31. January
Indian football National coach Stephen Constantine paid Indian football a handsome compliment when he said some of the National Football League matches - particularly those played in Goa - reminded him of the much-touted and high-profile English Premier League.
"Last year, I saw a lot of the NFL matches and I was not very impressed. However, four or five of the NFL matches played in Goa, this time, have been of high standards. The quality of matches is like those in the Premier League," Constantine said.
Constantine, who has been a positive influence on Indian football attributed the "rise in standards" to the newly-introduced Adidas ball, which he said, were lighter and traveled much faster. "The new ball has played its role in igniting the matches," he maintained but what Stephen forgot to say is that many have had and still have problems to adjust to the Fevernova balls.
The chief coach reiterated that India's chances of making it to the next stage of the fast-approaching World Cup qualifiers "were difficult but certainly not impossible."
Thirty-five footballers - besides Ebbie Kodiattu - are undergoing a rigorous training sessions at Nehru Stadium, Margao; Chinchinim and Varca.
India's World Cup qualifying campaign starts on February 18 when they take on the might of a fast-improving Singapore side, before traveling to Kochi for the home match against Oman on March 31. World Cup quarterfinalists Japan are the favourites and third team in the group which India will have to play.
After almost a decade, India will take the field without IM Vijayan in its ranks. The Black Pearl of Indian football called it quits in international football after the Afro-Asian Games 2003. Constantine said Mohun Bagan's Ashim Biswas and Mahindra United's Abhishek Yadav were ready to take over and fill the void.
The Indian team will not play any (international) friendly encounter before the first World Cup qualifying match and that could be a handicap. The coach said the schedule being hectic - particularly with the AFC Club Championship - there was little time to plan or play a friendly.
"The team spirit is the best I have seen for a long time. They are fit and raring to go," Constantine disclosed.
Constantine said he had managed to collect important data on the Singapore side. "I am pretty aware of their style and system of play. The key players have also been identified," he informed.
Jo Paul Ancheri, India's anywhere man, has been assigned the role of a defensive-midfielder in the present set-up and Ancheri said he quite enjoyed playing in that position. "It's a challenging position and I am happy doing it," the seniormost member of the Indian squad maintained. And this is the position were Jo Paul has played some of his best matches for India.
Meanwhile, Ebbie Kodiattu, the US-based Player of Indian Origin attending the camp said he enjoyed practicing with the big names of Indian football and taking some Hindi lessons along. "It's been great to come here," said Ebbie, who speaks chaste Malayalam. "Even if I cannot make the ranks this time around, I will still come next time. Playing for India remains my goal," he added.
Stephen meanwhile remained non-committal on Ebbie's chances of making it to the final squad. "He is shaping well," was all that he said.
East Bengal and Mahindra United players have been released for their sides AFC Cup matches. They will rejoin the camp on February 12.

39.Dr BC Roy (under-19) Trophy - NorthEast Zone Qualifiers - Group A: Tripura 2-1 Arunachal Pradesh
Kerala State League - Group B: Central Excise 0-3 Titanium XI

Note-1: Today another chapter was added to the Mohun Bagan-Barreto saga.
Calcutta giants Mohun Bagan, who are Asia's oldest football club, have suspended their Brazilian forward Jose Barreto and demanded a total of Rs 10 million as damages from the player for alleged gross acts of indiscipline and deserting the club in the middle of the season and has banned the player for 360 days with effect from January 28.
The decision was taken by the three court-appointed special officers - Shyamal Sen, GN Ray and Indrajit Sen but at the press conference today, none of the three were present. Present was Bagan assistant secretary Balaram Chowdhury as their "representative" and executive committee member Samir Mukherjee. The letter which will be dispatched to Barreto to his native Brazil in the coming days.
Here a list of what misdoings the club claimed in the letter:
- Barreto had signed a contract on July 3, 2003, which would run until April 2004 but he left India on January 20.
- Barreto's answer to the show-cause notice was unsatisfactory
- the image of the club had been tarnished by remarks from Barreto to the media
- Barreto claimed that Bagan owed him Rs 750.000 as salaries though the club claims that is was only Rs 216.800 .
- Barreto flew back on plane tickets to Brazil, which had been given to the player for his return after the end of the contract. Bagan also incurred an additional Rs 2,5 million as costs for Barreto's stop in Bangkok.
- Bagan claim their current NFL campaign has been hampered by Barreto's departure, which would lead to the club not getting any prize money.
Some interesting facts that the club claims. But the key question remains unanswered and that is why did Barreto leave the club so suddenly? Barreto has given hints but never really named the reasons behind his sudden departure. That something is wrong at Bagan is not difficult to see with all the troubles of the last few month's but that is something that the special officers don't seem to see. There is no effort within the club to sort out the problems and try to avoid such a thing happening again.
Meanwhile Bagan club secretary Anjan Mitra, who has been debarred by the courts to run the football division of the club, has said that the decision to punish Barreto is not the general view of the club. Mitra would contact FIFA, AFC, AIFF and the Brazilian FF to make clear that the club has nothing to do with the punishment.
Interesting to see is that Bagan want to ban a player for 360 days, though he had a contract for less then four month's more plus a fine, which is approximately double the amount of what Barreto was earning at the club.

Note-2: The 20-member Indian U18 team led by TFA's GouraMangi Singh left to participate in the BIMST-EC Cup tournament at Phuket Island, Thailand. India have been placed in Group B along with Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar. The tournament kicksoff on February 3.
The U18 boys scored some impressive results in the test matches before the departure as they beat three Goan NFL sides, among them NFL leaders Dempo. India U18 beat Vasco SC 3-0, Dempo SC 2-1 and Churchill Brothers SC 3-2.

30. January
Stephen Constantine's Fox in the Box - Inivalappil Mani Vijayan - paid a surprise visit to the Indian football team while they were going through their paces, at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, this morning.
I M Vijayan, who called it quits in International football after guiding India to the Afro-Asian Games final, at Hyderabad, spent more than an hour watching the Indian probables sweat it out under the watchful eyes of National coach Stephen Constantine.
For someone who has graced Indian football for more than a decade, bringing a multitude of joyous moments to the fans, Vijayan was seemingly uncomfortable outside the field.
Vijayan was down in Goa ostensibly to look out for potential sponsors for the Vijayan Football Academy, in Thrissur (Kerala). Giving him company was former FC Kochin and Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Dinesh Nair, who is now into event and celebrity management.
"I wanted to have a word with the coach (Constantine) and have a look at the players. The team looks in great shape and there is no reason why we cannot make a mark at the World Cup qualifiers," Vijayan, a three-time AIFF Player of the Year award winner said.
The Black Pearl of Indian football said he had worked hard for long and disciplined himself but eventually exaggerated his capabilities.
The Indian team after an impromptu encounter at Nehru Stadium, in the morning were given an off for the day. The probables caught the Indian U18 team fight it out against Churchill Brothers in the finals of the Levindo Rodrigues Memorial Soccer finals, at the newly-inaugurated Varca Sports Club complex.
Tomorrow players from East Bengal and Mahindra United will be released to enable them join their respective sides, participating in the AFC Cup, the second tier of the Asian Champions League.

39.Dr BC Roy (under-19) Trophy - NorthEast Zone Qualifiers - Group A: Meghalaya 6-0 Arunachal Pradesh
Kerala State League - Group A: State Bank of Travancore 3-0 Keltron FC

Note-1: The INDIA U18 boys earned much praise from all quarters when they emerged champions in the Levindo Rodrigues Memorial football tournament, at the newly-inaugurated Varca grounds with an exciting 3-2 comeback win over Churchill Brothers SC.
Churchill Brothers led 2-0 until the 75.minute but the never say die attitude of the juniors came to the fore as they rallied splendidly to script a famous win. It seems that 18 month's on the boys had learned a lesson from their 3-3 draw against the 1.FC Cologne U17 juniors, when most the U18 team as the then U17 team had come to Germany on a training camp and were five minutes from time leading 3-1 but the German boys proved that with the right attitude, team spirit and some luck one can get away with a draw or even win matches, which seem out of reach...
India U18 were certainly deserving winners of the fast paced encounter. The crowd cheered every minute of the pulsating encounter with midfielders Malsawma, Jerry Zirsanga and Babin Biswas keeping the Churchill defence on tenterhooks. Striker Vimal Pariyar was a thorn for the Churchill Bros side.
At the other hand, Churchill Bros were a shade better but the fluency was missing. Yakubu Yusif started on a great note running through the India U18 defence, but the tenure of his flamboyance was short as Habibur Rahman Mondal marked him tightly.
The juniors received a cash prize Rs 30,000 which will be shared equally by all members of the team. Some deserving pocket money for the boys as the team leaves for the Thai holiday resort of Phuket tomorrow. They play their first match on Tuesday, February 3.

Note-2: East Bengal Club president Dr. Pranab Dasgupta stated in Calcutta today that East Bengal would stand by it's coach Subhas Bhowmick and that the club was taken by utter surprised that the IFA stated that East Bengal had been kept uptodate on possible developments. If East Bengal had been informed about the possible action against their successful coach, then the club would have acted accordingly.
Subhas Bhowmick meanwhile didn't comment on the IFA disciplinary committee decision and is awaiting to get the IFA letter, which hasn't been drafted yet. Whenever Bhomwick gets the letter, his lawyers would take necessary steps.
Meanwhile as we hinted yesterday, also today most on the Calcutta Maidan were taken by surprise of the harsh decision.

Note-3: Ahead of the World Cup qualifying match against Asian giants Japan in September, the Saltlake Stadium pitch will be completely redone. And the Saltlake stadium is in utter need as the ground has been for the last couple of seasons in terrible shape, whenever it rained or the weather was moised, as the ground was being overused...
But now the IFA have sought the help from the West Bengal government for a major overhaul of the pitch, which is needed to at least try and bring the playing area to a decent standard for a high class World Cup qualifying match in the middle of the monsoons.
According to plans announced by WB sports minister Subhas Chakraborty the current playing area would be taken off and new grass planted. The grass is supposed to be of a special type to make the ground more even. Those of you who know the Saltlake Stadium know that the ground is slanting from the middle as both sides are lower. Approximately 45 days would be needed to complete the work and work would start after the conclusion of the ongoing National League, likely in late-April.

Note-4: With Amal Datta declining for personal reasons to take-up the job of chief coach of the IFA (Bengal) Academy in Haldia, the IFA have approached India's only Dronacharya award winning coach Syed Nayeemuddin. Nayeem is set to give his reply by tomorrow, as the academy will be inaugurated on Sunday in Haldia before the first batch comes-in in April 2004.

29. January
Note-1: We at indianfootball.com have made hints before the INDIA probables were announced and yes, with Ebbie Kodiattu a "Player of Indian Origin" from the USA is down at the Indian World Cup qualification camp in Goa, which is currently being held to select the final team for the first match against Singapore on February 18.
National coach Stephen Constantine and Ebbie had gotten in touch with each other and with Ebbie having an Indian passport Stephen offered Ebbie the chance to prove his class at the selection trials after the AIFF gace their go-ahead. So therefore Ebbie, who plays for the New Hampshire Phantoms (US A-League, two divisions below the professional MLS), is now down in Goa.
"Yes, Ebbie is here," India coach Stephen Constantine confirmed, speaking to Anthony Mergulhao, after monitoring a rigorous training session at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, this morning. "If there is a boy who can help Indian football, I see no reason why we cannot invite him," the coach added.
However, just how far Ebbie would progress and how good he actually is, Constantine is unwilling to comment. "He has the credentials having played in the US-A League Soccer. I respect his commitment," Constantine maintained about Ebbie, who has paid for his own ticket to come down to Goa and display his mettle.
Ebbie Kodiattu, who was reportedly spotted by indianfootball.com and the Indian Football Supporters Club and introduced to Stephen Constantine, is however, not the first NRI to come down for trials. Last year, another indianfootball.com PIO Site listed youngster Simran Singh from Denmark was on trials but eventually, did not make it to the U18 squad.
"I am proud Indian citizen. I hope I will get an opportunity, sometime, to play for my country. I believe I still have the time for that and that is my goal," maintained Ebbie.
But this isn't the first time that Ebbie is training with the Indian team. In 2001 during the summer England Tour indianfootball.com editor-in-chief Arunava Chaudhuri, Anthony Jaimongal from AJX International and Phil Kennedy from Sapphire Enterprises, enabled Ebbie and British PIO Navin Saroya to have a training session with the India team, then coached under Sukhwinder Singh but things sadly didn't take off from there. But it has now happened under Stephen Constantine and that is a very good sign!
"I was chosen for the Massachusetts Senior State team, Regional team and then to the US `B' team in Portland, Oregon. On coming back, I was asked to go and practice with the New England Revolution team, a professional MLS team who have a few World Cup players from various countries," Ebbie disclosed.
"In the United States, a lot of people are shocked to see an Indian playing football, as a professional," said Ebbie, who has trained under Englishman Steve Nicol, a Liverpool veteran, at the Boston Bulldogs.
Now one can only wait and see if Ebbie makes it into the squad. The way I know him personally, Ebbie is someone who works hard to achieve success on the football pitch and if he proves his class to Stephen, he could become an asset for India. We need to fill the slot, which IM Vijayan has vacated...

