FC Bengaluru United lift Stafford Challenge Cup

FCBU Media 

FC Bengaluru United (FCBU) put in a stellar performance to keep a resurgent Chennaiyin FC down and emerge worthy Stafford Challenge Cup 2023 champions with a hard-fought 2-1 victory.  Vinil Poojary (31’) helped FC Bengaluru United get on the scoreboard but Chennaiyin FC fought back with a goal in the 70th minute. But once again, it was Irfan Yadwad, who has been in sharp form for his team right through the tournament, scored in the added time of second half (90’+3’) to seal a much-deserved win for FC Bengaluru United.

Chennaiyin FC looked to get into the groove early, controlling possession. FCBU goalkeeper Kabir Toufiq was pressed into action early on, smartly tipping a long-range shot over the bar. However, it wasn’t long before FCBU hit their stride, creating half-chances through freekicks and control possession. Nikhil Mali and Vinil Poojari were in the thick of things for FCBU, giving the Chennaiyin FC defence quite a bit of work.  It was Vinil Poojaray, with a free kick, who finally broke the shackles in the 30th minute. A beautiful freekick from the right side of the ground off his left foot beat the Chennaiyin FC goalkeeper and got FCBU up and running on the scoreboard. That goal seemed to galvanise FCBU; Mali, Poojari, Sudhir Kottikela, and Yadwad were at the centre of the action, crafting attacking moves as they looked to try and further the lead.

FCBU very nearly had their second goal early in the second half, which could have sealed the game, but Mali failed to convert the penalty. They kept taking the attack to Chennaiyin FC, but Chennaiyin FC equalized against the run of play in 70th minute through Senthamil, who evaded the FCBU defence and got a clean strike in, perhaps the first error made by the FCBU defence. 

Chennaiyin FC upped the ante after their goal, but the FCBU defence held strong. In the 85th minute, Aenam K Jyrwa dribbled into the box, only to have the Chennaiyin defence FC block his efforts. Minutes later, once again it was Aenam who tried to get the ball at the back of the net after Yadwad missed a bicycle kick – his shot just sailing over the goal.

Five minutes of extra time and both teams looked to press on. A corner taken by Selwyn Miranda was cleared out by Bedashwor Singh, which made its way back to Selwyn. The ball reached Irfan, who had been looking to get his first strike of the game – a well-controlled header sealing a spectacular win and tournament for FCBU with a deft header.

 

Chennaiyin beat Delhi to enter Stafford Final

pic: KSFA Media 

The first semi-final of Stafford Challenge Cup witnessed some exciting moments before Chennaiyin FC got the better of Delhi FC in tie-breaker at the Bangalore Football Stadium today. The reserve team of Chennaiyin was quick enough to take a lead in 18th minute from Givson Singh. Talented Sajal Bag made it 2-0 from a beautiful long ranger in the added time. 

After changing ends, Delhi showed urgency to come back to the game, however, didn’t have enough sharpness in their attack to score, though they did reduce the score in the half-way via penalty, and finally equalled few minutes before the regulation time. 

The game went straight to penalty shoot-out. Though Chennaiyin missed the first shot while Delhi successfully converted the same. Delhi wasted 3rd and 4th shot while Chennai scored the rest of the shots thus moving to the final of Stafford Challenge Cup.

Stafford Cup: Keen semi-final clashes in the offing

KSFA Media 

The revived Stafford Challenge Cup enters its business end with the semi-finals billed for March 3 and 4 and the final on March 6, 2023. With Karnataka reaching the final of the Santosh Trophy after 47 years, all eyes will be on Karnataka as it strives to regain past glory in organisational ability and on-field performances as well.

The first semi-final on Friday will be an all-outstation affair between Chennaiyin FC and Delhi FC set for kickoff at 3.30 p.m. at the KSFA Stadium while the second semi-final on Saturday will be an all-Bengaluru clash as FC Bengaluru United take on the ASC Centre at the same time and venue. 

Delhi FC topped Group C with an all-win record with nine points having beaten Kenkre FC 1-0, prevailing over Bengaluru FC 2-1 and then getting the better of Sreenidhi Deccan FC 3-2. They needed only a draw in their final match but managed to bag all three points. They have a balanced team which has scored six goals and let in three. The defence looks far more solid with the goal also well taken care of. In midfield, Vanlal and Lalrinzuala have worked hard to keep the attack going. Though the attack isn’t as sharp and thrustful as expected, it can take advantage of mistakes by the opponents and punish them.

