Bengaluru FC come from behind to make Durand Cup semifinals

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC came from behind yet again to defeat Army Green 3-2 in their Durand Cup quarterfinal, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, on Saturday. Lallawmkima PC (9’) gave the away side the lead in the first half, before goals from Wungngayam Muirang (20’), Leon Augustine (46’) and Namgyal Bhutia (74’) put the Blues ahead. Vibin TV (89’) pulled one back at the end, but Bengaluru held on to win the game.

Earlier, Naushad Moosa made one change to the team that beat Indian Navy 5-3, with Leon replacing Bidyashagar Singh in the attack. The Blues started the game on the front foot and had the first chance of the game when Leon skipped past his marker and sent Sivasakthi Narayanan through on goal, but Army Green goalkeeper Sarath Narayanan was quick to come off his line and block his shot. Minutes later, the services side took the lead at the other end, when Lallawmkima scored from the spot after he was brought down by Ajith Kumar in the box.

Leon found himself free down the right and cut into the box in the 15th minute to find Harmanpreet Singh, who took a couple of touches to make space for himself but shot straight at ’keeper Sarath. Bengaluru got back on level terms soon after, when Leon won a free kick on the right flank. Muirang’s effort beat the wall and the ’keeper, to make it 1-1.

Buoyed by the equaliser, the Blues began to make frequent inroads into the final third, starting with Damaitphang Lyngdoh’s curling effort from the edge of the box that needed Sarath at full stretch to keep the scores level. 

In the 37th minute, Parag Shrivas intercepted a pass and sparked a counter-attack by setting Leon free, who saw the ’keeper come off his line and took a shot that went wide. Minutes later, the 22-year-old initiated another counter after winning the ball in the middle of the pitch. He sent Sivasakthi free down the right and the youngster found Biswa Darjee in the middle, but the midfielder’s touch was too heavy and Sarath was quick to come out and collect the ball.

It took less than a minute into the second half for the Blues to complete the comeback. Leon, who had sparked the comeback against Indian Navy on Tuesday, escaped his markers and, with the ’keeper charging forward, chipped the ball into an empty net to make it 2-1. Less than a minute later, he almost had another goal in a similar fashion but his effort went just wide of the goal this time.

Army Green forward Dip Majumder had two chances in the space of a minute to get his side back on level terms. First, Naorem Roshan Singh timed his sliding challenge well to make a block in the box and later Lara Sharma went low to make a save on the line.

The Blues got their third goal of the game when Biswa found substitute Bhutia in the box, and the forward shot low into the far corner to put Bengaluru 3-1 up. Akashdeep Singh, who had an earlier effort blocked by Sarath, saw his shot deflect off the ’keeper and bounce off the far post. Army Green won another penalty a minute before stoppage time after Robin Yadav brought down Lallawmkima and Vibin TV sent Lara the wrong way to make it 3-2.

The Blues held on to their lead to win the game and seal their spot in the semifinals, where they face FC Goa, on September 29, at the same venue.

 

Bengaluru FC beat Indian Navy to make Durand Cup knockouts

Bengaluru FC Media

Naushad Moosa’s Bengaluru FC side scripted a remarkable second-half comeback to make the knockout rounds of the 2021 Durand Cup, with a 5-3 win over Indian Navy at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, in Kolkata, on Tuesday. Goals from Jijo (18’), Sreyas (29’) gave the Services side a two-goal lead heading into the break before the Blues came out all guns blazing in the second period, with strikes from Leon Augustine (52’), Harmanpreet Singh (60’, 80’), Ajay Chhetri (73’) and Thoi Singh (90’ + 1’) sealing the points. Vijay (90’ + 3’) added a consolation goal for the away side in extra time.

Naushad Moosa made one change to the team that drew 2-2 with Delhi FC, with Bidyashagar Singh replacing Leon Augustine.

