NEWS FOR THE MONTH OF May 2007
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May 31
RESULTS & NEWS
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: Kerala State Electricity Board 1-3 Coastal Club - Goals: 0-1,0-2 Anil (29',36'), 1-2 Ramesh (65'), 1-3 Thomas (76')
::: All-Kerala Veteran's Football Tournament ongoing ::: The All-Kerala Veteran's Football Tournament is currently being held.
Titanium Veterans Club defeated Kollam District Team 4-1 in the first semifinal today. The Kollam District Team had defeated Travancore Sporting Club 1-0 yesterday. In the quarterfinals Ernakulam will take on United Sporting Club, Trivandrum, who would face Malappuram in the second semifinal on Sunday.
The third place match will be held on Monday morning, while the final will be on Monday evening.
May 30
RESULTS & NEWS
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: Coastal Club 0-2 Titanium XI - Goals: 0-1,0-2 Ebin Rose (30',59').
::: KIFF NITE tomorrow ::: The Kuwait Indian Football Federation will organise it's first-ever KIFF NITE tomorrow at the Fakher Al Din Palace starting 21.00 local time onwards. The event is sponsored by Metro Express and co-sponsored by Sports Corner Company. The highlight of the evening will be the glamorous Awards Distribution Ceremony with live music by Deep Impact and Soul Shakers.
Master Compere Dunstan D'Costa from Goa will further elevate the evening with floor contests including a 'Waltz Competition' for the very first time in Kuwait.
May 29
RESULTS & NEWS
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: State Bank of Travancore 3-0 St.George FC - Goals: 1-0,2-0 T Asif Saheer (18',23'), 3-0 AB Kabeer (55').
::: New Delhi Heroes to turn professional ::: The New Delhi Heroes, one of Delhi oldest clubs, is set to go professional as the first football club in the capital as India's premier art auction house "Osian's" and IOS Sports & Leisure (Infinity Optimal Solutions Pvt Ltd) have come together in a strategic partnership for the project.
After the successful conduct of the 119th Durand Cup last November, Osian's together with IOS have been looking at options to do more for the development of Indian football. And the route through a club looks like the way the two partner are set to go.
It is for the first time in the history of Indian football that a professional sports management agency has taken over the management of a football club.
"This takeover is another step in our continuing process to develop the game in India. We want to make the club a pioneer in Indian football. Right from its management to training facilities available, everything will be world class" said founder-chairman of Osian's, Neville Tuli on the first-of-its-kind takeover. He added, "we will conduct regular training camps under foreign coaches and build both a youth academy and a training centre to foster talent".
It is a part of Osian's and IOS' long term vision to create international level infrastructure for the game in the country, starting from the capital itself. Osian's and IOS want to give the football loving public of Delhi a place on the football map of the country. The aim of taking over New Delhi Heroes is to provide football fans in Delhi with a club that competes at the national and International level with the best clubs in the country and abroad.
Amongst the future plans are: 1) IOS aim to provide improved facilities to the players which include - A World Class Playing Field, Gymnasium, Swimming Pool, Medical Facilities, Regulated Diet, Accommodation, other training facilities, designer jerseys, etc.
2) Implement a comprehensive youth development programme to foster football talent in India.
3) Compete and Win in the NFL's Premier Division
Commenting on immediate plans for the club IOS CEO, Neerav Tomar said that "we aim to sign on players who have represented the Indian team or have played in the National Football League Division 1 clubs. The coaching team will consist of top quality coaches and training staff. We want to work our way up to the top tier of the NFL, but we will be taking things one at a time."
Players who IOS is in talks with for New Delhi Heroes include HAL's Prashant Jaggi, Mohammedan Sporting duo Harvinder Singh and Shanta Singh, Vasco's Sujoy Dutta and former international Mohammed Najeeb. IOS also wants to take on some talented boys from Delhi.
IOS is trying to get a high profile coach with talks set to be going on with Nigerian Chima Okorie and Mohammed Habib. Nothing is finalised yet, talks with the players and coaches are still on.
::: Dempo SC strengthen squad further by signing Gawli & Chidi Edeh ::: NFL champions Dempo SC have strengthened their squad further by signing Indian international defender Mahesh Gawli from Mahindra United and Nigerian striker Chidi Edeh from JCT. This was disclosed by coach Armando Colaco in Gurgaon on the sidelines of the Super Cup on Sunday.
According to him Dempo has been able to retain most of their players with midfielder Clifford Miranda being the big one to remain in Goa, though he had a better financial offer from East Bengal.
::: Dempo big winners at NT-GFA Awards Nite yesterday ::: National League champions Dempo SC were expectedly the big winners of the 2nd annual Navhind Times-Goa Football Association Awards Nite held at Cidade de Goa last night.
Dempo SC took home six of the 15 awards on offer from the Goa Governor SC Jamir. They won the Best Team Awards, Coach Armando Colaco was chosen as the best coach, John Charles Dias was chosen as the Best Defender, while young Anthony Pereira was chosen as the Best Striker, while Clifford Miranda was chosen as the Most Valuable Player as well as the Best Midfielder.
Sporting Clube de Goa's Luis Xavier Barreto was chosen as the Best Goalkeeper. While another goalkeeper Vasco's Laxmikant Kattimani was chosen as the Most Promising Player for his performances for his club and the Goa U21 team, which on Sunday had won the U21 Nationals.
The Other Awards handed out where: Most Loved Player: Dennis Cabral (Churchill Brothers). Best Female player: Blanca Barreto (India striker). Most Promising Female Player: Domiana Gomendes (India U19 striker). Best Ground: Poriat ground, Calangute. Best Organiser: Succoro Coutinho (Varca). Best Manager: Savio Barreto (Goa U21 Manager). Most Promising Coach: Lino Pereira (India U13 coach).
::: AMFA decides on Manipur State League replacements ::: The All-Manipur FA at it's executive council meeting has decided to replacement YWO, Bishnupur and SAI Regional Centre, Imphal through NISA, Thangmeiband and USA, Khurai for the 2nd edition of the Manipur State League, which is set to kickoff later in the year.
An AFC delegation lead by Acting Director Vision Asia Brendon Menton met AMFA officials and the participating clubs of the inaugural Manipur State League to learn more about the positives and megatives. And the main problem mentioned by all was the problem of finance at all clubs.
The AFC officials were happy the way the Vision Manipur project has progressed on numerous fronts in the tiny Northeastern state.
::: 14th Garodia Gold Cup next month ::: The 14th edition of the biannual Garodia Gold Cup will be held from June 6 in Dibrugarh, Upper Assam. The tournament organised by the Dibrugarh Milanjyoti Sangha will be played at the Chowkidingee Ground. A total of 14 teams will be seen in action, amongst them defending champions Assam State Electricity Board and runners-up Oil India Limited.
May 28
RESULTS & NEWS
::: IndianFootball.Com Interview with AM Sreedharan (Viva Kerala coach) ::: For the lastest IndianFootball.Com Interview we talk to A.M. Sreedharan has seen it all in his long coaching career in Kerala, the good and the bad times. Be it at Kerala Police, FC Kochin or now at Viva Kerala.
Our PS Parameswaran chats with him about the recent success story of Viva Kerala and the sad demise of Kerala club football earlier plus the problems facing Indian football today.
Read the complete interview here >>IndianFootball.Com Interview AM Sreedharan (Viva Kerala coach) .
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: Kerala State Electricity Board 3-2 SMRC, Kollangod - Goals: 1-0,2-1,3-1 Renjith (26',49',61'), 1-1 Sabu (30'), 3-2 Maria Johnson (64').
::: Delhi government to upgrade Ambedkar Stadium ::: Delhi Government has heard the plea of state football body, the Delhi Soccer Association, to revamp the mecca of Delhi football the "Dr. Ambedkar Stadium". DSA Secretary NK Bhatia told IndianFootball.Com that DSA President Subash Chopra's efforts led the Delhi government to spend around Rs. 4 crores (Rs. 40 Million) to make the stadium floodlit and improve the facilities of the stadium including the playing turf. The stadium is being revamped for ONGC International cup to be held in August in the capital.
The investment into the Ambedkar Stadium also means a right step for the development of football in Delhi.
::: Statistics from the 11th National League ::: The AIFF has made the overall statistics of the 11th National League available. The most alarming of all is that the average crowd attendence in the NFL has dropped below 4,000 spectators per match.