Delhi would do well to resist questioning every decision. The Coach and the Manager have been booked for dissent and could well be in for more trouble if they don’t eschew their tendency to question every call made by the officials. 

Chennaiyin FC topped group D on goal difference with seven points from two wins and a draw. Local side Kickstart FC too had a similar result sheet, but the Chennai team had a goal difference of plus 10 having scored 12 and conceded just two to Kickstarts' plus three. Chennaiyin defeated the Ahmedabad Racquet Academy FC 1-0 and trounced Kerala United FC 9-0 in their other outings. As such Chennaiyin FC advanced to the semi-finals. They have relied mainly on Senthamil to score and  on Solaimalai to do the spadework.  But they don’t appear to be as balanced as their rivals and might find Delhi FC tough nuts to crack. 

 

Chennaiyin pip Kickstart to qualify for Stafford Cup semi-finals

The Group D final round matches of Stafford Challenge Cup were interestingly poised. Before taking their opponents today, local favourite Kickstart FC and Chennaiyin FC were equal on points (3), head-to-head (2-2), and goal difference (+1) - their opponents were ARA FC and Kerala United FC respectively. ARA RC too were in contention, they needed to win against Kickstart, which also required Chennaiyin to lose against Kerala United). 

Both games were scheduled on the same time today morning - Kickstart FC Vs ARA FC at the Bangalore Football Stadium and Chennaiyin FC Vs Kerala United FC at the HAL Ground. 

Kickstart FC did convincingly win 3-1 against ARA FC, however their win was not enough compared to Chennaiyin FC’s 9-0 thrashing to Kerala United FC pipping Kickstart to qualify for the semi-finals.

Kickstart rally from two goals down in thrilling 2-2 draw

KSFA Media  

Kickstart FC pulled off another miracle as they came back again from 0-2 down to hold Chennaiyin FC to a 2-2 draw and shoot to the top of group D on the Safford Challenge Cup football tournament at the KSFA Stadium here on Sunday morning. Earlier, Sreenidhi Deccan FC defeated Kenkre FC 2-0 in group C.

In the later part of the day, Delhi FC came back from a goal down to register 2-1 win over Bengaluru FC. With back-to-back win, they seem to be a solid contender for the semi-final spot from Group C. In the final game of the day, ARA FC bouncing back from a defeat in their previous game thrashed Kerala United 5-0. 

A very compact and solid Chennaiyin FC took control of the match early on and even forged ahead in the very 16th  minute of the match.  After a one-two with Solaimalai, Givson Singh lobbed the ball into the box and skipper Senthamil dived forward to head it into the goal past goalkeeper Deepak. 

In trying to curb their attacking intent, Kickstart gave away a freekick to Chennaiyin just outside the box on the left flank. Givson Singh took the award and produced a low curling right footer which settled into the net beyond Deepak’s reach.

But Kickstart came back with some efforts of their own to no avail. In the second half, they changed their combinations and it paid rich dividends. Substitute Muzamiri was a thorn in the Chennai team’s defence and repeatedly broke through. He tacked goalkeeper Devansh Dabas once but failed to fill an untenanted net. However, he provided a fine through pass form Edwin Rosario to slot home a low left footer into the net. Once they had reduced the margin, it was Kickstart all over the opponent defence. In trying to check Muzamiri, stopper Buiswas Yumnan sent the ball rocketing into his own net for an own goal in the 82nd minute.

Both came close to snatching the winner but the defences held firm as they trooped out with a point each. Kickstart top the group with four points with a win and a draw.

Sreenidhi Deccan FC were the dominant lot all along and scored once in each half to emerge winners.

It was Mungong who scored the first goal in the 21st minute pushing home from close following a goalmouth melee. They played relaxed football and made it 2-0 in the 61st as Velmurugan took off on the right and slotted home past custodian Lovepreet Singh. Sreenidhi Deccan also topped group C with four points from one win and a draw while Kenkre have lost both games so far.

Kickstart rally back to win 3-2 against Kerala United in Stafford Challenge Cup

KSFA Media

Kickstart Football Club began their Stafford Challenge Cup campaign in group D with a stunning 3-2 come from behind victory over Kerala United FC here on Friday. In the last game of the day, from Group C, Delhi FC got the better of Kenkre FC 1-0.

