Latest news with #BengaluruFC
Hans India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Capellas resigns as Phillippines head coach, Cuadrat appointed on interim bases
Albert Capellas has resigned as head coach of the Philippines citing personal reasons ahead of the Southeast Asian nation's AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers against Tajikistan on June 10. Capellas, who took over from Tom Saintfiet in September and led the Philippines to the semi-finals of the ASEAN Football Federation Championship three months later, will be replaced on an interim basis by his assistant coach, Carles Cuadrat. Cuadrat's most recent job was at the helm of East Bengal, where he won the 2023 Indian Super Cup. He is also an Indian Super League winner from his time with Bengaluru FC. "My wonderful journey as head coach of the Philippines has come to an end, and I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have been part of it, especially the players and all the staff involved," said Capellas. "Together, we have enjoyed an inspiring journey and have proven that Filipino football has a promising generation of young players with the potential to bring great pride and success to the country." The Philippines won their opening game in Group A of the third round of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 when Capellas led his side to a comfortable 4-1 victory over the Maldives in March. Timor-Leste also features in the group. The country is attempting to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup Finals for the second time after making its debut in the United Arab Emirates in 2019. "We are grateful for Capellas' service, and wish him well," said Philippines team manager Freddie Gonzalez. "We move on and keep pushing forward. "Albert left us with a blueprint to follow, and we thank him for bringing Carles on board, enabling him to be the interim head coach and provide continuity for what Albert has started."
India Gazette
25-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Lalremtluanga Fanai signs three-year contract extension with Bengaluru FC
New Delhi [India], May 25 (ANI): Indian Super League (ISL) side Bengaluru FC announced that midfielder Lalremtluanga Fanai had signed a three-year extension to his current deal with the Blues, keeping him on the club's books until the end of the 2027-28 season. The 20-year-old, fresh off an impressive campaign under Spanish tactician Gerard Zaragoza, has grown into a complete, reliable midfielder, having joined the club in 2020. 'I'm really glad to extend my time here at Bengaluru FC. I came here as a teenager, and I've grown immensely in the last four seasons. The coaches and players around me have been very supportive, and I strongly believe this is the right place for me to grow. I'm looking forward to making more memories with this football club,' Fanai said after putting pen to paper on his new deal as quoted by the ISL official website. Fanai came through the ranks at Bengaluru FC, turning out for the club's U18 Academy side before breaking into the BFC Reserves. Ahead of the 2023-24 season, Fanai was drafted into the club's ISL squad. The midfielder made his First Team debut against Sreenidi Deccan FC in the 2023 Super Cup and went on to make his ISL bow against Punjab FC later on in the season. Comfortable on the ball and with a wide range of passing, Fanai's clean tackling and accurate positioning stem from his smart reading of the game, enabling him to get himself in the right positions on the field. Over two seasons, Fanai has made 36 appearances in the ISL, positive numbers for a player of his age. 'At just 20, Fanai shows maturity and composure that's far beyond his age. We're really impressed with how he's progressed over the last two seasons with the First Team. As a player who has come through our ranks, he stands for what we believe in as a football club and we're all really glad to be able to secure his services for the foreseeable future,' said Blues' Director of Football, Darren Caldeira. Fanai, who has been called up to Team India's U23 Probables for friendlies against Tajikistan U23 and Kyrgyz Republic U23, follows full-back Naorem Roshan Singh in signing an extension with the Blues. (ANI)
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
India must aim to qualify regularly for FIFA U-17 World Cup: Bibiano
Bibiano Fernandes will turn his focus to the U-17 national team ahead of the SAFF U-17 Championship and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers to be held in November Panaji: Bibiano Fernandes' record with India's junior teams has been impressive. It was during his time at the helm that India were one win away from making it to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, losing a close game against Asian giants South Korea. At regional championships, India have been in a league of their own. By winning the SAFF U-19 Championship on penalties against Bangladesh on Sunday, India have shown that they are the best in South Asia. But, with Bibiano as coach, that's hardly the target. It's much bigger, like making it to the age-group World Cup on sporting merit. 'We can achieve this dream (of playing in the World Cup),' Bibiano told TOI in a recent interview. 'I was on the sidelines when the U-17 team played against South Korea and we were one match away from qualifying for the U-17 World Cup (in 2018). The youth set up is getting better. There are many games. RDFL has also helped a lot. But we still need to do more. If we start doing it right now, we will knock on the doors of the U-17 World Cup soon,' said Bibiano. These are not just words. This is a dream. Bibiano returned to the national team after cutting short his stint at Bengaluru FC. The 48-year-old had only two months to prepare for the SAFF tournament as he joined the Indian junior coaching set up. 'Frist, I thought it would be difficult because time was very short. But I saw the talent we have and was happy with their level,' said Bibiano. 'Most of the players are with ISL teams and training with their seniors. That has helped gain this level and it in turn helped us a lot. To be honest, I did not expect that they would play so well,' he added. The fans too played a crucial role as they turned out in large numbers at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh. The team will now begin their preparations for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers, to be held next year. Until then, Bibiano will turn his focus to the U-17 national team ahead of the SAFF U-17 Championship and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers to be held in November. India made their debut at the U-17 World Cup in 2017 at home but has missed out on qualification ever since. The following year, with Bibiano in charge, they came close to progress on sporting merit after a narrow 0-1 defeat at the hands of heavyweights South Korea in the AFC U-16 quarterfinals in Kuala Lumpur. Bibiano now wants to complete unfinished business. 'We were close,' he remembered. While the India men's senior team has dropped to 127 in the latest FIFA rankings, it has shown that investing in grassroots is the country's best bet of making it to the global stage. 'We can aim for the U-20 World Cup and gradually the senior team can dream. (For that to happen) We must target the U-17 World Cup every edition and be consistent. Hopefully, in six to seven years, we will qualify regularly,' said Bibiano.
India Gazette
18-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
ISL 2024-25: Debutants who have stolen spotlight with standout performances
New Delhi [India], May 18 (ANI): Every Indian Super League (ISL) season brings a wave of emerging talent, and the 2024-25 campaign was no different. From marquee signings like Jamie Maclaren to unexpected breakout stars such as Alaaeddine Ajaraie, whose performances lit up the league, this season's debutants truly made their mark, as per the official website of ISL. Whether it was promising youngsters rising through the ranks of their boyhood clubs or smart additions like Edgar Mendez, who quickly proved their worth, new faces lit up the season. With the season now behind us, it's time to spotlight the debutants who left a lasting impression. Settling into a star-studded squad isn't always straightforward, as Australian forward Jamie Maclaren found out. Despite his high-profile reputation and proven goal-scoring record, Maclaren needed time to adjust to the dynamics and style of play under Mohun Bagan Super Giant's (MBSG) system. However, as the season unfolded, he proved his quality, finishing with 12 goals and two assists. Most importantly, it was his decisive goal that secured the ISL Cup title for the Mariners, etching his name into the club's history and proving his worth as a key signing. Few would have predicted the outstanding impact of Alaaeddine Ajaraie at the start of the season--not even his own teammates. The Moroccan forward quickly adapted, excelling in both direct and transitional phases of play. He imposed himself in tight spaces and proved deadly when chances came his way, becoming NorthEast United FC's (NEUFC) true x-factor. His remarkable tally of 30 goal contributions--23 goals and 7 assists in just 25 appearances, including seven braces--made it a season to remember. Dominating in his debut year, Ajaraie earned both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards. Now signed on for another term, Juan Pedro Benali clearly has a star in his ranks. Akash Mishra missed the entire season due to injury, and with Sahil Panwar struggling with fitness and form, Nathan Rodrigues seized the opportunity for Mumbai City FC with open arms. Making his debut against Bengaluru FC (BFC), Rodrigues impressed not only with his defensive solidity and contribution to clean sheets but also with his attacking flair, carrying the ball forward and registering three goals and an assist. A pacey and technically gifted left-back, Rodrigues combined creativity with a genuine goal threat, quickly establishing himself as a key player. The arrival of Argentine forward Jorge Pereyra Diaz was hailed as a major boost for Bengaluru FC as they sought to revive their campaign under Gerard Zaragoza. However, it was perhaps Spanish striker Edgar Mendez who truly won over the BFC faithful in his debut season. His burgeoning partnership with Sunil Chhetri and Ryan Williams proved crucial. In his first campaign with the Blues, Mendez scored nine goals and provided four assists, playing a vital role in driving the team's attacking momentum throughout the season. Jesus Jimenez faced the daunting task of replacing Golden Boot winner Dimitrios Diamantakos but managed the challenge well despite the Kerala Blasters FC's overall inconsistency. Jimenez started the season in fine form, scoring in nine of the opening 12 games. Though injuries interrupted his momentum, he still finished with a respectable 11 goals and one assist in 18 appearances during his debut ISL season. Bengaluru FC academy graduate Vinith Venkatesh showed glimpses of immense potential with a breakthrough season in midfield. Across 19 appearances, the 19-year-old contributed a goal and two assists at pivotal moments. Venkatesh impressed with his composure, vision, and precise distribution, while his quality delivery on set pieces and crosses added an extra dimension to BFC's attack. It's clear the club has another rising talent ready to shine in the years ahead. Playing in his first season in the Indian Super League, Mayakkannan proved to be a valuable addition for NEUFC. The central midfielder displayed impressive composure on the ball and complemented the experienced Mohammed Ali Bemammer in the middle of the park. The 27-year-old featured in 24 matches over the course of the season, recording 105 ball recoveries, 23 interceptions, 15 chances created, and one assist, highlighting his all-round contribution to the team's engine room. Notable mentions are Andrei Alba (Hyderabad FC), David Lalhlansanga (East Bengal FC), and Mirjalol Kasimov (Mohammedan SC). (ANI)
Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Virat's desire to win was so bad that it was attractive: Chhetri
Kolkata: 'Today, when I reached out, I realised he is at peace.' That was Sunil Chhetri reacting to Virat Kohli retiring from Tests. Chettri's equation with international retirement has changed – the striker is in the India squad for next month's matches against Thailand and Hong Kong – but he would know that feeling. The feeing of letting go a big part of yourself. 'And Test cricket was a big part of him,' Chhetri told HT over the phone from Bengaluru on Monday. 'My knowledge of the sport is limited at best but the patience with which he would explain anything about Tests that I wanted to know showed how deeply he cared for it.' Chhetri said he and cricket did not run very well between wickets, especially after Sachin Tendulkar retired in 2013. 'That changed after I got to know Virat,' he said. 'You can say I watch cricket a little more because of him, a little more of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) too.' That usually also means at least one IPL match live in Bengaluru involving the home team. 'This time it was RCB playing Chennai Super Kings,' he said 'I went with Ryan Williams (an Australian teammate at Bengaluru FC) and it was a good evening. Virat got around 60 (62) and RCB won,' said Chhetri. Chhetri said he and Kohli have known each other for '13-14 years.' At Kohli's wedding reception in Mumbai in 2017, not long after Chhetri had got married, the then India and Bengaluru FC skipper posted a picture of the newlyweds along with his wife Sonam Bhattacharya and wrote: 'There are two captains in this picture. The other two play cricket and football for a living.' 'We would keep bumping into each other at events but didn't know each other well. Even then, his desire to win was so bad that it was attractive. Especially in Tests. India winning abroad was a function of a lot of things but Kohli's commitment and attitude sure contributed to that shift,' said Chhetri. 'Similar background, age and being from the same city helped us get to know each other,' said Chhetri, who will be 41 in August but had his best club season since 2017-18 this time with 14 goals and two assists for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League. 'But what really connects us is that we laugh at the same jokes, the same memes.' An obsessive approach to fitness, sharing workout videos and meals, is something they also bond over. 'It is good to share the same kind of vision and passion,' Kohli said in an Instagram conversation with Chhetri during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. 'When you see someone trying to push himself that much more, it automatically motivates you,' said Chhetri on Monday. 'The thing is: if either of us is not in a good space in his sport and reaches out to the other, he would be told, 'I get it.' Sometimes that means a lot,' said Chhetri.
