Note-2: Mohun Bagan AC celebrated their Mohun Bagan Day today at their Maidan club premises, but it was a bigger and grander function then it has been in the past. It was 95 years ago on this day that Mohun Bagan beat the East Yorkshire Regiment in the IFA Shield final, the first time an Indian team beat the British in the final of a major football tournament.
On the day the West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi at a function launched the official Mohun Bagan AC's club website.
We at IndianFootball.Com welcome Mohun Bagan AC in the Internet online world!!!
The Mohun Bagan Site can be reached under www.mohunbaganac.com.
Note-3: The 33rd National Games will be delayed once more. Assam's Guwahati will now host the National Games from February 9 to 18, 2007. The hosting state wanted the Games to be held in October 2006, which would have been between the South Asian Games and the Asian Games, not really ideal, so the Indian Olympic Association decided to postpone the Games to next year.
| July 28 |
RESULTS & NEWS |
The latest IndianFootball.Com Guest Column comes from Armstrong Vaz titled "Tata Steel to Qatar Steel, Goa over Jamshedpur to Doha". He looks at the life of former TFA cadet Flaviano Leitao.
Read the complete article here >>IndianFootball.Com Guest Column - Armstrong Vaz .
Nadkarni Cup, Mumbai - Pre-Quarterfinal: Union Bank of India 0-0 Bank of India = abandoned 63 minutes into the match due to rain. To be replayed on Monday.
20th Punjab State Super League: JCT Mills 3-0 Bassi FC - Goals: 1-0 Sakatar Singh (19'), 2-0 Baldeep Singh (51'), 3-0 Sukhjinder Singh (78').
20th Punjab State Super League: Border Security Force 0-0 JCT Football Academy - Goals: none.
Note-1: Tomorrow's AIFF executive committee meeting will be taking some crucial decisions for the 2006/07 season. Will the Santosh Trophy be held in Srinagar, Jammu&Kashmir and will the promoted Tata Football Academy be allowed to play in the 11th National League?
The executive committee will be presented with the report from AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco and executive committee member Syed Nasir Ali who had visited Srinagar last Friday. If and what impact the accessment report will have has to be seen as opposition against Srinagar as the venue is big. Especially Goa and Bengal have expressed their reluctance to play in Kashmir due to the violence and terrorist attacks in the last few months. The AIFF meanwhile wants to organise the Santosh Trophy in Srinagar to show national unity through football, but has potential alternatives in Haryana, Punjab, Orissa and Tamil Nadu.
Meanwhile the Tata Football Academy and NFL issue is a tricker one. While the TFA board is to decide themselves if to play in the NFL or not, the AIFF executive committee will also have to decide if Academy boys can play against professional outfits in India's top division or not. If TFA is not allowed to take part then relegated Salgaocar SC from Goa or Bangalore's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC, who finished third in the 2.Division NFL, could be replacements.
Note-2: AIFF release: The SAIL 'Vision India' Project Delhi Grassroots Workshop was held on July 26 at Football House, Dwarka in New Delhi. The workshop was attended by over 75 Principals /Head of Sports/Coaches of 40 Schools from Delhi. Among those present at the workshop were AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco; Delhi Soccer Association vice-President Nasir Ali and DSA secretary NK Bhatia.
Thomas Flath, AFC Director Grassroots & Youth Development and Jita Singh, AFC Development Officer Grassroots and Youth conducted the workshop and said that the objectives of Grassroots and Youth Development workshop was to create an awareness of all aspects of Grassroots and Youth Football Development among stakeholders. They discussed the Key Elements.of Grassroots and Youth Football Development namely Administration ,Facilities, Competitions, Coaches and Teachers, Talent Identification and Parents Role with special reference to India. Delhi has been divided into 6 Zones for the School League and 8 teams from each zone will participate in the inaugural School Round Robin League which will be held this September. In additions Introductory Football Coaching Course for School Physical Education Teachers will be held in August.
Inaugurating the workshop AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco said that Delhi will be a model state under the Vision India Project. He added that Football House at Dwarka will be epicenter of the whole football activities in the country.
Note-3: 13 year old Kean Francis Lewis from Mumbai will next month be going for a three week trial at the Football Academy of English Championship side Leicester City FC.
The trial has been made possible by Mumbai-based Premier India Football Academy with help from their partner Nigel Empson of Prosporta. All his expenses during his stay will be paid for by Leicester City FC.
Meanwhile PIFA is also trying to organise a trial for the talented youngster at Scottish giant Glasgow Rangers FC.
Note-4: Brazilian midfielder Douglas da Silva is back in Calcutta. But this time around he will not be donning the red-and-gold jersey of East Bengal Club but the one from Mohammedan Sporting Club to join his former coach Subhas Bhowmick.
But Sporting officials want to be sure that Douglas is fit to play. Douglas might have to undergo a medical test to prove his fitness.
| July 27 |
RESULTS & NEWS |
Bibhash Dash carried out an interview with Tata Football Academy coach Ranjan Choudhury in Jamshedpur for IndianFootball.Com.
Ranjan Choudhury talks about TFA's future, if they will take part in the NFL and where he see's Indian football going.
Click here to read the complete >>Ranjan Choudhury interview
3rd Girls' under-17 National Championships - Final: Manipur 0-1 Orissa - Goal: 0-1 Rashmita Podh (44').
Pint-sized goalkeeper Ahalya Munda gave a lion-hearted performance as Orissa wrested the title from defending champions Manipur by beating them with a narrow 1-0 margin in an action-packed and thrilling final of the third Junior Girls Under-17 National Football Championship organised by the Chandigarh FA under the patronage of the AIFF at the Sector 17 Football Stadium in Chandigarh this evening.
Showing a remarkable alertness under the bar, Ahalya rose to the occasion. She dived full length on left and right, punched the ball in a smooth action and advanced to collect the ball like a panther. She made more than half a dozen sure goals. Ahalya was voted one of the four best players of the tournament by the experts committee formed by the orgnanising committee.
But the goal which sealed the fate of Manipur was booted home by speedy left winger Rashmita Podh in the 44th minute. Orissa launched a counter-attack in the 44th minute. Following an infringement by a Manipur player, Orissa were awarded a free kick in the middle. Orissa captain and star defender Sradhanjali Sahoo sent a good floater to Rashmita Podh. Meanwhile, Manipur goalkeeper S Sanathoi Devi advanced to collect it but Rashmita got possession of the ball and in a smooth action guided the ball into the unattended Manipur goal. It sent jubilation in the Orissa camp as the players rushed to congratulate Rashmita Podh.
Manipur were shocked by the goal. However, they did not lose hearts. They went all out in the 72nd minute. Within three minutes they had the same number of opportunities to neutralise the lead. However, it was not the Manipur's day today. In the 72nd and 75th minutes, Y Kamala Devi, who emerged the leading striker and goalscorer of the tournament, saw her shots travelling across the Orissa goal and missing the target with narrow margins. In between N Chan Chan Chanu unleashed a sizzling shot which hit the crosspiece and the ball ballooned over the bar.
Earlier, last year's runners-up Orissa had a golden chance to score another goal in the 63rd minute. Srimote Samal centred the ball to Jhele Munda whose shot hit the pole. Rashmita Podh got possession of the ball but a tried Rashmita mis-directed the shot from close. She was complaining of stomach pain and she was substituted in the next minute by Gomate Burh.
The final started on a promising note for Manipur as their captain international Bem-Bem Devi tested the Orissa goalkeeper Ahalya Munda with a straight grounder in the third minute. Two minutes later, Orissa registered their presence with Srimote Samal and Preyenka Sahoo moving up with one-touch game. However, Srimote delayed inside the box and was dispossessed. Manipur wasted an opportunity to score in the 13th minute when Y Kamala Devi volleyed the ball over the crosspiece after getting a forward pass from H Bijeta Devi.
