FCBU thrash ADE, remains favorite to retain BDFA Super Division title

FCBU Media 

Defending champions ended their BDFA Super Division 2021-22 in empathic style, with a 6-0 victory over ADE in their final game of the campaign. Ronaldo Oliviera (7, 58), James Singh (43), Asrar Rehbar (68) Nihal Colaco (83, 91) were the goal scorers for the defending champions, who ended the tournament as table toppers – a position they have held from the start of the tournament.

Both teams started off slowly under sunny skies but it was FCBU who opened their account in the 7th minute. A well-crafted pass from Anup from the left wing allowed for an easy tap in for Oliveira to get on the scoreboard. Both sides struggled to pick up the pace after FCBU’s initial onslaught – the shackles were finally broken in the 43rd minute with Anup in the thick of things once again.  Anup’s corner was taken by Denil Rebello – his shot on goal was deflected but James was quick to seize the opportunity to get FCBU 2-0 up.

FCBU picked up the pace in the second half, looking far more positive and aggressive in creating opportunities. In the 58th minute, Asrar’s low ball on goal was cleared by the ADE defender only to see Ronaldo make the most of the opportunity and get FCBU up 3-0. Ten minutes later, Asraf Mondal’s free kick was capitalized on by Asrar as FCBU galloped to 4-0.

In the 83rd minute, Nihal was brought down in the box and the young striker didn’t waste the chance to convert the penalty. Lining up to take the shot, he powered it in with pin-point precision to get FCBU to 5-0.  And within a matter of minutes, Nihal had notched up his second goal of the tournament - spotting a Chelston Pinto header coming in, he set himself up to fire the header in to the back of the goal, putting in the finishing touches on what was a commanding victory for FC Bengaluru United.  

With this win, FCBU have retained their position as table toppers – a position they held right from the start of the tournament – as well as being the side to have conceded the lowest goals in the tournament thus far. With 52 goals scored, FCBU have bettered the 2018-19 record for most goals scored in the tournament. An emphatic performance from the defending champions, who have remained undefeated right through, underlining their complete dominance over the tournament.

 

Solid Rajasthan hold favourites Bengaluru United to 1-1 draw

I-League Media

The second match in Group A saw a faceoff between Rajasthan United FC (RUFC) and FC Bengaluru United (FCBU) at the Bangalore Football Stadium today.

A back and forth game between both teams saw Bengaluru United enjoy a solid first half, while the team from Rajasthan came back in the second period to draw level by outplaying their opponents for a large part of the game. The match finished 1-1, with FCBU defender Kinshuk Debnath facing ejection after a red card in the 86th minute.

The match began with both teams feeling each other out in the first ten minutes, but Bengaluru United started to grow more into the game progressively as they got hold of more of the ball. As Bengaluru United looked to build out from the back, the team looked confident of looking after the ball and using the whole length and breadth of the pitch.

Rajasthan United looked to follow a set game plan which showed signs of a strategy that involved keeping the score at 0-0 in the opening period and not conceding an early goal. As the game progressed RUFC dug in and gave a good account of themselves against difficult opposition. They looked to attack Bengaluru United with long vertical passes to transition from defence into attack at high speed. RUFC had some promising moments where it looked like they could release either winger; Dilliram Sanyasi or Aman Thapa, but they lacked the final quality of pass that would have put the wingers through on goal.

The game moved in ebbs and flows early on, and sprung into life towards the latter end of the first half. FCBU’s fancied Spanish striker Pedro Manzi began to get a look of more of the ball in promising situations in the opponent’s half. However, it was his strike partner Luka Majcen who had the first real chance of the game, as FCBU winger Gopi flighted in a looping cross from the right wing which was met by the late-arriving Slovenian, who produced a first time volley towards the near post. The shot was saved with an agile dive towards the ball by goalkeeper Vishal Joon.

The breakthrough came in the 41st minute of the game from an FCBU set piece opportunity. After winning a free kick in a promising position on the left flank, Sanju Pradhan delivered a precise cross which was directed goalwards by Luka Majcen. After Vishal Joon saved the initial attempt, Pedro Manzi followed up to finish the rebound by putting the ball high into the roof of the net. This came as the former Hero I-League Golden Boot winner’s first goal of HILQ 2021.