Kickstart were down 0-2 in the first half. A lob from Velayudhan was palmed away by goalkeeper Deepak S. but right on to the head of his stopper Rahul who as retreating. The ball struck him on his head and landed inside the net in the 13th minute.

Kerala United made it 2-0 in the 42nd minute when Akmal Shan put away a cross from Muhammed Fasal from close range.

Kickstart came up for the second half full of energy and enthusiasm. They built up a series of attacks and threatened the opponent goal from both flanks. Edwin Rosario went clear of the defence off a through pass from Ryan Wilfred. But he only hit wide. But a goal was imminent, and it duly came in the 55th minute when Edwin Rosario made amends and this time placed home Ryan Wilfred’s lob into the net over the head of the onrushing goalkeeper Mohammed Sinan. But Ryan himself muffed an open chance hitting wide. But in the 61st minute, it was 2-2 when Satish Kumar went in and banged home his left footer.

Once they restored parity, it was 3-2 when Muzamiri Mtanga dashed in and banged home a measured pass from Edwin Rosario. Once they hit the front, Kickstart never looked back and kept their opponents at bay to win and take home three points.

Delhi FC managed to score once and hold on to the lead.  They dominated play but had to wait till the 55th minute for the goal. Khyriem pieced together a fine pass form Gaurav Rawat to bang home a curling left-footer. Earlier, Lalrunzuala muffed a sitter placing ide despite an empty net staring him in the face. Though they attacked often, Kenkre FC did not manage to find the net and the confident Delhi FC held firm to hang on and gain full points.

 

BFC play out 1-1 draw against Sreenidi Deccan, Chennaiyin beat ARA in Stafford Cup

KSFA Media 
Bengaluru FC Media 

Chennaiyin FC, Chennai, became the first team to log full points defeating the ARA FC 1-0 in a Group D match of the Stafford Challenge Cup 2023 football tournament on Friday. In another match in Group C, local hopefuls Bengaluru FC drew with Sreenidhi Deccan FC, Hyderabad, 1-1 after leading by an early goal.

In the first game today morning, Bengaluru FC did well to take the lead in the 15th minute when Harmanpreet Singh rushed in to tap home the ball following a melee inside the box.  Harmanpreet, Thoi Singh, and captain Biswa Darjee combined well to threaten the opponents, but their finishing let them down.

Sreenidhi Deccan worked the ball at a fast clip and looked like finding the equaliser any moment. It did come in the 68th minute when skipper Arunkumar managed to chip the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Lara as the ball landed into the net.

After being on level terms, it was the Deccan side which let BFC off the hook when skipper Biswa Darjee failed to beat Lara in a one to one situation. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Chennaiyin beat ARA 1-0

Keeping up a steady flow of attacks, Chennaiyin Fc carved out the ARA defence and opened up scoring chances, but their finishing let them down. This was evident when their skipper Senthamil failed to fill an untenanted net with goalkeeper Sangramjit Roy Coudhury out of his charge. But he made amends soon after when a lob from Rajat Roy hit the crossbar and rebounded back into play. Senthamil was close on hand to fill the net.

ARA boys tried their best to force the pace and attack from both flanks but the CFC defence did not yield. They were backed well by goalkeeper Mohanraj who rushed out time and again to bring timely saves.

Chennaiyin could have made it 2-0 but midfielder Sharon’s long chip hit the crossbar and rolled out. In the dying moments, substitute Zomuansanga failed to tap home a pass from Senthamil. Though they tried hard, the Ahmedabad boys failed to break the compact opponent defence and crashed to defeat.

Roots, Gokulam share hornors in Stafford Cup, MEG and Dempo game too ends in stalemate

KSFA Media 

The Stafford Challenge Cup kicked off again after 30 years with both games ending in a draw at the Bangalore Football Stadium.

In the inaugural game, Group B's Roots FC of Bengaluru took the lead but were held to 1-1  draw by Gokulam FC, Kerala . In Group A, local challengers MEG went ahead only for Dempo SC, Goa, to equalize in the second half. 

The newly formed Roots FC were a revelation. They played an attacking brand of football and stretched their opponents on both flanks with some astute crosses. The wingers responded well and provided many harrowing moments to the Gokulam defence, but lack of finishing prevented them from scoring in the first half. They were once out of luck when Vignesh’s powerful long ranger hit the post while the goalkeeper was out of position. 

