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What Life Is Like At Bengaluru FC: 6 Wonderful Lesser Known Facts

After finishing the league in the number one spot and becoming the first team this season to qualify for the semi-finals, this week, Bengaluru FC (BFC) also became the first team to qualify for the 2017-18 Hero Indian Super League final. While not surprising, their success in their first ever Hero ISL season has certainly been remarkable. The team has consistently looked a well-oiled, powerful machine – a unit in it to win it. So, eager to find out just what makes The Blues tick, I caught up with true-blue BFC insider Kunaal Majgaonkar, who shared insights into what life is like at BFC, as well as some lesser known facts about the players that will inspire and delight anyone who loves Indian football.

1. Sunil and Miku stay on to train even after practice is over

Miku and Sunil Chhetri

Apparently, Sunil Chhetri and Miku almost always stay on to train a bit longer, even after practice is technically over. “What makes them both such exceptional players isn’t just their level of skill, it’s also their level of commitment,” Kunaal shared.

And while you'd think that two strikers of their stature would inevitably have a rivalry around who scores more goals; in fact, selflessness lies at the heart of their approach.

"Sunil is our designated penalty taker, but in our match against Jamshedpur in Bhubaneswar, when we were awarded a penalty, Sunil handed Miku the ball. He knew Miku was right behind Coro in the race for the Golden Boot, and wanted him to get the goal,” Kunaal recalled. “That is so typical of how they operate – they each want the other to do just as well.”

Interestingly, Miku is the most expensive foreign signing in the league, while Sunil is the highest paid Indian player. And while in football you don't always get what you pay for, BFC must be more than pleased with their investments.

2. Sunil credits Gurpreet for becoming a better striker

Sunil Chhetri and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu triumphant

“Sunil often says that it’s thanks to Gurpreet that he's been able to hone his magic as a goal scorer,” Kunaal continued.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is, of course, one of India's biggest keepers – and not just figuratively. So, it makes sense that getting past all 6 feet 6 inches of him would be great practice for a striker.

“If you can find the back of the net with Gurpreet in goal, anyone smaller is likely to be a bit easier,” he said, smiling.

3. The team is like a family, and they've made Bengaluru their home

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sunil Chhetri hug

Kunaal explained that the reason behind the strong personal bonds and camaraderie within the team is the fact that they live together in the same apartment complex rather than in a hotel.

“Regardless of how fancy it is, a hotel can never quite feel like home – but regardless of which state or country they are originally from, the players have made Bengaluru their home,” he shared.

“Many of them have their families here, they cook together, their kids play together, they help one another, they’re literally able to participate in each other’s lives on a daily basis.”

Juanan and his children

The chemistry the team enjoys was palpable on the pitch on Sunday. And when the final whistle blew, they even carried one another's children in celebration.

“Juanan’s son reached out for Sunil, and his little girl reached out for Udanta,” Kunaal recalled.

“Not so long ago, Udanta was a kid himself, but he's now getting good at handling toddlers thanks to the time he spends with the Spanish contingent and their babies,” he laughed.

Sunil Chhetri and John Johnson

As for the cutest bromance in the team, Kunaal admitted it was a tough choice, but he finally went with Sunil and John Johnson.

“Neither of them emotes much, but they go way back,” he explained. They are the only two players who were part of the first ever BFC squad five years ago and have played for the team every year since. In fact, Johno is like the unsaid second captain.”

4. BFC has its own pets

Sunil Chhetri with Bowie as a puppy

And if that wasn’t enough to get you feeling warm and fuzzy, there’s more. The Blues love animals, and even have their own resident pets. Kunaal’s lovely labrador Bowie lives with him in the team’s apartment complex, and the players happily take turns dog sitting.

“When we brought Bowie home as a puppy, Sunil wouldn't leave his side,” Kunaal shared.

But Bowie isn’t BFC's only furry friend. The more famous canine member of the team is Dimi, who lives at their training facility, and even has his own Twitter handle (@dimibluepooch).

Dimi is an integral part of the team

Dimi has been part of the club since its inception in 2013. He was rescued as an injured stray at the Bangalore Football Stadium and has become the team's most beloved mascot. No team photo is complete without him.

“When we found him, we named him Dimi after a certain Bulgarian named Dimitar, because he was very lazy but so, so elegant,” laughed Kunaal. “We'd have never thought back then that one day Dimi would get to see the man he was named after from very close quarters."

5. Former Assistant Coach Carles Cuadrat made a special visit from Spain just to motivate the team

Carles Cuadrat and Albert Roca

Halfway through the season, in December, BFC's former Assistant Coach Carles Cuadrat had to step down as he had to have a knee surgery that required several months of recovery.

To the team and to the West Block, he was fondly regarded as “the set-piece king”. He had been part of Albert Roca's staff for years, with BFC and internationally; and in set-piece situations, it was Carles who took the lead on the touch lines.

“While the boys were very glad to welcome Marc Huguet, who came in to replace him, it was with a heavy heart that the team bade Carles farewell, and with a heavy heart too that he departed,” Kunaal shared.

But on March 10, the day before the home leg of BFC's big semi-final clash against Pune, Carles made a special visit all the way from Barcelona, especially to wish the team in person.

“It was so special – he came all the way here after his surgery, just to motivate the team,” Kunaal continued. “It's that level of connectedness and team spirit that makes this team what it is.”

6. Sunil had received some friendly stick from fans about not yet having scored a hat-trick for BFC before proceeding to score his first on Sunday

“Two weeks ago, we played TCS Maldives in an AFC playoff, where Toni Dovale scored a hat-trick, so the fans had recently started this friendly banter around Toni - 1, Sunil - 0,” Kunaal shared.

Toni Dovale with his hat-trick ball

“Cut to Sunday, right before the match, Sunil walks into the media room, and he says, ‘if I get a penalty against Vishal Kaith today, I'm going to go Panenka on him, take him down the centre’. “

Sunil had trained with Vishal Kaith in a national team camp and therefore had a fair idea of what to expect in a penalty encounter that day. Indeed, Sunil has often drawn from his wealth of experience to help ensure BFC exploit any chinks in the opposition's armour. In their away match in Chennai too, it was his crucial word of advice to Gurpreet that helped ensure that Jeje’s penalty was saved.

After scoring his first ever hat-trick in BFC colours on Sunday, Sunil happily chanted back at the fans, "Toni - 1, Sunil - 1!"

Sunil with his hat-trick ball

As I thanked Kunaal for regaling me with all these wonderful stories from the world of BFC, I could hear the sincerity in his voice as he signed off: “So often, I forget that I'm part of the staff, just doing a job – in my heart of hearts, I'm a fan. I can't tell you how much this stuff excites me.”

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