Bengaluru FC beat Tampines Rovers 1-o in the AFC Cup
The first leg of the AFC Cup quarter-final match between Bengaluru FC and Tampines Rovers was played behind closed doors due to the local issues in the state of Karnataka. The game was also rescheduled and there was also no media presence.
However, the external issues did not bother Bengaluru’s rhythm as they managed to draw first blood in the two-legged affair. In the seventh minute of the game, the hosts opened the scoring through C.K. Vineeth’s incisive effort from close range.
Despite winning the game, the Bengaluru strikers looked a tad rusty in the final third and failed to add to their lead. Indian captain Sunil Chhetri played in-behind Vineeth, but posed very little threat to the Rovers goalkeeper.
.@ckvineeth celebrates after giving us a first half lead against @MightyStags at the Fortress. #BFCvTRFC pic.twitter.com/DvKSJNOUTo
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) September 14, 2016
New manager Albert Roca has done a phenomenal job in replacing Ashley Westwood at the helm. He’s started to guide the defending I-League champions to new heights and will now be eyeing continental glory.
New signings Cameron Watson, Alvaro Rubio and Juan Gonzalez were thrown into the squad by Roca and the trio seemed to enjoy their time on the field and had impressive debuts. They may even find themselves as regulars in the I-League 2017.
Lalchhuanmawai Fanai and Udanta Singh join Mumbai City FC
Indian Super League side Mumbai City FC announced the signings of Lalchhuanmawai Fanai and Udanta Singh. The Indian duo have recently impressed in the I-League and will bolster the Mumbai side.
Fanai was a mainstay in Ashley Westwood’s Bengaluru FC side for the 2016 I-League campaign and also represented Mumbai City FC for the second edition of the the ISL. He won the Federation Cup in 2015 and was instrumental in his side’s league triumph.
He is a left-back by trade but can also operate in a central defensive position. The versatile defender began his career at Shillong Lajong after which he moved to Bengaluru.
.@UdantaK & @Chhuantea_Fanai will be joining #MumbaiCityFC for the upcoming #HeroISL season. Welcome to the family! pic.twitter.com/v59Ozd46P6
— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) September 13, 2016
Udanta Singh, 20, is the younger of the two signings and is an out-and-out striker. It all began for him six years back at the TATA Academy where he came up the ranks to represent them in numerous local cups.
In fact, Singh has already written history as he is the youngest Bengaluru FC player to score a professional goal. He has also undergone a trial at Oxford United and will be a key addition to Mumbai’s ISL team.