Bem-Bem initiated a good move in the 18th minute and gave a measured pass to N Montesori Chanu whose power-packed drive was smartly collected by alert Ahalya who made another brilliant save in the 40th minute. Y Kamala, who looked off side, went ahead and passed the ball to M Mandakini Devi whose head struck the pole while advanced Ahalya was beaten but she recovered smartly to collect the ball before any further damage could be done.
In the 53d minute, Ahlaya made another spectacular save. A full-blooded shot from the right flank by Montesori saw Ahlaya covering the angle well and collected the ball with confidence.
Orissa goal just survived in the 72nd, 73rd and 75th minutes as Manipur players went all out to score a goal which eluded them today. It was a luckless day for Manipur.
Chandigarh FA president Principal Ravinder Talwar distributed the prizes. Y Kamala Devi of Manipur, Santoseni Oram, Ahalya Munda and Rashmita Podh were adjudged the best players of the tournament.
MANIPUR U17: S Sanathoi Devi, G Radharani Devi (W Radharani Devi), L Itabala Devi, T Ranjita Devi, M Bem-Bem Devi, H Bejeta Devi, M Mandakini Dwevi, N Montesori Chanu, Y Kamala Devi, N Chan-Chan Chanu.
ORISSA U17: Ahalya Munda, Sangeta Ray, Rashmeta Patra, Sradhanjali Sahoo, Preyenka Sahoo, Santoseni Oram, Lochana Munda, Pratema Lakra, Srimote Samal, Jhele Munda, Rashmita Podh (Gomate Burh).
Guwahati Super Division: Assam Police Blues 1-0 SAI SC, Guwahati - Goal: 1-0 Robijit Jigdung (64').
Nadkarni Cup, Mumbai - Pre-Quarterfinal: Maharashtra State Police 2-2,4-2 Dena Bank [penalties]
Nadkarni Cup, Mumbai - Quarterfinal: Indian Navy 6-1 Kenkre Academy
20th Punjab State Super League: Punjab State Electricity Board 0-2 JCT Mills - Goals: 0-1 Sakatar Singh (50'), 0-2 Sukhjinder Singh (65').
Note-1: The INDIA matches at the Whitecaps Nations Cup in Vancouver, Canada last week will be telecast deferred on Zee Sports on July 29 and 30 at 18.00 IST. They were the first couple of games under new Coach Bob Houghton. On 29th (Saturday) the feature game will be the loss to the hosts Whitecaps FC. Sunday's game will be the win against China U20.
Note-2: Indian Double winners, and 2005 Nadkarni Cup Runners-up, Mahindra United, have withdrawn from this year's Mumbai season-opening Monsoon tourney, citing unavailability of requisite players at their disposal, with most of the first team on strenuous national duty that incleded the recently cocluded Vancouver tour, and now the preparatory camp for the Asian Cup qualifier. Coupled with the nascent stage of pre-season preparations in which the rest of the remaining squad is, the Mahindra United management decided upon this measure to do justice to themselves and the seriousness of the Nadkarni Cup.
Furthermore, Holy-Family, rechristened this year as 'Mumbai United', also withdrew from the same, as quite a few of their squad have yet to be assembled, what with many of their prospective transfers still to be formalised in approval by WIFA.
The heavy rains in Mumbai too have caused their share of disruption to the scheduling of the tournament. But this positively, as the MDFA does not want the finally pristine and lush outfield damaged by play in heavy rains. Keeping this in mind they had only mainly finalised the schedule upto the pre-quarters at the commencement, leaving scope for such downpours.
Note-3: Portuguese coach Pedero Rui Manuel Mendonsa has been appointed by the Goa FA to coach the Goa U21 for the first Lusofonia Games to be held in Macau in October 7 to 15, 2006.
33 year old Mendonsa took charge of his team yesterday and will start proper training next week. The man from the Algarve in southern Portugal has been especially appointed for the Lusofonia Games, which is a tournament amongst Portugal and it's former colonies.
| July 26 |
RESULTS & NEWS |
Calcutta Super Division: Peerless SC 2-1 Howrah Union
Calcutta Super Division: Calcutta Customs 1-0 Calcutta FC
Nadkarni Cup, Mumbai - Round 2: Sagar SC 2-3 Rizvi Mumbai Muslims
Nadkarni Cup, Mumbai - Pre-Quarterfinal: ONGC 0-0,4-3 Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers [penalties]
20th Punjab State Super League: JCT Football Academy 3-2 Bassi FC - Goals: 0-1 Amninder Singh (23'), 1-1 Navtej Singh (45'), 2-1,3-1 Assim Hassan (63',Pen;75'), 2-2 Satinder Singh (65').
20th Punjab State Super League: Border Security Force 1-0 Punjab Police - Goal: 1-0 Santosh Kujur (90+2').
Note-1: While Bob Houghton and his boys were fighting it out against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the Chinese U20 squad in the Whitecaps Nations Cup, several other Indian teams were getting ready for a different Nations Cup in Canada too.
The Richmond Olympics Society and the Richmond United Football Club recently hosted their 27th annual Annual Nations Cup Soccer Tournament. The tournament took place in Richmond, British Columbia from July 21 to 23.
This tournament is unique as players are grouped according to their ethnicity and this gives the players a feeling as if they are playing for their country of origin. The tournament had separate sections for players over 30, over 38, over 45 and those in the Open category.
Except for the women's side of the tournament there was an Indian team in the Men's Open, Men's over 30, Men's over 38 and Men's Over 45 categories. In 3 of the 4 categories, the Indian team made it to the final and in all three finals the Indian teams won.
It was the third time that Team India coached by Bindy Braich won the tournament. Earlier in 1994 and 2000 the team had won the title.
For complete breakdown on each of the categories where India played, please refer to the table below:
| CATEGORY | Total TEAMS | No. of GAMES PLAYED BY INDIA | COUNTRIES BEATEN BY INDIA IN GROUP STAGE | Final Score |
| Men's Open (INDIA 1st) | 16 | 5 | China 4-1,Germany 2-0, First Nation 2-0; SF: Scotland 3-1 | India 2-1 Italy |
| Men's Over 30 (INDIA 1st) | 8 | 4 | China, Scotland, Ireland | India 2-0 England |
| Men's Over 38 | 8 | 3 | lost to England, but beat Poland & Ireland | - |
| Men's Over 45 (INDIA 1st) | 8 | 4 | Scotland, England, Israel | India 2-0 Poland |
Now aren't those the kind of score lines and performance we would like to see from our squad.
| July 25 |
RESULTS & NEWS |
TV commentator and football writer Novy Kapadia has written a nice piece titled "What ails Indian football" about the problems within Indian football which has been published by the IANS. Thanks to Novy we are able to make that interesting write-up available to you in our IndianFootball.Com Guest Columns!
Read the complete article here >>IndianFootball.Com Guest Column - Novy Kapadia .
Another IndianFootball.Com Guest Column is Rosario Estebeiro's write-up titled "India at the World Cup". We all dream to see India at the World Cup one day and Rosario looks at the ambitious 2010/2014 Goal Project of the AIFF.
Read the complete article here >>IndianFootball.Com Guest Column - Rosario Estebeiro .
Staying with the World Cup, Sanjoy Mitra looks at the success and failed formulas of different nations at the just concluded 2006 World Cup.
Read the complete article here >>IndianFootball.Com Guest Column - Sanjoy Mitra .
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 "Background of Goan Football" for our IndianFootball.Com Guest Columns section. It looks at the background of Goan football. Read and enjoy!
Read the complete article here >>IndianFootball.Com Guest Column - L Santosh Singh .
