National Football Icon Carlton Chapman no more

One of Bangalore’s finest football product of last 80s who ruled the Indian football scene for several years, Carlton Chapman breathed his last early morning today at Philomena’s Hospital. He was only 49 years old and left his wife and two children.  

Hailing from the football suburb of Austin Town, Chapman picked up the game in Nandan Ground, then moving to SAI Centre, Bangalore. Just when he started plying his trade for Southern Blues in local BDFA league, he was spotted and joined Tata Football Academy (TFA), Jamsedpur. He was in the first batch graduated from TFA.  

Other than representing India, Chapman played for East Bengal, JCT, FC Kochin in his illustrious career as a player. Notable being a hat-trick that he scored for East Bengal against Al-Zawra, Iraq at the Asian Cup Winners' Cup in 1993.  

In JCT, along with IM Vijayan and Baichung Bhutia, Chapman made a formidable attacking lineup, which was touted as the best club in India. In the Santosh Trophy, he represented Karnataka, Punjab, and West Bengal. 

After hanging boots, he went to his alma mater and assisted Ranjan Choudhary. His long association with Royal Wahingdoh helped the team from Shillong to be a name to reckon with. Chapman was also associated with Sudeva Academy and Quartz FC in the capacity as a Technical Director. 

“Shocking”, reacted Noel Wilson while talking to GCSStars.com, who is in Goa with Jamsedpur FC preparing for the upcoming edition of ISL. “A person I admired and followed during my early playing days”, added Noel. 

Chapman’s colleague during his playing days in East Bengal and FC Kochin Raman Vijayan sounded emotional while talking to GCSStars.com from Chennai, “My god, hard to believe!’, he added, “Chap was my roommate for many seasons. On the field he was gutsy, always positive, and involved with the team. His never say attitude was infectious and his game was clean and simple."

"If you see most of the goals scored by Baichung, IM, or me are all from his assists. He was the best winger we got in our times. Looking at his speed, Rustam Akramov used him as a right back with much success.” 

“I have never seen him falling sick in his playing days. He was a good coach too, he could have given back more to the game!”, concludes Raman.  

 

Pacy Wahindoh hold Bengaluru in six goal thriller

AIFF Media

Bengaluru FC and Royal Wahingdoh, the second and third position team from the Hero I-league played a fast-paced entertaining game that ended in a 3-3 result. 

Attacking from left to right showed intention and forced three corners within first 5 minute of the match. Meanwhile Robin was given the best of the crosses which he failed to capitalize. 

For the visitors, Naoba Singh’s dipping cross in the 6th minute took Bengaluru keeper Ralte by surprise, which was followed by another long ranger few minutes later. 

The match came alive in the 15th minute via a penalty for visitors. Bawar Bekay’s powerful shot hit Joshua Walker’s hand inside the box. Referee Pratap Singh awarded penalty, which Korean Kim Song Yong calmly placed on the right side, out of keeper’s reach. 

Despite of making several goalmouth attempts, BFC failed to create goal chances. 

In 39th minute Robin scored the equalizer from a goal-bound melee, it was an outcome of a nice buildup from Captain Sunil Chhetri which went for a corner. 

Mid fielder Godwin Franco having a fantastic run in the Hero I-League gave visitors the lead again in the 42nd minute from an accurate shot taken outside the box. 

Most of RWFC attacks formed from right wing, with combination Theobold, Kim, and Naoba. The end of first-half witnessed a brilliant solo from diminutive Jackychand Singh, which the BFC keeper managed to keep away.  

Starting of second half, Kim Song failed to from excellent ball fed by skipper Densil Theobold. A timely replacement of Shankar for Thoi Singh gave BFC their equalizer for the second time. It was Mr. Consistent Eugene again whose deft free kick via Shankar’s header found the ball back of Royal’s net. 

Bengaluru took the lead in 72nd minute, Rooney was brought down by the Royal keeper Prem Kumar, Joshua Walkers made no mistake in penalty no mistake to giving his team 3-2 lead. 

However, the lead only lasted for few minutes, when Reagan Singh’s shot from the right side of the box took a heavy deflection and looped out of the reach of keeper. 

Host perhaps paid the price of playing continuous football, the players look jaded later in the game, failing to keep up with the pace of Royal Wahindoh. 

Hero of the match - Godwin Franco 

Bengaluru FC meet giant killer Royal Wahingdoh at home

AIFF & Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC after thrashing Sporting Clube three days ago meets their closest adversary Royal Wahingdoh tomorrow 7 pm at the Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore. 