Roots began with a bang in the second half with Vignesh missing an open chance - he placed the ball over the cross bar while aiming the ball into the empty net. However, they forged ahead in the 64th minute when Yohan Victor Britto bulged the net from inside the 6-yard box from the right side.

They fell back on defence as Gokulam came back with some spirited moves to restore parity. They exerted pressure and their efforts bore fruit in the 87th minute when they were awarded a penalty. Roots defence Mohan Bahadur handled the ball inside the area and Referee Anil Gulia pointed to the spot. Substitute Samuel Mensah Konney made no mistake placing it home. 

The two teams then closed shop and were content to go home with a point each.

MEG held by Dempo 

Madras Engineer Group & Centre, Bengaluru, were held to a 1-1 draw by Dempo SC, Goa in the second match of the day. The Sappers were a dominant for most part of the game against the young Dempo side.

They did well to take the lead as well in the 16th minute when their tall stopper Ayush headed home a lob from Imnaakum. They stretched the flanks wide and had more of the ball but did not succeed in extending the lead. MEG also played wide apart and looked a rather tired lot in the second half.

Sensing their chance, Dempo indulged in their short passing game and built several moves. The through passes were struck a bit long and hard. Yet, they managed to come more into the attacking picture. A pile-driver from Shreyash Gajanan Naik was put out at the last minute by MEG goalkeeper Pramod Joshi as he dived low to his right. A lob from Adnold Antonio saw Topon Minj hit wide from close range.

Dempo restored parity in the 86th minute when Arnold’s lob was headed across the goal by Topon and Shreyash Gajanan managed to scramble it home after a goalmouth melee. For the equaliser. There was not much time left for any team to go for the winner and they went home with a point each.

 

Stafford Challenge Cup history

KSFA Media 

One of India's oldest tournaments and South India's oldest, the Staffordshire Regiment presented a huge silver cup to be played on an all-India basis. It was a knock-out tournament named after the regiment and christened as the Stafford Challenge Cup.

The first edition was first conducted in 1938 when Wiltshire Regiment won it and repeated the act the next year as well. In 1941, Bangalore Muslims broke the domination of the British regimental teams by winning it while Bangalore Sporting won it in 1942. But it was in 1943 when there was a bigger surprise as Mysore Rovers emerged as the champions.

From 1944 to 1949, Sullivan Police were the undisputed champions. HAL (1952), Binny Mills (1954), Bangalore Blues (1956), LRDE (1957), Mysore State Police (1958 and 1961), MEG & Centre (1966), CIL (1967 and 1971) are the other Bangalore teams which cornered glory.

Though ITI won major tournaments in India, the Stafford Cup eluded them until they won it in 1993, the last time the tournament was held. 

The tournament got international flavour in 1980, when the Iraqi Youth Club came and conquered the cup and the hearts of football lovers as they beat East Bengal in the final at the overflowing Chinnaswamy Stadium. Iraq Air Force (1982), Students Club, Iraq (1984), Iraq Olympic Team (1990), were the other foreign teams which triumphed. Unfortunately, in 1984 the silverware went to Iraq and was never returned, as it was believed to have been destroyed in the Gulf War between Iran and Iraq.

Dempo (Goa), Orkay Mills (Bombay), Mohammedan Sporting, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan (all Calcutta) have also produced some outstanding displays in front of packed galleries with Mohun Bagan not having won it at all in their history. Mohammedan Sporting and East Bengal have shared it once and have won it individually as well.

The Stafford Cup final was a 'must see' event for the sporting fraternity of Bangalore, which turned up in thousands to witness the semi-finals and the final when held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium or the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Iraqi Youth Football Club and ITI in the final of Stafford Cup on April 16, 1980

Stafford Challenge Cup kicks off tomorrow

Stafford Challenge Cup, the once-elite football tournament of South India makes a comeback after three decades tomorrow, Thursday, February 23, 2023. The 12-day long tournament will see 15 teams distributed in 4 groups, with the winner from each group advancing to the knockout round.

With some players just coming off a tough Santosh Trophy pre-final round , most others will be using the event to prepare for the upcoming I-League 2 competition. 

BDFA Super Division teams FC Bengaluru United, Kickstart FC, Bengaluru FC (Reserves), MEG, FC Deccan, Roots FC, ASC will be seen in action. 