RUFC looked to direct its attack on the Bengaluru United goal through their wings, with their wide players looking the most likely to find an opening. At the stroke of half time, RUFC built a well coordinated move up the pitch which saw all their attacking players combine smoothly. They could not find a scoring opportunity, but the play must have given the team an understanding of how to approach the second half.

Ten minutes after the restart, RUFC came agonisingly close to scoring an equalising goal from a set piece of their own this time. As Aman Thapa delivered a fantastically shaped cross towards the 6 yard box, it was begging for a final touch from an RUFC player to put the ball home. Instead, the ball bounced out tantalisingly for another corner kick.

Much like proceedings in the first half, the game went through a lull for a brief period, before springing back into action when Rajasthan United equalised through their striker Sukhjit Singh in the 78th minute. The goal came from a move that was begun by Aman Thapa, as the Rajasthan United number 7 seemed to cause Bengaluru United’s backline all sorts of trouble. He combined well to drive the ball up the field and feed Sukhjit Singh, who came onto his left foot to take a shot that took a wicked deflection off an FCBU player, leaving goalkeeper Kunzang Bhutia completely wrong footed. RUFC got the slice of luck with the deflection, but the side richly deserved their goal for their thorough domination throughout the second half.

The restored parity set up an exciting end to the game for the final few minutes, but things turned from bad to worse for FCBU when veteran centre back Kinshuk Debnath got a red card for hampering an opposition player when he was through on goal. From the resultant free kick within range of goal, Aman Thapa drew a smart save from keeper Kunzang Bhutia, who tipped a fierce shot over the bar.

Down to 10 men, FCBU looked to not only protect their one point, but also made efforts to grab all three through opportunistic attempts of their own.

Pedro Manzi got a half chance from a near post header, which drew a reaction save from Vishal Joon, who steered the danger clear. The match finished with both teams having their respective strong phases in the game, which eventually led to them cancelling each other out.

Rajasthan United remain in a favourable position on top of Group A with four points from two matches, while FC Bengaluru United have ground to make up. 

Rajasthan United FC look to carry winning momentum in clash against FC Bengaluru United

I League Media 

Rajasthan United will take on FC Bengaluru United in the second match day of Group A in the Hero I-League Qualifiers 2021. A crucial three points will be at stake for either side in the match, scheduled to kick-off at 3:45 PM IST on 6 October, 2021. The match will be streamed live on the Hero I-League’s official Facebook page.

FC Bengaluru United is coming into this competition on the back of a good showing in the Durand Cup, where they reached the semi-final stage. FCBU have qualified for this competition after winning the BDFA Super Division in Karnataka earlier this year.

Club Captain Dharmaraj Ravanan believes that the team is ready to leave a positive impression in this competition. He said in a virtual pre-match press conference, “Our goal at FC Bengaluru United has always been to qualify for the I-League, and we have been preparing with that goal in our mind for the last two months. Tomorrow, we intend to go all out and get three points.”

Head Coach Richard Hood commented on the state of the squad at his disposal for this season. He said, “We are carrying some momentum into this tournament from the Durand Cup. I think the clarity and understanding that we showed in our play at the Durand Cup is what we want to replicate and improve upon in this competition. We are high on confidence and self-belief at the moment, and that’s what we need to carry us into the I-League. That has been our goal all along our journey.”

Speaking about the opposition for the match tomorrow, Richard Hood said, “I think we have a lot of respect for each opponent we come across, and by respect we mean approaching the game in the right way where we can never underestimate the qualities of our opposition and always aim to perform at a high level. We are certainly aware that we are facing a team tomorrow who have won their previous game, and it will be a tough match for sure.”

Rajasthan United will look to carry their winning momentum to this crucial encounter, having bagged all three points against Ryntih SC in their opening game of the campaign. The side from Rajasthan will approach this game with the confidence of having scored three goals in their opening match of the competition. To get through to their objective of reaching the I-League First Division, they will have to negotiate their next encounter with the ‘home side’ of the Hero I-League Qualifiers in FC Bengaluru United (FCBU).

Head Coach Vikrant Sharma believes that the lack of a home crowd due to the health and safety protocols will negate the home advantage that FCBU may otherwise have had. Speaking ahead of the game in a virtual press conference, Vikrant Sharma said, “I don’t think that our opponents will have any home advantage as there won’t be a crowd, but they have other strengths. They have an experienced side, with senior players who have played at ISL and I-League level before. We will work to put our best foot forward and see what happens in the game tomorrow. We are preparing to face them and are ready for the challenge.”

