Bengaluru Reserves beat ARA FC, remain unbeaten In 2nd division

Bengaluru FC Media  

Bengaluru FC B got back to winning ways with a dominant 2-0 win over Ahmedabad-based ARA FC in a Round 6 encounter of the Hero 2nd Division League at the Bengaluru Football Stadium, on Wednesday. Second half goals from Naorem Roshan Singh (47’) and Altamash Sayed (73’) sealed the points for Naushad Moosa’s Blue Colts, as they moved seven points clear at the top of Group A in the standings, while extending their unbeaten run to six games.

Going into the game after a goalless draw against LoneStar Kashmir five days ago, Coach Naushad Moosa made one change, with versatile midfielder Biswa Darjee replacing Sairuat Kima in the Starting XI. In a half that saw very few clear chances for either side, it was BFC’s Roshan Singh who came the closest to find the back of the net, but the winger’s left-footed grounder came off the upright after he managed to create space outside the box and take a swipe in the 36th minute.

ARA ’keeper Abhishek Das pulled off a point blank save from a Myron Mendes header after Altamash Sayed’s cross as both teams went into the tunnel with the scores unchanged. The second half sprung to life inside two minutes as the hosts broke the deadlock. Roshan Singh capitalised on a miscued clearance from Abhishek and slotted home from close for his fourth goal of the campaign.

The early goal gave Moosa’s boys a much-needed confidence boost, as they began dominating proceedings even more. With ARA just pushing up on counters, BFC B practically stayed put in the rival half for most of the second period.

Parag Shrivas had a good chance when he set on a solo down the middle, but his powerful drive was tipped over by Das in the 70th minute. However, the ARA ’keeper was helpless three minutes later when a quick interplay between substitutes Advait Shinde and Amay Morajkar on the right saw the latter send Altamash free in the box who took a touch before calmly finishing at the far post to make it 2-0.

Bengaluru FC B now travel north to face LoneStar Kashmir on Wednesday, March 27, in a fixture that has been rescheduled to take place at the Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex, in Katra, Jammu.

South United beat Fateh Hyderabad, register first win in second division

South United Media 

A cagey game saw both sides put on a disciplined performance, which South United FC (SUFC) did just enough to walk away with a narrow win in the end. While most of Fateh Hyderabad's attacking threat early in came through long throws, SUFC were reliant on some great wing play. However, both teams put on a stellar defensive show for most of the game and only saw themselves lose shape towards the end.

SUFC channeled most of their attacks on the left flank through Aaron and Sudipta. They were involved in the best chance of the first half as they created a great opportunity for Rungsing, whose composure let him down in front of goal.

The stand out performance of the half came from defender Amit Tudu who was at the end of every cross and made a number of important blocks to keep his side in the game.

The second half started in the same vein as the first, with time however, both sides began to venture forward much more.

This saw FHAFC press high up the pitch and win the ball in dangerous areas. On one such occasion they came within a hair's breadth of getting the lead but Jayanth's superb reactions kept them in the game.

Only a few minutes later, Aaron was released down the right, he did well to beat his man and roll the ball into Jotin Singh's path and he made no mistake from a few yards out.

The visiting side pushed hard in the remaining 20 minutes to pull level, but despite coming close on a couple of occasions, SUFC held out to clinch the win.

South United held to a 1-1 draw by Chennaiyin Reserves

South United Media 

South United FC (SUFC) were seconds away from registering their first win of the Hero Second Division League but were thwarted by a 92nd minute goal by Krishna Pandit. 

The opening few minutes saw SUFC dominate possession and make inroads into the Chennaiyin FC (CFC) half. They created some half chances early on troubling their backline but were unable to find a penetrative attack.

In the 15th minute, David took on a speculative shot from the distance that seemed more hopeful than anything, and it found its way past a flapping CFC keeper to give SUFC a 1-0 lead. CFC started to get into the game once they were a goal behind but struggled to test the keeper. Their threat from long throws seemed ominous in terms of being able to get a result form the game.

Meanwhile, CFC seemed poor at the back, allowing the SUFC down the wings and only thwarting attacks with last ditch challenges.

The second half saw CFC defend much better, they found themselves pushing SUFC back at times 

but the backline stood strong for the home side.

On one occasion, the keeper Jayanth had to intervene with a potentially match saving effort as Krishna Pandit got onto the end of a cross and directed the ball towards goal.

The goal that came for CFC in the 92nd minute came as a corner was floated into the box and after pinging around the box, it landed at Krishna’s feet and despite some pressure on him, he found the back of the net with a great driven strike.

