Ozone boys fail to qualify the final hurdle, Minerva win their second Nike Premier Cup

AIFF Media

Minerva Punjab FC, the defending champions, have mesmerized the football-loving crowd of the Cooperage Stadium in Mumbai with a scintillating performance to clinch the Nike Premier Cup for second successive year. Jeakson Singh (7′), Lalchhanhima Sailo (11′) and Md. Shahjahan (33′) smacked three first-half goals to dash the debutante Ozone FC Bengaluru’s dream of winning the Nike Premier Cup in their debut season akin to the champions Minerva Punjab FC. 

Right from the start, Minerva started to attack the opponent’s defence and it only took them, 3 minutes to build up their first proper attack of the match, though it did not result in a goal. Minerva scored the first goal of the match through their captain Jeakson Singh within the ten-minute mark.
This out of the world long-range made the people present at the stadium go into a frenzy. The goal shot was taken at least 15 metres away from the penalty box. 

The second goal came 4 minutes after the first one from Sailo. This goal was an exact replica of the first one, expect this one went inside the top left corner of the goal and the first one was banged into the right corner of the goalpost.

Thanks to the pressing football by the Minervans and a perfect assist from Sailo, Md. Shahjahan nailed the final one in the Ozone FC coffin on 33 minutes. 

In the second half, just when it seemed Ozone FC were starting to settle down and getting a hang of the match, the Minervans came out and put up two back-to-back attacks. 

Ozone’s best chance of minimizing the gap came on 83 minutes but yet again the Minerva defense was up to the task. The danger was averted with a beautifully executed sliding tackle. 

The most commendable part was that both the team maintained a high tempo throughout the match. Moreover, for Ozone FC, who came into the second half with a deficit of three goals, never for a moment gave up the fight, even during the extra time they were running after the ball with utmost zeal, they always had the hunger for goal in their game but it seems the game planning let them down. 

Ozone FC, who earned huge accolades for their bravado on their debut season, are awarded a cheque of INR 1.5 Lac whereas Minerva Punjab FC are bestowed with the snazzy Nike Premier Cup trophy and a hefty cheque of INR 5 Lac.

Ozone and Bengaluru take on Lajong and Minerva respectively in U16 Youth League semifinal

In what could be an all Bangalore affair in the ongoing U-16 Youth League, lads of Ozone Football Club Bengaluru play against Shillong Lajong Football Club and Bengaluru FC boys play against winner of last edition (U-15) Minerva Academy FC tomorrow at Cooperage Stadium, Mumbai. 

Both teams from the Garden City had an outstanding run thus far in the U-16 Youth League. Ozone maintained all-win record right from the zonal-qualifiers to quarter-final stage. Bengaluru FC too retained all-win record except an 1-1 draw match against DSK Shivajians in quarterfinals. 

• 10 AM: Ozone FCB Vs Shillong Lajong FC
• 3 PM: Bengaluru FC Vs Minerva Academy FC

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 - Ozone move to semis

Ozone romped home in style by pumping 3 goals to opponent India Youth Soccer Association today at the Navelim ground, Goa. With an all-win record in the quarter final group stage, the lads qualify to the semifinal of the U-16 Youth League. 

Ozone lads, who train at Hosur must have been the most impressive performers in U-16 Youth League, they have conceded only one goal and scored 11 goals in three quarter final group matches.  

Continuing the good form, talented striker Ajay Alex scored a brace again today. Manvir scored the other goal in 37th minute. 

Mohun Bagan defeated Pride Sports in an identical margin, finishing second in Group A. 

Semi-finals and final will be played at Mumbai on Febrary 8 and 10 respectively.  

 

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.

Ozone boys thrash Pride Sports, inch closer to semis spot

Ozone football academy thrashed Pride Sports FC 6-0 their 2nd U-16 Youth League Quarter final match today morning at the Navelim ground, Goa. 

