Sachin Badhade joins as Bengaluru FC U15 coach from Minerva

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC have confirmed the addition of I-League winning coach Sachin Badadhe to the Academy staff, the club announced on Tuesday. The 39-year-old AFC ‘A’ License holder joins the Blues’ residential set up in Bellary after guiding I-League side Minerva Punjab to a third-place finish in Group E of the AFC Cup.

Badhade, who completed his AFC ‘A’ License in 2019, brings in valuable experience to the BFC Academy where he will take charge of the U15 squad. Welcoming him to the Bengaluru-fold, Head of Youth Development, Naushad Moosa said, “It’s great to have Sachin as the Head Coach of our U15 side. He is someone who has experience at both the youth and senior level, and it will help him deal with all the youngsters in the right way. We’ve had a lengthy discussion about the club’s philosophy and what is expected from him. He sounded comfortable and understands his role. Given that the U15 level is an important phase for the players, he will play a crucial role in getting the boys up to speed with the tactical aspects of the game.”

Meanwhile, Badadhe who signed a two-year deal with the Indian Super League champions, was excited at the prospect of working at the extensive set-up at Bellary, “I would like to thank the club management for giving me this opportunity. I am excited and all geared up to work with the most professional club in the country. It won’t be an easy job, but I aim to always give my best.”

“I believe a lot in discipline, and that’s one of the key aspects I’ll look to imbibe on the youngsters. Discipline is important both on and off the field, and once we achieve a good level, all things will work for us from there on. That’s what I’ve learnt coaching at the top level and that’s the aim as we want to get as many players to the top level as possible,” added Badadhe, who is hoping to bring in his continental experience handy in helping the youngsters move up in Bengaluru’s player pathway.  

Having played football locally in Pune and Mumbai, Badadhe turned to coaching in 2014 with the Maharashtra State Police, before joining Bharat FC (2015-16) as a Youth Coach. The Pune-native went on to train Maharashtra’s U17 (2016) and U18 (2017) teams apart from working with Madhya Pradesh’s Pride Sports FC (2016-17).

His big break came in 2017-18 at Minerva Punjab where he won the I-League title as an Assistant Coach before taking over as the Head Coach in 2019 leading them into the AFC Champions League qualifier and the AFC Cup Group Stage apart from the latter half of the I-League.

While Badadhe takes over as the U15 Coach, Ajay Chorge who guided the team to the Junior League finals last season will take over as the coach of the U13 team which will be fully residential in Bellary starting this season. As part of the youth restructuring, the U18 side will now be based in Bengaluru and will train under Naushad Moosa and Sandesh Bhoite forming a major part of BFC B with a view of getting more competitive action at a higher level. 

Bengaluru suffer final heartbreak, Minerva Punjab win 4th consecutive Hero Junior League title

AIFF & Bengaluru FC Media 

It was a heartbreaking end to what was a historic campaign for Bengaluru FC as they went down 0-2 to Minerva Punjab FC in the final of the Hero Junior League at the Kalyani Stadium in Kolkata, on Wednesday. 

In a game that they dominated from the very beginning, two counter-attacks hurt the Blue Colts as strikes from Himanshu Jangra (48’) and Tongbram Singh (65’) handed them their first defeat of the campaign in the summit clash. For the record, it was also the first time that Bengaluru conceded in the competition, having netted 89 in 12 consecutive wins leading up to the final.

Bengaluru FC began the first half on the offensive and created most of the close chances but poor finishing cost them as Lalthangliana and Rakesh Meitei both lacked the killer touch in the rival box. 

After a goalless first half, the deadlock was broken in the 48th minute by Minerva, when striker Himanshu slid it past BFC custodian Dipesh Chauhan from the edge of the box against the run of play. 

Minvera then doubled their lead in the 65th minute when Tongbram Singh netted from close. A quick counter saw the ball find Lhunminthang on the right and while his low cross was blocked by Dipesh in the BFC goal, the stray ball bounced to Tongbram who managed to get a header. While the first attempt came off the crossbar, the rebound was finally headed home by the attacker to effectively seal the game. 

Bengaluru kept on pushing throughout the final thirty-odd minutes but failed to break down the Minerva backline who defended deep. The Blue Colts however ended the game with ten men when winger Manish Chaudhary was sent off for dissent in the third minute of injury time.

Bengauru return to winning ways against Minerva

AIFF Media 
Bengaluru FC Media  

Bengaluru FC broke a jinx, claiming their first win in over a month and a half as a Lenny Rodrigues header in the 17th minute gave them a 1-0 victory against Minerva Punjab FC at the Guru Nanak Stadium, in Ludhiana, on Sunday. The result marked Albert Roca’s first away win in charge of the Blues and sends them to fourth position with 16 points from 11 games.

The Blues shaped in a 4-4-2 where John Johnson returned to the centre of defence alongside Juan Gonzalez while Serbian striker Marjan Jugovic made his Bengaluru debut. And it didn’t take long for Johnson to show the kind of assuredness he brings with him, winning every aerial duel while giving Juan the freedom to join in attack. Nishu Kumar at left-back was a constant threat, taking on the Minerva defence bravely and giving enough reason for Bengaluru to throw numbers in the box in attack.

