Bengaluru FC Reserves and Academy

Reserves and youth teams of Bengaluru FC

Football club
Bengaluru FC B
Full nameBengaluru FC B
Nickname(s)Blue Colts
FoundedJuly 20, 2013; 10 years ago (2013-07-20)[1]
GroundBangalore Football Stadium, Bengaluru
Capacity8,400
OwnerJSW Group
ChairmanSajjan Jindal
Head coachBibiano Fernandes
LeagueBangalore Super Division
Reliance Foundation Development League
Youth League
2023-24Champion
WebsiteClub website
Home colours
Away colours
Current season

Bengaluru FC Reserves and Academy, also known as Bengaluru FC B, is Bengaluru FC's most senior youth team, and also acting as a reserve team. It participates in Bangalore Super Division and Reliance Foundation Development League. Bengaluru FC Academy is the youth setup of Bengaluru FC. Its teams participate in Youth League, Junior League and Sub Junior League tournaments.

In July 2020, Asian Football Confederation conferred two-star Academy status to Bengaluru FC Academy, one of only two academies in India.[2]

Reserves

In October 2017, Bengaluru FC announced 28-member squad, which would act as a reserve side called Bengaluru FC 'B', led by Naushad Moosa and would compete in I-League 2nd Division for 2017–18 season. Reserve team would also act as a bridge between the BFC Academy and the first team.[3] Reserves team made their first appearance in the annual G.V. Raja football tournament in Thiruvananthapuram.[4]

The reserves team participated in 2017–18 Bangalore Super Division and were placed fourth in the league, following the conclusion of the tournament, the team also participated in 2017–18 I-League 2nd Division and finished second in the group stage. Bengaluru FC 'B' won their first trophy under Naushad Moosa when they won 2018 Puttaiah Memorial Cup.[5] The same season reserves team also won 2018–19 Bangalore Super Division for the first time, and remained undefeated with 7 wins and 1 draw in 2018–19 I-League 2nd Division.[6][7] In 2023–24 season of BDFA Super Division League, they emerged as unbeaten champion.[8][9]

Squad

As of 3 August 2019[10]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK India IND Dipesh Chauhan
2 DF India IND Johnson Singh Laishain
4 DF India IND Lalhmunmawia
5 DF India IND Likmabam Rakesh
6 MF India IND Freddy Chawngthansanga
7 FW India IND Lalthangliana
8 FW India IND Advait Shinde
9 FW India IND Bekey Oram
10 MF India IND Emanuel Lalchhanchhuaha
11 FW India IND Ronik Singh Moirangthem
12 FW India IND Ngangom Guenendro
13 GK India IND Raj Biswas
No. Pos. Nation Player
14 MF India IND Damaitphang Lyngdoh
16 MF India IND Biswa Kumar Darjee
18 DF India IND Robin Yadav
19 MF India IND Amay Morajkar
20 MF India IND Shighil NS
21 FW India IND Roshan Singh Naorem (Captain)
22 FW India IND Akashdeep Singh
23 DF India IND Namgyal Bhutia
29 FW India IND Sridarth Nongmeikapam
31 FW India IND Leon Augustine
38 DF India IND Mohammed Rafi
55 MF India IND Lalpekhlua

Results

Season Tournament Zone Final result
2017–18 Bangalore Super Division — 4th
2nd Division Group C Group stage – 2nd
2018–19 Puttaiah Memorial Cup — Winners
Bangalore Super Division — Winners
2nd Division Group A Group stage – 1st
2019–20 Bangalore Super Division — Winners
2nd Division Group B League suspended
2020–21 Bangalore Super Division — Runners-up
2021–22 Bangalore Super Division — 4th
RF Development League — Winners
Next Gen Cup Midlands 4th
2022–23
Puttaiah Memorial Cup Group B Semifinals
Bangalore Super Division — 5th
2023 Stafford Challenge Cup Group C Group stage – 4th
I-League 2 Group C Group stage – 3rd
RF Development League — Winners
Next Gen Cup Group A 7th[11]
2023–24
Puttaiah Memorial Cup — Round of 16
Bangalore Super Division — Winners

