Bengaluru sign Eugeneson Lyngdoh

Bengaluru FC Media

BFC have completed the signing of former player Eugeneson Lyngdoh on a one-year deal, the club announced on Monday. The 32-year old midfielder once again joins the Indian Super League champions after a two-year stint with Kolkata-side ATK, who had signed the Shillong-born playmaker during the ISL draft in 2017. 

A favourite among the supporters, Lyngdoh first joined Bengaluru FC in 2014 after stints with Meghalaya’s Shillong Lajong and Rangdajied United. Going on to become a vital part of the side under Ashley Westwood and then under Albert Roca, Lyngdoh scored some crucial goals for the Blues en route to winning three major trophies apart from helping the club to a maiden AFC Cup final in 2016. 

“Ever since I first signed for Bengaluru FC I knew I was making the right decision. Now that I’m here again I want to relive those moments and create new ones. I'm looking forward to being back on the pitch and fighting for titles once again,” said an elated Lyngdoh who becomes the third Indian signing for the season after youngsters Prabhsukhan Singh Gill and Suresh Wangjam. 

Bengaluru coach, Carles Cuadrat said he was delighted at having Lyngdoh back in BFC colours. “I have worked with Eugeneson before and I know the kind of influence he has on the dressing room. He is a good professional with good habits and I have no doubt about the fact that he will help the side improve and more specifically, the youngsters on the squad. He knows how we like to play, so we already have a head start with him,” said Cuadrat. 

At Bengaluru, Lyngdoh scored 16 goals in 74 appearances in three seasons while winning the Federation Cup in 2014-15 and 2016-17 and the I-League in 2016-17. The creative midfielder even bagged the AIFF Player of the Year award for 2015. 

Bengaluru to face North Korean side 4.25 SC in AFC Cup Inter-Zone semifinal

Bengaluru FC Media

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Federation Cup champions JSW Bengaluru Football Club were drawn to face North Korean side 4.25 SC (April 25 Sports Club) in the 2017 AFC Cup Inter Zone semifinals, at the AFC club competitions draw, held in Kuala Lumpur, on Tuesday.

While the Kanteerava Stadium is set to host the North Korean side on August 23rd, the reverse leg of the tie will be played at the 1,14,000 capacity May Day Stadium, in Pyongyang, on September 13th.

4.25 qualified to the Inter Zonal playoffs after winning the East Zone group, which consisted of Kigwancha SC and Mongolian side Erchim SC. The club, run by the North Korean Army and appearing on the continental stage for the first time in 25 years, scored a total of 14 goals in four matches in the three-team group, winning two and drawing two.

“April 25 SC are a side we’ve got very little information about so this will be a challenge of a different kind. We’ve got a good two months to prepare for this fixture and that’s what we’ll do. We did well in this competition and it is our aim to go one better than last time and win the cup,” said Blues’ boss Albert Roca.

Should Roca’s men get past 4.25 SC, they will face one of Tajikistan's FC Istiklol Dushanbe and the ASEAN Zone tie winner between Singapore's Home United or Philippines' Ceres Negros.

The Blues were also, by virtue of being South Zone Champions, awarded a cheque of $100,000 by AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John at the commencement of the draw. Bengaluru qualified for the knockout rounds of the tournament for a third consecutive season after defeating Maziya S&RC to top Group E. 

Bengaluru FC teams up with Karnataka Tourism

Bengaluru FC Media  

I-League champions Bengaluru Football Club announced a partnership with Karnataka Tourism to promote the state as a sporting destination at a press conference held at the Vidhana Soudha, in Bengaluru, on Thursday. 

Minister for IT, BT and Tourism Shri Priyank Kharge, Director, Tourism Dr. Manjula, club COO Mustafa Ghouse and skipper Sunil Chhetri addressed the gathering, speaking of the various ways in which sport can promote tourism in the city. 

BFC begin their I-League title defence with a clash against Shillong Lajong at the Kanteerava Stadium, on Saturday.

Bengaluru creates history, make it to the final of AFC Cup

Bengauru FC Media

Albert Roca’s boys script a stunning comeback to send the reigning champions Johor Darul Ta’zim packing with 3-1 win. It was a packed Sree Kanteerava Stadium, an inspired and stunning second half comeback saw Bengaluru FC etch their names in the annals of Indian football history by becoming the first club to make the final of the AFC. 