1. Dempo SC won the ONGC CUP 11th NFL 2006/07
2. Total 90 matches were played from January 5 to May 19, 2007
3. Matches won 61 - drawn 29
4. 285 players were registered for 11th NFL (29 foreigners, 2 PIOs and 254 Indians)
5. 243 goals were scored at the end of the league
6. 133 goals were scored by foreign nationals
7. 110 goals were scored by Indians.
8. Odafe Oneyka Okolie (Churchill Brothers SC) scored the highest number of goals: 18
9. Among Indians Sunil Chetri (JCT) is the highest scorer with 12 goals
10. Odafe Oneyka of Churchill scored the only hatrick of the league against Mohmmedan Sporting Club
11. Dempo SC scored the highest number of goal 39
12. Mohammedan Sporting Club conceded the highest number of goals 42
13. Highest number of goals scored in a round 24 (18th round)
14. Least number of goals in a round 4 (7th round)
15. Total cards received 208: 196 yellow, 5 double cautions, 7 direct red
16. Mohammedan Sporting Club received the highest number of cards 27 yellow
17. JCT received least number of cards 9 yellow
18. Renedy Singh (JCT) scored the first goal of the league
19: Paresh Shivalkar (Air-India) scored the last goal of the league
20. Highest attendance: East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan in Calcutta with 50,000
21. Lowest attendance: Sporting Clube de Goa vs HAL in Goa with only 200
22. Total attendance: (approx) 358,050 1. Goa: 77,500(2870,37 per match)
2. Calcutta: 201,600 (7753,85 per match)
3. Bangalore: 39,500 (4389 per match)
4. Mumbai: 28,550 (1586 per match)
5. Ludhiana: 10,900 (1362,5 per match)
23. Average attendance per match: 3978,33 (Total 90 matches)
::: CFA boys win 3-0 against local Leipzig boys ::: by Balbir Singh: State-run Chandigarh Football Academy defeated a football club of Leipzig by 3-0 in an exhibition match played in Leipzig in Germany today. German coach Avid had arranged a friendly match between the CFA boys and one of the leading football clubs of Leipzig boys in the same age group.
According to information received by Chandigarh Sports Director-cum-Additional Deputy Commissioner from Leipzig where a 12-member CFA team had gone for an advanced 15-day training camp, the match was held indoor where a full length football field was available on an artificial turf.
The German coach was satisfied with the performance of the boys as it indicated that the training being imparted to them was fruitful. The boys had displayed what they had learnt in the past few days from their coach. However, certain areas where improvement is warranted were taken note of so as to incorporate the same in the next programme of their training.
Meanwhile, the German coach had introduced three sessions for training. The CFA boys start their training schedule with a three km jogging, followed by stretching exercises and functional training
With drills on various aspects - kicking, shadow running, skill training with and without ball.
A day earlier, training was held inside the Indoor Hall. Thereafter tests on 10 metres, 20 metres (with or without ball). zig zag running (with and without ball) were conducted. It was all done against timings. Tests on were conducted. Compiled results shall be given in a day or two.
::: East Bengal U15 leave for Singapore ::: The East Bengal U15 team, winners of the India leg of the Manchester United Premier Cup 2007 in January in Mumbai, will play in the Southeast Asian finals to be held in Singapore from May 31 to June 2. They leave for Singapore tomorrow.
The red-and-gold juniors will fight for a place in the global finals in Manchester in August 2007 against four junior club sides from Thailand, Hongkong, Indonesia and Singapore. Last year city rivals Mohun Bagan had won the Southeast Asian leg to make it to the global finals.
May 27
RESULTS & NEWS
Today's guest column is from our own Jafar Khan, who looks at United Sports Club from Kayalpatnam in the Thoothukkudi District of Tamil Nadu. The club has been existence for over 50 years and regularly organises the Moulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy at it's home ground. But the club is more than just a football team as it also takes its social responsibility very seriously.
Read the complete article here >>IndianFootball.Com Guest Column - Jafar Khan .
10th "ONGC" Super Cup 2006/07 - Devi Lal Sports Complex, Gurgaon: Dempo SC 0-4 Mohun Bagan AC
Goals: 0-1,0-2,0-4 Baichung Bhutia (8',19',40'), 0-3 Pachau Lalam Puia (38'). History repeated itself in the ONGC Super Cup when the NFL Champions lost to the Federation Cup winners. Mohun Bagan AC defeated Dempo SC by 4-0 to lift the ONGC Super Cup. In the last edition of the Super Cup, 2006 NFL Champions Mahindra United lost to East Bengal Club at the Cooperage Ground in Mumbai.
The first half of the ONGC Super Cup turned out to be a one-man show as veteran India striker Baichung Bhutia came up with a dazzling hattrick and youngster Pachau Lalam Puia rubbed salt into the Dempo wound to give Mohun Bagan a massive 4-0 lead in the first half itself. Dempo players looked like shadows of their former selves and it seemed that most of them were still resting on their NFL laurels. Baichung Bhutia repeatedly pierced the Dempo defence which looked totally perplexed by the striker's brilliant manoeuvres. The first goal came as early as the 8th minute when Baichung fired home a scorcher after latching on to a lobbed pass. He doubled the lead in the 19th minute by deftly heading in a cross from the right by Lal Kamal Bhowmick. Pachau Lalam Puia got into the act in the 38th minute as he headed in Mohun Bagan's third after receiving a deft header from Barreto off a Manas Das corner. Baichung Bhutia embarrassed the national champions as he completed his hattrick in the 40th minute after a slight mistake by Samir Naik allowed him to collect the ball in a danger area. In injury time Jose Ramirez Barreto made a brilliant run towards Dempo's goal but failed to score. Dempo keeper Satish Kumar was left fuming at the inefficiency of his defence but Mohun Bagan will regret the fact that such brilliant form had deserted them in the National Football League.
In the second half the first real threat came from Mohun Bagan when Lalam Puia hit a cross-given by Baichung off the goal. In the 27th minute Dempo coach Armando Colaco bought in Pio Rodrigues in place of Jerry Zirsanga. Samir Naik was booked in 29th minute and in the 37th minute Douglas da Silva was booked for a nasty tackle. In the 39th minute Dempo's Anthony Pereira missed a golden chance to reduce the margin. The last substitution of the match came when Dipendu Biswas replaced Baichung Bhutia.
DEMPO: 21-VP Satish Kumar; 16-Samir Naik, 3-John Charles Dias, 23-Dominic Noronha, 18-Valeriano Rebello, 15-Clifford Miranda, 8-Climax Lawrence, 7-Nascimento Silveira, 12-Jerry Zirsanga (72' 25-Pio Rodrigues), 11-Roberto Mendes Silva, 14-Anthony Pereira.
MOHUN BAGAN: 31-Shilton Paul; 6-Manas Das, 32-Anit Kumar Ghosh, 4-Deepak Kumar Mondal, 2-Bijay Basfore, 5-Dhanraj Ravanan, 22-Lal Kamal Bhowmick, 13-Douglas da Silva, 10-Jose Ramirez Barreto, 25-Pachau Lalam Puia, 15-Baichung Bhutia (8-Dipendu Biswas).
ONGC MAN of the MATCH: Baichung Bhutia (Mohun Bagan).
YELLOW CARDS: Clifford Miranda (25'), Roberto Mendes Silva (45'), Samir Naik (74', all Dempo SC); Deepak Kumar Mondal (29'), Douglas da Silva (84', both Mohun Bagan).
REFEREE: Rizwan ul-Haq (Delhi).
ASSISTANT REFEREE: Deepak Singh Bisht (Delhi), Mohammed Kamil (Delhi).
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Dinesh Nair (Gujarat).
Post-match comments: Bernard Operanozie (Mohun Bagan coach): • It was a good match today.
• We came here with the aim of winning and did that.
• On the club's low placing in the NFL table he said, that the club was marred by injuries. Then there was coaches' problem and after he came in as the coach he reformed the playing tactics to 4-4-2. Also due to busy schedule of the club because of AFC Cup, the players were tired.
42nd Moulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy - Final: SAI, Chennai 1-0 Tamil Nadu Special Police - Goal: 1-0 Elamurugan (65').
The game itself started with much fanfare preceding the whistle. The officially organised boys' band, the local urumi melam and thavil kottu organised by the gallery audience made such a din giving the whole ground the necessary backdrop for a final showdown. Both sides played a tactical passing game and total blocking by the midfielders and defenders so that until halftime it was 0-0. At the interval, both teams were introduced to the Chief Guest Dr. Karuna Chelliah. After the restart, it remained the same with both sides trying varying shots. In the 48th minute Police had the best chance at the SAI goal mouth, but the defenders were swift and alert, while the cops failed to convert. Again in the 58th minute a Police shot was saved by the SAI custodian Ramesh. And the breakthrough came in the 65th minute, when after a few good moves among the SAI men, the ball reached right centre forward Elamurugan, who netted the only goal of the match. The Policemen tried their level best charging into SAI territory, but the barricade could not be breached.