RUFC skipper Akeem Abioye, who turned in a solid performance in his side’s win in the opening encounter, remained in good spirits ahead of his team’s match tomorrow. Akeem encapsulated the mood in the team’s dressing room following the positive result in their last outing.

“We are feeling good and positive because we managed to get the three points in the last game. In the first match, the most important thing is to just win and get the three points, and we did that. We are thankful to the coaching staff and management for motivating us and preparing us for the game in the right manner,” he said.

Speaking about tomorrow’s opposition, Akeem added, “I have seen them (FCBU) play a few times and I know that they are a good team, but personally, I don’t like to think or know about the opponents before a match. I like to focus on my own game and showing what I can do. I trust the coach’s instructions for me and think that the coach helps us a lot to prepare for the game, so I am ready to do anything that is asked of me in the field of play. FCBU are a good team, but so are we, and we want to give our best tomorrow.”

Lining up against RUFC tomorrow will be FC Bengaluru United, who are preparing to play their first match of this year’s Hero I-League Qualifiers campaign. The Bengaluru outfit is only one of two teams who have played in this competition before. FCBU will be looking to go one better from last year and hopefully seal their place in the I-League First Division this season.

The result in this match tomorrow is bound to play a key role in the final outcome in Group A of the Hero I-League Qualifiers.

 

FCBU retain 13 players for upcoming domestic season

FCBU Media 

FC Bengaluru United have released a list of 13 retained players ahead of the 2021-22 domestic season. Having been crowned BDFA Super Division Champions earlier this year, the Bengaluru club will be keen to carry forward the momentum as they launch their bid to qualify for the I-League in September.

 

"We have always been clear and focused on our goal - to bring Bengaluru back to the I-League,” said Gaurav Manchanda, Owner, FC Bengaluru United. “We are thankful to all the players who have played an integral role in the journey thus far. Continuity plays a key role in building a robust team structure and we are glad we have the core strength to ensure this going forward into the new season.”  

Among the retained players are some notable names, including attacking midfielder Hayden Fernandes and Arun N, who was adjudged the best midfielder in the 2019-20 BDFA Super Division. Ronaldo Oliveira, who top scored for the club in the recently concluded BDFA Super Division League, has also been retained, as has long-time FC Bengaluru United goalkeeper Srijith Ramesh.

“Since last October last year, all decisions have been made keeping in mind the upcoming Qualifiers,” said Richard Hood, Head Coach, FC Bengaluru United. “We immensely value and respect the contributions of the players who have not been able to continue with us. The BDFA Super Division was a crucial platform to assess our squad for strengths and gaps - and the retained players have displayed the qualities to build on our game model with which we want to secure competitive success and promotion to the I-League.”

The full list of the thirteen players retained by FC Bengaluru United for the 2021-22 season is as follows:

 

1. Srijith Ramesh – Goalkeeper
2. Kunzang Bhutia – Goalkeeper
3. Robin Gurung – Defender
4. Anup L – Defender
5. Brandon Green – Defender
6. Asraf Mondal – Defender
7. Asrar Rehbar – Midfielder
8. Hayden Fernandes – Midfielder
9. Arun N – Midfielder
10. Jaison Vaz – Striker
11. Ronaldo Oliveira – Striker
12. Naro Shrestha – Striker 
13. Chelston Pinto -- Defender 

FC Bengaluru United sign strikers Luka Majcen and Pedro Manzi

FCBU Media 

Ahead of the upcoming domestic season, BDFA Super Division Champions FC Bengaluru United (FCBU) have signed Luka Majcen and Pedro Manzi, as the club looks to add additional firepower to its attack for the upcoming domestic season. The foreign duo’s first assignment for the club will be the Durand Cup. The tournament begins in Kolkata next month and FCBU are one of the 16 teams invited to participate in it. 

The 32-year-old Slovenian forward Luka Majcen joins FCBU as a free agent, following a one-season stint with Churchill Brothers in last season's I-League. Majcen finished the I-League season with an impressive return of 11 goals; a tally which saw him finish second in the Golden Boot race in the league. He also registered two assists to go with his 11 goals. Before his entry into the Indian domestic football circuit in 2020, Majcen plied his trade in Slovenian football, representing several top clubs in the region. He is a two-time winner of the Slovenian Cup, which is the top knockout tournament in Slovenian football.

