30. June
Guwahati Super Division: Assam Dynamo Club 2-0 NF Railway SC

Note-1: Thanks to Jaydeep Basu (Hindustan Times) for the following information.
The AIFF today released the draw for the Federation Cup, likely to be held in Chennai from August 15.
Releasing the draw, the AIFF secretary, Alberto Colaco said the winners will receive Rs. 10 lakhs, while the runners-up will get Rs. Six lakhs. The first round winners will get Rs. 10, 000 and a victory in the next round will fetch Rs. 20,000. The quarter-finals winners will receive Rs. 50,000 each.
The fixtures: Aug 15: A: BSF vs Dempo; Aug 16: B: Indian Bank vs Sporting Club de Goa; Aug 17: C: SBT vs TFA; D: Air-India vs Mohammedan Sporting; Aug 18: E: Vasco vs JCT; F: FC Kochin vs Winners A; Aug 19: G: East Bengal vs Winners B; H: Tollygunge Aggragami vs HAL, Bangalore; Aug 20: I: Mahindra vs ITI; J: Salgaocar vs Punjab Police; Aug 21: K: Mohun Bagan vs Winners D; L: Churchill Brothers vs Winners C. Quarter-finals: Aug 22: 1. Winners G vs Winners H; Aug 23: 2. Winners E vs Winners F; Aug 24: 3. Winners L vs Winners I; 4. Winners J vs Winners K. Semi-finals: Aug 26: Winners 1 vs Winners 2; Aug 27: Winners 3 vs Winners 4. Aug 30: Final.

29. June
Guwahati Super Division: Guwahati Town Club 0-0 Assam State Electricity Board

Note-1: An unbelievable report that an IFSC member found on the soccerway.com website:
Top players at Indian club Providence FC have been forced to act as door-to-door salesmen, selling the clubs own brand of washing powder.
The club from Vadodara are the champions and cup holders in Gujerat state, but because of the lack of sponsorship they are forced to sell vegetables and the clubs own washing powder 'Super Team'. The Indian Petro Chemical Corporation supply them with the raw materials to make their detergent instead of paying sponsorship money.
Wages and running costs amount to just £37 pounds per month for the entire team but they need to sell 1000kg of Super Team each month to stay afloat.
We from the IFSC are willing to support this club!!!

28. June
Guwahati Super Division: City Police 2-0 Rising XI

Note-1: The AIFF has officially allotted the conduct of the revived Federation Cup competition to Chennai, according to Tamil Nadu Football Association President CR Viswanathan. But no confirmation has come from the AIFF so far.
CR Viswanathan, who is also AIFF's Vice-President, said to restore the turf in the Nehru stadium, hectic efforts had begun with the help of the Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority, which is maintaining the sports infrastructure built here for the South Asian Federation Games in 1995.
CR Viswanathan said AIFF President PR Das Munshi and secretary Alberto Colaco would be visiting the Nehru Stadium on July 16 to assess the condition of the turf. The stadium has to be readied before August 15, when the Federation Cup competition, being revived after two years, is scheduled to begin.
In order to procure water in the midst of a grave crisis in Chennai, the SNDAT had approved the digging of two borewells in the precincts of the stadium itself. This would also make the stadium self-sufficient for water for constant maintenance in future also, SNDAT member-secretary Niranjan Mardi said.
20 teams are to participate in the knockout competition, the 12 NFL sides plus the eight best from the last second division NFL.

