News for the month of March:
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31. March
On Tuesday, March 28 a press conference on the "Goal for Germany: Exhibition, Feature Films, and Short Films on Football" stop at the Goethe Hall, Max Mueller Bhavan - Mumbai was held. IndianFootball.Com's Mumbai-based Editor Sujay went to the press conference and has put together a report, preview plus we have pictures thanks to the Magnum Photo Agency from the exhibition and the films to be shown.
For the report&pictures on the "Goal for Germany: Exhibition, Feature Films, and Short Films on Football" to go >>IndianFootball.Com LIVE.

10th National League - Goa: Dempo SC 3-0 JCT Mills - Goals: 1-0 Nacimento Silveira (21'), 2-0 Ranty Martins Soleye (25'), 3-0 Ishfaq Ahmed (28').
Defending NFL champions Dempo SC scored a fluent 3-0 victory against former champions JCT Mills in a 10th National League match at the GFA's Duler ground, Mapusa. Dempo SC moved to 13 points from 10 matches, while JCT Mills stayed on 10 points from as many matches.
MAN of the MATCH: Robert Mendes Silva (Dempo).
Detailed information and pictures are available at the >>IndianFootball.Com NFL Special.

Tirur All-India Football Tournament - Group Stage Group C: Punjab Police 5-0 Tata Steel - Goals: 1-0 Paramjit Singh (14'), 2-0,3-0 Harsheed Singh (27',42'), 4-0 Amarjit Singh (64'), 5-0 Hamsheed Singh (83').

Note-1: UNI report: First came the CD hailing the Left Front's achievements in West Bengal and then came the sharp denial from the soccer trio, including Baichung Bhutia, about their awareness of it being used in the poll campaign for the Assembly elections in April.
Stunned by the realisation that the CD was being used for the poll campaign, former Olympians PK Banerjee and Chuni Goswami and Indian captain Baichung Bhutia made it clear that they were unaware that they were campaigning for the government when asked to comment on certain issues regarding the development of the state.
Baichung Bhuitia, who is also East Bengal skipper, said, "My focus is on the National Football League. I just want to win it for East Bengal. I have nothing to do with any party. If I ever campaign for anyone, it will be on the basis of personal relations and have nothing to do with politics," he said.
"When they took my shots, they told me that it would be used to showcase development in the villages. No one told me it would be used for political purposes," he said.
PK Banerjee said, "Never have I been publicly aligned with any political party. Why should I need political colour at this age? By God's grace I am acceptable to everyone. No one has asked me to seek votes for any party." Chuni Goswami said he did rate the government's performance, but it was only Thursday that he found out that it would be used to woo the voters.
"I rated the government six out of ten. But I did not know that it would be a part of a political campaign," he said.
Earlier, there were rumours that former Team India Cricket skipper Sourav Ganguly would bat for the Left Front. But he called the press and made it clear that neither was he campaigning for the Left in the forthcoming Assembly polls nor was he approached by the front formally.
In this case also the goals scored on Wednesday after the CD was made public with comments of these three footballers along with intellectuals and other celebrities from the state praising the achievements of this government in the state, was called off-side by the players themselves.
The sports fraternity have maintained a distance from all political parties in the state and the three soccer players maintained the tradition of sporting neutrality.

Note-2: AIFF press release: The India U14 Team returned home today after participating in the AFC Under-14 Football Festival in Tehran.
According to chief coach Satheevan Balan, on the last day of the 2nd format, the India U14 boys played three matches, losing one and drawing two. In the first match India drew Turkmenistan 2-2 with Manandeep Singh scoring both goals. India conceeded the second goal in the last minute of the match. India U14 lost the second match 1-3 against Uzbekistan with Manandeep scoring in the first half. In the last match India drew 1-1 against hosts Iran under bad lights with Tiranthar Sarkar scoring the equaliser through a free kick.
Earlier in the format one of the AFC Under 14 Football Festival India played six matches, winning one match, drawing three matches and losing a couple.
Match 1: INDIA U14 1-1 Uzbekistan - Indian Goal: captain Bikramjit Singh from a penality.
Match 2: INDIA U14 2-0 Tajikistan - Goals: 1-0 Nikil Regmi, 2-0 Manandeep Singh.
Match 3: INDIA U14 0-0 Iran
Match 4: INDIA U14 0-1 Iran - missing a few scoring chances.
Match 5: INDIA U14 0-1 Turkmenistan - missing many chances.
Match 6: INDIA U14 0-0 Kyrgystan.

30. March
Tirur All-India Football Tournament - Group Stage Group C: Viva Kerala 4-1 Tata Steel - Goals: 1-0 Denson Devadas (24'), 2-0 Babu Thunde (47'), 2-1 Sarmaji (62'), 3-1 Albert (81'), 4-1 Javed PA (86').

Note-1: The AIFF has announced the INDIA squad for the inaugural AFC Challenge Cup. INDIA will be represented by the INDIA U20 team, which will be led by senior international Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep of State Bank of Travancore with HALs Xavier Vijayakumar as vice-Captain. Bungo Singh of Churchill Brothers SC is the third senior player in the side, who have been taken from 2.Division NFL sides to strengthen the U20 team. The side faces Afghanistan, Chinese Taipei and the Philippines in Group A.
The INDIA U20 side arrived in northeastern Bangladesh city of Chittagong today where the Group A matches will be held from April 1.
INDIA U20:
Goalkeepers: Arindam Bhattacharjee (Tata Football Academy), Shilton Paul (Tata Football Academy).
Defenders: Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep (Captain; State Bank of Travancore), Rakesh Masih (Tata Football Academy), Hirohito Elangbam (Tata Football Academy), Rino Anto (Tata Football Academy), Warundeep Singh (Tata Football Academy), N Khemtang Paite (Tata Football Academy), Reisangmi Vashum (Manipur).
Midfielders: Xavier Vijayakumar (Vice-Captain; Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC), Baldeep Singh (JCT Football Academy), Bungo Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Lalramluaha Hmar (Tata Football Academy), Ong Tshering Lepcha (Sikkim), Lalmalswama Hmar (Mizoram), Zaidinmawia Hmar (Mizoram).
Forwards: Vimal Pariyar (Tata Football Academy), Pulparambil Shafique (Kerala), Lalawmpuia Pachuau (Tata Football Academy), Parwinder Singh (Tata Football Academy).
On standby: Malsawmdawgliana (Forward; Mizoram), Lavino Fernandes (Midfielder; Sesa Football Academy), Shaji D'Silva (Forward; Indian Navy, Mumbai)
Coach: Islam Akhmedov (Uzbekistan). Assistant Coach: K Birbal Singh (Manipur). Goalkeeping Coach: Hemanta Dora (West Bengal). Manager: Borkynsai Diengdoh (Meghalaya). Team Doctor: Dr. Manabendra Bhattacharya (West Bengal).

Note-2: The AIFF today released the schedule of the West and East Zone qualifiers for the 15th Dutta Ray Trophy (Under-21). While the West Zone qualifiers would be held in Baroda, Gujarat the East Zone qualifiers would be held in Jamalpur, Bihar where also the final round would be played. As we written earlier the South Zone qualifiers would be held in Pondicherry.
Click here for the >>15th Dutta Ray Trophy (Under-21) - West/East Zone qualifier fixtures

Note-3: Austrian George Kottan has taken over as head coach of Churchill Brother SC. The Goans decided to sign the former Bangladesh national coach to strengthen their push for a promotion spot in the 2.Division National League Final Round to be held in Bangalore from April 25.

29. March
Tirur All-India Football Tournament - Group Stage Group C: Punjab Police 1-3 Viva Kerala - Goals: 0-1,0-3 Baba Thunde (17',65'), 0-2 Mohammad Muneer (25'), 1-3 Pradeep Singh (80').

Note-1: The first UAE Indian Expat football league sponsored by Gulf Eternit Industries Dubai, has attracted a record 16 entries. Organized by Gulf International Promotions the league is set to kick off at the Dubai Club for Special Sports on 1 April at 20.00 local time. The co-sponsors are Future Pipe Industries, Lipton, Masafi, Al Rawabi, Pehla, Nike, Sun and Sand, First Net, Al Awael and Tiffany,
According to Chief Organizer Raul Fernandes the response was overwhelming. We received a total of 24 entries but could only accomodate 16 as the league is scheduled to be completed on 8 June, a day before the World Cup kicks-off, stated Fernandes.
A total of 12 games will be played every Saturday night from 8pm. The venue is the Dubai Club for Special Sports, near the Lulu Hypermarket at Al Mulla Plaza in Dubai. The top eight teams on completion of the league will enter the quarterfinal knockout round while the bottom eight teams will enter the quarterfinal Plate round.
At a meeting held on Tuesday 21 March all the team managers were excited for the tournament to take off. "This is the first time that a full fledged league is being organized for Indian Expats and we are all looking forward to it," stated Russel Rodrigues captain of one of the top teams Vaxim Divar. "We thank Gulf International Promotions for taking the initiative and for providing us footballers the opportunity to display our skills on the football ground," added Rodrigues.
Fernandes went on to inform the managers that this league was being organized for the benefit of the players and requested them to ensure that the league is played in the right spirit. Depending on the outcome of this 7 A-Side league plans are in place to organize a full 11 A-Side league after the summer. Fernandes went on to thank the main Sponsors and co-sponsors for their contribution towards the league. "No event can be held without the contribution of the sponsors and we at Gulf International Promotions would like to sincerely thank our sponsors and all the media for their unending support."
Teams have been placed in one group and each team will play fifteen games. Competition will be stiff as there are teams with players hailing from various states in India and who have played football in their respective states. Handsome prizes will be awarded for the top three teams in the main event and top three teams in the plate event. Prizes will also be awarded for the best player, best goalkeeper, best-disciplined team besides other prizes.
"Teams and the general public will be able to view all the results, photos, standings and all team records on the company website www.gipdubai.com," concluded Fernandes.
Teams taking part in the league are: Vast Jam, Cansaulim FC, Copy Corner Sporting, Desert Cubs, Dragon All Starz, Emirates Flight Catering, Almoe, Phoenix Loutolim, SFX Old Goa, Siolim United, Juventus FC, ST Anthony FC, Zyco Soccer, Varca FC, Vaxim Divar FC, Zuari FC.

28. March
Note-1: The AIFF today released the schedule for upcoming matches in Goa and Calcutta of the 10th National League. The matches would be held from March 31 to April 12.
Click here for the >>10th National League - Round 10/11 fixtures

Note-2: The India U20 national team will arrive in Bangladesh on Thursday, March 30 to participate in the inaugural AFC Challenge Cup. The Indian youngsters, coached by Uzbek Islam Akhmedov, will face the senior national teams of Afghanistan, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) and the Philippines in Group A.
On our opponents: The Afghanistan national team left Kabul yesterday for Bangladesh, while the Philippines lost a friendly match 0-5 away to Thailand on Sunday. The Philippines will also sadly miss the Younghusband brothers Phil and James, who play for the Chelsea Reserves in England.

27. March
The latest IndianFootball.Com Guest Column comes from Manish Uprety titled "Public-Private Alliance and Development of Football in South Asia", in which Manish looks at the possibilities of football development across south Asia through public and private partnerships supported by the "Global Sports for Peace" programme. Manish is president of the "South Asian Football Association", an organisation which is trying to promote football across south Asia.
Read the complete article here >>IndianFootball.Com Guest Column - Manish Uprety .

Tirur All-India Football Tournament - Semifinal: Titanium XI 2-1 Border Security Force - Goals: Jackson Sebastain (SBT, 2x), Atwal (BSF).