But in what was the most important ‘first’ on the day for Bengaluru, Lenny leaped high to nod home Cameron Watson’s take from the corner, a goal that marked his first since signing for the Blues in the summer.

Having learned well enough about the lack of assurance a one-goal lead has given them in the past, Bengaluru kept pressing for a second with Jugovic and CK Vineeth working hard together on a pitch that didn’t really help the cause. Jhingan saw a header from a corner bounce inches wide in the 40th minute as Bengaluru could take just the goal to the dressing room at half time.

In a second half that saw a better-adjusted Bengaluru side, Udanta Singh had a shot saved in the 49th minute before Jugovic saw his looping header float inches high of the Minerva crossbar. Looking to keep things tight and close the game, Roca threw in Harmanjot Khabra for Jugovic and Daniel Lalhlimpuia for CK Vineeth.

Lalhlimpuia had more than a few efforts to double the Blues’ lead, combining well with the skipper, but lacking the finishing touch as the Blues settled for the one-nil win.

Bengaluru next face Chennai City FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Chennai, on Wednesday.

Bengaluru keen to turn corner with Minerva challenge

Bengaluru FC Media 
AIFF Media

Albert Roca said he was confident his Bengaluru FC side would dig deep and turn up with the goods as they begin a key month of football with a trip to Jalandhar to take on Minerva Punjab FC at the Guru Nanak Stadium, on Sunday. The Blues travel to Chennai next before hosting Mohun Bagan twice in a span of four days in the League and the AFC Cup and Roca felt that there was no better time than now to get what’s been a difficult season for Bengaluru, back on track.

“We can’t change results that have gone by. What we can do is work harder to make sure results ahead go our way. Minerva away from home will be a game that will require us to give everything if we are to change our fortunes. We play four games in nine days and it’s important that we start this phase well,” said Roca on the eve of the game.

Bringing some much-needed respite to a side that’s been hit with injury, a run of frustrating results and patches of poor form, is the return of John Johnson to the squad. The central defender, who has missed four games this season owing to a rib injury, has made the trip and could start alongside Juan Gonzalez.

Also grabbing focus will be new striker Marjan Jugovic who has put in a few training sessions with the team and it remains to be seen whether or not Roca chooses to start with the Serbian.

“It’s good to have John back in the squad as he’s always been a positive influence on the team and is one of the voices on the pitch and I’m certain he will have a key role to play tomorrow. We’re also glad to have Marjan who has showed more than just glimpses of his experience, in training. These inclusions give the squad the kind of strength we need at the moment,” said Roca.

The pitch conditions at the Guru Nanak Stadium haven’t been the best and Roca voiced his concern while admitting that his side would have to find a way around it. “I hope everyone realises that a pitch like this is bad for the show. They are the home team and will have a better understanding of the surface. So, it’s up to us to adapt as quickly as possible.”


Minerva put behind a shaky start to the League, steadied things and are now on an unbeaten run of six games. The side from Punjab managed to snatch a very lucky point when they came to the Fortress in February. A stray cross caught the foot of Sandesh Jhingan before looping over a wrong-footed Amrinder Singh in a game that Bengaluru dominated completely.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 04:30 PM and it’ll be aired live on Ten 2.

Minerva steal a point from Blues’ fortress

AIFF Media 
Bengaluru FC Media

In an attempt to mend their mid-season decline, the Blues from the Garden City returned to their fortress to take on Minerva Punjab FC in the Hero I-League. However, they failed to maintain an all-win home record for this season and played a 1-1 draw. 

Captain Sunil Chettri gave them the lead in the 50th minute, the joy was curtailed when a defensive mistake from Sandesh Jhingan equalized the score.  

Bengaluru came in the game with a lone foreigner in Cameroon Watson. They brought in Sandesh Jhingan and Salam Ranjan Singh in the central defense for their original choice of John Johnson and Juanan, who are out of suspension. 

BFC in their trademark way was building attack from the back. Visitors could not damage much to the hosts’ defense.  

In the 9th minute, Vineeth was fouled by the Minerva left stopper back, which earned his team a free-kick. The free-kick couldn’t harm much to Minerva, but there was a follow-up that witnessed the first positive attack.   
BFC earned their first corner in the 11th minute, a quick snapshot by Captain Chettri from Cameroon was efficiently blocked by keeper Arnab Das Sharma. 

Few minutes later Vineeth came up hurriedly, latched the ball, and shot it diagonally, but couldn’t find his teammate in the second post. 

BFC came close again in the 33rd minute from a free kick from Sena Ralte, which was won from an infringement on Udanta Singh, but the strikers could not tap the ball inside the box. 

The only mentionable strike from the visitors in the first half came in 35th minute, when left back Sena Ralte brought down Minerva’s Suouvik Das. Kareem Omolaja Nurain’s free-kick almost took a dip to the BFC goal after the ball got deflected from a defender. 