Umashankar (24’, 33’) and Manvir Singh (53’, 72’) score two each, and Captain Ajay Alex (88’) and Ignatius John (93’) score the other two goals. The boys from the Hosur academy have won their first match against Mohun Bagan 2-1. 

With two win from as many matches and a high goal difference, they are almost thru to the Semifinal. Ozone football academy will play their last group match against Indian Youth Soccer Association (IYWA) on Friday.

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.    
 

U-16 Youth League - ten teams confirmed for National finals

55 teams started their journey in the U-16 Youth League this season across the  nation for the 16 coveted berths in the National Finals which will be played in mid-January, 2017. Nine teams have been finalized until now from seven zones and others are still fighting out of their skin to grab the remaining slots. 

Shillong Lajong FC and Royal Wahingdoh FC, the cross-city rivals from Shillong, have proved to be too strong for the other teams in the Shillong-Guwahati zone and they have already booked their berths in the National Finals. 

Kenkre FC, having been drubbed by the other teams in the last edition, have come back strongly to make a strong statement this season. The Mumbai-based club have gathered 15 points from 6 matches and they’re going to represent the Maharashtra zone in the National Finals along with DSK Shivajians FC, who had a stupendous run in the zonal round. The Pune outfit have outplayed their counterparts completely, having smacked 36 goals in 6 matches and gathering all possible 18 points from them. 

Although the last round of matches are still yet to be played in the Kolkata zone, the Mariners have shrugged off the last-year debacle and they’re already in the next round, thanks to their exuberant run in the zonal round where they have registered 6 wins and 3 draws so far. United Sports Club (17), Mohammedan Sporting Club (15) and Kingfisher East Bengal (12) are vying for the last spot available in the Kolkata zone. Their fates will be decided on December 10 when the Black Panthers will lock their horns with the Mariners and United SC play against the Sports Authority of India team. On the same day, Kingfisher East Bengal take on Southern Samity, who are already out of the tournament. 

Sudeva Football Club completely outplayed the other teams in the Delhi zone and thanks to their 100% winning spree, they are going to represent the Delhi zone in the National Finals. 

Undoubtedly, Ozone Group FC youngsters have proven to be the most brutal group on the pitch who netted 36 goals over 6 matches and didn’t concede a single goal. Other three teams were completely ousted and their performance have gone haywire against Ozone Group FC. 

Redstar Football Academy held their nerves to grab the sole berth from the Kerala zone. Albeit Prodigy Sports were also running neck-to-neck with them, the Thrissur-based club finally claimed the solitary berth from the southernmost state of the Nation. 

The Blues from Bengaluru have plied their trade from the Rest of India I zone and ousted the Goan powerhouses to snatch the only spot from the zone.
Pride Sports have sealed the sole spot from the Rest of India II zone which was staged in Gandhinagar. 

Rest of India III is still going on in Imphal and the matches of the Rest of India IV group is slated to start in New Delhi on December 14, 2016. 

Bengaluru beat Dempo in U16 Youth League, through to final round

Bengaluru FC Media 

Goals on either side of the break from Amay Morajkar and Lalrintluanga Chawnglut gave Bengaluru FC U16s a 2-0 win over Dempo and qualification to the final rounds of the U16 Y-League at the Duler Stadium, in Goa, on Wednesday. Needing just a point to progress, the Blue colts refused to leave things to chance with solid performance that saw them finish atop the Rest of India, Zone-1 standings with three wins in as many games.

The opening goal came in the 11th minute when Saqlain Khan was brought down at the edge of the penalty area. Amay’s perfectly placed free-kick beat the wall and went past the reach of the Dempo ’keeper, giving BFC the lead. 

John Kila made just one change to the BFC side that had won against Sporting Clube de Goa on Monday with the suspended Nonganba Singh replaced by Lalrintluanga. The midfielder’s through pass come closest to doubling the lead but for Lalrinzuala Lalbiaklana, whose shot could only rattle the Dempo woodwork. 