Coaching Staff

Position Name
Head coach India Bibiano Fernandes
Assistant coach India Kaizad Ambapardiwalla
Physiotherapist India Rahul CR
Video analyst India Prateek Chopra
Goalkeeping Coach India Parshuram Salwadi
S&C Coach India Nishad Nagaraj
Kit Manager India Krishna Khati
Kit Manager India Ravi
U 15 coach Wales Jason Brindley
Goalkeeper coach India Rashid Nalakath
Coach U13 India Jeevan Jayaraj
S&C Coach India Dhruv Balaram
Physiotherapist India Girish Raj
Asst. Physiotherapist India Roy

Coaches

Academy

With the inception of Bengaluru FC in 2013, Bengaluru FC also started youth academy with the aim of "nurturing talent within the lower age groups with the possibility of creating players who are fit to represent the Blues’ first team." under Richard Hood as Head of Youth Development.[12] Three years later in July 2016, Bengaluru FC started a residential academy at Vijaynagar, near Bellary under John Killa.[13]

Under–18

Bengaluru FC youth team first participated in 2014 I-League U19, in Rest of India zone along with Hindustan, Aizawl, and Garhwal, where they placed second in the group stage and could not advance. In 2014–15 I-League U19 season, they were placed last in the group stage of Rest of India zone. In 2015–16 I-League U18, they were placed third in the group stage. After the set up of residential academy, U18 team convincingly won their group in Rest of India zone in 2016–17 season defeating Ozone FC and Fateh Hyderabad, while remaining unbeaten. [14] In final round the U18 team finished third in the group failed to advance to the semifinals.

Squad

As of 22 September 2019[15]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK India IND Dipesh Chauhan
2 DF India IND Johnson Singh Laishain
4 DF India IND FC Lalhmunmawia
5 DF India IND Likmabam Rakesh
6 MF India IND Fredy Chawngthansanga
7 FW India IND Lalthangliana
9 MF India IND Bekey Oram
10 MF India IND Emanuel Lalchhanchhuaha
11 FW India IND Ronik Singh Moirangthem
12 FW India IND Ngangom Gunendro
13 GK India IND Raj Biswa
No. Pos. Nation Player
14 MF India IND Damaitphang Lyngdoh
17 DF India IND Jagdeep Singh
18 MF India IND Robin Yadav
20 MF India IND Shighil NS
22 FW India IND Akashdeep Singh
29 FW India IND Sridarth Nongmeikapam
32 MF India IND Vinith Venkatesh
33 DF India IND Joshua Wilson
35 FW India IND Macarton Louis Nickson
36 DF India IND Sarath Rajkumar
38 DF India IND Mohammed Rafi

Under–15

Bengaluru FC participated in the first ever U15 Youth League tournament and were placed in Rest of India II zone with Ozone FC, Fateh Hyderabad, Boca Juniors FS, Kovalam FC, Mahogany FC. Bengaluru finished second behind Ozone to qualify for national finals. In final round Bengaluru U15 drawn into Group A along with United, Aizawl and Sporting Goa. Bengaluru U15 placed third in the group stage and failed to advance.[16] In 2016–17 season Under–16 team, playing in Rest of India zone (Goa) also won the group stage, winning all three games against Dempo, Salgaocar and Sporting Goa,[17] however they lost to eventual champions, Minerva Punjab in the semifinals.

In 2017–18 season Under–15 team, won the Karnataka zone to qualify for national finals. In final round the team was clubbed with MSP FA, SAI Guwahati and FC Goa. Bengaluru topped the group and entered the semifinals, were they lost in penalty shoot-out to DSK Shivajians.

