Sundarban Bengal Auto FC

Sundarban Bengal Auto
Full nameSundarban Bengal Auto Football Club
Short nameSBAFC
FoundedJuly 2025 (July 2025)
GroundCanning Sports Complex
Capacity12,000
Head coachMehtab Hossain
LeagueBengal Super League
2025–26Bengal Super League, 3rd of 8 (regular season)

Sundarban Bengal Auto Football Club is an Indian professional football club based in Canning, West Bengal, that competes in the Bengal Super League (BSL). Founded in July 2025, the club represents the Sundarbans region and is one of the eight inaugural franchises of the BSL, a district-centric professional league organized by the Indian Football Association (IFA) in collaboration with Shrachi Sports.[1]

The club is coached by former Indian national team midfielder and East Bengal legend Mehtab Hossain, who returned to the dugout to lead the franchise in its debut season.[2]

History

Sundarban Bengal Auto FC was established as part of a ten-year vision by the IFA and Shrachi Sports to professionalize football across the districts of West Bengal. The franchise identity was unveiled on 8 July 2025, celebrating the regional pride of the mangrove delta region.[1]

Under the tactical guidance of Mehtab Hossain, the club enjoyed a stellar start to their inaugural campaign. They won their opening match 2–1 against Burdwan Blasters FC on 15 December 2025, with Ghanaian striker Richmond Kwasi scoring the decisive goal from the penalty spot.[3] The club followed this with a 1–0 victory over JHR Royal City FC on 17 December and a 2–1 comeback win against Howrah Hooghly Warriors FC on 22 December.[4]

Stadium

The club's home ground is the Canning Sports Complex in South 24 Parganas, which has a capacity of 12,000. The club also played selected matches at Bolpur Stadium and Naihati Stadium due to the league's centralized fixture schedule.[1]

Players

First-team squad

As of January 2026

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  IND Sanjiban Ghosh
33 GK  IND Subrata Santra
12 DF  IND Naba Kumar Das
5 DF  IND Pawan Pattan
14 DF  GHA Suleman Mohammed
DF  IND Debdyut
DF  IND Md Mezanur
3 DF  IND Lalhmangaihsanga
8 MF  IND Mohammed Rafique (captain)
MF  IND Souvik Ghosal
MF  IND Pradip
No. Pos. Nation Player
MF  IND Kiran
15 MF  IND Rajesh Rajbhar
19 MF  IND Md. Yasin
18 MF  IND Aquib Nawab
MF  IND Lalsiem Chonglai
MF  IND Sahil Mondol
MF  IND Pranendra Singh Thakur
MF  IND Rahul Dowary
27 MF  IND Md Tafique
FW  IND Naro Hari Shrestha
FW  IND Prateek
9 FW  GHA Richmond Kwasi
7 FW  IND Subhonil Ghosh
44 FW  UGA Henry Kisekka

Personnel

Current technical staff

Position Name
Head coach Mehtab Hossain
Advisor Ashim Biswas
Goalkeeping coach Subhasish Roy Chowdhury

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "IFA Bengal Super League officially launched". Anandabazar Patrika. 8 July 2025. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  2. ^ "Bengal Super League 2025-26: Full Squad List of All Teams". Chase Your Sport. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  3. ^ "Sundarban Bengal Auto FC and North 24 Parganas Win BSL Openers". Sangbad Pratidin (in Bengali). 15 December 2025. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  4. ^ "Hat-trick of Wins for Mehtab's Sundarban". Sangbad Pratidin (in Bengali). 22 December 2025. Retrieved 24 December 2025.