CARLES CUADRAT

Good evening, Bengaluru striker in Deshorn Brown who will be joining the team soon. The injury to Manu We’ve stepped into a brand new year and at has seen him miss seven games now and the outset I’d like to wish nothing but the we had to exercise the option to make our best, for whatever 2020 has in store for you. seventh foreign signing. Deshorn comes to For all of us associated with this football us in the middle of the season, but I am club, a trophy or two at the end of the confident he will get used to the conditions season is all that’s on our wish list! rather quickly, and help us during a very crucial period in the season. We didn’t end the year on the note that we would have liked to, going down narrowly to January is a packed with games for us, but ATK in a game of fine margins last week. the good news is that four of our five games But today presents us with a clean slate this month are at the Fortress. We’ve relied and an opportunity to pick all points. I’d like on the strength the stadium and all of you to welcome and his staff at provide us with, through all these seasons, FC to Bengaluru. There has rarely been to get through some tough times. And we a dull moment whenever the two sides have will be looking for that push once again. We played each other, and it’s little wonder will be counting on you to back us in big this fixture is watched keenly throughout numbers and a loud voice. You can trust us the country. to give everything we have, every single time we take the pitch. Goa are leading the points table and are on a good run of form that has seen them win Love, four games on the spin. We have our task Carles cut out for us, and will have to be clinical with our chances and mentally strong tonight. We are doing enough to create opportunities, now it’s just down to scoring goals. This is as simply as I can put it.

Speaking about goals, we’ve signed a new PREVIEW

MOMENTUM WITH THE VISITORS FC Goa have been on an impressive run of four consecutive wins that LAST has put them on top of the table, and Bengaluru will have to turn up MEETING with something special to halt the march of the Gaurs. Sergio Lobera’s men have been their free scoring selves and will be keen to further open a gap in the standings. Goa’s talismanic striker, Ferran GOA 1 Corominas 90+3’ (P) Corominas has scored seven goals so far this season and everything seems to be going right for the visitors. Bengaluru, however, has BFC 1 Udanta 62’ had a stranglehold on Goa when it comes to a head-to-head record, winning four games and drawing once across the six meetings 28 Oct, 2019 between the sides. ISL Group Stage

CONVERSION, THE MANTRA Bengaluru have been unusually shy in front of goal this season and while a lot of it has to do with the lack of a No.9 in the absence of an injured Manu Onwu, the truth is the Blues haven’t been putting away the numerous chances they have been creating. , Udanta Singh and will have to dig deeper and make all the chances count.

THE KEY LIES IN THE MIDDLE While most of the drama takes place on either of the pitch, it’s the battle in the midfield that will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the game. Bengaluru have relied on Erik Paartalu’s presence, Dimas Delgado’s experience and Raphael Augusto’s guile to get things going. Goa, meanwhile, have turned to , Lenny Rodrigues and to deliver the goods. Between the six of them, there’s enough talent, experience and grit to churn out an engaging 90 minutes. FOR THE PLANET