26. March
10th National League - Calcutta: East Bengal Club 5-3 Dempo SC - Goals: 1-0 Ndem A Guy Kiyeck Herve (13'), 2-0 Baichung Bhutia (24'), 2-1 Majekodumni Bolaji (34'), 3-1,5-3 Debabrata Roy (69',77'), 4-1 Syed Rahim Nabi (71'), 4-2,5-3 Ranty Martins Soleye (76',pen;85').
East Bengal Club won 5-3 in a thriller against Dempo SC in a 10th National League match at the floodlit Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta. East Bengal remained in second spot with now 18 points from nine matches, while defending champions Dempo SC remain on 10 points from as many matches.
It was the second successive high scoring match involving East Bengal Club and a Goan rival. In the earlier Round match East Bengal had beaten Sporting Clube de Goa 4-3. Scoring nine goals in two matches is a great achievement for any team, but conceeding six goals is nearly as bad.
East Bengal started the match in typical attacking style. It was Cameroonian midfielder Ndem A Guy Kiyeck Herve to give the red-and-gold the lead in the 13.minute and captain Baichung Bhutia doubled the lead on 24 minutes with an oppurtunistic strike. Dempo keeper Satish Kumar wanted to pass the ball to Raju Singh, but Baichung realised the chance and intercepted the ball to score. But Dempo were also in the match and reduced the deficit in the 34.minute through Nigerian defender Majekodumni Bolaji. It stayed 2-1 at the breather.
After the breather former TFA cadet Debabrata Roy came on to score two great goals for East Bengal. His first goal in the 69.minute brought his side the two goal cushion back. Then India striker Syed Rahim Nabi gave East Bengal in the 71.minute their fourth goal of the match. In the 75.minute Anupam Sarkar brings down Clifford Miranda in the penalty area for Nigerian Ranty Martins Soleye to reduce the margin. In the very next East Bengal move Debabrata scored again with a fierce shot from the left, from where the ball went in past stand-in keeper Abhijit Mondal. Dempo lost the match but they scored the final goal of the match five minutes from time when Ranty headed in a Dhanraj Ravanan cross.
EAST BENGAL: 1-Naseem Akhtar, 19-Syed Rahim Nabi, 26-Ngassa Ewane Guy Martial, 12-Anupam Sarkar, 8-Sasthi Duley (46' 6-Dipankar Roy), 28-Shylo Malswam Tulunga, 20-Ndem A Guy Kiyeck Herve, 7-Jayanta Sen, 11-Kalia Kulothungan (59' 22-Debabrata Roy), 15-Baichung Bhutia (75' 32-Gouranga Dutta), 10-Mike Okoro.
DEMPO: 21-VP Satish Kumar (31' 1-Abhijit Mondal), 28-Dhanraj Ravanan, 3-John Charles Dias, 2-Majekodumni Bolaji, 5-Raju Singh, 15-Clifford Miranda, 11-Roberto Mendes Silva, 6-Jules Alberto Dias, 19-Johnny D'Cruz (74' 22-Ishfaq Ahmed), 9-Ranty Martins Soleye, 17-Joaquim Abranches (83' 7-Nasimento Silvera).
MAN of the MATCH: Debabrata Roy (East Bengal).
REFEREE: N Mohan (Services).
Detailed information and pictures are available at the >>IndianFootball.Com NFL Special.

10th National League - Mumbai: Mahindra United 0-1 Sporting Clube de Goa - Goal: 0-1 Chidi Edeh (55').
League leaders Mahindra United suffered their first defeat in the 10th National League, a 0-1 loss to Sporting Clube de Goa at the Cooperage ground, Mumbai. With today's loss the title race opened-up again with Mahindra United remaining top of the league with 19 points from eight matches, while Sporting Clube moved into third spot with now 16 points from nine matches.
MAHINDRA: 24-Sandip Nandy, 27-I Surkumar Singh, 4-Deepak Kumar Mondal, 14-Mahesh Gawli, 29-Rauf Kher Khan, 23-Steven Dias, 6-Shanmugam Venkatesh (66' 28-Krishnan Nair Ajayan, 86' 7-Sushanth Mathew), 19-David Adjei, 11-Subhas Chakraborty (60' Surojit Bose), 8-Jose Ramirez Barreto, 10-Yakubu Yusif.
SPORTING CLUBE: 30-Luis Xavier Barreto, 6-Philip Gomes, 8-Rajesh N Meetei (44' 9-Chidi Edeh), 24-David Leonel Suresh, 3-Mathew Gonsalves, 23-Bibiano Fernandes, 7-Hardip Singh Saini (65' 21-Vincent Pires), 11-Nicolas Borges, 20-Adebayo Adewusi, 28- Alvito Rodrigues (57' 19-Nicholas L Rodrigues), 10-MacPherlin Dudu Omagbemi.
MAN of the MATCH: Luis Xavier Barreto (Sporting Clube).
REFEREE: Rizwan Ul Haq (Delhi)
Detailed information and pictures are available at the >>IndianFootball.Com NFL Special.

Nike U15 "Manchester United Premier Cup" - India-leg - Final: East Bengal Club 1-1,4-5 Mohun Bagan AC [penalties] - Goals: 1-0 Avijit Mondal (5'), 1-1 Sanjay Boro (37').
Mohun Bagan U15 boys won the first-ever Nike U15 "Manchester United Premier Cup" in a 40 minute plus penalty shootout miniature derby against archrivals East Bengal U15 at the Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta to qualify for the Southeast Asia finals in Bangkok, Thailand.

Tirur All-India Football Tournament - Quarterfinal: Border Security Force 4-3 Army XI

India tour of the Nepalese national team: East Bengal Club U19 0-2 Nepal - Goals: 0-1,0-2 Basanta Thapa.

Note-1: The AIFF has released the schedule for the six team 2.Division National League - Final Round to be held in Bangalore from April 25. The six qualified sides are Churchill Brothers SC, Tata Football Academy, State Bank of Travancore, Army XI, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC and Vasco SC.
Click here for the 2.Division National League - Final Round fixtures

Note-2: by Xavier Rutsa: The 12th Youth Soccer Championships, organized by Classic Club, Kohima, has been postponed from April 19 to April 21 due to ground engagement for some exhibition.
Tournament Secretary Zakiekhotuo Kiso informed the entry form and byelaws are now made available at M/S/Sports World at Taxi stand and M/S Tele Service at old NST, Kohima. Interested teams/clubs are requested to go through the by-laws was in details as the rules/regulations and important information’s are available for the participants.
It may be noted that the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Dimapur are the current champions, while Kuki FC are the runner-up team of the last tournament.

Note-2: The AFC U19 Women's Championship will see Anamika Sen (Bengal) in action as an assistant referee in Kuala Lumpur from April 8 to 18, 2006.

25. March
Tirur All-India Football Tournament - Quarterfinal: Titanium XI 0-0,4-2 Kerala State Electricity Board [penalties] - Goals: none.

India tour of the Nepalese national team: Sports Authority of India (SAI) 0-1 Nepal - Goal: 0-1 Surendra Tamang.

Note-1: The AIFF has asked Fransa-Pax FC to reply to the national association about their status by Monday. The AIFF want to "officially" know if Fransa have disbanded their team or not. The AIFF has received no official communication about Fransa disbanding their team so far but rather has only read newspaper reports on the issue of disbanding the team.
Fransa president Micky Pacheco replied that for him the AIFF does not exist anymore, so there was no need for the Fransa management to intimidate the AIFF about the status of the club.
Meanwhile a number of key Fransa players have received offers from rival Goan sides.

Note-2: The Mahindra United vs East Bengal Club Round 10 match in the 10th National League has been rescheduled by the AIFF for April 20 instead of the original date of March 30. This has been faxed by the AIFF to WIFA and Mahindra United.

24. March
10th National League - Calcutta: Mohammedan Sporting Club 1-0 Air-India - Goal: 1-0 Okonji Onyelo Patrick (17').
Mohammedan Sporting Club returned to winning ways with a lone goal victory against fellow promotee Air-India in a 10th National League match at the floodlit Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta. Mohammedan Sporting moved into fourth place with 14 points from 10 matches; while Air-India stayed just outside the relegation zone with 10 points from nine matches.
Sporting coach Mohammed Habib made a change to his attack formation from the teams defeat away to league leaders Mahindra United by fielding Gley Yao Rodrigue from Togo in a more withdrawn position playing Bijen Singh along with Nigerian Okonji Onyelo Patrick upfront. But the coach's idea to give the Sporting attack more trust and to create more chances didn't happen as Rodrigue seems to be a pale shadow of the player he was at the beginning of the season for city rivals Mohun Bagan. Still Sporting took the lead in the 17.minute when Air-India defender Suley Musah committed a deadly blunder by heading a Bijen Singh cross into the path of Sporting striker Patrick, who made no mistake to score the match winner. But the story of the match could have been different had Air-India scored of their chances. The Airmen from Mumbai had more of the match but their striker were either not able to score or Sporting keeper Gopal Das was in the way. Sporting's "Man of the Match" Mohammed Mukhtar did some good runs down the wings but there wasn't anyone to score of those crosses or passes. It just wasn't to be though Sporting ended their four match winless streak.
MSC: 1-Gopal Das, 6-Bijay Baspore, 26-Madhusudan Majumdar, 24-David Mkandawire, 25-Mir Farooq Hyder, 8-Satyajit Bose (87' 19-Abdul Qadir), 10-Gley Yao Rodrigue, 15-Jiten Rai (74' 20-Suman Datta), 18-Mohammed Mukhtar, 7-Bijen Singh (63' 9-Raman Vijayan), 14-Okonji Onyelo Patrick.
AIR-INDIA: 22-Sunder Raj Rajan, 27-Suley Musah, 2-Haobijam Napoleon Singh (62' 6-Uttam Leishangthem Singh), 4-Benoy Kuruvilla, 28-Abiodun Kolawole Martins, 19-Santosh Koli, 11-Hringsolal Thomte, 5-Vijith Shetty, 26-Soccor Velho (67' 23-Suprith Jathanna), 20-Paresh Shivalkar (82' 7-Anthony Fernandes), 30-Bashiree Mohammed Abbas.
MAN of the MATCH: Mohammed Mukhtar (Mohammedan Sporting).
YELLOW CARDS: Suman Datta (77'), Gley Yao Rodrigue (90+2', both Md Sporting).
REFEREE: PK Bose (Madhya Pradesh).
Detailed information and pictures are available at the >>IndianFootball.Com NFL Special.

Nike U15 "Manchester United Premier Cup" - India-leg - Group I: East Bengal Club 0-1 Mohammedan Sporting Club
Nike U15 "Manchester United Premier Cup" - India-leg - Group I: JCT Mills 0-1 Tollygunge Agragami
Nike U15 "Manchester United Premier Cup" - India-leg - Group II: Mohun Bagan AC 1-0 Mahindra United
Nike U15 "Manchester United Premier Cup" - India-leg - Group II: Vasco SC 1-0 EverReady SA

Tirur All-India Football Tournament - Group Stage Group B: Titanium XI 5-1 Army XI

Note-1: The AIFF will conduct two AFC 'C' licence courses in the Northeast in June 2006. The courses would be held in Gangtok, Sikkim and in Kohima, Nagaland. Eligible candidates in the Northeast would have to apply to their state FA by April 30.

Note-2: Viva Kerala retained their Ernakulam District Senior Division Football League title winning all six matches in the seven team league.

