Bangalore Eagles hold ASC in Citrus Ventures BDFA Super Division League

Eagles played with much guts against ASC and prevented them to come back to winning ways in Citrus Ventures BDFA Super Division League. 

ASC always a gritty side in the local football league started as favorites against Bangalore Eagles. Eagles this season managed to build a formidable side under the stewardship of footballer Chinta Chandrasekhar Rao comprising young Manoj Kannan, former Junior India International and Indian Arrows and Bengaluru FC player Vishal Ravindra, and former Santosh Trophy player Gopi. 

After a goalless first half, ASC started the second half with a barrage of attacks mainly through the left flank. They soon got the goal from a nice strike from Shafeel PP. 

Showing some urgency Eagles made forays to the ASC territory. It was Vishal’s trademark long throw that fetched his team the much-needed equalizer - while clearing the throw that was looping inside the 18-yard box, ASC’s Deepak Pant headed the ball inside his own goal. 

ASC was quick enough to counter back, however, the winning goal eluded them. The match ended in 1-1 draw. 

 

Bengaluru sign young Gursimrat, Vishal bags extention, Darren Caldeira returns

Bengaluru FC Media

Staying true to its philosophy of promoting and honing young talent, Bengaluru FC have signed promising defender Gursimrat Singh (19) on a one-year deal, the club announced Tuesday. The I-League champions also added to the squad by signing familiar faces in defender Vishal Kumar and midfielder Darren Caldeira on short-term deals.

A regular in the India under-19 squad between 2014-15, Gursimrat spent five years at the Chandigarh Football Academy before being drafted into the AIFF Regional Academy in Navi Mumbai from where he went on to represent the country. He was also part of the AIFF squad that won the Under-19 I-League in 2015. “I am thrilled that I have signed my first professional contract with the best club in India. I am looking forward to learning and growing every day. This is a big chance for me early in my career and I am focused on making the most of it,” said Singh, who hails from Ludhiana.

Gursimrat was part of the SAFF Cup-winning India side of 2015 and also represented the country in the Under-19 AFC Championship in Palestine in the same year.

Caldeira, a Bengaluru player from 2013-2015, makes a return to the Blues after spending last season with Mumbai FC. Meanwhile local lad Vishal penned an extended deal after his three-year contract with the Blues ran out earlier in May.

Bengaluru head coach Albert Roca said the side could do with the new additions given the big AFC Cup game is less than a month away. “The club’s philosophy is to give young talent a stage and I believe that’s exactly what Gursimrat has got. He is talented, works hard and wants to keep improving which is a good sign for anyone taking the professional path. It’s also good to have Vishal and Darren back with the team. They have been with the club before but are working hard to bring value add to the squad which is what we need ahead of the AFC Cup tie,” he said.

Bengaluru go down fighting to Johor Darul Ta’zim

Bengaluru FC Media 

A young and resilient Bengaluru FC side battled hard but were unlucky to go down 1-0 to a full strength Johor Darul Ta’zim team in an AFC Cup Group H game at the Kanteerava, in Bengaluru, on Wednesday. Skipper Safiq Rahim scored with a contentiously awarded second-half freekick to leave the Blues feeling hard done given the way they refused to give anything for most of the game.

Hit with a slew of injuries and playing what was their fifth game in 14 days, the Bengaluru FC line-up was always going to be an interesting one. And Ashley Westwood threw in more than just a few surprises in the starting XI, handing defender Ranjan Salam Singh his BFC debut while Bengaluru boy Vishal Kumar got his first minutes on the pitch this season as part of a five-man defence that included Keegan Pereira, Lalchhuanmawia and Chhuantea.

Curtis Osano and CK Vineeth, who Westwood said would be doubtful starters, didn’t make the squad as Udanta Singh had Len Doungel for a partner in attack.

The reigning AFC Cup champions’ opener came in the 55^th minute after Keegan was harshly adjudged to have brought down Mohammed Amirulhadi on the edge of the box even as Bengaluru protests of a dive fell on deaf ears. Safiq stepped up and sent his take beyond Lalthuammawia Ralte’s right to finally break Bengaluru’s resistance.

Only minutes earlier, the Blues could have had a goal of their own when an unmarked Johnson headed wide from Udanta’s freekick. But Bengaluru’s best chance came in the 85^th minute when Udanta’s cross from the right was palmed away by ’keeper Mohammed Izham only to fall to Alwyn George. With Izham on the floor, George beat his marker but inexplicably fired wide from close as the Bengaluru bench threw their arms up in disbelief.

Bengaluru next travel to Myanmar where Westwood’s side take on Ayeyawady on the 16^th in what will be a must-win game if the Blues are to keep hope of getting out of the group alive. 

Ekalavya Award to Vishal, Dada Peer receives life-time award

Junior India international and Bengaluru FC’s side back Vishal Kumar Ravindra has been presented with the Ekalavya Award by the Government of Karnataka. 