• Buy responsibly: By not buying products made from endangered animals or those that are tested on DON’T WILD animals, you can stop wildlife trafficking and poaching from being a profitable enterprise. THE WILDLIFE • Reduce, Reuse and Re-cycle: Trash is not just According To The International Union for Conservation of Nature, ugly, it’s harmful. Marine Out Of All Species Assessed, Over 27,000 Are At Risk Of Extinction life, in particular, is vastly affected by the plastic And Should Be Under Conservation. In The Future, They Could Be disposed into the sea. Do A Memory… your part by being responsible with your s of 2019, there are estimate of the tiger numbers show slow waste. 870 Protected Areas population in India placed improvement, the road in India. These the figure at 40,000. A little ahead is a long one. • Inform: If you see a wild include 104 National Parks, over 100 years later, an animal in distress, inform 551 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 88 Indian tiger census A recent study showed that the local wildlife authorities Conservation Reserves and conducted in 2008 revealed Karnataka, with its various and make sure that they are 127 Community Reserves. the existence of only 1,411 wildlife reserves and relocated and sent back into and resources for the In total, these cover a tigers within the country. A forests, is home to over 500 How you can help a safe habitat. preservation and protection While there is little that can geographical area of century of poaching and tigers. This accounts for of animals that are on the be done in the larger 1,65,088.57 square hunting saw 96.5% of all the 12.6% of all the tigers in brink of extinction. scheme of things, spreading kilometres; roughly 5.02% tigers disappear from the world. The State has five Tiger Reserves - Bandipur, awareness about the of the country. It still forests, and though recent A United Nations report Bhadra, Nagarahole, importance of wildlife and isn’t enough. assessing global Dandeli-Anshi and BRT their conservation can go a biodiversity estimated that India houses the largest Tiger Reserves. India’s tiger long way. Tonight's edition of 1 million species worldwide population of tigers in the population accounts for Blueprint features club could face extinction. • Volunteer: If you don’t world. Despite increasing captain Sunil Chhetri, more than all other have money to give, donate spreading the message of man-animal conflict, due to countries combined, which Yet, because resources are your time. Many wildlife conservation and paucity of land, the gives us the best possible limited, it is not possible to organizations and zoos have its importance to government’s efforts, chance to make sure these give all species that need the ecosystem. volunteer programs where declaring several dedicated animals are not wiped off conservation due you can help clean beaches, protected areas and the face of the earth. consideration. Deciding rescue wild animals or ensuring consistent which species to conserve is teach visitors about the increase in their areal Wildlife Conservation a function of how close to importance of coverage have proven to be The Government of India, extinction a species is, wildlife conservation. beneficial for animal over the last fifty years, has whether the species is conversation. This is true brought to the fore several crucial to the ecosystem it • Donate: When you visit especially in case of tigers bills and acts to protect the resides in and how much we your local zoo or reserve, which are protected in about wildlife in the country. The care about it. A massive part pay the recommended entry 50 tiger reserves. Tiger Act of 1972, Project of wildlife conservation is fee. If this is nominal, try Elephant of 1992, along with habitat conservation, the act to make a donation that The Tale Of The Tiger several others, have of protecting a habitat in will go a long way in helping To put it plainly, at the turn allocated several thousand order to protect the species maintain these of the 20th century, an square kilometres of land within it. conservation areas. FOR THE PLANET