Note-2: An unprecidented punishment was handed out by the IFA's disciplinary committee today. East Bengal Club's successful coach Subhas Bhowmick has been given a two year suspension for making as they call "derogatory remarks" on the IFA during this seasons Calcutta Super Division League and also earlier at the Calcutta-hosted Federation Cup.
The ban would come into effect on May 16, 2004 and would last until May 15, 2006. So Bhowmick could coach East Benngal until the end of the National League campaign and also until the last home match of the AFC Cup group stage when Calcutta is the venue and also the last group match away in Malaysia on May 18.
IFA secretary Subrata Dutta after the meeting informed, "Bhowmick will not be allowed to be part of any IFA affiliated club or organisation for any tournament or match organised by the association at any ground. He will be debarred from entering the technical arena and reserve bench, and also not be allowed inside the fencing for the next two seasons." But it was known afterwards that the IFA secretary was not happy with the decision taken by the comittee, calling the suspension "sad and unfortunate" though adding that Bengal's and East Bengal's interest were kept in mind for the decision.
Bhowmick has 48 hours to reply and he is taking legal advice for his case. But the question has to be asked, if such a suspension can be done by a state association. Under FIFA ruling such decisions (suspension, fine, etc) can only be taken by the national association taking into account FIFA standards for punishment. The best current example is Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand, who was suspended by the English FA for eight month's for not turning-up for a drug test. And only after being pressured by FIFA the FA took the decision, which it normally wouldn't have taken in it's own interest as Ferdinand would have to miss EURO2004, weaking England's defence. Now Bhowmick's case is surely not as harsh as Ferdinand's case but the punishment is much harder as it also comes for a coach. Interesting would be to see, what the AIFF says to the decision and also other questions remain. What happens, if e.g. from next season onwards the clubs organise their own National League matches, then Bhowmick would be allowed to coach a club?
Also East Bengal's role in the story needs to be criticised as earlier the club stayed away to supporting their coach. But now it looks like the club would review the situation as they could be the biggest loser and club president Dr. Pranab Dasgupta will call a committee meeting at the club.
The decision has also come under heavy criticism on the Maidans with coaches Aloke Mukherjee, Jamshed Nassiri and others terming the decision as wrong and said that a fine, even if hefty would have been the right step, as such steps could force coaches to either become quite and say nothing against mistreatment and bad conditions or leave Calcutta for clubs elsewhere in India as good coaches are sought after.
It seems a new saga of misunderstandings and misuse of law and power in Indian football is on the cards. It can't be that a coach cannot criticise the association, if something is not in the interest of his club and players. Though surely Bhowmick has overstepped by calling the IFA "stupid and money-minded" for holding the Super Division playoff final and he needs to be punished. But a fine and an out of the technical area suspension for a certain number of matches would have surely done.
We will keep you updated...

28. January
39.Dr BC Roy (under-19) Trophy - NorthEast Zone Qualifiers - Group A: Assam 7-0 Tripura

Under-14 Kangaroo Cup-DSA football tournament - Delhi - Final: Apex Public School, Sant Nagar (Burari) 4-0 Delhi Public School (Vasant Kunj)
Under-17 Kangaroo Cup-DSA football tournament - Delhi - Final: Apex Public School, Sant Nagar (Burari) 1-0 Government Boys Senior Secondary School No.1, Motibagh

Note-1: The IFA (Bengal) Academy in Haldia will be inaugurated on February 1 by the West Bengal sports minister Subhas Bhowmick and before that day the IFA wants the position of chief coach fixed. The key candidate is Amal Datta, who is currently coach of Calcutta Super Division club EverReady Association, whose decision is awaited. Only if Datta declines the post, then the IFA would think about other names.
The IFA secretary Subrata Datta in Goa at the moment ahead of the Thailand trip for the BIMST-EC Cup of the India U18 team, of which he is the manager. The IFA and GFA will try to work closer together for the development of football in India. One of the first steps is that from next season onwards some matches of the IFA-Shield would be played in Goa, but not semifinals and final.

Note-2: Former Delhi footballer GL Juneja had died on Monday after a prolonged illness. Juneja was 77 and is survived by wife, son and a daughter. Juneja had represented Delhi in the 1940s on the football pitch plus has served the as Delhi Soccer Association secretary from 1979 to 82. Juneja had also been president and secretary of Delhi league club Mughal SC.

27. January
Note-1: The 20 member Indian U18 squad for the BIMST-EC Cup in Thailand will be lead by Tata Football Academy's GouraMangi Singh. Mangi along with Habihur Rahman Mondal and Vimal Pariyar had actually been called-up for the 2006 World Cup qualification camp.
SQUAD: GOALKEEPERS: Subhashish Roy Chowdhury (Tata Football Academy), Amit Nandy (Bengal).
DEFENDERS: Gurjinder Singh, Warun Deep Singh, Habihur Rahman Mondal, Subhas Mondal (both Tata Football Academy), Manju Nanjangud Shivananju (DYS, Karnataka), Marcelino Dias (Goa).
MIDFIELDERS: Moirangthem GouraMangi Singh (Captain), Debabrata Roy, Chandam Chitrasen, Malsawama, Jerry Zirsanga (all Tata Football Academy), Manjeet Singh (JCT Mills), Babin Biswas (Calcutta Custom, Bengal), Selvaraj Andrews (Kerala). FORWARDS: Vanlal Rova, Vimal Pariyar (both Tata Football Academy), Suting Marlangki (Fransa FC, Goa), Sampat Kumar Kuttimani (Indian Telephone Industries).
COACH: Mauricio Afonso (Goa). Assistant COACH: Satheevan Balan (Kerala). Goalkeeping COACH: Virender Singh (Punjab). Manager: Subrata Dutta (Bengal). Doctor: Dr. Manabendra Bhattacharya (Bengal).

Note-2: The Indian senior camp for the 2006 World Cup qualifiers kicked-off on Sunday but only today it started off properly. The senior and U18 camps were held today in Goa at the Nehru Stadium, Margao; Varca grounds and CRC Sports Complex, Chinchinim.
Once more Aloke Mukherjee has been named assistant to Stephen Constantine but Aloke hasn't reached Goa yet, and trouble could be looming for the Mohun Bagan coach as some at the Maidan club want their coach to work with the team in the National League break instead of the national team. And if Aloke goes, though Bagan don't want it, then he could even be fired.
In a telephone conversation chief coach Stephen Constantine had informed indianfootball.com that the probables had started training with no serious injuries, though some weren't totally fit yet. Also Stephen's hopes that the schedule of matches might be changed is unlikely, as the Asian Football Confederation has standardized their World Cup qualifying competition according to the FIFA calendar for international "A" matches.

Note-3: The draw for the Asian Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2004 was held today in Tokyo, Japan. The tournament will be held in Japan from April 18 to 26 and only 11 teams will play in the qualifiers, as one team: INDIA pulled out. Reasons behind the Indian women's team pullout are not known at the moment.

Note-4: On Republic Day yesterday Punjab's legendary footballer and Arjuna awardee Inder Singh was presented the "Pride of Phagwara" award at a special function organised by the local Nagar Council. A trophy, a shawl and a scroll were presented by Punjab Social Welfare Minister Joginder Singh Mann to Inder Singh. Current Inder Singh is Punjab FA secretary.

Note-5: Young Football players from several different prestigious schools in Delhi will be swaying and dancing to the Samba rhythms of Brazil on Wednesday when Russell Mason, an English UEFA coach, will conduct a training workshop for the coaches and boys and girls of the Super Soccer Academy in the capital.
Russell who has developed players for top professional English football clubs such as Fulham, Aston Villa, Southampton, West Ham United, Charlton Athletic, Crystal Palace, and Norwich City, is an advocate of the Brazilian Capoeira style which uses music to enhance, the balance, strength and touch of players.
Approximately 40 children and 10 Indian football coaches from the Super Soccer Academy will be shown how to dance their way to better football.
The session takes place Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 28 at The Shri Ram School, Aravali from 15:30 to 17:30.

26. January

Note-1: Yesterday we wrongly reported that the Indian U20 team would take part in the BIMST-EC Cup in Thailand. Actually it is the Indian U18 team, which will take part in the seven U18 team tournament, besides hosts Thailand also the yesterday mentioned Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar plus Nepal and Bhutan would take part besides our Indian boys. The tournament would be held in two groups plus knockout semifinals and final from February 3 to 8 on the Phuket Island, a Thai tourist resort.

Note-2: The 3rd Olympian Jarnail Singh Memorial Football Tournament in memory of the great Jarnail Singh will be held at Garhshanker, Punjab from February 10 to 14. All top teams from across Punjab expected to take part.

Note-3: The postponed Kerala State League will now kickoff on January 30 in Kochi. The league was postponed due to the death of the Kerala FA secretary G. Suganan a week before the state league was supposed to start on January 23.

25. January
Note-1: The INDIA under-20 team has been invited and accepted to take part in the five-nation BIMST-EC Cup in Thailand. The tournament would kickoff on February 3 and besides hosts Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar are opponents for the India U20 team. Former international Mauricio Afonso has been appointed coach, with Satheevan Balan as his assistant and Virender Singh as goalkeeping coach. IFA secretary Subrata Dutta has been named as Manager for the trip.

Note-2: Yesterday we reported that PK Banerjee had asked Mohammedan Sporting Club not to renew his contract with them as technical director. Now Sporting have requested PK Banerjee to reconsider his decision and at least stay with the club until the end of the National League. According to Sporting secretary Sultan Ahmed, PK Banerjee has asked for time to think about it and will thereafter make his decision public.

24. January
39.Dr BC Roy (under-19) Trophy - North Zone Qualifiers - Group A: Haryana 4-0 Jammu&Kashmir
39.Dr BC Roy (under-19) Trophy - North Zone Qualifiers - Group A: Himachal Pradesh 3-2 Chandigarh
39.Dr BC Roy (under-19) Trophy - North Zone Qualifiers - Group B: Punjab 0-0 Delhi
39.Dr BC Roy (under-19) Trophy - North Zone Qualifiers - Group B: Uttar Pradesh 4-2 Uttranchal

Note-1: The 9th SAF Games will be held from March 28 to April 6, 2004 in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The Pakistan Football Federation has done a tentative draw for the SAF Games Football tournament, which has been send to the AFC for approval. According to the draw India would be clubbed in Group B along with defending champions Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, while Group A would have hosts Pakistan, Maldives and Nepal fighting for the two semifinal spots.
The football tournament from this edition of the SAF Games would be an under-23 tournament, on lines of the Olympic and the Asian Games. As per the plan the football tournament would kickoff on Marc 28, a day before the opening ceremony. Bhutan will not be taking part in the football tournament, while Afghanistan are a special invitee.

Note-2: PK Banerjee is no longer technical director of Calcutta National League side Mohammedan Sporting Club. PK Banerjee's contract with Sporting ended on on January 19 and with the end of the contract he ended his official relationship with the Maidan club. Sporting officials were said to be shocked at Banerjee's decision, though would give his advice if wanted by the club.

Note-3: Nothing seems to go right for the Mohun Bagan administration. Now a member of the court-appointed three member panel, who are in charge of running the football team of the club, wants to leave his position, which they were asked to take-up by the Calcutta High Court.
First there is retired Justice Shyamal Sen, who is the former West Bengal Governor and the state's Chief Justice. Mr. Sen has been offered to be the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission, which in itself would be a good reason to relinquish his position but also he is more than just unhappy with the way things are being run at the club and that the factions are drifting even further away from each other. Also Mr. Sen is surprised that Mohun Bagan club members weren't interested in using their democratic rights to vote persons into positions/power to run the club.
Another panel member is Justice GN Roy had to face mass protests by Bagan fans infront of his house when Jose Barreto made his decision to leave public. Public pressure which no one wants to take if he has been asked by the court to do something.

Note-4: The Goa FA and the Sports Authority of Goa have sorted the issue of passes for the SAG for the India Vs Singapore World Cup qualifying match to be held at the Nehru Stadium, Margao. The GFA and SAG meet to avoid any reoccurance of problems which had come-up ahead of the National League, when the SAG issued own passes without the consent from the GFA. The SAG would receive 1.000 passes plus car park passes for the India match to be printed and issued by the GFA, which would have to be endorsed by the stadium manager Raut Desai, an SAG official.
Further it was discussed and decided that the SAG would do necessary repair works of the football pitch and make sure that the facilities at the Nehru Stadium would be upto the mark for a World Cup qualification match.
The GFA plans to print 24.000 tickets for the match plus the complementary tickets, so if sold out a crowd of upto 30.000 people could witness the match.
Under the chairmanship of Goa Sports Minister Francisco Pacheco the organising committee for the World Cup qualifier would hold its first meeting tomorrow at the Nehru Stadium, Margao at 17.30 h IST.
When the match would be kicked-off hasn't been announced yet.

23. January
8th National League - Goa: Churchill Brothers SC 0-0 Dempo SC - Goals: none.
In a Goan derby Churchill Brothers SC were able to hold National League leaders Dempo SC goalless at the Nehru Stadium, Margao. But still the one point meant for Dempo that they go into the month long break as the NFL's leaders with 22 points after 11 rounds of matches, one ahead of defending champions East Bengal. Churchill Brothers meanwhile are fourth with 18 points, still with all chances to win the NFL as many other teams in a so far very close league.
Churchill Brothers initially looked the better of the two sides but as longer the match lasted, the more Dempo took control especially after the lemon break. The reason given by Churchill Brothers coach Marcus Pacheco for his team fading away was that the team played their third match in six days and Dempo showing why they are top of the NFL.
Dempo's biggest strength is that they are strong as a unit with no real big stars unlike other teams who depend too much on certain players. Today this was proved once more as striker Alex Ambrose played from the beginning for the first time in ages for Dempo and if he had utilised his chances, he could have scored a hattrick and turned hero but it wasn't to be. Both sides had their chances to score but either the keepers came in the way or they strikers missed.