3rd Girls' under-17 National Championships - Semifinal: Orissa 6-0 Haryana - Goals: 1-0,2-0,6-0 Jhele Munda (6',14',60'), 3-0 Santoseni Oram (34'), 4-0,5-0 Rashmita Podh (37',47').
ORISSA U17: Ahalya Munda (Sita Sharma), Sangeta Ray, Rashmeta Patra (Dharitri Ojha), Preyenka Sahoo, Santoseni Oram, Lochana Munda, Pratema Lakra,, Srimote Samal (Supreya Routray), Jhele Munda, Rashmita Podh.
HARYANA U17: Rani (Anju), Neeti, Monti, Deepa, Rajni, Meenakshi, Priya, Meena, Priyanka, Diksha, Preeti (Monika).
43rd Junior Assam Inter-District Trophy, Gossaigaon - Final: Guwahati 1-1,4-3 Gossaigaon [penalties]
Note-1: Midfielder Alvito D'Cunha has been appointed new captain of Calcutta giants East Bengal Club. The club executive at a meeting today approved Alvito to take over the job with Chandan Das to be his deputy.
Alvito had joined the red-and-gold in 2002 from Salgaocar SC and it will surely be a big honour for him.
The East Bengal team is currently undergoing a 10 day residential pre-season training camp in Barasat just outside Calcutta under their new Brazilian coach Carlos Roberto Pereira da Silva.
East Bengal play their first competitive match of the season on August 2 against George Telegraph SC in the Calcutta Premier League.
Note-2: AP report: World Cup fever may have ended, but Bollywood is just warming up to soccer as the new hot theme at the box office.
Film director Vivek Agnihotri has zeroed in on popular actor Saif Ali Khan to play the lead in his new venture, the aptly titled "Goal," a news report said.
"It's basically a social drama with (soccer) as the background," Agnihotri was quoted as saying in the Delhi Times newspaper on Tuesday.
But Agnihotri denies he's trying to cash in on the World Cup mania that gripped millions in India last month.
"I was toying with the idea for a long time and after the World Cup decided to go ahead with it," he said.
The director said he is in talks with Khan to set dates for shooting the film. "We are talking to him and keeping our fingers crossed," Agnihotri said.
Agnihotri's debut Hindi film titled, "Chocolate," a thriller set in London, earned mixed reviews last year.
Khan, the son of former Indian cricket captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and former actress Sharmila Tagore, tasted box office success after several years in Bollywood.
| July 24 |
RESULTS & NEWS |
3rd Girls' under-17 National Championships - Semifinal: Manipur 4-0 Tripura - Goals: 1-0,3-0 M Bem-Bem Devi (22',48'), 2-0 N Chanchan Chanu (26'), 4-0 I Itabala Devi (71').
MANIPUR U17: S Sanathoi Devi, G Radharani Devi (W Radharani Devi), I Itabala Devi, T Ranjita Devi, Y Kherodarani Devi, M Bem-Bem Devi (Captain), H Bijeta Devi ( T Nungshitombi Devi), Y Kamala Devi, N Chan-Chan Chanu (E Bindyarani Devi), M Mandakini Devi, N Montesori Chanu.
TRIPURA U17: Soma Gosh (Amita Sarkar), Namita Das (captain), Kalpana Debbarma, Rupati Debbarma, Swarna Rani Debbarma, Bhyaga Laxmi Debbarma, Anita Debbarma, Shuba Rani Debbarma, Gaya Rani Debbarma, Shyamali Debbarma, Namita Debbarma.
Note-1: by Xavier Rutsa: The 7th NSF Martyr's Trophy will commence from September 18 at local ground, Kohima in Nagaland.
The Angami Students Union organizes the yearly football event in commemoration of the two Martyrs Lt. Kekuojalie and Lt. Vikhozo.
In a release the organising committee consented upon introducing certain new means in a bid to promote the overall standard of the said tournament and purposed means are review for necessary considerations and ultimately, will be publicized after the finalization process. The ASU appealed to all the football lovers to gear up for the month long event, which is bound to be exciting and making the tournament a success all the way. The ASU also informed that further necessary development, regarding the tournament would be intimate through various sources of communications.
| July 23 |
RESULTS & NEWS |
Whitecaps Nations Cup - Swangard Stadium, Vancouver - 3rd Place Playoff: INDIA 2-1 China U20 - Goals: 1-0 Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep (29'), 2-0 Manjit Singh (66'), 2-1 Tang Jiashu (76').
by Harmit Singh Kamboe: With a few days having passed on that nightmare of a match for India, this game against the China U 20 was the perfect opportunity for India to put up a better performance. The Chine U20 had been beaten by 5 goals by Cardiff City FC so they were definitely low on morale and India in their team meetings should have been looking for good, big win so that their own morale could be boosted.
It was another sunny day and was hotter than the day India played their first game. Bob Houghton had done away with the tie and his coat.
From the get go, it was obvious that the Indians were much more at ease than they were in their first game. They were more confident when touching the ball, gone was the tentativeness and they were not afraid to hold the ball when the Chinese players were close to them. China were playing a 5-2-3 formation and India were playing a 5-4-1 game. The first 10 minutes saw Indian having the vast majority for the possession. But despite that and their new found confidence, they were unable to make a breakthrough. The lack of imagination when it came to the final thrust was just as present today as it was when playing against the Whitecaps.
In the 11th minute there was a one-two between Sushil Kumar Singh and Manjit Singh. But a weak Manjit shot to the goalkeeper is all India had to show for this. While the Chinese had much less possession, they demonstrated that they had good pace. They were able to outrun the Indians and set off on explosive runs ever now and then, and they also played using the entire width of the pitch, while India still stuck together and played in their comfort zone of shot passes. In the 13th minute a through ball to Wang, set him in a great position. Nandy had come off the goal line and the ball rolled past the far post. It was the first close call for India and it came against the run of play. In the 17th minute Sushil Singh had an opportunity when he had only the goalkeeper to beat. He ended up heading the ball straight to the goalkeeper and with complete lack of pace, allowing for an easy save for the Chinese and a wasted opportunity for India. In the 18th minute, Li Jinglin, on top of the Indian box showed what one could do when not being able to reach the goal by breaking the defence. He curved the ball past an Indian defender, the ball went wide but it was noteworthy that not a single Indian had the opportunity so far (and neither had they created one where they curved the ball during a non set piece). In the 29th minute, Renedy Singh took a corner kick for India and the ball found two Indian players. In the melee that ensued, NP Pradeep got his head to the ball and was able to force the ball into the back of the net to open India's account. In the 33rd minute, a Chinese forward who got a through ball of a corner kick that looked to be a certain offside. The offside was not called and Nandy did well to rush out and take the shot on his legs. Nandy was hopelessly out of position when the rebound was attempted but luckily nothing came of it. In the 35th minute Indian found themselves back at the Chinese goal. A Sameer Naik throw in came all the way to the box and Manjit Singh shot the ball right at the goalkeepers legs. Once again a more clinical finish for India would have been the ideal outcome. In the 40th minute, Sushil Singh tried an acrobatic bicycle kick and caught a Chinese defender in the face. It was clearly an unintentional foul but the referee flashed a red card and Sushil was out of the game. With an entire half to go, India were down to 10 men. Sarkar made a telling dispossession in the extra time of the first half when the final shot was about to be taken after a fine run made through the centre. Bob showed much more of his emotions at the sidelines as the red card and the not calling of the off side probably got him a bit worked up.
The second half started with China getting more of the ball possession, partly due to the extra man advantage that they had. But like India in the first half, they were unable to make the possession count. India continued with their multiple touches per players which slowed down all the moves that they created. In the 52nd minute, Li, playing a good game for China and with a plug in his right nostril, found an opening when he was on top of the Indian box. He took the shot and the ball went wide off the far post. In the 56th minute, India had a chance once again when Naik sent a through ball to Manjit. Manjit, once again had only the goalkeeper to beat, but all he could manage was a weak left footer. He got a chance to make amends as early as in the 58th minute, he got a Naik throw in and took a massive swipe at the ball and missed. Its is interesting to note that of all the Indian players, Samir Naik is the only one whose throw-ins reach all the way to the penalty box from the touch line.
