that with the right direction, there’s more than just good results to come for these boys,” said Kila.

U-16 Youth League - Bengaluru win against Sudeva FC

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC’s U16 Academy side grabbed a late win against a resilient Sudeva FC from Delhi, in the U16 Y-League, at the Nagoa Ground, in Goa, on Thursday. After conceding in the early stages, the persistent Colts scored two in the 66th and the 82nd minute of the game to clinch their first win in the campaign.

Bengaluru suffered a setback in the 15th minute as Bupender Singh, Sudeva’s striker gave the opponents a lead early in the game. Just when the Colts seemed to have settled into the pace of the game, youngster Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, the goal scorer from the previous clash against DSK Shivajians, was stretchered off with an injury. The first half saw many chances for the Bengaluru side but Sudeva took the lead going into the break.

The Colts came out all guns blazing in the second half as they continued to display their dominance in possession and were rewarded with a goal in the 66th minute. A mistimed tackle by Sudeva’s defender allowed Lalrintluanga Chawnglut to score from the spot.

The game remained level until the 82nd minute when a delicate lob by Amay Morajkar saw the ball fall to the feet of Rahul Ranjan who got his name on the score sheet with a neat finish to give the Blue Colts their first win of the campaign.

The Colts next face Redstar Football Academy from Thrissur on Sunday.

Bengaluru FC Begin U16 Youth League with a draw

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC’s U16 academy side were held to a 1-1 draw by DSK Shivajians in an U16 Y-League Group C game in Nagoa, Goa, on Tuesday.

The Pune-based side took the lead in the 12th minute though a goal from . But the Colts were the clear attacking force in the second half, as they piled on attack after attack but failed to capitalise.

Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia saved the Blue Colts their blushes, controlling a long diagonal from Saqlain Khan before slotting past the DSK ’keeper five minutes from time. Kila’s side next take on Sudeva FC at the same venue on Thursday.

Bengaluru FC colts set for U16 Youth League

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC’s U16 Academy side will take on DSK Shivajians in the U16 Y-League, at the Nagoa Stadium in Goa, on Tuesday. The John Kila-coached side will look to build on their strong performance in the Rest-of-India Zone 1, where they topped the group, scoring ten goals and conceding just one.

Grouped with Red Star Academy (Thrissur) and Sudeva Football Club, a Delhi-based outfit apart, from the Pune-based DSK, Kila mentioned that the aim was to put out good performances to match those in the zonal stages.

“These boys have done well in the zonal round and we’ll be looking to build on that. Some of them have played with the U18s, so there is quality in the side and I’m sure it will reflect on the pitch tomorrow as we look for a win,” said Kila.


The game kicks-off at 9 am.    
 

Bengaluru share points with DSK, miss chance to grab the pole position

Bengaluru FC Media 
I-League Media 

Bengaluru FC squandered the chance to top of the League as sole leaders after the Blues played out a 1-1 draw against DSK Shivajians at the Balewadi Stadium, in Pune, on Wednesday. Eugeneson Lyngdoh’s first goal for the club this season was cancelled in a matter of minutes by DSK striker Asier Pierrick Dipanda’s header in the 37th minute to share spoils in what was a game played at a very fast pace.

The draw takes Bengaluru to 26 points, equal with Mohun Bagan who have played a game more than Ashley Westwood’s side. East Bengal are in third with 24 points, having played as many games as the Blues.

Bengaluru’s opener came in the 34th minute when Lyngdoh was at hand to tap home a rebound from close after Sunil Chhetri saw his freekick pushed to the post by Subrata Paul. But DSK found their equaliser just minutes later when Dipanda rose to nod home Juan Barraso’s cross from the left.

The hosts switched gears after the goal with Douhou Pierre, Dipanda and Barraso linking up well but the Blues defence refused to buckle under pressure, seeing the half through at 1-1.  

Westwood rang in three changes from the side that beat Mumbai FC on Saturday. Skipper Chhetri and defender Keegan Pereira made the starting XI along with young Daniel Lalhlimpuia who came in for Kim Song Yong.