39.Dr BC Roy (under-19) Trophy - North Zone Qualifiers - Group B: Punjab 1-0 Uttar Pradesh
39.Dr BC Roy (under-19) Trophy - North Zone Qualifiers - Group B: Delhi 4-2 Uttranchal

22. January
8th National League - Calcutta: East Bengal Club 2-1 Mohun Bagan AC - Goals: 1-0 Dipankar Roy (23'), 1-1 Ashim Biswas (41'), 2-1 Mike Okoro (75').
East Bengal Club scored a 2-1 victory against Calcutta archrivals Mohun Bagan AC in a National League match at the Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta. For East Bengal Club the victory meant, at least for 24 hours, to be back at the top of the NFL for the first time this season with 21 points but tomorrow Dempo play Churchill Brothers and anything then a loss for Dempo would mean that the Goans would finish on top of the NFL after the first stage of 11 Rounds. On the other side for Mohun Bagan the loss leaves then dangerously in ninth place on 14 points, just five respectively four points ahead of Mohammedan Sporting and Tollygunge Agragami above the relegation zone. The current table is somewhat curious as a Calcutta club leads the league in East Bengal but the other three clubs are placed 9th to 11th, a somewhat unfamiliar site.
The match remained large mediocre as Bagan without Barreto weren't able to do more, while East Bengal played a controlled game. In the first half Bagan had more of the exchanges with the strikers Brazilian Eduardo Ribeiro and Ashim Biswas being mainly in the thick of the action but the East Bengal central defence of Deepak Kumar Mondal and Mahesh Gawli had most things under control. Bagan had the first chance when a Eduardo left-footer was saved by East Bengal keeper Sangram Mukherjee in the 14.minute. East Bengal went into the lead in the 24.minute when an operlapping Dipankar Roy, who played in an unusual position of right back, got a pass from Mike Okoro and a cross or pass, whatever it was supposed to be got deflected by a Bagan defender past a surprised keeper Bilifang Narzary into the goal. But Bagan got back into the match when Ashim Biswas headed in a Eduardo cross from the left, which Mahesh Gawli had misjudged and left Sangram Mukherjee stranded in goal.
Bagan had to replace Eduardo with Sunil Chetri at half time due to an injury and this ended Bagan's offensive trust. East Bengal took over from there especially Nigerian striker Mike Okoro, who played on the right wing. Okoro had been given two tasks by coach Subhas Bhowmick, first to deny Bagan captain Renedy Singh to much space on the flank and also initiate attacks over the flank for the other strikers Baichung Bhutia and Brazilian Cristiano Junior. Okoro seems to have left behind the bad patch of the last few month's and played some inspirational football. So it was left for Okoro to head home an Alvito D'Cunha corner in the 75.minute to seal the match for East Bengal.
EAST BENGAL: Sangram Mukherjee, Dipankar Roy (Alvito D'Cunha), Deepak Kumar Mondal, Mahesh Gawli, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Subhas Chakraborty, Mike Okoro, Debjit Ghosh, Sujoy Dutta (Anit Ghosh), Baichung Bhutia (Kalia Kulothungan), Cristiano Junior.
MOHUN BAGAN: Bilifang Narzary, Babun Kar, Harpreet Singh, Leonardo Monorat de Almeida, Rishi Kapoor (Lolendra Singh), Mehtab Hussain, Basudeb Mondal, Rocus Lamare, Renedy Singh, Eduardo Ribeiro (Sunil Chetri), Ashim Biswas.

39.Dr BC Roy (under-19) Trophy - North Zone Qualifiers - Group A: Jammu&Kashmir 3-0 Himachal Pradesh
39.Dr BC Roy (under-19) Trophy - North Zone Qualifiers - Group A: Chandigarh 1-1 Haryana

Note-1: Federation Cup winners Mahindra United from Mumbai will be playing their AFC Cup home matches at the Nehru Stadium, Margao in Goa. The Goa FA secretary Savio Messias confirmed today that Mahindra would play their three AFC Cup homes matches against Oman's Dhofar FC (February 11), Syria's Al Wahda (April 7) and Yemen's Al Wahda Sana'a (May 19) in Goa, which Mahindra United only confirmed yesterday. The likely reason behind the Jeepmen's decision not to play in Mumbai but in Goa is likely that Mumbai's Cooperage Ground is unfit for international football. Still today the Cooperage Ground hasn't been fully expanded into a proper football stadium.

21. January
8th National League - Goa: Sporting Clube de Goa 1-2 Mahindra United - Goals: 1-0 Bibiano Fernandes (45+'), 1-1 Shanmugam Venkatesh (79'), 2-1 Steven B Dias (83').
Mumbai's Mahindra United scored an important 2-1 away victory against debutants Sporting Clube de Goa in a National League match at the Nehru Stadium, Margao. With this win the Jeepmen from Mumbai now have 19 points and move up to the second spot in the NFL, clearly still in contention to get their first NFL title, which for years they have been aiming for. Sporting Clube de Goa meanwhile remain on 15 points in the middle of the league table, creditable for a promoted side but maybe they won't be happy at Sporting Clube as they left a number of points on the wayside.
Sporting played an attacking brand of football with short passes with their dependable Nigerian striker MacPherlin Dudu Omagbemi spearheading the raids. But it was only in the first half injury time that Bibiano Fernandes shot Sporting into the lead. Earlier at the quarter hour mark Sporting had to replace their strong keeper Luis Xavier Barreto due to injury to his knee and for him came on Richard Sanchez, who was a risk favour for his team. But Mahindra weren't too strong today, it was only that the Goans forgot to score the goals and this was to haunt them late in the match. It was Indian international Shanmugam Venkatesh who came into the match, first to score the equaliser and then a rebound of his shot was put in by young Steven Dias. In the 80.minute Venkatesh's goal was set-up by Togo striker Raphael Patron Akakpo, while only three minutes later Steven Dias only had to chest down a rebound and place it into the net. And the three points went to Mumbai.

39.Dr BC Roy (under-19) Trophy - North Zone Qualifiers - Group B: Punjab 3-0 Uttranchal
39.Dr BC Roy (under-19) Trophy - North Zone Qualifiers - Group B: Uttar Pradesh 4-1 Delhi

Note-1: It's time for another East Bengal-Mohun Bagan derby tomorrow in the National League to be played at the Saltlake Stadium, India's biggest football stadium. But the omen for the two sides couldn't be more different.
Both teams won their last matches - East Bengal trashed Mohammedan Sporting 4-0, while Mohun Bagan defeated NFL leaders Dempo 10 - but things surrounding the teams couldn't be more different. While at East Bengal the striking trio of Baichung Bhutia, Nigerian Mike Okoro and Brazilian Cristiano Junior got into the groove in the last match, with all three scoring a goal. Especially Junior has been impressive since he arrived in India scoring seven goals in seven matches, a new NFL record and if he performs tomorrow, he could be the native heir of Jose Barreto in Calcutta. Meanwhile for Bagan it is time to lick it's wounds as their key player of the last few seasons Jose Barreto left the city only 48 hours before the high-profile match.
Both coaches, East Bengal's Subhas Bhowmick and Mohun Bagan's Aloke Mukherjee, as has become usual before such matches made only readymade statements. The match is "fifty-fifty" and it depends on"what happens on that day". But both coaches know the importance of the match. With a win East Bengal could equal league leaders Dempo's 21 points; while Mohun Bagan could move to 17 points with a win, to move away from the relegation zone but a loss is something which is unwanted by both sides, likewise a draw.

Note-2: New Youngman SC, Bassi Pathana topped the 8th Paramjit Singh Gill Memorial Football League Tournament, which concluded recently at Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab. Panchyati SC, Badla and Fatehpur Ariya got the second and third position, respectively.

20. January
8th National League - Goa: Vasco SC 2-1 Churchill Brothers SC - Goals: 1-0,2-0 Amaechi Nwabunwanne Tochukwu (24',82'), 2-1 Yakubu Yusif (89').
Vasco SC beat Churchill Brothers SC 2-1 in a Goan derby in the National League at the Nehru Stadium, Margao. For Vasco the win meant they are part of the teams in the middle of the league with 15 points from 11 matches, six point from league leaders Dempo but also only six points away from a relegation spot which Mohammedan Sporting occupy. Churchill Brothers remain on 17 points as they missed a chance to move to second spot with a win and they have a match in hand against league leaders Dempo, which if they then had won would have meant that Churchill Brothers would go into the NFL break as league leaders but that is now no longer possible.
Vasco played to a plan given out by their coach Derrick Pereira to control midfield and two goals from their Nigerian striker Amaechi Nwabunwanne Tochukwu was all they needed, as Churchill Brothers could only reduce the margin a minute from time through a penalty.
Amaechi headed Vasco into the lead in the 24.minute off a corner from Brazilian Marcos Pereira, after Vasco had already missed two good chances. Thereafter Churchill Brothers had their chances but good goalkeeping from Brazilian Rogerio Ramos and wayward shots didn't help their cause. Churchill trying to get the equaliser took a man out of defence and moved him forward but that backfired in the 82.minute as Amaechi scored his teams second from a solo effort. Churchill were given a penalty a minute from time as Seby Dias fouled Ghanian Osumanu Husseini in the penalty area. Churchill's top scorer Ghanian Yakubu Yusif scored of the resultant penalty.

8th National League - Calcutta: Tollygunge Agragami 3-2 Indian Bank - Goals: 0-1 Kasun Nadika Jayasuriya (45'), 1-1,2-1 Sheikh Habeeb Ali (54',69'), 2-2 KG Joseph (75'), 3-2 Akeem Abul Alem (85').
In a fight for survival in the National League Tollygunge Agragami scored an important 3-2 victory against Chennai's Indian Bank at the Howrah Municipal Stadium, Calcutta. Tollygunge for the first time played their new striker Sheikh Habeeb Ali on loan from Calcutta first division Group A side George Telegraph and Ali impressed with two goals for his new club, though he could have scored many more if he had utilised his chances.
Today's important win meant that Tollygunge leapfrog past Calcutta rivals Mohammedan Sporting to 10th spot, one place above the relegation zone with 10 points, while for Indian Bank the ninth loss in 11 matches meant they stay on only two points ahead of the NFL break. If the Bankmen want to remain in the NFL, then after the break they need to start winning matches as even draws wouldn't be enough in their situation.
The young Tollygunge brigade started with fresh attacking football with the strikers Habeeb and Nigerian Akeem Abul Alem well feed by their midfielders but especially new induction Habeeb messed-up a number of chances before captain Akeem had the best chance in the 39.minute when his right-footer hit the crossbar. Indian Bank were relying on counter attacks to send their Sri Lankan striker Kasun Nadika Jayasuriya into the open space. Just before the breather Indian Bank took the lead when Jayasuriya nodded in a Kamaldeen Fuard freekick in a Sri Lankan coproduction. After the breather Tollygunge came out even more determined to score. It was the turn for Sheikh Habeeb Ali's double strike to equalise and then put Tollygunge infront. In the 54.minute Habeeb scored after a muddle, while 15 minutes later he headed home a Kabijit Khotel corner. But Indian Bank looked determined to take a point home and got the equaliser in the 75.minute through substitute KG Joseph, when he received a Kamaldeen Fuard through pass which hit the crossbar but Joseph scored of the rebound. But today was to be Tollygunge's day. Tolly coach Krishnendu Roy brought on Ajay Kumar Singh in the 85.minute and with his first touch Ajay send Akeem clear who made no mistake to score past Bank keeper Felix Edward.
TOLLYGUNGE: Raj Narayan Mukherjee, Kabijit Khotel, Isiaka Awoyemi, Ebi Bar Bar, Amitava Chanda, Amit Das (Biman Mondal), Sandip Das, Shamshi Reza (Manik Barman), Jiten Rai (Ajay Kumar Singh), Akeem Abul Alem, Sheikh Habeeb Ali.
INDIAN BANK: Felix Edward, Kamaldeen Fuard, Rajesh Kumar Pandey, Joseph Anandavasan, T Roopesh, Amjad Hussain, Mahendra Mani, Mohammed Rawme (Mohammed Bin Hassan), Prahlad Singh Rawat (M Sudeesh), Kasun Nadika Jayasuriya, K Aseem (KG Joseph).

39.Dr BC Roy (under-19) Trophy - North Zone Qualifiers - Group A: Jammu&Kashmir 1-0 Chandigarh
39.Dr BC Roy (under-19) Trophy - North Zone Qualifiers - Group A: Haryana 1-1 Himachal Pradesh

Note-1: Brazilian Jose Barreto left Calcutta today with his wife and daughter on a Thai Airways flight to Bangkok on his way back to his native Brazil. This means at least for the time being the chapter of one of the best-ever foreigners to play in India is over. Barreto left open, if he would return to India but has kept a door open, even maybe to come back to play for Mohun Bagan. During his stay of nearly five seasons, Barreto helped Mohun Bagan to win the National League title twice and was loved by the fans, not only from those of Mohun Bagan.
The legal battle over Barreto's premature departure is now set to start. Bagan say Barreto has broken a contract, which ran until the end of the season, while Barreto could take counter measures in making it clear that his payment wasn't on time or not paid at all, which according to FIFA statutes allow breach of contract.
The indianfootball.com team wishes Jose Barreto all the best, wherever he goes next and wish that he one day returns to play in INDIA!!!

Note-2: While Jose Barreto left Calcutta today, Mohun Bagan are working out what punishment can be handed to their former Brazilian star player. The Bagan officials aren't happy with the reply Barreto has given in regard to the show-cause notice and the club are thinking of handing Barreto a one year suspension, which would be worldwide but for that Bagan would need to move the case to FIFA and with the current track record of financial irregularities with players, Bagan will have it difficult with any worldwide suspension. If FIFA look into Bagan matters properly it will most likely hurt the club more than Barreto. Who is said to have consulted FIFA and the Brazilian FF in the matter.
Meanwhile the bad news continued for Bagan. The club wasn't able to obtain the International Transfer Certificate for their new Zimbabwean player Noel Tafadzwa Kaseka until today. The ITC had to be obtained until today, 48 hours before the match as is the rule.
Also Mohun Bagan's Brazilian physio Robson Mattos de Oliviera contract will not be renewed and will leave after the derby as his working visa ends on January 24. Tension between Robson and Bagan coach Aloke Mukherjee has been causing problems in the team management, therefore one had to go sooner or later...