Refusing to sit back, the Blue Colts continued to dominate proceedings and twenty minutes into the second half, a strike from 30 yards saw Lalrintluanga double BFC’s lead. 

“I am very happy with the performance of these boys. We’ve had little time to prepare but they’ve gelled well together and the results are there for all to see. We are excited to have made it through to the final round but it’s going to be tougher and there’s a lot of work to be done,” said Kila following the game. 

The Blues wrapped up their group commitments in dominating fashion scoring ten times and conceding just once and Kila lays it down to discipline. “We trained these young boys on the pitch and in the gym, giving them a mentality to win football matches. It was a balanced effort from defending well at the back and attacking with discipline and we hope we can do the same in the final rounds.” 

The final rounds of the U16 Y-League are scheduled to begin in January.

Bengaluru FC colts beat Sporting in U16 Youth League

Bengaluru FC Media

A strong display of attacking football from Bengaluru FC’s U16 Academy side saw them go top of the charts in the U16 Y-League with a 4-0 win over Sporting Clube de Goa at the Duler Stadium, in Goa, on Monday. Following up on their victory over Salgaocar in the opening match on Sunday, the Blue Colts have now scored eight goals and conceded just one in the Rest of India, Zone-I group.

The young Blues attacked from the word go with Rahul Rajan having a go in the opening minutes, followed by tries from Lalrinzuala Lalbiaklana and Nonganba Singh. Rahul made it two goals from as many games when Lalrinzuala’s square pass found him unmarked in the area to slot home the opener in as early as the 9th minute.

The John Kila-coached side went in at the break having doubled their advantage with midfielder Amay Morajkar’s perfectly placed strike finding the top corner from over 25 yards. 

Rahul turned provider as a reverse of the first goal allowed the 16-year-old to grab his third assist of the group stages, setting up Lalrinzuala for the Blue Colts’ third on the day. Winger Nonganba made it 4-0 with a neat finish in the 64th minute, only to receive his marching orders for a second bookable offense moments later.

The Blue Colts will face Dempo SC U16s needing just a point to qualify to the final rounds from the Rest of India Zone-I, at the same venue on Wednesday.

U-16 Youth League - Bangalore-Chennai Zone

Fixtures 

• Saturday, October 15, 2016, Bangalore Football Stadium - 3:30 PM: Ozone Football Academy 4 (K Chiranjan Singh-4', Umashankar-20', Ajay Alex A (Capt)-45', Ignatius John–62') Vs Boca Juniors Football School India 0 
• Sunday, October 16, 2016, SSN College of Engineering, Chennai - 3:30 PM: Mahogany 1 (Aslam 23') Vs Roots Football School 4 (Nanda Kumar-44', Manoj Kumar-48', Basha-79', Steve-84') 
• Saturday, October 22, 2016, Bangalore Football Stadium - 3:30 PM: Ozone Football Academy 2 (Ignatius John-40', TH Imran Khan-83') Vs Roots Football School 0
• Sunday, October 23, 2016, SSN College of Engineering, Chennai - 3:30 PM: Mahogany 0 Vs Boca Juniors Football School India 2 (Gautam Kapoor-16', Aryan Singh-18')
• Saturday, October 29, 2016, Bangalore Football Stadium - 4 PM: Roots Football School 0 Vs Ozone Football Academy 5 
• Sunday, October 30, 2016, SPT Sports Ground, Sarjapur Rd. - 3 PM: Boca Juniors Football School India 2 Vs Mahogany 1 
• Saturday, November 5, 2016, SSN College of Engineering, Chennai - 3:30 PM: Mahogany 0 Vs Ozone Football Academy 6 ()
• Sunday, November 6, 2016, Bangalore Football Stadium - 4 PM: Roots Football School 2 Vs Boca Juniors Football School India 1 
• Saturday, November 12, 2016, SPT Sports Ground, Sarjapur Rd. - 3 PM: Boca Juniors Football School India 0 Vs Ozone Football Academy 6 (Nikhil Parekh, John (2), Ajay Alex, Namil, Imran Khan) 
• Sunday, November 13, 2016, Bangalore Football Stadium - 4 PM: Roots Football School 0 Vs Mahogany 1 
• Saturday, November 19, 2016, Bangalore Football Stadium - 3:30 PM: Ozone Football Academy 13 (Ajay Alex-5, Harpreet-4, Chiranjan-1, Umashankar-1, Imran-1, Manju-1) Vs Mahogany 0 
• Sunday, November 20, 2016, SPT Sports Ground, Sarjapur Rd. - 3 PM: Boca Juniors Football School India 1 () Vs Roots Football School 2 (Nandha-1, Manoj-1) 