Blues’ goalkeeper Lara Sharma had to be alert to deny Indian Navy in the opening minutes, doing well to push a corner onto the post and out of play. At the other end, on the five-minute mark, Sivasakthi Narayanan broke free but the Indian Navy defence did well to cut out his pass into the box.

Indian Navy took the lead in the 18th minute when Jijo latched onto Lara’s clearance from a corner and volleyed home from the edge of the box. Sivasakthi had a chance to put the Blues back on level terms, but skied his effort after Harmanpreet Singh found him free in the box. Instead, Indian Navy doubled their lead ten minutes later through Sreyas VG, who ran free down the middle and placed his finish into the far corner.

The Blues almost pulled one back just past the half hour mark, when Ajith Kumar did well to bring down a long pass but couldn’t find Harmanpreet at the far post.

Leon, replacing Bidyashagar at the start of the second half, put his name on the scoreboard with a well-taken finish, after Sivasakthi’s flick sent him one on one with the ’keeper Bhaskar Roy. The scorer then turned provider, when he found Harmanpreet with an inch-perfect pass, and the forward made no mistake in finding the back of the net to make it 2-2.

With momentum on their side, the Blues pressed forward and won a penalty, after Biswa Darjee was brought down in the box. Ajay Chhetri made no mistake from the spot, finding the bottom corner to complete the turnaround and put the Blues 3-2 up. Harmanpreet added another goal to his name, chipping the ball over the onrushing ’keeper and finishing into an empty net.

The Blues added another goal in stoppage time, when Sivasakthi broke free down the right-wing and found Bekey Oram, who toyed with the Indian Navy defence before finding Thoi Singh, who placed his finish between two defenders and the ’keeper to put the Blues 5-2 up. Vijay then reduced the deficit for Indian Navy in the final minutes of added time, making it 5-3. 

The win sees Bengaluru progress to the quarterfinals, where they take on Army Green, who finished second, with six points, in Group B.

 

Bengaluru FC beat Blasters 2-0 in Durand Cup opener

 Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC began their Durand Cup campaign with a 2-0 defeat of Kerala Blasters FC in their Group C opener, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, on Wednesday. Namgyal Bhutia’s freekick (45’) put the Blues in front before the break, and Leon Augustine (70’) sealed the win in the second half.

Bengaluru FC coach Naushad Moosa handed full debuts to Wungngayam Muirang, Biswa Darjee and B Team graduate Akashdeep Singh, with Ajith Kumar captaining the side.

The Blues started the game on the front foot and registered their first shot on target just five minutes in, when Akashdeep skipped past his marker and found Sivasakthi Narayanan, whose effort was straight into the hands of Kerala goalkeeper Albino Gomes.

Kerala’s first effort on target came in the closing minutes of the half when VS Sreekuttan broke free of the Blues defence, but saw his shot saved by Lara Sharma at the near post.

On the stroke of halftime, BFC broke the deadlock when Akashdeep was brought down outside the box, and Bhutia stepped up and curled the ball past ’keeper Albino’s reach to make it 1-0.

Both teams made half time changes, with Leon Augustine replacing Akashdeep for the Blues, while Rahul KP came off for Prasanth Karuthadathkuni for Kerala. Six minutes later, Harmanpreet Singh made his Blues debut, replacing Bidyashagar.

Kerala found themselves a man light just past the hour mark when RV Hormipam earned a second yellow card for bringing down Sivasakthi. Bengaluru doubled their lead in the 70th minute through Leon, who bundled home Harmanpreet’s cross from close range. The Blues continued to press forward, prompting the Blasters into reckless challenges to stop their advances. Persistent fouling saw them go down to eight men, when Sandeep Singh and Denechandra Meitei were given their marching orders in the space of two minutes. Bengaluru kept the ball, recycled possession and saw off the final minutes to seal the win.

BFC are back in action on Saturday, at the Mohun Bagan Ground, when they take on Delhi FC.