• Buy responsibly: By not buying products made from endangered animals or those that are tested on animals, you can stop wildlife trafficking and poaching from being a profitable enterprise.

• Reduce, Reuse and Re-cycle: Trash is not just ugly, it’s harmful. Marine life, in particular, is vastly affected by the plastic disposed into the sea. Do your part by being responsible with your s of 2019, there are estimate of the tiger numbers show slow waste. 870 Protected Areas population in India placed improvement, the road in India. These the figure at 40,000. A little ahead is a long one. • Inform: If you see a wild include 104 National Parks, over 100 years later, an animal in distress, inform 551 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 88 Indian tiger census A recent study showed that the local wildlife authorities Conservation Reserves and conducted in 2008 revealed Karnataka, with its various and make sure that they are 127 Community Reserves. the existence of only 1,411 wildlife reserves and relocated and sent back into and resources for the In total, these cover a tigers within the country. A forests, is home to over 500 How you can help a safe habitat. preservation and protection While there is little that can geographical area of century of poaching and tigers. This accounts for of animals that are on the be done in the larger 1,65,088.57 square hunting saw 96.5% of all the 12.6% of all the tigers in brink of extinction. scheme of things, spreading “The first time I saw a kilometres; roughly 5.02% tigers disappear from the world. The State has five Tiger Reserves - Bandipur, awareness about the tiger was at Kabini with of the country. It still forests, and though recent A United Nations report my wife. That was one of Bhadra, Nagarahole, importance of wildlife and isn’t enough. assessing global the best moments of my Dandeli-Anshi and BRT their conservation can go a biodiversity estimated that life. The tiger is, for me, India houses the largest Tiger Reserves. India’s tiger long way. 1 million species worldwide the most beautiful, population of tigers in the population accounts for could face extinction. • Volunteer: If you don’t amazing and world. Despite increasing more than all other have money to give, donate mesmerising animal in man-animal conflict, due to countries combined, which Yet, because resources are your time. Many the world. It saddens me paucity of land, the gives us the best possible limited, it is not possible to organizations and zoos have to know that there are government’s efforts, chance to make sure these give all species that need volunteer programs where very few left with what we declaring several dedicated animals are not wiped off conservation due you can help clean beaches, have done as humans protected areas and the face of the earth. consideration. Deciding rescue wild animals or and the most important thing, right now, is the ensuring consistent which species to conserve is teach visitors about the awareness. People need increase in their areal Wildlife Conservation a function of how close to importance of to know how dire the coverage have proven to be The Government of India, extinction a species is, wildlife conservation. beneficial for animal over the last fifty years, has numbers are. They need whether the species is to know that tigers are conversation. This is true brought to the fore several crucial to the ecosystem it • Donate: When you visit especially in case of tigers bills and acts to protect the facing extinction. How resides in and how much we your local zoo or reserve, could we possibly explain which are protected in about wildlife in the country. The care about it. A massive part pay the recommended entry to our children that we 50 tiger reserves. Tiger Act of 1972, Project of wildlife conservation is fee. If this is nominal, try couldn’t save them? Let’s Elephant of 1992, along with habitat conservation, the act to make a donation that please be mindful.” The Tale Of The Tiger several others, have of protecting a habitat in will go a long way in helping allocated several thousand To put it plainly, at the turn order to protect the species maintain these Sunil Chhetri of the 20th century, an square kilometres of land within it. conservation areas. BENGALURU FC SQUAD