27. June
Some good news from the IFSC - Goa:
The Goa chapter of the Indian Football Supporters Club sat in its first meeting on June 12th at Panjim.
Those who attended the meeting were Goa based members of the IFSC International. They were Noel de Lima Leitao (international representative of IFSC Goa), Anthony Bothelho, Francis Ribeiro, Lynn Baretto, Bruno Coutinho, Marcus Mergulhao, Kenny Perreira, Errol Jorge, Fabiano D'Souza, and Vinod Kambli.
The meeting began with Noel de Lima Leitao welcoming and spelling out the basic purpose of the Indian Football Supporters Club. A lot of business was discussed and transacted with regards to the role the Goa chapter of the IFSC should play.
It was also decided that IFSC Goa, will have a flat organisational structure (in keeping with the concept of the internet). It was decided to basically adopt the Aims and Objectives of IFSC International and register ourselves under the Charitable Societies Act, for which purpose, we may have to have some empowered Trustees for registration and official purposes.
No trustee shall hold a term for more than one year continuously so that every member is treated with equal importance and the work load is rotated. It was decided that IFSC will work with the Football authorities but also speak its mind if things are not running properly - a sort of pressure group, but only if necessary.
The IFSC Goa membership fee was also decided. Annual Fees prescribed were Rs. 1000/- per person and Rs. 400/- for students.
It was decided to launch the drive as soon has the bank account was opened, after the registration.
Each of the persons present at the meeting will enroll 2 new members, who in turn will enroll at least 2 new members within the next month. The members present were requested to make new members from places other than their town of residence. These members would then enroll 2 new members in the following month.
Parents of children aged 6 to 13 were preferred. That way the word will spread to all parts of Goa ( including those persons not on the net ).
It was also decided to send 15% of the membership revenue to IFSC International for maintenance of the website and administrative expenses. All agreed that Arunava has done a good job for Indian football and has been sustaining the site, burning his pockets, and it was time to help contribute. The balance 85% of the membership revenue would be ploughed back into youth development through coaches and diet etc. That way the parents of the 6-13 year olds will know what they are getting for their membership fees.
Events of IFSC Goa will be reported in the local press and on www.goasports.com to make it easier to get new members and inform existing members about programs, visits by coaches etc. in their areas. Goa United Sports Academy has been given the task of spreading/initiating/monitoring the coaching programs all over Goa. Five centers have already been opened in North Goa and are in operation. The response is tremendous. More than 500 kids are being scientifically coached already.
We are running out of coaches ! From ages 6-9, girls and boys are being coached together. A seminar will be organised for parents at each centre. These parents will be invited to join the IFSC Goa Chapter as members and 85 % of the money collected from each centre will be put back there.
IFSC Goa will arrange video tapes. Those featuring playing techniques will be fed through local cable operators where each centre is based. Several tapes will be made of kids at training in their respective centres and these will also be fed through the cable operators. Also tapes of Goan League matches will be rotated among centres for viewing through cable and also for the benefit of the kids who are participating in the coaching programmes.
IFSC Goa intend to invite some coaches from Leicester City Football Club, Vasco Sports Club, Dempo Sports Club, AIFF etc. to work with GUSA Coaches and give them some training etc.
India's football child prodigy international star Bruno Coutinho has joined Goa United and IFSC- Goa in order to propagate the effort and membership drive.
IFSC-Goa has drawn out a series of questionaires that will make up of a survey to be conducted by IFSC-Goa members which seeks to establish what the market/parents/prospective professional players expect from Goan football. A copy will be circulated to all members attending and each is requested to launch the survey, preferably have about 10 filled in during each month. New members will also be invited to help conduct the survey. The survey will be conducted in every part of Goa so that we have maximum reach and depth and also be able to cater for the needs on a location specific basis. We expect the sample size to be around 600. The results will be documented and will be the basis of IFSC-Goa projects so as to work towards the needs of the football market in Goa.
The main focus of IFSC-Goa is youth development as of now and we will be looking at ways and means of ensuring packed stadiums for football matches in Goa, etc.
The next meeting of IFSC-Goa will be held on 15th July 2001.

Guwahati Super Division: Maharana AC 1-0 Assam Dynamo Club
Guwahati Super Division: NF Railway SC 6-2 Nabajyoti Club

Note-1: The AIFF will organise the junior U-19 football tournament for the clubs participating in the premier Division National Football League will be held from 26 September at Calcutta. The Indian Football Association (Bengal) will host and sponsor the tournament in memory of late Pradyud Dutta and Deepak 'Paltu' Das.
The NFL clubs are requested to confirm their participation on or before 1 July, 2001. Only boys born on or after 1 January, 1983 are eligible to take part in the tournament.
To make the tournament more competitive the AIFF has proposed to invite the Tata Football Academy and a North-East selection to take part in the tournament. Also teams will be allowed to take players from other clubs on loan only for this tournament.

26. June
MERDEKA CUP - GROUP B - KUALA LUMPUR: INDIA 1-2 UZBEKISTAN - Goals: 0:1 Hamidullaev Bakhtiyor (19'), 0:2 Berdiev Anvar (33'), 1:2 IM Vijayan (45').
INDIA: Virender Singh, KV Dhanesh, Mahesh Gawli, M Suresh, Daljit Singh, Hardip Sangha, Basudeb Mondal, Khalid Jamil, Dipankar Roy, IM Vijayan, Mohammed Najeeb.
UZBEKISTAN: Safanov Evgene, Sabirov Oleg, Alikulov Asror, Seytkamalov Bakhodir, Koshelev Leonid, Soliev Anvarjon, Annamatov Bahadir, Berdiev Anvar, Hamidullaev Bakhtiyor (Kutibayev Nagmetulla), Vlasichev Andrey, Davleton Fevzi.
For complete match reports and much much more Click here .

