Bengaluru FC players saluting the crowd after their incredible victory (Image Courtesy: TOI)
#3 The well-organised defence
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John Johnson has been integral to Bengaluru FC’s success (Image Courtesy: cpdfootball)
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Bangalore might have the likes of Sunil Chettri, CK Vineeth, Eugenson Lyngdoh in their attack, but the team's defence have provided a firm and solid presence to build attacks on.
Bengaluru FC conceded 19 goals in the 2015 I-League season and 18 in I-League 2016 season, which is a very good defensive record in the league. The Blues have conceded 14 goals in their 11 games in the AFC Cup this season, however, the team's defence has been solid when required.
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The defending I-League champions managed to keep clean sheets in both legs of their quarter-finals against Tampines Rovers, and progressed to the semi-finals after scoring a single goal. Against Johor Darul Ta'zim, the back four was stable – albeit the defensive lapse in yesterday’s first goal – and only conceded one goal each in both legs.
John Johnson, Juan Antonio, Rino Anto, Keegan Pereira and Lalchhuan Mawia has been the key defenders at the back for Bangalore this season and also during their AFC Cup campaign, but the surprise inclusion has been 19-year-old Nishu Kumar at left-back, who has looked impressive.
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Last season, BFC had Curtis Osano, who had formed a solid partnership with Johnson.
The stable and solid defence has played a huge role in Bengaluru FC winning the I-League this season and also in the Blues having a successful run in the AFC Cup.
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About the author
Dakir Mohammed Thanveer
Dakir is a European and Indian football journalist at Sportskeeda with an overall experience of 10 years. Holding a Master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication, and currently pursuing Master’s in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University, he is a seasoned football journalist who has interviewed the likes of former Liverpool star John Arne Riise, covered the entire 2022-23 Indian Super League season of the Kerala Blasters, and has delivered a seminar at an international conference held by St. Albert's College, Ernakulam.
Thanks to his extensive academic background in journalism, Dakir understands the importance of accuracy and spends a significant amount of time researching the subject. In today’s data-driven world of football, where players are perceived as machines, he prides himself amplify the voices of the people that make football the beautiful game that it is.
He started following football in 2013, and more specifically, Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool, and admires Jurgen Klopp for his untouched charisma and unmatched legacy. A perpetual underdog supporter, he is a fan of under-fire Reds forward Darwin Nunez and can’t wait for him to show the world what he truly is. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s iconic “corner taken quickly” corner assist for Divock Origi in Liverpool’s 4-0 UCL semifinal win over Barcelona left a lasting impact on him.
When not writing, Dakir enjoys indulging in his guilty pleasure - watching mass commercial movies.
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