“I am delighted to join FC Bengaluru United for the new season," Majcen said. "The club has a clear goal and vision about where they see themselves in the coming years - which is to be playing in the I-League. My objective is to help the team win and achieve this goal together with my new teammates. I am excited about the opportunity and am looking forward to working with Head Coach Richard Hood, whose reputation as one of the sharpest coaches in Indian football precedes him,” said Majcen.

Luka Majcen will be looking to form a partnership in attack with fellow new signee Pedro Manzi. Manzi took Indian football by storm in his debut season with Chennai City FC in the 2018-19 I-League. The Spanish forward finished that season as the Golden Boot winner in the I-League with 26 goals. His exploits led Chennai City FC to the I-League crown that season, and FCBU will be hoping that their new recruit will be able to recreate his goal scoring form from that particular season.

“I am very happy to return to India and play for FC Bengaluru United. Bengaluru has a great sporting culture, and the fans really support their team. I would like to use all my career experience to help the team grow, whether it is with my offensive tactical play, assists for goals and also the way I apply pressure with my defensive skills," Manzi said. "Being part of the FC Bengaluru United journey will help me in my own professional journey. I was excited to accept this challenge and look forward to playing a leading role in guiding the club to the I-League. The club has seamless processes in place and has enjoyed a great growth journey over the last few years – the results are there for all to see. So, it was very easy for me to accept the offer after speaking to their head Coach, Richard Hood and General Manager, Somanna CS," Manzi said. 

"With 2 foreign players allowed on the pitch there was a lot of effort behind the analysis that went into identifying and securing our prime targets for our promotion bid," said Richard Hood, Head Coach, FC Bengaluru United. "In Luka we have a thorough team player who brings a lot of hunger, intensity and ferocity with every minute that he is involved in. There is a tremendous work ethic and desire to win that complements our playing style from the front both on and off the ball. His efforts are sure to get us a lot of goals. Pedro is lethal in the final third of the pitch and has proven that with plenty of conviction in two campaigns of the I-League. Apart from his scoring and high assist track record - we recognised his strong play making abilities around which we have built a squad that will control the game and progress the attack with pace and precision."

Injury-time penalty rescues point for Bengaluru United against ARA FC

AIFF Media 

Gujarat-based ARA FC and FC Bengaluru United played out a pulsating 1-1 draw in the Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020 at the Kalyani Stadium on Wednesday (October 14, 2020). It seemed that forward Pratik Swami’s strike would prove to be the difference between the two sides but substitute Asrar Rehber successfully converted from the spot with the game’s last kick to rescue a point for Bengaluru United.

Both teams came into the match on the back of contrasting results, with Bengaluru United defeating Garhwal FC by one goal in their last game while ARA suffered a deflating 4-1 loss against Mohammedan Sporting. However, it was the side from Gujarat that went into the breather with the lead — thanks to Swami’s goal in the 36th minute.

Vivek Nagul’s side started brightly, with Stanley Eze posing danger with a deft through-ball in the 10th minute. However, it was snuffed out just in the nick of time by keeper Kunzang Bhutia. The Nigerian then had a scoring opportunity in the next minute with a close-range free-kick but his shot flew just over the bar.

Midfielder Jordan Fernandes came close for ARA in the 16th minute as well, shooting powerfully from distance but his effort was deflected and landed on the roof of the FCBU net.

Wearing the captain’s armband for Bengaluru United was forward Azharuddin Mallick and he was presented with his team’s best chance of the half in the 19th minute. Collecting the ball inside the box, he turned his marker and fired a shot straight towards ARA custodian Melroy Fernandes who collected comfortably at his near post.

As both teams tussled for supremacy, ARA took the lead through a splendid goal from local Ahmedabad lad Pratik Swamy. A blocked shot from Jordan fell to Swami, who cut inside the defender with an excellent feint and saw his powerful shot take a wicked deflection to fly past Bhutia in goal.

FCBU head coach Richard Hood made two changes at the break, bringing in Akhil P and Aditya Mohan as his side looked to make their way into the match. In the 53rd minute, they came close through William Opoku, who had scored the winning goal against Garhwal as well, but his shot from a narrow angle could only hit the side netting.