WORLD RAILWAY GAMES - NUREMBERG: INDIA 1-2 GREAT BRITAIN

Guwahati Super Division: Assam State Electricity Board 5-0 Rising XI
Guwahati Super Division: Guwahati Town Club 4-1 City Police

Note-1: The revived Federation Cup which was first supposed to be either held in Pondicherry or Kerala, now is likely to be held in Chennai. This was disclosed by AIFF secretary Alberto Colaco
"Chennai has been selected as the venue but the final decision will only be taken after an inspection of the Nehru Stadium ground there in the second week of July. In case of any problem, Kolkata will play the host", the AIFF secretary said.
Colaco said that Kolkata and Goa are the two centres capable of staging the premier tourney at a short notice. "But it would not be in the fitness of things to hold it in Goa because of rainy season."

Note-2: The Calcutta police today declared the Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting Club galleries unsafe for spectators. Deputy commissioner of police, Raj Kanojia said the police has permitted the IFA to conduct matches at the Mohun Bagan and East Bengal grounds, but has banned spectators in the galleries. No matches can, however, be played at the Mohammedan Sporting ground. The arrangements will be reviewed Friday.
Pradip Bose, IFA league sub-committee chairman hoped that the galleries would be certified fit before the Big Three start their campaign. Mohun Bagan open on July 10 followed by East Bengal the next day.
"During first division group A and B ties there are hardly any spectators at the ground," Bose said.

25. June
WORLD RAILWAY GAMES - NUREMBERG: GERMANY 1-1 INDIA

Guwahati Super Division: NF Railways SC 2-0 Maharana AC

24. June
MERDEKA CUP - GROUP B - KUALA LUMPUR: INDIA 0-2 THAILAND UNDER-23 - Goals: 0:1 Manit Noyvach (17'), 0:2 Nirut Surasieng (72').
INDIA: Sangram Mukherjee, Sur Kumar Singh, KV Dhannesh, Mahesh Gawli, Daljit Singh, Jules Alberto, Basudeb Mondal (Hardip Sangha), Khalid Jamil, Renedy Singh, IM Vijayan, Hardip Gill (Alvito D'Cunha).
THAILAND U-23: Umarim Yaodam, Jukkkapant Punpee, Preratat Phoruandee, Nirut Surasieng, Boonyarit Karnpakedd (Wuttiya Yongant), Narongchai Vachiraban, Anucha Kitpongsri, Surapong Thamwongsa (Nataporn Phanrit), Jetsada Jitsawad, Manit Noyvach (Thaweesak Morasilp), Dussagon Tonglao.
For complete match reports and much much more Click here .

WORLD RAILWAY GAMES - NUREMBERG: INDIA 0-1 AUSTRIA - Goal: Gerald Hoppbannen (56').
Austria scored the goal of the day against India in the 56.minute through Gerald Hoppbannen at the Football tournament of the World Railway Games at Nuremberg, Germany. According to the Indian team management India had numerous chances in the match but in front of the goal the Indian offence failed. On the other side Austria had one real chance in the match but the difference was they scored!
India were technically better than the Austrian opponents but the team from the Alps were physically the better team. The differences one expects between an Indian and European teams.
INDIA: Raghuvir Khanolkar, Gurminder Singh, M.Amritharajan (Tarun Mazumdar), Satish Kumar Bharti, Janak Basumatary, Harsharanjit Singh, Partha Mitra (Asif Jamal), Bikramjeet Singh [CAPTAIN], Kamal Ghosh, Manjinder Singh, Balai Mondal (Benoy Saha). Coach: Sankar Moitra.

Guwahati Super Division: Assam Dynamo Club 2-0 Nabajyoti Club

23. June
Guwahati Super Division: Guwahati Town Club 0-0 Rising XI

22. June
MERDEKA CUP - GROUP B - KUALA LUMPUR: MALAYSIA UNDER-23 2-1 INDIA - Goals: 1:0 Indra Putra Mahayuddin (46'), 2:0 Mohammed Nizaruddin Yusop (74'), 2:1 Jules Alberto (85').
MALAYSIA U-23: Kamarulzaman Hassan, Mohammed Nizam Jamil, S. Jayaprakash, Norhafiz Zamani, D. Surendran (K. Rajan - Juzaili Samion), Mohammed Shukor Adan, Mohammed Nizaruddin Yusop (Akmal Rizal), Indra Putra Mahayuddin, Hairuddin Omar, Abd Aziz Ismail, Subri Sulong.
INDIA: Virender Singh, Surkumar Singh, KV Dhanesh, Mahesh Gawli, Daljit Singh, Jules Alberto, Jo Paul Ancheri (Hardip Sangha), Khalid Jamil (Basudeb Mondal), Renedy Singh, IM Vijayan, Hardip Gill (Alvito D'Cunha).
For complete match reports and much much more Click here .