By now the Chinese were showing their superiority in the long ball and counter attacks. In the 60th minute, Li took the ball from the half line and set Gao through who took the pass on the volley and struck the side of the net. In the 66th minute, Manjit received a long ball from the right flank and was finally able to score a goal. In the first attempt Manjit's attempt his foot went over the ball and in his second attempt he was able to put the ball in the back of the net. He celebrated with a cartwheel and scoring is the best way to clear the cobwebs in the mind.
The Chinese continued to make moves and create openings. A free kick in the 68th minute at the edge of the Indian penalty area was wasted. By this time virtually all the Chinese players were in the Indian half, exerting pressure. Once again the Chinese took a short pass off a corner kick, Wang was wide open and took a shot and missed the target. In the 76th minute Tang Jiashu headed the ball in from a corner kick to pull one back for China. China kept up the pressure in their hope for an equalizer. In the 83rd minute, Wang running down the right hand side, cut into the box and fired a rasping shot. Nandy took it on his palms and tipped the ball over the goal. In the 88th minute Chinese striker Wang made a run and was cleanly tackled by Anupam Sarkar. Every now and then some one from the Indian defence got the job done, but what was missing was the consistency where they can deny the forwards the opportunities again and again. Much like the rest of the team, the defenders were having a better day today than they did in the first match. India staved off all that China could muster and emerged victorious.
It is worth pointing out that the Whitecaps have accused the Chinese of sending in a U17 squad and if that is the case, then India has much cause for worry. If the U17 squad of our northern neighbour can make our national squad huff and puff, then we are in serous trouble. The best player form both teams clearly was Li and it will not be surprising to find this player make it to the national team.
India, despite the victory, displayed all their shortcomings that led to their demise in their first game - too many touches on the ball, relying on shot passes, players standing too close to each over and not making full use of the pitch, no aerial capabilities to speak of and complete lack of imagination when it comes to finishing a move.
A coach, domestic or foreign cannot make players learn new skills and mental strength in camps of a few days. As Bob Houghton said in a TV interview, the key thing for Indian football is patience.
INDIA: 1-Sandip Nandy; 17-Irungbam Surkumar Singh, 12-Anupam Sarkar, 24-Habibur Rehman Mondal (81' 3-Nanjangud Shivananju Manju), 5-Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep (84' 2-Narinder Singh); 16-Samir Naik (65' 20-Micky Fernandes), 13-Manjit Singh (76' 11-Sunil Chetri), 9-Mehraj din Wadoo, 23-Bibiano Fernandes [46' 6-Shanmugam Venkatesh (C)], 7-Renedy Singh (Captain) [46' 8-Steven Dias]; 10-Sushil Kumar Singh
Click here for more details at the >>IndianFootball.Com National Team Special
Please go to the >>IndianFootball.Com MATCH CENTER
Whitecaps Nations Cup - Swangard Stadium, Vancouver - Final: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0-0,3-1 Cardiff City FC [penalties] - Goals: none.
Calcutta Super Division: Howrah Union - SAIL
Nadkarni Cup, Mumbai - Round 2: Indian Navy - Kenkre Academy
Note-1: A two member AIFF team yesterday visited Srinagar to check the venues and their facilities for the 61st Santosh Trophy. AIFF secretary Alberto Colaco and executive committee member Syed Nasir Ali, who went to Kashmir, will compile and then submit a report to the AIFF executive committee and the Jammu&Kashmir FA.
First the three match venues - Bakshi Stadium, Amar Singh College ground, Polo Ground (West); and then the proposed practice grounds - University of Kashmir ground, Sri Pratap College ground, Tourist Reception Centre ground, National Institute of Technology ground, Bemina Degree College ground; where inspected.
After Goa and then West Bengal objected to Srinagar as the venue due to potential treaths of terrorist attacks, the AIFF had been forced to take stock of the arrangements and then the executive committee would take a final decision on the Santosh Trophy on July 29 at it's meeting in the capital. Haryana has come forward to organise the national championships if Jammu&Kashmir is not deemed fit to hold the tournament.
| July 22 |
RESULTS & NEWS |
3rd Girls' under-17 National Championships - Quarterfinal League Group II: Tripura 5-1 Uttar Pradesh - Goals: 1-0,2-0,4-0 Swarna Rani Debbarma (10',29',35'), 3-0 Anita Debbarma (27'), 5-0 Bhyaga Laxmi Debbarma (70'), 5-1 Rehana Khatoon (85').
3rd Girls' under-17 National Championships - Quarterfinal League Group II: West Bengal 0-6 Orissa - Goals: 0-1,0-4 Jhele Munda (3',35'), 0-2,0-5 Srimote Samal (10',45'), 0-3 Santoseni Sahoo (27'), 0-6 Gomoti Bur (72').
Calcutta Super Division: Peerless SC 3-1 West Bengal Police
Calcutta Super Division: Tollygunge Agragami 0-0 Calcutta FC
Calcutta Super Division: Calcutta Customs 1-2 Police AC
Note-1: The AIFF released a list of 32 probables yesterday for the India camp ahead of the India-Saudi Arabia match, but sadly that list was wrong.
Actually the AIFF has called 34 players to the camp with the names of Sunil Chetri and Alvito D'Cunha missing from the real list.
INDIA PROBABLES:
Goalkeepers: Sandip Nandy, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury (both Mahindra United), Subrata Pal (Mohun Bagan AC), Arindam Bhattacharya (Churchill Brothers SC).
Defenders: Mahesh Gawli, Irungbam Surkumar Singh, Manju Nanjangud Shivananju (all Mahindra United), Anupam Sarkar, Debabrata Roy (both East Bengal Club), Deepak Kumar Mondal, Sanjeev Kumar Maria (both Mohun Bagan AC), Habibur Rehman Mondal, Madhab Das (both Mohammedan Sporting Club), Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep, Abdul Basheer (both State Bank of Travancore), Narinder Singh (JCT Mills), Samir Naik (Dempo SC), Rakesh Masih (Tata Football Academy).
Midfielders: Shanmugam Venkatesh, Steven Dias, Krishnan Nair Ajayan (all Mahindra United), Bibiano Fernandes, Alvito D'Cunha, Tarif Ahmed (all East Bengal Club), Mehraj Din Wadoo, Manjit Singh, Dharamjit Singh (all Mohun Bagan AC), Renedy Singh (JCT Mills), Micky Fernandes (Salgaocar SC), Joe Paul Ancheri (Kerala).
Forwards: Syed Rahim Nabi, Freddy Mascarenhas (both East Bengal Club), Sunil Chetri (Mohun Bagan AC), Sushil Kumar Singh (Mohun Bagan AC).
Chief Coach: Bob Houghton (England).
Note-2: Sri Guru Gobind Singh Society, Jalandhar have pulled out of the 20th Punjab State Super Football League. The SGGSS from Jalandhar informed the Punjab FA through a Fax about their inability to participate. SGGSS, Jalandhar had finished second in the just concluded Punjab State 2.Division Football League and had gained promotion to the Super League.
The Super League committee has decided to take the next upcoming team on standing basis of the 2.Division. Therefore Bassi FC, which had finished third in the 2.Division, are promoted to the Super League.
For the revised fixtures go to Punjab State Super League 2006
Note-3: The AIFF today released the ninth list of 26 cleared Inter-State Transfers for the first transfer window of the 2006/07 season which ran from June 1 to 20.