The Ghanaian had another golden opportunity with 20 minutes to go as he played in Amey Ranawade with a pinpoint through ball. The full-back cut the ball back to Opoku at the edge of the area but he scuffed his first-time shot as it sailed well over the goal. He had another similar chance in the 76th minute via a cross from the left side by Aditya Mohan but yet again, his shot was skied over the target.

As the final whistle came closer, tension levels in the Bengaluru side continued to rise as they relentlessly pursued the leveller but could not create a concrete chance. They continued to commit men forward and in the 84th minute, Robert Primus headed a long throw-in dangerously across the ARA goal but none of his teammates followed up at the far post and the chance went begging.

ARA, who had shipped four goals against a rampant Mohammedan Sporting in their last game, showed great grit to hold firm and defended in numbers as they tried to maintain the clean sheet. However, in the last minute of five minutes of added time, heartbreak was to follow for the Gujarati side as FCBU substitute Jaison Vaz was brought down by keeper Melroy — with the referee pointing to the spot.

Rehber found the back of the net from 12 yards as both sides split a point each. As a result, ARA picked up their first point after two games while Bengaluru United stay third on the table with four points — two behind league leaders Mohammedan SC and Bhawanipore FC, who had beaten Garhwal FC 2-1 in the first match of the day.

ARA will now face Garhwal FC in Kalyani on Friday (October 16, 2020) while FC Bengaluru will be in action next on the final matchday on Monday (October 19, 2020) against Mohammedan SC.

After the match, ARA FC head coach Vivek Nagul stated, “The result feels like two points lost, definitely. It was a great game and I am proud of the way my players played. We stuck to our tactics and it worked as our wingers really made life difficult for the wingbacks. Mathematically, we can still make it to the top spot and I still believe in our chances.”

FCBU head coach Richard Hood said, “After conceding the goal, we played good quality football. We pressed hard and kept the ball well but you don’t get points for that. We need to look at our performance with a cool head and prepare for our final game. We’re not getting into the mathematics of the points table. For us, we want to play the last match with our heads up.”

Bengaluru United pick up three points over Garhwal FC

AIFF & FCBU Media 

FC Bengaluru United picked up three points in the Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020 with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Garhwal FC at the Kalyani Stadium on Sunday (October 11, 2020). Both sides came into the match on the back of defeats in the opening round of the competition and it was Ghana international William Opoku’s goal in the eighth minute that proved to be the difference between the two teams in the end.

After a tense start, the first half came to life towards the end with both teams creating a flurry of chances but at the breather, it was the side from Bengaluru that led by one goal.

It could have been 1-0 in the very first minute as Robert Primus volleyed a shot at goal after a melee from a corner kick, but his shot could only ruffle the side netting.

In the eighth minute though, Bengaluru United went ahead through Opoku after a quality piece of play. Midfielder Arun Kumar played in Ronaldo Oliveira with a delightful through-ball that cut the Garhwal FC defence wide open and the Goan’s one-on-one effort was saved by the keeper Sayak Barai. However, Opoku was on hand to convert the rebound as he controlled the loose ball and slammed it into the back of the net.

Richard Hood’s side continued to dominate possession as Garhwal struggled to string passes together in their own half and get past Bengaluru United’s high press. They gave the ball away in dangerous positions and in the 22nd minute, it almost led to a goal as Opoku’s effort from outside the box seemed destined for the bottom corner — only to be denied by a diving Barai.

As the match wore on, Garhwal finally started to get their act together — with midfielders Bala Alhassan and Mahip Adhikari pulling the strings. They earned a number of free-kicks in attacking positions but failed to make the most of them. 

With three minutes to go, Bengaluru should have doubled their lead as Naro Hari Shrestha found himself with a free header from close range through a brilliant cross whipped in by Vignesh. However, he could only direct it towards the keeper, who collected the ball with a big sigh of relief. 

Immediately at the other end, Garhwal were inches away from equalizing — with Uttam Rai keeping the ball in the penalty area and laying it off to Victor Philip, who cut in from the right side and curled the ball towards goal, only to see it hit the crossbar and return into play. 

