2017–18 Bengaluru FC season

The 2017–18 season was Bengaluru FC's fifth season as club since its establishment in 2013. This was club's first season in Indian Super League.

Bengaluru FC
2017–18 season
ChairmanParth Jindal
ManagerAlbert Roca
StadiumSree Kanteerava Stadium
Indian Super LeagueRunner-up
AFC Cup
Super CupWinners
Top goalscorerLeague:
Miku (15 goals)

All:
Sunil Chhetri (24 goals)
Highest home attendance25,373 vs Kerala Blasters
(1 March 2018)
Lowest home attendance1,051 vs Dhaka Abahani
(14 March 2018)
Average home league attendance19,053

Background

In 2016–17 season Bengaluru FC got mixed results. Club failed to defend their league title, finished fourth in the I-League.[1] The club did well in the Federation Cup, won their second cup title in four years by defeating Mohun Bagan 2–0 in final.[2] Bengaluru FC finished the season well by advancing to AFC cup knock–out stage by beating Maziya S&RC in a must win game and keeping hope alive to better their previous seasons record in AFC Cup where Bengaluru FC finished runners–up.[3]

On 11 May 2017, it was announced by the Indian Super League organizers, Football Sports Development, that they would be inviting bids for new teams to join the league for the upcoming season. Bengaluru FC had submitted a bid from Bengaluru.[4] On 12 June, it was officially announced that Bengaluru FC (for Bengaluru) and Tata Group (for Jamshedpur) had won the bids for the new teams.[5]

Transfers

Due to the Indian Super League regulation each club is allowed to retain a maximum of two Indian players over the age of twenty-one (21). On 30 June, Bengaluru FC announced they are retaining the captain Sunil Chhetri and Udanta Singh.[6] Bengaluru FC also retained defenders John Johnson and Juanan.[7] Goalkeeper Amrinder Singh parted ways with the club. He was retained by Mumbai City.[8] Bengaluru FC announced signing of Australian midfielder Erik Paartalu on 5 July.[7] Winger C.K. Vineeth switched the side. He joined Kerala Blasters.[9] On 11 July Bengaluru FC announced signing of Spanish midfielder Dimas Delgado who last played for A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers.[10] On 17 July Spanish winger Antonio Dovale was signed for a season.[11] On 21 July, the club announced retention of under-22 players, defender Nishu Kumar, midfielder Malsawmzuala and striker Daniel Lalhlimpuia for a season.[12]

In ISL draft held on 23 July 2017, Bengaluru FC retained goalkeepers Lalthuammawia Ralte and Calvin Abhishek, midfielders Lenny Rodrigues, Alwyn George and Harmanjot Khabra. Bengaluru FC added eight new players from draft, goalkeeper Abhra Mondal, defenders Joyner Lourenco, Rahul Bheke, Subhasish Bose, Zohmingliana Ralte and Collin Abranches, midfielder Boithang Haokip and striker Thongkhosiem Haokip.[13]

Eight players from Bengaluru FC were signed by other clubs in the draft. Goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya signed by Mumbai City. Defender Keegan Pereira, midfielders Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Shankar Sampingiraj were signed by Atlético de Kolkata. Defenders Rino Anto and Lalchhuan Mawia were signed by Kerala Blasters and Pune City respectively. Striker Seminlen Doungel and defender Gursimrat Singh were signed by NorthEast United.[14]

Bengaluru FC announced signing of midfielders Bidyananda Singh and Robinson Singh for two years on 31 July.[15] On 7 August the club announced signing of Spanish forward Braulio Nóbrega for a season.[16] Bengaluru fc added their academy graduates defender Prashanth Kalinga and forward Leon Augustine to the squad for 2017 AFC Cup knockout rounds.[17] On 17 August Bengaluru FC announced signing of India national football team goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu from Norwegian side Stabæk FC for an undisclosed transfer amount.[18]

On 29 August Bengaluru FC announced signing of Venezuelan international striker Miku for two years.[19] The club announced signing of Spanish winger Edu García for one year on 3 September.[20]

During winter transfer window, Bengaluru FC released injured striker Braulio Nóbrega and signed another Spaniard Daniel Segovia on 15 February 2018, in a short term deal till the end of the season.[21] Bengaluru also agreed to the transfer for Edu García to China League One side Zhejiang Greentown for an estimated transfer fee for $150,000. In the process, Bengaluru FC became the first club receive a transfer fee from a foreign club.[22][23] Bengaluru signed Spanish midfielder Víctor Pérez Alonso as a replacement on a short team deal for the rest of the season.[24]

In

No. Position Player Previous club Transfer fee Date Ref
46 MF Erik Paartalu Al Kharaitiyat Free agent 5 July 2017 [7]
9 MF Dimas Delgado Western Sydney Wanderers Free agent 11 July 2017 [10]
49 MF Antonio Dovale Rayo Vallecano Free agent 17 July 2017 [11]
2 DF Rahul Bheke East Bengal N/A 23 July 2017 [13]
27 DF Subhasish Bose Mohun Bagan N/A 23 July 2017 [13]
35 DF Zohmingliana Ralte Aizawl N/A 23 July 2017 [13]
48 FW Thongkhosiem Haokip East Bengal N/A 23 July 2017 [13]
1 GK Abhra Mondal Chennai City N/A 23 July 2017 [13]
12 MF Boithang Haokip Mumbai City N/A 23 July 2017 [13]
3 DF Collin Abranches Ozone N/A 23 July 2017 [13]
29 DF Joyner Lourenco Sporting Clube de Goa N/A 23 July 2017 [13]
MF Bidyananda Singh Atlético de Kolkata N/A 31 July 2017 [15]
38 MF Robinson Singh Mohun Bagan N/A 31 July 2017 [15]
9 FW Braulio Nóbrega Doxa Free agent 7 August 2017 [16]
39 FW Leon Augustine Bengaluru FC Academy N/A 16 August 2017 [17]
27 DF Prashanth Kalinga Bengaluru FC Academy N/A 16 August 2017 [17]
45 GK Gurpreet Singh Sandhu Stabæk undisclosed 17 August 2017 [18]
7 FW Miku Rayo Vallecano Free agent 29 August 2017 [19]
13 MF Edu García Real Zaragoza Free agent 3 September 2017 [20]
12 FW Daniel Lucas Segovia Neftçi PFK Free agent 15 February 2018 [21]
44 MF Víctor Pérez Alonso Wisła Kraków Free agent 2 March 2018 [24]

Out

No. Position Player New club Transfer fee Date Ref
1 GK Amrinder Singh Mumbai City N/A 1 July 2017 [8]
26 MF Cameron Watson Madura United N/A 12 July 2017 [25]
31 FW C.K. Vineeth Kerala Blasters N/A 5 July 2017 [9]
14 MF Eugeneson Lyngdoh Atlético de Kolkata N/A 23 July 2017 [14]
13 DF Rino Anto Kerala Blasters N/A 23 July 2017 [14]
23 DF Lalchhuan Mawia Pune City N/A 23 July 2017 [14]
27 GK Arindam Bhattacharya Mumbai City N/A 23 July 2017 [14]
5 DF Keegan Pereira Atlético de Kolkata N/A 23 July 2017 [14]
16 MF Shankar Sampingiraj Atlético de Kolkata N/A 23 July 2017 [14]
7 FW Seminlen Doungel NorthEast United N/A 23 July 2017 [14]
33 DF Gursimrat Singh NorthEast United N/A 23 July 2017 [14]
9 FW Braulio Nóbrega Released 15 February 2018 [21]
13 MF Edu García Zhejiang Greentown $150,000 23 February 2018 [22]

