Balaji receive Karnataka Olympic Association Award

Former India international and keeper of ITI, Pune FC, and HAL, Balaji Narasimhan, was awarded by the Karnataka Olympic Association (KOA) last night at an event held in the State Youth Centre. He was presented a cheque of One lakh rupees along a memento by Vajubhai Vala, the Governor of the state. 

Also, awarded were the ten active sportspersons, two former players, and a sports medicine and media expert. 

Keen to take up coaching seriously, Balaji was a part of the Pune FC since its inception in 2007.

List of Awardees

Daniel S Farid (badminton), Anil Kumar (basketball), Naveen John (cycling), Pradhan Somanna (hockey), V Avinash (judo), Sharmadaa Baluu (tennis), B Nikhil (shooting), M Avinash (swimming), V Kushi (table tennis), Sandeep Kate (wrestling)

Retired sportspersons: Subramani (hockey), Balaji Narasimhan (football), Udaya Kumar (tennis) 

Hemanth Sampaje (media), Dr. Kiran Kumar Kulkarni (sports medicine)

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. 

Chika Wali to join Ozone FC

If sources are to be believed, football fans of the Garden City might see another top footballer playing in the namma city. Nigerian central defender, a veteran in Indian domestic football scene, Chika Wali is set to join  Ozone Football Club, Bengaluru. 

Playing his 10th season in India, Chika has earlier played for various I-League teams like Pune FC, United Sports, Salgaocar, and Mumbai FC. 

Bengaluru take on Pune in away encounter

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru gaffer Ashley Westwood said he expects nothing short of a game at full throttle when Bengaluru FC take on Pune FC at the Balewadi Stadium, in Pune, on Tuesday. Sitting fourth on the table with a point and a game behind Pune, Bengaluru will look to notch their first win in the city as the race to the title picks up pace. 

The Blues are unbeaten in six games across competitions and while some results may not have gone his team’s way, Westwood is pleased with the performances being dished out. “We are looking forward to the game against Pune and like I’ve said at most press conferences before a game, we are in good form. We’ve never seen a bad patch at the club which is a testament of the effort the boys are putting in. As for Tuesday, Pune will feel they have a chance just like us and I expect a good game that will see both teams go full throttle at each other,” said the gaffer on the eve of the game.

Bengaluru come into the game on the back of a 1-0 win over Warriors FC in the AFC Cup that saw the Blues put on a commanding show in Singapore. Pune, meanwhile, are fresh from a 2-1 win over Dempo in Goa. However, both teams will be without key players owing to suspensions. His injury time sending off against Mumbai FC means Robin Singh won’t have any part to play on Tuesday while striker Darko Nikac and midfielder Dhanpal Ganesh will be missing in action for the hosts.

Quizzed whether Robin’s absence will be a major setback given the form the striker has been going through (4 goals in five games), Westwood begged to differ. “We have a suspension in Robin but as do Pune FC. However, I don’t see that as a negative for us because it is a great opportunity for someone else to step up and prove a point.”

Both teams will also look at the game as the best possible chance to catch up with leaders Mohun Bagan who conceded twice in four minutes against Royal Wahingdoh and in going down 3-2, suffered their first defeat of the season.

Bengaluru and Pune met early in the season in Bengaluru where Pune came away 3-1 winners and Westwood said the boys will do all they can to reverse the result. “Looking back on the game, we had an off day. But even in having an off day, we had far more possession, passes and shots on goal than them – 17 to their 4 to be precise. And on Tuesday, we will be doing our best to reverse the result knowing Pune will be coming for the win too. It’s all set up for a thrilling encounter,” said Westwood.

The game kicks off at 7 pm. 

Pune FC wins the battle of professionals

Two quick strikes by the visitors in the first half and a later in the second half sealed the fate of the Round 2 game between Bengaluru FC (BFC) and Pune FC (PFC). 

BFC gaffer Westwood pulled a surprise of sort by benching Captain Sunil Chhetri and Robin Singh. Young left back Lalchhuanmawia was in the starting lineup.  Also, central midfielder Joshua Walker made a comeback after sitting out the first match owing to injury. 

PFC started with all foreigners including their newly inducted player from Portugal Edgar Marcelino. 

The host made their first foray in the 5th minute from left by Keegan Perriera, few minutes later Thoi Singh’s long ranger missed the target. They forced 5 corners in the first half, but failed to take any advantage. 

Montenegrin international Darko Nikač scored in the 9th minute - a calm finish to the right corner of net after beating an offside trap. PFC struck once again through central defender 25th minute Luciano Sobrosa. 

It took no time for the BFC coach to bring Sunil Chhetri to the pitch replacing Keegan Perriera. The change impacted immediately with a couple of quick attacks.  

A good built up from center by Walker could have got host their first goal, a brilliant one-touch pass from Sean Rooney set the ball for Chhetri, but PFC keeper was there at the right spot which prevented from scoring. 
Post lemon break, BFC added power in their attack by bringing in Robin Singh for Beikhokhei.  

The score line could have read 3-0 for PFC should Thongkhosiem Haokip not missed a sitter in the 53rd minute. It was a matter of 20-odd minutes, when the tall striker from North-East scored an opportunistic goal from all the hard work that Ishfaq Ahmed did in the center.  

In the 88th minute medio Eugenson Lyngdoh pulled one back for the hosts.    