Making debut in Hero I-League, Royal Wahingdoh have sprung surprise. They've displayed a good brand of football and tied with same points with BFC, the latter is ahead in head to head and goal difference. 

Bengaluru gaffer Ashley sounded cautious, “They’ve been playing well, they are a confident side, got some excellent individual attacking players, don’t think too many would tick them off. Wahingdoh have beaten East Bengal and Pune, considered as top three teams this season.” He adds, “we need to play hard, be at our best, and try to get something! 

The host gets a fully fit side despite of playing their third game in last eight days. Also, Shankar and Siam’s return from National U-23 side last night have boosted their strength. They will be training with the team today evening. Ashley reckons, “they might get into the squad if feel we need them.” 

Ashley is perhaps still searching for the best attacking front as most of their goals have come from midfielders. “Our strikers have not clicked as much as we would have liked. We've not got the consistency as an out-an-out forward would have done. He assures, “We’re performing well as a team and that is taking away the pressure from the central forwards!” 

Royal Wahingdoh, though termed as the giant killers, have received solid drubbing against Bengaluru FC at home. 

Wahingdoh coach Santosh Kashyap rubbishes that the loss is in their mind. He states, “It was long back and we’ve moved on. Believe we are a much organized now, playing fantastic football, and confident. Kashyap quickly adds, “We are in a good run and up against a team who too are in an excellent run!” 

“Though we lost against BFC by a big margin, but played a better game, that was not our day, ball hit the crosspiece thrice, and we conceded goals on counter attack. Our last two games have been exceptional, my boys executed what they’ve been taught, and as a coach what else you want!” 

Kashyap is a highly promising coach, he is performing a very similar role like last season. He was the coach of Rangdajied United, a newly promoted I-League team last season and this season he’s with another debutante Hero I-League team Royal Wahingdoh. His association with this team from Shillong has been a real success story! 

Kashyap admits he is a better coach now surrounded by talented players, who can quickly adapt the technique; the result has come out in a very short term. His strict instruction to his players is to keep their mind-off from top finish or relegation threat, and concentrate match by match. 

Tomorrows match would also see local boy, team’s goalkeeper Nikhil Bernard in action. He represented Karnataka in various age groups - U-16, U-19, and U-21, and then had a two year stint with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Nikhil will be playing his first I-League match at his hometown tomorrow evening. 

Bengaluru take on tough Royal Wahingdoh

Bengaluru FC (BFC) did not have the best of starts to their campaign, earned just one point from three games. They’ll be under a lot of pressure to come back with very little time against a confident Royal Wahingdoh (RWFC).

3 victories in the as many fixtures give RWFC a record – best start to a season by a promoted team.

Both teams will have had a lot of travelling prior to Saturday’s game. Fitness, recuperation and the changes in weather will all play a part, as noted by RWFC coach Santosh Kashyap after the Bharat FC game. 

Having made the trip to Kolkata earlier this week, BFC were unlucky to go down 1-0 down to East Bengal after having dominated the game and Westwood will look at his squad to add sharper finishing to what was an otherwise brilliant show at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday. 

RWFC announced the signing of two defenders – Naoba Singh and Govin Singh.

BFC gaffer Ashley Westwood assured the mood in the Blues’ camp was anything but down. “The mood’s good as is the morale. If you look at the last nine games, it’s just two that we’ve lost. It’s not disastrous form. It’s just that our two losses have been compounded because they are back to back. There’s no reason to be down and not confident. We are I-League and Federation Cup champions,” said the gaffer on the eve of the game.” 

While BFC are still digging their heels into the new season, league debutants RWFC have gotten off to a dream start. The Santosh Kashyap-coached side is the unlikely leaders after 3 rounds. “It is an excellent beginning for us and we have been playing some good football. Bengaluru may have not had the best start but that doesn’t mean they are easy opponents. We all know the kind of set up they have. Also, they are coming on the back of a Federation Cup win so it’s going to be tough on Saturday,” said Kashyap. 

Westwood too isn’t taking RWFC lightly. BFC haven’t won in Shillong as yet but the gaffer said the record had no bearing on the way his boys are looking at the game. “We don’t even remember opponents and stadiums after a bit. Every new game is taken on merit. We know we are in for a tough one tomorrow. RWFC haven’t won three games by fluke. They have played decent opposition. They have to be taken very seriously and are in good form so obviously, we are expecting a very tough game,” said Westwood who has a completely fit squad to choose from. 

The match between Royal Wahingdoh and Bengaluru FC is slated to start tomorrow, Saturday, 4.30 PM, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong.