@Maddie, i was curious to know that if there any talented young players from karnataka in this team who can be NT material. For a longer support from the local people, apart from trophies, you will be needed to have local flavour in the team. In kbfc at present, fans are not happy with the influx of large number of north east players whom they had high expectations but didn't click. And by this, kbfc is neglecting talented youngsters from kerala who are better than them. Fans are even mocking kbfc and praising GKFC because of the team they had made with malayalee players. The fans who named the ex Shillong coach "thankappan" is the reason for so many north east players.
In sport, fans play a crucial role and football fan groups world over are celebrated for the vigour and colour they bring in. From River Plate's 'barra bravas', Liverpool's 'Kop End', Borussia Dortmund's 'Yellow Wall' to Bengaluru FC's 'West Block Blues'.
Sunil Chhetri walked up to the dais to receive his Hero of the League trophy. He was then called upon to speak a few words and the Bengaluru FC captain looked up at the stands. The presentation dais was set up facing the part of the Sri Kanteerava Stadium that is occupied by the ‘West Block Blues’ and Chhetri folded his hands before saying his thanks and apologising for not being able to lift the Indian Super League trophy in front of them. The fans reciprocated his gesture, not that they needed any reason to. Chennaiyin FC may have won the final but it was the names of Chhetri, Erik Paartalu and Udanta Singh among others that filled the halogen lit air of the Kanteerava.
In a country where football takes a back seat to cricket, it is a rarity to see fans of a club stay back for long after the final whistle of a match that their team lost. On Saturday night, the Bengaluru FC fans stayed and the West Block Blues belted one chant after another. “Hum honge kamyaab ek din,” they sang and followed it up with “Namma Ooru Bengaluru, who are we BFC.” They then chanted the names of players who have stood out for Bengaluru FC this season and in the previous ones and made sure the referees knew that they disagreed with their decisions in the most articulate manner one could imagine.
Indian football team of the season: The outrageously consistent Bengaluru FC
Bengaluru have won 18 games this domestic season, seven more than any other outfit have managed.
Bengaluru FC were once again the most dominant team in the Indian football community, as they fell short at the last hurdle of the Indian Super League but won the Super Cup to make it another season with a trophy.
The Super Cup win now makes it five trophies in five years for the JSW-owned club, a remarkable achievement considering the ever-changing dynamic of the Indian football scenario.
Even for a club used to winning trophies, their 2017-’18 season was an exceptional one, with Chennaiyin FC possibly the only one to get the better of the Bengaluru-based club, beating them twice, once in the league stage and in the ISL final.
Indian clubs by trophies in the last 5 seasons
Club
Title/Trophy wins
Runners-up
Bengaluru FC
I-League (2013-'14, 2015-'16), Federation Cup (2014-'15, 2016-'17), Super Cup (2017-'18)
I-League (2014-'15), Indian Super League (2017-'18)
Mohun Bagan
I-League (2014-'15), Federation Cup (2015-'16)
I-League (2015-'16, 2016-'17), Federation Cup (2016-'17)
Chennaiyin
Indian Super League (2015-'16, 2017-'18)
ATK
Indian Super League (2014-'15, 2016-'17)
Aizawl
I-League (2016-'17)
Federation Cup (2015-'16)
Minerva Punjab
I-League (2017-'18)
Churchill Brothers
Federation Cup (2013-'14)
East Bengal
I-League (2013-'14), Super Cup (2017-'18)
Kerala Blasters
Indian Super League (2014-'15, 2016-'17)
Neroca
I-League (2017-'18)
FC Goa
Indian Super League (2015-'16)
Sporting Goa
Federation Cup (2013-'14)
Dempo
Federation Cup (2014-'15)
Dominant for large parts
They finished fourth in the I-League in Albert Roca’s first season in charge. When they crossed the divide to the Indian Super League, a draft which re-distributed some of their players could not stop their momentum as they dominated (yes, dominated) the league stage of the Indian Super League.
They stormed their way to the top of the table, winning 13 of their 18 games, more victories than the last three teams, Delhi Dynamos, ATK and NorthEast United managed between themselves.
The gulf? The teams with the next-highest number of wins, Chennaiyin, Pune City and Goa, all had nine, which meant that Bengaluru had 44% more victories than their nearest rivals. They won the league stage by eight points, managing 40 points, an average of 2.2 points per game.
The previous highest any team had ever managed in the ISL league stages was 25 by Goa in the 16-game season of 2015-’16, an average of 1.56 points. Not only did Bengaluru set new benchmarks, they might have made it tough for themselves to try and break these in the future.
Clubs with highest domestic win pct. (%)
Club
Matches Played
Win percentage in %(doesn't include penalty shoot-outs)
Goals scored/game
Bengaluru
25
72
2.12
Minerva Punjab
19
57.9
1.26
Chennaiyin
22
50
1.5
East Bengal
22
50
1.68
Neroca
20
50
1.2
They managed to beat every team in the league stages at least once, doing the double over four of the nine teams. Their record of seven away victories out of nine is by some margin, the highest away win percentage in the history of the competition.
Not only did they display consistency, they also entertained while doing it, scoring 53 games in 25 across all domestic competitions. Only FC Goa, who scored 51 in 23 matches came close to matching BFC’s tally.
Player
Club
Goals
Sunil Chhetri
Bengaluru FC
20
Ferran Corominas
FC Goa
20
Miku
Bengaluru FC
20
Asier Dipanda Dicka
Mohun Bagan
17
Kalu Uche
Delhi Dynamos
14
Super Cup easily done
They may have lost the ISL final, but they made sure to end the season with the Super Cup trophy. The Cup victory was a special one, as they came from a goal down on three occasions to win the game.
Against Gokulam, Henry Kisseka’s strike was cancelled out as they won 2-1, but the Mohun Bagan win was the astounding one as the Blues were reduced to 10 men while being a goal down.
They came back to score not one, not two, not three, but four goals as Bagan found 10-man Bengaluru too hot to handle. In the final, despite another early goal from East Bengal’s Ansumanah Kromah, BFC struck back four times to win the first-ever Super Cup.
As with Ashley Westwood before him, Roca has assembled a close-knit, well-oiled outfit, one which looks capable of winning matches from the unlikeliest of positions. The loss in the ISL final would have stung, but Roca and BFC will now hope to go all the way in the AFC Cup before trying to right the wrongs of the ISL season.
Grand salute to Bengaluru FC from a die-hard East Bengal fan! We will not spare you an inch when we meet you on the football ground but outside it, we all love and admire you for your contribution to Indian football's resurgence in recent times.
Certainly the team to beat and relish to play against in Indian football, last time such a dominant team was there u should go back to dempo, Mahindra and JCT days.
The message for Albert Roca from the passionate West Block Blues was loud and clear during Bengaluru FC’s final home game of the season. “We want you to stay. Roca, we want you to stay,” the 1000-odd fans chanted during the club’s AFC Cup match against Aizawl FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Wednesday.
Despite the best efforts of the team management and the ardent support from the fans, it appears that the Bengaluru FC coach is unlikely to extend his contract which will expire on May 31. “He is set to leave,” informed sources told TOI.
Roca had walked in to loud cheers from the fans and the Spaniard even made an extra effort to acknowledge them as he waved back many times. Later, at the post-match press conference, he was asked about the fans’ request to stay with the club. He, however, refused to say anything about his future with Bengaluru.
According to sources, Roca is finding it difficult to stay away from his family for such long periods. “During the last two years, Roca would have gone home for hardly two months. Unlike the coaches in other Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, many of whom came for a brief spell, Roca had a much tougher assignment with the club also featuring in the AFC Cup competition that forced him to stay away from home for long periods,” they said.
“The club management would have given him the best offer that could have made him the highest-paid coach in the ISL but Roca’s mind, it seems, is more with his family than on his earnings in India. It is highly unlikely that Roca will stay as any new deal would have happened well in advance. With days running out, it is becoming more and more unlikely. A clearer picture would emerge on May 17, the club’s annual awards day,” they added.
A top Bengaluru official was recently in Spain and sources said he could be scouting for not just players but also for a coach who could replace Roca. “There will be lot of ISL clubs willing to offer him a job but it doesn’t look like Roca wants to work at any club in India other than with Bengaluru. If not Europe he could be looking at West Asian countries,” sources said.
Among the possible replacements for Roca could be former Bengaluru assistant coach Carles Cuadrat, who quit the club in December citing health concerns. Roca took over as head coach in July 2016 after the club parted ways with Englishman Ashley Westwood.
Under Roca’s guidance, Bengaluru became the first Indian club to enter the final of the AFC Cup in 2016. Though the Blues failed to win an I-league or the ISL with Roca at the helm, they won the Super Cup to keep their record of one trophy every season intact.
Nothing decided as yet: BFC Meanwhile, Mandar Tamhane, Chief Technical Officer, BFC said there is still of lot of time for the club to discuss the matter. “The contract (of Roca) ends on May 31 but he can even take a break and come back. We have not discussed about this as there are lot of possibilities. Nothing is decided as yet,” Tamhane said.
Pressure tactics for more Pay !!! Last 2 years were hectic for BFC, never ending AFC Cup campaign, I-league, ISL, Super Cup. Next season will be full of holidays actually for Roca. Only ISL and Super Cup-break in between for AFC Asian cup National Team commitments.
Comments
In kbfc at present, fans are not happy with the influx of large number of north east players whom they had high expectations but didn't click. And by this, kbfc is neglecting talented youngsters from kerala who are better than them.
Fans are even mocking kbfc and praising GKFC because of the team they had made with malayalee players.
The fans who named the ex Shillong coach "thankappan" is the reason for so many north east players.
With Bengaluru FC grow the West Block Blues
In sport, fans play a crucial role and football fan groups world over are celebrated for the vigour and colour they bring in. From River Plate's 'barra bravas', Liverpool's 'Kop End', Borussia Dortmund's 'Yellow Wall' to Bengaluru FC's 'West Block Blues'.
Sunil Chhetri walked up to the dais to receive his Hero of the League trophy. He was then called upon to speak a few words and the Bengaluru FC captain looked up at the stands. The presentation dais was set up facing the part of the Sri Kanteerava Stadium that is occupied by the ‘West Block Blues’ and Chhetri folded his hands before saying his thanks and apologising for not being able to lift the Indian Super League trophy in front of them. The fans reciprocated his gesture, not that they needed any reason to. Chennaiyin FC may have won the final but it was the names of Chhetri, Erik Paartalu and Udanta Singh among others that filled the halogen lit air of the Kanteerava.
In a country where football takes a back seat to cricket, it is a rarity to see fans of a club stay back for long after the final whistle of a match that their team lost. On Saturday night, the Bengaluru FC fans stayed and the West Block Blues belted one chant after another. “Hum honge kamyaab ek din,” they sang and followed it up with “Namma Ooru Bengaluru, who are we BFC.” They then chanted the names of players who have stood out for Bengaluru FC this season and in the previous ones and made sure the referees knew that they disagreed with their decisions in the most articulate manner one could imagine.
In search of playing the right way
2013-14 : I-League
2014-15 : Fed Cup
2015-16 : I-League
2016-17 : Fed Cup
2017-18 : Super Cup
Indian football team of the season: The outrageously consistent Bengaluru FC
Bengaluru have won 18 games this domestic season, seven more than any other outfit have managed.
Bengaluru FC were once again the most dominant team in the Indian football community, as they fell short at the last hurdle of the Indian Super League but won the Super Cup to make it another season with a trophy.
The Super Cup win now makes it five trophies in five years for the JSW-owned club, a remarkable achievement considering the ever-changing dynamic of the Indian football scenario.
Even for a club used to winning trophies, their 2017-’18 season was an exceptional one, with Chennaiyin FC possibly the only one to get the better of the Bengaluru-based club, beating them twice, once in the league stage and in the ISL final.
Indian clubs by trophies in the last 5 seasons
Dominant for large parts
They finished fourth in the I-League in Albert Roca’s first season in charge. When they crossed the divide to the Indian Super League, a draft which re-distributed some of their players could not stop their momentum as they dominated (yes, dominated) the league stage of the Indian Super League.
They stormed their way to the top of the table, winning 13 of their 18 games, more victories than the last three teams, Delhi Dynamos, ATK and NorthEast United managed between themselves.
The gulf? The teams with the next-highest number of wins, Chennaiyin, Pune City and Goa, all had nine, which meant that Bengaluru had 44% more victories than their nearest rivals. They won the league stage by eight points, managing 40 points, an average of 2.2 points per game.