GURPREET SINGH PRABHSUKHAN ADITYA SANDHU SINGH GILL PATRA Position Goalkeeper Position Goalkeeper Position Goalkeeper Date of birth 3 Feb 1992 Date of birth 2 Jan 2001 Date of birth 26 Apr 2000 Nationality Indian Nationality Indian Nationality Indian Joined on Aug 2017 Joined on May 2019 Joined on June 2017

RAHUL ALBERT SAIRUAT BHEKE SERRAN KIMA Position Defender Position Defender Position Defender Date of birth 6 Dec 1990 Date of birth 17 Jul 1984 Date of birth 7 Nov 1997 Nationality Indian Nationality Spanish Nationality Indian Joined on July 2017 Joined on Aug 2018 Joined on June 2018

JUAN HARMANJOT RINO ANTO GONZALEZ KHABRA Position Defender Position Defender Position Defender Date of birth 3 Jan 1988 Date of birth 27 Apr 1987 Date of birth 18 Dec 1988 Nationality Indian Nationality Spanish Nationality Indian Joined on July 2013 Joined on Aug 2016 Joined on Jan 2017 August 2018 BENGALURU FC SQUAD

NISHU GURSIMRAT SINGH GILL ERIK KUMAR Position Defender PAARTALU Position Defender Date of birth 2 Nov 1997 Position Midfielder Date of birth 5 Nov 1997 Nationality Indian Date of birth 3 May 1986 Nationality Indian Joined on Aug 2016, Nationality Australian Joined on Nov 2015 June 2018 Joined on July 2017

EUGENESON LYNGDOH KEAN RAPHAEL Position Midfielder LEWIS AUGUSTO Date of birth 10 Sep 1986 Position Midfielder Position Midfielder Nationality Indian Date of birth 19 Sep 1992 Date of birth 6 Mar 1991 Joined on June 2014, Nationality Indian Nationality Brazilian June 2019 Joined on June 2018 Joined on Aug 2019

DIMAS AJAY SURESH SINGH DELGADO CHHETRI WANGJAM Position Midfielder Position Midfielder Position Midfielder Date of birth 6 Feb 1983 Date of birth 7 Jun 1999 Date of birth 7 Aug 2000 Nationality Spanish Nationality Indian Nationality Indian Joined on July 2017 Joined on July 2016 Joined on May 2019 BENGALURU FC SQUAD

LEON MANUEL SUNIL AUGUSTINE ONWU CHHETRI Position Midfielder Position Forward Position Forward Date of birth 2 Oct 1998 Date of birth 11 Jan 1988 Date of birth 3 Aug 1984 Nationality Indian Nationality Spanish Nationality Indian Joined on August 2016 Joined on July 2019 Joined on July 2013