Guwahati Super Division: Assam State Electricity Board 0-0 City Police

Note-1: Mohun Bagan will play two exhibition matches against FCI in aid of the ailing Pem Dorji and the family of football fan Kashem Ali who died last week. The first match will be in Durgapur on July 1 and Raniganj will host the second on July 7. Dorji, a former international, played for all the glamour clubs in Calcutta. He is undergoing treatment at a city nursing home. Ali, a Mohammedan Sporting fan, died following injuries sustained when a section of the club gallery collapsed in 1998.

Note-2: The IFA's governing body will meet on June 30 to discuss chances of reconstructing sections of the wooden stands in the three enclosed grounds in the Calcutta Maidan and replacing them with tubular iron structures.

21. June
Note-1: From June 24 to 26, 2001 the International Railway World Games Football Tournament will held in Nuremberg, Germany and one of the participating teams is India. India will be participating with quite a strong team of players that play in the National Football League back in India or the Calcutta or Mumbai leagues.
Some team members are even future India players, like Satish Bharti from Tollygunge Agragami.
INDIA SQUAD: Raghuvir Khanolkar, Bishwanath Deb, M Amritaraja, Manmohan Singh, Satish Bharti, Gurminder Singh, Harsharanjeet Singh, Janak Basumatary, N Krishnan, Bikramjit Singh, Partho Mitra, Kamal Ghosh, Manjinder Singh, Adil Akthar Ansari, Balai Mondal, Binoy Saha, Asif Jamal Ansari, Tarun Kanti Majumdar.

Note-2: The Goa Football Association will host the national under-19 girls football tournament in September, according to GFA secretary Aggie Alcassoas. Mr Alcassoas stated that the tournament was being revived after four years and that the offer was made by the AIFF through its secretary, Alberto Colaco. The GFA has accepted the AIFF offer since the Federation will provide nearly 70 percent of the expenditure and 12 to 16 teams could be expected to participate in the event. The exact dates have not been worked out, but it could be held in the second forthnight of September, Mr Alcassoas added.

20. June
In the latest FIFA Rankings released today India has moved up two further places now ranked 113th. An improvement of 11 places from the position we had before the start of the World Cup qualifying campaign, 124!

Note-1: After a silence of weeks the 'Indian Professional Football Association' met at the Mumbai residence of Vijay Mallya last night. Numerous issues were discussed, new members welcome and some decisions taken.
According to Babu Mather, the secretary, IPFA wants the AIFF to renege its agreement with Doordarshan and seek other options. However, DD's guarantee money is AIFF's only major source of income.
"The IPFA president Vijay Mallya had written to AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi on June 8 asking him to terminate the contract with DD as the live telecast was amazingly poor, a view that was endorsed by other members."
"Our referees need to be re-educated on the laws and sent abroad for exposure and studies. They felt the AIFF could engage international referees from the SAARC region for the NFL," said Mather.
The IPFA was also critical of the ground conditions at the Cooperage (Mumbai), Rabindra Sarobar (Calcutta) and the Chandrashekara Nair Stadium (Thiruvananthapuram). "The dressing room at Cooperage is awful according to our players and officials," said Mather. "We also want a 20 per cent hike in the allowances, currently Rs. 1200, at Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore."
The IPFA has also proposed forming a limited company with members clubs appointing representatives as their shareholders. The modalities are yet to be worked out.
It was also proposed that a corpus fund be set up by the revenue generated from shares. The proposed football academy too was discussed but because the costs, reportedly based on the estimates prepared by two IPFA directors, involved are close to Rs 5 million, it can't be started immediately.
The meeting was attended by Vijay Mallya, Swapan Bal and Kalyan Ganguly (East Bengal), Anjan Mitra (Mohun Bagan), Sai Pappinani (Mohammedan Sporting), Babu Mather and PV Paul (FC Kochin), Anand Mahindra and Johnny Mapgaonkar (Mahindra United), AM Buthello and Armando Colaco (Dempo), Henry Britto (Salgaocar), Vinod Parrkot (Vasco) and Monto Ghosh (Tollygunge Agragami). Churchill Brothers couldn't attend the meeting, while Dempo and Vasco were present as new IPFA members, while JCT and Bengal Mumbai FC will also be inducted.
The IPFA seems to be moving on...