Points Table 

U-16 Youth League to kick-off from tomorrow

AIFF Media 

55 Teams from all over the country will ply their trade in the U-16 Youth League which is slated to kick-off on Tomorrow, September 24, in Kolkata and Shillong simultaneously. 

Youth Teams from all Hero I-League Clubs and two Teams from Hero ISL Clubs along with many an Academy will be fielding their Teams for the top honours across 10 zones. 

Ozone Football, Roots Football, and Boca Juniors are the teams representing from the Garden City and will be playing in the Bangalore-Chennai zone. 

The League, which commenced last season as the U-15 Youth League, has been refurbished as the U-16 Youth League keeping an eye on the forthcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017.

Sunando Dhar, CEO, I-League said the increase in the numbers highlights the “urge among the Clubs to perform.”

“The numbers speak. 55 Teams are participating in the U-16 Youth League which is Indeed remarkable. It proves the urge among Clubs and Academies to prove their mettle,” he told www.i-league.org.

"I wish success to all the participating Teams. The competition will be intense and may the best Team triumph,” he added.

The teams from every zone will play on a home-away basis among themselves in the round robin stage and 16 teams will qualify to the National Final Round eventually. Those sixteen teams will be divided into four groups and the group champions will qualify for the semi-final which will be followed by the final to decide the U-16 Youth League 2016-17 champions.

Royal Wahingdoh FC will face Rangdajied United FC at the Mawlai Ground in the opener (September 24) while Mohammedan Sporting FC will lock their horns with United Sporting Club at the Mohammedan Sporting Ground the same day.

Minerva Academy FC, champions from the last edition have been clubbed with Youngsters Club, Lonestar Kashmir, Real Kashmir and J&K Bank. 

Zones 

1. Kolkata  2. Maharashtra  3. Bangalore-Chennai  4. Shillong-Guwahati  5. Kerala

6. Delhi  7. Rest of India (I)  8. Rest of India (II) 9. Rest of India (III)  10. Rest of India (IV)

Teams 

Mohun Bagan  East Bengal  Mohammedan Sporting  SAI Kolkata Southern Samity  United Sports Club DSK Shivajians  Mumbai FC  Kenkre  PIFA  Young Champs	Steadfast FC  Football School of India  FC Pune City  Ozone Football  Mahogany FC  Boca Juniors  Roots Football  Shillong Lajong  SAI Guwahati Royal Wahingdoh  Rangdajied United
Gauhati Town Club  Kovalam FC  Prodigy  Red Star FC  SEPT  Bhaichung Bhutia Football School  Concient FC  Sudeva FC Real Sports IYSA  Delhi United	SAI Delhi  Delhi Dynamos  Hindustan FC  Neroca FC  Aizawl FC  Tata Football Academy  SAIL Bokaro  NRL SPT  Dempo  Sporting Clube de Goa Salgaocar FC
Bengaluru FC  Youngsters Club  Real Kashmir  Lonestar Kashmir  J&K Bank  Minerva Academy FC  Kahaani FC  Anantpur Football  Fateh Hyderabad  Pride Sports  Sports Authority of Gujarat