19. January
8th National League - Calcutta: Mohammedan Sporting Club 3-1 JCT Mills - Goals: 1-0,3-0 Syed Rahim Nabi (5',19'), 2-0 Dipendu Biswas (14'), 3-1 Jo Paul Ancheri (78').
Debutants Mohammedan Sporting Club scored a 3-1 upset victory against JCT Mills in a National League match at the Howrah Minucipal Stadium, Calcutta. As the Saltlake Stadium turf is being given rest ahead of the East Bengal-Mohun Bagan derby on Thursday, the match today was held at the Howrah Municipal Stadium, a small but nice stadium with a very good ground.
Today's win was for Sporting only their second NFL victory, while for JCT it meant the end to their unbeaten run of five matches. So Sporting at the halfway stage end with none points, while JCT have double number of points with 18, ahead of the one month break.
Sporting started the match with so much determination that they steem-rolled JCT before the Millmen from Phagwara were actually part of the match. Young Syed Rahim Nabi opened the scoring in the 5.minute with a left-footed shot after receiving a squared pass from Dipendu Biswas. Biswas was then fouled by Jagjit Singh Randhawa in the box and scored on the second attempt to double the lead for Sporting in the 14.minute. The penalty had to be retaken as players entered the box before the penalty had been taken. That the JCT defence had a bad day in office as more than proven by the third goal for Sporting only five minutes later. Sporting's Nigerian Abu Bakar Godwin send a long ball forward, which Nabi collected and he wanted to get past Randhawa but couldn't, but a misunderstanding between Randhawa and his keeper Mansuru Mohammad enabled Nabi to sneek between them and the ball past Mohammad into the open net.
Sporting with a the comfort of a three goal lead became complacent and JCT regrouped. In the 24.minute Charanjit Kumar had a good chance with a left-footed volley but it was saved by Sporting keeper Gumpe Rime. For JCT the match was over only five minutes later when seasoned IM Vijayan twisted his ankle and he was substituted for teenager Manjit Singh. But like in earlier matches Manjit and Charanjit showed their inexperience and the need for a seasoned striker to lead them, be it Vijayan or the other absentee Nigerian Stephen Abarowei. Also short Sporting keeper Gumpe Rime's tendency to stand to far ahead of his goal wasn't utilised by JCT at all. Only a handball from Nigerian Okoli Onyeka Odafa gave JCT a penalty in the 79.minute and it was one of his easiest tasks for international Jo Paul Ancheri to score.
MSC: Gumpe Rime, Syed Hussain, Hussain Mustafi (Arjan Ali), Amandeep Singh, Abu Bakar Godwin, Bhuvan Krishna Joshi, Khalid Siddique (Bungo Singh), Syed Rahim Nabi, Okoli Onyeka Odafa, Dipendu Biswas, Chidi Edeh (Zaheer Hamza Abbas).
JCT: Mansuru Mohammad, Jagjit Singh Randhawa, Musa Aliu, KV Dhanesh, Jaspal Singh, Baldeep Singh, Sukhjinder Singh, Jo Paul Ancheri, Ram Pal (Jaswinder Singh), IM Vijayan (Manjit Singh), Charanjit Kumar (Surjit Singh).

8th National League - Goa: Salgaocar SC 0-0 Dempo SC - Goals: none.
The big Goan derby in the National League between Durand Cup winners Salgaocar SC and current NFL leaders Dempo SC ended goalless at the Nehru Stadium, Margao. Much was expected from the match of two of the top teams from Goa but it wasn't really to be.
Salgaocar had the first chance of the match but they had a major problem today, something which they hadn't had in their earlier NFL matches - the midfield wasn't as sharp as usual and they too often lost ball pocession. Dempo on the other side had some really good chances but the strikers didn't seem to be sharp enough to score and when they looked good Salgaocar keeper Rajat Ghosh Dasdidar came in their way.

42nd Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial Football Trophy - Final: Border Security Force 1-1 Punjab Police - Goals: 1-0 Dharminder Singh, 1-1 ? (15').
Border Security Force and Punjab Police were declared joint winners of the 42nd Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial Football Tournament in Mahilpur, Punjab. Punjab Police have the right to keep the trophy for the first six month's before having to hand it over to Border Security Force.

Note-1: If ratified by the IFA organs and the clubs, then Calcutta could see the launch of a professional Calcutta league next season.
As per the plans the IFA wants to devide the current 12 team Calcutta Super Division into two - a six team professional league plus a new 12 team Super Division.
The six teams in the professional league would play a two-leg 10 matches to decide the champions, without any playoffs as has been the case in the last two season.
Also the "professional" tag isn't just to the sake of calling it professional. In the first year clubs would have to sign 70 percent players who are professionals, which is a transitional period as in two years time all players would have to be professionals. That means none of the players could work elsewhere, e.g. as is still practice nowadays players signed by banks or the railways.
The new "Super Division" below the professional league would continue to consist of 12 teams. The teams would be the four surviving Super Division teams (Calcutta Port Trust, Eastern Railway, Railway FC, Wari AC), the four promoted from first division group A (George Telegraph, Calcutta FC, Peerless, Food Corporation of India) and the under-19 teams of the four National League outfits (East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Tollygunge Agragami, Mohammedan Sporting). Under the new system it would be mandetory for the four Calcutta NFL sides to form U19 teams to play in the Super Division.
The IFA would be interacting with the clubs to get their views on the plan and has called a meeting on February 4 to interact directly with them.
The IFA has further plans to get more interaction between Calcutta and the districts. The IFA wants to introduce the Bengal Club Cup championship - the 20 district champions plus the four Calcutta NFL U19 sides.

Note-2: The Kerala Football Association secretary G. Sugunan died in Kollam on saturday after a massive heart attack. He was 58 years old, and is survived by his wife Sita and daughter Aswati.
It was a tragic day for the Sugunan family as earlier in the day Sugunan had to witness the death of his younger brother at a private nursing home, which is likely to have led to his massive heart attack.
The Kerala State League was set to kickoff in Kochi coming Friday but with the death of the state's secretary, it could likely be postponed.

Note-3: Seasoned Nigerian Habib Adenkule, who was released by Mohammedan Sporting Club ahead of the National League has send in a complaint to the AIFF that his now former club still owe him salary of Rs. 400,000. The AIFF has send the letter to the IFA to Calcutta to get a statement from Sporting on why the dues of Adenkule hadn't been cleared.
Adenkule had signed for Sporting for Rs 550,000 and had on June 25, 2003 received a signing.on fee or advance payment, whatever one calls it, of Rs 225,000 but the cheque bounced. After a number of requests and pleas Adenkule himself claims to have been paid Rs. 150,000 until October 2003. Mohammedan Sporting secretary Sultan Ahmed meanwhile said that he has documents to prove that the player had been paid Rs 246,000 in five installments, after the cheque had bounced.
So another chapter of clubs in Calcutta and the payments to their foreign players can be added.

18. January
42nd Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial Football Trophy - Semifinal: JCT Mills 'B Team' 0-1 Punjab Police - Goal: 0-1 Anwar Ali (43').
42nd Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial Football Trophy - Semifinal: Harbhajan Sporting Club 0-3 Border Security Force - Goals: 0-1 Harvinder Singh (15'), 0-2 Boy Singh, 0-3 Sukhbir Singh (79').

Note-1: The Kerala State League will kickoff on January 23 in Kochi with the six top teams of the state taking part. Defending champions State Bank of Travancore will play for the title along with Keltron FC, FC Kochin, Titanium XI , Central Excise and Kerala State Electricity Board.

Note-2: Mohun Bagan's latest foreign recruit arrived today in Calcutta. This time it is a Zimbabwean in Noel Tafadzwa Kaseka, who his a midfielder. If his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) arrives on time, then Bagan plan to play Kaseka in the derby against East Bengal on Thursday.

17. January
8th National League - Goa: Churchill Brothers SC 1-0 Mahindra United - Goal: 1-0 Yakubu Yusif (12').
Churchill Brothers scored a lone goal victory against Mumbai giants Mahindra United in a National League match at the Nehru Stadium, Margao. With this win Churchill Brothers kept it's chances alive to top the NFL at the halfway stage, while Mahindra United lost it's chance after today's match. Churchill Brothers leapfroged past Mahindra to 17 points, while the Jeepmen remain on 16 points.
Churchill Brothers controlled the match in the first half and went ahead in the 12.minute when their Ghanian sharp shooter Yakubu Yusif headed over an advancing Mahindra keeper Kalyan Chaubey, after Noel Wilson had played a long pass forward. Especially Churchill Bros midfielders Noel Wilson and Harinder Singh had a good day on the field and if the strikers also had had a better day, then for Mahindra it could have come much harder.

42nd Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial Football Trophy - Quarterfinal: JCT Mills 'B Team' 1-0 CRPF, Jalandhar - Goal: 1-0 Sandeep Sharma (15').
42nd Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial Football Trophy - Quarterfinal: Harbhajan Sporting Club 1-0 Punjab State Electricity Board - Goal: 1-0 Lucky.

Note-1: East Bengal Club coach Subhas Bhowmick's remarks earlier in the season on the Indian Football Association (Bengal football's governing body) to the media, has been disliked the IFA for quite sometime now.
The IFA's disciplinary committee will be coming together on January 29, to take a final decision on what disciplinary measure would be taken against Subhas - a fine or maybe even suspension. But if it a suspension, then the punishment could be kept on hold not to hamper East Bengal's NFL title defence chances.
Today Subhas had been given a chance to appear infront of the disciplinary committee but he did not appear, so the decision would be taken in the coming meeting.

16. January
8th National League - Goa: Salgaocar SC 0-1 Sporting Clube de Goa - Goal: 0-1 MacPherlin Dudu Omagbemi (17').
Debutants Sporting Clube de Goa scored an upset lone goal victory against Salgaocar SC in a National League match at the Nehru Stadium, Margao. But was it an upset in the Goan derby? On the national stage it surely was an upset, but in the Goan league Sporting Clube had already beaten Salgaocar by the same margin, so for Goan and Indian football insiders the score did not come as such a major surprise.
The only goal of the match came in the 17.minute, when Salgaocar's Nigerian defender Bello Rasaq fumbled infront of the danger zone and Sporting's Nigerian MacPherlin Dudu Omagbemi smelling the chance snatched the ball from Rasaq and scored. Thereafter Salgaocar worked hard to earn themselves the equaliser but the woodwork and inexperience stood in their way.

8th National League - Calcutta: East Bengal Club 4-0 Mohammedan Sporting Club - Goals: 1-0 Alvito D'Cunha (45+'), 2-0 Baichung Bhutia (70'), 3-0 Cristiano Junior (75'), 4-0 Mike Okoro (89').
In a National League Calcutta derby, East Bengal Club trashed Mohammedan Sporting Club 4-0 at the Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta. But it isn't only the scoreline, which makes club officials and fans look forward to the big derby on coming Thursday against old foes Mohun Bagan. Since winning the ASEAN Club Cup last July, East Bengal had seemed to have lost its way and the winning, as the goals didn't want to come. With the signing of Brazilian striker Cristiano Junior that had changed, as he had scored in all the the six matches he had started and he did again today, but what also changed was that Alvito D'Cunha and Mike Okoro got on to the scoresheet along with Baichung Bhutia. Especially Okoro's performance will be welcomed by coach Subhas Bhowmick, as the Nigerian showed his real class after a long long time. For Mohammedan Sporting the fight for survival in the NFL continues and with some inexperienced players in the squad the fight is likely to continue until the end of the league.
The match could have gone the other way had the Sporting strikers used their chances in the first half and had Sangram Mukherjee not another good day in goal. It seems that Sangram is maturing as a keeper and is getting rid of his inconsistency, which used to be part of his game.
The first nail into Sporting's coffin was hammered in by a typical Alvito D'Cunha strike two minutes into first half injury time and Sporting never recovered. It was East Bengal all the way in the second half as the defending champions scored three more goals. First India captain Baichung Bhutia got his fourth goal of this NFL campaign as he chested down a Sujoy Dutta cross to bang in the ball. Then Brazilian Cristiano Junior created history. Junior who was close marked by Madhab Das, was brought down by Das and scored of the resultant penalty in the 75.minute. Junior's seventh goal in as many matches, is a new NFL record. But that wasn't still it as one was to come. It was a copy of the first goal by Alvito, as Nigerian Mike Okoro a minute from time received the ball and banged it in.
EAST BENGAL: Sangram Mukherjee, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Mahesh Gawli, M Suresh (Anit Ghosh), Subhas Chakraborty, Mike Okoro, Sujoy Dutta, Debjit Ghosh, Alvito D'Cunha (Sasthi Duley), Baichung Bhutia, Cristiano Junior (Malswam Tulunga).
MSC: Gumpe Rime, Syed Hossain, Hussain Mustafi, Madhab Das (Sheikh Sanjib), Amandeep Singh, Abu Bakar Godwin, Okoli Onyeka Odafa, Bungo Singh, Syed Rahim Nabi, Chidi Edeh, Dipendu Biswas (Zaheer Hamza Abbas).

8th National League - Chennai: Indian Bank 0-2 Vasco SC - Goals: 0-1 Edson de Crasto (73'), 0-2 Dennis Cabral (84').
Bottom of the National League side Indian Bank lost by two goals against Vasco SC from Goa in the floodlit Nehru Stadium, Chennai. Before the match it was a difficult senario for both sides. Indian Bank last with only two points from nine matches, while Vasco had nine points from as many matches both wanted and needed a win for their National League campaign.
But while Indian Bank played a drab brand of football, after their great game against East Bengal, Vasco were surely the better side on view today. Only the goals came late in the match. Vasco's Brazilian Edson de Crasto opened the scoring in the 73.minute with a placed shot. Substitute Dennis Cabral clinched the match with his goal in the 84.minute off a pass from Edson.

5th Air-India Millenium Cup - Final: Air-India White 1-0 Central Railway - Goal: 1-0 Mulitala Ali.
Air-India White retain the "Air-India Millenium Cup".

42nd Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial Football Trophy - Quarterfinal: Punjab Police 4-0 Shaheed Bhagat Singh FC - Goals: 1-0,3-0 Sukhjit Singh (23',?'), 2-0 Parminder Singh (27'), 4-0 Vijay Pal (67').
42nd Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial Football Trophy - Quarterfinal: Border Security Force 2-0 Khalsa Club, Kharar - Goals: 1-0 Harvinder Singh (11'), 2-0 DS Negi.

Note-1: Brazilian Jose Barreto has replied to the show-cause notice issued by his club Mohun Bagan. The notice was issued by the club as in the middle of the season Barreto himself decided to leave for his native Brazil. In his reply Barreto is said to have pleaded to be released by the club. When Barreto is to leave Calcutta is still unsure, as he seems to want to avoid any legal problems after he leaves for Brazil.