Vikas Rawat’s side had another golden chance to even the scores as Bala drilled in a powerful free-kick at goal from 25 yards in first-half stoppage time. The keeper Kunzang Bhutia parried it away, but it fell straight to an onrushing Neeraj Bhandari, who fluffed his lines and skied his shot. 

After the restart, both teams continued to press for advantage in midfield with chances few and far between. At the hour mark, Mahip showed some delightful footwork down the right flank to beat his marker and sent in an inviting cross for Uttam, who attempted a diving header but could not connect properly. 

Garhwal kept up the pressure but were almost caught out on the break as Amey Ranawade found Opoku with a cross from the right wing but the Ghanain couldn’t bring the ball under his control as he overran it. 

The side in yellow continued to press for their first goal of the tournament, holding the ball better and looking to create trouble. However, they found it difficult to penetrate the Bengaluru defence and were limited to shots from distance, with Muhammed Shafeer coming closest in the 83rd minute from a long-range free-kick. 

In the end, Bengaluru held on to their lead comfortably and as a result, moved up the points table with their first win of the tournament. They return to Kalyani for their next match on Wednesday (October 14, 2020) against ARA FC while Garhwal FC will take on Bhawanipore FC, who defeated FCBU in their opener, at the VYBK, Kolkata at 12.30 PM IST on the same day. 

After the match, FC Bengaluru United head coach Richard Hood stated, “We were disappointed after the previous result and it was important for us to prove to ourselves that we can fight and play out a tough game. Securing three points gives us a strong ray of hope ahead of the upcoming fixtures.”  

FC Bengaluru United looks to bounce back after initial defeat

AIFF Media  

Having lost their respective opening games of the Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020, FC Bengaluru United and Garhwal FC will be looking to get off the mark on the points table, as they prepare to cross swords at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium in Kalyani, on Sunday, October 11, 2020 at 4.30 PM IST. 

The second match of the day from the Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020, the first tournament to be held in India post the COVID-19 Pandemic, will be streamed live on the 1Sports Facebook page.

On the eve of the match, Bengaluru head coach Richard Hood sounded cautious, stating that he expects nothing less than a “hard battle” from the Delhi-based side.

“We have maintained right from the start that there are no favourites or underdogs in this tournament and Garhwal proved us right. They are a very well-drilled unit that has everyone on the pitch playing out a very clear game plan,” said Hood. 

“They posed a serious challenge (in their last game against Mohammedan SC) for the three points right until the end with their intensity, physicality and collective play both on and off the ball. We expect nothing lesser than what we saw yesterday – a hard battle.”

Garhwal FC head coach Vikas Rawat was appreciative of the efforts put in by FC Bengaluru United to play an expansive style of football. However, he implied that his charges would have their own plans of putting the ball in the Bengaluru net. 

“Bengaluru are a strong team. We have obviously read them and seen what they are capable of. I really appreciate the efforts put in by them in the first match, though the result may not have been enough for them,” said Rawat. 

“I don’t know whether they will have the same strategy or not, but we are ready to face them. We believe in scoring. We talk a lot with our players in the dressing room about the fact that you only win matches when you score goals,” he continued. “You don’t win by defending. We have to put the ball in the opponents’ goal, but at the same time, we also have to defend properly as it is an important aspect of football.” 

Reflecting upon their 0-2 defeat against Bhawanipore FC in their opening game, Hood stressed on the importance of finding the back of the net, even though his side had dominated possession in the game. 

“It is not enough to say that we played with an attractive brand of attacking football. At this level, and more so in the play-offs, any brand of football has to be effective. Dominating possession was always a part of the plan and so was finding back of the net – our spirits and confidence rest on building awareness and belief of what must continue to happen and mistakes we don’t intend to repeat again,” stated Hood. 

Despite a narrow 0-1 loss in their opening game against Mohammedan SC, Rawat revealed that the spirits in the Garhwal camp are high, as the players have taken heart from a good performance against the Kolkata giants. 

“It was a difficult game. But it was not a heartbreak for us. We are much more motivated after the loss. We are definitely going to bounce back harder, and that is the mentality of the side,” Rawat stated. 

“There were 3-4 things in today’s training that we have done. Obviously, I can’t reveal them as of now. We’ve learnt a lot from the last game. We want to come back and play with the intention to win, and that is the mentality that everybody in the team has,” he said. 