At the final whistle, the Sports Authority of India team from Chennai were worthy winners of the Azad Trophy, the Winners' award of Rs. 25,000. The Policemen were not without consolation, they receiving the Runners-up LKS Trophy, and the award of Rs. 20,000. A special award, L. GANI MEMORIAL AWARD FOR THE BEST PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT, was awarded to Sampath Kumar of the losing semi-finalists, Karnataka Special Police.
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: Coastal Club 1-3 SMRC, Kollangod - Goals: 0-1,0-3 Freddy (9',59'), 0-2 Maria Johnson (24'), 1-3 Johnson (72').
::: AIFF meet FPAI to discuss Model Contract ::: Sumit Mukherjee, CEO of the Football Players Association of India, met Alberto Colaco, AIFF General Secretary, to discuss the controversial points in the model players contract framed by AIFF.
Sumit Mukherjee told IndianFootball.Com that the meeting was fruitfull and that the AIFF agreed to the points made by the FPAI. The AIFF will come out with a final model contract by the first week of June 2007. He told that there were four main points which were discussed in the meeting.
1. Players Endorsements: Full power will be given to the clubs and the players
2. Players Injury: Club will provide insurance cover to the players and if the premium is high, players will also contribute to it.
3. Registration criteria for players having a contract of more than a year: If a player has a contract of 2 to 3 years than he will be needed to get registered with the state association in the first year only.
4. Goalkeepers gloves and players boots to be used: Players can use their own boots and gloves.
May 26
RESULTS & NEWS
::: IndianFootball.Com Interview with Utpal Kumar Ganguli (new IFA secretary) ::: For the lastest IndianFootball.Com Interview we talk to new IFA secretary Utpal Kumar Ganguli about his plans and get an outlook on what he wants to do for Bengal football to get back its lost glory.
Read the complete interview here >>IndianFootball.Com Interview Utpal Kumar Ganguli (new IFA secretary) .
Today's guest column is from former player Gasper Crasto, now based in Kuwait, whose write-up "Cable TV effects on Indian Football" looks at the influence modern day TV has taken on Indian football.
Read the complete article here >>IndianFootball.Com Guest Column - Gasper Crasto .
42nd Moulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy - Semifinal: Karnataka State Police 0-1 Tamil Nadu Special Police - Goal: 0-1 Venkatesh (56', own Goal),
In today's second semifinals, in which two Police teams were involoved one from Chennai, Tamil Nadu and the other from Bangalore, Karnataka, for the right to play in the Final of the Azad Trophy Tournament 2007 the young Sports Authority of India team, from Chennai. The game started moderately, and had equal exchages of passes, hits and misses for the entire first half. During the interval, the former Minister and present MLA, Mr. Anitha R. Radhakrishnan, a sports lover and former footballer, who came to witness this match was introduced to the players of both teams. The second half started very spiritedly. In the 56th minute, Chennai midfielder Murugan lobbed a ball from 40 metres, and the Karnataka defender, Venkatesh tried to clear the ball with a lofty shot. But unfortunately the ball went into his own net, eluding their custodian, for a lead of 1-0 in favour of Chennai. The Karnataka cops were not disheartened and attacked the Tamil Nadu goal relentlessly. Right on the stroke of the hour, a shot was saved by the Chennai custodian, but the forward fell on him. This led to a fracas between both police teams, with the players even coming out of the field to pick sticks. The referees controlled the situation very well, and two Chennai players, skipper Mohammed Fareeth and left-centre-back Gautham, and Karnataka's half back Karthikeyan were shown red cards and sent off the field. Chennai, with reduced strength of nine men there after blocked the advances of the Bangalore cops. However hard they tried, nothing could be done even though the referees gave extra injury time due to time wastage during the fracas. In the end the Tamil Nadu Special Police earned the right to play the S.A.I. team tomorrow, in an all Chennai Final.
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: Titanium XI 4-0 St.George FC - Goals: 1-0,3-0 Ebin Rose (16',38'), 2-0,4-0 Dhinraj (23',41').
::: Best performers of the 11th National League announced ::: The best performers of the 11th National League were announced today by the AIFF, who will be awarded tomorrow at the season ending Super Cup final.
The Roll of Honour for the League is as follows: NFL Winners: Dempo SC, Goa
NFL Runners-Up: JCT, Phagwara
Fair Play winners: JCT, Phagwara
ONGC Player of the League: Sunil Chetri (JCT, Phagwara) [50 points].
Highest Scorer: Odafe Onyeka Okolie (Churchill Brothers SC) [18 goals].
Best Goalkeeper: Sandip Nandy (Mahindra United) [71 points].
Jarnail Singh Award for Best Defender: Mahesh Gawli (Mahindra United) [41 points].
Best Midfielder: Roberto Mendes Silva (Dempo SC) [59 points].
Best Forward: Sunil Chetri (JCT, Phagwara) [62 points].
::: AFC Delegation meets Delhi Clubs ::: An AFC delegation comprising of Brendan Menton, Acting Director Vision Asia and Suvrat Suresh Thatte, Development Officer met Delhi SA Clubs officials to discuss the football scenario in Delhi and most importantly implementing the Elite (AFC) League in Delhi. Others present were AFC Vision Delhi Chairman Umesh Sood and NK Bhatia, DSA Secretary.
The agenda includes review the progress of Vision Delhi and set the plans for next phase of implementation. But the main agenda was the starting of the AFC Delhi League.
Menton stressed that the league should go on for six months with a one match a week formula. He insisted that the club should follow criterias like becoming a legal entity, following regulations to be called as successful clubs and other basic criterias.
He announced that at the end of July the AFC will hold a workshop for Delhi Clubs to educate and prepare them for the next phase of development. In the workshop clubs will be made aware of Players Registration procedure, organising matches, disciplined league, finding sponsors amongst others.
Other important points also came forward in the discussion between the AFC delegation and Delhi Clubs officials like finding a TV broadcaster for the league, sharing of sponsorship between DSA and the clubs, and grassroot level development
May 25
RESULTS & NEWS
Today's guest column is from Bibhash Das, whose write-up "Futsal in Manipal" looks at the football craze in this college town in Karnataka, who love to play the smaller and shorter version of the beautiful game.
Read the complete article here >>IndianFootball.Com Guest Column - Bibhash Dash .
16th Dutta Ray (Under-21) Trophy - Semifinal: Goa 2-0 West Bengal - Goals: 1-0 Kevin Lobo (77'), 2-0 Milagres Gonsalves (90+1').
42nd Moulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy - Semifinal: SAI, Chennai 2-1 Chennai Soccer - Goals: 1-0 James Selvaraj (19'), 1-1 Bharathi Raja (24'), 2-1 Karthik (86', own Goal).
Today saw the first of the two semifinals, in which two teams from Chennai clashed for the right to play in the Final of the Azad Trophy Tournament 2007. The game started very sedately, but picked up momentum within 10 minutes. Both sides had a few try ons at the opposite goal, but they either were blocked by defenders or went astray. Then in the 19th minute SAI left half gave a neatly lobbed corner kick which was shot into the goal by centre half James Selvaraj for an early 1-0 lead. But it didn't remain that way for even 5 minutes. In the 24th minute a SAI player handled the ball, and Chennai Soccer left half Kumaran took the free kick. It was neatly netted by their centre forward Bharathi Raja for the equaliser, 1-1. It remained that way for a long time. Ten minutes after the break a corner kick by Chennai Soccer hit the cross bar and went over. At the 80th minute, the SCC pair of Kumaran and Bharathi Raja combined for a one-two-one pass, but the ball floated away parallel to the goal mouth to be cleared by SAI defenders. Two minutes later, after having defended their fortress well, SAI fullback took the ball through the middle line and kicked from 40 metres. SCC defender Karthik head flicked the ball to his goalkeeper Sakthivel, who not expecting it, let go into the goal for a deciseive 2-1 lead by SAI. In the eight minutes of play remaining, SCC tried their all, but SAI pulled all their men back to defend well and earn their place in Sunday's Final
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: State Bank of Travancore 4-1 St.Mary's FC - Goals: 1-0 TV Mohammad Harris (33'), 2-0,3-0 T Asif Saheer (46,47'), 4-0 Renil CJ (62'), 4-1 Reji (70').
::: AFC Cup quarterfinal draw on June 13 ::: The Asian Football Confederation will conduct the draws of the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup plus the Asian Final Round qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Football Tournament on June 13 at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Mahindra United made it into the AFC quarterfinals for the first time and as the second Indian club. Along with them in the pot are Al Nejmeh (Lebanon), Shabab Al Ordun, Al Wihdat and defending champions Al Faisaly (all Jordan), Singapore Armed Forces FC and Tampines Rovers (both Singapore), and Sun Hei (Hong Kong).
::: Mahindra's set to lose core group ::: PTI report: Mahindra United's hopes of making waves in the AFC Cup quarter finals in September have suffered a setback following the decision of many of their key players to desert the club for greener pastures.
Wing-back Surkumar Singh, central defender Mahesh Gawli, Peter Siddiqui and Samson Fernandes along with midfielder S Venkatesh, James Singh and Rauf Khan have decided to shift loyalties to another club, sources said. Another instrumental figure in defence, N S Manju, is also expected to join the deserters during the June 1-20 inter-club transfers, they said. "We have lost our entire defensive line-up. We will definitely not get this kind of quality players, but hopefully we would be able to replace them with good players."
"We have to change the system according to the ability of the players. Now we have to wait and see. It's very difficult to say anything at this moment," they said.
Sources said most of the players have informed the team management about their decision to quit last year's champions. Apart from retaining all their three goalkeepers, Mahindras have managed to retain only N P Pradeep from the entire backline that played this season. "We will try to reorganise the defence and (for that) we need to work much harder. If the core group had remained it would have been easier. It's a good challenge for us," the sources said.
Mahindras defeated Maldives' New Radiant 2-0 to reach the quarterfinals of the AFC Cup as the best second-placed team from Group D, E and F (East, South and South East Asia Zone). The first-leg of the quarterfinals are scheduled for September 18 while the second leg on September 25.
::: CFA players start training in Leipzig, Germany ::: by Balbir Singh: The state-run Chandigarh Football Academy trainees have started training at the Sportschule Egidius Braun in Leipzig (Germany) on Thursday. According to information received by Chandigarh Sports Director Inderjit Singh Sandhu, the 12 CFA boys reached Germany on Wednesday night and started training under A Grade coach Avid Thursday morning.
The CFA and Sportschule Egidius Braun Leipzig of Germany had signed a Memorandum of Understanding last year to provide training to the CFA players. Director of Sportschule Andre Kuhn was present during the training session. The CFA players are accompanied by chief coach Harjinder Singh and team delegate Dr JPS Sidhu. Sandhu said that the boys would daily train in four sessions of 90-minute daily during their 15-day stay in Germany from May 24 to June 9. Another batch of 12 CFA players will go to Germany for coaching from November 18 to December 2, 2007.
A German coach from the Sportschule Egidius Braun will also visit the Chandigarh Football Academy for 15 days for evaluation, assessment and to supervise the progress of the trainees.
The first batch of CFA players comprised Ramanjot Singh, Sachin Balwal, Sumeet Passi, Rajinder, Chinkash Tewari, Maninder Singh, Baljinder Singh, Robin Singh, Samuel, Aakashdeep Singh, Gagandeep Singh and Rajbir Singh.
::: Chandini FC crowned champions ::: Calicut's Chandini FC defeated Farookh College 2-1 to win the Calicut District 'A' Division Football League title. Siraj (10') and Sivadath Rony (58') scored for the winner, while Divya Prasad (32') reduced the margin. Calicut Youngsters and Breeze SC have been relegated from the A division.
May 24
RESULTS & NEWS
Today's guest column is from Supriyo Patra, whose write-up "Sports Management - A new Kid on the Block in India" looks at the importance of professional sports management in the overall development of sports in India.
Read the complete article here >>IndianFootball.Com Guest Column - Supriyo Patra .
42nd Moulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy - Quarterfinal: Track Trotters FC, Ahmedabad 0-1 Tamil Nadu Special Police - Goal: 0-1 Amarnathan (30').
Both teams started positively. The Policemen had the better of the exchanges, and were threatening the opponents' half. Track Trotters foray in attack was few and far between. Right at the stroke of half hour, centre forward Bharath Kingsley dribbled into the box, and gave it centre half Amarnathan who let go a powerful unstoppable for a 1-0 lead. Thereafter it was a battle of skills right through half time and after the break. In the 65th minute, Trotters' stopper back stubbed Bharath Kingsley, and an indirect kick was ordered. But central midfielder Kathiravan kicked it right into goal, which was disallowed. The Trotters tried their level best to equalise. When one of them got a good break and charged in running to the opponents' half, his colleagues let him down by not running equally, with the result, the foray went astray. And in the end Tamil Nadu Special Police moved into the semifinals.
Karnataka Inter-District Tournament, Bangalore - Final: Bangalore - Dharwad = match abandoned again due to rain
Bangalore and Dharwad were declared as joint winner after the match was called off for a second day running. Both teams received Rs. 12,500 each.
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: Kerala State Electricity Board 2-0 St.George FC - Goals: 1-0 Dinesh (62'), 2-0 Yesudas (74').
::: Navhind Times - GFA Awards Nite on Monday ::: The 2nd "Navhind Times - Goa Football Association Awards Nite" will be held at Cidade de Goa on Monday, May 28. His Excellency the Governor of Goa SC Jamir will be the Chief Guest for the Function. The president of the Dempo group of Companies, Srinivas Dempo will preside over the function. 12 Awards will be presented to outstanding footballers, coaches, administrators and teams.
The awards Nite will be a grand function with entertainment and dinner.
May 23
RESULTS & NEWS
The latest IndianFootball.Com Editor's Column by Harmit Singh Kamboe is title "National League 2006/07" looking back at the NFL gone by. Read and enjoy!
Read the complete article here >>IndianFootball.Com Editor's Column .
42nd Moulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy - Pre-Quarterfinal: MEG, Bangalore 0-2 Tamil Nadu Special Police - Goals: 0-1 Bharath Kingsley (6'), 0-2 Tajudeen (89').
Bangalore's MEG is the team which has won the Azad Trophy a number of times over the years, and are current holders of the Azad Trophy. Tamil Nadu Special Police were also frequent visitors, but had not progressed beyond the quarterfinal stage. At the start of this year's encounter between them, the Policemen threatened the Armymen's goal from the second minute onwards. Their first shot from the flanks was saved by the goalie Malay Paul, and a minute later he advanced off his line for the cops to have a go at an open goal, but the shot by Padmanaban went flying over the cross bar. Not for too long. In the sixth minute, centre forward Rajkumar gave a splendid inside pass to fellow forward Bharath Kingsley who scored for cops, 1-0. The Sappers tried their best, but their shots went out and over, and many times, the cops blocked their advance by hard tackles. In the second half, the Sappers went all out attacking, and the Policemen were forced to defend with all their players in their own half. Near the end, in the 86th minute, MEG had their best chance when a long range shot by substitute forward Akhosh hit the bar and flipped over. Almost at the end, the cops had a corner kick, and midfielder Kathiravan neatly lobbied the shot, left winger Mohamed Fareed collected it and passed it to substitute forward Tajudeen for their second and decisive goal. And thus last year's winner of the Azad Trophy crashed out of this year's edition in their first outing.
Karnataka Inter-District Tournament, Bangalore - Final: Bangalore - Dharwad = match abandoned due to rain, replay tomorrow
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: State Bank of Travancore 3-0 Coastal Club - Goals: 1-0,2-0 T Asif Saheer, 3-0 CJ Renil.
::: AIFF confirm Super Cup will be held in Gurgaon on Sunday ::: When contacted regarding the Super Cup, the AIFF told IndianFootball.Com that this seasons Indian Super Cup would be held as per plans on Sunday, May 27 at 18.00 IST at the Ch. Devi Lal Sports Complex, Sector 38 in Gurgaon, Haryana when National League champions Dempo SC take on Federation Cup winners Mohun Bagan AC. The match will be telecast LIVE and exclusive by Zee Sports from 17.30 IST onwards.
The letter of protest from Dempo SC seems to have yielded no results.
::: AIFF to approach Ministry for football's reinstatement ::: PTI report: All India Football Federation will talk to the Sports Ministry seeking reinstatement of the game in the 'Priority' list even though the Federation claimed that the demotion would hardly affect soccer in the country.