Having waited till the 92nd minute to pull off a rescue act, the Chennaiyin FC Reserves side denied SUFC their first win of the season.

South United FC hold Chennaiyin FC Reserves in thrilling 3-3 draw

South United Media

An early lead for Chennaiyin FC indicated that they were going to have an easy cruise to a win but with a quality performance, South United clawed back into the game to walk away with a point. 

The game began at SSN Stadium in Chennai with the home team Chennaiyin FC in control and they capitalised on their quick start with some early goals. Krishna Pandit scored in the 11th minute to give his side an early lead, Rohmingthanga struck twice in the next 5 minutes to make it what seemed like an unassailable 3-0 lead by the 17th minute mark. 

South United FC seemed to settle down and find their groove only once they were trailing by three goals. They began creating some dangerous chances and found a quick breakthrough in the 22nd minute as Aaron ran on to a superb through ball from Magesh and cut the ball back for Sudipta to finish. 

The visiting team kept the pressure on the CFC Reserves goal on for the rest of the half and were seemingly denied a couple of penalty shouts. Both teams walked in at half-time with the visitors still trailing by 2 goals. 

Another penalty shout early in the second half saw SUFC come away frustrated again as the decisions went against them once again. It remained an exercise of attack versus defense as SUFC pushed forward and CFC remained pegged back in their own half. 

The 65th minute saw Cletus Paul replace Sharukh Rahman as SUFC threw forward all they had. They won a penalty in the 70th minute that Cletus stepped forward to drive home. 

With the score at 3-2, South United kept plugging away looking for an equaliser, but their quest for parity was dented by the sending off of Amit Tudu in the 81st minute as he saw a second yellow. 

The ten men of the visiting team still dominated the game though against a flailing Chennaiyin FC side. Their labours bore fruit in the 89th minute as Aaron’s cross found Cletus in the middle of the box and the striker smashed it into the back of the net. 

What had already been a dramatic game could’ve got better for South United FC as they had a chance to score form a corner late on but they were unable to convert it and had to settle for a draw.

Bengaluru FC colts crowned Super Division champions

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC were crowned Champions of the BDFA Super Division League in a glittering ceremony held at the Bangalore Football Stadium, on Sunday. The Blue Colts, who had sealed the title with a game to spare after their victory over ASC on December 27, were handed the prestigious George Hoover trophy for the first time in their six-year history.

Post an exhibition game against second placed Ozone FC, Naushad Moosa’s boys received their trophy from M.P. Swamy, Chairman of the Bangalore District Football Association.

The Blue Colts set a few records en route to their maiden title as they finished as the only team to win ten games. In fact, with 34 points in their kitty, they finished with a seven-point lead over second placed Ozone FC (27 pts from nine games). Bengaluru's tally of 46 goals scored was the highest this season and they also put an impressive defensive performance conceding just four goals in thirteen games, the least among all 14 teams in the Division.

Speaking on the historic occasion, Bengaluru FC’s Chief Technical Officer Mandar Tamhane said, “We came close on a couple of occasions in the past but’s a great achievement for the club to finally get over the line and claim this elusive trophy. The BDFA Super Division League has provided a great platform for our Colts to get valuable game time which was the idea behind forming the team last season. Their triumph in the Puttaiah Memorial Cup earlier in the season and the Super Division title now just shows how much progress the boys have made under Naushad Moosa and also attests our player pathway. The league has been improving every year and the experience that our boys had this season will definitely help them in the 2nd Division League campaign that begins this week.”

Coach Naushad Moosa was delighted with the triumph but also highlighted the hard work put in by the boys throughout the season. “It was a tough competition overall for us and the early loss against MEG was a wake-up call. It was important to get out of the relaxed mode and the boys immediately bounced back with a big win over Students Union and there was no looking back since then. We managed to rotate the squad throughout the competition and everyone who got a chance put in a great performance. This year the competition has provided us with the perfect preparation for the 2nd Division League which will be the real test for the boys.”

Bengaluru FC B travel to Goa on Tuesday, where they take on FC Goa Reserves in their opening match of the 2nd Division League, at the Nagoa Ground.

Ozone crash out of I-League second division

Playing a woeful game of catch up, Ozone faltered again at home in the hand of Fateh Hyderabad AFC. The visitors scored two quick goals in the first half, owing to some poor defending from Ozone backs. 

In a match where both teams needed to win to retain chance to qualify to the next stage, Fateh took the lead in the third minute from a goal from Nima Tamang. They struck again in the 23rd minute from a cross from Bangalore boy Manoj Swamy Kannan which Bonison Singh made no mistake. 