Bengaluru FC to begin Durand Cup campaign against Kerala Blasters

Bengaluru FC Media 

Blues coach Naushad Moosa maintained that his young side will be out to impress when they take on Kerala Blasters FC in their opening fixture of the Durand Cup, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, in Kolkata, on Wednesday. Bengaluru, grouped alongside Kerala, Delhi FC and Indian Navy in Group C, will look to start strong, with the top two teams from each group set to qualify for the quarterfinals.

“We had a long pre-season for the AFC Cup, and our squad for this tournament has many youngsters who haven’t played too many competitive games over the last few months. We have a mixture of U18 graduates and reserve team players who Marco (Pezzaiuoli) believes have good potential. The Durand Cup is a prestigious tournament, and we’ll look at how these players can perform under pressure against big teams,” Moosa said, speaking at the pre-match press conference.

The Blues’ first opponents Kerala have already opened their account in Kolkata, beating Indian Navy 1-0 courtesy Uruguayan midfielder Adrian Luna’s penalty on September 11.

“Kerala have come here with a full strength squad, and have won their first game too. That said, it is important for any team playing in the competition to give their best, and that holds true for us as well. We are very serious about this tournament, and the players also know how important this is for them. They are raring to get onto the pitch and show everyone what they are capable of,” Moosa added.

While Kerala make their debut in the competition this year, the Blues have two previous appearances, having made it to the semifinals once, losing out to Salgaocar on penalties in their debut campaign in 2014. Moosa’s young side finished second in their group, in their most recent tournament appearance in 2019.

“As a coach, it isn’t easy for Marco to give chances to everyone, even though he wants to. That’s why we have brought a young team here, and everyone will get the chance to prove themselves. As a club, we are very invested in our youth development program and we want to reach a point where we have a senior squad that has a balance of experienced players and youngsters. It will take time, but we are on the right path. We have had encouraging signs over the last few years, in Suresh (Wangjam), Leon (Augustine) and Parag (Shrivas) to name a few. This year, Damaitphang (Lyngdoh) and Sivasakthi (Narayanan) made their first team debuts,” said Moosa, who lifted the Durand Cup as a player with Mahindra & Mahindra in 2002.

Kickoff between Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters is scheduled for 3 PM on Wednesday, and the match will be streamed live on the Addatimes website and app.

Bengaluru round off AFC Cup campaign with 6-2 win over Maziya

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC’s frontmen had a field day at the National Stadium in Male, as Marco Pezzaiuoli’s side ended their AFC Cup campaign with a 6-2 win over Maziya S&RC, on Tuesday. Udanta Singh, Cleiton Silva and Leon Augustine scored first half goals, before strikes from substitutes Sivasakthi Narayanan and Bidyashagar Singh’s brace kept the Blues’ lead intact after Hamza Mohamed and Asadhulla Abdulla had pulled two back for the hosts. 

Earlier, Pezzaiuoli made five changes to the team that was held to a goalless draw by Bashundhara Kings, handing starts to Sarthak Golui, Pratik Chaudhari, Rohit Kumar, Udanta and Leon, while goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu captained the side in the absence of Sunil Chhetri. On the other bench, Risto Vidaković made three changes to the Maziya team that lost to ATK Mohun Bagan.

The Blues started the game on the front foot and broke the deadlock just six minutes from kick-off when Sarthak and Leon combined down the right flank. The eventual cross from the Bengaluru right-back found Udanta arriving in the box, and the winger made no mistake in burying his header to put Bengaluru 1-0 up.

Only moments later, Pezzaiuoli’s men were knocking on the Maziya door again, through Udanta and then Leon. Rane’s attempted cross for Udanta was a yard ahead of him before Udanta’s cross found Leon, but the latter skewed his shot wide.

The Blues scored their second goal in fortuitous circumstances when Brazilian striker Cleiton Silva poked the ball home in the 19th minute. Attempting to collect a long punt, Maziya ’keeper Shareef misjudged the flight of the ball and Silva chased the ball down and scored from close range, past the reach of Shareef. Silva would put the ball in the back of the net once again on the half hour mark, only for the assistant to raise his flag for offside.