23. March
10th National League - Calcutta: Mohun Bagan AC 3-0 Salgaocar SC - Goals: 1-0 Sushil Kumar Singh (39'), 2-0 Awudu Ibrahim (78'), 3-0 Eduardo Chacon Coelho Lacerda (85').
This match report almost got nipped in the bud as an overzealous police official prevented the journalists holding legitimate passes from entering the ground. After repeated explanations by senior journalists, the matter was finally resolved albeit leaving both parties a bit irritated.
Former champions Mohun Bagan AC continued their impressive run in the second-leg of the 10th National League under new coach and goalkeper Subrata Paul maintained yet another clean sheet as the Calcutta giants crushed another former champions Salgaocar SC 3-0 at the Saltlake Stadium on Thursday night. The match however proved to be another black one in the history of the stadium as the lights went off in the ninth minute of the game thereby causing the match to be paused for at least 20 minutes. It was for the third such incidence in the last 18 months. The stadium officials however blamed the state electricity board for the incident.
Bagan seemed to lack the spirits of their last two games in the beginning, looking a bit disorganised. However the reappearance of the lights seemed to rejuvenate them as they took full control of the game. But something was lacking in their attacks and they failed to create any positive opening for the first quarter of the match. Coffe created a chance in the 21st minute all by himself but his shot ended in side-netting. Mohun Bagan got the breakthrough in the 39th minute when Sushil Kumar Singh netted in a cool finish from middle of the 18 yard box after a brilliant one-touch display from Coffe, Ibrahim and Dharamjit, the latter giving the final flick. The only chance for Salgaocar came in the 43rd minute when a Fabio shot went just wide of the post.
Bagan seemed to lose control of the game for the first few minutes of the second half but they continued to create chances through Ibrahim, Chinmoy Sarkar and Noel Wilson. Meanwhile, the match was held up again in the 66th minute as some policemen threw in an extra ball onto the field after the ball had gone out for a throw. Noel continued to create chances but none of his shots hit the target. In the 77th minute, Subrata Paul who had been standing as a spectator for a long time, fumbled while collecting a Rocus Lamare cross but fortunately for Bagan, he collected the ball in the second attempt. A minute later, Bagan went 2-0 up when Sushil Singh received the ball in the midfield from a counter-attack and passed it to Ibrahim who ran through the left flank, beat Roberto Fernandes and fired home into the far corner of the net from the edge of the box. Noel continued trying his luck and sent several more shots into the stands. In the 85th minute, from a Coffe corner, Eduardo Chacon Coelho Lacerda (Du) scored with a superb header which left the Salgaocar custodian helpless. In the dying minutes, Coffe tried to complete the rout with a fourth goal but his shot missed the target. Bagan are now third in the league table with 14 points from 10 matches. They look a totally different team from the one that got off to one of the worst starts in the team’s history after they had got only 5 points from the first seven matches.
MOHUN BAGAN: 12-Subrata Pal, 15-Dulal Biswas, 20-Sanjeev Kumar Maria, 28-Eduardo Chacon Coelho Lacerda, 30-Manas Das, 18-Dharamjit Singh, 8-Noel Anthony Wilson (85' 7-Tomba Singh), 29-Chinmoy Sarkar, 19-Coffe Edem Agbessi, 24-Sushil Kumar Singh (81' 10-Dipendu Biswas), 9-Awudu Ibrahim.
SALGAOCAR: 20-Juje Siddi, 22-Roberto Fernandes, 12-Remus Gomes, 8-Agnelo Colaco, 17-TV Biju Kumar, 23-William Colaco (46' 32-Emmanuel Egwene), 18-Bhuvan Krishna Joshi (71' 11-Samson Singh), 25-Rocus Lamare, 10-Fabio dos Passos, 30-Ashim Biswas, 28-Bruno de Oliveira.
MAN of the MATCH: Eduardo Chacon Coelho Lacerda (Mohun Bagan).
YELLOW CARDS: Sushil Kumar Singh (28'), Eduardo Chacon Coelho Lacerda (64'), Coffe Edem Agbessi (77', all Mohun Bagan); Bruno de Oliveira (64'), Emmanuel Egwene (70'), Roberto Fernandes (82', all Salgaocar).
REFEREE: P Bhaskar (Tamil Nadu).
Detailed information and pictures are available at the >>IndianFootball.Com NFL Special.

Nike U15 "Manchester United Premier Cup" - India-leg - Group I: East Bengal Club 3-1 JCT Mills - Goals - EB: 2xAbhijit Mondal, Abhinav Bag; J: Manjit Singh.
Nike U15 "Manchester United Premier Cup" - India-leg - Group I: Mohammedan Sporting Club 0-1 Tollygunge Agragami - Goal: 0-1 Chandan Sarkar.
Nike U15 "Manchester United Premier Cup" - India-leg - Group II: Mohun Bagan AC 3-0 Vasco SC - Goals: 1-0 Sanjay Boro, 2-0 Suman Bose, 3-0 Dibyendu Duari.
Nike U15 "Manchester United Premier Cup" - India-leg - Group II: Mahindra United 0-0 EverReady SA - Goals: none.

Tirur All-India Football Tournament - Group Stage Group B: Army XI 2-1 Central Railway

Note-1: Yesterday evening Fransa Pax FC president Francisco Pacheco announced his decision to disband his club in protest against the AIFF for declaring Air-India as the winner of the tie despite skipping their 10th National League replay match against Fransa-Pax.
"My club will be officially closed from tomorrow," Pacheco said.
Fransa-Pax would close down completely, meaning not only the first team which plays in the NFL but also all age-group sides. All NFL players will be paid their dues until yesterday and the players are free to join whichever clubs they want to.

Note-2: The West Bengal government has agreed to allow matches of the 10th National League in Calcutta upto April 14 and provide the necessary police cover. Thereafter there will be no matches in Calcutta due to Assembly elections in West Bengal in late-April/early-May.
Before the start of the NFL the AIFF had named Delhi, Bangalore and Calicut as alternative venues in case of any need. Now the situation has arisen, but the IFA has suggested Jamshedpur as a new alternative venue for the Calcutta sides. The authorities in Jamshedpur have agreed in principal only the AIFF would have to decide.

Note-3: The Max Mueller Bhavan Mumbai will be hosting "GOAL FOR GERMANY: Exhibition, Feature Films and Short Films on Football" from April 3 to 16, 2006 at the Goethe Hall, Max Mueller Bhavan Mumbai.
Football - a global language that everyone understands, a game that mirrors many aspects of life, and a part of the everyday culture of millions of people, and in some cases, whole nations. With Germany being the host of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the Max Mueller Bhavan Mumbai take great pleasure in kick-starting the games with a photo exhibition and a film package depicting the love for the game from different angles.
Planet Football - Weltsprache Fußball
Man is the central focus of the exhibition Planet Football: people, who regardless of age, origin or social standing, have sensed the fascination of this game. Football is a link between people, and a source of pleasure for them all over the world. This photo exhibition comprises of pictures from all over the world taken by leading photographers working for the Magnum Photo Agency. Being the Goethe-Institut's official contribution to the 2006 FIFA World Cup art and culture programme, the exhibition will be shown by 144 Institutes while touring 80 countries in the world.
The exhibition will be open from April 3 to 16, 10.00 h to 18.00 h IST.
The International Football Film Package: Das Runde im Eckigen
Football films depict the beauty of the sport, the competitive spirit as well as normal, everyday life. Themes based on the legendary ball game include team spirit, fan culture, family photographs, religion and cultural differences. Germany's famous trainer Sepp Herberger, Honduran street children, Turkish girls in Berlin and Tibetan monks: they all let us share in their fascination and find common ground that transcends barriers.
From April 3 to 9 at 18.30 IST each day, we will show one of the feature films from the International Football Film Package. The feature films include The Miracle of Bern by Soenke Wortmann and the critically acclaimed One Day in Europe by Hannes Stoehr, among others.
On the April 10 and 11, 18.30 IST, there will be screenings of the short films from the Shoot Goals! Shoot Movies! competition initiated by the Berlinale Talent Campus in 2004. 611 young directors from 75 countries entered their short films on football, 45 were chosen. Among them are four films from India.

22. March
Frederick Noronha wrote a nice article on the IndianFootball.Com Awards 2005 for the IANS which has been published by a number of Indian newspapers. The coverage on the IFC Awards 2005 has been quite good in the media.
Read the complete article here >>IANS about IndianFootball.Com Awards 2005 .

17th Lal Bahadur Shastri Cup - Final: Punjab State Electricity Board 3-1 South East Central Railway, Bilaspur
Tirur All-India Football Tournament - Group Stage Group B: Titanium XI 0-0 Central Railway

Nike U15 "Manchester United Premier Cup" - India-leg - Group I: East Bengal Club 3-0 Tollygunge Agragami - Goals: 1-0 Lalmuanpuia (19'), 2-0 Abhijit Mondal (22'), 3-0 Biswajit Natta (34').
Nike U15 "Manchester United Premier Cup" - India-leg - Group I: Mohammedan Sporting Club 1-0 JCT Mills - Goal: 1-0 Sumit Biswas (30').
Nike U15 "Manchester United Premier Cup" - India-leg - Group II: Mohun Bagan AC 2-1 EverReady SA - Goals: 1-0 Dipendu Borua (7'), 2-0 Malswamzuala (16'), 2-1 Biswajit Haldar (40')
Nike U15 "Manchester United Premier Cup" - India-leg - Group II: Mahindra United 1-1 Vasco SC - Goals: 1-0 Navneet Palav (16'), 1-1 Xamaro C Rodrigues (38').

Note-1: Syed Nayeemuddin and his team of coaches plus manager PK Banerjee have now been officially sacked by the AIFF. This comes on the resolutions adopted by the Executive Committee on March 8 and endorsed by the Technical Committee a few days later. The Technical Management of the Indian Senior National Team and Asian Games U23 bound squad would now be reorganised with the search for a suitable foreign coach on. As reported earlier the AIFF has asked for help from FIFA to recommend a suitable new coach for Team INDIA.
Meanwhile over 30 applications from coaches from around the world have been received by the AIFF for the vacant post of Head Coach.
There are some prominent names amongst them, which the AIFF has released. Some have coached national teams and have experience in coaching top level clubs around the world.

  • (1) Michel Hidalgo (France)
  • (2) Brian Kerr (Ireland) - former Chief Coach of the Republic of Ireland
  • (3) Pedrag Jurrig (Bosnia-Herzegovina)
  • (4) Andre Gusset (Switzerland)
  • (5) Jose Mario Olguin (Argentina) - a former Argentinian World Cupper
  • (6) Acacio Alfredo Casimiro (Portugal)
  • (7) Peter Obermaier (Germany)
  • (8) Jason Withe (England) - has coached in Thailand

    Note-2: The Appeals Committee of the AIFF has decided in favour of Air-India on their protest dated February 24, 2006. This means that Air-India get all three points for the 10th National League match against Fransa-Pax FC on February 3, 2006 for which Fransa-Pax had not turned-up.
    In the end the AIFF took the only possible decision, but this happened only after Air-India filed an own protest on February 24 against the AIFF's earlier decision to reschedule the match after Fransa-Pax failed to turn up for the originally scheduled February 3 game, protesting 'poor' refereeing in their earlier match against Mahindra United on January 30. The AIFF then rescheduled the match for March 2, but this time Air-India protested, calling the decision unfair and informing the AIFF that it would not be possible to field a team as most of its players were on leave. After taking it's time and deliberating on the issue, the AIFF today announced the three points are awarded to Air-India.
    Fransa-Pax meanwhile had earlier said they would pull out of the NFL, if they do not get to play the match against Air-India. What they will do is unknown at the moment.
    AIFF secretary Alberto Colaco said on the decision, "The consequences for failure to appear for a scheduled match are serious. But, in the present case, Air India is not at fault."
    The Appeals Committee decision:

  • (1) Air-India being declared winners
  • (2) Air-India shall be awarded three points
  • (3) Air-India need not play the replay match against Fransa-Pax
  • (4) Fransa Pax shall forfeit the schedule match of February 3, 2006 at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Goa.

    Note-3: The 2.Division National League final round in Bangalore will kickoff on April 25. The six qualified sides are Churchill Brothers SC, Tata Football Academy, State Bank of Travancore, Army XI, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC and Vasco SC.

