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Bengaluru FC Media
Striker Jinya Kishi scored twice as Bengaluru FC Reserves went down 2-1 to Avispa Fukuoka U18s in a friendly held at the Bangalore Football Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Saturday. Vice-captain Prashanth Kalinga’s 86th minute effort was a consolation in a clash that saw Blue Colts’ custodian Jafar Mondal named Man-of-the-match for an inspired show in goal.
The Blues started cautiously, keeping possession in midfield as Head Coach John Kenneth Raj started with Robinson Singh in midfield alongside Biswa as captain Leon Augustine and Nonganba Singh manned the flanks.
Shots from Leon and Isak Vanlalrutfela went inches wide of the target before Jafar stepped up to pull saves off strikes from Minato Kai and Kojito Omori in the first. Despite some fine build up play, both sides lacked the finishing touch required as half-time arrived with the scores unchanged.
Kenneth sent on Alwyn George on in the second half as he joined Robinson in midfield for the Blue Colts, adding more solidarity to the attack. However, it was the Japanese side that took the lead early in the second half. After a stubborn run and cross from Yuji Kitajima, Kishi found himself in space to slot home from close.
A tense final ten minutes saw BFC fight back as Lalrintluanga’s effort was saved by Ryuya before Avispa extended their lead in the 82nd. Poking past the slide of Tonmay Saha, Kishi advanced into the Blues’ area and sent his shot into the far corner to make it 2-0.
There was to be more drama as Jafar brought down Kitajima in the area with seven minutes to play. The midfielder stepped up to take the spot-kick but Jafar was equal to it, as the scores remained level.
Refusing to back down, a short corner collected by Kalinga was curled in off the upright, as BFC cut the deficit with five minutes left to play. But it wasn't to be the comeback that the young Blues wanted as Avispa claimed the narrow victory.
“I saw a good effort from our boys today. They’ve only had a few sessions together and I’m happy with the performance they put out. Avispa were technically very good and I’m sure the boys have learned a lot from this experience,” said Kenneth following the clash.
Bengaluru FC Media
Bengaluru FC’s reserve side will look to put on a good show when they take on Japan’s Avispa Fukuoka U18s in an Asian Football Confederation approved friendly game at the Bengaluru Football Stadium, on Saturday.
U18s Head Coach John Kenneth Raj stressed at the importance of the clash, saying his boys will be looking to put on a show. “Many of our players are new and come into the side wanting to prove a point. Avispa are a strong team and we’ll have to be at our best,” he said.
Speaking at the pre-match Press Conference, Avispa Fukuoka Head Coach, Yusuke Ogura said, “We are very glad to be here for this game. We are looking forward to it and want to win. We haven’t seen Bengaluru FC play but we want to focus on our game and try to do our best.”
“The weather is very nice and cool and we’re comfortable here. It will be very good for the game. Back in Japan it’s summer, so we’re happy to be here. For the players, it’s (to play against foreign teams) a very good experience and will help them a lot,” added Ogura.
Meanwhile, the Blues’ Head of Youth Development John Kila was excited ahead of BFC Academy’s first ever game against an international opponent.
“This is an exciting opportunity for these youngsters. After a year of establishing our academy, we have had the chance to improve our scouting and strengthen the team. A few players have made the progress through from the U16 squad which is a positive sign. Since the season has just started we haven’t had much time to prepare for this game, however, we’re happy with this opportunity as it gives us a chance to assess our squad,” he said.
Bengaluru FC Media
A hat-trick from Jotin Singh scoring goals at the 11th, 54th and 71st minute sealed a 3-1 win for the ASC, as they held a young Bengaluru FC side that could find the net only late in to the game, in the BDFA Super Division League, at the Bengaluru Football Stadium, on Sunday.
A simple tap-in by Vignesh was a consolation for the young Blues after Seiminlen Doungel, a second-half substitute returning from injury, beat the ASC goalkeeper to hit the cross bar, the ball dropped at the feet of the Blues number 8 who found his name on the score sheet.
Bengaluru FC, dressed in white, started on the offensive but failed to worry the ASC defence. It was mostly easy going for the ASC shot-stopper AK Balwanth, who had just one save to make in the first-half, a 30-yard attempt from Rizul Patiyal.
The ASC team were the stronger of the two and were running the game with their physical presence, finding their way around the Blues' high defensive line.
By the second-half Coach John Kila rung in some changes to bring in striker Seiminlen, who added the much-needed vigour into the Blues' offensive play. Coming back from injury, the number 7 who looks to garner some game time ahead of his return to the senior team, put in a few attempts at the ASC goal, but failed to hit the mark.
The highlight of the match was a 71st minute acrobatic finish by the ASC's Jotin Singh, who found enough space in the Blues' box to complete his hat-trick with an overhead kick which flew past a hapless Bengaluru FC goal-keeper.
A long-ball from the Blues' Ajay Chhetri in the 81st minute found Len Doungel, who beat the keeper but it was a tap-in from Vignesh that helped Blues find the scoresheet.
Bengaluru FC next face Rail Wheel Factory on February 1 at the Bangalore Football Stadium.
Bengaluru FC Media
A Bengaluru FC side comprising mainly academy players will take on ASC in their opening match of the 2017 BDFA Super Division League, at the Bengaluru Football Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Sunday.
The John Kila-coached side is set to be joined by first team youngsters Salam Ranjan Singh and Seiminlen Doungel, who will look to get some game time ahead of their return to the senior team.
Asked about his thoughts on the BDFA Super Division, Kila mentioned that the competition gives his young side a chance to play competitive games ahead of the U18 I-League.
“It’s a very good idea for the U-18 boys to play in this League. They can prepare themselves for the U-18 I-League final round and it is also a way to measure their progress as most of the opposition consists senior players. That is the next step for them in their bid to prove that they are worthy of playing in the first team,” Kila said.
Asked about his objectives from the League, Kila said that the U18s will look to take the chance to play with first team players Doungel and Ranjan, who will better the performances of the youngsters ahead of the U18 I-League.
“These boys will be looking forward to playing alongside some of the senior players, who are returning from injury. We will need those players, because it helps in the development of players. We know the League is not going to be easy for us, but it’s an opportunity to do well and increase our levels of performance,” he added.
The game kicks off at 3.15 pm.
Bengaluru FC Media
Bengaluru FC have appointed former West African Football Association U19s Head Coach John Kila to head the Blues' Youth Development Program, the club announced on Saturday. The Dutchman will head the BFC Academy and Youth Teams.
Kila has covered coaching assignments in Holland, Japan, New Zealand and most recently in Ghana as the Head Coach of the U19 team and coordinator of the U17, U15 and U13 teams at the West African Football Academy (WAFA), formerly known as the Feyenoord Ghana Academy.
“My main objective is to train and coach the youth teams at Bengaluru FC and to develop the skills of these youngsters so that they become professional players capable of playing for the first team. I look forward to giving structure to a development plan for both coaches and youth teams with the experience I have gained over the years,” said Kila.
Club COO Mustafa Ghouse expressed his delight at Kila's appointment, pipping his experience as a step in the right direction for the club's youth development program, with the Dutchman having developed several players who are currently active in Portugal, France and Austria.
“We are excited to have John on board to head the youth program. He comes very highly recommended having successfully implemented youth programs in various parts of the world. We strongly believe that there is an abundance of football talent in the country and are committed to providing this talent the best support possible to achieve their true potential as footballers and as individuals,” he said.
Under Kila’s guidance, the WAFA U19s have been promoted from the Second Division to the First Division and are currently in the Ghana Premier League for a second successive year.