The previous highest any team had ever managed in the ISL league stages was 25 by Goa in the 16-game season of 2015-’16, an average of 1.56 points. Not only did Bengaluru set new benchmarks, they might have made it tough for themselves to try and break these in the future.
Clubs with highest domestic win pct. (%)
They managed to beat every team in the league stages at least once, doing the double over four of the nine teams. Their record of seven away victories out of nine is by some margin, the highest away win percentage in the history of the competition.
Not only did they display consistency, they also entertained while doing it, scoring 53 games in 25 across all domestic competitions. Only FC Goa, who scored 51 in 23 matches came close to matching BFC’s tally.
Super Cup easily done
They may have lost the ISL final, but they made sure to end the season with the Super Cup trophy. The Cup victory was a special one, as they came from a goal down on three occasions to win the game.
Against Gokulam, Henry Kisseka’s strike was cancelled out as they won 2-1, but the Mohun Bagan win was the astounding one as the Blues were reduced to 10 men while being a goal down.
They came back to score not one, not two, not three, but four goals as Bagan found 10-man Bengaluru too hot to handle. In the final, despite another early goal from East Bengal’s Ansumanah Kromah, BFC struck back four times to win the first-ever Super Cup.
As with Ashley Westwood before him, Roca has assembled a close-knit, well-oiled outfit, one which looks capable of winning matches from the unlikeliest of positions. The loss in the ISL final would have stung, but Roca and BFC will now hope to go all the way in the AFC Cup before trying to right the wrongs of the ISL season.
Grand salute to Bengaluru FC from a die-hard East Bengal fan! We will not spare you an inch when we meet you on the football ground but outside it, we all love and admire you for your contribution to Indian football's resurgence in recent times.
Will Albert Roca extend Bengaluru FC contract?
The message for Albert Roca from the passionate West Block Blues was loud and clear during Bengaluru FC’s final home game of the season. “We want you to stay. Roca, we want you to stay,” the 1000-odd fans chanted during the club’s AFC Cup match against Aizawl FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Wednesday.Despite the best efforts of the team management and the ardent support from the fans, it appears that the Bengaluru FC coach is unlikely to extend his contract which will expire on May 31. “He is set to leave,” informed sources told TOI.
Roca had walked in to loud cheers from the fans and the Spaniard even made an extra effort to acknowledge them as he waved back many times. Later, at the post-match press conference, he was asked about the fans’ request to stay with the club. He, however, refused to say anything about his future with Bengaluru.
According to sources, Roca is finding it difficult to stay away from his family for such long periods. “During the last two years, Roca would have gone home for hardly two months. Unlike the coaches in other Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, many of whom came for a brief spell, Roca had a much tougher assignment with the club also featuring in the AFC Cup competition that forced him to stay away from home for long periods,” they said.
“The club management would have given him the best offer that could have made him the highest-paid coach in the ISL but Roca’s mind, it seems, is more with his family than on his earnings in India. It is highly unlikely that Roca will stay as any new deal would have happened well in advance. With days running out, it is becoming more and more unlikely. A clearer picture would emerge on May 17, the club’s annual awards day,” they added.
A top Bengaluru official was recently in Spain and sources said he could be scouting for not just players but also for a coach who could replace Roca. “There will be lot of ISL clubs willing to offer him a job but it doesn’t look like Roca wants to work at any club in India other than with Bengaluru. If not Europe he could be looking at West Asian countries,” sources said.
Among the possible replacements for Roca could be former Bengaluru assistant coach Carles Cuadrat, who quit the club in December citing health concerns. Roca took over as head coach in July 2016 after the club parted ways with Englishman Ashley Westwood.
Under Roca’s guidance, Bengaluru became the first Indian club to enter the final of the AFC Cup in 2016. Though the Blues failed to win an I-league or the ISL with Roca at the helm, they won the Super Cup to keep their record of one trophy every season intact.
Nothing decided as yet: BFC
Meanwhile, Mandar Tamhane, Chief Technical Officer, BFC said there is still of lot of time for the club to discuss the matter. “The contract (of Roca) ends on May 31 but he can even take a break and come back. We have not discussed about this as there are lot of possibilities. Nothing is decided as yet,” Tamhane said.