The Blues began the second half with a change, Westwood bringing in Ranjan Salam Singh for Curtis Osano. The Englishman’s second change of the night came on the hour mark when he replaced Daniel with Lalchhuanmawia. The introduction of the nippy defender saw Chhetri move up to join CK Vineeth in attack.

The two almost combined for what looked like the lead when the skipper’s nod down from Rino Anto’s cross was intercepted by Milan Singh with Vineeth waiting at the other end. Minutes before the move, DSK were denied by the post after Pierrick’s diving header from a Baljit Sahni cross, grazed the woodwork on its way out. Pierrick came close in again in the 85th minute but this time Amrinder Singh didn’t need the post, diving on his left to push the strike out.

Bengaluru could have had the winner in the 87th minute but were left to rue woeful decision making by Thoi Singh. The midfielder, in the box with the ball at his feet and Chhetri to square a pass to, chose to strike instead. But with Paul having his angles covered, Bengaluru could only wonder what could have been.

The Blues next host East Bengal in Bengaluru on Sunday. 

Bengaluru FC meet DSK Shivajians in a key encounter

I-League Media
Bengaluru FC Media

With only four games left to play for, Bengaluru are a just a point behind leaders Mohun Bagan, having played two games lesser. The Kolkata side, who conceded at the death in a 2-2 draw away to Shillong Lajong on Tuesday, have now picked up just one point their last three games. 

While a win against DSK Shivajians would send the Blues two points clear at the top with a game in hand, the gaffer believes his side is well prepared for the challenge.

DSK Shivajians have an enviable task at hand of plugging spokes into the run and inevitably the visitors’ will go all out to take another step closer to win their second Hero I-League trophy after claiming it in their debut season in 2013-14.

DSK Shivajians have done well winning three of the six matches played at the Balewadi Sports Complex Stadium so far including the momentary wins against Kingfisher East Bengal and Sporting Clube de Goa in their last two matches played.

“We’re approaching the last two or three weeks of the season and we’ve got a big ten days in front of us. We play DSK then East Bengal and Salgaocar but we can only plan for the next game which is against DSK and we’ve done our homework and we’re well prepared,” said Westwood after the Blues’ training session on Tuesday.

Bengaluru FC have quietly been going on about their business this season. Ashley Westwood's boys are within touching distance of the league leaders and they have already started to sense their second Hero I-League trophy in three years. Young Daniel Lalhlimpuia turned up with the winner against Mumbai FC on Saturday, going to show the kind of depth Bengaluru has. The win also marked the return of Eugeneson Lyngdoh from injury and the midfielder showed more than just a few glimpses of what he brings to the team.

On the injury front, skipper Sunil Chhetri could be in the reckoning after missing out on the Mumbai FC game with a sore groin. “We've done our work and the lads are in good form. We're hopeful of having a few more bodies back on the pitch for this game and a few more selection problems which is what you want at this stage of the season,” opined Westwood.

The last fixture of round 15 will be telecast live on Ten 2 at 7:05 PM.

Bengaluru FC thrash DSK Shivajians, snatch the pole

AIFF Media 

Putting a much-improved show, Bengaluru FC thrashed DSK Shivajians 4-1 at the Sree Kanterava Stadium, Bangalore. Bengaluru scored two goals in each half - Sunil Chhetri opened the account for them, followed by Kim Song Yong. Shankar Shampangiraj and Seimilen Doungel scored one each in the second half. 

Other day Bengaluru coach Ashley Westwood expressed his worry about continuing with the same set of eleven players, particularly for the matches that his team will be playing in quick succession. He drafted Siam Hanghal, Keegan Perreira, Beikhokhei from the bench. Also, Medio Shankar returned after missing out the previous game. 

DSK Shivajians could only field two foreigners, coach Derrik Perrera could not get the services of their their third foreigner Aser Pierrick Dipanda owing to injury. 

First chance for the visitors came in 6th minute – right-half Israil Gurung got enough free space to carry the ball close to the box, however the shot was feeble and missed the target. 

Gurung got another chance the 11th minute when he anticipated Osano’s thru to the wing, he ran down for 10 meters only to deliver a harmless center. The ball was easily collected by Amrinder. 