Gokulam and Roots open the action at 1.30 pm at the Bangalore Football Stadium while in the second game at 4.00 pm, Dempo Goa will meet MEG.

Group A – FC Bengaluru United, MEG, Dempo FC, Goa, FC Deccan
Group B – Roots FC, ASC, Gokulam Kerala FC 
Group C – Bengaluru FC (Reserves), Kenkre FC Mumbai, Sreenidhi Deccan FC, Delhi FC 
Group D – Kickstart FC, Chennaiyin FC (Reserves), ARA FC, Ahmedabad, Kerala United FC

FIXTURE

Group A

• Feb 23, 4 PM – Dempo FC 1 (Shreyash Gajanan Naik-86') Vs MEG 1 (Ayush-16') 
• Feb 25, 9:30 AM – MEG 2 (Shaik Muzeeb-35', 60') Vs FC Deccan 1 (Sachidananda S-42') 
• Feb 25, 4 PM – FC Bengaluru United 4 (Selwyn Frazer Miranda-6', Irfan Yadwad-33', Subha Ghosh-89', Aenam Graffenberg Jurwa-90'+1') Vs Dempo 0 
• Feb 27, 9:30 AM – FC Bengaluru United 4 (Irfan Yadwad-2', Selwyn Frazier Miranda-27', Subha Ghosh-58', Nikhil Mali-68') Vs MEG 1 (Imnaakum -84'[P])  
• Feb 27, 1:30 PM – Dempo 2 (Vinay Vijay Harji-74', Asmon Mevon Viegas-77') Vs  FC Deccan 0
• Mar 1, 9 AM – FC Bengaluru United 2 (Irfan Yadwad-11', 17') Vs FC Deccan 0 

Group B

• Feb 23, 1:30 PM – Gokulam Kerala FC 1 (Samuel Mensah Konney-87') Vs Roots FC 1 (Yohan Victor Britto-64') 
• Feb 25, 1:30 PM – ASC 3 (Shakti Gurung-15', Ajendra Singh-35', Alwin E-82') Vs Gokulam Kerala FC 2 (Samuel Mansah Konney-14', 24')  
• Feb 27, 4 PM – ASC 2 (Khundongbam Somananda Singh-55', Francis Zonuntluanga-90'+5' [P]) Vs Roots FC 0  

Group C

• Feb 24, 8:15 AM – Bengaluru FC 1 (Harmanpreet Singh-15') Vs Sreenidhi Deccan FC 1 (Kharch Khup Hangzo-68')    
• Feb 24, 4 PM – Delhi FC 1 (Gaurav Rawat-54) Vs Kenkre FC 0   
• Feb 26, 8:15 AM – Sreenidhi Deccan FC 2 (Pauminthang Munsong-21',  VineethKumar Velmurugan-62') Vs Kenkre FC 0   
• Feb 26, 1:30 PM – Delhi FC 2 (Fahd Temuri-90+5', Amay Morajkar-62'[OG]) Vs Bengaluru FC 1 (Leon Augustine-9')  
• Feb 28, 11:55 AM – Kenkre FC 1 (Jay Bhavanani-42'[P]) Vs Bengaluru FC 0  
• Feb 28, 1:30 PM – Delhi FC 3 (Gaurav Rawat-48', Fahad Temuri-74', Ajay Singh-81') Vs Sreenidhi Deccan FC 2 ( Vineeth Kumar Velmurugan-46', Aditya Tomar-87') 

Group D

• Feb 24, 10:45 AM – Chennaiyin FC 1 (Senthamil S -22') Vs ARA FC 0  
• Feb 24, 1:15 PM – Kickstart FC 3 (Edwin Rossorio-55', Sathish Kumar-61', Muzamiri Abdallah MTanga-84') Vs Kerala United FC 2 (Rahul M-12'[OG], Akmal Shan-42')
• Feb 26, 10:55 AM – Kickstart FC 2 (Edwin Rossario-61', Bikash Yumnam-82'[OG]) Vs Chennaiyin FC 2 (Senthamil S-15', Moirongthem Givson Singh-45'+2') 
• Feb 26, 4 PM – ARA FC 5 (Shanid Valan-5', Naro Hari Shrestha-38', Yami Longvoh-45'+3', Fredson Marshall-79' [P], Pratik Swami-87') Vs Kerala United FC 0  
• Feb 28, 8:15 AM (HAL ground) – Chennaiyin FC 9 (Joseph Lalvenhima-22', Niketh N-41', Vipul Velayudhan-45'[OG], Moirangthem Givson Singh-51', Senthamil S-66', 90'+3', Solaimalai R-73', Chris Anthoy White-82', Rahul Manjula-90') Vs Kerala United FC 0 
• Feb 28, 8:15 AM – Kickstart FC 3 (Muzamiri Abdullah MTanga-45'+3'[P], 58', Finto-6') Vs ARA FC 1 (Naro Hari Shrestha-90'+67'[P])  