Maziya were forced into a change when Shareef was stretchered off and substitute custodian Mamatkhonov Mirzokhid was called into action. Mirzokhid’s first involvement saw him pick the ball from the back of the net, when Leon managed to beat the offside trap and slot home through  the Uzbek ’keeper’s legs to make it 3-0. 

Leon came close to scoring his second of the game on the other side of the break, but Mirzokhid was well positioned to save his effort. Jesus Blanco was alert to make two crucial blocks right after, from Jayesh and Suresh, to deny the Blues a fourth.

Pezzaiuoli rang in the first of his five changes when Danish Farooq replaced Rohit Kumar, and made further substitutions later, sending on Ajay Chhetri, Bidyashagar Singh and Sivasakthi Narayanan. Maziya pulled one back in the 67th minute through Hamza, who beat the offside trap and slotted home past Pratik’s attempted tackle and Gurpreet’s stretch to make it 3-1. However, the Blues responded just three minutes later, as Sivasakthi latched onto a cross from Udanta with a neat touch and finish, for his first goal in Bengaluru colours.

Maziya reduced the deficit once again in the 80th minute, against the run of play, when Abdulla latched onto a pass from Mohamed and slotted home from close range. Udanta had a late chance to add to his exploits, but having controlled well and cut in on his left, his finish was found wanting. Keen to get in on the act, substitute Bidyashagar scored twice in seven minutes, both times from close range, to put the game beyond the reach of Vidakovic’s men. 

The result confirmed a third place finish for Bengaluru, who ended their Group D campaign with four points from three games. The Blues are in action next at the 130th edition of the Durand Cup, having confirmed their participation in the tournament that’s set to take place in Kolkata, in September.

All to play for as Bengaluru face Bashundhara Kings in Malé

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC Head Coach Marco Pezzaiuoli maintained there was no pressure on his side as they prepare to face Bangladesh Premier League champions Bashundhara Kings, in their penultimate Group D clash of the 2021 AFC Cup, on Saturday. Kings, who ran out 2-0 winners against Maziya S&RC in their first group stage game, will be eager to get the better of the Blues, who went down to Mohun Bagan by the same scoreline.

An own-goal from Mohammed Irufaan, followed by a strike from Brazilian winger Robinho, sealed three points for Oscar Bruzon’s side in their opening clash against Maziya S&RC. Speaking to the press ahead of the encounter, Blues’ boss Pezzaiuoli said the Bangladeshi side were a force to reckon with, having made light work of their League campaign, which they secured with four games left to play.

“We're up against a team from Bangladesh that scored 55 goals in the League and are champions. They conceded only nine goals in the League, and won their first group game 2-0. They score a lot of goals and have a strong defence, are compact at the back and counter very well. We might have to change things a little bit because this is our third game. Our plan will be to maybe go backwards a bit and create space behind them to score goals and create chances,” said Pezzaiuoli.

Bashundhara, who made their AFC Cup debut last season in a campaign that was cut short due to the COVID19 pandemic, retained the 2020-21 Bangladesh Federation Cup in January. Pezzaiuoli handed starts to Ajay Chhetri and Naorem Roshan Singh in the clash against Mohun Bagan, while Leon Augustine, Parag Shrivas and Ajith Kumar came off the bench in addition to summer signings Bidyashagar Singh and Danish Farooq.

“In life you cannot be negative. I choose to take the positives from the previous game where we had almost 70% ball possession against Mohun Bagan. I think we only need to improve in certain aspects. There is no pressure. Football is not about pressure. We enjoy the games, and I am sure every team wants to be the number one in the Group. We want to win, and so do Bashundhara Kings. We have worked hard in training, and focused on certain things. We want to better our free-kicks and corners, and create better chances and finish them,” Pezzaiuoli added.

Having made several new foreign signings in Raul Becerra, Jonathan Fernandes, Khaled Shafiei and Robinho (on loan from Fluminense), the Blues will have to be wary of Bashundhara Kings’ attack, with the BPL side scoring as many as 67 goals in all competitions this season.