Pre-season and friendlies

Bengaluru FC, having completed the squad selection at 2017–18 ISL Players Draft, arranged a 10-day pre-season training camp in Murcia, Spain before facing North Korean side April 25 Sports Club. During the tour, the blues were scheduled to face Segunda División B side UCAM Murcia CF and UAE Pro League side Baniyas Club in the friendlies.[26] Later, a friendly against FC Cartagena was added as well. Bengaluru FC lost all three friendlies. During the AFC cup campaign, Bengaluru FC played India national under-19 football team and won with a solitary goal from Daniel Lalhlimpuia.

After the conclusion of 2017 AFC Cup and before 2017–18 Indian Super League season, Bengaluru FC played two games against the former I-League rivals East Bengal F.C., behind closed doors. The first game on 25 October 2017 ended in a draw with Surabuddin Mollick and Miku scoring a goal each for their respective teams. Bengaluru FC won the second friendly 3–1. Udanta Singh scored a brace, whereas Miku scored the third goal. Bengaluru FC then played two friendlies against I-League debutant, Gokulam FC, winning both games 2–0 and 3–1, respectively. Before the international break, Bengaluru FC played two more friendlies with Chennai City F.C., drawing the first 2–2, and winning the second friendly 6–1. In the final friendly before ISL, Bengaluru FC played yet another I-League side Minerva Punjab F.C., and lost the game 2–3.

9 August 2017 FriendlyUCAM Murcia CF4–2Bengaluru FCMurcia, Spain
19:00 CET Chevi  33'
Isi Ros  49'
Arroyo  55'
Victor Garcia  85'
Report Chhetri  8', 56' Stadium: Pinatar Arena
12 August 2017 FriendlyFC Cartagena3–0Bengaluru FCMurcia, Spain
19:00 CET Kuki Zalazar  44'
Aketxe  52', 55'
Report Stadium: La Manga Stadium
15 August 2017 FriendlyBaniyas Club3–0Bengaluru FCMurcia, Spain
19:00 CET Novillo  17'
Hamad  38'
Mubarak Al–Mansoori  76'
Report Stadium: Pinatar Arena
1 September 2017 FriendlyBengaluru FC1–0India U-19Bengaluru
15:00 IST Lalhlimpuia Report Stadium: Bangalore Football Stadium
25 October 2017 FriendlyBengaluru FC1–1East BengalBengaluru
10:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Attendance: 0
27 October 2017 FriendlyBengaluru FC3–1East BengalBengaluru
10:00 IST Report Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Attendance: 0
31 October 2017 FriendlyBengaluru FC2–0Gokulam FCBellary
10:00 IST Report Stadium: Bengaluru FC residential academy ground
2 November 2017 FriendlyBengaluru FC3–1Gokulam FCBellary
10:00 IST Report Stadium: Bengaluru FC residential academy ground
4 November 2017 FriendlyBengaluru FC2–2Chennai CityBellary
10:00 IST Report
Stadium: Bengaluru FC residential academy ground
5 November 2017 FriendlyBengaluru FC6–1Chennai CityBellary
10:00 IST Report Stadium: Bengaluru FC residential academy ground
8 November 2017 FriendlyBengaluru FC2–3Minerva PunjabBellary
10:00 IST Miku  43', 63' Report Chencho  9', 32', 71' Stadium: Bengaluru FC residential academy ground

Competitions

Indian Super League

Summary

November
West Block Blues celebrating Bengaluru FC's participation in Indian Super League.

Bengaluru made their ISL debut against Mumbai City on 19 November 2017 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. Roca handed starts to new foreign signings, Edu García and Miku. Despite wonderful link up play between the forward duo of Chhetri and Miku, the hosts lacked finishing in the final third in the first half. There was hardly any opportunities created by Mumbai themselves as they chose to sit deep and Bengaluru dominated the game. In the second half, Bengaluru scored their first goal in ISL, courtesy a short corner routine, when Edu Garcia drilled one past former BFC man Amrinder Singh at the near post at the 67th minute. A defensive mix up in added time meant that Chhetri could get his name on the scoresheet and sealed a 2–0 victory for the blues.[27] Bengaluru continued the form against Delhi Dynamos, whom they defeated 4–1 with Erik Paartalu scoring a brace and Miku scoring his first goal for the club. However, they conceded a penalty late in the second half when John Johnson was adjudged to have a handball inside the penalty area.[28] Bengaluru played their first away game of the season against FC Goa on 30 November 2017. In the action packed first half, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was sent off and Bengaluru conceded three goals. With the team down to 10-men, Bengaluru managed to equalize score with Miku's brace at 3–3, but once Goa took the lead with Coro's hat-trick in 63rd minute, Bengaluru could not find an equalizer and tasted the first defeat of the season.[29]

December

Bengaluru FC kicked off the month of December with an away game against NorthEast United on 8 December. Bengaluru FC made multiple changes, including bringing in Lalthuammawia Ralte to replace Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who was suspended for 2 games. Miku scored the only goal of the match to ensure the first away win of the season for Bengaluru FC.[30] Bengaluru played third consecutive away game against FC Pune City on 14 December. Facing the crowded schedule ahead, Bengaluru FC chose to start without John Johnson and Edu García. After lack of clear chances initially, Pune City took the lead from Adil Khan's header. However, after Pune City's Baljit Sahni was sent-off after second yellow card, Bengaluru FC made the best of the situation and scored 3 goals in the second half with Miku scoring a brace and Sunil Chhetri scoring the final goal of the game in stoppage time.[31] Bengaluru FC returned home against Chennaiyin on 17 December 2017. Chennaiyin's stubborn defence contained Bengaluru FC attack and inflicted 1–2 defeat on the home team, with Sunil Chhetri scoring the only goal for Bengaluru.[32] Playing against the fellow debutant Jamshedpur FC, Bengaluru conceded the late penalty to lose the game 0–1.[33] In a highly anticipated match, Bengaluru FC faced Kerala Blasters on the New Year's Eve. The first half remained goalless in the first half, but Bengaluru FC took the lead with Sunil Chhetri's penalty in the second half. The stoppage time saw a flurry of goals, including a brace from Miku and Bengaluru won the game 1–3.[34]

