Girish Mahajan (Editor)

2016–17 Bengaluru FC season

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Chairman
  
Parth Jindal

I-League
  
5th

Manager
  
Albert Roca

AFC Champions League
  
Preliminary Round 2

2016–17 Bengaluru FC season

Stadium
  
Sree Kanteerava Stadium

AFC Cup
  
2016: Runner-up 2017: Group stage

The 2016–17 season is Bengaluru FC's fourth season in the I-League since its establishment in 2013.

Contents

Background

Bengaluru FC won their second I-League title in three years. As a result, they'll compete in AFC Champions League for the second time. Also, the vacant post of Head coach was filled by Albert Roca who previously managed El Salvador national football team.

Transfers

Bengaluru FC released Irish midfielder Michael Collins, who was roped in as the replacement for injured Josh Walker at the beginning of the last season. The team also released veteran defender Curtis Osano, who had been with the club since its first season in 2013–14, along with Thoi Singh, Siam Hanghal, as well as new signings, Kim Song-Yong and Nikhil Bernard. Bengaluru FC also loaned out players to Indian Super League teams after the end of AFC Cup campaign.

Bengaluru FC skipper Sunil Chhetri signed one-year contract with the team, who was on loan from Mumbai City FC. On 16 June 2016, Bengaluru FC signed Amrinder Singh, who was loaned in from Pune F.C. in the previous season and extended the contract of Alwyn George. Bengaluru FC announced signing of Australian midfielder Cameron Watson on 5 August 2016. Bengaluru FC subsequently signed two Spanish players Álvaro Rubio and Juanan on 8 August 2016. Rubio, a central defensive midfielder, inked a four-month deal and Juanan, center-back, a season long deal. The club also signed AIFF academy graduate and India U-20 national, Gursimrat Singh Gill, along with the former club player Darren Caldeira. After their AFC Cup campaign, Bengaluru FC signed Harmanjot Khabra from Chennaiyin FC, and Lenny Rodrigues from FC Pune City on a season-long loan deal. Bengaluru FC completed the domestic signings with a season long deal for Sena Ralte (from Mumbai City FC), Mandar Rao Desai (from FC Goa), and Arindam Bhattacharya (from FC Pune City). Just before the beginning of the I-League title defence, Honduran striker Roby Norales joined the squad as the fourth foreigner, however, after playing just 4 games he was loaned out to I-League 2nd division club Ozone FC. On 12 January 2017, Bengaluru FC announced the signing of Indian national Sandesh Jhingan on loan from Kerala Blasters FC. Bengaluru FC also promoted academy goal keeper Calvin Abhishek to the senior team. Half way through the season, Bengaluru FC signed Serbian striker Marjan Jugović as the fourth foreigner.

Pre-season and friendlies

Bengaluru FC played the first friendly of the season on 13 August 2016 against Army Green and won the game 3–0 with a brace from Nishu Kumar and Sunil Chhetri. On 20 August 2016, Bengaluru played another closed doors practice game against MEG and won 4–0 by Daniel Lalhlimpuia brace and a goal each from Sunil Chhetri and then under-trial defender Gursimrat Singh Gill, who was later signed by the team. In another friendly against fellow I-League team DSK Shivajians F.C., Bengaluru lost 1–2 with the Spaniard Juanan scoring in the first half. In the final pre-season game on 28 August 2016, Bengaluru played local team Ozone FC and slumped to the defeat by a solitary goal.

Overall

Last Updated: 11 February 2017
Source : Competitions

Overview

Last updated: 25 February 2017
Source: Competitions

Summary

January

Bengaluru FC kicked off their title defence against at home Shillong Lajong F.C. on 7 January 2017, at Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Roca handed the starts to new signings, Lenny Rodrigues, Harmanjot Khabra and Sena Ralte. Before the game, fans unfurled one of the largest tifos in Asia, 6,500 square feet. After starting tentatively, Bengaluru took a lead in 27th minute with a goal from Udanta Singh. In the second half, Udanta scored again and eventually Sena Ralte scoring his first goal for the team, Bengaluru wrapped up a 3–0 win. Bengaluru FC played the next game against I-League debutant Chennai City F.C., termed South India Derby, Bengaluru and Chennai being two major cities of South India. Bengaluru FC continued their attacking game, but they were thwarted by Chennai City defence and close saves from man of the match, Karanjit Singh. However, the game turned when Roca substituted debutant Roby Norales and C.K. Vineeth in quick succession. The substitutes scored 2 goals in span of 3 minutes and Bengaluru FC scored a 2–0 win. In the final home game of the month, Bengaluru played Mumbai F.C. on 18 January 2017. C.K. Vineeth scored the first ever hat-trick for the club in any competition and Bengaluru FC won 3–0. Playing the next game against Kolkata rivals East Bengal F.C., Bengaluru took a lead in 23rd minute with Lyngdoh's assist and C.K. Vineeth's goal, but quickly equalized by Ivan Bukenya five minutes later. In the second half, East Bengal exploited Bengaluru's vulnerable defence and finally, the substitute and former Bengaluru FC player, Robin Singh scored the winner in 79th minute, thus handing Bengaluru the first defeat of the season. Bengaluru FC lost the subsequent away game against former champions Churchill Brothers S.C.. Sunil Chhetri opened the lead for the team, but the defence could not contain attacks from the Goan team and conceded a goal each in both the halves, losing the game 1–2. Bengaluru FC defender John Johnson was sent-off in the closing minutes.