    Note-4: The Goa FA has named 39 probables for the Goa U21 state team, who have been asked to report to coach Ajay Acharya and Savio Barreto on March 27 at the Nagoa ground for a four day selection camp.
    GOA U21 Probables: Quterio Pango, Roydon Pinto, Stafford Pereira, Siddesh Naik, Agnelo D'Souza, Danny Dias (all Vasco SC), Denzil Franco, Gerald D'Mello, Stanley Carvalho, Reagan Fernandes (all Sporting Clube de Goa), Sebio Barreto, Mario Mascarenhas, Milagres Gonsalves (all Salgaocar SC), Godwin Diego Franco, Wesley Coutinho, Cedric Fernandes (all Fransa-Pax FC), Donald Rocha, Rupesh Dessai, Adolfo Caiado (all Churchill Brothers SC), Nelson Fernandes, Henry, Alberto Dias (all Curtorim Gymkhana), Ivo Fernandes, Amol Pai (both Raia Sporting Club), Faisal Martin, Rosevelt Teles (both MPT Sports Council), Zico Fernandes, Ashley Miranda (both St. Cruz C. Cavelossim), Agnelo Monteiro (Dempo SC), Savio Dias (Raitura SC), Tyson Caiado (Sesa Football Academy), Alisto R Pereira (Rossman Cruz Nagao CS), Luis Fernandes (Candolim SC), Trevor Dias (Saligao United), Marcus Mascarenhas (Sao Jose de Areal SC), Lenny D'Silva (Ambelim SC), Reagan Mascarenhas (Mangor SC), Senal Fernandes (ABC Benualim), Alfroy Gomes (Velsao Pale SC).

    Note-5: The All-Manipur FA will organise the 4th AMFA Futsal Cup 2006 tournament from April 19. Interested teams are asked to complete entry formalities within April 15 according to an AMFA press release.

    21. March
    AFC Cup 2006 - Group A: Brothers Union, BANGLADESH 2-2 Mahindra United - Goals: 1-0 Abul Hossain Mohamed (52'), 1-1 Yakubu Yusif (59'), 2-1 Mohamed Hassan Ameli (63'), 2-2 Jose Ramirez Barreto (72').
    AFC match report: DHAKA: Mahindra United of India had to come from behind twice to hold a rampaging Brothers Union of Bangladesh 2-2 in a thrilling Group A match of the AFC Cup here at the Bangabandhu Stadium on Tuesday.
    This was Mahindra's second consecutive draw in the tournament after last week's 2-2 stalemate against Al Ahed of Lebanon while for the Wajed Gazi-coached Brothers, who had lost the opener to Al Muharraq of Bahrain 0-2, it was a definite improvement on their earlier woeful form.
    The first half ended goalless and Abul Hossain Mohamed gave the Bangladeshi league champions the lead on 52 minutes. Mahindra's Ghanaian forward Yakubu Yusif leveled the proceedings seven minutes later but the Derrick Pereira-led team failed to prevent Mohamed Hassan Ameli from restoring Brothers' one-goal advantage just four minutes later. However, Brazilian striker Jose Ramirez Barreto struck in the 72nd minute to ensure that the Indian Federation Cup winners walked away with a well-deserved point.
    Brothers have a tough home match against Al Ahed on April 18 while Mahindra United will be away to Al Muharraq on April 11.
    The standings were finalised only late at night after Al Muharraq beat Al Ahed 2-0 in Beirut for outright group leadership on six points. Mahindra are four adrift of the leaders, followed by a tie between the two remaining teams on one point each and goals record.
    MAHINDRA UTD: 24-Sandip Nandy, 27-I Surkumar Singh, 4-Deepak Kumar Mondal, 5-Samson Fernandes, 29-Rauf Kher Khan, 7-Sushanth Mathew, 19-David Adjei, 16-James Singh, 23-Steven Dias, 8-Jose Ramirez Barreto, 10-Yakubu Yusif.

    AFC Cup 2006 - Group B: MERW, TURKMENISTAN 2-2 Dempo SC - Goals: 0-1 Ranty Martins Soleye (13'), 1-1,2-2 Oleg Yuzbashyan (80',pen;90'), 1-2 Mahtumkuli Begendjev (87' - own Goal).
    AFC match report: ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan: A late own goal saw MERV of Turkmenistan fritter a one-goal advantage and end their opening Group B encounter of the AFC Cup against Dempo Sports Club of India 2-2 on Tuesday here at the Olympic Stadium.
    The draw left Al Nasr leading the group with three points from two matches, while MERV are second with one point from one match. Dempo bring up the rear with one point from two matches.
    MERV fell behind on home turf in the 13th minute when Nigerian forward Ranty Martins, who also scored in Dempo's opening round defeat to Al Nasr, found the net after a neat exchange. Despite the early goal, the defending league champions from India failed to push home the advantage and came close to conceding the equalizer at least twice in the first period.
    MERV, who are the Turkmenistan Cup champions, poured forward for the elusive goal upon resumption and hammered away at the Indian defence. One such raid saw Clifford Miranda bringing down Yevginy Tkachenko as he was getting ready to take aim at the goal and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Oleg Yuzbashyan stepped up and sent Dempo goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal the wrong way to restore parity 10 minutes from time. But Mahtumkuli Begendjev undid all the hardwork with an own goal in the 87th minute and it looked like Armando Colaco's men would earn their first full points. But Yuzbashyan had other plans and salvaged a draw with a superlative strike, which also brought up his brace, in the final minute.
    MERV now travel to Oman to play Al Nasr in the next group outing on April 11.

    Tirur All-India Football Tournament - Group Stage Group A: Kerala State Electricity Board 2-2 Border Security Force

    Note-1: Under the "Vision India" project Manipur will launch a 10 team Manipur State League from October 2006. The All Manipur Football Association has identified ten clubs for the proposed league. The clubs are Eastern Sporting Union; All-Moirang Football Association; Kakching FC; Youth Welfare Club, Thambalkhong; Tiddim Road Athletic Union; Rengkai Athletic & Cultural Club; NEROCA; Manipur Police SC; Sports Authority of India Recreation Club; and Youth Welfare Organisation.

    20. March
    17th Lal Bahadur Shastri Cup - Semifinal: Punjab State Electricity Board 2-1 Corps of Signals, Goa - Goals: 1-0 Dilbagh Singh, 2-0 Kuldip Singh, 2-1 Budhi Singh.
    17th Lal Bahadur Shastri Cup - Semifinal: South East Central Railway, Bilaspur 2-1 Amity United FC - Goals: 1-0 Abdul Khalique, 2-0 Deepanshu Majumdar, 2-1 Sanjeev.
    Tirur All-India Football Tournament - Group Stage Group A: Border Security Force 1-1 Integral Coach Factory

    Note-1: AIFF press release: The Technical Committee met under the chairmanship of Mr CR Viswanathan at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.
    The other members present were: Inder Singh, Vice Chairman; Mohammed Habib, Member; AD Nagendra, Member; and Pradip Chowdhury, Member.
    The Committee discussed at length the performance of the National team and other steps to improve the performance of the National Teams at different levels.
    The following resolution was adopted:

  • The Technical Committee unanimously endorses the resolution taken by the Executive committee on March 8, 2006 to reorganise the Technical Team in charge of the National team.
  • The Technical Committee also requested that they may be actively involved in the reorganisation of the Technical Team and that the process of reorganisation should be started as soon as possible.
  • The Technical Committee also felt that the AIFF should build a large pool of talented players to replace those injured or out of form.
    For this the AIFF should prepare a plan for youth development at the earliest, and submit it for the consideration and approval of the Technical Committee not later than May 31, 2006.

    Note-2: The AIFF today appointed Chandigarh midfielder Bikramjit Singh as captain of the Indian Under-14 team, which will take part in the AFC Under-14 Football Festival to be held in Iran from March 23 to 30. Six players in the team hail from Chandigarh. Announcing the team in Chandigarh today after the evening session of the camp, which began on February 12 at the Sector 17 Football Stadium, Chandigarh FA president Principal Ravinder Talwar said that Bengal striker Abhishek Das would be the vice-captain of the team.
    Talwar said that the AIFF spotters Mariano Dias (Goa), Syed Shabir Pasha (Tamil Nadu) and Satheevan Balan (Kerala) had selected 40 probables for the National coaching camp after the conclusion of the National Under-14 Football Festival conducted in Chandigarh from December 20 last year.
    The AIFF deputed Kerala's Satheevan Balan and Carlos Gomes of Goa as chief coach and assistant coach, respectively, to impart training in the National camp. During the camp, scrutiny was done and 25 probables were retained. Out of selected 18 players, eight are new comers. They are Rajesh S, Ashish Chetri, Harpreet Singh, Gaurav Sharma, Bishwajit Gupta, Manandeep Singh and Sumit Rawat. Ten players took part in the AFC Under-13 Football Festival held in Uzbekistan last year.
    Chief coach Balan was confident that the Indian team would give outstanding performance in Iran. 10 boys, who went to Uzbekistan for the Under-13 Festival, had graduated to the Under-14 squad. With experienced and newcomers, India have a balanced team and Balan, who worked hard with the trainees along with Carlos, is expecting good results in the festival which is basically not a competition. "Next year, these boys would be ready to take part in competitions. In Iran we hope to finish on top in the Central Asian Zone," said Balan.
    Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Krygyzstan are the other nations competing in the AFC U-14 Football Festival in Iran.
    INDIA U14: Goalkeepers: Sudipta Bannerjee (Bengal), Rajesh S (Tamil Nadu). Defenders: Tirthankar Sarkar (Bengal), Ashish Chetri (Sikkim), Arashpreet Singh (Chandigarh), Samuel Shadap (Meghalaya), Shalun Pires (Goa), Vikash Gupta (Chandigarh), Sumit Rawat (Delhi). Midfielders: Bikramjit Singh (Captain, Chandigarh), Harpreet Bedi (Chandigarh), Sajandeep Singh (Chandigarh), Gaurav Sharma (Uttaranchal). Forwards: Nikhil Regni (Uttaranchal), Abhishek Das (vice-captain, Bengal), Niswajit Dutta (Bengal), Jonny Kumar (Chandigarh), Manandeep Singh (Haryana). Coach: Satheevan Balan (Kerala). Assistant Coach: Carlos Gomes (Goa). Manager: Rakesh Bakshi (Chandigarh).

    Note-3: As part of its Youth Development Programme the Goa FA are organising a U10 Football Festival at Raia Football Ground on April 9, 2006. The teams wishing to participate in the festival should kindly submit their entries to the GFA offices (Margao/Panjim) by March 31.

    19. March
    10th National League - Calcutta: Mohammedan Sporting Club 0-0 Fransa-Pax FC - Goals: none.
    Mohammedan Sporting Club and Fransa-Pax FC played out a listless draw in the 10th National League in an evening match at the Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta. Mohammedan Sporting ended their three match losing streak with today's draw to move to 11 points from nine matches, while Fransa-Pax FC remain last in the league with now four points from eight matches.
    MSC: 1-Gopal Das, 24-David Mkandawire, 2-Palash Karmakar, 26-Madhusudan Majumdar, 19-Abdul Qadir, 25-Mir Farooq Hyder, 18-Mohammed Mukhtar, 8-Satyajit Bose (65' 9-Raman Vijayan), 22-Mohammed Yasin (45' 7-Bijen Singh), 10-Gley Yao Rodrigue, 14-Okonji Onyelo Patrick.
    FRANSA-PAX: 21-Virender Singh, 19-Bello Rasaq, 4-C Kuzhiyil Jiteesh, 5-Cresson Antao, 18-Akshay Das (63' 3-John Barreto), 11-Peter Rodrigues, 14-Peter Pereira, 7-Roque Barreto, 16-Peter Carvalho, 22-Surojit Roy, 8-K Muhammed Nisam (88' 15-Wesley Coutinho).
    MAN of the MATCH: Madhusudan Majumdar (Mohammedan Sporting).
    REFEREE: Chumchuk Lama (Sikkim).
    Detailed information and pictures are available at the >>IndianFootball.Com NFL Special.