January

Bengaluru played the first game of 2018 at home against ATK on 7 January 2017 and won it 1–0 courtesy a goal from Sunil Chhetri in first half.[35] With upcoming fixtures of 2018 AFC Cup, Bengaluru FC rotated the squad against bottom-placed Delhi Dynamos FC. However, the rotation did not work out as Bengaluru faced 2–0 defeat away from home.[36] Still on the road, Bengaluru faced Mumbai City FC on 18 January 2018. Sunil Chhetri scored a brace against his former team and with a goal from Miku, Bengaluru registered a comfortable 3–1 win and climbed back to the top of the table.[37] Bengaluru secured another win at home against the highlanders, NorthEast United FC in the final game of January. Juanan and Sunil Chhetri scored a goal in each half to secure 3 points for the home team.[38]

February

Once again Bengaluru FC started month playing ATK, this time an away match. Bengaluru won the match 0–2. Jordi Figueras Montel scored an own goal to give Bengaluru lead in 3rd minute. At 69th minute Bengaluru reduced ten men, when Rahul Bheke received second yellow of the match and sent off. Miku scored second goal of the match at 83rd minute to keep Bengaluru FC top of the table.[39] In top of the table clash, Bengaluru FC next played Chennaiyin FC away 6 February. Boithang Haokip gave the team an early lead, while Miku and Sunil Chhetri scored the goals in the second half to earn a decisive 3–1 victory in the South India derby and a lead of 7 points at the top.[40] Bengaluru continued the winning run against FC Goa at home on 9 February 2018. Edu García secured the lead in the first half while Dimas Delgado scored his first goal for the team and sealed the game 2–0 in the second half, extending the team's winning streak to five games. With the win, Bengaluru FC also became the first team to confirm their spot in the semi-finals.[41] In another top of the table clash, Bengaluru FC faced FC Pune City at home on 16 February 2018. After conceding a goal in the first half, Bengaluru equalized with Miku's goal in the second half. Bengaluru were denied a clear penalty opportunity in the dying minutes of the game and settled for their first draw of the season in Indian Super League.[42] In the last away game of the season, Bengaluru FC faced Jamshedpur FC on 25 February 2018. Miku and Sunil Chhetri secured lead in the first half with a goal each and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made crucial saves in the second half to earn a clean sheet and secured 2–0 win. With the win, Bengaluru FC also secured the top spot for the league stage.[43]

March

In the final game of the league stage, Bengaluru faced southern rivals Kerala Blasters at the home on 1 March 2018. The game remained deadlocked until Miku and Udanta Singh scored two goals in injury time to finish the league stage with a win.[44]

Bengaluru FC faced 4th placed FC Pune City in the semi-finals. Playing the first leg at away, Bengaluru had to settle for a goal-less draw.[45] In the return leg played at home, Bengaluru FC defeated Pune City 3–1 to enter final in their debut ISL season. Captain Sunil Chhetri scored his first hat-trick for Bengaluru FC. Jonatan Lucca scored the lone goal for Pune City.[46]

Bengaluru FC faced Chennaiyin FC in the final, played at Bengaluru FC's home Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Owing to Subhasish Bose's suspension, Bengaluru opted to play three at the back with John Johnson, Erik Paartalu and Juanan playing in the defence and Rahul Bheke and Boithang Haokip playing as wing backs.[47] Bengaluru took an early lead with Sunil Chhetri scoring a header from Udanta Singh's assist in 9th minute. However, Chennaiyin quickly equalized via Maílson Alves's header in 17th minute from a corner. Bengaluru FC suffered a double blow as Dimas Delgado had to be substituted just before the half time due to an injury and Maílson Alves scored the second goal just before the half time. Chennaiyin strengthened their lead as Raphael Augusto scored the third goal on the counter. Bengaluru FC's relentless attack in the dying minutes earned them a second goal by Miku, but Chennaiyin held on to the lead and emerged winner. The loss also ended Bengaluru FC's 15 match unbeaten streak across all tournaments and their first loss since their loss against Delhi Dynamos FC in January 2018.

Reacting to the defeat, Albert Roca said:[48]

To concede from set-pieces is always disappointing. I don’t blame the defence for this. It is my responsibility to change the system. But, I accept I made a mistake in the formation. Sometimes in football it is not the players who make the mistakes, but the coaches. And perhaps this time I made a mistake. I don’t think we felt pressure, but Mailson scoring from two corners made a big difference. In a few minutes, the game changed. In football, you need players with his kind of experience to rise to the situation.

League stage

19 November 2017 1Bengaluru FC2–0Mumbai CityBengaluru
20:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Attendance: 17,796
Referee: Aurélien Juenkou
Man of the Match: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)
26 November 2017 2Bengaluru FC4–1Delhi DynamosBengaluru
20:00 IST
Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Attendance: 18,248
Referee: R Venkatesh
Man of the Match: Erik Paartalu (Bengaluru FC)
30 November 2017 3Goa4–3Bengaluru FCMargao
20:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Fatorda Stadium
Attendance: 18,600
Referee: Palmson Raj Moses
Man of the Match: Coro (FC Goa)
8 December 2017 4NorthEast United0–1Bengaluru FCGuwahati
20:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium
Attendance: 16,972
Referee: Pranjal Banerjee
Man of the Match: Miku (Bengaluru FC)
14 December 2017 5Pune City1–3Bengaluru FCPune
20:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex
Attendance: 9,968
Referee: Raul Gupta
Man of the Match: Miku (Bengaluru FC)
17 December 2017 6Bengaluru FC1–2ChennaiyinBengaluru
17:30 IST
Report
Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Attendance: 21,924
Referee: Raktim Shah
Man of the Match: Mailson Alves (Chennaiyin)
21 December 2017 7Bengaluru FC0–1JamshedpurBengaluru
20:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Attendance: 12,564
Referee: C.R. Srikrishna
Man of the Match: Miku (Bengaluru FC)
31 December 2017 8Kerala Blasters1–3Bengaluru FCKochi
17:30 IST
Report
Stadium: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Attendance: 37,986
Referee: R Venkatesh
Man of the Match: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)
7 January 2018 9Bengaluru FC1–0ATKBengaluru
20:00 IST
Report Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Attendance: 17,942
Referee: Tejas Nagvenkar
Man of the Match: Juanan (Bengaluru FC)
14 January 2018 10Delhi Dynamos2–0Bengaluru FCNew Delhi
17:30 IST
Report
Stadium: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Attendance: 5,124
Man of the Match: Lallianzuala Chhangte (Delhi Dynamos)
18 January 2018 11Mumbai City1–3Bengaluru FCMumbai
20:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Mumbai Football Arena
Attendance: 6,059
Referee: Santosh Kumar
Man of the Match: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)
26 January 2018 12Bengaluru FC2–1NorthEast UnitedBengaluru
20:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Attendance: 15,272
Referee: Om Prakash Thakur
Man of the Match: Juanan (Bengaluru FC)
3 February 2018 13ATK0–2Bengaluru FCKolkata
20:00 IST Report
Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
Attendance: 5,295
Referee: Tejas Nagvenkar
Man of the Match: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Bengaluru FC)
6 February 2018 14Chennaiyin1–3Bengaluru FCChennai
20:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Attendance: 12,499
Referee: Pranjal Banerjee
Man of the Match: Dimas Delgado (Bengaluru FC)
9 February 2018 15Bengaluru FC2–0GoaBengaluru
20:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Attendance: 14,724
Referee: Ranjit Bakshi
Man of the Match: Dimas Delgado (Bengaluru FC)
16 February 2018 16Bengaluru FC1–1Pune CityBengaluru
20:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Attendance: 15,773
Referee: R Venkatesh
Man of the Match: Miku (Bengaluru FC)
25 February 2018 17Jamshedpur0–2Bengaluru FCBhubaneswar
20:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Kalinga Stadium
Attendance: 8,178
Referee: Matt Conger
Man of the Match: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Bengaluru FC)
1 March 2018 18Bengaluru FC2–0Kerala BlastersBengaluru
20:00 IST
Report Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Attendance: 25,373
Referee: Pranjal Banerjee
Man of the Match: Miku (Bengaluru FC)