February

Benglauru FC began February with a game against DSK Shivajians F.C. on 5 February 2017. Bengaluru looked to be heading for another defeat when DSK Shivajians were leading 2–0 in the second half with a brace from Holicharan Narzary, but a goal from Sunil Chhetri and a last gasp header from the defender Salam Ranjan Singh ensured a point for the visitors. Bengaluru's winless run continued against the debutant Minerva Punjab F.C. when in spite of taking the lead in the second half with Sunil Chhetri's goal, Sandesh Jhingan's own goal meant 1–1 draw for Bengaluru. The game extended Bengaluru FC's winless run to five games across all competitions, their worst run since team's inception in 2013. Facing Aizawl F.C. next, Bengaluru FC had to endure another draw when they had to settle for 1–1. After conceding the lead, Sunil Chhetri equalized but missed the penalty in the second half and subsequently could not find a winner. With his goal, Chhetri also became the highest Indian goal scorer in National Football League and I-League combined, surpassing Bhaichung Bhutia, who scored 89 goals. Bengaluru further failed to win against Mumbai F.C. in the away game, when they failed to break the deadlock against defensive home team.

Results summary

Last updated: 25 February 2017.
Source: I-League

Results by round

Last updated: 25 February 2017.
Source: I-League
Ground: A = Away; H = Home. Result: D = Draw; L = Loss; W = Win; P = Postponed.

2016 AFC Cup

In previous season, Bengaluru FC advanced to the quarter finals of 2016 AFC Cup.

Quarter-finals

On 9 June 2016, Bengaluru FC were drawn against 2015 S.League runner-up, Tampines Rovers FC for two-legged quarter final. Owing to the ongoing disturbances in the city for Kaveri river water dispute, the first game was played behind the closed doors. Bengaluru FC won the first leg 1–0 with the goal from C.K. Vineeth in the 7th minute. In the return leg, neither team scored a goal and Bengaluru FC advanced to the semi finals for the first time. Bengaluru became the third team from India after Dempo (2008) and East Bengal (2013) to reach the semi finals in AFC Cup.

Semi-finals

Bengaluru FC faced defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim in semi finals. In the away leg, Johor took a lead with Pereyra Diaz's header in 52nd minute, Bengaluru equalized 4 minutes later with Eugeneson Lyngdoh's goal and the game ended 1–1 with a crucial away goal for Bengaluru FC.

The second leg was a big fanfare for the home team, as Bengaluru FC could be the first Indian team to advance beyond semi finals in the AFC cup. Even the traditional rival teams like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, as well as other I-League clubs such as Shillong Lajong, Sporting Clube de Goa and Indian Super League clubs extended their support to Bengaluru FC. In the game, Johor Darul Ta'zim took the early lead in 12th minute against the run of play. Before the half time, Bengaluru restored the parity with Sunil Chhetri's header. The home team continued the dominance in the second half with Chhetri scoring a brace and Juanan scoring a header and his first goal for the team. Bengaluru advanced to the final for the first time with 4–2 aggregate.

Final

Bengaluru FC faced Iraqi club Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya on 5 November 2016 in Doha. Bengaluru FC became the first team from India to advance to the AFC Cup Final. After holding off the attacks in the first half, Bengaluru FC committed a defensive mistake that led to the solitary goal of the game by Hammadi Ahmad and Bengaluru lost the game 1–0. In spite of the loss, Bengaluru FC's journey to the final was hailed as one of the top moments in Indian sports and Indian football. Reacting to the loss, Albert Roca said:

AFC Champions League

As the winner of 2015–16 I-League, Bengaluru FC were awarded a spot in 2017 AFC Champions League. With India's improved association ranking, Bengaluru FC need not compete in a preliminary round 1 and given a spot against Jordanian club, Al-Wehdat, to be played on 31 January 2017. Unlike the last two seasons, a tweak in the format saw Bengaluru playing out of the West Zone.

Jordanian champions started the game aggressively, but Bengaluru managed to keep clean sheet till the half time. However, Al-Wehdat scored quickly in the second half and then raced to 2–0 lead after Sena Ralte's tackle gifted a penalty to the opposition. Sunil Chhetri pulled one back soon by a header from Cameron Watson's corner, but could not find an equalizer in the time and lost the game 2–1. After the loss, the blues then competed in 2017 AFC Cup.

2017 AFC Cup

Bengaluru FC competed in Group E alongside 2016 Dhivehi Premier League champions Maziya S&RC, 2016 Bangladesh Federation Cup winners Dhaka Abahani, and 2015–16 Indian Federation Cup and South Asia play-off winner, Mohun Bagan A.C..

Group stage

Group E

Academy

Bengaluru FC started a residential academy at Vijaynagar, near Bellary under John Killa in July 2016. In 2016–17 season, Bengaluru FC participated in Under-16 and Under-18 tournaments.

Under–18

Bengaluru FC played in Group A of Rest of India zone, alongside Fateh Hyderabad A.F.C. and Ozone FC. Bengaluru FC convincingly won the group with 3 wins and a draw and advanced to the next round.

Rest of India – Group A

Under–16

Under-16 team, played in Rest of India zone (Goa) and won the group stage, winning all three games against Dempo, Salgaocar and Sporting Goa.

Rest of India – Goa

In Nike Premier Cup, the blue colts were placed in the Group C and advanced to the knock-out stage, winnings 2 games and drawing 1 and thus remaining unbeaten in the tournament.

Nike Premier Cup – Group C

Bengaluru FC faced defending champions Minerva Punjab F.C. in the semi-finals and lost the game by a solitary goal in the second half.

Knock-out stage

Management

As of June 2016.

Appearances and goals

Updated: 25 February 2017

Top scorers

Source: soccerway
Updated: 25 February 2017

Clean sheets

Source: soccerway
Updated: 25 February 2017

Disciplinary record

Source: soccerway
Updated: 25 February 2017

References

2016–17 Bengaluru FC season Wikipedia