Bengaluru Football Club announced a 28-member squad for their 2023 Durand Cup title defence, scheduled to begin with a clash against Indian Air Force FT, on August 14th. The squad, to be led by Reserves Head Coach Bibiano Fernandes, comprises several youngsters from the Bengaluru FC B team and as many as nine new signings.
“The Durand Cup is a prestigious tournament, and that we are the defending champions gives these players the impetus to go out there and do their best. We’ve had a few weeks of training in Bellary and Bengaluru, and I have seen a certain amount of progress in my time here so far. There are some really talented players in this group, and the motivation is to use this opportunity to knock on the doors of the senior team,” said Bengaluru FC B Head Coach, Bibiano Fernandes.
Bengaluru, who ran out Durand Cup champions in their previous campaign with a 2-1 win over Mumbai City FC in the final, have been named alongside Indian Air Force FT, Kerala Blasters FC and Gokulam Kerala FC in Group C of this edition.
“We’ve got a very good bunch of young players coming through the ranks, and the Durand Cup is a great platform for them to test themselves against some of the best teams in the country. We strongly believe that many of these boys can push for a place in the first team this season, and our staff and management will be keeping a keen eye on their performances in the Durand Cup,” said Blues’ Director of Football, Darren Caldeira.
The Blues, who are in Group C, will take on Kerala Blasters FC on 18th August, and Gokulam Kerala FC on August 22nd. As many as 19 Indian clubs and five Services teams from India, Nepal and Bangladesh are set to take part in this edition of the competition, the second since being supported by the Asian Football Confederation.
Kick-off between Indian Air Force FT and Bengaluru FC will be at 6 pm IST at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan, in Santoshpur.
Bengaluru FC squad:
Goalkeepers: Amrit Gope, Vikram Singh, Sahil Poonia
Defenders: Haobam Ricky Meetei, Clarence Savio Fernandes, Surajkumar Singh Ngangbam, Thokchom Malemngamba Singh, Robin Yadav, Parag Shrivas, Felixson Conny Fernandes, Shankar Sampingiraj, Chingambam Shivaldo Singh
Midfielders: Lalremtluanga Fanai, Shreyas Ketkar, Bekey Oram, Amay Morajkar, Vinith Venkatesh, Harsh Patre, F. Lalhmingchhuanga, Rashid CK
Strikers: Edmund Lalrindika, Monirul Molla, Ashish Jha, Ankith Padmanabhan, Satendra Singh, Lalpekhlua, Salam Johnson Singh, Shashwat Panwar
Bengaluru FC Media Release