"The AIFF is hoping to talk with the government in this regard. No sport can develop without government support," the AIFF General Secretary Alberto Colaco said.
Sports Ministry recently downgraded football from 'Priority' to 'Others' list, which would substantially reduce government grants for the game.
Colaco could not explain reasons for football's double demotion and said," All I can say is that the government approved our long-term development programme in January."
He, however, said the Federation would be able to carry out its plans despite the reduced government assistance.
"We can manage with whatever money is at our disposal. We can conduct our age-group competitions as well as send our players overseas for training," Colaco said.
The only problem, he said, was getting training venues. "Previously, we used to hold camps at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centres at government cost. Now, we will have to make our own arrangements at various other places," the AIFF official said.
However, he admitted that the Federation would have to make additional efforts to make up the shortfall.
"We have a facility at Bangalore and one in Sikkim. We have also identified a place in Margao in Goa for an AIFF training centre," Colaco said.
::: Brazilian help for Indian football ::: IANS report: Look who is coming forward to help Indian football! It is Brazilian legend Pele. If the All India Football Federation is to be believed, the great Pele has recommended a coach to help an ailing Indian soccer, but the offer has been turned down as we have Englishman Bob Houghton in charge.
"Last month Pele recommended a coach for the Indian team. But we have Bob as the coach so we can't have the recommended coach in place," said Alberto Colaco, general secretary of the AIFF here on Wednesday.
The development comes at a time when even the government has lost faith in the game and the sports ministry has demoted it from their 'General' list to 'Others' category, after consistent poor performance by the national team at the international level. India is currently ranked 165th in the FIFA's rankings.
Colaco also said that a six-member national football delegation from Brazil, will be accompanying President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, next month to India and they will meet AIFF president Priya Ranjan Das Munshi, to sign a bilateral cooperation agreement to improve the standards of Indian football.
"We will have a delegation from the national clubs of Brazil, who will be accompanying their President. Hopefully we will have something positive out of it. We get lot of offers from different clubs in Brazilian programme for training programme, but they are beyond our affordability," said Colaco.
It was Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who, bowing to insistent pressure from Das Munshi, asked the Brazilian president for football coaching for Indian players during his visit there in September 2006. During the tour both the countries signed nine agreements and MoUs, including one for the football superpowers to train Indian players and coaches.
::: 6th Tamil Nadu State Ranking Tournament in Chennai ::: The 6th Tamil Nadu State Ranking Tournament will be held with eight teams split in two groups at the Nehru Stadium, Chennai from May 25 to June 3. In Group A defending champions Indian Bank face Integral Coach Factory, Netaji SC, St. Joseph's College - Tiruchi; while in Group B Chennai Customs face AGORC, Madras Sporting Union and CVRDE - Avadi.
May 22
RESULTS & NEWS
2007 AFC Cup - Group E - National Stadium, Male: New Radiant, MALDIVES 0-2 Mahindra United
Goals: 0-1 Mohamed Rafi (16'), 0-2 Steven Dias (63'). NEW RADIANT: 18-Aslam Abdul Raheem; 2-Ibrahim Amil, 3-Mohammed Shifan, 5-Aflu Hamid (69' 22-Ahmed Thariq), 6-Adam Shareef, 7-Ali Ashfaq, 8-Hussain Simaz (66' 9-Idris Kasirye), 10-Qasim Shamweel, 13-Assad Abdul Gani, 23-Ahmed Rishfan (89' 12-Abdulla Mohamed), 27-Sabah Mohamed Ibrahim.
MAHINDRA: 24-Sandip Nandy; 2-Naduparampil Pappachan Pradeep, 3-Nanjangud Shivananju Manju, 4-Krishnan Nair Ajayan (90+3' 29-Rauf Sher Khan), 7-Sushanth Mathew, 8-Mbaka Bokembe Dady, 10-Yakubu Yusif (89' 12-Manjit Singh), 11-M Mohammed Rafi (82' 25-Andrews Pomeyie Mensah), 14-Mahesh Gawli, 23-Steven Dias, 27-Irungbam Surkumar Singh.
YELLOW CARDS: Mohammed Shifan (54'), Sabah Mohamed Ibrahim (78', both New Radiant); M Mohammed Rafi (22'), Mahesh Gawli (36'), Krishnan Nair Ajayan (46'), Steven Dias (58'), Nanjangud Shivananju Manju (63'), Mbaka Bokembe Dady (86'), Sandip Nandy (89', all Mahindra).
REFEREE: Nema Ala Abdul Kadir (Iraq).
ASSISTANT REFEREES: Mohammad Kadom Arab (Iraq); Sabban Ahmed Muhammad (Iraq).
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Sabah Kasim Khalaf (Iraq).
For detailed information go to the IndianFootball.Com AFC Cup 2007 Special .
2007 AFC Cup - Group F - Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta: Mohun Bagan AC 2-0 Pahang FC, MALAYSIA
Goals: 1-0 Lal Kamal Bhowmick (12'), 2-0 Pachau Lalam Puia (69'). MOHUN BAGAN: 12-Subrata Pal; 3-Fabio Cortez Vidal, 5-Dhanraj Ravanan, 10-Jose Ramirez Barreto, 17-Dulal Biswas, 22-Lal Kamal Bhowmick, 25-Pachau Lalam Puia, 26-Rahul Kumar (60' 8-Dipendu Biswas), 27-Suman Datta, 28-Douglas da Silva.
PAHANG: 25-Mohammed Iqbal Suhimi; 2-Jalalluddin Abu Jaffar, 6-Shahril Faizal Ahmad Sharifuddin (70' 13-Sahrulnizam Sahat), 8-Rashid Mamud, 10-Saravanan Vellu (62' 12-Azizul Kamaluddin), 11-Muhammad Juzall Samion (45' 26-Mohammed Kamal Radiarjat Ali), 14-Mohammed Khairul Mamat, 16-Ahmad Abdul Wahid, 18-Mohammed Khairi Zaharuddin, 19-Rosdi Talib, 28-Syed Faruk Hakim Syied Mahmud.
YELLOW CARDS: Suman Datta (88', Mohun Bagan); Azizul Kamaluddin (75', Pahang).
RED CARDS: Fabio Cortez Vidal (82', Mohun Bagan); Rashid Mamud (82', Pahang).
REFEREE: Dilovarshokh Orzuev (Tajikistan).
ASSISTANT REFEREES: Begench Allaberdiyev (Turkmenistan); Rashid Palvanov (Turkmenistan).
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Rustam Kholov (Tajikistan).
For detailed information go to the IndianFootball.Com AFC Cup 2007 Special .
16th Dutta Ray (Under-21) Trophy - Quarterfinal League Group A: Kerala 2-1 Delhi - Goals: 1-0,2-1 Farhad VV (25',43'), 1-1 Kulbhushan Manderwal (39').
16th Dutta Ray (Under-21) Trophy - Quarterfinal League Group A: West Bengal 1-1 Assam - Goals: 1-0 Ayan Chowdhury (15'), 1-1 Sunil Basumatary (77').
42nd Moulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy - Pre-Quarterfinal: Track Trotters FC, Ahmedabad 3-2 Young Challengers, Calicut - Goals: 1-0 Deepesh (2'), 2-0 Sivin Raj (11'), 3-0 Gresious (17'), 3-1,3-2 Sarfudeen (21',52').
Track Trotters FC had left Ahmedabad only on the evening of the 19th, and having spent three nights and two days in the train, via the West Coast, arrived only this morning, and immediately went into rest. But they were ready for the match, which started in an explosive manner. Barely two minutes from kick off, after a few deft moves, the Trotters left inside midfielder Prakasam gave a pass to right in midfielder Deepesh, who easily duped the Challengers goalie Riyas, and had a 1-0 lead. In the 11th minute, Trotters forward Vinesh gave an inside pass, fellow forward Sivin Raj collected and netted for an easy 2-0 lead. And again, six minutes later, in the 17th minute, right back Swarup gave a pass to right half Gresious, who took them to an unassailable 3-0 lead. But the Challengers did not give up, and true to their name, took up the challenge and pressed forward, and they were rewarded in the 21st minute when right winger Faijas gave a pass, and centre forward Sarfudeen, from nearly 20 meteres away thundered in their first reply, for 3-1 scoreline. The second half belonged to the Challengers, who mounted a spirited attack and the Trotters could only play defensive game. In the 50th minute, the same pair of Faijas and Sarfudeen were involved in their second goal, reducing the margin to 3-2. The Ahmedabad team were fatigued by their long travel, but they held on. Once again the Keralites tried their level best, and the Trotters too, while defending, mounted a few attacks on their own. In the last 15 minutes of play, the Challengers had half a dozen corners in their favour, but they were all deflected by a team of determined defenders. At the final whistle, It was the Track Trotters FC of Ahmedabad who earned the right to play the Quarterfinals on May 24, against MEG, Bangalore or Tamil Nadu Special Police, Chennai who play tomorrow.
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: Kerala State Electricity Board 2-1 St.Mary's FC - Goals: 0-1 Earnest (38'), 1-1 Shyam (42'), 2-1 Renjith (62').
::: Pro League launch on September 30 ::: The AIFF Executive Committee met yesterday at Football House in Dwarka, New Delhi to decide on issues related to the launch of the upcoming Professional League. The Executive Committee has approved the Format and the Road Map for launching the Professional Football League in India on September 30, 2007.
An AIFF delegation will visit the states from which clubs will be taking part to hold discussions with the concerned clubs about the implementation of the numerous crtiria's drawn-up for the Pro League.
The first edition of the first Pro League will be held from September 30, 2007 until the last week of February 2008 with 10 teams set to take part. The following season in 2008/09 the league would be expanded to 12 teams, while in 2009/10 the league would be held with 14 teams. In what way the league would be expanded has not be said. If there would be no relegation or if teams would be taken in.
The AIFF has also set-up a set of critirias for the participation in the 2.Division National League for the 2007/08 season.
::: Bob Houghton has new idea on a Team India ::: Also yesterday national coach Bob Houghton made a presentation to the AIFF Executive Committee about his ideas on the national team for the upcoming years.
The National Team Development Programme presented by Houghton stressed on the need to participate in international tournaments and regular training camps. Houghton also presented the idea of a 'Team India' concept to develop a young national side for future assignments in World Cup and Asia Cup qualifiers.
As per the plans the AIFF would identity upto 40 players for the 2008/09 season in the under-23 age group to keep them together as numerous junior national team squads, not allowed to sign for any club side. The AIFF would pay the players monthly salaries as per the existing market rate.
National Players List 2007-08: Goalkeepers: Sandeep Nandy, Subrata Pal, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Arindam Bhattacharya; Defenders: Irungbam Surkumar Singh, Mahesh Gawli, Deepak Kumar Mondal, Samir Naik, Sanjeev Kumar Maria, Nanjangud Shivananju Manju, Debabrata Roy, Habibur Rehman Mondal, Anupam Sarkar, Narinder Singh, Rakesh Masih, Thokchom Naoba Singh; Midfielders: Syed Rahim Nabi, Krishnan Nair Ajayan, Climax Lawrence, Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep, Clifford Miranda, Steven Dias, Mehraj din Wadoo, Shanmugam Venkatesh, Renedy Singh, Chitrasen Chandam Singh, Bungo Thokchom Singh, Subhas Chakrabarty, Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, Rocus Lamare, Reisangmi Vasum; Forwards: Baichung Bhutia, Sunil Chetri, Manjit Singh, Abhishek Yadav, Sushil Kumar Singh, Tarif Ahmed, Branco Vincent Cardozo, Sampath Kumar Kuttimani, Joaquim Abranches, Anthony Pereira, Ashim Biswas.
::: Other AIFF Executive Committee decisions ::: Other decisions which where taken by the AIFF Executive Committee were:
- PK Banerjee will be recommended by the AIFF for the Dronacharya Award.
- Jo Paul Ancheri and Shanmugam Venkatesh will be recommended by the AIFF for the Arjuna Award.
- the 62nd edition of the Santosh Trophy will not be held in July 2007 in Jammu&Kashmir but has been postponed to May 2008. J&K will have to make further preparations for the tournament accoridng to an AIFF delegation which visited Srinagar.
- the AIFF has also decided to do away with the zonal qualifiers for the U16, U19 and U21 Nationals from next season onwards. The National Age Group tournaments would be held at multiple venues within a state or neighbouring states could jointly co-host the tournament.
::: Stephen Constantine to stay in Malawi, not joining Mohun Bagan ::: The name of former India coach Stephen Constantine has been linked a number of times with the vacant job of Mohun Bagan AC coach, but for the moment he will stay in Africa.
Talking to us at IndianFootball.Com Stephen said, "I am flattered to be linked with Mohun Bagan, Indias oldest club, however I have recently signed a three year deal as National Team Coach of Malawi and am looking forward to taking them forward. At the moment we are preparing to play BAFANA BAFANA (South Africa) and then we have games against Senegal and Morocco in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers."
A clearcut statement as one expects from someone like Stephen, who added, "I wish all of you the very best and look forward to my next trip to India!"
::: No football governing body in Andhra Pradesh ::: The old Hyderabad had a great football tradition, but today Andhra Pradesh football reached a new low when the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh sealed the office of the Andhra Pradesh FA at the Lal Bahadur Stadium following a directive from the AIFF that no group within the APFA was a legitimate body to run the sport in the state. The sealing was done as one of the groups, claiming itself to be the true representative body of APFA, had been functioning from the premises for quite some time now.
The offices will remain sealed until the issue is solved within the APFA, but football will be the real loser in this political battle for power.
::: Calcutta Port Trust appoint new coach ::: Calcutta Port Trust, who play in the Calcutta Premier League, have appointed Tarun Dey as their new coach. Dey replaced Aloke Mukherjee who coached the club last season. Dey has been coaching the East Bengal Juniors.
May 21
RESULTS & NEWS
This week will see numerous write-ups from different people looking at the season gone by and the NFL in specific.
Today's guest column is from former player Gasper Crasto, now based in Kuwait, whose write-up "Another Year, Another Season, Where are we...?" looks at where Indian football stands after the end of the 2006/07 season.
Read the complete article here >>IndianFootball.Com Guest Column - Gasper Crasto .
16th Dutta Ray (Under-21) Trophy - Quarterfinal League Group B: Services 2-1 Mizoram - Goals: 1-0 Kabui (28'), 2-0 Robert Jwala (65'), 2-1 Zico Zoremsanga (82').
16th Dutta Ray (Under-21) Trophy - Quarterfinal League Group B: Punjab 0-2 Goa - Goals: 0-1 Gabriel Fernandes (74'), 0-2 Milagres Gonsalves (90').
42nd Moulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy - Round 1: Young Challengers, Calicut 2-0 Dindigul District FA - Goals: 1-0 Sarfudeen (39'), 2-0 Muneer (65').
This match, as per original schedule, should have been played by the Maharashtra State Police, Mumbai. According to them, they had boarded the train at Mumbai, but on the way some railway officials, under some pretext or other, had detrained them, and they had no other means of going back to Mumbai and taking some other train to Kayalpatnam. Hence they could not come to meet their schedule. The stand-in Dindigul DFA, did put in a decent display with some good passes and shots. But the Koxhikkode Challegers did not wilt. But they had to wait for 39 minutes before centre forward Sarfudeen put in a nice pass on to right forward, who scored with a mighty shot for their first goal. The Dindigul players were not down, and made some good moves themselves, before and after the half time. But by then, the Challegers took in the upper hand, and in the 65th minute, Faijaz came in through a muddle and shot at the goal, which rebounded off the cross-bar, and substitute left forward Muneer headed in the rebound to increase their lead to 2-0. And it remained 2-0 until the end.
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: St.George FC 1-0 Coastal Club - Goal: 1-0 Cleetus (72').
::: East Bengal appoint Subrata Bhattacharjee as new coach ::: In a somewhat surprise move the East Bengal Club have appointed Subrata Bhattacharjee as their new coach for the 2007/08 season. This was decided after a long closed door meeting of East Bengal officials.
Subrata Bhattacharjee, who played nearly all his career for Mohun Bagan and also was a successful coach at the green-and-maroon, for the first time shifts allegiance to the red-and-gold.
Many had expected another foreigner to succeed Brazilian Carlos Roberto Pereira da Silva at East Bengal with also the names of former coach Subhas Bhowmick, Prasanta Banerjee and some other local coaches being discussed. But in the end Subrata Bhattacharjee was chosen.
::: Zee Sports to show 15th Women's National Football Championship highlights ::: Over the coming weekend Zee Sports will show a 30 minute highlights show of the 15th Women's National Football Championship held recently in Rourkela, Orissa.