Note-2: The draw for the Women's Asian Olympic Qualifiers - Athens 2004 will be held on January 27, 2004 in Tokyo, Japan. The tournament proper will be held from April 18-28 in Japan. In total 12 countries will be taking part to try and gain a place in Athens, where our Indian women could play against China, Guam, Hong Kong, Japan, Myanmar, North Korea, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand or Vietnam.

15. January
8th National League - Calcutta: Tollygunge Agragami 0-2 JCT Mills - Goals: 0-1 Jo Paul Ancheri (13'), 0-2 IM Vijayan (61').
Tollygunge Agragami lost 0-2 against JCT Mills in a National League match in the nearly empty Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta. It were two goals from seasoned Jo Paul Ancheri and IM Vijayan, and another great performance in goal from Ghanian Mansuru Mohammad which gave JCT a victory, which brings the Phagwara Millmen closer to the top, while for Tollygunge the situation at the other end also gets worse, as they only remain one point away from the relegation spots.
JCT took the lead in the 13.minute when Nigerian defender Musa Aliu took a throw-in, the ball was headed on by Stephen Abarowei to Jo Paul Ancheri and he fired a left-footer from the top of the box, which went past Tollygunge keeper Chinmoy Banerjee. Thereafter Tollygunge had chances to equalise with midfielder Amit Das having the bext chance getting past Aliu and KV Dhanesh but he couldn't beat Mansuru. At the hour mark the class of IM Vijayan showed once again as he took a shot from over 30 metres out to beat young Chinmoy Banerjee, who was out of position, which Vijayan saw and capitalised on. Thereafter Vijayan set-up three good chances for India junior international Manjit Singh but the youngster showed that he still had lots to learn from man from Thrissur. Inbetween Tollygunge had another chance but Isiaka Awoyemi's shot rebounded off the crossbar.
The good form of IM Vijayan continued in the NFL today. The old warhorse is one of the top NFL strikers with five goals and only in October he retired from international football. Maybe something Vijubhai should consider, if India need his help. Even only if he plays for the team as a substitute. After the match Vijayan in the changing rooms mentioned an interesting annecdote that the boots he now plays in are a gift from another Indian international and goodf friend Renedy Singh.
TOLLYGUNGE: Chinmoy Banerjee (Raj Narayan Mukherjee), Kabijit Khotel, Sujit Neogi, Amitava Chanda, Isiaka Awoyemi, Gouranga Dutta, Sandip Das, Amit Das, Biman Mondal (Jiten Rai), Akeem Abul Alem, Kenneth Onu (Goutam Debnath).
JCT: Mansuru Mohammad, Jagjit Singh Randhawa, Musah Aliu, KV Dhanesh, Jaspal Singh, Surjit Singh (Baldeep Singh), Sukhjinder Singh, Jo Paul Ancheri (Shivraj Singh), Ram Pal, IM Vijayan, Stephen Abarowei (Manjit Singh).

Note-1: The show-cause notice issued by Mohun Bagan against Brazilian Jose Barreto has reached the player. Mohun Bagan assistant secretary, Balaram Chowdhury said in Calcutta today, "As per the order of the high court-appointed special officers, a show cause notice was served to Barreto on Wednesday night." And added, "He has to reply within 48 hours."
But an answer from Barreto is unlikely after yesterday's press conference.

Note-2: Two Round 11 matches of the National League in Calcutta have been shifted from the Saltlake Stadium to the Howrah Municipal Stadium across the Ganges. The two matches are Mohammedan Sporting Vs JCT Mills (January 19) and Tollygunge Agragami Vs Indian Bank (January 20). The reason behind the shift is to give the Saltlake Stadium ground some rest before the big East Bengal Vs Mohun Bagan match on January 22.

Note-3: Slowly East Bengal Club is getting ready to prepare for their AFC Cup campaign.
East Bengal Club will have to send a representative to the AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur January 19-21 for a conference of teams taking part in the AFC club tournaments this season.
In Calcutta East Bengal haved asked the IFA to lend financial assistance to host the three AFC-Cup home matches. The IFA has taken no decision, as the issue would have to be discussed the finance committee first.

14. January
The latest FIFA world rankings came out today and India have nose-dived from 127th to 138th in the world, losing 11 spots. The worst-ever drop by India in the world rankings. India also lost two spots in the Asian rankings in the process, so we are now 25th in Asia. What makes things even worse is that India is no longer the best team in south Asia, then Sri Lanka at 134, up one position, is now four places ahead of us. We will try to find out from FIFA, why India suddenly dropped so sharply in the latest rankings. But with the 2006 World Cup qualifiers around the corner, a sharp rise in rankings in 2004 is more than possible.

8th National League - Calcutta: Mohun Bagan AC 1-0 Dempo SC - Goal: 1-0 Renedy Singh (57').
In an exciting National League match at the Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta, Mohun Bagan beat league leader Dempo SC 1-0. For a desparate Mohun Bagan, who needed a infusion through a win, it meant their first win after three losses and four winless games, while for Dempo it meant the first defeat in their ninth NFL match this season. For Mohun Bagan this was the first bit of really good news in the 2004, which has started really badly for the Maidan giants and if you read below seems to continue.
The eleven players, which were on the ground today, were a determined lot willing to leave all the on- and off-field troubles behind them to play good football. It was Bagan's best match of the season and that without their messiahs Brazilian Jose Barreto, who will definitely no longer be part of this NFL campaign. Yesterday captain Renedy Singh had said, the team should look at the match as if Barreto had a double booking or a red card and had to sit out. Renedy along with seasoned Basudeb Mondal lead from the front, and what a transformation for the two it turned out to be. Renedy has become much more mature under the pressure of captaincy and much more consistent in his performances, he is the best deadball player in the country and has grown to become a regular for India: Meanwhile Basudeb Mondal, only per request from coach Aloke Mukherjee he was taken into the NFL roaster, from which the Bagan officials wanted to leave him out and Basuda is now paying his coach back with good performances and leadership of a young, talented team.
Mohun Bagan surely had more of the chances today and it was another strong performance from Abhijit Mondal in the Dempo goal which denied Bagan a win with a bigger margin. The winner came in the 57.minute, when Ashim Biswas was send free on the right and perfectly floated the ball into the center and no defender around captain Renedy Singh had an easy time to head in. Not a common scene to see Renedy score with a header. Dempo thereafter had chances to equalise but Bagan needed and deserved the win today.
MOHUN BAGAN: Bilifang Narzary, Babun Kar, Sanjeev Kumar Maria (Rocus Lamare), Harpreet Singh, Rishi Kapoor, Mehtab Hussain, Basudeb Mondal, Leonardo Monorat de Almeida, Renedy Singh, Ashim Biswas, Hardip Singh Gill (Sunil Chetri).
DEMPO: Abhijit Mondal, Valeriano Rebello, Stanley Colaco, Majekodunmi Bolaji, Melvyn Rodrigues, Sameer Naik, Mohammad Gaffar, Nacimento Silveira (Mario Soares), Clifford Miranda (Raju Singh), Sunday Seah (Alex Ambroso), RC Prakash.

5th Air-India Millenium Cup - Semifinal: Central Railway 2-1 Western Railway

Note-1: It was the final act today, at least from Brazilian Jose Barreto's side, as he had called a press conference at his Kasba residence. Jose Barreto made it clear that he stood by all that he has said over the last few days and he will not play for Mohun Bagan anymore. Barreto said he was himself quitting the Maidan giants on his own terms and that he is likely to leave Calcutta by the weekend for his native Brazil.
Barreto said in the past Bagan had gotten rid of foreign players, now it was the turn of a player to terminate the contract.
For Barreto Calcutta had been his "City of Joy", he had instant success when he joined the club in 1999, was the crowds darling and a favourite among teammates. But lately it had turned out to be a nightmare, as the Bagan officials and their personal problems were also a problem for the team and mistreatment of players a normal thing.
Barreto was so fair to his club that he didn't mention the actual reason for his decision, though he said something very disturbing that the plans to leave had been in his head for some month's now and he couldn't force himself to play any longer.
Barreto said he wouldn't go to IFA, AIFF, Brazilian FF or FIFA with the case but said if Bagan went to any instance, then he could be forced to take counter actions. He said that Bagan still owed him Rs 1,5 million but he doesn't seem to interested to get that money but it seems Bagan want to clear that money, otherwise it would be difficult to go legal against Barreto.
Jose Barreto will not be remembered as one of the best-ever foreigners to have played in Calcutta but generally in Indian football. Barreto was a class forward, who could also play withdrawn and

Note-2: And the Mohun Bagan players payment saga continues...
Mumbai footballer Uday Kumar Konar today revealed that he has sought help from FIFA's Players' Status Committee to claim outstanding wages from Mohun Bagan AC.
Konar officially played for Mohun Bagan between 2001-2003 but in 2003 was loaned to Mumbai's Air-India.
Konar he had signed in 2001 for Mohun Bagan from Churchill Brothers SC. According to Konar he was to get Rs 185.000 for the first year, with a rise in salary for 2002/03, which would add up to something around Rs 230.000 . Konar said, "But the Bagan management has so far paid Rs 2.5 lakh for both years and I had no option but to approach FIFA to recover my dues."
Adding, "I had no intention of taking the issue to the international body but the Bagan management kept on making false promises despite knowing that I am the only bread earner in my family and football is the only source of income for me."
Club officials were not available for comment on Wednesday.
This all comes after Nigerian Isa Musah Eroje had claimed his money from Mohun Bagan through FIFA and what happened to the case of another Nigerian George Ekeh isn't totally clear. Last season India star Baichung Bhutia wasn't paid the fixed amount, and today Brazilian Jose Barreto said, Bagan still owed him Rs 1,5 million. Maybe FIFA nox should have a proper look at the finances and dealing at Bagan, so that maybe the problems at the oldest club in Asia are sorted for once and for all.
The fight between the two rival factions, the still not cleared senario if the tie-up with the UB-Group was proper and the players problem are really a shame, not only to Bagan and it's fans but to the whole Indian football franity, as this show our football in bad light internationally, as such reports are rather send across the world than small success stories...

13. January
5th Air-India Millenium Cup - Semifinal: Air-India White 1-0 Air-India Red - Goal: 1-0 Mulitala Ali.

Note-1: Quo Vadis Mohun Bagan?
Yesterday the club under the leadership of the court appointed officers were willing to take a hard stance against Jose Barreto but today it seemed that the club wanted to save face (Is that now still possible???) and it's position sounded much softer. Bagan wants to give Barreto time to return and said, all issues and problems would be solved in the interest of the Brazilian, who has been fundamental for Bagan for over four years now.
But still the club has set Barreto a deadline and that only until tomorrow, otherwise they will then take necessary action. Whatever that is be it legal or some other way. Interesting is that like Sunday against JCT Mills, for tomorrow's match against NFL leaders Dempo SC Barreto's name has been put onto the 18 men team sheet. The hope is still alive, though Barreto has made it clear, he won't play again for Bagan.

Note-2: Meanwhile Mohun Bagan are still on the lookout to fill their fourth and final slot for foreign players. And it seems a Zimbabwean defender has to be the man. Ahead of the NFL it looked that Zimbabwean international David Mkandawire would be signed but the deal didn't happen. Now it looks that 23 year-old Noel Kasake would come to Calcutta on Saturday. He last played in the Albanian league and if found suitable, he could be signed before the NFL clash with East Bengal on January 22.

Note-3: The 42.Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial Football Tournament kicks off tomorrow at the Khalsa College groun, Mahilpur in Punjab. The tournament has been held without any interuption since its inception in 1962. Punjab's top clubs like JCT Mills, Border Security Force, Punjab Police, Punjab State Electricity Board and Rail Coach Factory will be seen in action.

12. January
8th National League - Calcutta: Mohammedan Sporting Club 1-1 Sporting Clube de Goa - Goals: 0-1 Abdullatif Seriki (5'), 1-1 Chidi Edeh (75').
The match between the two promoted National League teams Mohammedan Sporting Club and Sporting Clube de Goa ended in a one-all stalemate at the Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta. While Mohammedan Sporting continued to waste chances galore also in this match, Sporting Clube didn't have too many chances today but utilised one quite early. Former Mohammedan Sporting striker Nigerian Abdullatif Seriki opened the scoring in the 5.minute, when Syed Rahim Nabi lost the ball to Nigerian striker MacPherlin Dudu Omabgemi and he set-up Seriki who shot past Gumpe Rime. Thereafter Mohammedan Sporting had numerous chances but kept on missing and like in earlier matches, as the match moved towards the final whistle, the fear got bigger and bigger in the Mohammedan Sporting camp that the team could lose again. But 15 minutes from time Nigerian striker Chidi Edeh somewhat made-up for the earlier losses to equalise and at least salvage one point.
MSC: Gumpe Rime, Syed Hussain, Hussain Mustafi, Madhab Das, Amandeep Singh, Abu Bakar Godwin, Bungo Singh, Syed Rahim Nabi, Khalid Siddique (Dipendu Biswas), Chidi Edeh, Okoli Odafa Onyeka.
SPORTING CLUBE: Luis Xavier Barreto, Akshay Das, Vincent Pires, Ajay Diwadkar (Sagolsem James Singh), Bibiano Fernandes, Jerose Oliviera (Mehraj Din Wadoo9), Kamal Suleiman, Francis Andrade, Sandeep Colaco (Agnelo D'Costa), Abdullatif Seriki, MacPherlin Dudu Omabgemi.