THONGKHOSIEM ASHIQUE HAOKIP KURUNIYAN Position Forward Position Midfielder Date of birth 13 Mar 1993 Date of birth 14 Jun 1997 Nationality Indian Nationality Indian Joined on July 2017 Joined on Aug 2019

UDANTA teenager in 2014, Udanta SINGH is a product of the TFA Position Forward Academy and helped his Date of birth 14 Jun 1996 side win the U19 Nationality Indian I-League before making Joined on Jul 2014 the switch to Bengaluru. Among the most Arguably the fastest improved players in the player in the country, last EDMUND when Udanta Singh gets season, Udanta claimed LALRINDIKA on his bike there’s really the award for the highest Position Forward no catching him. Having number of assists in the Date of birth 24 Apr 1999 joined the club as a 2017-18 campaign. Nationality Indian Joined on June 2018 FC GOA SQUAD

4 HUGO BOUMOUS 25

5 AHMED JAHOUH

6 CHINGLENSANA SINGH

MOURTADA FALL 7 SEIMINLEN DOUNGEL POSITION DEFENDER

8 FERRAN COROMINAS 19 KINGSLEE FERNANDES

9 MANVIR SINGH 20 SERITON FERNANDES

10 21 SAVIOUR GAMA

11 PRINCETON REBELLO 23

12 24 LENNY RODRIGUES

13 MOHAMMAD NAWAZ 26

16 LALAWMPUIA 27 AIBAN DOHLING

17 CARLOS PENA 31 SHUBHAM DHAS

Nickname The Gaurs 32 NAVEEN KUMAR Founded 26 August, 2014 Ground Fatorda Stadium, Goa Manager Sergio Lobera 37 Crest The FC Goa crest is a combination of Goa's state animal Gaur, that stands AMEY RANAWADE out fiercely to protect its turf and a 44 shield, which symbolizes strength, attack and defence. 71 MANDAR RAO DESSAI

PRINCIPAL PARTNERS

JERSEY PARTNERS

OFFICIAL PARTNERS “All of a sudden, I was told that I had to wake up early and train with professional players. Absolutely no problem. I was told I’d have to be away from my family at 17. I told myself I could do that. I was going to play ou could almost get a camps or that your father is for Mohun Bagan, where headache counting the Head Coach, until you they are ruthless when the number of have actually worn the you’re not doing well. No accolades Sunil Chhetri has jersey and played for the problem again. None of on his mantelpiece. Some country, you will not realise those seemed like sacrifices were handed to him for how beautiful it is.” then, and they don’t seem simply scoring goals, while like sacrifices now. The real some others were awarded After eighteen years as a sacrifices were made by my for scoring the best goals. professional, Chhetri’s family. Because I never Six of them are for longevity is matched by very stopped and asked them if outscoring every other few. But asked to choose they were okay with it. teammate at Bengaluru FC between his success and People who are reading this for six seasons on the trot. the many years as a will think ‘What does the Perched between two others footballer, the skipper’s family want? What does his is the Padma Shri medal, answer is curt. “Between wife want? He is Sunil the fourth highest civilian making it as a footballer Chhetri.’ But, think about it, award in the country. Shiny and being a footballer for when your 17-year-old son and contoured in one corner, such a long time, I have to leaves the city, and he’s not sits a trophy that denotes a choose the former; that I’ve going to be home for Diwali century of games that the made it as a footballer. For or Christmas or Holi. That’s striker has played for his me, that is huge! Nobody a sacrifice. He’s going to be National Team. He also has can ever take that away in training when someone is a cabinet twice the size, from me - no matter what born and he’s going to be in laden with more trophies at happens. I’ve been around another country when his Delhi home. for 18 years, I might end up someone else is buried. You playing 25 years or only 20 can only imagine how tough “It’s surreal sometimes, or 21, but nobody can take it is on the family.They do when I think about it; that away the fact that I played get used to it, eventually, I’ve played 100 games for professional football. There but it never stops being my country. When I was have been far too many hard. It’s the same for growing up, if somebody sacrifices along the way, but any footballer.” came and told me that I it has been beautiful.” would play for my country With over 200 goals for club just once, I would have been The word ‘sacrifice’ pulls and country, you would think a very happy child. Until you the pages back yet again, as Chhetri was always the pick play for the country, you will Chhetri takes us to when he of the lot and at the top of not quite understand the took the train to Kolkata at the pecking order. But it privilege, the honour and all of 17 years of age. A stint never was all sunshine and the satisfaction that it gives with Mohun Bagan would rainbows for the man, who you. Even if I tell you that follow, and in his own was once not even you are going to be in the admission, it was the one considered a striker. The next ten National Team that hardened him the most. year was 2002. THE BIG STORY