Meanwhile BFC looked in no hurry, concentrated on ball possession.  

The host took the lead in 14th minute of the game via Captain Sunil Chhetri. DSK defense fouled Kim Song on the top of the box, a free kick was awarded, Chhetri’s accurate curler was out of keeper Subrata Paul’s reach. 

In 28’ minute DSK got a free kick from an identical position, unlike Chhetri, Douhou missed the target. 

DSK’s effort to come back on the game was put down by Kim Song Yong in the 32’ minute. Rino Anto came up from the flank and delivered an accurate center to unmarked Kim, the Korean’s header got the ball back of the net and gave his team 2-0 lead. 

DSK pulled one back in the added time of the first half - Douhou came to the right flank following the ball, took a short center, local boy and former Bengaluru FC player Sampathkumar Kuttymani smartly tapped the ball to the goal. 

Post lemon-break, BFC continued putting pressure. Third goal for the Blues came from a lovely move from the right flank. Rino Anto puts a low cross to the center, short-satured Beikho heads the ball diagonally to the goal, keper Paul could just about keep his hand to avert the goal. Following the ball, Shankar puts the ball to the net. 

Young Seimilen Doungel after replacing Kim Song joined the party and scored the fourth goal for his team in the 80th minute.  

Bengaluru FC were a far better team today, they could have pumped a few more in the later half, only if their strikers could find the target. DSK were up against a far superior team, they were nowhere in the game mainly in the second half. 

Local hero Shankar Sampingraj was adjudged the Hero of the Match. 

Bengaluru FC meet DSK Shivajians tomorrow

AIFF Media 


Coming from contrasting results in the previous round, Bengaluru FC and DSK Shivajians FC will meet in Round 7 of the Hero I-League to be played tomorrow, February 10, 7.05 pm at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru. 

Bengaluru FC suffered a setback when they lost 2-1 to 10-men Sporting Clube de Goa at home last Saturday while new entrant in Hero I-League, DSK Shivajians, struggling in 8th position in a 9-team competition defeated Mumbai FC in the Maharashtra derby at the Balewadi Stadium, Pune on last Sunday. 

Bengaluru’s midfield looked unstable in the previous round, perhaps to do with the absence of lively Eugenson Lyngdoh, out injured for five weeks owing to a hairline fracture. Also, holding medio Michael Collins, who debuted for the Blues could not make an impression.  

DSK Manager Derrick Pereira is having fair deal of experience in coaching in Pune with Pune FC till few seasons back is a worried man - mainly because of injury to several key players. 

“We are building the team and we’re yet to get the best combination,” points Pereira. The team from Pune have scored only one goal thus far from 5 matches. Forwards’ inability to convert goals is a matter of concern for Derrick. 

Bengaluru FC Gaffer is not taking his opponents lightly. “Derrick Pereira is an experienced coach, tomorrows match will be a tough game for us. They have few good foreigners in Douhou Pierre and Zohib Amiri who got loads of experience playing in India”, adds Ashley in his usual tone. 
“We have seen their game and done our homework”, assures Ashley.   

Medio Shankar Sampingiraj who had a brilliant game against East Bengal had to sit out in the last match. Coach clarifies, “Shankar was physically stressed after a great game against East Bengal. In our last game against Sporting, we fielded the best team. We have to play 3 games in 7 days. It is not possible to play the same 11 players for all the matches.” 

Bengaluru would be looking to make amends before they clash with the previous season’s Hero I-League winner Mohun Bagan on Saturday, February 13. 

Shivajians stops fine Bengaluru run in DSK Cup

BFC Media 

An extra-time goal from Cameroonian striker Aser Pierrick Dipanda consigned Bengaluru FC to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of home side DSK Shivajians A, ending the Blues’ run at the semifinal stage of the DSK Cup at the DSK Dream City football ground, in Pune, on Friday. The Blues side, comprising five academy players in the starting XI, showed tremendous levels of fitness to put on an impressive display but a goal on the counter secured progress for the hosts, who will play one of Dempo SC or Gangtok Himalayan SC in the final.