Ekalavya Award is the top sports award set up by the Government of Karnataka for outstanding performance in sports. 

Former DYES coach, veteran Dada Peer received the lifetime achievement award for his contribution towards coaching. 

GCSStars.com wishes both Vishal and Dada Peer for making Bangalore Football proud!

Bangalore Football Stadium to have floodlights soon

With the Garden City's newly formed I-League, Bengaluru FC, all set to make debut in I-League, the team management announced their preparations at a press conference today evening. They will be playing their Round I match against Mohun Bagan on 4 pm, Sunday, September 22. 

Keeping city's footballing pockets in mind, Mustafa Ghouse, CEO, JSW Sports stressed that the tickets are reasonably priced, they have tried to cater to all the sections of the city, and strongly believes that the football-loving people of the Garden City will flock in numbers to support Bengaluru FC. The tickets are priced at Rs.30, 50, 150, 300, and, 450. Also, they have tied-up with an online ticket booking portal, BookMyShow. Mustafa also mentioned the support his club received from the Karnataka State Football Association and Bangalore District Football Association. 

The Jindal Group-owned team has painted the Bangalore Football Stadium and committed towards providing a pleasant match day experience to the football loving fans of Bangalore. Very soon the flood lights will be installed at the stadium and Bengaluru FC will be staging I-League matches under lights at the later part of the season. 

The club announced their tie-up with Arbor Brewing Company as home pub for the season. Fans will get to buy the match tickets and merchandise items of Bengaluru FC from this pub plus they will be screening the I-League games that will be televised. Bengaluru FC has also tied up with Radio City, a local FM radio station, who will be updating the previews, match results. 

Coach Ashley Westwood, skipper Sunil Chhetri, and players John Johnson and Vishal Kumar too were present at the occasion. 

Ashley spoke highly about his team, which is free from any injuries. He added, "The team was formed in a short space of time. It's a small tight-knit bunch. We are not a typical I-League side with a squad of 35 or 40. We have tried to keep it short to 25-30. That could be a problem in the season. I have heard that players in the I-League tend to pick up injuries, but we are all fit and we don't have any injuries." 

Sunday's match will be a totally different experience for local lad Vishal Kumar Ravindra, who will be turning up for a Bangalore-based I-League club for the first time, "It is a good chance for me to improve, playing with experienced players. Bengaluru FC has given a great chance for me to play in my hometown, in front of my family. My father and mother will be here on the match day!" 

Proud Papas’ U-22 boys: Too strong for Turkmenistan

India 4 (Lalrindika Ralte–36'[p], Alwyn George–6', Romeo Fernandes–76', Jeje Lalpekhlua–86'[p]) Vs Turkmenistan 1 (Italmazov Farhad–59')

The goal stayed inevitable but the wait continued. Sometimes one became impatient as opening the rival goalmouth at times, looked like improbable -- simply because Turkmenistan were not willing to push forward. By the 15th minute itself, they had 10 men defending. 

The deadlock eventually broke in the 36th minute. Romeo Fernandes, India’s super-sub against United Arab Emirates made justice of Arthur Papas fielding him in the Starting XI. As he broke through inside the penalty box, rival defender Komekov Hemayat, beaten by Romeo’s sudden burst, found it best to bring him down. 

Midfielder Lalrindika Ralte slotted it past Turkmenistan goalkeeper Garayev to put India in the lead. 

India defeated Turkmenistan 4-1 in their fourth match of the AFC U-22 Qualifiers at the Sultan Qaboos Stadium in Muscat. India now move to 7 points from 4 matches and next play hosts Oman on July 3. 

Besides Dika, Alwyn George scored in the 69th minute and Romeo Fernandes, in the 76th minute. Jeje Lalpekhlua converted from the spot in the 86th minute to complete the rout. For Turkmenistan, Italmazov Farhad equalised in the 59th minute. 

Barely four minutes after Dika’s penalty conversion, Alwyn George, still then, a bit suffocated in between a horde of Turkmenistan players, got past two but his prompt left-footer hit the post. 

India started on a cautious note. They stayed content in building from the back and switched flanks on a regular basis. There were passes being stitched, positions being interchanged. India had the regulator with them – they controlled the match. 

Changing over, Turkmenistan started-off with more purpose. The first five minutes had the Indians defending. The organisation stayed good but despite it, captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu had to stretch back to palm over a deflection.
On the counter, a Romeo placement off a Vishak Kumar throw-in hit the upright in the 51st minute and then in the 55th minute, Manandeep Singh’s long-ranger sailed over. 

But Turkmenistan struck in the 59th minute – Italmazov Farhad’s prompt right-footer beating a diving Gurpreet. 

But the Indians regrouped fast – Alwyn George capitalising on a defensive lapse, chipped it over an onrushing Garayev. Alwyn could have settled the issue in the 71st minute when he ran in between the entire defence and entered the rival box only for Garayev’s legs to deprive him.  