Anto Xavier reduced the margin for Ozone in the 40th minute. 

With the inclusion of Satish Kumar and Vignesh G in the fisrt half, Ozone tried come back to the game. However, they failed to crack Fateh defense. 

With 7 points and an away game in hand, Ozone are out of I-League Second Division. They currently stands at 3rd position in Group C after Fateh Hyderabad AFC and Kenkre FC. 

Bengaluru loan Roby Norales out to Ozone FCB

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC have loaned Honduran striker Roby Norales to Second Division side Ozone FC till the end of the season, the club announced on Friday. The twenty-six-year-old who joined the Blues one game into the I-League season didn’t seem to fit into the plans of coach Albert Roca, prompting the club to trigger the move to fellow-Bengaluru side Ozone FC.

Norales, who came off the bench and scored on his Blues’ debut against Chennai City FC, replaces Ozone striker Cornell Glenn who suffered a fractured arm, ruling him out for the rest of the club’s Division Two campaign.

“After a month of working closely with Roby, the staff felt that he doesn’t fit into the team’s plans. The club spoke with the player and both agreed that it would be best to loan him out to a club where he would get more playing time. Roby has been a thorough professional and we wish him the best of luck on his new stint,” said club COO, Mustafa Ghouse. 

Ozone FC hammer Pride Sports

Displaying a much better game, Ozone FC Bengaluru thrashed Pride Sports FC 3-0. All the goals were scored in the first half, with former junior India international Anto Xavier scoring a brace and Vignesh scoring the other one. 

The fight was between the unknown team from Jabalpur, and Ozone FC, both teams were out to make amends of their earlier result, which they lost to Al Fateh and Kenkre respectively. 

Ozone proved to be a much better team today, they overpowered their opponent in all departments. Pride Sports, demoralized after conceding three goals in a span of just seven minutes, could not find their feet. They came back in the second half as a better team, did not concede any goal, and came closed to score in few occasions. 

Ozone coach, Bert Zuurman looked content with today’s win, however, felt him team has the potential to perform much better. Ozone went to the field today sans their foreigners – Chika Wali, unwell and Cornell Glenn, seemingly out of the season with an injury that incurred while playing for Trinidad & Tobago. 

Paulo Pedro, the coach from Portugal coaching Pride Sports, was visibly upset on the loss. Felt his team gave a better performance in the latter half. Pride was further weakened by the absence of two foreigners, who could not play owing to transfer clearance. 

Ozone have two away matches in coming days, they play Fateh Hyderabad next week and Pride Sports the week after. 

Fixture: I-League 2nd Division Final Rounds

Leg 2 (Final)

• Monday, 15 Apr, 2013: Rangdajied United FC 1 Vs Bhawanipore FC 0   
• Monday, 15 Apr, 2013: Langsing Sports Club 1 Vs Mohammedan Sporting Club 1    
• Tuesday, 16 Apr, 2013: Southern Samity 2 Vs Mumbai Tigers 1    
• Thursday, 18 Apr, 2013: Mohammedan Sporting Club 1 (Charles Dzisah-[p]) Vs Southern Samity 0    
• Thursday, 18 Apr, 2013: Bhawanipore FC 3 (Lima-2, Dipendu Duary) Vs Langsning FC 3 (Daniel Bidemi, Marlanki, Joel Bidemi)   
• Friday, 19 Apr, 2013: Mumbai Tigers 0 Vs Rangdajied United FC 1 (J Kelechi-48')   
• Sunday, 21 Apr, 2013: Bhawanipore FC 4 (Lima-12', 57', 74', Barreto-14') Vs Southern Samity 1 (Basanta Singh-63')   
• Sunday, 21 Apr, 2013: Mohammedan Sporting Club 2 (Charles Dzisah-83', Alfred-90'+4') Vs Mumbai Tigers 0    
• Monday, 22 Apr, 2013: Langsning FC 1 (Ayeni) Vs Rangdajied United FC 3 (Babatunde-3)  
• Wednesday, 24 Apr, 2013: Langsning FC 3 (Daniel Bidemi Ayeni–68', Nawab Zeeshan Rahaman [OG]-73', Marlangki Suting–79') Vs Mumbai Tigers 1 (Durga Boro–31')
• Wednesday, 24 Apr, 2013: Rangdajied United FC 3 (Babatunde–16', 40', 86') Vs Southern Samity 1 ( Kaushik Biswas–25')     
• Thursday, 25 Apr, 2013: Bhawanipore FC 0 Vs Mohammedan Sporting Club 0    
• Saturday, 27 Apr, 2013: Rangdajied United FC Vs Mohammedan Sporting Club     
• Saturday, 27 Apr, 2013: Mumbai Tigers Vs Bhawanipore FC     
• Sunday, 28 Apr, 2013: Southern Samity Vs Langsning FC 