Note-2: After the Mumbai District Football Association found a sponsor for running its leagues for the next three years, things looked brighter for the world’s number one sport - football - in the Indian financial capital Mumbai. But the sudden decision by the former Mumbai league champions Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers to wind up its football team has come as a blow to the sport. Already in earlier days noted corporates have wound up their teams in the past, which include Caltex, Burmah-Shell, Tata Sports Club, Mafatlal Sports, Phoenix Mills, Morarjee Mills, Piramal Mills, Century Rayon, Bright Brothers, Guest Keen Williams, Indian Tools, Mukand Iron and Steel and Wimco.
So sadly nothing new to the footballing world in Mumbai...

19. June
Note-1: After the controversies about the transfers of Dipendu Biswas and Renedy Singh last season from Mohun Bagan to East Bengal and vice-versa, this season East Bengal captain and striker Bijen Singh wants to leave East Bengal and join Mohun Bagan. But this transfer request again brought into focus the problem of the restrictions imposed by the common sponsor of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, the United Breweries in the free transfer of players between the two clubs. No player is allowed to switch between the two clubs without Rs 1 million as transfer fee as per agreement because the player hasn't been released. This is against all football transfer law and free search of jobs and in Europe with the European Union killing the old transfer system twice in a few years, UB and the clubs would have to pay hefty multi-million fines!
But back to Bijen. Bijen has send a letter to East Bengal president Pranab Dasgupta seeking a release to join Mohun Bagan this season. Bijen has also informed UB-Group chairman Vijay Mallya in his inability to play on for East Bengal.
A decision will likely be taken in the next few weeks, this way or the other and Bijen has to wait...

Note-2: The AIFF has recommended IM Vijayan and Bruno Coutinho for the Arjuna Award. The last footballer to get the award was Baichung Bhutia in 1999!
Sources in the department of sports said due to India's improved showing in the recent World Cup qualifiers, the possibility of more than one footballer being honoured is bright. So why didn't the AIFF name more footballers? And what about Sukhwinder for the Dronacharya Award???

18. June
31st Hot Weather Football Tournament - Final: Oriental Bank of Commerce, Delhi 0-0,3-1 LRDE, Bangalore (after penalties)

Note-1: Mahindra United have decided to forgo their claims on international defender Mahesh Gawli, who had signed for them as well as Churchill Brothers for the current season.
The decision was taken purely on humanitarian grounds, said Harish Rao, Mahindra's new appointed coach. "The player pleaded with us and there were requests from other quarters too. We do not want to spoil his career," Mr Rao added.
Interestingly, the AIFF in its executive committee meeting on June 9, had decided to issue a show cause notice to both Mahindra United and Mahesh Gawli.

17. June
23. Mir Iqbal Hussein Trophy - Final: Bengal 1-1,4-5 Bihar (after penalties) - Goals: 1:0 Ratan Maskar (44'), 1:1 Chandam Chitrasen Singh (60').
31st Hot Weather Football Tournament - semifinal: Punjab Police 1-2 Oriental Bank of Commerce, New Delhi
31st Hot Weather Football Tournament - semifinal: DFA Mandi 1-2 LRDE, Bangalore

Note-1: In a surprise move, Mahindra United have named their manager Harish Rao as their new coach, while former goalkeeper Henry Menezes has been given the job of manager to succeed Rao. With the numerous Indian internationals joining the Mumbai league champions, a lot is expected from this team this season.

16. June
10. Dutta Ray Trophy - Final: Bengal 3-1 Goa - Goals: 0:1 Alex Ambrose (33'), 1:1 Swarup Chakraborty (46'), 2:1 Sandipan Das (55'), 3:1 Shyambabu Rao (75').

Note-1: The Sikkim State XI forced the Baichung TNA XI to play out a 4-4 draw even as the local boy and the India football star Baichung Bhutia excelled scoring thrice in the Pem Dorji benefit match at Gangtok.
Despite Baichung's solo effort, his team trailed 1-2 at half time in the rain-soaked Tashi Namgyal Academy Ground. For the State XI, Nima Bhutia put his team into the lead in the 24th minute and Kiran Tamang increased the tally (2-0) a minute later. Baichung netted his first goal in the 32nd with a spectacular flying header off a Milan Lepcha centre. Then, Baichung provided Ram Rai, a player from Dempo SC, with a perfect cross to equalise (2-2) 12 minutes into the second session. The Indian football captain Bhutia put the team ahead (3-2) in the 83rd minute only to find State XI's Nima Bhutia levelling the score 3-3. Bhutia again unleashed a right-footer from the top of the penalty box to make it 4-3. But the lead was shortlived when Tashi Rapden of State XI netted the ball (4-4) a top the TNA goalkeeper to bring the equaliser just a couple of minutes before the long whistle.
The proceeds of the match would be given to former soccer player Pem Dorji who is undergoing treatment.