Pune and Bengaluru FC are the examples to follow in Indian Football: Kareem

Round 2 and the clash is between India’s two most professional clubs – Bengaluru FC (BFC) and Pune FC (PFC). Though both teams have failed to register a win in round 1, bet they are looking to win this game in the Hero I-League campaign!

Needless to say both teams are well prepared in this season, they played against each other few weeks ago during the Hero Federation Cup semifinal, where Bengaluru got the better of Pune in a hard fought battle. The former went on winning the cup.   

PFC has always been a tough opposition for BFC, they could not get past PFC in the last edition of I-League. Though BFC coach Ashley Westwood looked quite content with a draw against Dempo last week, he too is looking for a win.  

Westwood said, “We play every game to win, obviously PFC is a strong team, even they too play to win. Finally it would all come to who got the best formation and tactic in the day”. 

Pune is missing 3 players from their first squad, skipper Anas Edathodika, Prakash Thorat and Fanai Lalrempuia who were in excellent touch from the beginning of the season are out injured. 

PFC’s Moroccan coach Karim Bencherifa assures, “We have 19 players in the squad, everyone is fit and in good form.” 

PFC is bolstered by two new foreign signings - striker Darko Nikač, Montenegrin international as a marquee player and Portuguese midfielder Edgar Marcelino who had plied his trade for FC Goa in the recently concluded ISL. However, Edgar seems to be a doubtful starter on Saturday delay to clearance formalities. 

Kareem trusts in the professionalism displayed by both clubs, “PFC and BFC are the examples to follow in India Football!”

The match between Bengaluru FC and Pune FC is slated to start tomorrow, Saturday, 7 PM, Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore.

[VIDEO] Bengaluru FC Vs Pune FC - post match reactions

Pune FC - Mike Snoei



Bengaluru FC - Ashley Westwood

[PICs] Bengaluru FC vs Pune FC Matchday

25' Our man from Manipur has delivered 1-0 

Starting lineup for the #BFCvPFC match

The only played from the Garden City who is in the Pune FC starting XI? 

Leaders Bengaluru face Pune in a crunch game

Bengaluru FC Media 
AIFF Media 

Bengaluru FC will be up against Pune FC in what will be the Airtel I-League leaders’ last home game of the season at the Bangalore Football Stadium, on Friday. With four games to the season, both sides are separated by 7 points with the visitors having a game in hand and tomorrow’s outcome will have a big bearing on what direction the title-chase shifts in. 

But Westwood, like he has maintained all season, refused to consider Bengaluru FC as potential League champions. “For me, our performance will always be more important that three points. We have always put on a committed, wholehearted and entertaining show and I expect the team to do just that on Friday. If the title happens to come our way, we will take it,” he said.

The two teams have met once in the I-League in November last year where Bengaluru went down 1-0 after John Menyongar missed from the spot in the last minute of the game and Pune FC midfielder Douhou Pierre said he is sure Bengaluru will be out for revenge. “Tomorrow is going to be a last chance to be able to stay in hunt at the top and we are focused on our game. They lost to us so I’m certain they will be looking at revenge,” he said.

Suspensions have hit both teams hard and coincidentally, it is players in identical playing positions. Bengaluru will be without goalkeeper Pawan Kumar and central defender Curtis Osano, Pune will not have ’keeper Amrinder Singh and Anas Edathodika. Partnering John Johnson in defence will be youngster Gurtej Singh who was part of the pre-game press conference. “This is an important game to be playing in and I am only happy that the coach has shown confidence in my ability. We hope to churn out the result we need,” said Singh. 

Bengaluru and Pune are coming into the game having suffered defeats away from home and Westwood said his side’s 3-0 defeat to Shillong Lajong was a bad day at office. “To be fair we have won away from home too and are on track for a good away record. As for tomorrow’s game, we have always enjoyed playing at home and our fans have been wonderful. They have helped us and we would to believe we too have given them reason to be happy about,” said Westwood. 

FORM (Last 5 matches, all competitions)
Bengaluru FC (1, 37 pts): L-W-W-L-D
Pune FC (3, 30 pts): L-L-D-D-D

HEAD-2-HEAD
06/11/13 – IL – Pune FC 1-0 Bengaluru FC at Pune 

Meanwhile opponent coach, Snoei said, “We are excited to play. It’s going to be nice game between two teams who want to play football. Bengaluru FC, like us, always likes to play football. There are very few teams in this league who like to play like that.” 

He further added, “Bengaluru FC have an impressive home record and crowds fill the stadium and that does make you feel strong. Like Bengaluru, we too are a new club that is trying to bring the youth to the stadiums.” 

Skipper Douhou Pierre knows the importance of the game ahead of the hectic schedule and explained, “We lost in the last minute of the (previous) game and it upset us all. But it was good that Bengaluru FC lost too. This game on Friday is our last chance to stay in the hunt at the top. They have lost in Pune and will be looking for revenge but we are focused on our game.”  

[LIVE - VIDEO] Livestream: Bengaluru FC Vs Pune FC - Kick-off 6.30 PM

PFCTVonline is bringing you LIVE action between host Pune FC and Bengaluru FC... 

Mani Maran debuts for Pune FC

Mani Maran - if you remember guys is one top product of DYSS, star performer in school-level football and, winner of the Second edition of Mahindra Youth Football Challenge. 

Mani traveled to Glasgow and trained with the Scottish football club Celtic FC. 

Starting this season, Mani has joined the U-19 team of Pune FC. Mani debuted for his club in the 126th edition of Durand Cup played in the Capital yesterday.