Playoffs

7 March 2018 Semi-FinalsPune City0–0Bengaluru FCPune
20:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex
Attendance: 9,284
Referee: Om Prakash Thakur
Man of the Match: Marko Stanković (Pune City)
11 March 2018 Semi-FinalsBengaluru FC3–1Pune CityBengaluru
20:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Attendance: 24,214
Referee: Turki Al-Khudair
Man of the Match: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)
Final
17 March 2018 FinalBengaluru FC2–3ChennaiyinBengaluru
20:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Attendance: 25,753
Referee: Ali Abdulnabi
Man of the Match: Maílson Alves (Chennaiyin FC)

Table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Bengaluru 18 13 1 4 35 16 +19 40 Qualification for the semifinals
2 Chennaiyin[lower-alpha 1] (C) 18 9 5 4 24 19 +5 32
3 Goa 18 9 3 6 42 28 +14 30
4 Pune City 18 9 3 6 30 21 +9 30
5 Jamshedpur 18 7 5 6 16 18 2 26
Source: Indian Super League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head goals scored; 5) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play ranking; 6) drawing of lots
(C) Champion.
Notes:
  1. Qualified for 2019 AFC Cup qualifier

Results by matchday

Matchday123456789101112131415161718
GroundHHAAAHHAHAAHAAHHAH
ResultWWLWWLLWWLWWWWWDWW
Position111112231211111111
Updated to match(es) played on 1 March 2018. Source: soccerway
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

2017 AFC Cup

Inter-zone play-off semi-finals

Bengaluru FC advanced to the inter-zone play-off semi-finals during 2016–17 season.[3] The draw for the Inter-zone play-off semi-finals was held on 6 June 2017. Bengaluru FC was pitted against east Asian zone champions North Korean club April 25.[49] Bengaluru FC kicked off its 2017–18 season with the home game. Bengaluru FC took the lead against North Korean champions in 33rd minute with Sunil Chhetri's penalty. Bengaluru scored two more goals in the second half and took 3–0 lead in the first leg.[50] In the second leg, Bengaluru FC managed to hold April 25 to a goalless draw. The home team was awarded a penalty in 75th minute, however Gurpreet Singh Sandhu guessed it correctly to keep a clean sheet for Bengaluru FC and the team advanced to Inter-zone play-off finals with 3–0 aggregate.[51]

23 August 2017 (2017-08-23) Bengaluru FC 3–0 April 25Bengaluru, India
19:00 UTC+5:30
Report
Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Attendance: 4,709
Referee: Turki Al-Khudhayr (Saudi Arabia)
MVP: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)
13 September 2017 (2017-09-13) April 25 0–0
(0–3 agg.)
Bengaluru FCPyongyang, North Korea
17:00 UTC+8:30 Report
Stadium: Rungrado 1st of May Stadium
Attendance: 6,500
Referee: Wang Di (China)
MVP: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Bengaluru FC)
Inter-zone play-off finals

Bengaluru faced Tajik League champions FC Istiklol in the inter-zone play-off finals. In the first leg, Tajik champions got the better of the visitors and secured 1–0 lead with a goal from Dmitry Barkov in the first half. Bengaluru FC's vocal appeals for a penalty in the injury time were denied by the referee and Bengaluru had to be content without an away goal.[52] In the home leg, Bengaluru FC gave away an early goal by conceding a penalty and an important away goal to Tajik team. Bengaluru came back twice from behind but could not overcome the deficit and the game ended at 2–2, ending their campaign in 2017 AFC Cup.[53]

27 September 2017 (2017-09-27) Istiklol 1–0 Bengaluru FCHisor, Tajikistan
19:00 UTC+5 Barkov  27'
Davronov  73'
Report Stadium: Hisor Central Stadium
Attendance: 11,000
Referee: Valentin Kovalenko (Uzbekistan)
MVP: Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev (FC Istiklol)
18 October 2017 (2017-10-18) Bengaluru FC 2–2
(2–3 agg.)
IstiklolBengaluru, India
19:00 UTC+5:30
Report
Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Attendance: 7,862
Referee: Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar)
MVP: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)

2018 AFC Cup

Qualifying play-offs

As the winner of 2016–17 Indian Federation Cup, Bengaluru FC qualified for AFC cup for fourth consecutive time. They faced the 2017 Bhutan National League champions Transport United in the preliminary round. Facing crowded schedule in continental games and domestic league, Bengaluru FC fielded an inexperienced squad in the away leg. Bengaluru FC Academy graduate Prashanth Kalinga made his debut for the senior team. Bengaluru could not capitalize on the chances created and had to settle for a 0–0 draw.[54] However, Bengaluru scored a convincing victory in the home leg, with Boithang Haokip, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, and Thongkhosiem Haokip scoring a goal each.[55]

In the play-off round, Bengaluru FC faced 2017 Dhivehi Premier League runners-up, T.C. Sports Club. Bengaluru traveled to Malé for the first leg with ongoing political crisis in Maldives. The first half remained goalless, but Bengaluru scored two quick goals in the second half to take 0–2 lead with goals from Thongkhosiem Haokip and Erik Paartalu, however defensive lapses allowed TC Sports to score two goals and equalize. However, Thongkhosiem Haokip scored again in 78th minute to snatch 2–3 victories for the visitors.[56] In the home leg, Bengaluru FC secured a dominant 5–0 victory against the visitors as Toni Dovale scored Bengaluru's first ever hat-trick in an Asian tournament, while Erik Paartalu and Rahul Bheke scored other goals.[57]

Preliminary round
23 January 2018 (2018-01-23) Transport United 0–0 Bengaluru FCThimphu, Bhutan
17:30 IST Report Stadium: Changlimithang Stadium
Attendance: 3,100
Referee: Sivakorn Pu-udom (Thailand)
MVP: Toni Dovale (Bengaluru FC)
30 January 2018 (2018-01-30) Bengaluru FC 3–0
(3–0 agg.)
Transport UnitedBengaluru, India
20:00 IST
Report
  • Sangay Dorji  75'
Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Attendance: 1,167
Referee: Mooud Bonyadifard (Iran)
Play-off round
13 February 2018 (2018-02-13) TC Sports 2–3 Bengaluru FCMalé, Maldives
21:30 IST
Report
Stadium: Rasmee Dhandu Stadium
Attendance: 890
Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan)
20 February 2018 (2018-02-20) Bengaluru FC 5–0
(8–2 agg.)
TC SportsBengaluru, India
20:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Referee: Turki Al-Khudhayr (Saudi Arabia)
MVP: Toni (Bengaluru FC)

Group stage

Bengaluru FC competed in Group E alongside 2016–17 I-League champions Aizawl F.C., 2017 Dhivehi Premier League champions New Radiant S.C., and 2017–18 Bangladesh Premier League champions Dhaka Abahani.