Champions Mahindra United signed midfielder Lazarus Francis Fernandes from Dempo SC; while Amjad Hussain has returned to Mohammedan Sporting Club from Churchill Brothers SC.
Striker Faiz Alam has joined City FC, Delhi from Sporting Clube de Goa; while Arjun Pandit has left Salgaocar SC for Ahbab FC, Delhi.
Delhi side Hindustan Club have been able to sign Chandan Maity from Nabdoy Sangha, Calcutta plus Sajith P, Young Challengers FC; Krishna Kumar EA, FC Kochi; Nishanth AD, Kerala State Electricity Board; Prasanth KK, Prachara Chauakkad; and Subash ES, Brothers Tirur; all from Kerala.
| July 21 |
RESULTS & NEWS |
Harmit Singh Kamboe lives in Burlington, Ontario. Harmit has put together a write-up on "Lessons from World Cup 2006" for our IndianFootball.Com Guest Column section. Harmit looks at the lessons that new India coach Bob Houghton has already taken and can take from the gone World Cup. A first write-up by Harmit for IndianFootball.Com, but surely not the last. Read and Enjoy!
Read the complete article here >>IndianFootball.Com Guest Column - Harmit Singh Kamboe .
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 academic article on "Nature and Development of Football Hooliganism" for our IndianFootball.Com Guest Column section. It looks at where football hooliganism came from and what it turned out to be. Read and enjoy!
Read the complete article here >>IndianFootball.Com Guest Column - L Santosh Singh .
Whitecaps Nations Cup - Swangard Stadium, Vancouver: Cardiff City FC 5-0 China U20 - Goals: 1-0,2-0 Michael Chopra (15',20'), 3-0 Darren Purse (61'), 4-0 Pall Parry (85'), 5-0 Steven Thompson (87').
3rd Girls' under-17 National Championships - Quarterfinal League Group I: Haryana 3-1 Tamil Nadu - Goals: 0-1 M Jeyanthi (5'), 1-1 Meenakshi (45'), 2-1,3-1 Diksha (50',70').
3rd Girls' under-17 National Championships - Quarterfinal League Group I: Manipur 15-0 Punjab - Goals: 1-0,2-0,4-0 Mandakini Devi (5',12',23'), 3-0,5-0,12-0,15-0 E Bindyarani Devi (20',25',55',74'), 6-0,7-0,13-0 M Bem-Bem Devi (28',42',56'), 8-0 W Radharani Devi (43'), 9-0,10-0,14-0 N Montesori Chanu (47',52',66'), 11-0 Ksh Naocha Devi (53').
Calcutta Premier League: Railway FC 0-1 Eastern Railway SC - Goal: 0-1 Farid Ali Mollah.
Calcutta Premier League: George Telegraph SC 0-0 Calcutta Port Trust SC - Goals: none.
Nadkarni Cup, Mumbai - Pre-Quarterfinal: Indian Navy 6-1 Campaneros
Nadkarni Cup, Mumbai - Pre-Quarterfinal: Sea View SC 1-2 Kenkre Academy
Note-1: The Indian national team, currently in Vancouver to take part in the Whitecaps Nations Cup, will hold a probables camp from August 4 in Calcutta ahead of the India Vs Saudi Arabia 2007 Asia Cup qualifier at the Saltlake Stadium on August 16. 32 players have been called for the camp by the AIFF with JCT Mills Sunil Chetri, who scored our goal against the Whitecaps on wednesday missing along with Baichung Bhutia. Baichung might join the camp depending on talks with coach Bob Houghton and AIFF president Das Munshi, who has said that he will try to persuade him to prolong his career till the Doha Asian Games in "national interest".
INDIA PROBABLES:
Goalkeepers: Sandip Nandy, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury (both Mahindra United), Subrata Pal (Mohun Bagan AC), Arindam Bhattacharya (Churchill Brothers SC).
Defenders: Mahesh Gawli, Irungbam Surkumar Singh, Manju Nanjangud Shivananju (all Mahindra United), Anupam Sarkar, Debabrata Roy (both East Bengal Club), Deepak Kumar Mondal, Sanjeev Kumar Maria (both Mohun Bagan AC), Habibur Rehman Mondal, Madhab Das (both Mohammedan Sporting Club), Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep, Abdul Basheer (both State Bank of Travancore), Narinder Singh (JCT Mills), Samir Naik (Dempo SC), Rakesh Masih (Tata Football Academy).
Midfielders: Shanmugam Venkatesh, Steven Dias, Krishnan Nair Ajayan (all Mahindra United), Mehraj Din Wadoo, Manjit Singh, Dharamjit Singh (all Mohun Bagan AC), Bibiano Fernandes, Tarif Ahmed (both East Bengal Club), Renedy Singh (JCT Mills), Micky Fernandes (Salgaocar SC), Joe Paul Ancheri (Kerala).
Forwards: Syed Rahim Nabi, Freddy Mascarenhas (both East Bengal Club), Sushil Kumar Singh (Mohun Bagan AC).
Chief Coach: Bob Houghton (England).
Note-2: The AIFF today released the eighth list of 59 cleared Inter-State Transfers for the first transfer window of the 2006/07 season which ran from June 1 to 20.
The list today mainly contained transfers of 11 players away from now defunct Fransa-Pax FC to other clubs across India. Mohammedan Sporting Club have signed four former Fransa-Pax players in Surojit Roy, K Muhammed Nisam, Santa Saikhom Singh and Sheikh Aslam. Also seeking transfers to Calcutta where goalkeeper Rajat Guha to East Bengal Club, midfielders Somnath Das to Eastern Railway SC and Avinash Thapa to Calcutta Port Trust. Former international striker Alex Mario Ambrose has gone to Mumbai's Air-India. Former junior India striker Marlanki Sutang has gone back to his home club Lajong SC, Shillong; while Arijit Mondal has joined Haryana side Amity United FC and Vasudevan Santosh has gone to his home state of Kerala to Sesa.
Other transfers on the list where those of players amongst smaller clubs across India.
Note-3: According to information received by us at IndianFootball.Com from former National Football Coach Sukhvinder Singh, Mr. K Kapoor, former Honorary Secretary of Punjab FA (who had served the Punjab FA for the 3/4 consecutive terms, has been an AIFF Executive Member, Vice-President), is seriously ill and is bed-ridden at his residence in Gurgaon, Haryana. He had also served as Chairman of the Selection Committee constituted by the AIFF for the 1986 Asian Games. According to former national Coach Sukhvinder Singh, the condition of Mr.Kapoor, now nearing 80, is deteriorating and he is unable to get up. Mr.Kapoor, has expressed a desire to get in touch with old associates and former footballers. His contact number is 98713-70129.
Note-4: Calcutta Premier League side George Telegraph SC today announced Reliance GSM Services as their new sponsor partner. The club will from now on be known as "Smart" George Telegraph SC and the contract is initially for one year.
Note-5: The Andhra Pradesh FA will conduct selection trials for the AP state U16 boys team on August 10 at the Lal Bahadur Stadium, Hyderabad. The APFA has asked all District FAs and affiliated units to send their three best players in this age group to the trials.
The South Zone U16 qualifiers are set to the held in the second week of September.
Note-6: by Armstrong Vaz: Educationist and freedom fighter from Cuncolim, Dr Verisimo Coutinho has urged the government to name the Cuncolim school playground after late footballer Basil Menezes. He was speaking on the occasion of the office inauguration of Cuncolim Union recently.
Coutinho said that Basil Menezes brought laurels to Cuncolim village and it will be a befitting tribute to the late footballer by naming the football ground in his name. He said the people of Cuncolim would be forced to come to the streets if the government do not accept the demand.
Coutinho later felicitated five sports personalities from Cuncolim, including international footballers - Mahesh Gawli; Micky Fernandes, grandson so Cuncolim; and Freddy Mascarenhas plus former international Ashok Fadte and Delton Almeida (Athletics).
