Sachin Badadhe Takes Charge Of Junior Blues, Who Face Raman Sports Academy In Opener

Bengaluru: Bengaluru FC will look to do one better than their runners-up finish last season, as they begin their 2019-20 Hero Junior League campaign with a clash against Raman Sports Academy at the Centre for Sports Excellence in Yelahanka, on Thursday.

Placed in Group B of the Karnataka Zone where games will be played in a round-robin format, the youngsters will be up against Jain Academy for Sports Excellence and Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools as well, apart from Raman Sports Academy.

Having narrowly fallen short in the final in 2018-19, the Blues will be motivated when they take the field this time around under U15 Head Coach Sachin Badadhe for the first time. “We’ve formed a new-look side this season after conducting trials all over the country.  Initially it was all about getting the players comfortable in Bellary.  Since our pre-season started in July, we’ve put the players through different drills and sessions, both technical and tactical. We’ve managed to enhance the decision making of these players and worked on their fitness levels as well,” said Badadhe on the eve of the opener.

With teams getting stronger with every passing season, Badadhe expects the Zonal Phase to test his players’ level thoroughly. “The players are very excited as this is the platform where they want to perform and test themselves. Football is now developing all over India, and even the quality of teams in the Youth Leagues in going up. These games are not going to be easy because different academies play in different styles. For us, it’s about how we have prepared our players for the games. Winning and losing is a part of the sport, but at this stage, the attitude, desire and the hard-working mentality is what we want to see from the boys,” added Badadhe.

In the zonal phase of their competition, Bengaluru FC will play the home games at their residential academy set up in Bellary, while the away games will be played at various venues in Bengaluru.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Raj Biswas, C P Fadil Ahammed, Athul Raj

Defenders: Sarath Rajkumar, Ayush Goel, Sahrudai Vaddi, Joshua Wilson, Macarton Louis Nickson, Rajanbir Singh, Lalpekhlua, Mohammad Jayet, Freddy Lalruatkima, Oinam Ronex Meitei, Tomthinganba Sanjenbam, Lucky Shetke, Lalrinpuia H

Midfielders: Gautam Rajesh, Vinith Venkatesh, Aryaman Biju, F Lalhmingchhuanga, Gogocha Chungkha, Ashik Adhikari, Basudev CM, Ishaan Raghunanda, Soraisam Monison Singh, Rituraj Mohan, Rajat R, Abu Swalih P

Forwards: Monirul Molla, Yaiphathoi Magsatabam

Fixtures

2nd January 2020 – Raman Sports Academy vs Bengaluru FC – CSE, Yelahanka – 8.30 PM

6th January 2020 – Bengaluru FC vs Jain Academy SE – JSW Ground, Bellary – 3.00 PM

14th January 2020 – Bengaluru FC vs Bhaichung Bhutia FS – JSW Ground, Bellary – 3.00 PM

20th January 2020 – Jain Academy SE vs Bengaluru FC – Jain Global Campus – 3.00 PM

25th January 2020 – Bengaluru FC vs Raman Sports Academy – JSW Ground, Bellary – 3.00 PM

30th January 2020 – Bhaichung Bhutia FS vs Bengaluru FC – HAL Ground – 3.00 PM