Kick off between the Blues and Bashundhara Kings at the National Stadium is scheduled for 4.30 pm IST, and will be telecast live on the STAR Sports network, Hotstar and JioTV.

Bengaluru Reserves put eight past Hindustan

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC Reserves extended their winning run to three games, hammering Delhi-based Hindustan FC 8-0 in a completely one-sided affair at the Bengaluru Football Stadium, on Friday. The win took Bengaluru’s tally to 9 points as they cemented their position at the top of Group-A standings in the Hero 2nd Division League after they sealed their biggest ever win in the competition.

While Naushad Moosa’s boys controlled the entire game, it was a brace each from Parag Shrivas (16’, 43’) and Leon Augustine (51’, 57’) along with goals from Advait Shinde (11’), Myron Mendes (20’), Emanuel Lalchhanchhuaha (60’) and Altamash Sayed (61’) that gave Bengaluru a well-deserved win.

Dominating proceedings from the word go, BFC broke the deadlock in the 11th minute through a set piece. Altamash found Myron on the right, whose low cross into the box was finished off by Advait on the second attempt after his first was blocked by the ’keeper. Five minutes later, Myron with a long ball found Parag free on the left who ran past his marker before finishing off at the far post with a low finish.

Myron had a penalty kick saved by custodian Varun Bisht in the 19th minute before making amends a minute later with a close-range finish at the far post on Parag’s cross from the left.

The Blue Colts missed another penalty at the half hour mark when Altamash hit his effort from the spot wide, before Hindustan FC missed the third penalty of the afternoon when Jaskaran Singh too fired off target after Aditya Patra had brought Franko Paul down.

The hosts finally made it 4-0 minutes from the breather when Parag completed his brace heading home Altamash’s corner kick in from the left.

Bengaluru struck four in quick succession in the opening quarter of the second half. First it was Leon who poked home from close on Advait's pass after Myron's effort from outside the box came off the crossbar in the 51st minute. Six minutes later, he completed his brace tapping home Parag’s low ball in from the left.

Emanuel and Altamash scored two in as many minutes from outside the box around the hour mark to make it 8-0 for the Blue Colts. The home side had quite a few chances in the remainder of the second half, but some poor finishing and last-ditch defending from the visitors meant the score remained unchanged.

The league now breaks for three weeks with Bengaluru Reserves resuming their campaign with an away game against Hindustan FC in Delhi on February 25.

Bengaluru cruise past Eagles 5-1, go 8-points clear at the top

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC recorded a fifth consecutive win in dominant fashion as they brushed aside Bangalore Eagles 5-1 in a Round-7 encounter of the BDFA Super Division League at the Bangalore Football Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Friday.

A brace each from Leon Augustine (35’, 64’) and substitute Lalnuntluanga (87’, 90’) after skipper Myron Mendes’ (20’) opener handed the Blue Colts their sixth win of the campaign. The result meant Naushad Moosa’s boys took their tally to 18 points after seven games, extending their lead at the top of the table to eight points.

The game began on a sour note when Edmund Lalrindika was withdrawn after a tackle down the flank saw the Blue Colts’ striker unable to continue. Bengaluru broke the deadlock in the 20th minute as Altamash Sayed’s free-kick from the right was headed home by Myron at the second post.

The Blue Colts then doubled their advantage in the 35th when Leon struck from close range after left-back Parag Shrivas did well to keep the ball in before sending a low powerful cross into the box to Leon who timed his run well for a finish that creeped in at the far post.

Bangalore Eagles pulled one back early on in the second half when a flailing hand from Parag in the BFC box caught a cross and prompted the referee to point to the spot. Striker Gopi levelled the scores with his penalty in the 50th minute.

However, it was the Blues Colts who restored their two-goal cushion when Leon completed his brace in the 64th minute. Myron, with a delicate chip, found Leon making a run into the box on the right, and the winger found the back of the net at the far post on the volley.

Striker Lalnuntluanga, on for Edmund in the first half, struck a brace late on to complete the rout. Biswa Darjee was the provider on the first instance, setting Lalnuntluanga up with a perfectly threaded pass in the 87th minute. On the stroke of regulation time, the striker scored his second, poking Leon’s aerial ball past an advancing Abhishek in the Bangalore Eagles goal, before slotting home from close.

Bengaluru FC will next face Bangalore Independents on Tuesday, December 11.

Bengaluru colts school Students Union in 9-0 thrashing

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC bounced back to winning ways in the BDFA Super Division League with a 9-0 thrashing of Students Union in a Round-3 encounter at the Bangalore Football Stadium, on Friday. Leon Augustine’s hat-trick (18’, 46’, 87’) and Naorem Roshan Singh’s brace (10’, 20’) powered the big win as Asheer Akhtar (22’), Calvin Baretto (71’), Myron Mendes (72’) and Edmund Lalrindika (80’) too got on to the scoresheet.

Going into the game, Coach Naushad Moosa made three changes to the line-up, handing starts to defender Biswa Darjee, midfielder Ajay Chhetri and BFC U15s 'keeper Herojit Singh who made his debut.

After some early chances which were thwarted by Students Union goalkeeper Calvin Abhishek, the Blue Colts broke the deadlock in the 10th minute after attacker Roshan Singh controlled and smashed home Biswa Darjee's outside-of-the-boot cross in from the left.

Moosa's boys kept the tempo high and netted three more times in a span of five minutes. Leon doubled the lead when he headed in Ajay Chhetri's deft chip in from the left in the 18th minute before Roshan completed his brace two minutes later. SUFC failed to clear Ajay's cross in from the left and Roshan reacted quickest to finish to make it 3-0.

The score was 4-0 just two minutes later when defender Asheer Akhtar fired home a low drive from the edge of the box on the right as the Blue Colts ran riot.

The second half began explosively as Bengaluru struck inside 30 seconds. Striker Parag Shrivas capitalised on a weak back pass to gain possession and slid it across the goal from the right to find Leon at the far post for his second of the game.

The Blue Colts continued to push ahead then struck twice in two minutes. Substitute Calvin Baretto scored the sixth of the game, tapping home Biswa’s pass from the right after Altamash did well to find the wing-back clear in the box. A minute later, Edmund Lalrindika, on for Ajay Chhetri, set up Myron Mendes with his first pass of the game, as the skipper slid it past Abhishek to make it 7-0.

Bengaluru then struck twice more in the final ten minutes. Edmund controlled Biswa's cross in from the right and scored on his second attempt after the first one was blocked, and then claimed his second assist when he set up Leon to complete the latter’s hat-trick with three minutes left to play.

The Blue Colts next take on Kickstart FC on 24th November.

AFC Cup Group E: Roca aims to keep winning streak intact

Bengaluru FC Media 

The Sree Kanteerava Stadium will play host to its first game since the Indian Super League final when Albert Roca’s Bengaluru FC side welcome New Radiant SC in a 2018 AFC Cup group stage clash, on Tuesday. Having won their six previous AFC Cup games on the trot, Roca stressed the need for his Blues to maintain consistency in a competition in which they have reached the semifinal stage for two consecutive seasons.

“New Radiant are a very good side and have some quality players in their ranks. We saw them play against Aizawl and in Dhaka and we’re sure that we will have to be at our best to take anything away from them,” said the Spaniard, speaking at the pre-match press conference.

Bengaluru claimed a 1-0 win at the Fortress in their opening match of the 2018 AFC Cup group stages with a win against Abahani Dhaka before a 3-1 away defeat of Aizawl in Guwahati earlier this month. Striker Daniel Lalhlimpuia scored in both games, and could be set to make a start on Tuesday.

“We have some players who are in form and others who have been waiting for their chance. I will have to rest a few key players because we have a Super Cup quarterfinal coming up but I am sure that those who take the field will give their best,” added the Spaniard.