Bengaluru kicked off their campaign against Dhaka Abahani on 14 March 2018. With upcoming Indian Super League final, Roca rested the key players and fielded the reserve side. Daniel Lalhlimpuia's goal in the second half proved sufficient as Bengaluru won the game 1–0.[58] Bengaluru's game against Aizawl F.C. was originally scheduled on the first match day, however it was postponed to 5 April due to scheduling conflicts with Indian Super League and I-League games. Aizawl took the early lead when they capitalized on the defensive lapse of Bengaluru. However, Bengaluru equalized when they were awarded a penalty just before the half-time. Bengaluru made the most of their possession in the second half and scored two more goals, in spite of missing a penalty, and registered 3–1 win.[59] Bengaluru then faced New Radiant S.C. at home on 10 April 2018. Having rested many key players, Bengaluru failed to find many scoring opportunities and Roca was forced introduce Sunil Chhetri late in the second half and that turned out to be significant as Chhetri managed to shake off his marker in the dying minutes and created an assist to Nishu Kumar and Bengaluru won the close game 1–0.[60]

Bengaluru's qualification chances were dealt a blow when they lost 2–0 to New Radiant in the reverse leg. Both the teams being equal on the points, New Radiant topped the group based on their head-to-head record, leaving Bengaluru's qualification dependent on New Radiant's results.[61] Bengaluru stayed in contention for the knockout stage with a convincing 5–0 win against Aizawl F.C. that included a brace from Daniel Segovia.[62] In the final game of the group stage, Bengaluru FC scored a convincing 4–0 victory against Dhaka Abahani, with a brace from the defender Nishu Kumar and goals from Daniel Lucas Segovia and Sunil Chhetri. As New Radiant S.C. failed to overcome Aizawl F.C. on the final match day, Bengaluru advanced to the knock-out stage of the tournament for the fourth consecutive year, played in 2018–19 season.[63]

Group E
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification BFC RAD ABD AIZ
1 Bengaluru 6 5 0 1 14 3 +11 15 Inter-zone play-off semi-finals 1–0 1–0 5–0
2 New Radiant 6 4 0 2 12 5 +7 12 2–0 5–1 3–1
3 Abahani Limited Dhaka 6 1 1 4 5 12 7 4 0–4 0–1 1–1
4 Aizawl 6 1 1 4 5 16 11 4[lower-alpha 1] 1–3 2–1 0–3
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. Head-to-head results: Aizawl 0–3 Abahani Limited Dhaka, Abahani Limited Dhaka 1–1 Aizawl.
14 March 2018 (2018-03-14) Bengaluru FC 1–0 Dhaka AbahaniBengaluru, India
20:00 UTC+5:30
Report
Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Attendance: 1,051
Referee: Yaqoub Al-Hammadi (United Arab Emirates)
5 April 2018 (2018-04-05) Aizawl 1–3 Bengaluru FCGuwahati, India
18:30 UTC+5:30
  • Dodoz  5'
Report
Stadium: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium
Attendance: 879
Referee: Ahmad Ibrahim (Jordan)
10 April 2018 (2018-04-10) Bengaluru FC 1–0 New RadiantBengaluru, India
20:00 UTC+5:30
Report
  • Gotor  35'
Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Attendance: 1,839
Referee: Hanna Hattab (Syria)
25 April 2018 (2018-04-25) New Radiant 2–0 Bengaluru FCMalé, Maldives
21:00 UTC+5
Report
Stadium: Rasmee Dhandu Stadium
Attendance: 3,112
Referee: Khamis Mohamed Al Kuwari (Qatar)
2 May 2018 (2018-05-02) Bengaluru FC 5–0 AizawlBengaluru, India
20:00 UTC+5:30
Report
  • Lalrosanga  71'
Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Attendance: 1,570
Referee: Zaid Thamer (Iraq)
16 May 2018 (2018-05-16) Dhaka Abahani 0–4 Bengaluru FCDhaka, Bangladesh
19:15 UTC+6
  • Faisal  64'
Report
Stadium: Bangabandhu National Stadium
Attendance: 750
Referee: Suhaizi Shukri (Malaysia)

Super Cup

As one of the top six teams in Indian Super League, Bengaluru FC qualified for the main round in 2018 Indian Super Cup. Bengaluru FC met the qualifier I-League side, Gokulam Kerala F.C. in Round of 16 match. Determined Gokulam Kerala side took the lead in the first half as Henry Kisekka beat the offside trap to score the goal. Bengaluru's attack in the second half paid off when Miku scored the equalizer from Udanta Singh's assist in the 70th minute. When the game destined to be heading for the extra time, man of the match Udanta Singh scored the goal in the 5th minute of injury time to secure the spot for Bengaluru in quarter-finals.[64] In quarter-finals game, Bengaluru faced another I-League side, NEROCA F.C.. Sunil Chhetri scored his second hat-trick of the season to manage a convincing 3–1 victory and set up the semi-final game against their I-League rival, Mohun Bagan A.C.[65] Bengaluru suffered a setback when Mohun Bagan took the lead just before the half-time and Nishu Kumar was sent-off soon after the restart. However, Bengaluru continued the attack and staged a convincing 4–2 comeback that included a hat-trick for Miku.[66]

Final

Bengaluru FC faced yet another I-League side and rival East Bengal F.C. in the final. East Bengal drew the first blood when Ansumana Kromah scored a goal from the corner kick, but East Bengal were reduced to 10-men before the half time when Samad Ali Mallick was sent-off for the violent conduct. Bengaluru dominated the proceedings in the second half as they scored four goals, a brace from Sunil Chhetri and a goal each from Miku and Rahul Bheke, and won the inaugural Super Cup 4–1. Super Cup also marked Bengaluru FC's fifth trophy in as many years.[67]

1 April 2018 Round of 16Bengaluru FC2–1Gokulam KeralaBhubaneswar
17:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Kalinga Stadium
Attendance: 4,233
Referee: Tejas Visvasrao Nagvenkar
Man of the Match: Udanta Singh (Bengaluru FC)
13 April 2018 Quarter-finalBengaluru FC3–1NEROCABhubaneswar
16:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Kalinga Stadium
Attendance: 1,100
Referee: Tejas Nagvenkar
Man of the Match: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)
17 April 2018 Semi-finalMohun Bagan2–4Bengaluru FCBhubaneswar
16:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Kalinga Stadium
Attendance: 3,600
Referee: Tejas Nagvenkar
Man of the Match: Miku (Bengaluru FC)
20 April 2018 FinalEast Bengal1–4Bengaluru FCBhubaneswar
16:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Kalinga Stadium
Attendance: 9,500
Referee: C. R. Srikrishna
Man of the Match: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)