The show is titled "Football Cafe: Women's National Championships from Orissa" and will be shown on Friday, May 25 at 20.30 IST with repeat telecasts on Saturday, May 26 at 23.30 IST and on Sunday, May 27 at 20.30 IST. On Sunday the programme will be shown directly after the live transmission of the Super Cup.
::: Oil India Limited appoint Subrata Bhattacharjee Jr as new coach ::: Duliajan's Oil India Limited today appointed former international Subrata Bhattacharjee Jr as their new coach to replace Bhupender Singh Rawat. The Assam-based side are working to establish themselves at the national level as one of the best sides from the Northeast putting in place infrastructure and building on their team.
::: Navelim clinch Daswin Memorial in Kuwait ::: by Gasper Crasto: Navelim Youth Centre used all their experience and determination to get past AVC Overseas Association in a challenging final of the Daswin Memorial Football Tournament played at Soor Grounds, Kuwait City. The match played Friday morning, May 18, in summer temperatures above 40°C was made all the more stressing on players by a thick dust storm that hanged around the entire country and skies for over three days. As many as three players were injured with muscle pulls during the match and many dehydrated.
Navelim striker Cruzedio Rodrigues took advantage of a defense lapse by AVC to score the match winner two minutes from end. He side stepped AVC stand-in captain Francis Jr to slot across a hapless Nicholas under the bar. Despite the dusty weather, huge spectators gathered to watch the finals. The match was evenly poised throughout with many attempts from AVC and an equal number from Navelim. Alfred Pires, Joaquim, midfielders Frank Furtado, Duarte, Ivo Rodrigues, John Furtado and captain Victor Fernandes were brilliant for Navelim while Kevin, Edward, Molvito Mascarenhas and substitute Malvy shone for AVC. Both teams missed many of their regulars in this match. AVC were without their key regulars including star defender Vincy Pereira out suspended because of disciplinary cautions. NYC's Christi Pires, Ignatius Miranda and out of form goalkeeper Britto Pereira were not around. NYC goalkeeper Carlos Fernandes was outstanding throughout the match making out-of-the-blue saves. Carlos was later declared best goalkeeper of the finals. Navelim scored a record 16 goals in the tournament.
Navelim were presented with the Winners Trophy and the Daswin Memorial Rolling Trophy. The trophies were sponsored by Mr. Cliff Sequeira. Best Disciplined Team of the tournament was awarded to Kuwait Goan Association; Cruzedio Rodrigues won the man of the match.
The tournament was organized by Santos FC under the auspices of Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) and officiated by Indian Football Referees Association. Referee Tony D'Costa was terrific in the centre and well respected by both the teams. He was ably assisted by Sharma and Sarto Baptista on the lines.
KIFF President Blandino M Viegas was the Chief Guest at the finals. He congratulated both the finalists and praised everyone involved in promoting the game. Santos FC President Tony Dias also spoke on the occasion. Other dignitaries present were United Friends Club President Cajetan Pereira, CRC President Bosco Viegas, Kuwait Goan President Salvador Dias, GOA Maroons Gen. Secretary Julio Cardoso, DHL President Mario Fernandes and Navelim Youth Centre President Agnello Fernandes.
May 20
RESULTS & NEWS
The 11th National League ended yesterday and the latest IndianFootball.Com Guest Column by Rosario Estebeiro's titled "A Review of the 11th National Football League" looks back the NFL campaign gone by and also looks at the future.
Read the complete article here >>IndianFootball.Com Guest Column - Rosario Estebeiro .
16th Dutta Ray (Under-21) Trophy - Quarterfinal League Group A: West Bengal 5-1 Delhi - Goals: 1-0,3-1,4-1 Ayan Chowdhury (39',74',79'), 2-0 Gouranga Biswas (68'), 2-1 Kulbhushan Manderwal (69'), 5-1 Mohammed Nadeem (89').
16th Dutta Ray (Under-21) Trophy - Quarterfinal League Group A: Assam 5-0 Kerala - Goals: 1-0,2-0,5-0 Mintu Boro (28',37',66'), 3-0 Dewan Singh (42'), 4-0 Ziadinemawia (45').
42nd Moulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy - Quarterfinal: Mohammedan AC, Calcutta 0-4 Karnataka State Police - Goals: 0-1 Archana (52'), 0-2 Karthik (64'), 0-3 Maheshwaran (78'), 0-4 Sampath Kumar (82').
The match was an typical one with try-on passes by both sides. Mohammedan AC were on short passes, while their long passes were often blocked by the defenders. Karnataka State Police went for long passes, and aggressive play, with the result that they often threatened the Calcutta goal more than once. Especially in the 28th minute when a low cross from Sampath Kumar on the right flank, went right parallel to the goal, no attacker to convert it and no defender to deflect it. In the 36th minute, a somersault scissors kick by Mohammedan's Rana was fortunately blocked by the defenders. Half time score 0-0.
Before the restart, the teams were introduced to today's Chief Guest, Haji M.B.A. Mohammed Saleem, Vice President of Kayal Sporting Club.
The second half belonged to the Karnataka Cops. In the 52nd minute, Arun Kumar gave a neat cross to Archana who netted the ball for 1-0. In the 64th minute, Archana made an inside pass, and Karthik made the score 2-0.
The Calcuttans never even threatened the opposite goal; rather they were still on their text-book short passes, which often went to the opponents' feet. So in the 78th minute, Sampath Kumar made a fast running from almost the centre circle right upto the goal area and a short pass to Maheshwaran for 3-0.
Four minutes later, in the 82nd minute, Pradeep gave a pass to Sampath Kumar more than 20 metres away, and the defenders stood rock solid, i.e., without moving, and what can a poort goal keeper do? So in the end it ended in a 4-0 victory for Karnataka State Police, who booked their berth for the second semifinal.
43rd Kerala Inter District Senior Football Championship 2007 - Final: Palakkad 2-1 Ernakulam - Goals: 0-1 Anil Kumar (6'), 1-1 Dinesh S (45'), MA Abdul Hakkim (47').
Palakkad clinched their maiden Kerala Inter District Championship defeating Ernakulam 2-1 in the finals in front of 15,000 home fans. Palakkad came back from a goal down to clinch the title. Ernakulam took the lead through Anil Kumar in the 6th minute as a defensive error was captialised very well by the Viva Kerala striker to put Ernakulam in the lead. Palakkad had some moves throughout the half but failed to score. But just before half time Palakkad drew level with a scrappy goal from Dinesh S inside the box. Into the second half the tournament's best player Abdul Hakkim scored the lead for Palakkad. Hakkim connected well to a Noushad's cross and scored a beautiful goal. After Palakkad took the lead Ernakulam was never in the game. Palakkad played well and won the game in full time.
"We did not done well in the second half and lost the championship," Bijish Ben (Ernakulam Captain) told IndianFootball.Com. "We did lose two players with injury which also added to our woes," Bijish Ben added.
A strong team combination won the trophy for Palakkad. They had some experienced players like Dhanarajan (Viva Kerala Captain), Abdul Hakkim (Kerala Captain), Abdul Noushad (SBT), etc.
"It was a great tournament. As a team we perfomed very well. I myself scored a few goals in the tournament. The crowd support was also fantastic. Thanks to them we became the champions," Abdul Hakkim (Palakkad Captain) told IndianFootball.Com.
Meanwhile Ernakulam struggled with absence of some good players like Sivakumar, Denson Devadas (Viva Kerala), etc. While perfomances of teams like Malappuram, Kozhikode, Thrissur etc were disappointing.
"We had a team with full of injuries and I was also struggling with injury. It was really disappointing that we were able to finish 4th only as we dominated the championships for the past four years, " Asif Saheer told IndianFootball.Com. Trivandrum will be relieved that they had a podium finish in the league even with the absence of Silvester Ignatius and many other players.
43rd Kerala Inter District Senior Football Championship 2007 - 3rd Place Playoff: Trivandrum 1-1,3-1 Malappuram [penalties] - Goals: 0-1 Fazaluddin (21'), 1-1 Jackson Sebastian (72').
Trivandrum defeated Malappuram in the tie-breaker by 3-1 after both teams were tied 1-1 after full time. Malappuram took the lead in the 21st minute of the game through Fazaluddin, who converted a cross from the right side. The first half ended with Malappuram in the lead.
But in the 72nd minute of the match Trivandrum equalized through Jackson Sebastian. Sebastian dribbled past two Malappuram defenders and netted in the equalizer. After the equalizer both teams played a defensive game and the match went into the tie-breaker. In the tie-breaker Jairaj missed the decisive spot kick for Malappuram and Abhilash John scored the winner for Trivandrum.