It didn’t matter as Romeo got his name on the scoring sheet for the second consecutive match in the 76th minute. This time, Alwyn provided the perfect supplier for him and Romeo made no mistake. 

The second penalty came in the 85th minute when Jeje was pushed inside the box and Jeje gleefully converted from the spot. 

For the rest of the match, the Indians maintained their shape. Turkmenistan did try to press hard but it came a bit too late. 

INDIA: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Captain); Vishal Kumar, Deepak Devrani, Souvik Ghosh, Narayan Das; Ganeshan (Tirthankar Sarkar – 63rd), Milan Singh, Lalrindika Ralte, Romeo Fernandes (Abhishek Das – 82nd), Alwyn George, Manandeep Singh (Jeje Lalpekhlua – 69th)

An AIFF press release

Proud Papas’ U-22 boys...

Yeah-yeah, Euro 2012 is on… but have a look at Arthur Papas’ boys in AFC U-22 Championship Qualifiers  – beat Lebanon (143rd rank) convincingly, went down to the mighty Iraqis (ranked 74th) narrowly, impressive draw against a formidable UAE team (119th in current FIFA ranking). So we’ve to beat the Turkmenistan (138th) and Oman (97th), the boys will Just Do It. 

We’re 164th in current FIFA ranking, huh, who cares!

Tournament page: http://www.the-afc.com/en/u22ac-schedule-results?type=Stage&id=132

Murphy Town boy in India squad

Deepak Prakash, a TFA graduate, and a proud Murphy Town boy has been selected in the national squad for the AFC U-22 Championship qualifying round to be played in Muscat from June 23. 

Pune FC striker Jeje Lalpekhlua will lead India with Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, East Bengal goalkeeper being his deputy. The squad has been preparing at the Al Wasl Training Ground, Dubai leaves for Muscat on Thursday, June 21st morning for the championship.

India have been clubbed with hosts Oman, Lebanon, Iraq, UAE, and Turkmenistan. They play Lebanon in their first match on June 23. 

After passing out from TFA in 2010, Deepak played for Mumbai FC. Last season was a homecoming of sorts for the talented Murphy Town boy when he signed for the Aircraftmen. However, he had a barren season for HAL as he was hardly seen playing in I-League. 

He was selected in the U-22 preparatory camp and came back strongly with a consistent performance. Deepak is all set to sign for Pailan Arrows in this season. 

Also, other Bangalore boy Pailan Arrows defender Vishal Ravindra, too, makes to the team.

Team

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (vice-captain, Kingfisher East Bengal), Ravi Kumar (Pailan Arrows), Soram Poirei Angamba (Shillong Lajong FC)

Defenders: Pritam Kotal, Vishal Kumar, Souvik Ghosh, Prathamesh Maulinkar, Deepak Devrani (all from Pailan Arrows), Narayan Das, (Tata Football Academy),  Abhishek Das (Kingfisher East Bengal)

Midfielders: Pronoy Halder, Ognam Milan Singh, Thirthankar Sarkar, Alwyn George, (all from Pailan Arrows), Simranjit Singh (Tata Football Academy), Ganeshan (Pune FC), Deepak Prakash (HAL), Lalrindika Ralte (Churchill Brothers), Shaiju Mon (Chirag Kerala), Romeo Fernandes (Dempo FC)

Forwards: Holicharan Narzary, (Pailan Arrows), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Captain -- Pune FC), Manandeep Singh (Air India)

Head Coach: Arthur Papas

Vishal Ravindra named in the UK tour probables list

Right back and Bangalore boy Vishal Ravindra is named in the probables side for the UK tour, dubbed as Clash of the Titans India –Pakistan UK Tour.

Vishal has represented India in the under-17 and under-19 level. While turning out for Indian Arrows last season, Vishal impressed with his defensive qualities and long throw-ins. He will continue playing for Pailan Indian Arrows in this season.

Interestingly, star and former National captain Bhaichung Bhutia and his United Sikkim Football Club teammate Renedy Singh too got a comeback call for the tour.

The National team will be playing a three-match series against Pakistan in England, starting August 25. The team is scheduled to play three matches in Manchester, Coventry, and London. The tour ends on September 11.
 

Team

Goal: Subrata Pal, Laxmikant Kattimani, Jagroop Singh, Ravi Kumar
 

Defense: Debabrata Roy, Raju Gaikwad, Deepak Devrani, Nirmal Chhetri, Arnab Mondal, Vishal Kumar Ravindra, Abhishek Das, Lalrozama Fanai, Sabas Saleel, Gurjinder Kumar, Shouvik Ghosh
 

Midfield: Renedy Singh, Jewel Raja Sheikh, Shilton D’Silva, Gilbert Oliveira, Milan Singh, Jibon Singh, Subodh Kumar, Lalrindika Ralte, Snehasish Chakraborthy, Anthony Barbosa, Zakir Mundampara
 

Forward: Bhaichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Sabeeth CS, Bijendra Rai, Bineesh Balan