8th National League - Chennai: Indian Bank 1-1 East Bengal Club - Goals: 0-1 Cristiano Junior (22'), 1-1 Kamaldeen Fuard (25').
Bottom of the National League team Indian Bank held champions East Bengal Club to a credible draw at the Nehru Stadium, Chennai. For Indian Bank it was only their second point from nine matches, while the Maidan giants now have 15 points. For the Bankmen the draw was to little to close-in on the non-relegation spots, while East Bengal lost a chance to close in on the league leaders.
Against the run of play East Bengal took the lead in the 22.minute when their Brazilian striker Cristiano Junior converted a penalty. Junior had been fouled by Bank defender Rajesh Kumar Pandey. But the lead only lastest three minutes as the Bankmen equalised with a long-range freekick from their Sri Lankan defender Kamaladeen Fuard, which was deflected by East Bengal defender M Suresh, leaving keeper Sangram Mukherjee stranded. Sangram had a strong day in goal and among other things denied Indian Bank Sri Lankan striker Kasun Nadika Jayasuriya early in the second half, tipping the ball over the goal.
East Bengal then lost their dependable defender Deepak Kumar Mondal for a double booking six minutes from time and then Dipankar Roy had to leave the ground injured three minutes from time and with three substitution taken, East Bengal had to end the match with nine players.
What East Bengal clearly missed were the services of the Indian captain Baichung Bhutia upfront and defender Debjit Ghosh, both out due to a yellow card suspension.
INDIAN BANK: Felix Edward, Kamaldeen Fuard, Rajesh Kumar Pandey, Anthony Noel, T Roopesh (AV Willy), Amjad Hussain, M Sudheesh, Mahendra Mani, AA Fazlur Rehman, Kasun Nadika Jayasuriya, Syed Shabir Pasha
EAST BENGAL: Sangram Mukherjee, Surkumar Singh (Dipankar Roy), Mahesh Gawli, Deepak Kumar Mondal, M Suresh, Subhas Chakraborty, Malswam Tulunga (Bijen Singh), Sujoy Dutta, Kalia Kulothungan (Alvito D'Cunha), Mike Okoro, Cristiano Junior.

8th National League - Mumbai: Mahindra United 3-0 Vasco SC - Goals: 1-0 Vinu Jose (14' - own Goal), 2-0 Shanmugam Venkatesh (17'), 3-0 Abhishek Yadav (90+').
Mahindra United scored a convincing 3-0 victory against Goans Vasco SC in a National League match at the Cooperage Ground, Mumbai. The first two goals came in quick succession around the quarter hour mark and were a co-production of Jules Alberto and Shanmugam Venkatesh. In the 14.minute Jules Alberto received the ball near the centre circle and move forward a little to the left. Venkatesh overlapped from the left and move towards the flanks. In ordinary circumstances, any player in place of Jules would have quickly switched to Venky. but Jules held on, seeing that Venkatesh had pulled with him the right wing back and the two stoppers were in not in position. He pushed the ball forward and darted into the gap behind the stoppers, centred firmly on the ground and Vasco defender Vinu Jose banged it into his own teams goal roof. The second goal was scored by Venkatesh when he connected a Jules Alberto header in the 17.minute. After the breather Mahindra went a few geares lower and became defensive giving Vasco space. Vasco strikers Brazilian Marcos Pereira and Agnelo Gomes had their chances but Mahindra keeper Kalyan Chaubey continued to show his good form. In injury time substitute Abhishek Yadav scored his teams third goal off a pass from Venkatesh.

5th Air-India Millenium Cup - Quarterfinal: Central Railway 7-6 Rashtriya Chemicals&Fertilisers [on penalties] - Goals: none.

Note-1: The Jose Barreto-Mohun Bagan saga took another surprising turn today.
Bagan's court-appointed three member special officers have decided to issue a showcause notice to Jose Barreto for 'breach of contract.' The Brazilian has missed training for a few days and without informing the club has threatened to leave for Brazil in the coming days, with the contract wtill running until the end of the National League. Barreto has been given 15 days to answer the show cause.
Another issue which the club needs to think about is if Bagan owes Barreto any money or anything else as part of the contract, if that is the case, then the Brazilian according to international football law would have the right to leave. A very tricky senario for Bagan, as the club with it's past record of not fulfilling contractual obligations is in the FIFA record books.
Another dangerous development is coach Aloke Mukherjee, who seems to be fed-up with the current situation at the club, but would not like to leave now as he doesn't want to leave the team stranded. And as rumours are, already the names of coaches are making the rounds who could replace Aloke. The names are those of TK Chathunni and Syed Nayeemuddin.

Note-2: The late Neville Stephen D'Souza was felicitated by the Mumbai District Football Association today before the Mahindra United-Vasco match. The honour was accepted on Neville's behalf by his wife Lyra. Neville D'Souza had played in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and had as still the only Indian scored a hattrick at the games.

11. January
8th National League - Calcutta: Mohun Bagan AC 0-1 JCT Mills - Goal: 0-1 Jo Paul Ancheri (21').
Mohun Bagan AC lost by a lone goal against JCT Mills in a National League match at the Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta. The hopes of Bagan officials and fans were dashed as Brazilian Jose Barreto didn't turn-up in the last minute to play. It only remained a dream. And after all the off field problems, the match turned out to difficult for the Bagan team as expected and feared by fans. It was the third loss in a row for Bagan, while JCT kept continuing their good show in the NFL.
JCT scored the winner in the 21.minute. After a Ram Pal corner Nigerian striker Stephen Abarowei and Bagan keeper Arindam Ghosh both missed the ball, which then travelled to Jo Paul Ancheri and the Indian international midfielder stick the ball high over Bagan defender Rishi Kapoor, who tried to head the ball out as he was standing on the goalline. Bagan also had their chances but what clearly showed, Bagan were already missing Barreto from the playing-eleven with seasoned Basudeb Mondal and Ashim Biswas wasting some chances. In the end Bagan were lucky that Ancheri didn't score another goal near the end of the match.
MOHUN BAGAN: Arindam Ghosh, Manitombi Singh, Leonardo Monorat de Almeida, Harpreet Singh, Rishi Kapoor, Mehtab Hussain (Hardeep Singh Saini), Basudeb Mondal, Eduardo Ribeiro (Sunil Chettri, Palash Karmakar), Renedy Singh, Ashim Biswas, Hardeep Singh Gill.
JCT: Mansuru Mohammed, Jagjit Singh Randhawa, Musa Aliu, KV Dhanesh, Jaspal Singh, Baldeep Singh (Jaswinder Singh), Sukhjinder Singh, Jo Paul Ancheri, Ram Pal, Charanjit Kumar (Manjit Singh), Stephen Abarowei (Surjit Singh).

The latest from the Bagan troubles:
What happened before and after the Mohun Bagan AC - JCT Mills?
Did policemen beat-up Bagan fans at the club's Maidan Tent and also at the Saltlake Stadium?
Nothing seems 100% clear. Though what is known for sure more than 400 Bagan members and supporters tried to cause trouble at the club's Maidan Tent premises yesterday. Some even saying they would make sure that no match would be held today, if Barreto wasn't on the team bus.
There was heavy policing infront of the Maidan Tent, the house of Jose Barreto and additional security personal were at the Saltlake Stadium today, fearing that trouble could break out. People tried to obstruct the team bus from leaving the club tent for the Saltlake Stadium but the police made sure nothing happened then. The supporters shouted slogans like "No Barreto, No match."
During the match the 15,000 to 20,000 Bagan fans chanted for the return of their Brazilian star or hurled abuses towards the club officials.
After the match police is said to have used lathi charge against Bagan fans, who tried to obstruct the team bus from leaving the Saltlake Stadium complex. According to Mohun Bagan club secretary 60 to 70 supporters were injured, while the police denied the charges.
More will become clear tomorrow but what happens next at Bagan???

8th National League - Goa: Salgaocar SC 2-0 Tollygunge Agragami - Goals: 1.0 Dharamjit Singh (5'), 2-0 Freddy Mascarenhas (25').
Salgaocar SC scored a 2-0 victory against Tollygunge Agragami in a National League match at the Nehru Stadium, Margao. Salgaocar took an early lead in the 5.minute when Dharamjit Singh took a shot on goal from over 35 metres out, which Tollygunge keeper Chinmoy Banerjee couldn't stop. Thereafter Salgaocar continued to trouble the Tollygunge defence and it paid dividends as young Freddy Mascaranhas doubled the lead in the 25.minute with a header off a cross from Nigerian Felix Ibrebru. Thereafter Ibrebru himself had chances but couldn't score. After the breather the complexion of the game changed completely with suddenly Tollygunge taking control of affairs but as has been the chance in this NFL, they aren't able to score. In the first quarter of the second half, twice woodwaork denied Nigerian Kenneth Onu a goal, and then later in the half it was captain Akeem Abul Alem who wasted chances. It more precision and luck, Tollygunge could have earned a point.
For Salgaocar the question remains why again against a weaker NFL side they had problems in the second half. Had Tolly today and Indian Bank in the match earlier scored more goals of their chances, Salgaocar wouldn't have earned six points. But wuth these points Salgaocar are now in the pack chasing Goan rivals Dempo SC.

5th Air-India Millenium Cup - Quarterfinal: Air-India White 2-0 Maharashtra State Police - Goals: Mulitala Ali (47',54').

Note-1: If the latest rumours and infos we have received from Calcutta are to be believed then Jose Barreto will vacate his Kasba residence, south Calcutta, on Tuesday and fly back that day with his family to Sao Paolo, Brazil.
At least for the moment Mohun Bagan is part of history for Jose Barreto, whose sentiments seems to have been hurt very badly by Bagan officials in Goa. But there are further problems, which are surfacing at the moment. The power struggle within the club seems to also get on Barreto's nerves and also his compatriots physio Robson, defender Leonardo Monorat de Almeida and striker Eduardo Ribeiro aren't being treated properly by the club. The illtreatment of Indian and African players in the past while Barreto has been at the club, might add to the whole misery.

Note-2: The closure of the sports teams, among them football, of Indian Telephone Industries, Bangalore might be lucky for EverReady Association, Calcutta. The AIFF has contacted the potential participations, if they would like to play in the 2.Division National League or not. With ITI closing down most of their sport club and selling their best players, it is likely that EverReady might just get into the league.

Note-3: The eight edition of the Assam Club Football Championship will be held in Diphu from February 8. Karbi Anglong Sports Association will be organising the championships, which will see the district league champion clubs in action.

10. January
5th Air-India Millenium Cup - Quarterfinal: Air-India Red 1-0 Union Bank of India - Goal: 1-0 Anthony Fernandes.

Note-1: Salgaocar and India midfielder Wangkheirakpam Tomba Singh has been named "Indian Player of the Year 2003" by the AIFF. The announcement was made at the AIFF's annual general meeting, which coincided with the concluding day of the six-day "Vision India" Conference in New Delhi. Tomba was honoured for his excellent performances in national and international competitions. The 21-year old youngster from Nongmeibung, Manipur was a key player in the National League, the Durand Cup and the Afro-Asian Games 2003 for his club and country. Before joining Salgaocar in 2001, he had played for Mumbai's Air-India from 1998-2001. Indian star skipper Baichung Bhutia hailed Tomba Singh as one of the best finds recently.

Note-2: The AIFF officially confirmed the venues for the home matches of the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. India's matches will be held at the Nehru Stadium, Goa (Feb.18 vs Singapore); the Nehru Stadium, Kochi (Mar.31 vs Oman) and the Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta (Sep.8 vs Japan).

Note-3: India and Pakistan are moving closer to each other on the political front and that is leading to all possible resumption of ties - air and rail links and also on the sporting field. In Cricket India will visit Pakistan in the coming month's, in hockey plans for matches are in the planning stage, now also football has come into the focus.
The AIFF president announced in Delhi today that football matches between the two countries would be revived and that the Pakistan Football Federation had expressed their willingness to play India. India would play a match in Pakistan, while Pakistan would then play in India.
The information from the PFF was conveyed to the AIFF president and the Indian external afffairs minister Yashwant Sinha by the AFC president Mohammed Bin Hammam.

Note-4: Good news from the Indian Railways. Through their sports quota, the Railways had decided to recruit women footballers. Also to promote the cause of women's football in India, the AIFF would kickoff a National Women's Football League in 2005. Teams like East Bengal Club and Mohun Bagan since a few years have women teams playing in the Calcutta Women's Football League.

Note-5: Though Jose Barreto has made it clear, he is no longer available to Mohun Bagan AC for their current National League campaign, around the club there is only one question: will he or won't he play for Bagan in their NFL match against JCT Mills at the Saltlake Stadium?
According to sources close to Barreto, the Brazilian has already received his return tickets for Sao Paolo to fly back to Brazil with his wife and daughter. Barreto has kept the option open that he might return to play for Bagan next season but currently he is in no position to play for Bagan, as in Goa he had to hear things from club officials which he himself things he doesn't deserve. Also hints were made that Bagan players have been mistreated by the club officials, and that not for the first time.
But serious trouble could take place at the Mohun Bagan Maidan tent tomorrow, if Barreto doesn't play for Bagan. Club secretary Anjan Mitra, not in control of football affairs, has stated that club members and fans would block the team bus from leaving for the Saltlake Stadium, if Barreto was not on it.
Difficult times for Bagan...

Note-6: Watch out boys, girl's football is back! The second IYSA-Tify Girls Football League kicks off this Sunday with six teams and loads of excitement lined up in New Delhi.
Girls within the age group of classes 6-12, an amalgamation of schools such as The Shri Ram School, Sardar Patel, and Vasant Valley will participate in a weekly league held every Sunday morning at The British School in Chanakyapuri till the end of April. With team names like Iron Ice, Athenian Warriors, Lethal Blaze, Niobe's Army, Red Storm and Silver Blades, we're sure it will be a well-contested fight to the top. The Global Green Company brand Tify is sponsoring the league. And each girl will be provided with a top quality Reebok kit.
The India Youth Soccer Association, not only promote girls football, we also encourage teamwork, fitness, good sportsmanship, and perhaps a little healthy competition! Face it, its tough for girls to play football in a country where even male footballers are sidelined. Here's an opportunity for girls to stand up against prejudice and fight against the norm. Above it all, the girls are bound to have a blast.
Our ten-week venture is designed for girls from all over Delhi to interact and provide a benchmark for promising new talent. Through this league, the IYSA will recruit a girl's football team that will compete against colleges.