A brace from skipper Sunil Chhetri and a debut goal from Spanish defender Juan Gonzalez saw Bengaluru set up a summit clash against Iraq’s Air Force Club who beat Lebanese side Al Ahed in the first semifinal on Tuesday. What made the win even more special was the fact that it was the first time the Blues had beaten the Malaysian club in five meetings. 

For all the pressure Bengaluru threw at Johor, it was the visitors who scored first when Amrinder Singh’s parried save from a strike looped up and Safiq Rahim was at hand to nod home from five yards out. 

The Blues didn’t let the early set-back daunt them and began building up play with big spells of possession. And their best chance came in the 27th minute when 30 seconds of madness saw the ball whizz past the face of the JDT goal three times before Chhetri’s strike took a bit off the crossbar on its way out. 

But the skipper did have his goal in the 41st minute after Eugeneson Lyngdoh swung in a sublime corner that Chhetri sent into goal at the far post with a smartly flicked header, beating Mohammed Izham all ends up. 

Buoyed by the equaliser, Bengaluru refused to let half-time kill the tempo as Chhetri, Vineeth and Eugene kept causing all sorts of trouble for the JDT defence. But the buzz at the Fortress turned into a deafening roar when Chhetri picked his moment in the 66th minute to send home a screamer from 30 yards out as Bengaluru finally got the lead they deserved. 

Juan capped off a dominant performance and put the battle to bed when he rose to head home a free kick from Lyngdoh in the 76th minute. 

Bengaluru FC part ways with Gaffer Westwood

Bengaluru FC, on Tuesday, announced that the club would be parting ways with coach Ashley Westwood by mutual consent, bringing to end a successful three-year association during which the Blues won two I-League titles and one Federation Cup crown. The Blues have also made the quarterfinals of the AFC Cup this season under Westwood and will look to go a step further when the continental competition resumes in September. 

The Englishman was at the helm of affairs since the club’s inception in 2013 where the Blues went on to stun Indian football by winning the I-League in its debut season. 2014 too was a successful season where Bengaluru won the Federation Cup, finished second in the League and made the knock-out stages in the AFC Cup. 

In his parting note Ashley said, "I am extremely proud of my time and achievements during my tenure at BFC. I came to the country with a blank canvas, tasked with helping to build a club from scratch, improve Indian football and to try to produce some players to go on to represent the country. I feel with 3 major trophies, multiple ‘Coach of the Year’ awards and developing as many as 10 players to go on to represent India across different ages, I have achieved all of my objectives. I would like to thank the players, staff and management team for their efforts and support and I also want to thank the most important and fundamental part of this club, the fans." 

Gaffer further added, "My time with BFC has been a memorable one and I'll never forget all that we achieved. I'm saddened to leave but I know I have left the club in a very strong position as Champions of India once again and safely through to the quarter finals in the AFC Cup. I wish the club all the best for the future."

From the club, their CEO Parth Jindal stated, "It's been an extremely difficult time for the management of the club to part ways with Ashley Westwood. The decision hasn’t been the easiest to take but like always, it is one made in the best interests of Bengaluru FC."

[PICs] BFC Awards Night

BFC Media

The complete Bengaluru FC team strikes a happy pose along with club chairman Sajjan Jindal, CEO Parth Jindal and Sangita Jindal at the BFC Awards Night held at Leela Palace, in Bangalore, on Tuesday night

Sunil Chhetri collects his award for the 'Highest Goal Scorer of the Season' from deputy managing director, JSW Dr. Vinod Nowal and tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi

John Johnson (L-R), Ashley Westwood and Sunil Chhetri take part in a fun chat show hosted by performer and emcee Ash Chandler

John Johnson collects the 'Goal of the Season' award on behalf of teammate Sean Rooney from Sangita Jindal

Curtis Osano receives the 'Players' Player of the Season' award from club chairman Sajjan Jindal

[PICs] Ceremony at Bangalore Football Stadium

Champions Bengaluru FC raised a toast to its fantastic supporters when they display the Airtel I-League trophy on an open-top bus parade (http://www.gcsstars.com/2014/04/open-top-bus-parade-for-newly-crowned-i.html) that started on Kamaraj Road before making its way to the Bangalore Football Stadium where the trophy was displayed followed by an interaction between players and fans. 

[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.