Bengaluru started on the attack, building up from midfield and recycling possession well to create a few chances down the flanks. Accompanied by a 16-year-old Shelton Paul in attack, North Korean striker Kim Song Yong came close to breaking the deadlock with a header that skimmed off the DSK woodwork in the 16^th minute.

Dipanda seemed to be at the end of every Shivajians move, with a first chance blocked by Blues’ defender Joshua Nallapalli before another attempt going high and wide of the frame at the stroke of half time.

Chances from both sides went wide in the second half as another goalless 45 minutes ensued. Bengaluru sent on U19 players Jonathan Piers and Akshay Kumar as a midfield battle ensued. Substitute Beikhokhei Beingaichho and Alwyn George combined well at the death but little changed as the first semifinal of the tournament went into extra time.

Bengaluru started on the offense in the added thirty but crosses from Beingaichho and Alwyn did little to trouble Shivajians ’keeper Abhishek Das, who did well to collect. Minutes into the second half of extra time, a long clearance from Shivajians defender Don Bosco found Dipanda in the Bengaluru third. The 26-year-old made no mistake as he placed his shot past a hapless Sharath K in the Bengaluru goal.

Bengaluru  gave it their all in search of an equalizer and almost found one when Kim headed Beingaichho’s free-kick inches wide of the target with five minutes left to play. Despite frequent forays into the DSK box, it wasn’t to be a night of comebacks.

Liverpool and DSK Shivajians launch international academy in Pune

Press Release

Liverpool Football Club in partnership with the Indian team DSK Shivajians Football Club today announced the launch of a full-time coaching academy in India, LFC International Football Academy DSK.  This academy will be a world class purpose-built residential complex, featuring full-size pitches, practice areas, classrooms, changing rooms, a gym, canteen, lecture theatre, residential and medical facilities.

The LFC International Football Academy will officially open in first week of January 2014 and will be a market-leading development center for young players in India, servicing DSK Shivajians. The programme, which will support aspiring young footballers up to the ages of 18, will provide promising players with the opportunity to develop their game in a professional academy environment.

“At the Academy in Liverpool we aim to develop outstanding players and good human beings. The results speak for themselves as just last season seven Academy players made their first team debuts. Education and community work is key to the development of our young players and we look forward to taking our knowledge and experience to India” said Academy Director, Frank McParland.

Coaches from Liverpool FC will work on the project in India and will pass on technical expertise from the Club to the players and coaches involved in the Academy. Over time the Club will introduce more full time coaches from Liverpool FC to oversee each age group at the Academy.

“This is the first time an English top-flight club has partnered with an Indian team to help them bring through local talent. Millions of our LFC family are based in India so we are very excited to be working with DSK Shivajians and being part of the game’s development in the country,” commented Chief Commercial Officer at Liverpool FC, Billy Hogan.

The brainchild of this strategic partnership is Mr. Shirish Kulkarni himself, Executive Director of DSK Group. Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Shirish Kulkarni said “This is a strategic move for us at DSK Shivajians FC and as well as for aspiring young footballers who will get the opportunity to train and get direct supervision from one of the world’s most reputed football clubs, Liverpool FC. We are delighted with this partnership and believe that this will go a long way in inspiring and honing skills of both current players and aspirants and give them an opportunity to actualize their potential.”

Mr. Kulkarni further added, “I am a footballer at heart and Liverpool has always been my favorite club. I have been playing from a young age with DSK Shivajians and a dream team till now was just that…a dream. However, it is today our privilege to be in a position where we can, not just help bring in a world-class pool of talent, infrastructure and expertise to Indian grounds but also to do it with a club that has my loyalties. I am very confident that this academy will go a long way in placing India strongly on the national and international map of professional football.”

DSK Shivajians will utilize their facilities at DSK Supinfocom International, situated in Loni for this facility. This new facility will also enable Liverpool FC to run its world-renowned soccer schools program giving youngsters the opportunity to learn how to play football the same way as Liverpool FC greats Robbie Fowler, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard.


This strategic partnership has been facilitated by India’s leading football consultancy Libero Sports India which has extensive experience in managing football projects as well as football players in the South Asia region.