Five Months Shy Of His Twentieth Birthday, “All of a sudden, I was told that I had to wake up early Sunil Chhetri Played His First Ever Game In and train with professional The Colours Of The National Team. A Little players. Absolutely no Over Sixteen Years Later, He Sat Down To Tell problem. I was told I’d have to be away from my family Us How That Moment Changed Everything… at 17. I told myself I could do that. I was going to play ou could almost get a camps or that your father is for Mohun Bagan, where headache counting the Head Coach, until you they are ruthless when the number of have actually worn the you’re not doing well. No accolades Sunil Chhetri has jersey and played for the problem again. None of on his mantelpiece. Some country, you will not realise those seemed like sacrifices were handed to him for how beautiful it is.” then, and they don’t seem simply scoring goals, while like sacrifices now. The real some others were awarded After eighteen years as a sacrifices were made by my for scoring the best goals. professional, Chhetri’s family. Because I never Six of them are for longevity is matched by very stopped and asked them if outscoring every other few. But asked to choose they were okay with it. teammate at Bengaluru FC between his success and People who are reading this for six seasons on the trot. the many years as a will think ‘What does the Perched between two others footballer, the skipper’s family want? What does his is the Padma Shri medal, answer is curt. “Between wife want? He is Sunil the fourth highest civilian making it as a footballer Chhetri.’ But, think about it, award in the country. Shiny and being a footballer for when your 17-year-old son and contoured in one corner, such a long time, I have to leaves the city, and he’s not sits a trophy that denotes a choose the former; that I’ve going to be home for Diwali century of games that the made it as a footballer. For or Christmas or Holi. That’s striker has played for his me, that is huge! Nobody a sacrifice. He’s going to be National Team. He also has can ever take that away in training when someone is a cabinet twice the size, from me - no matter what born and he’s going to be in laden with more trophies at happens. I’ve been around another country when his Delhi home. for 18 years, I might end up someone else is buried. You playing 25 years or only 20 can only imagine how tough “It’s surreal sometimes, or 21, but nobody can take it is on the family.They do when I think about it; that away the fact that I played get used to it, eventually, I’ve played 100 games for professional football. There but it never stops being my country. When I was have been far too many hard. It’s the same for growing up, if somebody sacrifices along the way, but any footballer.” came and told me that I it has been beautiful.” would play for my country With over 200 goals for club just once, I would have been The word ‘sacrifice’ pulls and country, you would think a very happy child. Until you the pages back yet again, as Chhetri was always the pick play for the country, you will Chhetri takes us to when he of the lot and at the top of not quite understand the took the train to Kolkata at the pecking order. But it privilege, the honour and all of 17 years of age. A stint never was all sunshine and the satisfaction that it gives with Mohun Bagan would rainbows for the man, who you. Even if I tell you that follow, and in his own was once not even you are going to be in the admission, it was the one considered a striker. The next ten National Team that hardened him the most. year was 2002. “All of a sudden, I was told that I had to wake up early and train with professional players. Absolutely no problem. I was told I’d have to be away from my family at 17. I told myself I could do that. I was going to play ou could almost get a camps or that your father is for Mohun Bagan, where headache counting the Head Coach, until you they are ruthless when the number of have actually worn the you’re not doing well. No accolades Sunil Chhetri has jersey and played for the problem again. None of on his mantelpiece. Some country, you will not realise those seemed like sacrifices were handed to him for how beautiful it is.” then, and they don’t seem simply scoring goals, while like sacrifices now. The real some others were awarded After eighteen years as a sacrifices were made by my for scoring the best goals. professional, Chhetri’s family. Because I never Six of them are for longevity is matched by very stopped and asked them if outscoring every other few. But asked to choose they were okay with it. teammate at Bengaluru FC between his success and People who are reading this for six seasons on the trot. the many years as a will think ‘What does the Perched between two others footballer, the skipper’s family want? What does his is the Padma Shri medal, answer is curt. “Between wife want? He is Sunil the fourth highest civilian making it as a footballer Chhetri.’ But, think about it, award in the country. Shiny and being a footballer for when your 17-year-old son and contoured in one corner, such a long time, I have to leaves the city, and he’s not sits a trophy that denotes a choose the former; that I’ve going to be home for Diwali century of games that the made it as a footballer. For or Christmas or Holi. That’s striker has played for his me, that is huge! Nobody a sacrifice. He’s going to be National Team. He also has can ever take that away in training when someone is a cabinet twice the size, from me - no matter what born and he’s going to be in laden with more trophies at happens. I’ve been around another country when his Delhi home. for 18 years, I might end up someone else is buried. You playing 25 years or only 20 can only imagine how tough “It’s surreal sometimes, or 21, but nobody can take it is on the family.They do when I think about it; that away the fact that I played get used to it, eventually, I’ve played 100 games for professional football. There but it never stops being my country. When I was have been far too many hard. It’s the same for growing up, if somebody sacrifices along the way, but any footballer.” came and told me that I it has been beautiful.” would play for my country With over 200 goals for club just once, I would have been The word ‘sacrifice’ pulls and country, you would think a very happy child. Until you the pages back yet again, as Chhetri was always the pick play for the country, you will Chhetri takes us to when he of the lot and at the top of not quite understand the took the train to Kolkata at the pecking order. But it privilege, the honour and all of 17 years of age. A stint never was all sunshine and the satisfaction that it gives with Mohun Bagan would rainbows for the man, who you. Even if I tell you that follow, and in his own was once not even you are going to be in the admission, it was the one considered a striker. The next ten National Team that hardened him the most. year was 2002.