    10th National League - Mumbai: Air-India 0-2 Mohun Bagan AC - Goals: 0-1 Dharamjit Singh (7'), 0-2 Coffe Edem Agbessi (90+2').
    Mohun Bagan scored their second successive and overall win in the 10th National League with a 2-0 away victory against promoted Air-India at the Cooperage ground, Mumbai. Air-India remained ninth on seven points from now seven matches, while Mohun Baagan jumped into fourth place with now 11 points from nine matches. For new Bagan coach Biswajit Bhattacharjee is was the second win in as many matches.
    AIR-INDIA: 22-Sunder Raj Rajan, 27-Suley Musah, 11-Hringsolal Thomte (77' 23-Suprith Jathanna), 4-Benoy Kuruvilla, 28-Abiodun Kolawole Martins, 19-Santosh Koli, 2-Haobijam Napoleon Singh, 5-Vijith Shetty, 20-Paresh Shivalkar, 10-T Narender Meetei (37' 6-Uttam Leishangthem Singh), 7-Anthony Fernandes (70' 26-Soccor Velho).
    MOHUN BAGAN: 12-Subrata Pal, 30-Manas Das, 20-Sanjeev Kumar Maria, 28-Eduardo Chacon Coelho Lacerda, 16-Subhashish Roy Chowdhury (46' 15-Dulal Biswas), 18-Dharamjit Singh, 26-Mehraj Din Wadoo, 8-Noel Anthony Wilson, 19-Coffe Edem Agbessi, 24-Sushil Kumar Singh (56' 10-Dipendu Biswas), 9-Awudu Ibrahim (90+4' 6-Manjit Singh).
    MAN of the MATCH: Manas Das (Mohun Bagan).
    YELLOW CARDS: Anthony Fernandes (31' Air-India); Mehraj Din Wadoo (30'), Awudu Ibrahim (50', both Mohun Bagan).
    REFEREE: Rizwan-ul-Haque (Delhi).
    Detailed information and pictures are available at the >>IndianFootball.Com NFL Special.

    Tirur All-India Football Tournament - Group Stage Group A: Kerala State Electricity Board 0-0 Integral Coach Factory

    18. March
    10th National League - Calcutta: East Bengal Club 4-3 Sporting Clube de Goa - Goal: 1-0,2-2,4-3 Baichung Bhutia (38',60',87'), 1-1 Hardip Singh Saini (45'), 1-2 Chidi Edeh (55'), 3-2 Syed Rahim Nabi (65'), 3-3 Bibiano Fernandes (86').
    Misc: Mike Okoro (East Bengal) misses penalty in the 72.minute.
    East Bengal rode on the striking capabilities of India captain Baichung Bhutia to win a thrilling match 4-3 against Sporting Clube de Goa in the 10th National League at the floodlit Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta. With today's win East Bengal Club moved back into second place with now 15 points from eight matches, while Sporting Clube de Goa dropped a place into third remaining on 13 points from as many matches.
    EAST BENGAL: 24-Rajat Ghosh Dastidar, 12-Anupam Sarkar (71' 6-Dipankar Roy), 16-Covan Lawrence, 27-Amandeep Singh (46' 2-Muttath Suresh), 19-Syed Rahim Nabi, 8-Sasthi Duley, 28-Shylo Malswam Tulunga, 20-Ndem A Guy Kiyeck Herve, 9-Alvito D'Cunha (46' 10-Mike Okoro), 15-Baichung Bhutia, 32-Gauranga Dutta.
    SPORTING CLUBE: 1-Felix D'Souza, 24-David Leonel Suresh, 6-Philip Gomes, 3-Mathew Gonsalves (66' 21-Vincent Pires), 11-Nicolas Borges (74' 25-Joe Rodrigues), 7-Hardip Singh Saini (90' 4-Vinu Jose), 20-Adebayo Adewusi, 23-Bibiano Fernandes, 22-Joseph Pereira, 9-Chidi Edeh, 10-MacPherlin Dudu Omagbemi.
    MAN of the MATCH: Baichung Bhutia (East Bengal).
    YELLOW CARDS: Muttath Suresh (69' East Bengal); Nicolas Borges (72' Sporting Clube).
    REFEREE: Komaleeswaran Shankar (Tamil Nadu).
    Detailed information and pictures are available at the >>IndianFootball.Com NFL Special.

    10th National League - Ludhiana: JCT Mills 0-0 Salgaocar SC - Goals: none.
    In a match-up of two former NFL champions JCT Mills and Salgaocar SC played out a goalless draw in a 10th National League match at the Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana. JCT Mills moved to 10 points from nine matches, while Salgaocar now have seven points from also nine matches.
    MAN of the MATCH: Julius Irabor Akpele (JCT Mills).
    Detailed information and pictures are available at the >>IndianFootball.Com NFL Special.

    Note-1: Federation Cup champions Mahindra United have announced a 27-member party for the upcoming AFC Cup 2006 away match against Brothers-Union, Dhaka in Bangladesh on March 21. The team leaves for Dhaka via Calcutta on Sunday morning.
    MAHINDRA UNITED:
    Goalkeepers: Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Sandip Nandy.
    Defenders: Deepak Kumar Mondal, Peter Siddiqui, Irungbam Surkumar Singh, Rauf Sher Khan, Samson Fernandes.
    Midfielders: Shanmugam Venkatesh, Sushanth Mathew, Subash Chakraborty, James Lukram Singh, David Adjei, Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, Steven Dias, Hekmat Singh, Jinto Jose.
    Forwards: Jose Marcio Ramirez Barreto, Surojit Bose, Yakubu Yusif, Anees Kutty.
    Officials: Chief Coach: Derrick Pereira; Assistent Coach: Shaikh Arshad Hussain; Manager: Henry Alphanso Menezes; Team Co-Ordinator: Ramawamy Natarajan; Physio: Sujit Manna; Hon. Ast. General Secretary: Cedric Osborne Jospeh Shackleton; President: Alan Edwin Durante.

    Note-2: The Premier India Youth Academy (former known as Indian Youth Soccer Academy) based in Mumbai and run by Nirvan and Anjali Shah has started properly Academy training in Mumbai city and are planning three trips to Europe this summer for interested children. The PIFA Academy has just started full time coaching this year in Mumbai at 4 venues. The venue and times are:

  • St Andrews School - Bandra (Saturday 3-6 pm)
  • Islam Gymkhana - Chowpatty (Mon, Wed, Fri 5-6 pm)
  • Karnatak Sports Association - Cross Maidan (Sat 7-10 am)
  • Cusrow Baug - Colaba (Tues-Thurs 4-6 pm)
    Each session is of 60 to 90 minutes duration with the modern methods of training and equipment as per FA Learning guidelines. The PIFA have over 200 children signed up for these sessions at different venues each session not exceeding more than 20 kids.
    The PIFA is also organising three trips to Europe this summer for football playing children.
    CAMP 1: LIVERPOOL / MANCHESTER
    The PIFA is traveling to the Bobby Charlton Soccer & Sports Academy on April 30 for a 9 day camp, Highlight:
  • 6 hours of training; hotel accommodation; Indian meals as well; Tour of Anfield Stadium & Museum, Liverpool; Tour of National Football Museum; 2 matches against Everton Youth Club; An EPL match; Escort from India
    CAMP 2: AC MILAN
    The PIFA leaves on May 12 for this 9 days camp, Highlight:
  • 6 hours tarinng at Milan Junior School; hotel accommodation; Stadium & Museum Tour of San Siro; Watch Serie A match AC Milan - AS Roma; Tour of Milan City; One night dinner at a castle; Escort from India
    CAMP 3: BCSSA / Rangers Soccer School (Intensive Soccer)
    The PIFA leaves on July 1 for a 15 day camp of Manchester & Glasgow, Highlight:
  • 6 hours daily intensive football training with children form our countries participating; training at BCSSA for 6 days in Manchester; training at Rangers Soccer School for 6 days in Glasgow; Skills winner will be invited for Skills Final; Talent scouting; Tour of Old Trafford & Museum; Tour of Ibrox & Museum; Tour of Murry Park; Tour of National Football Museum; Tour of Scottish football Museum; Escort from India
    For more information on the PIFA go to the >>PIFA Website.

    Note-3: An 18-member Mahindra United U15 has been announced for the upcoming Nike sponsored Manchester United Premier Cup's India-qualifying stage, being held in Calcutta. The team leaves for Kolkata by train early on Sunday morning.
    MAHINDRA UNITED U15: Goalkeepers: Harshad Meher, Harsh Mehta; Defenders: Fahad Ansari, Ajit Bhoir, Rupesh Meher, Ajay Kajania, Nazim Ansari; Midfielders: Shilton D'Silva, Navneet Palav, Faique Ansari, Rolfred Goudinho, Colin Abranches, Jazeel Nimzerwala; Attackers: Kean Lewis, Bhavin Khosla, Mudasser. Officials: Coach - Santosh Kashyap; Assistant Coach - Diago Fernandes

    Note-4: A 20 member Vasco SC U16 team left Goa today to participate in the Nike sponsored Manchester United Premier Cup's India-qualifying stage, being held in Calcutta.
    VASCO SC U16: Hensan D'Sa, Sugitesh Mandrekar, Shakil Ghadekar, Keenan Almeida, Bruno Colaco, Xamaro Rodrigues, Gary D'Souza, Valencio Peixoto, Joyner Lourenco, Freddy Faria, Amol Salgaocar, Aliston Fernandes, Edwin Lucas, Anuj Shinde, Arnold Cardoz, Anthony Gonsalves, Rodney Barboza. Officials: Coach - Pascoal Pereira; Assistant Coach - Inacio Viegas; Manager - Fabiano D'Souza.

    17. March
    L. Santosh Singh, who is lecturer at the Don Bosco College, Panjim (B.P.E., M.P.Ed, N.I.S. (Football)) has written an article on "Science & Football" for our IndianFootball.Com Guest Column section. Read and enjoy!
    Read the complete article here >>IndianFootball.Com Guest Column - L Santosh Singh .

    Note-1: Nike India today at a press conference in Calcutta made some announcements about their involvement in Indian football. Firstly India captain Baichung Bhutia would be their brand ambassador plus they would bring the Manchester United Premier Cup youth tournament to India.
    Baichung Bhutia, who earlier was a brand ambassador for Adidas, has signed a five year contract to be the new brand ambassador of Nike in India. Baichung was happy to be now associated with Nike and see's his involvement in marketing, public relations and community relations exercise for the brand.
    To promote youth football in the country Nike India is jointly organising with the AIFF for the first time ever the Indian-leg of the Manchester United Premier Cup in Calcutta from March 22 to 26. Taking part in the U15 tournament will be the sub-junior sides of East Bengal Club, Mohun Bagan AC, Mohammedan Sporting Club, EverReady SA, Tollygunge Agragami, Mahindra United, JCT Mills and Vasco SC.
    The winner will have to survive a league-cum-knockout format to make it to the South-East Asian finals in Bangkok in May 2006. The South-East Asian champions would make it to the world finals in Europe.
    "The aim of this event is to popularise the sport at the grass-roots level and encourage young talents by giving them an opportunity to participate in a global tournament," said Sanjay Gangopadhyay, marketing director of Nike India.
    "The effort bears testimony to our commitment to elevating the game in the country," he said.