Player information

Management

Albert Roca, Bengaluru FC's head coach for 2016–17 season

Midway through the season, Bengaluru FC parted ways with the assistant coach Carles Cuadrat owing to health concerns. He was replaced by former FC Barcelona youth coach, Marc Huguet.[68]

As of July 2017.[69][70][71]
Position Name
Head Coach Albert Roca
Assistant Coach Marc Huguet
Assistant Coach (India) Naushad Moosa
Goalkeeping Coach Edu Gasol
Head of Youth Development John Killa
Under-18 coach John Kenneth Raj
Head physiotherapist Timothy Vadachalam
Head of sports sciences Donavan Pillai

Player statistics

Appearances and goals

No. Pos Nat Player TotalISLAFCSuper Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Goalkeepers
1 GK Gurpreet Singh Sandhu 27019+004+004+00
23 GK Abhra Mondal 100+100+000+00
28 GK Lalthuammawia Ralte 1202+0010+000+00
32 GK Calvin Abhishek 000+000+000+00
Defenders
2 DF Rahul Bheke 32419+009+133+01
3 DF Collin Abranches 100+001+000+00
4 DF Zohmingliana Ralte 900+106+200+00
5 DF Juanan 30117+119+003+00
6 DF John Johnson 22016+200+004+00
10 DF Harmanjot Khabra 23013+007+201+00
15 DF Subhasish Bose 34014+407+504+00
22 DF Nishu Kumar 2633+6014+031+20
24 DF Joyner Lourenco 500+002+300+00
27 DF Prashanth Kalinga 100+001+000+00
33 DF Asheer Akhtar 200+001+100+00
Midfielders
8 MF Lenny Rodrigues 28213+416+113+10
14 MF Dimas Delgado 21116+114+000+00
16 MF Erik Paartalu 33515+3311+023+10
17 MF Boithang Haokip 2126+415+311+20
19 MF Toni 2536+707+131+30
20 MF Alwyn George 1600+707+200+00
29 MF Myron Mendes 100+000+100+00
30 MF Malsawmzuala 1200+007+400+10
38 MF Robinson Singh 100+001+000+00
39 MF Leon Augustine 100+000+100+00
44 MF Víctor Pérez Alonso 1100+105+104+00
MF Bidyananda Singh 000+000+000+00
MF Ragav Gupta 000+000+000+00
Forwards
7 FW Miku 242020+0150+004+05
11 FW Sunil Chhetri 332421+0147+144+06
12 FW Daniel Segovia 1040+504+140+00
18 FW Thongkhosiem Haokip 1131+107+230+00
21 FW Udanta Singh 32416+318+124+01
25 FW Daniel Lalhlimpuia 1540+204+840+10
26 FW Cletus Paul 100+000+100+00
Players transferred out during the season
9 FW Braulio Nóbrega 1002+800+000+00
13 MF Edu García 14212+220+000+00

Updated: 16 May 2018

Top scorers

Sunil Chhetri scored two hat-tricks in the season
Rank No. Pos Nat Player ISL AFC Super Cup Total
1 11 FW Sunil Chhetri 14 4 6 24
2 7 FW Miku 15 0 5 20
3 16 MF Erik Paartalu 3 2 0 5
4 2 DF Rahul Bheke 0 3 1 4
12 FW Daniel Lucas Segovia 0 4 0 4
21 FW Udanta Singh 1 2 1 4
25 FW Daniel Lalhlimpuia 0 4 0 4
8 18 FW Thongkhosiem Haokip 0 3 0 3
19 MF Toni 0 3 0 3
22 DF Nishu Kumar 0 3 0 3
11 8 MF Lenny Rodrigues 1 1 0 2
13 MF Edu García 2 0 0 2
17 MF Boithang Haokip 1 1 0 2
14 5 DF Juanan 1 0 0 1
14 MF Dimas Delgado 1 0 0 1
Own Goals 1 0 0 1
TOTALS 40 29 13 82

Source: soccerway
Updated: 16 May 2018

Clean sheets

Rank No. Pos Nat Player ISL AFC Super Cup Total
1 45 GK Gurpreet Singh Sandhu 7 2 0 9
2 28 GK Lalthuammawia Ralte 1 7 0 8
3 23 GK Abhra Mondal 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 8 9 0 17

Source: soccerway
Updated: 16 May 2018

Disciplinary record

Rank No. Pos Nat Player ISL AFC Super Cup Total Notes
1 10 MF Harmanjot Khabra 4 0 1 1 1 0 6 1 Missed a game, against ATK (4 yellow cards)[72]
(3 February 2018)
2 15 DF Subhasish Bose 3 1 1 0 1 0 5 1 Missed a game, against Mumbai City (red card)[73]
(18 January 2018)
Missed ISL Final, against Chennaiyin (2 yellow cards in playoffs)[47]
(17 March 2018)
3 4 DF Juanan 4 0 1 0 0 0 5 0 Missed a game, against Kerala Blasters (4 yellow cards)[74]
(1 March 2018)
6 DF John Johnson 4 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 Missed a game, against Kerala Blasters (4 yellow cards)[74]
(1 March 2018)
17 MF Boithang Haokip 2 0 2 0 1 0 5 0
6 1 GK Gurpreet Singh Sandhu 1 1 1 0 1 0 3 1 Suspended for 2 games (red card)[75]
(December 2017)
11 FW Sunil Chhetri 3 0 0 0 1 0 4 0
14 MF Dimas Delgado 3 0 1 0 0 0 4 0
9 2 DF Rahul Bheke 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 Missed a game, against Chennaiyin (red card)[76]
(6 February 2018)
8 MF Lenny Rodrigues 2 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
11 7 FW Miku 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
16 MF Erik Paartalu 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
22 DF Nishu Kumar 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 Missed Super Cup Final, against East Bengal (red card)[77]
(20 April 2018)
14 18 FW Thongkhosiem Haokip 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
23 GK Abhra Mondal 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
24 DF Joyner Lourenco 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
28 GK Lalthuammawia Ralte 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
33 DF Asheer Akhtar 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
44 MF Víctor Pérez Alonso 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
49 MF Toni 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
TOTALS 33 3 15 1 6 1 54 5

Source: soccerway
Updated: 16 May 2018

Awards

Player of the Month award

Awarded monthly to the player that was chosen by fan voting

Month Player Votes
November Erik Paartalu 57%[78]
December Miku 66%[79]
January Sunil Chhetri 58%[80]
February Dimas Delgado 41%[81]
March Udanta Singh 41%[82]
April Víctor Pérez Alonso 33%[83]

Club's Annual Awards

Bengaluru FC’s Annual Awards Night for the 2017–18 season, held at the JW Marriott, in Bengaluru, on 17 May 2018.[84]

Award Player
Top scorer Sunil Chhetri
Players' Player of the year Sunil Chhetri
Fans' Player of the Year Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
Goal of the Season Miku
Upcoming Player of the Year Asheer Akhtar
U18 Player of the Year Biswa Darjee
U15 Player of the Year Bekey Oram

FPAI Annual Awards

Football Players Association of India’s Annual Awards for the 2017–18 season, held at the Calkutta Sports Journalist Club, in Kolkata, on 12 June 2018.