Late basil Menezes was a former Tata SC footballer and hailed from Panzorconi from the Menezes house close to the our lady of Piety chapel Panzorconi.
| July 20 |
RESULTS & NEWS |
3rd Girls' under-17 National Championships - Quarterfinal League Group II: Orissa 8-0 Uttar Pradesh - Goals: 1-0 Jhele Munda (10'), 2-0,6-0 Lochana Munda (15',70'), 3-0 Santoseni Oram (45'), 4-0,5-0 Preyenka Sahoo (50',60'), 7-0,8-0 Sradhanjali Sahoo (73',82').
3rd Girls' under-17 National Championships - Quarterfinal League Group II: Tripura 2-1 West Bengal - Goals: 1-0 Anita Debbarma (21'), 2-0 Shyamali Debbarma (52'), 2-1 Kalpana Roy (89').
Nadkarni Cup, Mumbai - Round 1: Union Bank of India 3-1 Income Tax
Nadkarni Cup, Mumbai - Round 1: ICL Mid-Day 0-1 Bank of India
Note-1: Indian football is still trying to come to terms with the death of VP Sathyan. The most asked question is why did Sathyan commit suicide? If in financial trouble why didn't be ask friends for help? Should a former Indian football captain's life have to end this way?
Thousands of people paid their last respects across Kerala when the body travelled to his home district of Kannur. Old friends and teammates where with the body on their journey.
Not only Kerala and Chennai in Tamil Nadu are in a state of shock, but the football franity all over India is in a state of shock.
Former Indian national coach Stephen Constantine wrote to IndianFootball.Com, "I would like to add my sincere condolences to V.P. Sathyan's family. I had the pleasure to work with him on a couple of occassions with the Indian national team and he was really a pleasure to work with. It is of course a great loss to all that knew him."
From Stephen Constantine and family our deepest sympathys go not only to his family but to all those that knew him.
Note-2: IANS report: Former Indian soccer captain Baichung Bhutia has said he is no longer motivated to play for the country even as he hoped that new coach Bob Houghton will transform the national team into a winning side.
"I have been playing for my country for the past 12 years. Now I no longer feel like playing. I just don't get the motivation," Bhutia told IANS here.
When told that there is no replacement for him, he said: "That is not an excuse for continuing to play. I don't feel like playing for the country. I was planning for retirement. But for now it's shelved."
"Besides it's time some youngsters took over and did well for themselves. The Vancouver trip will be a good exposure for them," the Mohun Bagan striker said.
A 20-member Indian team is in Vancouver, Canada, to take part in the four-nation Nations Cup that began Wednesday.
"Now I am looking forward to the challenge of playing for Mohun Bagan (Baichung switched over to Bagan from his club East Bengal this season). I played there two years back and could not do justice to the club and this time I would like to make amends," he said.
Asked whether there are youngsters who could step into his shoes, Bhutia mentioned Sushil Singh and Lalampuia - both of whom will play with him in Mohun Bagan this season.
He also applauded Indian coach Bob Houghton for his initiative, but sounded a little sceptical about the import of NRI players.
"Stephen (Constantine) tried it before and it did not work. Let's see. He (Houghton) is a world class coach and I hope he will make India a better side," Bhutia said.
| July 19 |
RESULTS & NEWS |
Whitecaps Nations Cup - Swangard Stadium, Vancouver: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3-1 INDIA - Goals: 1-0 David Testo (15'), 2-0 Nanjangud Shivananju Manju (38', own Goal), 2-1 Sunil Chetri (45'+), 3-1 David Morris (73').
Kick-off: 19.00 local time | 04.00 CET (July 20) | 07.30 IST (July 20)
by Harmit Singh Kamboe: Under a warm and sunny sky, the Whitecaps Nations Cup got off a colourful start with the home team Vancouver Whitecaps FC against the India national team. The Swanguard stadium was packed to its 6,200 odd capacity and in keeping with the large South Asian population that had turned up to support their team, there was a Bhangra and a Dhol performance by DholBeatz prior to the kick off.
The Whitecaps were predominantly kitted in white while the Indian team were wearing orange jerseys with white shorts, a departure from their trademark blue. Houghton was dressed in a suit and tie despite the warm and sunny day.
The Whitecaps played a 4-5-1 formation while India opted for a 5-3-2 with Freddy Mascarenhas and Sunil Chetri in the front.
India keeper Sandip Nandy was stretched as soon as the game kicked off. With less than a minute of time on the board, a long throw in found Gary Brooks and he headed the ball and forced Nandy to make a great one handed save, diving to his left. Despite the teams, especially India, playing a little tentatively, there were chances created at both ends in the first few minutes, but the Indians did not really do much with their opportunities and that was pretty much the story of the game for them. In the second minute, Venkatesh had a through pass to Freddy Mascarenhas which was too long. Renedy Singh had a freekick and a corner in quick succession in the 6th minute of the game and both set piece opportunities were poorly executed. The ball possession was favourable to the Whitecaps and they demonstrated more purpose and thought. The Indians touched the ball too often, played short passes and were never able to have more than 3 players touch the ball. After two players on the move, they either shot the ball through too long or were dispossessed due to sloppy passing. In the 9th minute David Testo put through a great ball to Brooks, but Nandy was once again man to the challenge and was able to deny the Whitecaps the opportunity. Before 10 minutes were up in the game, Nandy had made two great saves. With 10 minutes gone in the game, it was clear that the Whitecaps are not a great team. It was also clear that India were either a bit lethargic or laid back. They seemed a bit flat footed and purposeless.
In the 13th minute, Indian finally made their best scoring chance of the game. A long ball from the midfield to Samir Naik was headed down by him and played to Freddy Mascarenhas who did a little 1-2 with Naik before finding himself with just the keeper to beat. In the heat of the moment, he blasted the ball over the keeper, goal and everything else. The crowd which was backing India let out a big collective sigh. In the 15th minute, David Testo was on top of the box when he did a complete turn and managed to free himself enough from his Indian marker and use his left foot to slot the ball home. Nandy was caught on his wrong side and could not reach the shot. The Whitecaps took the lead and one though that perhaps the goal would wake the Indians up from their stupor.
Alas, that was not to be. India continued to play a shot passing game, and stand close to each other. They continued to not be able to really threaten the Whitecaps. In the 23rd minute, Morris tried a chip shot on the India goal of a free kick but that went over the Indian goal. The Indian thoughtless play was best exemplified by a through ball by Naik in the 27th minute when there was no red jersey wearing player in the box. No one knew the purpose of that through ball. India was playing exactly how a country ranked 130 by FIFA would or even worse. The Whitecaps made full use of the pitch's width, switching the ball side to side. The Indians continued to be caught napping with the long ball passes that the Whitecaps were making. The game after the first goal had reduced to a walking pace and this would have been the perfect opportunity for any other team to try and pull the solitary goal lead back. But India showed no imagination and no urgency. In the 35th minute Dino had every one beaten and shot the ball wide by just a bit off the far post. The cross from Morris could have been intercepted by two Indian defenders but amateurish clearances were all that the Indian fans got to see.
In the 37th minute, Morrisson made a run down the left flank of India's goal and made a cross. NS Manju tried to make a clearance when a calm, collected gathering of the ball and then clearing it would have been enough as there was no Whitecap in his vicinity. Instead his attempt at a one shot clearance resulted in an own goal. India had just compounded their own misery and were now down 2-0 with no one to blame but themselves.
In the 44th minute Surkumar Singh attempted a long shot in the Whitecaps goal which had no pace or power on it. And that pretty much summed up the tame display that the Indian had put up. Even the Indian physio's when they had to run up to the pitch, were taking their time. In the injury time added at the end of the first half, India finally pulled a goal back. Chetri got a long ball from Surkumar Singh that trapped and was able to get by two Whitecap defenders ad place the ball by the goalkeeper that rushed out but did not dive to either side. Indian fans felt better as at least the own goal had been atoned for.