Semifinals

• Mar 3, 3:30 PM – Chennaiyin FC - Gr D Winner 2 (Givson Singh-18', Sajal Bag-45'+3') Tie-breaker 4 - Sajal Bag, Senthamil Elangbam, Tondon Meitei, Chris Anthoy White Vs Delhi FC - Gr C Winner 2 (Fahad Temuri-67'[P], 90'+2') Penalty 2 - Fahad Temuri, Karndeep Singh 
• Mar 4, 3:30 PM –  FCBU - Group A Winner 3 (Irfan Yadwad-45'[P], 49', 51') Vs ASC - Gr B Winner) 2 (Ajendra Singh-61', Khundongbam Samananda Singh-80')  

Final 

• Mar 6, 4 PM – Chennaiyin FC 1 (Senthamil S -71') Vs FC Bengaluru United 2 (Vinil Poojary-31', Irfan Yadwad-90'+3) 

Stafford Cup to return after three decades

Stafford Challenge Cup, perhaps the oldest national-level football tournament and the Blue Riband event football event in South India is set to make a return to Indian Football after three long decades. 

In a press conference hosted by the Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA), NA Haris, Vice President, AIFF and the President of KSFA announced the revival of the historic tournament, which started in 1938 and went on till 1993.

In line with AIFF's aim to revive some heritage events, the KSFA will be organizing the Stafford Challenge Cup at the Bangalore Football Stadium from February 23, 2023, onwards. A total of 16 clubs will be invited and they will be clubbed into four groups. The four clubs in each group will play a round robin format in their respective groups and the top team in each group will qualify in the knockout semi-finals and final. The final is scheduled for March 6, 2023. 

Talking to the media, M Satayanarayan, Secretary, KSFA mentioned about tactfully utilising the period between final round of Santosh Trophy, which is ending on February 20 and I-League 2 2022-23, which is starting early March. 

“We had very less time this year, our plan is to include the Stafford Challenge Cup in the AIFF football calendar next season. This will help us in better planning to organize the event get top teams”, said Haris. 

Developmental teams from ISL and I-League like Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Gokulam Kerala, Dempo, and Sreenidhi FC along with I League-2 participants, ARA FC from Ahmedabad, FC Bengaluru United, and Delhi FC will be seen in action.

Other teams from outside the state of Karnataka include Kenkre FC and PIFA from Maharashtra, International FC from Punjab and Kerala United. The other four local clubs from Bengaluru are Kickstart FC, Roots FC, MEG, and HAL. 

Group A	Group B
FC Bengaluru United MEG Dempo International FC Punjab	Roots FC HAL SC Gokulam Kerala FC PIFA Sports FC
Group C	Group D
Bengaluru FC Kenkre FC Sreenidhi Deccan FC Delhi FC	Kickstart FC Chennaiyin FC ARA FC Kerala United FC

Former state footballer Munimara no more

N Munimara, 73, former State and CIL footballer passed away yesterday, Sunday, May 30, 10 am in his residence at Munireddy Palya, Bangalore owing to a heart attack. 

Munimara first represented Karnataka state in Santhosh Trophy at Kerala 1973. He was a very popular half back/forward player in state as well as CIL. He was playing with some famous players Ulaganathan, Amjad Khan, Krishanaji Rao, Thayagaraj back then. 

Munimara was a hardworking midfielder who brought glory to Karnataka and CIL. He helped CIL to win the Stafford Challenge Cup and Bandodkor Gold Cup and went on playing in famous all India tournaments like Durand, DCM, Rovers, and Federation Cup.

Munimara was philanthropist and helped many poor people. He is survived by his wife and a Son and daughter. 

KSFA, BDFA, and the State Referee Committee condoled the sudden demise of the footballer.