MUFC India 2014: Bengaluru FC lads falter at the last hurdle, finish runners up

Bengaluru FC Media

The Bengaluru FC Colts’ brilliant run in the Manchester United Premier Cup came to an end with a heartbreaking 3-1 defeat in extra time to BMSC Manipur in the All-India final played at the Balewadi Sports Complex, in Pune, on Friday. 

The under-15s impressed through the tournament but were undone by some slack defending when it mattered the most. Bengaluru earned their place in the final beating Mohammedan Sporting 3-2 in a penalty shootout in the semifinal after the teams were tied 2-2 after regulation time. 

The junior Blues began the final on all the right notes, shooting to a 10^th minute lead when Lokesh headed in a Shelton Paul cross. It would also be the first time BMSC had conceded a goal in the tournament. However, the lead was short-lived after BFC ’keeper Bill Clinton erroneously judged a BMSC freekick, letting it bounce over him into the goal. The Manipur team kept possession for most of the game, frustrating Bengaluru’s attempts of searching out a winner. 

The final went into extra time when BMSC struck in the 12^th minute of the first period, again from a BFC error. Receiving a pass from the ’keeper, right-back Prashanth was soon dispossessed and a pass later, Manipur scored their second. BMSC put the matter beyond Bengaluru’s reach with a third in the second period of extra time to lift the Cup. 

Clinton’s heroics under the bar in the shootout against Mohammedan where he pulled off three fantastic saves, earned him the goalkeeper of tournament award. 

“BFC has a defined and clear youth development philosophy and program and the results achieved here are a result of a lot hard work going into adhering to a training program and demanding high standards from the players. We have a good supply line developing in various age groups and hope to see these super colts play for the BFC at the highest level in the years to come,” said Richard Hood, head of youth development, Bengaluru FC. 

MUFC India 2014: Bengaluru FC colts crowned zonal champions

Bengaluru FC Media

The Bengaluru FC under-15s were crowned champions of the south-west zone of the Manchester United Premier Cup – India leg - with a 1-0 defeat of Dempo SC at the Balewadi Stadium, in Pune, on Wednesday. Pradeep R smashed home a scorching strike in the 32nd minute to hand the BFC colts zonal honors.

Opting for a cautious approach to the final, Dempo crowded their half, frustrating Bengaluru FC attempts that were being broken down frequently. But it took a moment of magic from Pradeep to seal an important win for BFC. The lead in hand, Bengaluru were content playing the possession game in an attempt to kill the encounter. 

However, Bengaluru’s biggest test will be on Friday when they take on Mohammedan Sporting in the semis of the All India final. Dempo and BMSC Manipur will battle it out in the second semifinal. 

“We are delighted that all the hard work over the months is paying off. The boys are enjoying their football and are following instructions to the tee. However, they must realize that the job is only half done. There is another Cup at stake,” said coach Saksham Kakkar. 

Earlier in the day, Bengaluru FC needed a 22nd minute strike from Shelton Paul to see off DFA Ernakulum. BFC play their semifinal at the Balewadi Stadium at 9 am. 

MUFC India 2014: Bengaluru FC boys notch second win

Bengaluru FC Media

The Bengaluru FC under-15s made it two wins in as many games beating Mumbai FC U-15 1-0 at the Manchester United Premier Cup being played at the Balewadi Stadium, in Pune, on Monday. The BFC colts had scored a comprehensive 4-1 over Salgaocar on Sunday and now have only one league encounter left. 

Bengaluru took the lead in the 12^th minute when, off a counter, Pradeep R slotted home from a well strung move. Mumbai FC searched hard for the equaliser but the BFC defence put on a solid show with clinical tackles and timely clearances. 

“It was a tough game to be honest, extremely physical. Prashanth played a great pass through and all I had to do was put the ball in calmly. This goal and win is for the club and all we need to do is put our heads down and complete the task we have come here to accomplish,” said scorer Pradeep.

The junior Blues take on Gujarat on Wednesday morning in a 9 am kick off and victory would send them to the semifinal to be played on January 22.

MUFC India 2014: Bengaluru FC boys thrash Salgaocar 4-1

The Bengaluru FC under-15s kicked Off Manchester United Premier Cup (MUPC) campaign With a commanding win over Salgaocar under-15 at the Balewadi Stadium, Pune, on Sunday. Prashanth R turned up with a brace while Pradeep R and Shashidharan scored a goal each in the rout.

BFC took the lead in as early as the 6th minute from a swift counter where, after stringing three passes, Pradeep struck from a rebound after his initial shot was saved by the ’keeper. Bengaluru doubled the lead in the 22nd minute when Shashidharan set up Prashanth for his first of the day.

The junior Blues had a lion’s share of the possession and used the flanks with good effect and reaped a third goal for the effort. This time, roles were reversed, with Prashanth setting up Shashidharan to make it 3-0 before scoring the fourth goal himself in the 29th minute.

Salgaocar did manage to pull one back in the 32nd minute that ended up being nothing but a consolation. “The boys were paired against a tough opposition in Salgaocar but we have been preparing well for the last four months. The energy and intensity the team played with was encouraging. But we now have a task at hand as early as tomorrow and we are focusing on that game,” said coach Saksham Kakkar. 

Bengaluru FC take on Mumbai FC on Monday at 12 pm. 

Bengaluru FC in Nike Manchester United Premier Cup 2014

Manchester United Premier Cup (MUPC), a global youth football tournament kick started its 2014 India leg few days back. The groups are divided in different zones - North-East, South-West, and so on. 


Fixtures of the South-West zone started from Sunday, January 19 in Pune and will go on till January 22. Also, Pune will host the MUPC India 2014 finals. The winner will represent India in the regional finals in Thailand.

Bengaluru FC is placed in Group B along with Salgaonkar, Mumbai FC, Gujarat FC. 

Group B

• Sunday, January 19, 2 pm: Bengaluru FC 4 (Prashanth R-[2], Pradeep R, Shashidharan) vs Salgaonkar 1 
• Monday, January 20, 12 pm: Bengaluru FC 1 (Pradeep R) vs Mumbai FC 0 
• Tuesday, January 21, 9 am: Bengaluru FC 2  vs Gujarat FC 0 

Semi-final

• Wednesday, January 22, 9 am: Bengaluru FC 1 Vs DFA Academy, Ernakulam 0

Zonal Final

• Wednesday, January 22, 9 am: Bengaluru FC 1 Vs Dempo 0