Bibiano Fernandes Hopeful Of Strong Show with Balanced Squad; Play FC Bengaluru United in Season Opener
Bengaluru, 25th September 2024: 
Bengaluru FC, on Tuesday, announced their 32-man squad for the 2024 edition of the Puttaiah Memorial Cup organised by the Bangalore District Football Association, set to begin with a clash against FC Bengaluru United on the 28th of September. The squad, which features up to six first-team players, also includes six players under 17.
As many as 13 teams will compete for the trophy, with three groups of three teams and one group with four teams. The teams will play in a round-robin format against each other and the winner of each group will progress to the semifinal.
“The Puttaiah Memorial Cup is a prestigious tournament and one that gives our players the opportunity and platform to express themselves against some of the best local teams in Bengaluru. We’ve had a good few months of pre-season and this tournament presents a great chance for us to assess where we stand”, said Bibiano Fernandes, Head Coach, Bengaluru FC B.
The previous edition of the tournament was won by FC Agniputra, who defeated Students Union FC in the final. The Blue Colts last won the Cup in 2018, defeating Madras Engineering Group (MEG), 2-1 at the BFS.
“This tournament gives the players another opportunity to prepare for the BDFA Super Division League season, which is scheduled to begin in October. Our motto as a club has always been to develop players fit for the First Team, and this is an opportunity for many of these youngsters to prove that they have what it takes to make the step up,” added Bibiano.
Sahil Poonia, Rohit Danu, Clarence Fernandes, Shreyas Ketkar, Monirul Molla and Shivaldo Singh are the BFC First Team players who have been named as part of the squad, while Manav Gowda, Sohum Utreja, Nee Hang Subba, Shreyaj Manchoji, Mridul Tamta and Uttam are all under 17. As many as 11 players who are a part of the BFC Puttaiah Memorial Cup squad have come through the BFC Academy.
The Blue Colts start their campaign on 28 September 2024 against FC Bengaluru United at the Bangalore Football Stadium.
BENGALURU B TEAM SQUAD – HEAD COACH: BIBIANO FERNANDES
Goalkeepers: Shubham Malik, Sahil Poonia, Prithviraj Dash, Shuhaid Koya Thangal P S
Defenders: Ngangbam Surajkumar Singh, Felixson Conny Fernandes, Harsh Palande, Thokchom Malemnganba Singh, Ashik Adhikari, Clarence Savio Fernandes, Divij Supraneni, Shivaldo Singh, Manav Gowda, Sohum Utreja, Shreyaj Manchoji, Mridul Tamta, Uttam P.
Midfielders: Swastik Chand, Shreyas Ketkar, Soham Varshneya, Gautham Shivakumar, Rashid CK, Oinam Ronex Meitei
Forwards: Taorem Kelvin Singh, Chaphamayum Rohen Singh, Joshua D’Silva, Shashwat Panwar, Prantik Saha, Saarang Srinivasan Chary, Rohit Danu, Monirul Molla, Nee Hang Subba
