FC Bengaluru United lift Stafford Challenge Cup

FCBU Media 

FC Bengaluru United (FCBU) put in a stellar performance to keep a resurgent Chennaiyin FC down and emerge worthy Stafford Challenge Cup 2023 champions with a hard-fought 2-1 victory.  Vinil Poojary (31’) helped FC Bengaluru United get on the scoreboard but Chennaiyin FC fought back with a goal in the 70th minute. But once again, it was Irfan Yadwad, who has been in sharp form for his team right through the tournament, scored in the added time of second half (90’+3’) to seal a much-deserved win for FC Bengaluru United.

Chennaiyin FC looked to get into the groove early, controlling possession. FCBU goalkeeper Kabir Toufiq was pressed into action early on, smartly tipping a long-range shot over the bar. However, it wasn’t long before FCBU hit their stride, creating half-chances through freekicks and control possession. Nikhil Mali and Vinil Poojari were in the thick of things for FCBU, giving the Chennaiyin FC defence quite a bit of work.  It was Vinil Poojaray, with a free kick, who finally broke the shackles in the 30th minute. A beautiful freekick from the right side of the ground off his left foot beat the Chennaiyin FC goalkeeper and got FCBU up and running on the scoreboard. That goal seemed to galvanise FCBU; Mali, Poojari, Sudhir Kottikela, and Yadwad were at the centre of the action, crafting attacking moves as they looked to try and further the lead.

FCBU very nearly had their second goal early in the second half, which could have sealed the game, but Mali failed to convert the penalty. They kept taking the attack to Chennaiyin FC, but Chennaiyin FC equalized against the run of play in 70th minute through Senthamil, who evaded the FCBU defence and got a clean strike in, perhaps the first error made by the FCBU defence. 

Chennaiyin FC upped the ante after their goal, but the FCBU defence held strong. In the 85th minute, Aenam K Jyrwa dribbled into the box, only to have the Chennaiyin defence FC block his efforts. Minutes later, once again it was Aenam who tried to get the ball at the back of the net after Yadwad missed a bicycle kick – his shot just sailing over the goal.

Five minutes of extra time and both teams looked to press on. A corner taken by Selwyn Miranda was cleared out by Bedashwor Singh, which made its way back to Selwyn. The ball reached Irfan, who had been looking to get his first strike of the game – a well-controlled header sealing a spectacular win and tournament for FCBU with a deft header.

 

FCBU record 5-0 win over Young Challengers

FCBU Media  

Defending champions FC Bengaluru United kept up their winning ways in the ongoing BDFA Super Division Championship with a 5-0 win over Young Challengers at the Bangalore Football Stadium. Irfan Yarwad (5, 25), Jairo Rodrigues (7), Chesterpaul Lyngdoh (66)., and Shajan Franklin (77) scored for FCBU. 

Much like their earlier games, FCBU started creating chances from the get-go and were soon rewarded with a goal within the first few minutes. Aenam Jyrwa crossed the ball in from a short corner to set it up for Irfan to head it in and get the defending champions on the scoreboard. Irfan nearly had another goal in the next minute, only to see his shot hit the goalpost. In the seventh minute it was Aenam in the middle of the action once again – this time his cross-in was put away by Jairo to get FCBU up 2-0.

FCBU continued to dominate and control most of the possession, creating half chances. In the 25th minute, a beautiful shot from Shajan Franklin cleanly split the YC defence to set up an easy finish for Yarwad.

It was a similar script in the second half with FCBU dominating possession and control. There was an early chance for Aenam as he went one on one with the YC keeper but was unable to finish it off. Soon after Jairo tried to lob the ball over the YC keeper in the 59th minute only to see the ball sail over the bar. 

A good run by Selwyn Miranda on the left flank in the 66th minute was followed by a shot on target, only to have it deflected by the YC keeper. The ball landed straight at Lyngdoh’s feet, and he didn’t make any mistake to get FCBU up 4-0. 

Eleven minutes later, Franklin secured his first goal of the game through a corner as FCBU went up 5-0. FCBU continued to create a few more chances but were unable to see them through; the score line ended with a strong 5-0 win for the defending champions.  

FCBU score half a dozen against BUFC

FCBU Media  

Defending champions FC Bengaluru United (FCBU) stamped their authority on the ongoing BDFA Super Division tournament with a resounding 6-0 win over Bangalore United FC (BUFC) in their third game of the league. Jairo Rodrigues (15, 22 ), Irfan Yarwad (18), local boy Manoj Kannan (38), Selwyn Miranda (44), and Lalramzhuava Khiangte (85) were the goal-scorers for the two-time BDFA Super Division Champions as they rounded off a commanding performance.

FC Bengaluru United started aggressively and were soon on the attack creating a series of chances. Six minutes Aenam K Jyrwa made the most of a Jipson Justus pass to manage a great touch into the box but failed to find anyone to seal the deal. They continued to press on and soon enough were rewarded with their first goal. Irfan and Manvir Singh’s shots on goal were blocked leading to a corner for FC Bengaluru United. Manoj’s smart cross was neatly headed in by Jairo. 

Three minutes later a cross from Manoj was headed by Jairo to Irfan who scored. Soon after, Manoj and Jairo once again combined to get FC Bengaluru United 3-0 up. A few minutes later, BUFC had their first real shot on target, which was expertly blocked by Jairo to keep them at bay. Manoj, who had played a key role in setting up the three goals, soon scored one of his own in the 38th minute – heading a corner from Manvir Singh into the top corner of the goal. Four minutes later, Selwyn Miranda struck to get FC Bengaluru United 5-0 up.

Both teams scrapped hard in the second half with FC Bengaluru United once again creating a few chances. Manvir tried a flamboyant bicycle kick off Nabin Rakha’s cross which headed over the bar, while a corner from Manoj was headed wide by Jairo. Bicycle kicks seemed to be the order of the day with Mohamad Kdouh trying one off a Chesterpaul cross, only to see it saved by the opposing goalkeeper. The 65th minute saw a good half chance from Manvir that narrowly went past the goal. A screaming freekick from Lalramzauva Khiangte crashed into the right corner of the goal as FC Bengaluru United was the perfect way to close an emphatic victory for the defending champions.