9. January
Today can surely be termed as a "historic day" for Indian football, as the foundation stone for the Football House, the new headquarters of the AIFF was laid by the Vice-President of India, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat at Dwarka (near the Indira Gandhi International Airport), in New Delhi today.
It means 111 years after the Indian Football Association was formed in Calcutta and 56 years after the All-India Football Federation was founded Indian football will get a national headquarter from where the football operations across India will be coordinated. In the past the headquarters used to be in the home states or even cities of the AIFF president or secretary.
Present on the occasion were Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit, AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam, AFC general secretary Peter Velappan, FIFA Goal Project director Urs Zeneti alonf with AIFF president Priya Ranjan Das Munshi and secretary Alberto Colaco.
All speakers hoped that this would be the start for a bright future of Indian football. AFC president Bin Hamman said, he hoped to see Indian football back at the top of Asian football in the future. Some even talked about India becoming a world football power but at the moment we are a bit away from that...
The Football House would be a three storeyed building, which would cost approximately Rs 45 million and the construction is likely to be finished in a years time. The construction is coming-up under the supervision of world governing body, FIFA, who are also partially funding the project through it's GOAL Project, which gives national federations USD 400.000 to construct their headqarters and infrastructure for football development.

8th National League - Calcutta: Mohammedan Sporting Club 0-1 Dempo SC - Goal: 0-1 Sunday Seah (17').
Dempo scored an important and crucial lone goal away victory against National League debutants Mohammedan Sporting Club at the Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta. With their sixth victory in eight matches Dempo now clearly lead the NFL table with 20 points, six ahead of their closest rivals, which is surprising so early into the NFL. Mohammedan Sporting meanwhile remain in 11th position, a position which at the end of the season would mean relegation, with only five points.
Dempo showed in the first half why they are top of the league at the moment with total midfield control. For Dempo their Nigerian playmaker Mohammad Gaffar and the wingers Sameer Naik and Clifford Miranda showed a strong performance. It was Liberian goalkeeper-turned-striker Sunday Seah to score the winner in the 17.minute, his sixth goal of the league and with that he nows leads the goalscorer charts. But the match could and maybe should have ended differently, had Sporting not squandered so many chances. Sporting coach Jamshed Nassiri must have given his boys a hot set of ears and changed the strategy, it seemed to work as Sporting controlled proceedings but couldn't score. Striker Dipendu Biswas was taken off at halftime and Nigerian Chidi Edeh wasted too many chances. After the match Nassiri said, "Had I been playing in place of Chidi Edeh, I would have scored at least twice." A telling senario for Sporting. Nassiri has a lot of work coming-up to keep his team in the NFL.
MSC: Gumpe Rime, Amjad Ali Khan, Amandeep Singh, Madhab Das, Hussain Mustafi, Okoli Onyeka Odafa, Abu Bakar Godwin, Bungo Singh, Syed Rahim Nabi (Sheikh Sanjeeb), Chidi Edeh, Dipendu Biswas (Khalid Siddiqui).
DEMPO: Abhijit Mondal, Valeriano Rebello, Stanley Colaco, Philip Gomes, Melvyn Rodrigues, Sameer Naik, Mohammad Gaffar, Nacimento Silveira, Clifford Miranda (Raju Singh), Sunday Seah (Ishfaq Ahmed), RC Prakash.

5th Air-India Millenium Cup - Quarterfinal: Western Railway 1-0 Bank of India - Goal: 1-0 PV Vinoy.

Note-1: Jose Barreto is still in Calcutta but is seems only a question of hours or days before he flies back to his native country, Brazil. All possible people - the two warring factions of the club; coach Aloke Mukherjee; the team lead by captain Renedy Singh and seasoned Basudeb Mondal; the Brazilians at the club, physio Robson, Leonardo and Edu - all went to meet Barreto at his residence last night and today.
Barreto didn't turn-up for today's training like yesterday and people who know him and friends are sure the decision isn't one taken suddenly but has risen over a period. It will not only be the salary problems and signing fees.
As off today evening, it isn't clear yet, if anyone was able to convince Barreto to stay or not.
And the blame game has started once more at the troubled club. The opposing factions lead by secretary Anjan Mitra and assistant secretary Balaram Chowdhury, blamed the other group as the main reason behind Barreto's decision to leave the club looks to be that club officials misbehaved and/or abused the Brazilian, not giving 100% for the club. Something really shameful as Barreto surely has given all he could for the club over the last four years.
The club management doesn't seems to learn from the mistakes it has been doing over and over again. And if Barreto leaves for Bagan it would mean a catastrophy, and may even derail the already difficult passage in this seasons NFL. A really tricky senario...
Meanwhile also rumours have come-up that bitter city-rivals East Bengal have jumped on the train and tried to talk to the Brazilian about a possible loan deal. If any talks were held isn't known but the question is, how would East Bengal use Barreto as the club already has four foreigners under contract in Ghanian Suley Musah, Nigerian Mike Okoro and the Brazilian duo of Douglas da Silva and Cristiano Junior.

8. January
The following will not only be a shock to Mohun Bagan AC and it's fans but rather to the whole Indian football franity, as one of the top foreign stars of Indian football is set to leave the country.
Mohun Bagan's Brazilian superstar JOSE RAMIREZ BARRETO, currently one of the best foreigner in the Indian circuit, is set to leave the Maidan giants with immediate effect and return to Brazil as soon as possible.
The main reason behind the move is that Barreto hasn't been paid his promised salary plus personal problems with some officials at the club.
What Barreto told the Telegraph in an interview, "I will leave them (Mohun Bagan) as soon as possible. I have had a few problems with the officials which cannot be sorted out very soon. They have failed to fulfil the amount promised to me."
Mohun Bagan meanwhile seemed to know nothing about the move of their Brazilian star in the evening. But surely the clubs officials know how important Barreto is to their team.
In a season which has been chaotic of the field, to say the least, this is another blow for the oldest club in Asia. Barreto has become so important and integral part of the club over the last few years since he joined them in 1999. Without Barreto an already problematic National League campaign could become even worse for Bagan, which would also effect the rest of the team.
In the coming days Bagan officials will surely try to convince Barreto to change his opinion: Lets wish them all the best! Lets hope Barreto stays in India...

8th National League - Calcutta: East Bengal Club 2-0 Sporting Clube de Goa - Goals: 1-0 Baichung Bhutia (38'), 2-0 Cristiano Junior (73').
East Bengal Club scored an important 2-0 victory against National League debutants Sporting Clube de Goa at the Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta. With this win East Bengal move closer to the top of the NFL table and for coach Subhas Bhowmick his calculations are more than possible. Bhowmick ahead of today's match said he wanted at least 20 points at the halfway stage of the NFL.
But the match in the first half isn't reflected by the final score. Without fear of the large venue and the big opponent Sporting Clube played attacking football with the trio of Nigerian Abdullatif Seriki, Francis Andrade and Jerose Oliveira causing the East Bengal defence more than one problem, only that they forgot to score or East Bengal keeper Sangram Mukherjee came in their way. Here it showed that Sporting Clube were missing their top striker MacPherlin Dudu Omagbemi due to double booking. East Bengal meanwhile had only one real chance in the first half and like a top team they scored. Nigerian Mike Okoro crossed the ball into the centre for Baichung Bhutia to control the ball first and then shot into the goal for East Bengal's lead in the 36.minute. In the second half things changed with East Bengal taking control, especially after Malswam Tulunga came into the match. And then Brazilian Cristiano Junior made sure of the victory with his goal in the 73.minute, his fifth goal in as many matches.
EAST BENGAL: Sangram Mukherjee, Surkumar Singh, Mahesh Gawli (Subhashish Roy Chowdhury), M Suresh, Deepak Mondal, Subhas Chakraborty, Debjit Ghosh, Kalia Kulothungan (Tushar Rakshit), Mike Okoro, Baichung Bhutia (Malswam Tulunga), Cristiano Junior.
SPORTING CLUBE: Luis Xavier Barreto, Agnelo D'Costa, Akshay Das, Louis Aniweta, Vincent Pires, Jerose Oliviera (Avinash Thapa), Kamal Suleiman, Bibiano Fernandes, Francis Andrade, Joseph Pereira (Sagolsem James Singh), Abdullatif Seriki.

8th National League - Goa: Vasco SC 0-0 Tollygunge Agragami - Goals: none.
Vasco SC and Tollygunge Agragami played out a lacklustre goalless draw in the National League at the Nehru Stadium, Margao. For Vasco it was the third goalless draw in a row, their fourth in five matches. For Tollygunge it was the first point after three 0-1 losses. The story of the match is fast told. Vasco had more of the exchanges in the first half, which Tollygunge had more of the match in the second half. The weakness of the strikers to score from chances surfaced too often and the match was mainly confined to the midfield.
While Ameachi Nwabunwanne Tochukwu was the main culprit for Vasco, Tollygunge captain Akeem Abul Alem missed most chances for his team.

Note-1: It's an important day for the AIFF tomorrow as the foundation stone of the Football House will be laid in New Delhi.
The foundation stone of the Football House will be played by the vice-President of India, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, tomorrow atat 12.00 IST. Also present on the occasion will be the AFC president Mohammed Bin Hamman,
The Football House will be built at Sector 19, Phase 1, Dwarka, New Delhi.

Note-2: As you might have read in our December News, the AIFF president has invited FIFA president Sepp Blatter to India to celebrate FIFA's centenary year and the Asian Football Confederation golden jubilee. According to reports then, besides Blatter also German legend Franz Beckenbauer and French legen Michel Platini would be invited. So indianfootball.com checked with Franz Beckenbauer here in Germany and so far he does not know of any such invitation but if it comes to him through FIFA, he would be interested to visit India.

Note-3: A Jaydeep Basu report, Hindustan Times:
At a time when the senior soccer officials of India, AFC and FIFA are busy in a five-star hotel here to find a way for ushering in professionalism, a group of wealthy Kerala businessmen are quietly finalising the plans for launching yet another professional football team in Kochi.
Led by the president of the Kerala Chamber of Commerce, Liaqat Ali, this group will set the ball rolling on January 15 and register the team for the Kerala league in the new season.
"We have called a meeting of some of the top businessmen in Kerala on January 15 and will give shape to the whole project that day itself," Ali, who is currently in the Capital, said.
The club, whose name has not been finalised, will be launched as a public limited company and will have 10 directors. Some of the top players in the Kerala business circle, including people in steel trade, real estate and textiles have already agreed to fund the club.
These businessmen, according to Ali, were distressed by the fact that the current National Football League has no Kerala team. "The failure of FC Kochin to sustain itself and SBT's demotion have left Kerala a state, with no role to play in the national circuit. We find it highly frustrating since football is the most popular game in Kerala. So we thought of giving yet another try to launch a professional team from the state."
Babu Mather, a former FC Kochin official has been roped in to prepare a project report for the team and a part of it has already been implemented. While top coaches like TK Chatunni and TA Jaffar have already been assigned the duty of scouting for talent from central Kerala, Sreedharan and K Bharatan are in charge in the northern side of the state. Players will also be selected during the state camp for the National championship next month.
The failure of FC Kochin, which faded away after a great start, has made the present group of officials a cautious lot. A total of 40 local players will be selected in the first season that will involve a budget of Rs. 25 lakh.
It will only be increased at the end of the second season if the club manages to qualify for the NFL.
The players, Mather's project report has suggested, should be fully professional and enter into a three-year contract with the club.
Apart from paying the monthly salary, the club will also take care of food and accommodation of the footballers.
These group of businessmen have already discussed things threadbare with the Kerala Football Association. The KFA has agreed to provide the training facilities for the club in Kochi, either at the outside ground of the Nehru Stadium or at the Ambedkar Stadium.

7. January
8th National League - Mumbai: Mahindra United 0-0 JCT Mills - Goals: none.
In a National League match at the Cooperage Ground in Mumbai, Mahindra United played a goalless draw against JCT Mills. Both teams had their chances but bad finishing and good goalkeeping denied both sides. Mahindra keeper Kalyan Chaubey, just yesterday getting a call-up to the India probables, denied the Millmen from Phagwara on at least two occasions their sure goals. The seasoned Indian duo of IM Vijayan and Jo Paul Ancheri had a good match, with Vijayan and Nigerian Stephen Abarowei initially causing trouble to the Jeepmen defence. As the match moved on the Mahindra defence had less and less problems.

8th National League - Goa: Salgaocar SC 3-2 Indian Bank - Goals: 1-0 Remus Gomes (10'), 2-0 Felix Ibrebru (48'), 3-0 Bello Rasaq (53'), 3-1,3-2 Kasun Nadika Jayasuriya (76',80').
Salgaocar SC beat Indian Bank 3-2 in an entertaining National League match at the Nehru Stadium, Margao. Salgaocar seemed to cruse to an easy 3-0 victory, when late in the match Indian Bank scored two goals to reduce the margin and the Bankmen from Chennai even had the chance to equalise.
Salgaocar totally dominated the match in the first half. A cross from Salgaocar defender Remus Gomes got deflected by an Indian Bank defender into the goal for the lead in the 10.minute. Before halftime Salgaocar had further chances but couldn't score. That changed after the lemon break. First Nigerian striker Felix Ibrebru doubled the lead three minutes into the second half, while five minutes later another Nigerian Bello Rasaq scored of an Irebru freekick. It seemed Salgaocar could go on and trash the Bankmen from Chennai. But it came differently as the Goans became complacent. Indian Bank's Sri Lankan striker Kasun Nadika Jayasuriya reduced the margin in the 76.minute due a defensive blunder by Salgaocar and only four minutes later got his second goal with a header from a Fazlur Rahman corner. Suddenly the match had again turned interesting for the last ten minutes and just before the whistle Indian Bank substitute KG Joseph shot wide. Otherwise it could have been the boaster that the Bankmen need in their fight for NFL survival.

Note-1: East Bengal Club's disciplinary committee today sat down with Nigerian striker Mike Okoro to discuss his actions in Goa, and after the meeting decided to fine Okoro, for staying away from club practice, 10 days of his salary and given a warning not to repeat such instances in future. Okoro from now will again be eligible to be picked for the team.