“In my second year at always teach him more. do these things to continue Mohun Bagan, I was still “There is a switch that is to play football at the coming off the bench and turned on after a loss, and highest level. I’ve changed trying to get some minutes. that doesn’t happen when my diet completely to aid my I can’t remember who we you win. It isn’t how it recovery, I’ve changed my were playing or where this should be, but trust me sleeping habits to make happened, but Ashim when I say that a defeat sure I am well rested and Biswas was our striker and teaches you, inspires you, I’ve changed pretty much he had pulled a hamstring. pushes you and disturbs you everything I can, only so that He couldn’t even walk when far more than a win ever things can remain the he came to the sidelines and will. When I look back, I same. I still get off the pitch said he needs to be thank God that all those every day knowing I want to replaced. The coach turned things happened when I was be better and that I want to the dugout and said, in growing up. It happens even to improve.” Bangla, ‘Ki korbo? Striker today but it’s different now. nahi’, (‘What do I do? I don’t I’m used to people telling Before he puts a stop to an have a striker’) and I was me how old I am. It doesn’t interview that took us sitting right there. He then bother me.” through the smallest pinch took Ashim off and replaced of his career, Chhetri traces him with a midfielder. If you At 35, most players would back to 2004, and he tells us ask him, he might say that I agree that their best years that one thing never wasn’t good enough or I are behind them. But, not changed since that hot day wasn’t training hard, and Sunil Chhetri. With five in Balochistan. maybe he was right. But goals to his name this that felt really bad. I took it season, Chhetri leads “When I first wore the India in my stride and of course I Bengaluru’s goal scoring jersey and took on Pakistan, was a little bit upset about charts yet again. And behind all those years ago, I did not it, maybe even angry, but I his goals and the know how many more wasn’t too negative. I never celebrations (or games I was going to end up doubted myself, and I non-celebrations), there is a playing. I would never say trained harder because of it. man who still, that I wanted just one more I have to thank the coach extraordinarily, considers game. And I definitely for that.” himself a work in progress. wouldn’t dare say I thought I would play a hundred more. An uncompromising Chhetri “I just want to keep playing But I knew I wanted more. I would then learn that it was as long as I can. I would definitely wanted more and I the problems, the setbacks never call the things I do still do. A part of me says I and the defeats that would ‘sacrifices’ becauseI have to always will.” “All of a sudden, I was told that I had to wake up early and train with professional players. Absolutely no problem. I was told I’d have to be away from my family at 17. I told myself I could do that. I was going to play ou could almost get a camps or that your father is for Mohun Bagan, where headache counting the Head Coach, until you they are ruthless when the number of have actually worn the you’re not doing well. No accolades Sunil Chhetri has jersey and played for the problem again. None of on his mantelpiece. Some country, you will not realise those seemed like sacrifices were handed to him for how beautiful it is.” then, and they don’t seem simply scoring goals, while like sacrifices now. The real some others were awarded After eighteen years as a sacrifices were made by my for scoring the best goals. professional, Chhetri’s family. Because I never Six of them are for longevity is matched by very stopped and asked them if outscoring every other few. But asked to choose they were okay with it. teammate at Bengaluru FC between his success and People who are reading this for six seasons on the trot. the many years as a will think ‘What does the Perched between two others footballer, the skipper’s family want? What does his is the Padma Shri medal, answer is curt. “Between wife want? He is Sunil the fourth highest civilian making it as a footballer Chhetri.’ But, think about it, award in the country. Shiny and being a footballer for when your 17-year-old son and contoured in one corner, such a long time, I have to leaves the city, and he’s not sits a trophy that denotes a choose the former; that I’ve going to be home for Diwali century of games that the made it as a footballer. For or Christmas or Holi. That’s striker has played for his me, that is huge! Nobody a sacrifice. He’s going to be National Team. He also has can ever take that away in training when someone is a cabinet twice the size, from me - no matter what born and he’s going to be in laden with more trophies at happens. I’ve been around another country when his Delhi home. for 18 years, I might end up someone else is buried. You playing 25 years or only 20 can only imagine how tough “It’s surreal sometimes, or 21, but nobody can take it is on the family.They do when I think about it; that away the fact that I played get used to it, eventually, I’ve played 100 games for professional football. There but it never stops being my country. When I was have been far too many hard. It’s the same for growing up, if somebody sacrifices along the way, but any footballer.” came and told me that I it has been beautiful.” would play for my country With over 200 goals for club just once, I would have been The word ‘sacrifice’ pulls and country, you would think a very happy child. Until you the pages back yet again, as Chhetri was always the pick play for the country, you will Chhetri takes us to when he of the lot and at the top of not quite understand the took the train to Kolkata at the pecking order. But it privilege, the honour and all of 17 years of age. A stint never was all sunshine and the satisfaction that it gives with Mohun Bagan would rainbows for the man, who you. Even if I tell you that follow, and in his own was once not even you are going to be in the admission, it was the one considered a striker. The next ten National Team that hardened him the most. year was 2002. KEY MEN BENGALURU

