Naushad Moosa joins Bengaluru FC as 'Indian' Assistant Coach

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC on Thursday, announced the appointment of AFC Pro-Licensed Coach Naushad Moosa as Indian Assistant Coach for the first team. Also, he will be the Head Coach of the newly formed BFC reserve side.

Moosa has formerly served as Head of Youth Development and Head Coach of the U19 side at Pune FC and was head coach of Air India Limited in 2012. A former youth Coach at Mumbai FC, his most recent appointment was as U14s coach at Reliance Foundation Young Champs.

“As a coach, it is a privilege to join a club that has a winning mentality. Bengaluru FC has won a trophy in each of its four seasons and the professionalism of this team is second to none. I’m really looking forward to being a part of the setup here,” said Moosa following his appointment.

A former footballer himself, Moosa has turned out for Air India, Churchill Brothers, East Bengal FC, Mahindra United and Mohammedan Sporting in a career that spanned over 12 years. As coach of the Pune FC U19s, Moosa claimed the U18 I-League twice in three years and won the Pune League in 2016.

“We are very happy to add Naushad to our backroom staff. His experience as a player and coach will add a lot of value to our team and the added responsibility of managing the reserve squad will see him nurture the future stars at BFC,” said club COO Mustafa Ghouse.

While joining Albert Roca and Carles Cuadrat as  the Blues’ first team coaches, 46-year-old Moosa will also be at the helm of things for the newly formed BFC reserve side, which looks to bridge the gap between the clubs Residential Youth Academy in Bellary and the first team. 

Amrinder, Alwyn extend Bengaluru deals

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC, on Thursday, announced that goalkeeper Amrinder Singh and Alwyn George had signed new one-year deals, which would keep them with the Blues until the end of the 2016-17 season. Amrinder, having joined Bengaluru at the beginning of 2016, makes his loan move from Pune FC permanent while the club has opted to activate the one-year extension clause on Alwyn’s contract.

Amrinder kept nine clean sheets on his way to winning the I-League’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, an accolade that the 22-year-old says played a huge part in his decision.

“I’m happy to have signed a new deal with Bengaluru FC. The progress that I’ve made as a goalkeeper at this club has helped me win the ‘I-League’s Best Goalkeeper and I’d like to thank the coaching staff, the management and the fans for all their support. I’m looking forward to another season with this club and scripting more history,” said Amrinder.

Midfielder Alwyn George, who signed from Dempo SC in the summer, has penned an extension on his current deal after a string of impressive performances; most notably in a 5-3 win against Ayeyawady United in the AFC Cup where he scored a brace.

Club COO Mustafa Ghouse said the club is delighted to have re-signed the duo, who he believes are an integral part of the Blues’ squad.

“Amrinder has been one of the standout performers at the club this season. He had to fight for this place in the squad and once he got it, he held on to it with a string of good performances. Everyone knows what a valuable signing he’s been and we’re excited to have him with us. As for Alwyn, we all know what a talent he is. He came into his own as the season progressed and we strongly believe he is one for the future and are very happy to activate the plus-one clause on his contract,” said club COO Mustafa Ghouse.  

Bengaluru replace injured Walker with Michael Collins

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC, on Wednesday, announced that the club would be replacing injured midfielder Joshua Walker with fellow Englishman and midfielder Michael Collins. Walker, who missed the first two games of the season with a knee issue, faces a long enough layoff to keep him out for the rest of the season, prompting Ashley Westwood to ring in the change.

“It’s under unfortunate circumstances that we have to replace Josh with another player but this is a short, congested season which means we had to move quickly. We’ve done our due diligence on Michael and I’ve spoken with former coaches, players and current scouts on the basis of which I’ve made my choice. Michael has more than 300 games in English football under his belt, is a good character and will be a good example of a professional to everyone around,” said Westwood.

Twenty-nine-year-old Collins started his career with Huddersfield Town with whom he spent six seasons, playing a 173 times and scoring 19 goals. His second substantial spell was with current League One team Scunthorpe United where he played 79 games before moves to AFC Wimbledon (loan), Oxford United and York City (loan).

Interestingly, Walker and Collins have been teammates at Scunthorpe and the duo have been exchanging notes. “I’m very excited to start this chapter of my career. I got a call from the gaffer who gave me a lowdown about the League and more after which I had a word with my family and decided that this is the right time in my career to try something new. I’ve even been speaking with Josh who keeps filling me in,” said Collins who hails from Halifax.