15. June
10. Dutta Ray Trophy - Semifinal: Karnataka 1-1,5-6 Goa (after penalties) - Goals: 0:1 Sanaton Singh (8'), 1:1 Mahendra Mani (78').
23. Mir Iqbal Hussein Trophy - Semifinal: Bengal 2-0 Orissa - Goals: 1:0,2:0 Gouranga Dutta.
23. Mir Iqbal Hussein Trophy - Semifinal: Bihar beat Assam

Note-1: Jo Paul Ancheri has been named captain of the Indian team for the Merdeka Cup 2001 in Malaysia. A 20 player squad was named in Bangalore today. The probables released after the camp were surprisingly N. Balaji, Noel Wilson, S Venkatesh and RC Prakash. Late inclusion defender M Suresh is in the team.

14. June
10. Dutta Ray Trophy - Semifinal: Bengal 0-0,4-3 Indian Railways [after penalties]
10. Dutta Ray Trophy - Semifinal: Karnataka 1-1 Goa - stopped in the 11.minute into extra-time due to poor light. The match will be replayed tomorrow to decide the second finalist for Saturday's final!

Note-1: M Suresh has been asked to join the Merdeka Cup camp in Bangalore. Unavailability of a number of defenders originally picked for the camp has prompted the move, informed India coach Sukhwinder Singh. Singh had another defender in his mind for the squad but Tollygunge Agragami's Satish Bharti is in the Indian squad for the Railway Games in Germany and a last minute call-up is impossible.

13. June
10. Dutta Ray Trophy - Quarterfinal-League - Group B: Bengal 1-1 Manipur
10. Dutta Ray Trophy - Quarterfinal-League - Group B: Karnataka 4-0 Madhya Pradesh

Note-1: The problem with defenders at the Merdeka Cup camp is so big that coach Sukhwinder Singh is playing with the idea of calling-up another player. In consultation with the AIFF secretary Sukhi might call up M. Suresh but the problem is the deadline for sending in the complete team list to Malaysia, June 15.

Note-2: The United Arab Emirates has pulled out of the Merdeka Cup 2001 organised by the Football Association of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur from June 21 to 30. Uzbekistan has been accommodated in its place. As the UAE was in Group B, India now face Uzbekistan.

12. June
10. Dutta Ray Trophy - Quarterfinal-League - Group A: Assam 2-5 Goa
10. Dutta Ray Trophy - Quarterfinal-League - Group A: Punjab 1-2 Indian Railways
Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Cup - Guwahati - Final: Assam Dynamo Club 0-2 Maharana AC - Goals: 0:1 Utpal Das, 0:2 Rahazuddin Ahmed (79').

Note-1: The Indian training camp for the Merdeka Cup in Bangalore is in full swing but India face a defensive problem as a number of defenders have pulled out due to injury. Roberto Fernandes and Tapan Ghosh have been send home, while Deepak Mondal and goalkeeper Prasanta Dora haven't come so far due to illness. Another goalie Sangram Mukherjee is yet to arrive. So the training camp is running with two goalkeepers and four defenders and additions are unlikely as India has to send its participating team list to Malaysia soon and there is no time left to add new players to the squad. This is not the best way to go to a tournament...

11. June
10. Dutta Ray Trophy - Quarterfinal-League - Group B: Karnataka 1-1 Bengal
10. Dutta Ray Trophy - Quarterfinal-League - Group B: Madhya Pradesh 1-3 Manipur

Note-1: The Indian football team captain Baichung Bhutia will take part in two exhibition charity matches in his home-state of Sikkim. The matches are being organised for an ailing Prem Dorji, a former international and star of the Calcutta Maidan.
The two matches, organized by the Sikkim FA, would be held in Gangtok and Namchi on next Saturday and Sunday. Both present players and former footballers from Sikkim would be taking part in the charity matches - collection from which would be donated to Dorji for his treatment. Earlier the SFA had given the veteran player Rs 20,000 as expense for his treatment. Dorji, hails from south Sikkim district. He has been undergoing treatment in Calcutta for a stomach ailment. The SFA president urged the AIFF to help Dorjee.
Also today Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling named a stadium in the southern district town Namchi after its proud son Baichung Bhutia. Bhutia, who rose to the pinnacle in Indian football from a very humble beginning in Sikkim, has his native village at Tinkitam, about 20 km from Namchi, in south district. Bhutia was present during Sunday's function. Rechristening the 'Alleytar' ground after Baichung's name, the Chief Minister announced that the prestigious All-India Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup Football tournament would be held at the 'Baichung Bhutia Stadium' in Namchi instead of the usual venue at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok.

