Bengaluru FC play out 3-3 draw against Friends United

Bengaluru FC Media 

Jan van Loon’s Bengaluru FC B side played out a thrilling 3-3 draw against Friends United FC at the Bangalore Football Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Friday. The result took the Blue Colts to 24 points from 11 games on the BDFA Super Division League standings.

Jan van Loon’s side kept possession in the opening stages and found the breakthrough past the half hour mark when combination play between Damaitphang Lyngdoh and Edwin Rossario allowed Amay Morajkar time and space to find the finish in the box. Moments later, the Blue Colts attacked on the counter, with Monirul Molla breaking free. Driving his way into the box, the striker made no mistake to slot past the United ’keeper.

Friends United pulled one back at the stroke of half-time when Dipesh Chauhan came off his line to bring Vijay Thangavel down, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Thangavel made no mistake from 12 yards, putting his penalty past Chauhan to reduce the deficit.

Into the second period, Bengaluru restored their two goal cushion through midfielder Lyngdoh. Having done well down the flank to beat his marker, Thoi Singh’s pass into the box fell to the diminutive midfielder, who finished with ease. Friends United would reduce the deficit through Thangavel yet again, who rose highest in the box to nod home from a corner to make it 3-2 with less than ten minutes to play.

Against the run of play, Friends United restored parity under fortuitous circumstances when Vinith Venkatesh, in his attempt to intercept a long ball forward, took a heavy touch that deceived Chauhan and rolled into the back of the Blue Colts’ net to make it 3-3 in the 87th minute.

Bengaluru FC B next face Sporting Club Bengaluru at the same venue, on November 8th.

 

Bengaluru cruise past FC Agniputhra

Bengaluru FC Media 

Jan van Loon’s Blue Colts picked up a 3-0 victory to get back to winning ways, against FC Agniputhra in the BDFA Super Division League, at the Bangalore Football Stadium, on Monday. Kamalesh (20’) and Shighil’s (34’) first half strikes ensured a two-goal cushion at the break, followed by Monirul Molla’s (80’) late strike that sealed the points. 

A physical battle ensued in the first period as both sides looked to get a foothold on the game. Bengaluru kept the pressure on the opponents and finally broke the deadlock at the 20 minute mark, with Kamalesh dropping his shoulder and skipping past his man before launching a shot into the roof of the net. 

Ten minutes later, the Blue Colts doubled their lead through Shighil. The midfielder picked up the ball on the edge of the 18-yard-box and saw his low-driven shot go through several defenders and into the bottom corner.

Into the second half, BFC had several chances through winger Thoi Singh and striker Sudeer Kotikala, but luck didn’t favour the Blue Colts. Van Loon brought on Molla and Ankith Padmanabhan to bolster the attack and his substitutes made an instant impact.

Thoi’s shot on goal with ten minutes left to play was parried by Agniputhra ‘keeper Badusha only for Molla to pick up the ball and pass it into an empty net to ensure a 3-0 victory.

The Blue Colts next face Jawahar Union FC, on 16th September, at the same venue. 

 

Bengaluru FC rout Young Challengers 8-0 in BDFA Super Division league

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC began their BDFA Super Division Campaign with a comfortable 8-0 victory over  FC, at the Bangalore Football Stadium, on Saturday. A hat-trick from Thoi Singh (42’, 45’, 50’, 78’) and goals from Rajanbir Singh (10’), Clarence Fernandes (21’), Sudheer Kotikala (58’) and Monirul Molla (73’) ensured all the points for Jan Van Loon’s side. 

Bengaluru began the game on the front foot and opened the scoring early. Damaiphang Lyngdoh’s low cross into a crowded 18-yard-box found the feet of Rajanbir, who smashed it into the back of the net from close range to give BFC the lead. Twenty minutes into the game, a well-worked corner routine went in favour of the Blue Colts who capitalised and doubled their lead. Amay Morajkar’s cross found Rajanbir, who tapped it into an empty net to make it two. 

The pace of the game slowed down with both teams keeping the ball in the middle of the park, but Bengaluru switched gears and bagged two more goals in the last five minutes of the first half, courtesy of Thoi. 

Into the second half, it took BFC just five minutes to score another goal as Thoi completed his hat-trick. A sublime through ball from Amay Morajkar from the center of the field, found Thoi who kept his composure and slotted it past SK Sadekuddin to make it five. 

Sudheer got in on the action just eight minutes later with a powerful finish from just outside the 18-yard-box to make it six. Substitute Monirul made a huge impact in the game and scored with a sublime volley before setting up BFC’s eighth goal. Molla’s pass found Thoi, who scored his fourth with an easy tap-in. 

The Blue Colts next face Rebels FC on 31st August, at the same venue.

 

Bengaluru FC announce squad for Puttaiah Memorial Cup

Bengaluru FC Media 

Newly appointed Blues’ Head of Youth Development Jan van Loon will lead the Bengaluru FC ‘B’ side set to take part in the Puttaiah Memorial Cup, scheduled to take place in two Zones, the club announced on Tuesday. 

Bengaluru FC B will face Kodagu FC in their opening encounter on Thursday, August 11th, with matches scheduled to take place at the Bangalore Football Stadium, in Ashok Nagar.

“The Puttaiah Memorial Cup has always been a special trophy for the club and we look forward to giving our best in order to bring the trophy home. The boys have been training well and I can’t wait to see them showcase what we’ve been working on in the tournament,” said Van Loon, ahead of his side’s opening match.

The squad features new signings Clarence Fernandes, Felixson Fernandes and Ankith P, who also featured in the Premier League NextGen Cup that was held in the UK, late last month. Karnataka’s own Sudheer Kotikala will also feature in Jan van Loon’s side in the Puttaiah Memorial Cup. The Blue Colts’ defender Robin Yadav will captain the Blue Colts for the tournament. 

“We’ve been tracking the progress of the boys in training, and things are looking very positive. They’re working hard as a team and everyone is fighting for a spot in the starting XI. This squad is a mix of young and experienced players, and we’re looking forward to seeing them working together,” said Kaizad Ambapardiwalla, Assistant Coach of Bengaluru FC B.

Following the opener against Kodagu FC, scheduled for 4 pm, the Blue Colts will face Roots FC on August 13th and Kickstart FC on August 15th. 

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Athul Raj, Dipesh Chauhan, Sharon Padattil

Defenders: Tomthingganba Meitei, Vanlaltleipuia, Oinam Ronex, Ashik Adhikari, Clarence Fernandes, Rajanbir Singh, Felixson Fernandes, Robin Yadav

Midfielders: Bankit Diengdoh, Abu Swalih, F Lalhminngchhuanga, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Bekey Oram, Damaitphang Lyngdoh, Amay Morajkar, Shighil NS, Kamalesh Palanisamy, Edwin Rossario, Ajay Chhetri, Vinith V

Forwards: Ankith Padmanabhan, Lalpekhlua, Basudev CM, Monirul Molla, Akashdeep Singh, Thoi Singh, Sudheer Kotikala