Minerva did well to keep the scoreboard blank at the lemon break. 

Bengaluru barged a series of attack at the beginning of the second half and kept pressure in opponent’s half. The goal came in the 50th minute - Udanta ran down from the right flank and delivered a precise cross, Minerva defense failed to clear the ball, and Sunil Chhetri comes in, his half volley finds the ball at the back of net. 

Minerva Punjab FC equalized in the 79th minute from a rather harmless cross from Germanpreet Singh. The ball bounced in front of a sliding Sandesh Jhingan, taking a touch went into the goal, leaving keeper Amrinder completely off guarded. 

Keeping the Bengaluru attack on check, Minerva defense committed too many infringements, inviting free-kicks near the 18 yard box, which BFC failed to convert.

Bengaluru FC skipper Sunil Chettri was declared the Hero of the Match!

Ozone boys fail to qualify the final hurdle, Minerva win their second Nike Premier Cup

AIFF Media

Minerva Punjab FC, the defending champions, have mesmerized the football-loving crowd of the Cooperage Stadium in Mumbai with a scintillating performance to clinch the Nike Premier Cup for second successive year. Jeakson Singh (7′), Lalchhanhima Sailo (11′) and Md. Shahjahan (33′) smacked three first-half goals to dash the debutante Ozone FC Bengaluru’s dream of winning the Nike Premier Cup in their debut season akin to the champions Minerva Punjab FC. 

Right from the start, Minerva started to attack the opponent’s defence and it only took them, 3 minutes to build up their first proper attack of the match, though it did not result in a goal. Minerva scored the first goal of the match through their captain Jeakson Singh within the ten-minute mark.
This out of the world long-range made the people present at the stadium go into a frenzy. The goal shot was taken at least 15 metres away from the penalty box. 

The second goal came 4 minutes after the first one from Sailo. This goal was an exact replica of the first one, expect this one went inside the top left corner of the goal and the first one was banged into the right corner of the goalpost.

Thanks to the pressing football by the Minervans and a perfect assist from Sailo, Md. Shahjahan nailed the final one in the Ozone FC coffin on 33 minutes. 

In the second half, just when it seemed Ozone FC were starting to settle down and getting a hang of the match, the Minervans came out and put up two back-to-back attacks. 

Ozone’s best chance of minimizing the gap came on 83 minutes but yet again the Minerva defense was up to the task. The danger was averted with a beautifully executed sliding tackle. 

The most commendable part was that both the team maintained a high tempo throughout the match. Moreover, for Ozone FC, who came into the second half with a deficit of three goals, never for a moment gave up the fight, even during the extra time they were running after the ball with utmost zeal, they always had the hunger for goal in their game but it seems the game planning let them down. 

Ozone FC, who earned huge accolades for their bravado on their debut season, are awarded a cheque of INR 1.5 Lac whereas Minerva Punjab FC are bestowed with the snazzy Nike Premier Cup trophy and a hefty cheque of INR 5 Lac.

Bengaluru confident of good show against Minerva

AIFF Media 
Bengalru FC Media 

In an important Round 7 match of the Hero I-League, Bengaluru FC take on new comer Minerva Punjab FC tomorrow evening at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore.  

The hosts are going through a mid-season slump. They are back home after a tough away journey where they failed to register single a win in three games. Minerva Punjab is coming with a morale-boosting win and draw back home. 

Interestingly, both teams locked horns few days back in the semifinal of the U-16 Youth League, where the team from Punjab got the better of Bengaluru. The later look to turn the table this time around. 

Talking to the media, Bengaluru coach Roca agreed his team is down for now, but fortunate that this has happened at an early stage, so there is enough time to retrieve, and come back in title contention. 

“We need to keep fighting because that’s the first thing we need to do. It is all about mentality and positive attitude and we’re prepared for the game. We’re eager to win!” stated the Spaniard. 

The Steelmen received a jolt in the absence of central defender duo, John Johnson and Juanan, who are out for tomorrow’s match owing to suspension by the AIFF disciplinary committee after their away game against Churchill Brothers. 

“I’m confident about the players who will be there tomorrow on the pitch, we’ve have to face the situation, which at present might not be in our favor. We have to be there and try to do our best!” remarked Roca. 

BFC is yet to find a replacement for Roby Norales, who after having a stint with the Blues was loaned out to Ozone FC. He is currently doing duty in I-League Second Division. Roca is hopeful about getting the fourth foreigners slot filled next week. 

Must be a big match tomorrow for the team from North. After collecting a point in their away first game against Chennai City FC, they were pointless in next three (away) rounds. Team has just gathered momentum after a draw and a win. 

Minerva coach, Surinder Singh said, “Team is doing well and they are slowly coming together, we are looking for a positive result.” 

“Even a draw would do for us, considering this is our away match. Something is always better than nothing” quipped coach, who believes in taking each match at a time. 

The match is scheduled at 7:05 pm and will be telecast live on Ten2 television channel.