With both the teams on the lookout for their first win in the tournament so far, Bengaluru boss Hood opined that the upcoming match would not be one for the faint-hearted, with the pace of the game set to be a rather high one from both the sides. 

“We both have our backs against the wall and there is no way out but to fight it out for three points,” said Hood. “I doubt the pace or temperament of the game will be cautious or careful from either team. It will boil down to who takes their chances better.”

Bengaluru United go down fighting to Bhawanipore

AIFF and FCBU Media 

Indian sport marked a triumphant return to on-field action after a seven-month hiatus in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic with the I-League qualifiers. Bhawanipore FC who opened their account in the first game against FC Bengaluru United in Kolkata on Thursday with a 2-0 victory.

 

The match was played under unique circumstances with no fans, water breaks in each half and five substitutions available to coaches under the new COVID-19 protocols. However, that did little to deter the players who put in a passionate display treating fans to their first taste of live sporting action in India since the lockdown.

Bhawanipore FC head coach Shankarlal Chakraborty showed his tactical acumen, starting with a three-man defence which withstood a bright start by FC Bengaluru United. Richard Hood’s team put their opponents under pressure with good movement around the penalty box but were unable to find that final touch to show for all their effort.

The first clear-cut opportunity fell to FC Bengaluru United in the 21st minute when Bhawanipore custodian Shilton Paul came flying off his line to punch clear a corner but could not connect cleanly. However, Bengaluru failed to punish the mistake as Azharuddin Mallick, with very little time to react, was only able to head over the bar.

Paul didn’t let that minor mishap faze him though as he commanded his box impressively, keeping the Bengaluru forwards at bay with a string of impressive collections.

FC Bengaluru continued to press for the opener but much against the run of play, Bhawanipore broke the deadlock in the final minute of the first-half added time. Ghanian forward Philip Adjah was sent through on goal and his shot was only parried onto the feet of an onrushing Pankaj Moula, who was at hand to tap in the rebound.

As expected, FC Bengaluru United came out all guns blazing in the second half but were met by a well-drilled Bhawanipore defence.

With Bengaluru committing men forward, Bhawanipore doubled their lead in the 60th minute with a lightning-quick counter-attack. Altamash Sayed picked up the ball just outside his penalty box and played a long ball in search of Adjah. The Ghanian kept Bengaluru skipper Rana Gharami at bay and then thumped a powerful volley right across the face of goal, leaving the keeper no chance as the ball bounced in off the far post. 

Bhawanipore then employed a solid low-block and defended in numbers restricting Bengaluru to just one shot on target in the second half, finishing the game with a well-deserved clean sheet.

After the match, Bhawanipore Head Coach Sankarlal Chakraborty said, “The opposition played well and could have scored too but our defensive game was good, and we made the most of our chances. Our discipline and defensive organization was the decisive factor. We hope to improve and build on this for the future matches.”

FC Bengaluru United Head Coach Richard Hood stated, “We weren’t very careful on the counter attacks and we need to sort out how we are going to play the remaining games in terms of how we organize our defence in the opposition half. It’s not all doom and gloom, and we look forward to the next game and the two after that.”

The win gives Bhawanipore three points and puts them on top of the five-team table, a position they would hope to maintain in their quest for Hero I-League qualification. They next take on Garhwal FC on October 14, 2020. FC Bengaluru United will look to put some points on the board as they too face Garhwal in their next outing, scheduled for October 11, 2020.

 

Bengaluru United and Bhawanipore to resume I League qualifiers post covid lockdown

AIFF & FCBU Media 

Competitive sport in India will mark a much-welcome return to on-field action after a seven-month hiatus following the coronavirus pandemic, with the start of the I-League qualifiers in Kolkata from Thursday, 8 October. The first match will see FC Bengaluru United take on Bhawanipore FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata at IST 12.30pm on Thursday. The boys from Bengaluru were on a roll before the league was called off in March. They will be keen to resume on a winning note and get one step closer to bring back Bengaluru in the I-League.