Notable alumni

In November 2016, Calvin Abhishek became the first academy graduate to be selected for the senior team.[18] In August 2017 Bengaluru FC added two academy graduates, defender Prashanth Kalinga and forward Leon Augustine, to the squad for 2017 AFC Cup knockout rounds.[19]

Name Position Bengaluru Career League Appearances League Goals
Calvin Abhishek Goalkeeper 2016–2018 0 0
Prashanth Kalinga Defender 2015–2017 0 0
Leon Augustine Forward 2017–present 14 2
Paikhomba Meitei Khumanthem Midfielder 2021–present
Lalpekhkua Forward 2021–present

Soccer schools

In April 2014, the academy also started the initiative of Soccer schools to conduct summer camps, provide training and scout young talents. Soccer schools are currently operated at 5 locations in various parts of Bengaluru.[20][21]

Coaches

  • Richard Hood (2013–2015)
  • John Killa (2015–2018)
  • John Kenneth Raj (2018–present)

Results

Season Tournament Zone Final Result
2014 Under-19 Rest of India Zonal Group stage
2014–15 Under-19 Rest of India Zonal Group stage
2015–16 Under-15 Rest of India II (Bengaluru) Group stage[16]
Under-18 Rest of India Zonal Group stage
2016–17 Under-16 Rest of India (Goa) Semi–finals
Under-18 Rest of India Group Stage
2017–18 Under-13 Karnataka Disqualified
Under-15 Karnataka Semi–finals
Under-18 Chennai–Karnataka Final round
2018–19 Sub-Junior Bengaluru Group B Runners Up
Junior Bengaluru Group A Runners Up
Elite Karnataka–Andhra Final round
2019–20 Sub-Junior Bengaluru Group A Suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic in India
Junior Karnataka Group B
Elite Chennai & Bengaluru
2022–23 Elite Group J Group stage
2023–24 Elite Group F TBD

Honours

See also

References

  1. ^ "JSW Sports launches Bengaluru FC". I-League. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  2. ^ "AFC endorses AIFF with full membership of AFC Elite Youth Scheme". 4 July 2020. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Bengaluru FC 'B' ready for inaugural season". 12 October 2017. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  4. ^ "G.V. Raja football tournament". 12 October 2017. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  5. ^ "Lalengzama to lead Bengaluru FC B in J&K Invitational Cup and Sikkim Gold Cup". bengalurufc.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  6. ^ "Bengaluru FC B lifts BDFA Super Division Trophy by beating ASC". sportscafe.in. 27 December 2018.
  7. ^ "Bengaluru FC B finish 2nd Division campaign unbeaten". 30 March 2019. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  8. ^ "BDFA Bangalore Men's Super Division 2023–24 Table". gcsstars.com. Bengaluru: GCS Stars Bengaluru. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  9. ^ "BDFA Bangalore Men's Super Division 2023–24 Leaderboard/Table". ksfa.in. Bengaluru: Karnataka State Football Association. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  10. ^ @bengalurufc (1 August 2019). "https://www.bengalurufc.com/bfc-b/bfc-b-squad/" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ^ "PL Next Gen Cup: Bengaluru FC wrap up campaign with a 2–1 win over Sudeva Delhi FC". indiansuperleague.com. 25 May 2023. Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  12. ^ "Academy | Bengaluru Football Club". Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  13. ^ "JSW Bengaluru FC announces plans for Residential Academy". 13 July 2016. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  14. ^ "Blue Colts draw against Ozone FA". 1 January 2017. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  15. ^ "Bengaluru FC U18s set for Vedanta Youth Cup Campaign". bengalurufc.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  16. ^ a b "U15 Youth League 2015–16". Archived from the original on 28 November 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  17. ^ "Bengaluru FC through to final round of U16 Y-League". 30 November 2016. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  18. ^ "A brush with the big stage". bengalurufc.com. 18 November 2016. Archived from the original on 14 February 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  19. ^ "Roca announces blues squad for 2017 AFC Cup knockout rounds". Bengalurufc.com. 16 August 2017. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  20. ^ "BFC Soccer schools". Archived from the original on 24 November 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  21. ^ "Centers – BFC Soccer Schools". Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  22. ^ "Bengaluru FC crowned RFDL Champion after a thrilling title defence against Sudeva Delhi FC". indiansuperleague.com. Indian Super League. 14 May 2023. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  23. ^ Sports Desk, JE (14 May 2023). "Bengaluru FC Crowned RFDL Champion After A Thrilling Title Defence Against Sudeva Delhi FC". english.jagran.com. New Delhi: Jagaran English. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.

External links

  • Official website