Award Player
Coach of the year Albert Roca[85]
Indian Player of the year Sunil Chhetri[86]
Foreign Player of the Year Miku[87]

Notes

  1. Bengaluru FC advanced to the inter-zone play-off semi-finals during 2016–17 season.
  2. Bengaluru FC advanced to the inter-zone play-off semi-finals, played during 2018–19 season
gollark: No, it isn't real.
gollark: !jsk py bot.token
gollark: I could reply but I won't.
gollark: Bad.
gollark: Oh, so it just doesn't revalidate against comonoidal Frobenius forms of class 3, if they're finite.

References

  1. "BFC End Campaign in Style, Finish at Fourth Spot". i-league.org. 29 April 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  2. Pathak, Manasi (21 May 2017). "Federation Cup 2017: Bengaluru FC 2–0 Mohun Bagan – CK Vineeth seals championship victory for the Blues in extra time". Goal.com.
  3. "AFC Cup 2017: Bengaluru FC 1–0 Maziya S&RC: Sunil Chhetri freekick sends Eagles through". Goal.com. 31 May 2017.
  4. "Bengaluru FC submit bid as ITB submission deadline ends". The Times of India. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  5. "ISL expanded to 10 teams, Bengaluru FC one of them". The Times of India. 12 June 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  6. "Bengaluru FC retain Chhetri, Udanta". Indian Super League. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  7. "Former Brisbane Roar Player Joins Blues on One Year Deal; Juanan Returns To Join Johnson in Defence". Bengalurufc.com. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  8. "Indian Super League: Amrinder Singh joins Mumbai City FC in record-breaking deal". Goal.com. 1 July 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  9. "C.K. Vineeth Retained". Kerala Blasters (Twitter).
  10. "BENGALURU FC SIGN SPANISH MIDFIELDER DIMAS DELGADO". Bengalurufc.com. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  11. "BENGALURU FC ADD WINGER ANTONIO DOVALE". Bengalurufc.com. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  12. "BENGALURU FC RETAIN NISHU, ZUALA FOR ISL; DANIEL FOR AFC CUP". Bengalurufc.com. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  13. "BLUES RETAIN FIVE, SIGN EIGHT NEW PLAYERS AT ISL DRAFT". Bengalurufc.com. 23 July 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  14. "ISL 2017 Draft LIVE: Complete list of players signed". Goal.com. 23 July 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  15. "BIDYANANDA, ROBINSON SIGN WITH BENGALURU FC". Bengalurufc.com. 31 July 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  16. "The Blues strengthen squad further; complete sixth foreign signing". Bengalurufc.com. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  17. "ROCA ANNOUNCES BLUES SQUAD FOR 2017 AFC CUP KNOCKOUT ROUNDS". Bengalurufc.com. 16 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  18. "BENGALURU FC SIGN INDIA'S NO.1 GURPREET SINGH SANDHU". Bengalurufc.com. 17 August 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  19. "BENGALURU FC STRENGTHEN ATTACK, SIGN VENEZUELA INTERNATIONAL MIKU". Bengalurufc.com. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  20. "BENGALURU FC SIGN EDUARDO GARCIA; FINALISE SQUAD FOR INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE". Bengalurufc.com. 3 September 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  21. "ISL 2017–18: Bengaluru FC sign striker Daniel Segovia on deadline day". Goal.com. 15 February 2018.
  22. "Official: Edu Garcia joins Chinese's Zhejiang Lǜchéng". Goal.com. 23 February 2018.
  23. Banerjee, Ritabrata (23 February 2018). "REVEALED: The transfer fee paid by Zhejiang Lǜchéng to Bengaluru FC". Goal.com.
  24. "ISL 2017–18: Bengaluru FC sign Victor Perez to replace Edu Garcia". Goal.com. 2 March 2018.
  25. "Cameron Watson Bakal Gantikan Dane di Madura United". 12 July 2017.
  26. "Bengaluru FC set to train in Spain ahead of AFC Cup clash". PTI. 25 July 2017.
  27. "ISL 2017: Bengaluru FC 2–0 Mumbai City FC – Blues down Islanders in comfortable debut win". Goal.com. 19 November 2017.
  28. Mukherjee, Soham (27 November 2017). "ISL 2017: Bengaluru FC set the early pace in the title race". Goal.com.
  29. Noronha, Anselm (30 November 2017). "ISL 2017: FC Goa 4–3 Bengaluru FC: Coro's hat-trick seals a thriller in Gaurs' favour". Goal.com.
  30. "ISL 2017: NorthEast United 0–1 Bengaluru FC – Miku wins it for Blues". Goal.com. 8 December 2017.
  31. Peter, Ashish (14 December 2017). "ISL 2017: FC Pune City 1–3 Bengaluru FC: Miku brace fires visitors to the top of the league as Baljit Sahni sees red".
  32. Parasar, Swapnaneel (17 December 2017). "ISL 2017: Bengaluru FC 1–2 Chennaiyin FC – Solid Super Machans down Blues". Goal.com.
  33. "ISL 2017: Bengaluru FC have no answers to Steve Coppell's 'defensive' team". Goal.com. 22 December 2017.
  34. Easwar, Nisanth V (31 December 2017). "ISL 2017/18: Kerala Blasters 1–3 Bengaluru FC: Miku and Sunil Chhetri stun Yellow Army into silence". Goal.com.
  35. "Bengaluru back to winning ways at Fortress; down ATK 1–0". Bengalurufc.com. 7 January 2018.
  36. Peter, Ashish (14 January 2018). "ISL 2017–18: Delhi Dynamos 2–0 Bengaluru FC: Lions stun heavyweights to end seven-match winless run". Goal.com.
  37. Pathak, Manasi (18 January 2018). "ISL 2017–18: Mumbai City FC 1–3 Bengaluru FC – Blues do the double over the Islanders". Goal.com.
  38. Peter, Ashish (26 January 2018). "ISL 2017–18: Bengaluru FC 2–1 NorthEastUnited FC – Blues reclaim top spot after narrow win".
  39. "Ten-man Bengaluru complete double over defending champs ATK with 2–0 win". Bengalurufc.com. 4 February 2018.
  40. Muralidharan, Ashwin. "ISL 2017–18: Uncharacteristic defending lets down Chennaiyin FC against Bengaluru FC". Goal.com.
  41. Pathak, Manasi (9 February 2018). "ISL 2017–18: Bengaluru 2–0 Goa: Eagles better Gaurs to book semi-final berth". Goal.com.
  42. Parasar, Swapnaneel (16 February 2018). "ISL 2017–18: Miku strike helps Bengaluru FC dampen FC Pune City spirits". Goal.com.