The second half saw the introduction of Sushil Kumar Singh, the 17 year old striker. Bob Houghton's intentions seemed clear, he still saw the game as wide open and there was nothing amazing or biting about the Whitecaps offensive line. The Indians had just given them too much room and too much opportunity. In the 49th minute, Gary Brooks made a long strike that was wide of the Indian goal. The Indians demonstrated greater confidence in the second half. However, once they had the ball and were on top of the Whitecaps box, they ran out of ideas and just passed the ball around, hoping some one else on the team would try a break through in the Whitecaps defence. In the 55th minute Renedy Singh attempted a cross, but ended up sending the ball both long and over the goal. India continued with their unforced errors, allowing the Whitecaps not to suffer. In the 56th minute, a Renedy Singh and NP Pradip move found Chetri open in the penalty box. Sunil Chetri had just the goalkeeper to beat but Chetri, not did not take the shot, allowed the moment to pass and was dispossessed of the ball. Another Indian opportunity had gone begging. In the 61st minute, India almost let in another own goal of a Whitecaps corner kick.
In this error prone performance that India were putting up, something had to give even with a team as average as the Whitecaps. In the 72nd minute, Nandy made a poor clearance. The ball was intercepted by Morris on the India 25 yard line and with a nice one-two movement, he put the ball in the back of the net not giving Nandy any chance. It was more a case of India deserved to be scored against due to the way they had played, rather than Whitecaps deserving the goal for their efforts.
Despite the score line reading 3-1 for the Whitecaps, one was reminded of the phrase so often used for the Indian cricket team prior to the arrival of John Wright, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
In the 74the minute another David Morris play came close to ending up in a goal when Kindel was put through with just Nandy to beat but he shot the ball over the goal. In the 86th minute it was Jersen's turn to shoot the ball over the goal. Not to be left out it was Lyle who missed scoring in the 87th minute when he had an almost empty goal in front of him. In the 89th minute it was disheartening to see Sushil Kumar Singh give up running for a ball he could have gotten. As the youngest man on the field and having played only the second half and with team behind, that was a sorry example.
India ended up conceding a total of 9 corners to the Whitecaps. A lot of those 9 came from India defenders that unilaterally chose to put the ball out when they felt threatened or wanted to clear or break up and oncoming attack. Despite the 3-1 score line, one should not think India were beaten by a vastly better team. India were edged out by their own poor passing and finishing and then by a physically stronger team in that order.
Bob Houghton's comments on how small the Indian players were when he first saw them at the Goa training camp, the lack of any leader on the field in the Indian team, lack of ideas on how to finish a move and the poor ball skills were the three clear signs of how much work must be done. Bob was also reported as being a fan of the long ball and he had clarified that he was not referring to the long ball as in crosses from the wings. It was clear from this game, how badly the Indians need to be able to make better long balls in the field to each other.
A team better than the Whitecaps (Saudi Arabia or Japan) would have ripped India apart on a performance such as this.
WHITECAPS: 0-Josh Wicks (46' 29-Serge Djekanovic); 20-David Morris (75' 12-Geordie Lyall), 22-John Jones (46' 24-Diaz Kambere), 25-Anthony Noriega, 33-Ryan Suarez; 6-Jay Alberts (65' 27-Stefan Leslie), 7-Martin Nash (46' 4-Adrian Cann), 11-David Testo (46' 19-Sita-Taty Matondo), 13-Tino Cucca (65' 8-Steve Kindel), 14-Tony Donatelli (71' 3-Steve Klein); 16-Gary Brooks (71' 17-Joey Gjertsen).
INDIA: 1-Sandip Nandy; 17-Irungbam Surkumar Singh (46' 10-Sushil Kumar Singh), 2-Narinder Singh, 3-Nanjangud Shivananju Manju (85' 24-Habibur Rehman Mondal), 5-Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep; 16-Samir Naik, 6-Shanmugam Venkatesh, 20-Micky Fernandes (62' 23-Bibiano Fernandes), 7-Renedy Singh (79' 9-Mehraj din Wadoo); 11-Sunil Chetri (82 12-Anupam Sarkar), 18-Freddy Mascarenhas (62' 13-Manjit Singh).
Click here for more details at the >>IndianFootball.Com National Team Special
Please go to the >>IndianFootball.Com MATCH CENTER
Match Preview:
For new national coach Bob Houghton it will be his first competitive match as India coach, when his team takes on the Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the inaugural match of the Whitecaps Nations Cup later today.
The Indian senior squad will be missing their captain Baichung Bhutia who had opted out of the trip to Canada. Missing amongst others are defender Deepak Kumar Mondal, midfielder Climax Lawrence and striker Syed Rahim Nabi all out due to injuries. But for some youngsters it is a chance to grab a place in the squad for the upcoming remaining 2007 Asia Cup qualifiers.
India have two safe pair of hands in goalkeepers Sandip Nandy and Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, who are also No. 1 and 2 at their club, Mahindra United - the Indian league champions. In defence seasoned Mahesh Gawli is set to play at the centre of defence with club mate Manju Nanjangud Shivananju likely to play besides him. Irungbam Surkumar Singh or Sameer Naik could play as right back, while Habibur Rehman Mondal and Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep could fill in as left backs. The midfield will be marshalled by captain Shanmugam Venkatesh with Steven Dias a possible option on the right flank while Renedy Singh a possibility on the left while Mehraj Din Wadoo could play in the defensive midfield position. Upfront Bhutia will surely be missed and an inexperienced attack could be a drawback for India. Only Sunil Chetri has played for the India Seniors in the past and he is likely to be paired with either Freddy Mascarenhas or teenager Sushil Kumar Singh. An interesting test for this youthful Indian team.
India also hopes to have local Indian community support in Vancouver similar to support the team got in the greater Birmingham area, England on trips there a few years ago.
The Whitecaps meanwhile are also proud to announce that NBA MVP Steve Nash (Basketball) will be the tournament's honourary chairman. Nash will kick off the tournament with the ceremonial kick in the opening match on Wednesday.
3rd Girls' under-17 National Championships - Quarterfinal League Group I: Punjab 0-4 Tamil Nadu - Goals: 0-1 M Jeyanthi (23'), 0-2,0-3 R Radika (30',55), 0-4 R Kalpana (65').
3rd Girls' under-17 National Championships - Quarterfinal League Group I: Haryana 0-9 Manipur - Goals: 0-1 N Chan Chan Chanu (15'), 0-2,0-6,0-8 M Mandakini Devi (25',55',68'), 0-4,0-5,0-9 Y Kamala Devi (35',36',73'), 0-3 N Bindoni Devi (33'), 0-7 N Montesori Chanu (65').
Guwahati Super Division: NF Railway SC 0-0 Assam State Electricity Board - Goals: none.
Nadkarni Cup, Mumbai - Round 1: PIFA Colaba Young Stars 1-4 Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers
Nadkarni Cup, Mumbai - Round 1: ONGC 4-1 PriyaDarshini-Park Wave
Note-1: Continuing on PIOs around the world. The contract of 24 year old English PIO Harpal Singh was not renewed by English second Division side Stockport County FC at the end of last season. Earlier this month Harpal joined League of Ireland Premier Division Side Sligo Rovers FC.
Harpal has come out of the renowned Leed United AFC youth development system. He had made his professional debut at Bury FC on loan from Leeds, then he spend two further loan spells at Bristol City FC and Bradford City AFC before being released by Leed United. He joined Stockport County FC in 2004 and has spend two years at the club.