Leg 1

• Saturday, March 30, 2013, 1.45 pm: Southern Samity 1 (Imran Khan-51') Vs Rangdajied United FC 1 (BabaTunde Ayomide-30')    
• Saturday, March 30, 2013, 4.15 pm: Langsning FC 0 Vs Mumbai Tigers 1 (Sunil Kumar-45'+2')     
• Sunday, March 31, 2013, 4.15 pm: Mohammedan Sporting Club 0 Vs Bhawanipore FC 0
• Tuesday, April 2, 2013, 1.30 pm: Bhawanipore FC 1 (Jose Ramirez Barreto-90'+2') Vs Rangdajied United FC 0    
• Tuesday, April 2, 2013, 4 pm: Mumbai Tigers 3 (NP Pradeep-64', Demba Dikhate-79', 89') Vs Southern Samity 0    
• Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 4 pm: Mohammedan Sporting Club 2 (Younes Balthaw-52', Charles Dzisah-58'[p]) Vs Langsning FC 1 (Joel Sunday-44')   
• Friday, April 5, 2013, 1.30 pm: Langsning FC 3 (Joel Sunday-11', Daniel Bidemi-73', Victor-90'+3') Vs Bhawanipore FC 3 (Hudson Lima-7', Yousef-26', Jagannath Sana-70')   
• Friday, April 5, 2013, 4 pm: Southern Samity 0 Vs Vs Mohammedan Sporting Club 1 (Alfred Jaryan-69')   
• Saturday, April 6, 2013, 4 pm: Rangdajied United FC 3 (Bansha Rai-44', Abocha Singh-53', Shin Hojun-81') Vs Mumbai Tigers 1 (NP Pradeep-2')   
• Monday, April 8, 2013, 1.30 pm: Bhawanipore FC 3 (Barreto-26', 64'-p, 84') Vs Mumbai Tigers 2 (Demba Dikhate-7', 62')   
• Monday, April 8, 2013, 4 pm: Mohammedan Sporting Club 1 (Jerry Zirsingha) Vs Rangdajied United FC 0
• Tuesday, April 9, 2013, 4 pm: Langsning FC 2 (Samson Nongrum-69', Avijit Das [self]-78') Vs Southern Samity 0    
• Thursday, April 11, 2013, 1.30 pm: Mumbai Tigers 1 (Bikash Jairu-90'+2') Vs Mohammedan Sporting Club 0    
• Thursday, April 11, 2013, 4 pm: Southern Samity 2 (Suraj Mondal-11', Marcos-90') Vs Bhawanipore FC 2 (Baretto-29', Hudson Lima-45'+2')   
• Friday, April 12, 2013, 4 pm: Rangdajied United FC Vs Langsning FC

Accident at Bangalore Football Stadium

During an ongoing I-League 2 Division match sometime back, a piece of plaster came off from the left-wing roof of Bangalore Football Stadium. 

A former local footballer and HAL employee, Nagappa got injured. He was bleeding profusely, he was taken to HAL Hospital immediately after some first-aid treatment given to him in the Stadium.   

More details later….

Points table: I-League 2 Division Final Round

April 25, 2013 - I-League 2 Division Final Round

April 25, 2013
 
Langsning, Mumbai Tigers, and Southern Samity - no more in contention
 
To qualify for I-League...

Mohammedan Sporting - already through!
How? They're on 18 points with a match left. If they fail in their last match against Rangdajied (on Saturday 1.30 pm), they'll still be on 18, in that case Rangdajied will go on top of the table with 19 points. If the third best team, Bhawanipore, too wins, then Bhawanipore's point would be 17, and they still stay below Mohammedan Sporting. So, even after a making a worst speculation Mohammedan Sporting will be the second best team, and hence qualify for I-League

Bhawanipore MUST win against Mumbai Tigers (on Saturday 4 pm) and hope Rangdajied LOSE against Mohammedan Sporting (on Saturday 1.30 pm).

Rangdajied SHOULD win to make a safe passage to I-League. If Rangdajied DRAW against Mohammedan Sporting, the point of the both the teams will be equal - 17.

Now, head to head results will be taken into consideration. Interestingly, head to head results are identical, see here -
 - Leg 1 - April 2: Bhawanipore FC 1 (Jose Ramirez Barreto-90'+2') Vs Rangdajied United FC 0
 - Leg 2 - April 15: Rangdajied United FC 1 Vs Bhawanipore FC 0
Next is Goal Difference (GD)- till date GD too looks same - 4. Considering a team has to win and a team has to draw, same GD looks like a difficult preposition, however, this can still be a possibility.