The Blues sit atop the standings in Group E, with two wins from two games, having scored four goals and conceded just one. Bengaluru boast a perfect record against Maldivian sides, with six wins from as many games over three seasons of the continental competition. The only major doubt for the Blues is central defender Juanan Gonzalez, who is nursing an injury sustained in the closing stages of the Indian Super League.

New Radiant, AFC Cup semifinalists in 2005 and the only Maldivian club to have progressed beyond group stages in the AFC cup on multiple occasions, come into the game with numbers identical to those of Roca’s men, having won their opening game against Aizawl 3-1 in Henveiru, before a 1-0 win against Abahani Dhaka in Bangladesh.

Talismanic striker Ali Ashfaq is the man in form and Roca admits the Bengaluru back line will need to be sharper than usual. “We were all upset with the way we conceded against Aizawl but we showed enough character to come back. We cannot afford to make those mistakes against New Radiant who have quality in attack. The game is a chance for us to go ahead on points alone and it’s one we must work hard to make count.”

Kick-off at the Fortress is at 8 pm and will be telecast live on the AFC Cup Facebook page.

Karnataka edge out Mizoram 1-0, reach semi final

AIFF Media 

Karnataka ended their 72nd Santosh Trophy Group campaign with a 1-0 win over Mizoram to book a semifinal spot at the Mohun Bagan Ground today.

Rajesh S scored the solitary goal in the game in the 74th minute. The result meant Karnataka ended up topping the group, edging Mizoram on their superior head to head record. Mizoram too advanced to the semi-finals as the runners up from Group B.

The Southern state started off brightly with Leon Augustine, the right winger and striker Rajesh S. creating a host of opportunities, although wasteful. Mizoram goalkeeper Andrew Lalhmingliana made two good stops in the first ten minutes itself.

Mizoram’s first good chance arrived in the 13th minute when Malsawmzuala MC’s freekick could only be headed inches over the bar by Lalrammawia. A minute later, Rajesh S broke on the counter and played a diagonal ball to Augustine. The winger then found his skipper Vignesh Gunashekar outside the box but his shot too, went over.

Lalmuanzova was a menace down the right flank. Winning a corner from Lalrammawia’s pass, his flagkick was well headed forward by defender Lalmuanawma on the edge of the box. Malsawmzuala MC attempted an overhead bicycle kick which failed to pay dividends, all within twenty minutes of the game.

Karnataka custodian Shainkhan CP was forced into making a quick save from Lalmuanzova’s angled shot and Sukesh Leon tracked back to make a goal line clearance from the ensuing corner.

Rajesh S and Leon Augustine made life tough for the Mizoram backline but they held on well. Lalhmingliana appeared to be a bit slippery while collecting balls but the goalkeeper ensured that his sides did not concede any as the deadlock was yet to be broken in the first half.

Seven minutes into the second half, Mizoram got yet another opportunity from Muanzova’s corner kick. Malsawmzuala MC flicked the ball past the ‘keeper who was off his line but Shahabaaz Khan made a goal line clearance.

On the counter, Lithon Shil played a one-two with Leon Augustine on the run and the latter, who took a swipe from 19 yards saw his curling shot only nestle the top-netting.

All those chances yielded success in the 74th minute when Sukesh Leon’s flag-kick resulted in a goalmouth melee but Rajesh S, showing great presence of mind slotted the ball from close space.

Behind by a goal, frustration showed for Mizoram as the head coach Lalsangzuala Hmar was sent to the stands for arguing with the referee and then Malsawmzuala MC too went into the book for a rough tackle.

Lalromawia was brought in with four minutes left in regulation time but the midfielder, who had scored four goals in the tournament so far failed to live upto the expectations.

Both sides finished with nine points each from four games but Karnataka won the group. Mizoram face Kerala while Karnataka set up a date against hosts Bengal in the semis on March 30. 

Avispa Fukuoka win 2-1 over Bengaluru FC Reserves

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.