Collins is slated to arrive in the country over the coming week, ruling him out of the Blues first home game against Shillong Lajong on Sunday. “There’s no time to settle in and I’m going to have to blend in right away. But I don’t think that should be a worry because I’ve been keeping myself fit. I can’t wait to come over and play my part in helping the club win the League,” said Collins who has 6 caps for the Republic of Ireland at the under-21 level.

While Walker has been replaced and de-registered from the I-League, he continues to be a Bengaluru FC player. “It’s unfortunate what happened with Josh Walker but it’s a call that had to be taken. However, he still remains a Bengaluru FC player and we wish him a speedy recovery. He was brilliant for us last season and had a big hand in the successful season the club produced. We will be working with him closely to see him recover to full fitness at the earliest,” said Mustafa Ghouse, COO of Bengaluru FC.

Bengaluru FC to play pre-season friendlies in China

Bengaluru FC media 

Bengaluru FC, on Saturday, announced that the club would be travelling to China as part of their pre-season preparations. Scheduled to leave on Wednesday, the I-League champions will play three practice matches over two weeks. 

BFC will be taking on Hong Kong Premier League side Eastern AA on September 28. The team are current champions of the Hong Kong FA Cup and have won the First Division four times. In their second fixture, the Blues will be up against another club from Hong Kong, Kitchee SC. Kitchee are currently in the semifinals of the AFC Cup and have enjoyed much success in the League. Westwood’s team will end their trip with an October 9 game against Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F Football Club. Coached by former England manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Guangzhou finished 3rd in the 2014 season of the Chinese Super League. 

Coach Ashley Westwood said the tour would be an ideal preparation given the club’s participation in Asian competitions this season. “We are really looking forward to test ourselves in a foreign country at a different standard. We were proven and deserved champions of the I-League last season but now we are going to test ourselves at a different level. Playing some competitive games against teams from China and Hong Kong will give us an idea of how we will figure in the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup. We are really grateful to the management and the owners for supporting our view and enabling us to set the benchmark of one of the most professionally run clubs in India.” 

Regrouping in July after winning the League last season, Bengaluru FC travelled to Goa for a couple of friendlies against Salgaocar and Pune FC. But the club believes the trip away from Indian shores will bode the club well for the season ahead. “The team has worked very hard to win the League last year and, as a club, we felt that they should get the best possible preparation for the AFC games and the season in general,” said Mustafa Ghouse, COO, Bengaluru FC. 

Westwood hopes his boys make the most of the chance. “Hopefully the players will relish and flourish at this opportunity the club has given them to keep improving all the time and make a name for themselves in Indian football,” he concurred. 

[PICS] Bengaluru FC home kit 2014-15

Bengaluru FC forms technical tie-up with Sun Group for ISL

A close look at the picture of day 1 of Central Domestic Player Draft of the Hero ISL would reveal that the two gentlemen on the right side are none other than Bengaluru FC COO Mustafa Ghouse and chief consultant Mandar Tamhane. 

So, what are they doing here? 

JSW, on Tuesday, announced that they would be getting into a technical tie-up with Sun Group's Bangalore team of the Indian Super League (ISL) for the inaugural season. 

“The tie-up is purely a technical one and does not involve players and coaching staff from Bengaluru FC. The second year could see us getting involved in a much bigger way. This is in line with JSW’s endeavour to promote Indian football,” said Mustafa Ghouse, COO of Bengaluru FC.

[PICS] Open-top bus parade for the newly crowned I-League champs

Bengaluru FC aspires to be playing in the AFC Champions League: Path Jindal

Bengaluru FC media

Bengaluru FC addressed the media formally for the first time since being crowned I-League champions after beating Dempo 2-4 in Goa. Club CEO Parth Jindal, COO Mustafa Ghouse, coach Ashley Westwood, assistant coach Pradhyum Reddy, skipper Sunil Chhetri, and team consultant Mandar Tamhane addressed a packed media gathering where they spoke about Bengaluru FC’s historic triumph and plans ahead. 

“This has been a fantastic journey for all of us at the club. The fact that we are I-League champions is yet to sink in. Things will only get bigger and better from here. When we started we were fighting with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) that we don’t get relegated. So, to come here as a champion, is unexpected. One thing is for sure, we are not going let go of the title soon. But for that we will have to improve and reinforce our team. We want to be the first India team to qualify for the AFC Champions League,” said Jindal. 