10. June
10. Dutta Ray Trophy - Quarterfinal-League - Group A: Assam 2-2 Punjab
10. Dutta Ray Trophy - Quarterfinal-League - Group A: Goa 1-2 Indian Railways
Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Cup - Guwahati - Semifinal: Assam Dynamo Club 1-0 City Police

Note-1: The India camp for the Merdeka Cup started on Friday but until today only 20 of the 28 probables have joined the camp in Bangalore. The among the missing are first XI players IM Vijayan, Renedy Singh and Deepak Mondal. Others missing are goalkeepers Prasanta Dora and Sangram Mukherjee, defender Ratan Singh and midfielder Dipankar Roy.
The case of Sangram Mukherjee and Dipankar Roy is clear as they have been released late by their employers Railways from their World Railway Games squad!

9. June
The governing body of Indian football, AIFF, held its executive meeting in Delhi today to decide numerous issues important for the future of Indian football.
At a press conference after the executive meeting AIFF president Priya Ranjan Das Munshi and AIFF secretary Alberto Colaco announced some of the decisions taken.
Among the good news is that India has been included by FIFA in their 'Goal Project'! Under this international development scheme, the AIFF would get $ 400.000 to built an own headquarters, further infrastructure and talent development projects.
The national calendar was announced by Alberto Colaco and it reads to be well-planned, with some positive surprises, like the restart of the Federation Cup (complete calendar at the end of this article!).
Sukhwinder Singh, the current 'Asian Coach of the Month', has been retained as the Senior National team coach until the 2002 Asian Games to be held in Pusan, South Korea. This was a necessary step as India has numerous international obligations in the coming months.
Former national coach Syed Nayeemuddin has been appointed the coach of the under-23 team for the SAF Games in Pakistan. It has also been planned to keep the national under-23 as a sort of backup to the Senior National team.
The decision of the marketing agents and the TV Rights (from 2002/03) has been put on hold as no decision could be arrived at. The three executive officers will talk to all bidders and come back to the executive for approval.
India stopper-back Mahesh Gawli is in serious trouble. Gawli has signed for two clubs for the upcoming season, Churchill Brothers and Mahindra United. The executive committee has decided to show-cause Gawli for what they called for 'unethical practices during the inter-state transfer' but action against Gawli will only be taken after examining the reply of the footballer.
Four former footballers have been granted one time financial assistance - Ratan Sen, Abdul Karim, TA Rehman (Rs. 50,000 each) and Sharifuddin (Rs. 25,000).
Calendar of events for the 2001/02 season (international & national):

10. Dutta Ray Trophy - Quarterfinal-League - Group B: Bengal 2-1 Madhya Pradesh
10. Dutta Ray Trophy - Quarterfinal-League - Group B: Karnataka 1-0 Manipur
Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Cup - Guwahati - Semifinal: Maharana AC 2-1 4th AP Battalion [golden Goal]

8. June
10. Dutta Ray Trophy - Quarterfinal-League - Group A: Goa 2-2 Punjab
10. Dutta Ray Trophy - Quarterfinal-League - Group A: Assam 0-0 Indian Railways
Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Cup - Guwahati - Quarterfinal: Guwahati Town Club lost to City Police

7. June
TeamTalk has reported the following:
Baichung Bhutia has ended weeks of speculation by committing his future to the Shakers amid fears he was set for a summer exit to Singapore. The Indian skipper left Gigg Lane before the end of the season on international duty after a stop-start season that saw him on the fringes of the first-team squad.
It was widely expected the skilful forward would move on in the close season but speaking on his personal website, Bhutia quashed rumours he is set to ply his trade in Singapore's S-League.
He said: "It's true that there have been some Singapore clubs interested in signing me, but I haven't agreed to join any of them and am willing to come back to Bury and fight for my place. I shall be joining my team-mates for pre-season training in July and am looking forward to the challenges ahead. I am still very much a Bury player."
Baichung has a personal website? Does anyone know the link???

Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Cup - Guwahati - Quarterfinal: Assam Dynamo Club 3-0 Food Corporation of India

Note-1: Will Mahesh Gawli continue to play for Churchill Brothers or shift to Mahindra United?
Gawli has created problems by signing contracts with both Churchill Brothers and Mahindra United for the 2001/02 season. He first signed for his current club Churchill Bros on May 12 and then three days later for Mahindra.
The matter is expected to figure at the AIFF executive meeting to be held in New Delhi on June 9.

Note-2: East Bengal have been invited to play an exhibition football tournament in Goa, marking the 50th anniversary of Vasco Sports Club.
The tournament, planned as a fund-raiser for activities related to football, is likely to feature Vasco and the Portuguese league champions - Boavista Porto.
The tournament is expected to take place after the Federation Cup gets over in August. An East Bengal official said Vasco have also expressed their wish to honour the city club's president and secretary with life memberships.

6. June
Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Cup - Guwahati - Quarterfinal: Maharana AC 4-1 Rising XI

Note-1: Might Chima Okerie shift to Mumbai?
After the Indian Football Association lifted the ban on the Nigerian on June 2, the soccer star is finding it difficult to get himself signed by one of the big Calcutta Maidan clubs. Now Chima has received an offer from Bengal Mumbai FC to play in Mumbai and as he has no other options at the moment, he might take the offer.

5. June
Might Jo Paul Ancheri become the second current Indian national to play outside India?
Ancheri has an offer from FC Kasuka, the leading club from Brunei, which plays in the highly competitive Malaysian League. But Ancheri has numerous hurdles to pass if he wants to play for Kasuka:
No. 1 - He has just signed a contract for East Bengal Club from Calcutta, which makes him the highest paid Indian player!
No. 2 - The loan period of friend IM Vijayan at Bangladesh's Muktijoddha, which has caused major controversy.
No. 3 - India's international engagements this season. England in July; Afro-Asian Games in November.

Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Cup - Guwahati - Quarterfinal: 4th AP Battalion 1-1,4-2 Assam State Electricity Board (after penalties)

3. June
36.BC Roy Trophy - Final: Manipur 1-3 Bihar - Goals: 0:1,1:3 Syed Rahim Nabi (32',89'), 0:2 Malswam Tulunga (50'), 1:2 S James Singh.

23.Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy - Group Stage: Tamil Nadu 14-0 Rajasthan
23.Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy - Group Stage: Goa 1-0 Jammu&Kashmir
23.Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy - Group Stage: Assam 6-0 Gujarat
23.Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy - Group Stage: Madhya Pradesh 3-0 Karnataka
23.Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy - Group Stage: Kerala 1-0 Andhra Pradesh

2. June
The Indian Football Association has lifted the two-year ban on star Nigerian striker Chima Okerie at its governing body meeting in Calcutta today, allowing the footballer to return to mainstream soccer! The governing body discussed the issue before taking the unanimous decision to lift the ban on the player who had appealed to the decision-making body to put an end to his suspension. "We discussed the matter and the members felt that the ban could be lifted since he was repentant about what he had done. It was a unanimous decision", IFA joint secretary, Ranjit Gupta said. The ageing Mohun Bagan striker, whose suspension was due to end on September 30 this year, has however been warned not to repeat the mistake in the future. Okerie had appealed to the IFA authorities through a letter to lift the ban so that he could return to football which was his main profession. His appeal letter was the main agenda of the meeting. Okerie had even volunteered to appear before the IFA governing body members to impress upon the decision-making body to put an end to the suspension.

1. June
36.BC Roy Trophy - Semifinal: Manipur 2-1 Bengal - Goals: 1:0,2:0 Shyamsundar Sharma (21',37'), 2:1 Saikot Mondal (53').
36.BC Roy Trophy - Semifinal: Orissa 0-6 Bihar - Goals: 0:1,0:2,0:4 Syed Rahim Nabi (29',34',40'), 0:3,0:5 Avinash Thapa (37',65'), 0:6 Krishna Tudu (80').

Note-1: The Indian Football Association may consider lifting the two-year ban on controversial Nigerian player Chima Okerie when the IFA governing body meets in Calcutta tomorrow.
Ranjit Gupta, IFA joint secretary has confirmed that the issue on Chima's ban has been an agenda in the meeting but refused to dilvulge anything. However, sources in IFA office said a lot will depend on whether the player shows up and how he presents himself in the meeting.
Chima had earlier appealed to the governing body to lift his suspension, slapped on him for manhandling a referee in a Super Division match two years back and which ends on September 30, 2001.