    16. March
    10th National League - Calcutta: Mohun Bagan AC 2-0 Fransa-Pax FC - Goals: 1-0 Sushil Kumar Singh (24'), 2-0 Coffe Edem Agbessi (30').
    The barren season is over. The football gods have smiled at last and blessed the Mohun Bagan team with a couple of goals in the 10th National League, 2005/06 tie against Fransa-Pax FC at the Saltlake Stadium today. The jeers gave way to cheers as the newly appointed coach, Biswajit Bhattacharya, pulled off a miraculous transformation of the team after their disappointing performances in the league so far. The much maligned Coffe Agbessi symbolised the change in the attitude of the team with a stellar performance that eventually won him the Man-of-the-Match award. The knowledgeable crowd was quick to observe the change and gave him a thunderous round of applause when he stepped onto the podium to collect the award. The outcome of the match also proved the importance of a good coach in football as the previous coach, Jahar Das, could only manage several lacklustre performances with the same set of players a few weeks back.
    The change in approach was evident at the very start as the Mohun Bagan line-up looked very menacing with three strikers in the starting eleven. However, that assumption was slightly incorrect as Coffe played wide on the left of midfield but cut in often to support the other two strikers. The strike force gave a torrid time to the Fransa defence as the players were seen chasing the ball all over the park. The first five minutes saw three attempts at the Fransa goal without success for the Mohun Bagan strikers but they were only warning signs of imminent danger. Ryan D'Souza missed the target in the 11th minute as his shot sailed over the crossbar. Coffe, playing in his new position, looked threatening as his shot went straight into the clutches of the goalkeper in the 14th minute. He then sent in a cross from the left but Sushil Singh's header didn't trouble the goalkeeper. In the 18th minute, Sushil Singh squandered a golden opportunity of scoring the opening goal as a Fransa defender dispossessed him of the ball a few feet away from the goalline. The first goal came in the 24th minute of the match as Noel Wilson gave a brilliant pass to Sushil Singh who dodged past Peter Carvalho, entered the penalty box from the right and sent a cracking shot in between Saikhom Singh and Cresson Antao to leave the Fransa custodian helpless. The wave of change could be felt in the atmosphere as the Bagan supporters urged their team on to score again. In the 28th minute, Sushil Singh couldn't reach another good cross by Coffe as Virender Singh got to the ball before him. The second goal came in the 30th minute from a flash of brilliant teamwork. Subhashish played the ball to Coffe who passed it to Ibrahim who in turn passed it on to Sushil Singh. Sushil passed the ball to the advancing Coffe who calmly slotted it into the back of the net to put the result of the match beyond doubt. In fact, Fransa never looked like scoring. Their striker, Ivan da Silva, cut a forlorn figure up the field as he was isolated most of the time because the supporting players were busy defending in their own half. Mohun Bagan squandered two more chances just before the break but it always looked as if they would be back in the second half to score some more goals.
    The second half was a bit different as Fransa tried their best to put up a semblance of a fight but they were outplayed, outwitted and outclassed on the field by a rejuvenated Mohun Bagan team. In the 49th minute, Coffe chipped in a great ball for Ibrahim who missed the chance to score the third goal as his shot went on the wrong side of the post. In the 57th minute, Sushil Singh tried to score again instead of passing to a teammate in a better position and his rather selfish approach resulted in the Fransa goalkeeper making a comfortable save. In the very next minute, Coffe cut in from the left flank but his shot was just saved by a diving Virender Singh. In the 74th minute, Ibrahim found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat but it was a poor effort and he failed to hit the target. He then missed another chance in the 87th minute. Fortunately, the three points were in the bag by then and for once, Mohun Bagan were not left to lament the chances they had missed. However, as pointed out by their coach himself, such mistakes in future matches may prove very costly. The new coach may have started off with a good win but he knows that one loss might plunge his team into darkness again. Anyway, there is still a long way to go in this tournament and their problems are far from over.
    MOHUN BAGAN: 12-Subroto Pal, 30-Manas Das, 26-Mehraj Din Wadoo, 4-Anbalath Suliman Firoze, 16-Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, 8-Noel Anthony Wilson, 29-Chinmoy Sarkar (75' 14-Basudeb Mondal), 18-Dharamjit Singh (65' 25-Jerry Zirsanga), 19-Coffe Edem Agbessi, 24-Sushil Kumar Singh (64' 10-Dipendu Biswas), 9-Awudu Ibrahim.
    FRANSA: 21-Virender Singh, 4-C Kuzhiyil Jiteesh, 5-Cresson Antao, 32-Ryan D'Souza (33' 18-Akshay Das), 7-Roque Barreto, 16-Peter Carvalho, 11-Peter Rodrigues (81' 12-Savio Mascarenhas), 25-Santa Saikhom Singh, 19-Bello Rasaq, 8-K Muhammed Nisam (54' 15-Wesley Coutinho), 26-Ivan Fiel da Silva.
    MAN of the MATCH: Coffe Edem Agbessi (Mohun Bagan).
    YELLOW CARDS: Anbalath Suliman Firoze (53', Mohun Bagan).
    REFEREE: MK Roy (Assam).
    Detailed information and pictures are available at the >>IndianFootball.Com NFL Special.

    Note-1: The AFC will conduct a two days workshop on "Club Development" for the National League clubs at Football House, Dwarka in New Delhi on April 3/4. The Presidents and General Secretaries of NFL Clubs have been asked to attend the two days workshop. The topics covered will include Structure and Administration, Financial management, Marketing, Media and Communication, FIFA/AFC Regulations, etc.

    Note-2: The AFC has released the schedule for the AFC U19 Women's Championship finals to be held in Malaysia next month. Our India U19 Girls' open against defending champions South Korea on April 8 at the KLFA Stadium Cheras at 17.30 local time. They then take on North Korea on April 10 again at the KLFA Stadium Cheras at 17.30 local time. The final Group A match is against Japan on April 12 at the MPPJ Shah Alam at 19.45 local time.

    Note-3: The Karnataka State FA will conduct a Selection camp for the Karnataka Under-21 boys to pick the state team for the 15th Datta Ray Trophy (U21 Nationals) South Zone qualifiers to be held in Pondicherry in the last week of April. The Trials will be held at the Bangalore Football Stadium, Ashok Nagar on March 20 at 7.00 IST. Player's born on or after January 1, 1985 are eligible to take part. Interested Players are asked to report to Coach Aslam Khan, on the morning of March 20.

    15. March
    IndianFootball.Com Announcement: The final results are finally out! The names of the winners in the five categories of the IndianFootball.Com Awards 2005 have been made public by the IndianFootball.Com team.
    So log on to the >>IFC AWARDS SECTION for the details.

    Note-1: INDIA remain 118th in the latest FIFA World Rankings released today by the world football governing body. INDIA now have 381 points, one more than in February, to be joint 118th with Turkmenistan. In Asia INDIA move up a place to 21st also jointly with Turkmenistan, who have lost a couple of places in the world rankings.

    Note-2: AFC press release: The draw for the AFC Youth Championship 2006 will be held in Calcutta, India, on April 15 at 1600 h IST.
    The tournament will be played in India from October 29 to November 12, 2006. Sixteen teams have qualified for the tournament proper and these are India (automatic qualification as hosts), Australia, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan, DPR Korea and defending champions Korea Republic.
    The top four teams in this tournament will qualify for the 2007 FIFA World Youth Championship in Canada.

    Note-3: One of Assam's top club sides Oil India Limited based in Duliajan is set to shift their base to the state capital Guwahati. With the shift OIL could play in the Guwahati Super Division, which would be good match practice for the OIL side and also add competition to Assam's premier city league. Both the Guwahati Sports Association and OIL have said that they have agreed in principal, but now would have to sort out the details before making it official.

    14. March

    !!! THE IndianFootball.Com TEAM WISHES YOU ALL HAPPY HOLI !!!

    IndianFootball.Com Announcement: IndianFootball.Com will finally announce the Winners of the IndianFootball.Com Awards 2005 tomorrow.

    10th National League - Goa: Dempo SC 2-1 Salgaocar SC - Goals: 1-0 Roberto Mendes Silva (67'), 1-1 John Charles Dias (70' - own Goal), 2-1 Ranty Martins Soleye (89',pen).
    Dempo SC needed a late penalty to win 2-1 against Goan rivals Salgaocar SC in a 10th National League match at the Duler ground, Mapusa. With their second win in this seasons NFL Dempo SC moved into fourth spot with now 10 points from eight matches, while Salgaocar remain eighth with six points from the same number of matches.
    DEMPO: 21-VP Satish Kumar, 28-Dhanraj Ravanan (25-Pio Rodrigues), 3-John Charles Dias, 2-Majekodumni Bolaji, 5-Y Raju Singh, 19-Johnny D'Cruz, 11-Roberto Mendes Silva, 6-Jules Alberto Dias, 15-Clifford Miranda, 17-Joaquim Abranches (22-Ishfaq Ahmed), 9-Ranty Martins Soleye.
    SALGAOCAR: 20-Juje Siddi, 12-Remus Gomes, 8-Agnelo Colaco, 22-Roberto Fernandes, 17-TV Biju Kumar, 14-Jerose Oliveira (18-Bhuvan Krishna Joshi), 25-Rocus Lamare, 10-Fabio dos Passos, 23-William Colaco, 11-Samson Singh (30-Ashim Biswas), 28-Bruno de Oliveira (19-Aseem Kutty).
    MAN of the MATCH: Roberto Mendes Silva (Dempo).
    REFEREE: Bharat Mani (Karnataka)
    Detailed information and pictures are available at the >>IndianFootball.Com NFL Special.

    2nd Division National Football League - Group A: Punjab Police 0-1 Churchill Brothers SC - Goal: 0-1 Odafa Okelele (41').
    2nd Division National Football League - Group B: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC 0-0 Vasco SC - Goals: none.

    Note-1: Churchill Brothers SC were the sixth and final team today to qualify for the 2.Division National Football League final round. Earlier Tata Football Academy and State Bank of Travancore had already qualified from the Jamshedpur leg; while Army XI, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC and Vasco SC made it to the Super Six from the Group B in Bangalore. The Six team final round would be held in Bangalore at the end of April/early-May to find the two teams who gain promotion to the 11th National League next year.
    Also the six teams who have made it to the final round of the 2.Division NFL have qualified for next years Federation Cup. Along with the current 10 NFL sides they make-up the 16 team fray for India's Premier knockout tournament.

    13. March
    The AIFF today released the schedule for the Round 10 & 11 matches of the 10th National League. The matches would be held from March 23 to April 12. The pending Round 2 Mumbai derby between Air-India and Mahindra United would be held on April 6.
    Click here for the >>10th National League - Round 10/11 fixtures

    10th National League - Mumbai: Mahindra United 2-0 Mohammedan Sporting Club - Goals: 1-0 Steven Dias (22'), 2-0 Yakubu Yusif (86').
    Mahindra United continued their quest for their first National League title with a 2-0 victory against Calcutta side Mohammedan Sporting Club in a 10th National League match at the Cooperage Ground, Mumbai. Mahindra now have 19 points from seven matches, while Sporting remain on 10 points from eight matches, their third defeat in a row.
    In the first quarter of the match both sides tested each other. The first good chance came on 20 minutes with Sandip Nandy saving a Patrick shot. Thereafter Mahindra took control of the match. In the 22.minute the Jeepmen took the lead through Steven Dias and thereafter should have added a few more goals. The big culprit was Ghanian striker Yakubu Yusif, who missed chances galore. Mahindra took the one goal lead into the break.
    After the breather Mohammedan Sporting tried to get the equaliser, but a more attacking Sporting gave Mahindra the extra space it needed to run their counter attackings. Also Mahindra looked a more determined lot. It was left to Yakubu to seal the match four minutes from time.
    MAHINDRA: 24-Sandip Nandy, 27-Irungbam Surkumar Singh, 4-Deepak Kumar Mondal (76' 6-Shanmugam Venkatesh), 5-Samson Fernandes, 29-Rauf Sher Khan, 23-Steven Dias, 7-Susanth Mathew, 19-David Adjei, 16-James Lukram Singh, 8-Jose Ramirez Barreto (81' 9-Surojit Bose), 10-Yakubu Yusif.
    MSC: 1-Gopal Das, 24-David Mkandawire, 26-Madhusudan Majumdar, 3-Madhab Das, 2-Palash Karmakar (56' 6-Bijay Baspore), 25-Mir Farooq Hyder, 18-Mohammed Mukhtar, 8-Satyajit Bose, 15-Jiten Rai (68' 9-Raman Vijayan), 10-Gley Yao Rodrigue (90+3' 22-Mohammed Yasin), 14-Okonji Onyelo Patrick.
    MAN of the MATCH: Steven Dias (Mahindra).
    YELLOW CARDS: Susanth Mathew (29'), Samson Fernandes (58', both Mahindra); Jiten Rai (24' Sporting).
    REFEREE: Dinesh Nair (Gujarat).
    Detailed information and pictures are available at the >>IndianFootball.Com NFL Special.

    2nd Division National Football League - Group A: EverReady SA 1-1 Simla Youngs - Goals: 1-0 Maduako Francis Chibueze (61'), 1-1 AI Okechukwu (72').
    2nd Division National Football League - Group B: Tollygunge Agragami 0-1 Indian Bank - Goal: 0-1 Kanagaraj (14').

    Note-1: Gulf International Promotions one of the premier sports and entertainment organizers in the Gulf have announced the first UAE Indian Expat Football league to be organized in Dubai.
    According to Raul Fernandes, Managing Director of Gulf International Promotions, this is the first time that a full-fledged football league is being organized for Indian Expatriates. The league will be played at the Dubai Club for Special Sports near Al Mulla Plaza and games will be held every Saturday from 20.00 h. A maximum of sixteen teams will be accepted in this first 7 A-Side venture and the event will be played on a league cum knockout basis. Teams will play one game a night with the top eight teams qualifying for the main knock-out round while the bottom eight teams will play in the Plate knock out round. The finals are scheduled for 8 June.
    This is the best time to organize the tournament with teams showing a lot of interest as this is the year of the World Cup stated Fernandes. The tournament is open to all clubs, companies, hotels etc with the only criteria being that all players must be Indian Nationals or of Indian Origin. Fernandes further stated that similar leagues will be organized for other Nationalities in the near future.
    Teams wishing to participate or obtain further details should contact Gulf International Promotions on Phone: 04 3355330, Fax 04 3377899, Mail gipsport@emirates.net.ae or log on to the website www.gipdubai.com

    12. March
    10th National League - Ludhiana: JCT Mills 2-1 Air-India - Goals: 1-0,2-0 Marcos Pereira (12',35'), 2-1 Benoy Kuruvilla (90+').
    JCT Mills rode on two goals of their Brazilian attacking midfielder Marcos Pereira to beat promoted Air-India 2-1 in a 10th National League match at the Guru Nanak Singh Stadium, Ludhiana. JCT Mills moved to nine points from eight matches, while Air-India remain on seven points from six matches.
    JCT, which had strengthened its team ahead of the season for a tough NFL campaign, have been mostly underperforming so far but today they showed what the team is capable off. Lead by their Brazilian star Marcos Pereira JCT controlled most of the match creating numerous chances and keeping the Airmen from Mumbai at bay. Air-India only had a good phase at the end of the match.
    Marcos was joined in the attack by Nigerian Johnson Segun Banner and international striker Parveen Kumar. It was Parveen who set-up the first goal for Marcos in the 12.minute, when he moved-up on the left flank, crossed the ball into the center and an alert Marcos slotted home past Sunder Rajan in the Air-India goal. JCT doubled the lead in the 35.minute when Marcos curled in a freekick past an Air-India wall. It remained 2-0 for JCT at the breather. JCT remained in control for most part of the second half too, but Air-India did get their chances with JCT keeper Kalyan Chaubey denying them on a number of occasions. Air-India did reduce the deficit in injury time when Benoy Kuruvilla scored of a Narender Meetei pass.
    MAN of the MATCH: Marcos Pereira (JCT).
    Detailed information and pictures are available at the >>IndianFootball.Com NFL Special.

    2nd Division National Football League - Group A: State Bank of Travancore 0-0 Tata Football Academy - Goals: none.
    2nd Division National Football League - Group B: Army XI 1-0 Assam Rifles - Goal: 1-0 Ibrahim (2').

    Note-1: Sunil Gulati, an Allahabad native who teaches economics at the Columbia University, was elected president of the US Soccer Federation in Las Vegas yesterday. Gulati, who has been active in US Soccer for quite some time replaced Dr. S Robert Contiguglia, who served eight years in the post. Gulati, who ran unopposed in the election, has served as U.S. Soccer's vice president since 2000.
    "I am honored to serve our membership in this capacity and look forward to helping to continue to guide our sport through the most prosperous period in our history," said Gulati. "Across the past decade, a platform for this sport has been built that did not previously exist, and we now have an opportunity in the coming years to achieve more for soccer in the United States than anyone could have ever envisioned 15 or 10 or even five years ago."
    In his acceptance speech, Gulati touched on several new initiatives to be outlined in the next 100 days, including an international relations program, further initiatives in diversity, event hosting and a complete review of all U.S. Soccer technical areas.
    With almost 30 years of experience at all levels of soccer in the United States, Gulati has helped the sport rise to new heights across four decades of hands on involvement. He currently serves as the president of Kraft Soccer Properties, taking the position after serving as Major League Soccer's deputy commissioner from its launch until 1999.
    At the highly successful FIFA World Cup USA 1994, Gulati served as executive vice president and chief international officer and was a member of the original U.S. World Cup bid committee in the 1980s that helped bring the event to the United States for the first time. He also served on the Board of Directors of FIFA Women's World Cup USA 1999 and 2003 and is currently serving on several FIFA committees.
    A native of Allahabad, India, Gulati graduated Magna Cum Laude from Bucknell University and earned his M.A. and M. Phil. in Economics at Columbia University, where he currently teaches in the economics department.

    11. March
    AIFF press release: In some Newspapers, distorted News reports have been published as if AIFF have sacked the Chief Coach Mr. Syed Nayeemuddin and the Manager & Technical Adviser, Shri P.K.Banerjee, not a factual. The correct position is as follows:
    "In disposing of the agenda items of National Team preparation for Asian Games and Asia Cup, the Members of the Executive Committee of AIFF heard every member and their assessment based on some reports. At the end, Executive Committee of AIFF unanimously adopted a resolution that it is necessary to re-organize the Technical Team of AIFF, at the earliest, in the process of making National Team, to enable our senior training programme effective. In this regard, Executive Committee further advised to negotiate with FIFA and AFC for a foreign Coach, if available or otherwise to take an appropriate decision". Naturally, therefore, the question of sacking any individual of the Technical Committee did not arise. However, in the Technical Team, since only Chief Coach, Syed Nayeemuddin is working on an agreement between AIFF and him, appropriate clause of the agreement shall provide AIFF to take decision in this regard, if required".
    AIFF did express their thanks to the Technical Team for their contribution. President, AIFF clarified the position to Mr. P.K.Banerjee this morning over the telephone. President today also faxed to the General Secretary, FIFA, whether any competent Foreign Coach is available at the earliest. Padmashree Mr. P.K.Banerjee is a distinguished sports personality of the country and did not serve AIFF on any contractual assignment on the on-going project and therefore, sacking or questioning his integrity, is beyond our thinking. Sayeed Nayeemudin, since was engaged on the contractual assignment, AIFF has every right to consider or re-consider the matter whenever the Committee feels it proper within the scope of the agreement. AIFF has no intention to discredit any football personality as has been reported in some Newspapers.

    2nd Division National Football League - Group B: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC 2-0 Tollygunge Agragami - Goals: 1-0 Raju (56'), 2-0 Mahendra Mani (72').

    10. March
    2nd Division National Football League - Group A: Punjab Police 1-0 EverReady SA - Goal: 1-0 Pardeep Singh (78').
    2nd Division National Football League - Group A: State Bank of Travancore 2-2 Simla Youngs - Goals: 0-1 Ogbeide Aninawaon Austin (1'), 1-1 Mohammed Rafi (29'), 1-2 DJ Kabui (80'), 2-2 T Asif Saheer (83').
    2nd Division National Football League - Group B: Vasco SC 3-0 Indian Bank - Goals: 1-0,2-0,3-0 Anthony Pereira (8',78',89').

    Note-1: Yesterday our INDIA U19 Girls' qualified for the AFC U19 Women's Championship finals and today the draw of the finals were carried out in Kuala Lumpur. The INDIA U19 Girls' will face defending champions South Korea, Japan and North Korea in a tough Group A of the AFC U19 Women's Championship finals, to be held in Kuala Lumpur from April 8 to 18, 2006. The 11-day event will be played at the MPPJ and KLFA stadiums with the top three teams qualifying for the FIFA U-20 Women's Championship in Russia in August.

    9. March

    BREAKING NEWS: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has sacked the Indian national team coaches and the manager. Syed Nayeemuddin (Chief Coach), Gabriel Joseph (Assistent Coach), Atanu Bhattacharya (Goalkeeper Coach) and PK Banerjee (Manager) have been released from their assignments with immediate effect. The AIFF is reacting to the latest disappointing performances and the problems, which occured in the team. Several India players were very criticial of the training methods and tactics, while captain Baichung Bhutia has been attacked by Nayeemuddin for some critical statements.
    More details to follow...

    AFC U19 Women's Championship - Qualifiers: INDIA U19 10-0 Bangladesh U19 - Goals: 1-0,5-0 Manpreet Kaur (8',37'), 2-0,10-0 Bala Ngangom Devi (10',78'), 3-0,6-0,8-0 Sasmita Malik (21',39',58'), 4-0,7-0,9-0 Lalbarmoi Hmar (33',40',77').
    INDIA U19 Girls qualify for the AFC U19 Women's Championships!

    2nd Division National Football League - Group B: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC 4-0 Assam Rifles - Goals: 1-0 Kenneth Onu (2'), 2-0 Raju (32'), 3-0 Xavier Vijayakumar (58'), 4-0 Raghuveer Singh (77').

    8. March
    AFC Cup 2006 - Group A: Al-Ahed, LEBANON 2-2 Mahindra United - Goals: 1-0 Abu Bakar Bah (8'), 2-0 Ahmed Trad (29'), 2-1 Steven Dias (33'), 2-2 David Adjei (39').
    AFC match report: BEIRUT: Mahindra United of India came back from two goals down to force a 2-2 draw against Lebanese heavyweights Al Ahed in a Group A encounter of the AFC Cup 2006 at the Sports City Stadium late Wednesday.
    The evenly-poised first half saw four goals being scored with the first one coming from Abu Bakar Bah in the eighth minute for Al Ahed. Ahmed Trad connected to an Abbas Atwi freekick with his head and doubled the advantage on 29 minutes.
    However, Mahindra started to prise open Al Ahed's grip on the game immediately after this goal and Steven Dias reduced the arrears in the 33rd minute after a smooth one-two with Ghanaian import Yusif Yakubu. David Adjei, another Ghanaian strutting his stuff for Mahindra, restored parity on 39 minutes with a snapshot after his first touch shot had been palmed out by Al Ahed goalkeeper Bilal Hashim.
    Both sides then put their faith in ball possession and were happy to split the points.

    10th National League - Goa: Salgaocar SC 1-1 Fransa-Pax FC - Goals: 0-1 Santa Saikhom Singh (61'), 1-1 Samson Singh (68').
    MAN of the MATCH: Agnelo Colaco (Salgaocar SC).
    Detailed information and pictures are available at the >>IndianFootball.Com NFL Special.