Note-2: IANS report: The death of former India football captain V.P. Sathyan woke up the city of Calcutta to a rude shock with veteran footballer P.K. Banerjee saying he was speechless.
"The first thing that comes to my mind is 1985-86 when I picked him for the India squad when Subrata Bhattacharya and Manoranjan Bhattacharya were both unavailable," Banerjee said.
"Sathyan was then an awkward 17-year-old teenager who later transformed into a fine defender," he said.
Jo Paul Ancheri, who was a teammate in Mohun Bagan and India, said he was without his captain today.
"I have played under many skippers, but I regard him as my only leader. He is the best captain I have played under."
Another coach Amal Dutta couldn't believe his ears.
"I have been to Kerala several times. On every occasion I enjoyed coaching him. When he was playing under me for Kerala Police, he took special initiative to arrange the ground and look after other needs. In Calcutta as well, I have some very good memories both during the Nehru Cup camp and his stint with Mohun Bagan in 1992."
East Bengal's assistant coach and Satyen's teammate Tarun Dey said: 'I have played with Sathyan for a very brief period of time. Apart from being a good footballer, he was a loveable character. Four months back, I bumped into him during an All-India bank tournament. He seemed jovial as ever."
For Sisir Ghosh the news of death came as a shock.
"We have played together for so many years both in the national squad and the club. To me he was more of a midfielder than a defender. Though he played as a defender, his strength was his long-range shots. He scored a brilliant goal off a pile driver against South Korea in the 1986 Merdeka Cup. In 1991-92, we played for Mohun Bagan and got more friendly."
Former Bagan coach and India international Aloke Mukherjee said: ' I cannot believe that a guy of such a strong mentality meeting such an end.
"We have played in the Seoul Asian Games, the Merdeka Cup and he was an utility player both in the defence and midfield. As both of us took coaching as a profession, we have been meeting each other till 2005 and could never imagine this fate."
Note-3: After a break of nearly three weeks the INDIA U20 probables will regroup at their camp in Goa tomorrow ahead of the 10th South Asian Games in Colombo, Sri Lanka next month. 29 players have been called to the camp, which runs until August 12. The participation in the South Asian Games is part of the teams preparation for the Asian Youth Championships to be held in India from October 29 to November 12.
The football tournament at the South Asian Games is an under-23 tournament, but INDIA like the last time in Pakistan is sending their U20 across for match exposure.
INDIA U20 Probables:
Goalkeepers: Arindam Bhattacharya (Churchill Brothers SC), Shilton Pal (Mohun Bagan AC), Souvik Mondal (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC), Primjit Meitei (Manipur), Kailash Das (Assam).
Defenders: Rakesh Masih, Hirohito Elangbam, Rino Anto (all Tata Football Academy), Baldeep Singh (JCT Football Academy), Baljit Singh Sahni (Punjab), Gobin Singh (SAI, Manipur), Aibor Khongjee (Mizoram).
Midfielders: Th Naoba Singh, Ong Tshering Lepcha (both Churchill Brothers SC), Lal Kamal Bhowmick (Mohun Bagan AC), Branco Vincent Cardozo, Lalramluaha, Hiralal Chetri (all Tata Football Academy), Lavino Fernandes (Sesa Football Academy), Lalmalswama Hmar (Mizoram), Zaidinmawia Hmar (Mizoram), Malsawmdawngliana (Mizoram).
Forwards: Vimal Pariyar (East Bengal Club), Sushil Kumar Singh (Mohun Bagan AC), Bimal Minz (Tata Football Academy), Reisangmi Vasum (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC), Khangembam Thoi Singh (Indian Bank), Beevan D'Mello (Goa), Gemseng Marak (Meghalaya).
Chief Coach: Islam Akhmedov (Uzbekistan)
Note-4: The Delhi Soccer Association will hold the second edition of the Uttaranchal Cup Football Tournament in the capital at the Ambedkar Stadium from Thursday. The participating clubs are Delhi champions Simla Youngs, runners-up Indian Air Force (New Delhi), former champions IAF (Palam), Indian Nationals FC, Garhwal Heroes, Delhi Police, Uttrakhand and Garhwal Diamond. Besides the men's tournament there will be also a women's tournament. The Suman Lata Bhadola Uttranchal Cup championship for women will be held with four teams - Garhwal Heroes, Hans Club, Growing Stars and Girls United - taking part.
| July 18 |
RESULTS & NEWS |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs INDIA live coverage
IndianFootball.Com is delighted to announce the live coverage of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs India match on July 19. You will be able to follow the match at the IndianFootball.Com MATCH CENTER!
The match will kick-off at 19.00 local time, which mean 04.00 CET (July 20) and 07.30 IST (July 20)!
Please go to the >>IndianFootball.Com MATCH CENTER
3rd Girls' under-17 National Championships - Quarterfinal League Group II: Tripura 0-4 Orissa - Goals: 0-1,0-4 Jhele Munda (25',79'), 0-2 Srimote Samal (35'), 0-3 Preyenka Sahool (70').
3rd Girls' under-17 National Championships - Quarterfinal League Group II: Uttar Pradesh 0-4 West Bengal - Goals: 0-1 Sujata Patil (30'), 0-2 Rojina Khaton (54'), 0-3 Kalpana Roy (65'), 0-4 Srabani Bairagi (75').
Guwahati Super Division: Assam Dynamo Club 1-1 SAI SC, Guwahati - Goals: 1-0 Yusuff Monsuru Ademola (53'), 1-1 Mintu Boro (56').
Nadkarni Cup, Mumbai - Pre-Quarterfinal: Madanpura 0-6 Mumbai Customs
Punjab State 2nd Division League - Final Phase: JCT Football Academy 1-0 Mahilpur FC
Punjab State 2nd Division League - Final Phase: SGGSS, Jalandhar 2-0 Bassi FC
JCT Football Academy retain their place in the Punjab State Super League, while SGGSS, Jalandhar gained promotion from the 2.Division.
Note-1: 11.30 CET | 15.00 IST: Former Indian national team captain VP Sathyan (41) has been killed in an accident in Chennai. He was an employee at the Indian Bank Head Office, Chennai, while he had been the coach of the Indian Bank RSC team for a number of years. He had also been a selector of Indian national team.
16.00 CET | 19.30 IST: According to the latest information coming in from Chennai, VP Sathyan committed suicide by throwing himself under the Kanyakumari-Chennai Egmore Express train at the suburban Pallavaram railway station in Chennai! He is survived by his wife and a 10 year-old daughter. Police recovered a suicide note written in English from his pocket, in which, addressing his wife, he said he was vexed in life as he had lost his wealth as he was habituated to drinking and gambling.
It came as a great shock to first hear of VP Sathyan's dead in an accident. It was an even bigger shock when one came to know about Sathyan committing suicide.
Sathyan was a great defender in his days, an influencial player. He was a pillar in defence for his clubs - Kerala Police, Mohun Bagan AC and Indian Bank plus the Indian national team, which he also captained on numerous occasions,
3rd Girls' under-17 National Championships - Quarterfinal League Group I: Haryana 1-1 Punjab - Goals: 1-0 Diksha (47'), 1-1 Gurpreet Kaur (89').
The Indian Football Association on Monday announced a unique initiative taken towards the promotion of the "Sahara" Calcutta Football League 2006 for the football maniacs of West Bengal. 24 Ghanta Channel, a premium Bengali 24 Hours Satellite News Channel, will air Sahara CFL'06 matches LIVE. IFA secretary Subrata Dutta announced this initiative at a Press Conference at the Caught-n-Bowled Restaurant, City Centre in Calcutta today. 24 Ghanta Channel will telecast 36 matches of the league live and will use more than 8 cameras at the tournament venue for the best quality of transmission.
3rd Girls' under-17 National Championships - Qualifying Round Group A: Manipur 20-0 Madhya Pradesh