Westwood, who along with the team was given a rousing reception at the Bangalore airport, said it was an absolute honor to lead this team to the title. “Any championship title is a huge success. I wouldn’t compare it to anything else but it’s a fantastic honor and I am really proud and privileged to be the head coach. Its right up there with the most successful things I have done throughout my career. It’s the greatest feeling in the world and I wouldn’t take any shine off it by comparing it with anything else,” said the Englishman when asked if he thought his success at BFC was the biggest in his career as player or coach. 

While the title has been conquered, there is an individual award at stake and that could come Bengaluru’s way too. Skipper Sunil Chhetri is tied top scorer on 14 goals and with the game against Sporting Clube de Goa left, he could well be on track to bag the award. “People have said that I play for the country but never turn up for clubs and I’m glad they do that. It only motivates me to perform better. There is the possibility of me ending up top scorer in the League and that says a lot,” said Chhetri. 

[PICS] Dempo Vs Bengaluru FC match-day pics

Courtesy: BFC Media

Bengaluru FC launches Soccer Schools

Bengaluru FC announced the launch of the Bengaluru FC Soccer Schools - the club’s newest venture aimed at promoting and supporting football at the grassroots level. In a press conference addressed by Bengaluru FC COO Mustafa Ghouse, head coach Ashley Westwood, head of youth development Richard Hood, and striker Robin Singh, the club laid out the plans for the Soccer Schools, the first of which kicks off on April 20 at Play Mania, Bellandur, off outer ring road. 

Designed by the coaching staff at the club, the Soccer Schools will, for now, be open to children in the under-7, 9, and 11 age categories. Speaking at the launch, Ghouse said, “Announcing the BFC Soccer Schools is a very special moment for everyone at the club. This is the first step and we are certain about the Soccer Schools expanding to more parts of the city and eventually, the country.” 

While the under-7s will have two batches, two times a week, the under-9s and under-11s will have three sessions a week. There will also be designated days for practice games. Talented youngsters coming out of the Schools even stand the chance to get a look in to the club’s elite academy. 

“I’ve come through an academy myself and completely understand the importance of one if you are to develop as a player. It’s wonderful to be part of a club that is promoting the grassroots at the right age and the future is surely bright for the children who are part of the program,” said Singh who is a product of the Tata Football Academy. 

Bangalore Football Stadium to have floodlights soon

With the Garden City's newly formed I-League, Bengaluru FC, all set to make debut in I-League, the team management announced their preparations at a press conference today evening. They will be playing their Round I match against Mohun Bagan on 4 pm, Sunday, September 22. 

Keeping city's footballing pockets in mind, Mustafa Ghouse, CEO, JSW Sports stressed that the tickets are reasonably priced, they have tried to cater to all the sections of the city, and strongly believes that the football-loving people of the Garden City will flock in numbers to support Bengaluru FC. The tickets are priced at Rs.30, 50, 150, 300, and, 450. Also, they have tied-up with an online ticket booking portal, BookMyShow. Mustafa also mentioned the support his club received from the Karnataka State Football Association and Bangalore District Football Association. 

The Jindal Group-owned team has painted the Bangalore Football Stadium and committed towards providing a pleasant match day experience to the football loving fans of Bangalore. Very soon the flood lights will be installed at the stadium and Bengaluru FC will be staging I-League matches under lights at the later part of the season. 

The club announced their tie-up with Arbor Brewing Company as home pub for the season. Fans will get to buy the match tickets and merchandise items of Bengaluru FC from this pub plus they will be screening the I-League games that will be televised. Bengaluru FC has also tied up with Radio City, a local FM radio station, who will be updating the previews, match results. 

Coach Ashley Westwood, skipper Sunil Chhetri, and players John Johnson and Vishal Kumar too were present at the occasion. 

Ashley spoke highly about his team, which is free from any injuries. He added, "The team was formed in a short space of time. It's a small tight-knit bunch. We are not a typical I-League side with a squad of 35 or 40. We have tried to keep it short to 25-30. That could be a problem in the season. I have heard that players in the I-League tend to pick up injuries, but we are all fit and we don't have any injuries." 

Sunday's match will be a totally different experience for local lad Vishal Kumar Ravindra, who will be turning up for a Bangalore-based I-League club for the first time, "It is a good chance for me to improve, playing with experienced players. Bengaluru FC has given a great chance for me to play in my hometown, in front of my family. My father and mother will be here on the match day!"