Dimas Delgado I 14 Midfielder

The Spaniard has completed the most passes in the League this season, and he will be keen to make a few that end up with his strikers putting the ball at the back of the net. For two seasons, the experienced hand has been the orchestrator of Bengaluru’s play, pulling all the strings whilst sitting deep in the midfield. He will rely on his ability to switch play, and pick a perfect pass as Bengaluru look to make up on lost ground on the League leaders. More importantly, Dimas will be playing the role of a leader without an armband as Bengaluru look to react to their loss on Christmas Day to ATK.

Juanan Gonzalez I 5 Defender

He’s led the Bengaluru backline ever so consistently and Juanan Gonzalez will need to rally his troops again as they come up against an attack that is on song. The Blues’ defence has done remarkably well to keep Ferran Corominas quiet most times the sides have met, and Juanan will have to spearhead an encore. The defender even has the penchant of turning up with vital goals in winning causes and this could be one of those games where he will be needed at the other end of the pitch too. KEY MEN GOA

Brandon Fernandes I 10 Midfielder

Having consistently improved over the past seasons under Sergio Lobera, Brandon has become a vital cog in the Gaurs’ attack. He’s already claimed an ISL-best five assists this season after ten rounds. The India-international who plays mostly on the left flank in a 4-2-3-1 formation has been lethal in the final third in a team that likes to keep the ball. In fact, Brandon, who has a little over 66% passing accuracy, even netted his side’s second goal in the thrilling win over Chennaiyin in the last round and will be one of their key men tonight.

Hugo Boumous I 4 Midfielder

In a team full of attack-minded players, Hugo Boumous brings in his unique skill set to add a different dimension to the Gaurs’ frontline. The Frenchman, who is quite comfortable on the ball, has only played six games this season but has netted three times and provided four assists. While he mostly operates behind Coro as a playmaker, Boumous likes making runs down the flanks as well and that’s where he manages to open up rival defences. It is widely known that Coro will be their main striker tonight, but taking an eye off Boumous will be a mistake and the Blues will be do well to be wary of that fact when battle commences tonight.

NUMBER CRUNCHING

PLAYERS SWAPPING SHIRTS

Semboi Lenny BFC GOA

Len Mandar GOA GOA 12 6 TOP MARKSMEN GAMES The Blues have never lost a game 7 GOALS against FC Goa at home, having 6 won both their games against 5 GOALS 4W BFC 1D 1W GOA the visitors.

PLAYERS FROM SEVEN DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES ACROSS BOTH TEAMS WILL BE ON THE PITCH TONIGHT CAN I HELP YOU?

5 ASSISTS

3 ASSISTS

FORM GUIDE GOALS CONCEDED THIS SEASON

6 GOALS

12 GOALS ODI BEN NEU ATK HYD GOA GOA CHE BEN MUM BEN BEN GOA ATK ODI GOA LEAGUE TABLE

FORM P W D L GD PTS

1 10 6 3 1 10 21

2 10 5 3 2 10 18

3 10 4 4 2 5 16

4 10 4 4 2 0 16

5 10 3 4 3 0 13

6 10 3 3 4 -2 12

7 9 2 5 2 -3 11

8 9 2 3 4 -5 9

9 10 1 5 4 -4 8

10 10 1 2 7 -11 5

WON DRAWN LOST At the end of Gameweek 10

BLUE BULLETIN

Elite League: Young Blues off to flying start Bengaluru FC kicked off their zonal phase campaign of the Hero in style with three successive wins over Stadium FC, Boca Juniors Football Schools, and Ozone FC. Coached by Naushad Moosa, the Young Blues (9 pts, GD +8) have set the pace at the top of the Chennai-Bengaluru Group and lead the standings after three rounds. Striker Akashdeep Singh (4 goals) and right-back Jagdeep Singh (2 goals) lead the scoring charts for the Young Blues, with the former being in fine form netting in all three games so far. Jagdeep Singh has bagged two goals while Anish Mazumder, Sridarth Nongmeikapam and Ngangom Gunendro have also scored one each. Bengaluru FC will face Raman Vijayan Soccer Schools in their first home game of the campaign on January 6th. Blue Colts face Ozone FC with eye on the title Bengaluru FC are one game away from sealing a successive BDFA Super Division League triumph after a 1-0 win over ADE in their penultimate clash. A Biswa Darjee strike settled the game in favour of the Blue Colts who registered their tenth win of the campaign moving to 31 points in the standings and maintaining their top spot. Meanwhile, Kickstart FC who are second on the standings, closed the gap at the top to just one point after a dominantwin over Students Union FC on Wednesday to keep their hopes of the title alive. With both sides in the fray for the title, the final round of fixtures will decide the winner of the prestigious George Hoover Trophy, On Saturday, the Blue Colts will play Ozone FC at 1.30 pm at the BFS, while Kickstart FC play MEG & Centre FC at 3.30 pm. Bengaluru need to win to clinch the title, while Kickstart need the Blue Colts to drop points while needing to beat MEG for their maiden title.