Note-2: After the very unsuccessful Goan sojourn of their team, Mohun Bagan officials now have decided to get the team to sit on Friday with a psychologist. The aim of the session is to boast the confidence of the players.
Mohun Bagan are also on the lookout for another striker or offensive midfielder, who could strengthen team and also to take burden of overworked Jose Barreto.

Note-3: The inaugural Football Tournament for the Kangaroo Cup for school (Under-14 and Under-17) teams, will be organised by the Delhi Soccer Association from January 15 to 30 at the Ambedkar Stadium.
The aim of the tournament is for the DSA to spot talented youngsters for inclusion in national camps in preparation of international competitions.

6. January
The AIFF announced today a list of 35 probables chosen by national coach Stephen Constantine for the 2006 World Cup qualifiers starting in February.
From January 24, 2004 the players would undergo a training camp at the Nehru Stadium, Margao in Goa before a final squad is selected ahead of the opening match against Singapore on February 18, which would be played in Goa.
India are in the tough Group 3 along with heavyweights Japan, Oman and Singapore for the Asian qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup.
India's two AFC Cup representatives will send the highest number of players to the camp. East Bengal have the largest contingent among the probables with nine players; followed by Mahindra United with six, Salgaocar with five; Mohun Bagan with four; Tata Football Academy with three; Dempo, Vasco and Mohammedan Sporting Club with two; while JCT Mills and Churchill Brothers will send in one player.
The naming of some probables will raise eyebrows among the football fans. It is especially good to see that Stephen has called-up three talented TFA youngster plus young Assamese goalkeeper Bilifang Narzary from Mohun Bagan and Salgaocar's young striker Freddy Mascarenhas. A number of former under-23 internationals also find their name on the probables list.
The probables:
Goalkeepers: Sangram Mukherjee, Sandeep Nandy (both East Bengal Club), Naseem Akhtar, Kalyan Chaubey (both Mahindra United), Prasanta Dora, Bilifang Narzary (Mohun Bagan AC).
Defenders: Deepak Kumar Mondal, Mahesh Gawli, Debjit Ghosh, Muttath Suresh (all East Bengal), Selwyn Fernandes, Vinu Jose (both Vasco SC), Satish Kumar Bharti (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Habibur Rehman Mondal (Tata Football Academy).
Midfielders: Tomba Singh, Climax Lawrence, Jatin Singh Bisht, Gurjinder Singh (all Salgaocar SC), Khalid Jamil, Shanmugam Venkatesh, James Singh (all Mahindra United), Subhas Chakraborty, Alvito D'Cunha (both East Bengal Club), Renedy Singh (Mohun Bagan), Sameer Naik (Dempo SC), Gouramangi Singh (Tata Football Academy), Jo Paul Ancheri (JCT Mills), Hardip Singh Sangha (Churchill Brother SC).
Forwards: Baichung Bhutia (East Bengal Club), Ashim Biswas (Mohun Bagan AC), Abhishek Yadav (Mahindra United), Ishfaq Ahmed (Dempo SC), Sheikh Sanjeeb (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Vimal Periyar (Tata Football Academy), Freddy Mascarenhas (Salgaocar SC).

8th National League - Goa: Churchill Brother SC 1-0 Mohun Bagan AC - Goal: 1-0 Francisco Afonso (45+').
Churchill Brother SC's 1-0 victory against Mohun Bagan AC in the National League at the Nehru Stadium, Margao, ended the Goan sojourn for the Maidan giants on a negative note. Bagan were able to pick-up only one point from three NFL matches in Goa, something which coach Aloke Mukherjee would have surely liked different.
Churchill Brothers controlled the proceedings in the first half but were only able to score the lead in injury time, when Francisco Afonso slotted past Bagan keeper Arindam Ghosh after receiving a pass from Yakubu Yusif. Earlier at the half hour mark Bagan had to substitute their first keeper Prasanta Dora, who injured his chest when he fell to the ground, and Arindam Ghosh came in. A sad day for Dora, who had to be taken to hospital for a check-up, as he got a call-up for the India camp after a few years.
In the second half Mohun Bagan had more of the exchanges with Brazilian Jose Barreto and young Ashim Biswas taking control of affairs but they were more than once obstructed and denied by Churchill captain Osumanu Husseini.

Note-1: Former Mumbai footballer Peter Joseph died yesterday after a prolonged illness at the Shanti Avedna Hospital, Bandra, on Monday. He was 73 and leaves back wife, two daughters and son. Joseph had played for the Indian team against a USSR selection at the Cooperage Ground, Mumbai in 1955. Between 1953-56 Joseph had represented Maharashtra in the Santosh Trophy. Joseph had represented club sides Indian Culture League, Central Railway (1953) and then finally Western Railway.

5. January
Tomorrow national coach Stephen Constantine will release the list of 33 probables for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Among the probables could be two "Players of Indian Origin" from North America. The camp would start on January 24 in Margao, Goa.
Constantine has also sorted with his colleagues Subhas Bhowmick (East Bengal) and David Booth (Mahindra United) the release of players from the India camp for the two club sides AFC Cup matches. The club players would leave the Indian camp on February 1 and rejoin after their clubs AFC Cup matches.
The AIFF also seems to have decided where to host their World Cup qualifying home matches. The opening match of the World Cup qualifying campaign would be held against Singapore at the Nehru Stadium, Margao. The big match against Japan would be held at the Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta later in the year. The venue for the Oman match is undecided as it could either be held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore or in Kerela, likely Nehru Stadium, Kochi. Good to see that the Japan match would be held in Calcutta!
In the next few days the "Indian Player of the Year 2003" would be announced. The AIFF has shortlisted four players for the award - midfielders Tomba Singh and Climax Lawrence (both Salgaocar), defender Mahesh Gawli (East Bengal) and midfielder Renedy Singh (Mohun Bagan). Last year defender Deepak Mondal (East Bengal) had won the award.

8th National League - Goa: Vasco SC 0-0 Dempo SC - Goals: none.
National League leaders Dempo SC were lucky to get away with a goalless draw against Goan rivals Vasco at the Nehru Stadium, Margao. Vasco's attack was bolstered by the return of Brazilian Marcos Pereira, who has been taken on loan from Mohun Bagan for the rest of the season, and he gelled well with Nigerian striker Amaechi Nwabunwanne Tochukwu, another loanie at Vasco. Dempo had their best man in goal, Abhijit Mondal, who on a number of occasions saved his team from conceeding a goal and their strikers weren't as sharp as in the earlier matches.
Vasco's Marcos and Amaechi initially messed-up a number of chances. The best chance for Vasco came in the 42.minute, when Agnelo Colaco took a long-ranger but Mondal tripped the ball over the bar. Dempo had some chances after the lemon break but nothing which resulted in a ball. Two minutes from time Vasco were reduced to 10 men when John Dias received marching orders for his second bookable offence.

Note-1: AN IANS report: A top official of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Monday called for professionalism in Indian football, saying India could become a force to reckon with if correct measures were taken.
"India has the potential to become a powerhouse in world football - that is why we have selected it for our pilot project for Vision Asia programme," AFC general-secretary Peter Velappan said at the launch of the project here.
Velappan, the director of this innovative development programme, asked the AIFF to "take initiatives" to help raise the standard of the game in the country, which is currently ranked 127th by FIFA, the game's governing body.
"We ask you to take initiatives with the help of the government," said Velappan, who is known for his forthright manner.
The Vision India project, being pursued under "The Future is Asia" banner, aims to help the AIFF frame a policy that will help raise the game's standard.
"I have no doubt in my mind that if everyone goes about the job professionally, India will become a force in five years," said Velappan, a Malaysian national.
India is one of eight Asian countries short-listed for the pilot project of Vision Asia, which was launched in October. The project also covers Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, China and Hong Kong.
"Where there is a will, there is a way," said Velappan, describing Asia as the "emerging continent" for football.
AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, who too was present at the launch of the AFC project, said talks were underway with a few countries for technical exchange programmes.
"We are discussing an exchange programme with Japan," he said, of the country projected by the AFC as a "role model" for India.
"We have also signed a programme with the Portuguese Olympic Committee and I discussed with the German ambassador here the possibility of a training programme for Indian referees," Dasmunshi said, adding that a protocol on this would be signed this month.
Sports Minister Vikram Verma, who earlier opened the AFC meeting, said the foundation stone of Football House, the proposed AIFF headquarters, would be laid in the Dwarka area of Delhi on Friday.

Note-2: The East Bengal executive committee meet today in Calcutta. At the meeting it was decided to only hand out a show-cause notice to Nigerian striker Mike Okoro. In the next couple of days' a five-member committee would sit down with Okoro, to hear his side of the story. If his answer is found satisfactory, he would not have to pay a fine.

Note-3: After Bentla D'Couth a second Indian women referee could soon get her FIFA badge. The young woman is Anamika Sen from Calcutta. She has been invited to attend a FIFA referee's seminar to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from January, 17-19.

Note-4: To promote and give local talent a chance, Salgaocar SC will be fielding a junior team in the Goan Third Division League. The club will hold selection trials for the team with especially the U19 boys from the last Junior National League hoping to get a chance in the team. The team would be coached by Mariano Dias.
The trials would be held on January 8, 15.00, at SAG Grounds, near swimming pool, Fatorda.

4. January
8th National League - Goa: Sporting Clube de Goa 1-0 Tollygunge Agragami - Goal: 1-0 Jerose Oliveira (75').
National League newcomers Sporting Clube de Goa beat the leagues dark horses Tollygunge Agragami by a lone goal at the Nehru Stadium, Margao. Had Sporting Clube utilised the chances that had come their way in the 90 minutes, then they easily could have thrashed Tollygunge but on such days often the match ends in a draw or the weaker opponent uses one of it's few chances. In the end Sporting were lucky that Jerose Oliveira scored the winning goal in the 75.minute to take Sporting Clube to 11 points - alongside NFL bigwigs Mohun Bagan, Churchill Brothers, East Bengal and JCT Mills. Tollygunge remain on six points, just a point away from the danger zone.
Earlier Sporting's Nigerian strikers MacPherlin Dudu Omagbemi and Abdullatif Seriki, a former Tolly player, messed up numerous chances. Tollygunge played out of a strong defensive unit and they had their best chance of the match in the 35.minute, when medio Amit Das shot wide of a pass from Nigerian striker Kenneth Onu. Otherwise Tolly were mostly in the defensive.

Note-1: The five day Vision India conference, part of the Vision Asia programme of the AFC, starts in New Delhi tomorrow. The Indian Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Vikram Verma will inaugurate the conference.
AFC secretary general and Vision Asia project director Peter Velappan will be making a detailed presentation on Vision Asia. Also attending the conference will be the AFC vice-president and FIFA GOAL Project south Asia Development Officer Manilal Fernando, FIFA development project director Urs Zaniti and GOAL project development officer Paul Mony Samuel.
During the stay in Delhi the FIFA and AFC experts would interact with administrators, club officials, coaches, technical experts, doctors, referees, media persons, sponsors and others involved in India football. The aim of such consultations would be to find out what would be needed for the development of Indian football.
On the last day of the conference, AFC president Mohammed Bin Hammam, will be addressing the conference and the AFC would make a presentation on the future programme for India before the representatives of all State associations.

Note-2: Brazilian Marcos Pereira has switched back from Mohun Bagan AC to Vasco SC for the remainder of the National League. After a very successful last season Marcos had been transferred from Vasco to Mohun Bagan. As per the new transfer regulations of the AIFF, Marcos will play at Vasco on loan from Mohun Bagan.
For Mohun Bagan offloading Marcos means they could now sign Zimbabwe international David Mkandawire to strengthen their defence.

3. January
8th National League - Goa: Churchill Brothers SC 1-2 JCT Mills - Goals: 0-1,0-2 IM Vijayan (20',69'), 1-2 Yakubu Yusif (85').
JCT Mills scored a 2-1 away victory against Churchill Brothers SC in a National League match at the Nehru Stadium, Margao. A brace from seasoned striker IM Vijayan, who had retired from the Indian national team in October 2003 after the Afro-Asian Games, propelled the Millmen from Phagwara to 11 points, there were Churchill Brothers had been before the match and also remained.
The match started with Churchill Brothers in attack, especially midfielder Hardip Singh Sangha and Ghanian striker Yakubu Yusif were involved. For the Punjabi lad Sangha it was a match against his former club and he continued with his good form on his return to the big stage. But in the 20.minute Nigerian striker Stephen Abarowei broke free on the right, floated the ball into the middle for IM Vijayan, who beat Churchill defender Roque Pereira, to slot home. Churchill were shocked by the deficit and remained disorganised, especially in midfield thereafter. It was again an oppurtunistic IM Vijayan who doubled the lead in the 69.minute, when he cashed in on a deflection from a Jo Paul Ancheri freekick. Churchill were only able to reduce the deficit, when Yakubu Yusif scored off a penalty. The penalty was made possible by JCT's Baldeep Singh handling the ball in the penalty area.
Now to something curious which happened during the match. The match had to be stopped by the referee for a few minutes in the second half as the field was invaded by a swarm of bees with the players having to protect themselves or then flee. Also in the West and East stands of the Nehru Stadium the bees caused problems to the spectators.

Note-1: The IFA secretary Subrata Dutta was down in Haldia today to inspect the premises, which will be used for the IFA's Academy, which is to come-up south of Calcutta. The IFA-Academy is set to open in April 2004.
24 players from across West Bengal would be chosen for the Academy and the boys would be coached by Amal Datta.

Note-2: Peter Vales, coach of NFL-side Sporting Clube de Goa, has been appointed coach of Goa for the next Santosh Trophy, which are likely to be held in April. The Goa team manager hasn't been appointed yet.
Mathew D'Costa, coach of Goa Pro League side Cabral SC, has been named Goa under-21 coach, while Savio Barretto would be the teams manager for the National U21 championships.

2. January
8th National League - Goa: Salgaocar SC 1-0 Mohun Bagan AC - Goal: 1-0 Felix Ibrebru (34').
In an unimpressive display between former National League champions Salgaocar SC beat Mohun Bagan