Bengaluru FC boys qualify for U16 Youth League semifinal

Bengaluru FC Media 

A goal from Rahul Rajan gave Bengaluru FC’s U16s side a 1-0 win over Red Star FC in the U16 Y-League, sending the John Kila-coached to the semifinal of the tournament for the first time. Sudeva FC’s win over DSK Shivajians was not enough as the Blue Colts ended the group stages with 7 points from three games, one more than the Delhi-based side. 

Despite attacking with intent for most of the first half, the young Blues were unable to find the Red Star net as Joseph Vanlalhruaia and Lalrintluanga squandered opportunities to take the lead. 

Starting the second half with renewed vigour, a pass from Vanlalhruaia over the Red Star back-line found Rajan unmarked as he trapped the ball and shot past the ’keeper to give BFC the lead. Red Star’s attempted forays into the Blue Colts’ area were thwarted away. 

Against the run of play, the Blue Colts almost doubled their lead as Chequvara’s attempted shot was parried away after the striker was sent through on goal. Kila praised his young side, who will now face one of Minerva Football Academy or Tata Football Academy in the semifinal. 

“I am proud of this team, their performances and the staff who’ve worked so hard in getting them to the semifinals of this tournament. There’s a lot of room for improvement and I’m sure that with the right direction, there’s more than just good results to come for these boys,” said Kila.

U-16 Youth League - Bengaluru win against Sudeva FC

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC’s U16 Academy side grabbed a late win against a resilient Sudeva FC from Delhi, in the U16 Y-League, at the Nagoa Ground, in Goa, on Thursday. After conceding in the early stages, the persistent Colts scored two in the 66th and the 82nd minute of the game to clinch their first win in the campaign.

Bengaluru suffered a setback in the 15th minute as Bupender Singh, Sudeva’s striker gave the opponents a lead early in the game. Just when the Colts seemed to have settled into the pace of the game, youngster Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, the goal scorer from the previous clash against DSK Shivajians, was stretchered off with an injury. The first half saw many chances for the Bengaluru side but Sudeva took the lead going into the break.

The Colts came out all guns blazing in the second half as they continued to display their dominance in possession and were rewarded with a goal in the 66th minute. A mistimed tackle by Sudeva’s defender allowed Lalrintluanga Chawnglut to score from the spot.

The game remained level until the 82nd minute when a delicate lob by Amay Morajkar saw the ball fall to the feet of Rahul Ranjan who got his name on the score sheet with a neat finish to give the Blue Colts their first win of the campaign.

The Colts next face Redstar Football Academy from Thrissur on Sunday.

Bengaluru FC Begin U16 Youth League with a draw

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC’s U16 academy side were held to a 1-1 draw by DSK Shivajians in an U16 Y-League Group C game in Nagoa, Goa, on Tuesday.

The Pune-based side took the lead in the 12th minute though a goal from . But the Colts were the clear attacking force in the second half, as they piled on attack after attack but failed to capitalise.

Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia saved the Blue Colts their blushes, controlling a long diagonal from Saqlain Khan before slotting past the DSK ’keeper five minutes from time. Kila’s side next take on Sudeva FC at the same venue on Thursday.

Bengaluru FC colts set for U16 Youth League

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC’s U16 Academy side will take on DSK Shivajians in the U16 Y-League, at the Nagoa Stadium in Goa, on Tuesday. The John Kila-coached side will look to build on their strong performance in the Rest-of-India Zone 1, where they topped the group, scoring ten goals and conceding just one.

Grouped with Red Star Academy (Thrissur) and Sudeva Football Club, a Delhi-based outfit apart, from the Pune-based DSK, Kila mentioned that the aim was to put out good performances to match those in the zonal stages.

“These boys have done well in the zonal round and we’ll be looking to build on that. Some of them have played with the U18s, so there is quality in the side and I’m sure it will reflect on the pitch tomorrow as we look for a win,” said Kila.


The game kicks-off at 9 am.