  43. Banerjee, Ritabrata (25 February 2018). "ISL 2017–18: Gurpreet shines as Bengaluru FC sail past Jamshedpur FC".
  44. Peter, Ashish (1 March 2018). "ISL 2017–18: Blues strike twice in injury-time to break Blasters' resistance in southern derby". Goal.com.
  45. Banerjee, Ritabrata (7 March 2018). "ISL 2017–18: Stallions and Blues play out goal-less stalemate in cagey first-leg". Goal.com.
  46. Muralidharan, Ashwin (12 March 2018). "ISL 2017–18: 'The man for the big occasions' – Inspirational Sunil Chhetri powers Bengaluru FC into the final!". Goal.com.
  47. Parasar, Swapnaneel (18 March 2018). "ISL Final: Three-man defence hasn't worked for Bengaluru FC".
  48. "Albert Roca: Perhaps I made a mistake in the final". Indian Super League. 17 March 2018.
  49. "BENGALURU DRAW 4.25 SC IN AFC CUP INTER-ZONE SEMIFINAL". Bengalurufc.com. 6 June 2017.
  50. Bali, Rahul (23 August 2017). "AFC CUP 2017: BENGALURU FC 3–0 APRIL 25 SC – BLUES CLINCH CRUCIAL FIRST LEG ADVANTAGE IN SHOWERY SEASON OPENER". Goal.com.
  51. Peter, Ashish (13 September 2017). "AFC Cup 2017: Bengaluru FC through to Inter-zonal final after holding April 25 SC to a goalless draw". goal.com.
  52. "AFC Cup 2017: FC Istiklol 1–0 Bengaluru FC – The blues fail the Tajikistan test". Goal.com. 27 September 2017.
  53. "Bengaluru FC vs Istiklol, AFC Cup 2017: Bengaluru FC draw 2–2 but lose 2–3 on aggregate". Express Web Desk. 18 October 2017.
  54. Easwar, Nisanth V (23 January 2018). "AFC Cup 2018: Transport United 0–0 Bengaluru FC – Blues held in Bhutan". Goal.com.
  55. Peter, Ashish (30 January 2018). "AFC Cup 2018: Bengaluru FC 3–0 Transport United – Blues clear first hurdle in continental quest". Goal.com.
  56. Peter, Ashish (14 February 2018). "AFC Cup 2018: Bengaluru FC sweep away advantage over TC Sports Club in five-goal thriller". Goal.com.
  57. Parasar, Swapnaneel (20 February 2018). "AFC Cup 2018: Five-star Bengaluru FC demolish TC Sports Club, storm in group stages". Goal.com.
  58. Easwar, Nisanth V (14 March 2018). "AFC Cup 2018: Daniel dampens Abahani spirits as Bengaluru open Group E account with a win". Goal.com.
  59. Mukherjee, Soham (5 April 2018). "AFC Cup 2018: Bengaluru continue their winning run by beating Aizawl 3–1". Goal.com.
  60. Easwar, Nisanth V (10 April 2018). "AFC Cup 2018: Nishu Kumar scores last-gasp winner to place Bengaluru FC in driving seat". Goal.com.
  61. Easwar, Nisanth V (25 April 2018). "AFC Cup 2018: New Radiant punish impuissant Bengaluru". Goal.com.
  62. "AFC Cup 2018: Bengaluru keep knockout hopes alive with a thumping win over Aizawl". Goal.com. 2 May 2018.
  63. Easwar, Nisanth V (16 May 2018). "AFC Cup 2018: Sunil Chhetri leads Bengaluru FC to the inter-zone playoffs". Goal.com.
  64. Banerjee, Ritabrata (1 April 2018). "Super Cup 2018: Bengaluru FC 2–1 Gokulam Kerala – Miku bails out Bengaluru".
  65. Peter, Ashish (13 April 2018). "Super Cup 2018: Sunil Chhetri's hat-trick helps Bengaluru topple NEROCA FC by 3-1". Goal.com.
  66. Banerjee, Ritabrata (17 April 2018). "Super Cup 2018: Mohun Bagan 2-4 Bengaluru FC - Miku nets hat trick as 10-man Blues storm past Mariners".
  67. Banerjee, Ritabrata (20 April 2018). "Super Cup 2018 Final: Bengaluru ease past East Bengal to register emphatic victory". Goal.com.
  68. "ISL 2017: Bengaluru FC assistant coach Carles Cuadrat steps down". Goal.com. 29 December 2017.
  69. "Bengaluru FC fortify first team staff". Bengaluru FC. 9 December 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015.
  70. "I-League News: Bengaluru FC appoint John Kila as new Head of Youth Development". Goal.com. 13 June 2016.
  71. "NAUSHAD MOOSA JOINS BENGALURU FC AS INDIAN ASSISTANT COACH". Bengaluru FC. 29 June 2017.
  72. "ISL 2017–18: ATK vs Bengaluru FC – TV channel, stream, kick-off time & match preview". Goal.com. 2 February 2018.
  73. "Chhangte dazzles as Lions stun the Blues in Delhi". indiansuperleague.com. 14 January 2018.
  74. Bali, Rahul (28 February 2018). "ISL 2017–18: Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters – TV channel, stream, kick-off time & match preview". Goal.com.
  75. "ISL 2017: Bengaluru FC's Gurpreet Singh Sandhu handed two-match ban and fine for seeing red". Goal.com. 5 December 2017.
  76. "Bengaluru overcome ATK, go four points clear at the top". indiansuperleague.com. 3 February 2018.
  77. "East Bengal vs Bengaluru FC - TV channel, stream, kick-off time & match preview". Goal.com. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  78. "WINNER! With 57% of all the votes, @ErikPaartalu is your Fan Player of the Month for November. Congratulations, Big E!". Bengaluru FC. 4 December 2017.
  79. "With 66% of all the votes, Miku is our @IndiaEpson Fan Player of the Month for December 2017! Here are his numbers from the month gone by". Bengaluru FC. 3 January 2018.
  80. "With 58% of all votes, skipper Sunil Chhetri is your BFC Fan Player of the Month for January". Bengaluru FC. 4 February 2018.
  81. "With two Man of the Match performances, Blues' midfielder Dimas Delgado is your Epson Fan Player of the Month for February 2018". Bengaluru FC. 6 March 2018.
  82. "WINNER! With 41% of all votes, winger @UdantaK is your @IndiaEpson Fan Player of the Month for March". Bengaluru FC. 6 April 2018.
  83. "For his stellar show in the Super Cup, and with 33% of all the votes, Spanish midfielder Victor Perez is your @IndiaEpson Fan Player of the Month for April". Bengaluru FC. 7 May 2018.
  84. "Sunil Chhetri named Players' Player at Bengaluru FC Awards Night". Bengaluru FC. 18 May 2018.
  85. "He's seen us through the highs and lows, and Roca has now been named the FPAI Coach of the Year 2017-18". Bengaluru FC (twitter).
  86. "With 24 goals across all competitions, Sunil Chhetri picks up the FPAI Indian Player of the Year award". Bengaluru FC (twitter).
  87. "Our Venezuelan hitman has been named the Foreign Player of the Year at the FPAI Awards in Kolkata. Give it up for Miku!". Bengaluru FC (twitter).

See also

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.