Bengaluru - Mohun Bagan face-off in AFC Cup

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC will look to get their AFC Cup campaign off to the perfect start when they take on League rivals Mohun Bagan for a second time in four days at the Kanteerava Stadium, in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

Albert Roca’s team created history last November in Doha by becoming the first Indian club to make the final of a continental competition when they played eventual champions and Iraqi side Air Force Club who edged the Blues 1-0. While Roca said his team would draw confidence from that phenomenal run, he admitted that the slate was clean and the attempt for an encore would only be tougher. “What we achieved last season in this competition was special. But now we are back to square one and we will have to work twice as hard. The fact that we made the final last year does give us confidence but it doesn’t let us take anything for granted,” said the Spaniard.

A tweak in the format this year pits two Indian clubs against each other for the first time in the competition, adding to the history that this new yet fierce rivalry Bengaluru and Bagan share.

The two sides played out an entertaining and furiously-paced 0-0 draw on Saturday and with only 48 hours to recover, it would be interesting to see whether Round Two will be as intense on the physical front. “The schedule is punishing and tomorrow’s game will be our fourth in nine days. But we’ve got work around the circumstances and deliver. We had a recovery session on Sunday and I’m confident that the boys will have enough to give what is a very important game, everything,” said Roca.

Though the Blues have been batting indifferent form in the League, there have been a fair number of positives from recent performances that Roca’s boys can take into the game on Tuesday. John Johnson’s return to the side has brought with it some much-needed stability at the back, while young Nishu Kumar has been growing in confidence with every passing game in the left-back position. Eugeneson Lyngdoh was handed a start on Saturday and the midfielder showed glimpses of the confidence he had been missing as the Blues took the fight to Bagan in an inspired second half showing.

New signing Marjan Jugovic, who has AFC experience, got close to 30 minutes on the weekend and it’s left to be seen if Roca deems him ready to start against the Kolkata club.

“The game against Bagan was a tough one but I am very pleased with the way we took the fight to a good team that is contending for the League title. Let’s hope we can finish our chances on Tuesday.”

Meanwhile Bagan will look to use the threat of winger Sony Norde who was kept quiet all evening by the Bengaluru defence.  Coach Sanjoy Sen has options in attack in Jeje Lalpekhlua and Balwant Singh and the latter, in all likelihood, could be handed another start.

Bengaluru share points with Mohun Bagan in high-voltage draw

AIFF Media
Bengaluru FC Media

A pleasant evening at the Garden City witnessed the duel between winners of the last two editions of Hero I-League. Bengaluru FC despite playing with one-man advantage for good 30-minutes, failed to break Bagan defense the match ended in a 0-0 draw. 

Also, it was a duel of sorts between the hundreds of Green and Maroon fans who travelled across the country and the home grown Blues’ supporters who flocked to the fortress to see their team’s win.  

Mohun Bagan kicked-off from left to right. Playing with a 4-4-2 formation - Darryl Duffy and Balwant Singh on the attack. 

The visitors made the first positive move in 4th minute orchestrated from the left flank. BFC got their initial chance in the 8th minute when Captain Sunil Chhetri fouled in the top of the 18-yard box, however the shot went wide. 

Earlier, Bengaluru continued with the same starting eleven from their last round match (against Chennai City FC) keeping Serbian Marjan Jugovic on the bench. 

Exchanging attacks Duffy took a nice lurking shot in the 18th minute, Bengaluru keeper Arindam put his fingertips to avoid the danger. 

Attacking football from both ends made the game beautiful for the fans. 

Keeper Arindam again came in action when Katsumi’s free-kick from a close position, which he earned from a foul that Balwant connected spectacularly saved. 

It was the Japanese Katsumi Yusa seen spearheading maximum attacks from the right flank for the visitors. Scot Duffy seen coming close to goal 

Bagan kept on adding pressure for most of the first half, missing target in few occasions. 

Back in the game post lemon break, Bengaluru pressed hard in Bagan defense, garnering couple of free-kicks and corners with no positive outcome. 

66th minute saw a brilliant thru from Katsumi for Haitian international Sony Norde that had goal written on it, unfortunately called offside. 

Few minute later Bagan suffered a big jolt when left back Subhasis Bose was given marching order by referee Srikrishna. Coach Sen promptly replaced striker Duffy with Prabir Das, playing as left full-back. 

High time for Bengaluru to put pressure on Bagan defense with one man advantage. 

A header from Sony Norde’s free-kick was put on the back of the Bengaluru’s net much to the joy of the Bangan crowd piled on the lower East Block. However, referee cancelled out owing to an infringement on keeper. 

The final five minutes saw a barrage of attack from the blues, but the Bagan defense kept calm and avoided late danger. 

Bengaluru FC keeper Arindam Bhattacharya took away the Hero of the Match. 

Bengaluru square off with Bagan as league switches gears

Bengaluru FC Media 
AIFF Media 

After witnessing a freaky Round 13 where all the home teams failed to register a win, Bengaluru FC take on Mohun Bagan tomorrow at their fortress Sree Kanterava Stadium. 

Bengaluru failing to register an away win against newbie Chennai City FC have been without their first choice keeper Amrinder for a while. The required understanding between defense is yet to build - resulting the first goal in their last match. 

Averting a close call against Mumbai FC at home, Bagan came in the Garden City sans custodian and most consistent performer of previous two seasons Debjit, out injured in the last match and medio Pranoy Halder. 

Bengaluru returning late evening yesterday (after playing Chennai) opted for evening practice today while Mohun Bagan practiced in the morning at the venue. 

Speaking to media in the pre-match press conference, Bengaluru coach, Albert Roca in his customary manner termed tomorrow’s encounter as a tough game, “Mohun Bagan is in title contention, they’ve come here to fight for three points. Also, it is time for us to play well and ensure we win.” 

Now that the hope of retaining Hero I-League is fading away, are they in a dilemma to focus on the AFC game, which they will be playing against the same opponent three days later?
“We always focus on our very next game. In our mind, we have the first game (tomorrow) to fight, and then we’ll take the next game. ” opined the Spaniard. 

He further added, “We’ve been generating lot of chances, but most important is to score - we need to be more aggressive inside the 18-yard box, strikers should score more goals.” 

Bengaluru have been fairly unlucky, few of their goals in away matches have been disallowed. Coach, not sounding frustrated, said, “We will not surrender, we will keep working, keep trying, and let’s see how we change our luck!” 

The champions of two seasons back, Mohun Bagan have task cut out should they want to be in title contention. Coach Sanjoy Sen is under immense pressure after giving away 5 points in last two rounds. 

“Priority is 3 points - this is important for us to stay afloat for championship and definitely I-League is our priority!”

Adding to the misery is the last two matches where team took lead and conceded two quick goals. However, what is comforting Sen is the performance of second-half in their last match, and hopes to continue that performance tomorrow. 

Sen feels that there’s no added pressure, “Teams from Kolkata always play for championship, now we have an addition in Bengaluru FC, who too are doing well. Of course there is pressure, but we’ve to overcome it by playing well, scoring and winning.” 

Defense seems to be the main worry and they’ve failed to hold lead many a times. There’s a long list of injured defenders in Raju Gaikwad, Kinshuk Debnath, and Kean Lewis. 

An exciting match in prospect as Bengaluru FC have never beaten Mohun Bagan at their fortress and failed to muster in previous two seasons.  

The match is scheduled at 7:05 pm and will be telecast live on Ten 2 television channel.