So, What if the GD too is same?
Here's solution - if the goal difference is the same, the team with the higher number of goals scored will be placed higher.

AND, if still the winner cannot be decided, than the ranking will be decided by taking lots. 

April 11, 2013 - I-League 2 Division Finals Leg 1

March 26, 2013 - Qualifiers Group C

Article IV: POINTS IN LEAGUE MATCHES AND SYSTEM TO BREAK TIE

1. In the League matches, three (3) points shall be awarded for a win, one point for a draw no point for a defeat.
2. The ranking shall be determined in the order given below:
3. Higher number of points in all the matches.
4. If this is the same, then by the result of the matches between the concerned teams, with the team securing the highest points in these matches placed higher.
5. If even this is the same than the team having a higher goal difference will be placed higher.
6. If the goal difference is the same, the team with the higher number of goals scored will be placed higher.
7. If still the winner cannot be decided, than the ranking will be decided by taking lots.

[Picture] I-League 2 Division, Bangalore

  20130327 - Southern Samity 2 Vs Mumbai Tigers 1

  20130327 - Southern Samity 2 Vs Mumbai Tigers 1

  20130327 - Southern Samity 2 Vs Mumbai Tigers 1

  20130327 - Southern Samity 2 Vs Mumbai Tigers 1

 

  20130327 - Southern Samity 2 Vs Mumbai Tigers 1

  20130327 - Southern Samity 2 Vs Mumbai Tigers 1

20130327 - Southern Samity 2 Vs Mumbai Tigers 1

  20130326 - South United 2 Vs Kalighat MS 2

 20130326 - South United 2 Vs Kalighat MS 2

 20130326 - South United 2 Vs Kalighat MS 2

 20130326 - South United 2 Vs Kalighat MS 2

 20130326 - South United 2 Vs Kalighat MS 2

 20130322 - South United 1 Vs Mumbai Tigers 3

 20130322 - South United 1 Vs Mumbai Tigers 3

 20130322 - South United 1 Vs Mumbai Tigers 3

 20130322 - South United 1 Vs Mumbai Tigers 3

 20130322 - South United 1 Vs Mumbai Tigers 3

 20130322 - South United 1 Vs Mumbai Tigers 3

 20130322 - South United 1 Vs Mumbai Tigers 3

 20130322 - South United 1 Vs Mumbai Tigers 3

 20130322 - South United 1 Vs Mumbai Tigers 3

 20130320 - South United 2 Vs Hindustan FC 0



 20130320 - South United 2 Vs Hindustan FC 0

 20130320 - South United 2 Vs Hindustan FC 0

20130320 - South United 2 Vs Hindustan FC 0

20130320 - South United 2 Vs Hindustan FC 0

20130320 - South United 2 Vs Hindustan FC 0 

20130313 - South United 0 Vs Vasco 1

20130313 - South United 0 Vs Vasco 1

20130313 - South United 0 Vs Vasco 1

20130313 - South United 0 Vs Vasco 1

20130313 - South United 0 Vs Vasco 1

 

20130313 - South United 0 Vs Vasco 1

  20130313 - South Unitd 0 Vs Vasco 1

20130313 - South United 0 Vs Vasco 1

20130311 - South United 3 Vs Luangmal 4:  3rd goal for South United came from Jayanta Rajbangshi via Stehpen

20130311 - South United 3 Vs Luangmal 4: Here's the ball!

20130311 - South United 3 Vs Luangmal 4: Support, anyone?

20130311 - South United 3 Vs Luangmal 4: Who gets to the ball first 

20130311 - South United 3 Vs Luangmal 4:

20130311 - South United 3 Vs Luangmal 4: Stephen fires the first one

South United team for I-League 2 Division 2013


L to R 

Standing: Harpreet, Shiva Kumar, Amit,, Vignesh Gunasekhar, Stephen, Rahul Sharma, Abhishek Aich , Prem Kumar (GK Coach), Raman Vijayan (Chief coach), Gopal (Manager), Vinoth Kumar, RajKiran, Chethan Kumar, Michael, Lalwampuia, Murugappan, Kaleel SM  

Squatting: Solai Malai, Sunil, Razak, Edwin, Subash, Jayanta, Gopi, Amoes, Madhukaran, Gourskankar Dutta, Niroshan Mani, Kamal Das (Physio) 

Missing: Sridhar and Manivannan