Bengaluru FC Reserves and Academy, also known as Bengaluru FC B, is Bengaluru FC's most senior youth team, and also acting as a reserve team. It participates in BDFA Super Division and Reliance Foundation Development League. Bengaluru FC Academy is the youth setup of Bengaluru FC. Its teams participate in Youth League, Junior League and Sub Junior League tournaments.
In July 2020, Asian Football Confederation conferred two-star Academy status to Bengaluru FC Academy, one of only two academies in India.
Reserves In October 2017, Bengaluru FC announced 28-member squad, which would act as a reserve side called Bengaluru FC 'B', led by Naushad Moosa and would compete in I-League 2nd Division for 2017–18 season. Reserve team would also act as a bridge between the BFC Academy and the first team. Reserves team made their first appearance in the annual G.V. Raja football tournament in Thiruvananthapuram.
The reserves team participated in 2017–18 BDFA Super Division and were placed fourth in the league, following the conclusion of the tournament, the team also participated in 2017–18 I-League 2nd Division and finished second in the group stage. Bengaluru FC 'B' won their first trophy under Naushad Moosa when they won 2018 Puttaiah Memorial Cup. The same season reserves team also won 2018–19 BDFA Super Division for the first time, and remained undefeated with 7 wins and 1 draw in 2018–19 I-League 2nd Division. In 2023–24 season of BDFA Super Division League, they emerged as unbeaten champion.
Squad
Results SeasonTournamentZoneFinal result 2017–18 BDFA Super Division—4th2nd DivisionGroup CGroup stage – 2nd 2018–19Puttaiah Memorial Cup—WinnersBDFA Super Division—Winners2nd DivisionGroup AGroup stage – 1st 2019–20BDFA Super Division—Winners2nd DivisionGroup BLeague suspended2020–21BDFA Super Division — Runners-up2021–22BDFA Super Division —4thRF Development League—WinnersNext Gen CupMidlands4th2022–23Puttaiah Memorial CupGroup BSemifinalsBDFA Super Division —5th2023 Stafford Challenge CupGroup CGroup stage – 4thI-League 2Group CGroup stage – 3rdRF Development League—Winners Next Gen CupGroup A7th2023–24Puttaiah Memorial Cup —Round of 16BDFA Super Division —Winners 2024-25Puttaiah Memorial Cup — Runners-upBDFA Super Division—5th
Coaching staff Position Name Head coach Vacant Assistant coach Kaizad Ambapardiwalla Physiotherapist Rahul CR Video analyst Prateek Chopra Goalkeeping Coach Parshuram Salwadi S&C Coach Nishad Nagaraj Kit Manager Krishna Khati Kit Manager Ravi U 15 coach Jason Brindley Goalkeeper coach Rashid Nalakath Coach U13 Jeevan Jayaraj S&C Coach Dhruv Balaram Physiotherapist Girish Raj Asst. Physiotherapist Roy
Coaches Naushad Moosa (2017–2022) Jan Van Loon (2022–2023) Bibiano Fernandes (2023–2025)
Academy With the inception of Bengaluru FC in 2013, Bengaluru FC also started youth academy with the aim of "nurturing talent within the lower age groups with the possibility of creating players who are fit to represent the Blues’ first team." under Richard Hood as Head of Youth Development. Three years later in July 2016, Bengaluru FC started a residential academy at Vijaynagar, near Bellary under John Killa.
Under–18 Bengaluru FC youth team first participated in 2014 I-League U19, in Rest of India zone along with Hindustan, Aizawl, and Garhwal, where they placed second in the group stage and could not advance. In 2014–15 I-League U19 season, they were placed last in the group stage of Rest of India zone. In 2015–16 I-League U18, they were placed third in the group stage. After the set up of residential academy, U18 team convincingly won their group in Rest of India zone in 2016–17 season defeating Ozone FC and Fateh Hyderabad, while remaining unbeaten. In final round the U18 team finished third in the group failed to advance to the semifinals.
Squad
Under–15 Bengaluru FC participated in the first ever U15 Youth League tournament and were placed in Rest of India II zone with Ozone FC, Fateh Hyderabad, Boca Juniors FS, Kovalam FC, Mahogany FC. Bengaluru finished second behind Ozone to qualify for national finals. In final round Bengaluru U15 drawn into Group A along with United, Aizawl and Sporting Goa. Bengaluru U15 placed third in the group stage and failed to advance. In 2016–17 season Under–16 team, playing in Rest of India zone (Goa) also won the group stage, winning all three games against Dempo, Salgaocar and Sporting Goa, however they lost to eventual champions, Minerva Punjab in the semifinals.
In 2017–18 season Under–15 team, won the Karnataka zone to qualify for national finals. In final round the team was clubbed with MSP FA, SAI Guwahati and FC Goa. Bengaluru topped the group and entered the semifinals, where they lost in penalty shoot-out to DSK Shivajians.
Notable alumni In November 2016, Calvin Abhishek became the first academy graduate to be selected for the senior team. In August 2017 Bengaluru FC added two academy graduates, defender Prashanth Kalinga and forward Leon Augustine, to the squad for 2017 AFC Cup knockout rounds.
Name Position Bengaluru Career League Appearances League Goals Calvin Abhishek Goalkeeper 2016–2018 0 0 Prashanth Kalinga Defender 2015–2017 0 0 Leon Augustine Forward 2017–present 14 2 Paikhomba Meitei Khumanthem Midfielder 2021–present Lalpekhkua Forward 2021–present
Soccer schools In April 2014, the academy also started the initiative of Soccer schools to conduct summer camps, provide training and scout young talents. Soccer schools are currently operated at 5 locations in various parts of Bengaluru.
Coaches Richard Hood (2013–2015) John Killa (2015–2018) John Kenneth Raj (2018–present)
Results SeasonTournamentZoneFinal Result2014 Under-19Rest of IndiaZonal Group stage2014–15Under-19Rest of IndiaZonal Group stage2015–16Under-15Rest of India II (Bengaluru)Group stageUnder-18Rest of IndiaZonal Group stage2016–17Under-16Rest of India (Goa)Semi–finalsUnder-18Rest of IndiaGroup Stage2017–18Under-13KarnatakaDisqualifiedUnder-15KarnatakaSemi–finalsUnder-18Chennai–KarnatakaFinal round2018–19Sub-JuniorBengaluru Group B Runners UpJuniorBengaluru Group A Runners UpEliteKarnataka–AndhraFinal round2019–20Sub-JuniorBengaluru Group ASuspended due to COVID-19 pandemic in IndiaJuniorKarnataka Group BEliteChennai & Bengaluru2022–23EliteGroup JGroup stage2023–24EliteGroup FTBD
Honours Reliance Foundation Development League Champions (2): 2022, 2023 BDFA Super Division Champions (3): 2018–19, 2019–20, 2023–24 Puttaiah Memorial Cup Champions (1): 2019
See also Bengaluru FC Futsal
References
External links