In the lead-up to the tournament, the FCBU team, coaches and officials were isolated in a secure bio-bubble in a training facility 52 km from Bangalore. The focus was to prioritize the safety as well as physical well-being of the squad. Trackers like Dexa Scans (checking bone density), StatSports GPS Monitors (track load management) as well Heart Rate Monitors were part of the training and fitness regimen geared towards getting the squad back to match-readiness. Advice from top medical experts was incorporated at all stages to ensure a seamless transition – physically as well as mentally - to the protocols in Kolkata. As per AIFF rules, two RT-PCR test results were carried out on all members before they left for Kolkata.

The match will be telecast live on 1Sports channel as well as streamed on 1Sports Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/1SportsInLive/).

All five participating sides have been operating their daily lives inside the COVID-19 safety bubble where they have been kept in an initial four-day isolation period, before beginning training ahead of the tournament.

FC Bengaluru Head Coach Richard Hood stated that though there are several restrictions imposed on all the sides, keeping in line with the COVID-safety regulations, operating under such guidelines have become “second nature.”

“Most of the best practices that come with the COVID Safety regulations have been the new normal and have become second nature for our squad by now,” said Hood. “We appreciate the regulations that have been charted out for us and also acknowledge the pro-activeness of the organisers in being adaptive and responsive to evolve the same as time progresses,” he added.

Hood sounded wary of his Kolkata-based opposition, who have some “experienced” campaigners in their ranks.

“Bhawanipore is a club with a big history. More importantly, they are coached by the very capable Shankarlal Chakraborty who is a highly experienced technician and respected person in our game,” said Hood.

 

John Kila to head Bengaluru's Youth Development

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC have appointed former West African Football Association U19s Head Coach John Kila to head the Blues' Youth Development Program, the club announced on Saturday. The Dutchman will head the BFC Academy and Youth Teams.

Kila has covered coaching assignments in Holland, Japan, New Zealand and most recently in Ghana as the Head Coach of the U19 team and coordinator of the U17, U15 and U13 teams at the West African Football Academy (WAFA), formerly known as the Feyenoord Ghana Academy.

“My main objective is to train and coach the youth teams at Bengaluru FC and to develop the skills of these youngsters so that they become professional players capable of playing for the first team. I look forward to giving structure to a development plan for both coaches and youth teams with the experience I have gained over the years,” said Kila.

Club COO Mustafa Ghouse expressed his delight at Kila's appointment, pipping his experience as a step in the right direction for the club's youth development program, with the Dutchman having developed several players who are currently active in Portugal, France and Austria.

“We are excited to have John on board to head the youth program. He comes very highly recommended having successfully implemented youth programs in various parts of the world. We strongly believe that there is an abundance of football talent in the country and are committed to providing this talent the best support possible to achieve their true potential as footballers and as individuals,” he said.

Under Kila’s guidance, the WAFA U19s have been promoted from the Second Division to the First Division and are currently in the Ghana Premier League for a second successive year. 

Bengaluru U-18 team go down to Minerva Academy

Bengaluru FC Media  

Bengaluru FC under 18 team faced Minerva Academy FC from Punjab in the opening match of Rest of  
India A of the U-18 I-League at the Guru Nanak Stadium, in Ludhiana today. 

The lads went down 2-0 to Minerva Academy- a goal from Rohit Jamat in the 24th minute gave Minerva the lead going into the break before Amarjit doubled the advantage in the 82nd minute to settle the tie in favour of the home side. 

Fateh Hyderabad FC (Hyderabad) and Lonestar Kashmir FC (Kashmir) are the other two teams in the Blue Colts’ group, from which only one team will qualify for the final round alongside another from Rest of India B.

Divided into five zones based on their geographical location, 29 teams in this year’s U18 I-League would play on home-and-away basis against each other within the groups. Two teams from each zone will advance to the next stage. With two groups within the Rest of India zone, only one team from the Blues Colts’ group will move forward to the next round. 

The Blue Colts will next face Lonestar Kashmir FC in their second group game on Wednesday.

Squad 

Srijit S., Anthony Thomas, Bill Clinton, Jonathan Piers, Joshua Nallapalli, Prashanth Kalinga, Niraad Bose, Pradeep Ramesh, Nishant Bhatt, Rishabh Agarwal, Pavan S, Shelton Paul, Anto Rushi, Kapil Tyagi, Mayank Hebbar, Kuldeep Singh, Deepak Kumar, Sasurya S, Gaurav Jhangiani and Glenn Sanjay.

Coach/Team Manager: Richard Hood 
Physiotherapist: Illahi Zahoor