    2nd Division National Football League - Group A: State Bank of Travancore 2-0 Punjab Police - Goals: 1-0 Martyn John (31'), 2-0 MA Abdul Hakkim (62').
    2nd Division National Football League - Group A: Tata Football Academy 0-0 Churchill Brothers SC - Goals: none.
    2nd Division National Football League - Group B: Tollygunge Agragami 0-1 Army XI - Goal: 0-1 Ramachandran (54').

    7. March
    AFC Cup 2006 - Group B: Al-Nasr, OMAN 3-1 Dempo SC - Goals: 1-0,2-1 Mohamed Matoona (57',83'), 1-1 Ranty Martins Soleye (73',pen), 3-1 John Dias (86', own goal).
    AFC match report: SALALAH, Oman: Al Nasr's super subs Mohamed Matoona and Mohamed Mubarak had a field day as the Omani side destroyed India's Dempo Sporting Club 3-1 in a Group B match of the AFC Cup 2006 here late Tuesday.
    Three crosses from Mubarak resulted in three goals while Matoona grabbed a second half brace. Nigerian Ranty Martins reduced the deficit for the Indian champions who were outclassed at the Salalah Sports Complex.
    Dempo did well to hold their own against their strong rivals and the first half ended goalless. Matoona opened the scoring for Al Nasr in the 57th minute after connecting with a Mubarak cross from the right. Parity was restored after a rash foul by Al Nasr goalkeeper Abdul Fael on Martins forced referee Qasem Shaban to point to the spot. Martins himself stepped up and made no mistake in equalising the score on 73 minutes.
    Matoona and Mubarak again combined six minutes later with the former soaring high to head in a pinpoint cross which re-established Al Nasr's one-goal lead. Another cross from Mubarak was turned into his own goal by under-pressure Dempo defender John Dias four minutes from time.

    2nd Division National Football League - Group B: Indian Bank 1-0 Assam Rifles - Goal: 1-0 Amulraj (54').

    6. March
    2nd Division National Football League - Group A: State Bank of Travancore 2-1 EverReady SA - Goals: 1-0,2-1 NP Pradeep (38',77'), 1-1 Chibueze (57').
    2nd Division National Football League - Group A: Tata Football Academy 2-1 Punjab Police - Goals: 0-1 Amarjith Singh (1'), 1-1 Lester Fernandes (29'), 2-1 Robert Lalthalma (58').
    2nd Division National Football League - Group B: Tollygunge Agragami 1-2 Vasco Sports Club - Goals: 0-1 Edmilson Santos (32'), 1-1 Sovan Das (35'), 1-2 Anthony Pereira (36').

    5. March
    India's Sasmita Malik (right) in actionAFC U19 Women's Championship - Qualifiers: India U19 7-0 Kyrgyzstan U19 - Goals: 1-0,2-0,7-0 Lalbarmoi Hmar (11',17',81'), 3-0,4-0,5-0,6-0 Sasmita Malik (37',46',70',78').

    10th National League - Goa: Sporting Clube de Goa 3-0 Fransa-Pax FC - Goals: 1-0,2-0 MacPherlin Dudu Omagbemi (52',57'), 3-0 Bibiano Fernandes (87').
    MAN of the MATCH: MacPherlin Dudu Omagbemi (Sporting Clube).
    Detailed information and pictures are available at the >>IndianFootball.Com NFL Special.

    2nd Division National Football League - Group B: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC 0-1 Army XI - Goal: 0-1 Samuel (44').

    Note-1: In a somewhat surprise move former India striker Biswajit Bhattacharjee has been appointed as new Mohun Bagan coach today. Bhattacharya, who had coached Mohammedan Sporting earlier in the season, is replacing Jahar Das. Das has been criticised for his way of training and his defensive strategies. Das could not win over the confidence of the players and Bagan have been forced to take this step a few days before the 10th National League restarts. Bhattacharjee meanwhile has been given a contract until the end of the ongoing NFL.
    Meanwhile Mohun Bagan AC have also protested to the AIFF about their Round 8 match on March 16 against Fransa-Pax FC being shifted from Goa to Calcutta. The club has nothing against the match being shifted from Goa to Calcutta as such, but rather the status of the match. Bagan want the match to be held in Calcutta as an away for them, so they get to play Fransa-Pax FC twice at home.

    Note-2: INDIA take on south Asian rivals Afghanistan at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong, Bangladesh in a Group A league match on the first day of the inaugural AFC Challenge Cup on April 1, 2006. The other sides in the group are Chinese Taipei and the Philippines. INDIA will not be sending their full national team to the tournament, but rather use it as exposure for the INDIA U20 boys. The team is likely to be strengthened by some players playing in the 2.Division National League and INDIA junior coach Islam Akhmedov is set to be named chief coach.

    Note-3: The much-postponed 17th Lal Bahadur Shastri Cup is set to be held in the capital New Delhi from March 15 with eight clubs set to take part. The eight teams are set to be splitted into two groups of four. Besides two Delhi local sides, most likely to be Simla Youngs and Hindustan Club, other participants are set to be defending champions Tata Football Academy, Amity United FC from Haryana plus sides from Kerala and Punjab.

    4. March
    2nd Division National Football League - Group A: State Bank of Travancore 1-5 Churchill Brothers SC
    2nd Division National Football League - Group A: Punjab Police 1-0 Simla Youngs - Goal: 1-0 Amarjith Singh.
    2nd Division National Football League - Group B: Tollygunge Agragami 1-1 Assam Rifles - Goals: 0-1 Naoba Singh (58'), 1-1 Adiodun Benga Lawal (87').

    Note-1: Federation Cup champions Mahindra United has announced a 27-member squad for the upcoming AFC Cup 2006 away match against Al-Ahed, Lebanon on March 7.
    MAHINDRA UNITED:
    Goalkeepers: Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Sandip Nandy, Thekkekara Gopalkrishnan Purushothaman.
    Defenders: Deepak Kumar Mondal, Peter Siddiqui, Irungbam Surkumar Singh, Rauf Sher Khan, Samson Fernandes.
    Midfielders: Sushanth Mathew, Subash Chakraborty, James Lukram Singh, David Adjei, Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, Steven Dias, Hekmat Singh, Jinto Jose.
    Forwards: Jose Marcio Ramirez Barreto, Surojit Bose, Yakubu Yusif, Anees Kutty.
    Officials: Chief Coach: Derrick Pereira; Assistent Coach: Shaikh Arshad Hussain; Manager: Henry Alphanso Menezes; Team Co-Ordinator: Ramawamy Natarajan; Physio: Sujit Manna; President: Alan Edwin Durante; Hon. Ast. General Secretary: Cedric Osborne Jospeh Shackleton

    Note-2: BY Xavier Rutsa: The 12th Youth Soccer Championships, organized by Classic Club, Kohima would commence on April 18. The theme for the championships is "Strive to excel". Club sources informed that the details programmes of the tournament will be release soon and requested the teams, association, clubs, etc to keep note of the tournament. It may be noted that the Sports Authority of India ,Dimapur are the current champions, while Kuki FC are the runner-up team of the last tournament.

    3. March
    2nd Division National Football League - Group A: Churchill Brothers SC 6-0 Simla Youngs - Goals: 1-0 Chanambam Jatin Singh (6'), 2-0,3-0,4-0,5-0 Odaffe Okolie (22',44',73',77'), 6-0 Sujoy Datta (90+1').
    2nd Division National Football League - Group B: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC 1-0 Indian Bank - Goals: 1-0 Kenneth Onu (45').

    Note-1: The AIFF has turned down a request by national coach Syed Nayeemuddin to show cause captain Baichung Bhutia for his outburst against the Indian team management after losing to Yemen in the AFC Asian Cup 2007 qualifier. Nayeemuddin and PK Banerjee met AIFF president, Priya Ranjan Das Munshi in the capital and sought action against Bhutia. The AIFF boss did not agree with the suggestion and said he would talk to Bhutia before taking any appropriate action.

    2. March
    2nd Division National Football League - Group A: Tata Football Academy 0-0 EverReady SA - Goals: none.
    2nd Division National Football League - Group B: Army XI 1-0 Vasco SC - Goal: 1-0 Vijay Thapa (66').

    Note-1: The All India Football Federation has announced a 20-member team for the AFC U19 Women's Championship qualifiers to be held at the Ambedkar Stadium, Delhi. The Indian girls will play Bangladesh on March 5 and Kyrgystan on March 9.
    INDIA U19:
    Goalkeepers: W Thabal Devi (Manipur), Arshy Sharma.
    Defenders: Thangjam Ranjita Devi (Manipur), Ashem Romi Devi (Captain; Manipur), Bijay Laxmi Sahu, Alochona Senapati (Bengal), Tuli Goon, Khusurbala Devi.
    Midfielders: Annu Kumari, Gracy D'Costa, Poonam Chauhan, Neha Kapoor, L Ashrani Devi, Chingtham 'Sanathoi' Chanu, Manpreet Kaur.
    Forwards: Lalbarmoi Hmar (Manipur), Sasmita Malik (Bengal), Dornina Gormendes, L Pramesware Devi (Manipur), Bala Ngangom Devi (Manipur).
    Officials: Chief Coach: Harjinder Singh (Punjab); Assistent Coach: Sukhla Dutta (Bengal); Goalkeeping Coach: Chitra Gangadharan (Karnataka); Manager: Sunil Bhardwaj; Doctor: Suchitra De (Bengal).

    1. March
    AFC Asian Cup 2007 Qualifier - Group A - Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi: India 0-3 Yemen - Goals: 0-1 Salem Saeed Abdullah (5'), 0-2 Fekri Mohammed Yahya Al-Hubaishi (44'), 0-3 Ali Mohammed Mohammed Alnono (57',pen).
    INDIA: 1-Sandip Nandy; 17-Irungbam Surkumar Singh, 42-Deepak Kumar Mondal, 23-Sanjeev Kumar Maria, 41-Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep; 7-Mehtab Hussain (75' 12-Dharamjit Singh), 4-Mehraj din Wadoo (61' 19-MA Abdul Hakkim), 44-Micky Fernandes, 16-James Lukram Singh (42' 9-Manjit Singh); 10-Syed Rahim Nabi, 15-Baichung Bhutia [C].
    YEMEN: 1-Muaad M Abdulkhaleq Abdulwali, 2-Mohammed Saleh Yousef Salem, 6-Salem Saeed Abdullah, 13-Ahmed Salem Ahmed Al-Wadi, 19-Esam Mohammed Ahmed Awan, 14-Ali Aboud Awadh Al-Omqi (??' 8-Mohammed Yahya Saslem Al-Tahoos), 15-Akram Hamood Abdo Al-Woraff, 16-Mohammad Hasan Rajeh Munassar, 18-Fadhl Abdullah Mohammed Al-Aroomi (??' 24-Nashwan Abdulazez Ali Eissa), 10-Ali Mohammed Mohammed Alnono (??' 7-Fathi Hasan Jabar Ahmed), 40-Fekri Mohammed Yahya Al-Hubaishi.
    REFEREE: Mohseen Torky (Iran).
    ASSISTENT REFEREES: Reza, Davoud Rafatisajedi (both Iran).
    FOURTH OFFICIAL: Mohammed Ghahremani (Iran).
    MATCH COMMISSIONER: Mazen Radadan (Lebanon).
    Click here for more details at the >>'AFC Asian Cup 2007 - The Bhangra Boys back in Asia' Special
    Click here for the >>'IndianFootball.Com MATCH CENTER'

    Note-1: India captain Baichung Bhutia after match to a press gathering: "We had no plans and our preparations lacked the needed punch. The entire training system has to be modernised. Our gameplan was zero and so we got beaten in every department of the game. I don't know what measures should be taken to improve the performance. That is for the federation to plan about. But with this kind of training schedule and playing style, we are not going to reach anywhere. That's for sure."

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