The most disappointing thing about the match was that both teams played the match without any interest to win it. With this defeat Malappuram finished outside of the Top 3 after a gap of three years (2002/03, 2004/05 - Runners-Up & 2005/06 Winners). On the other side Trivandrum clinched the third spot after a gap of three years.
::: 5th SAFF Cup in December 2007 ::: The 5th edition of the South Asian Football Federation championships will be held from December 10 to 22 in Male, Maldives and Colombo, Sri Lanka. This was decided at a meeting of the South Asian Football Federation in new Delhi.
With the Maldives being too small to host the championships on their own, Sri Lanka has become their partner to host the championships. The opening ceremony is planned to be held in the Maldives while the final closing ceremony would be held in Colombo. The group matches involving the Maldives would be played in Male, while Sri Lanka would play their group matches at home in Colombo.
But the Maldives are working to get a switch of the opening and closing ceremony as they would like to host the finals of the SAFF Cup.
Besides defending champions India, the hosts Maldives and Sri Lanka also Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan would be seen in action.
::: Chennai could host 2010 FIFA World Cup preliminary qualifying matches ::: Chennai's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is in the race to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup preliminary qualifying matches scheduled for January and February 2008. An inspection team leaded by FIFA representative Akbar Khan was here on Friday to look at the city's potential to host the preliminary round matches.
The team meet with the Chennai Mayor M Subramanian, Chennai Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhani, City Police Commissioner Letika Saran. AIFF secretary Alberto Colaco and Tamil Nadu FA president CR Viswanathan accompanied the FIFA representative during his inspection of the Stadium.
The enquiry team seemed pleased with the stadium. but the only problem is there are no practice space for players to train in Chennai.
::: Kerala Inter District Senior Football Championship Awards ::: The KFA has honoured following players with the individual awards of the 43rd Kerala Inter District Senior Football Championship 2007.
Best Player of the Tournament: MA Adul Hakkim (Palakkad)
Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Jinesh Kumar (Ernakulam)
Fastest Goal of the Tournament: Javed (Ernakulam)
::: Chandigarh Football Academy players leaving today for Germany ::: The Chandigarh Football Academy, run by the Chandigarh Administration, is sending its first batch of 12 players and two officials to Germany tomorrow for a 15-day advanced training at Sportschule Egidius Braun in Leipzig from May 24 to June 9.
According to Chandigarh Sports Director Inderjit Singh Sandhu two officials - former international and Indian captain Harjinder Singh and Joint Director Sports, Chandigarh Administrator Dr JPS Sidhu - will accompany the CFA trainees, as coach and head of the delegation, respectively.
Inderjit Sandhu, who is also Additional Deputy Commissioner, said here today that another batch of 12 CFA players would go to Germany for advance coaching from November 18 to December 2, 2007.
Ramanjot Singh, Sachin Balwal, Sumeet Passi, Rajinder, Chinkash Tewari, Maninder Singh, Baljinder Singh, Robin Singh, Samuel, Aakashdeep Singh, Gagandeep Singh and Rajbir Singh have been included in the first batch for training in Germany. Deepak Devrani and Bikramjit were also selected for the training in Germany in the first batch. However, as validity of their passports was not more than six months as required for obtaining visa, they were substituted. However, Deepak and Bikramjit would be included in the second batch.
Coach Harjinder Singh expressed confidence that the boys would be exposed to specialized 15-day training in Germany. "It will help them further develop their technique and confidence to perform much better after training in Germany. The CFA trainees will gain rich experience under trained coaches in improving their skills and physical standards," said Harjinder Singh. He, however, wanted that the training should have been spread over more days.
The Chandigarh Football Academy and Sportschule Egidius Braun Leipzig of Germany had signed a Memorandum of Understanding last year to provide training to the CFA players. Director of Sportschule Andre Kuhn and Secretary Sports, Chandigarh SK Sandhu, signed the agreement on behalf of the Egidius Braun Sportschule, Leipzig and U.T. of Chandigarh, respectively. Adviser to the Chandigarh Administrator Lalit Sharma has accorded sanction for Rs 18 lakh for training of the 12 CFA boys in Germany.
SK Sandhu and Inderjit Singh Sandhu visited Germany in connection with the formalization of a tie-up for advanced training to the Chandigarh Football Academy players and also to study the functioning of other institutions.
The agreement on specialized training of was signed with December 19. Under the agreement the Chandigarh Football Academy would send 12 players along with one coach for 15 days to Egidius Braun Sportschule, Leipzig for advanced specialized training twice a year. The training would be on nominal payment basis which would include board and lodging, class room teaching and practical training.
The CFA players will also play regular matches with local teams at Leipzig during their stay in Germany. One German coach will visit the Chandigarh Football Academy for 15 days for evaluation, assessment and to supervise the progress of the trainees.
The Egidius Braun Sportschule has the largest indoor artificial turf hall in Germany as well as outdoor artificial turf grass fields. The school is also equipped for many other sports including tennis and basketball etc. The city of Leipzig has played a prominent role in football history of Germany. More than 62,000 people are active members of sports clubs in Leipzig, a quarter of them playing football.
May 19
RESULTS & NEWS
11th National League - Barasat Stadium, Calcutta: East Bengal Club 2-3 JCT, Phagwara
Goals: 0-1,1-3 Chidi Edeh (5',33'), 1-1 Boniface Ngairah Ambani (10'), 1-2 Sunil Chetri (30'), 2-3 Ashim Biswas (52'). East Bengal Club suffered a 2-3 loss at the hands of an inform JCT, Phagwara in their final 11th National League encounter at the Barasat Stadium in Calcutta. JCT on 31 points pulled it off to finish a surprising second in the NFL, their best finish since winning the title in the inaugural season. And after today's loss East Bengal only finished fifth on 26 points from 18 matches after having being a title candidate early on.
JCT took an early fifth minute lead through Nigerian Chidi Edeh, but lead only lasted five minutes as East Bengal's Kenyan striker Boniface Ngairah Ambani equalised. A double strike by Sunil Chetri in the 30th minute and again Chidi in the 33rd minute gave JCT a comfortable 3-1 lead against a disorganised East Bengal backline which invited the Phagwara Millmen to score. After the break East Bengal did look better organised and they threathened the JCT goal, but only Ashim Biswas was able to reduce the margin in the 52nd minute.
EAST BENGAL: 24-Rajat Ghosh Dasdidar (1-Naseem Akhtar); 19-Syed Rahim Nabi, 27-Gurpreet Singh, 4-Covan Lawrence, 3-Cristiano Hilario de Oliviera, 5-Debabrata Roy, 28-Shylo Malswam Tulunga, 7-Jayanta Sen, 32-Izumi Arata (37' 6-Dipankar Roy), 10-Boniface Ngairah Ambani, 30-Edmilson Marques Pardal.
JCT: 1-Karanjit Singh; 2-Jaspal Singh, 24-Gurwinder Singh, 3-Anwar Ali, 12-Daljit Singh, 13-Baldeep Singh Sr (69' 8-Jaswinder Singh), 7-Sukhjinder Singh (69' 16-Rakinderjit Singh), 20-Adebayo Tokunbo Adewusi, 23-Harish Sharma (81' 4-Harpreet Singh), 11-Sunil Chetri, 10-Chidi Edeh.
ONGC MAN of the MATCH: Chidi Edeh (JCT).
YELLOW CARDS: none.
REFEREE: Rizwan ul-Haq (Delhi).
For detailed information and pictures go to the >>IndianFootball.Com National League Special
11th National League - Nehru Stadium, Margao: Churchill Brothers SC 4-1 Air-India
Goals: 1-0,4-0 George Ekeh (26',81'), 2-0,3-0 Odafe Onyeka Okolie (31',50'), 4-1 Paresh Shivalkar (90'). Promoted Churchill Brothers SC capped their impressive return with a 4-1 crushing of Air-India in their final 11th National League match at the Nehru Stadium, Margao. Churchill Brothers SC finished a credible fourth on 29 points from 18 matches behind champions Dempo, JCT and Mahindra United and ahead of Calcutta giants East Bengal. Air-India, who drew a record nine times, finished seventh on 21 points from the same number of matches.
The match started on even terms with both teams testing each other before Churchill Brothers upped their level of attacks. Nigerian George Ekeh scored the lead for the Goans in the 26th minute off a pass from Khemtang Paite and his countrymen Odafe Onyeka Okolie doubled the lead just five minutes later. Odafe in the 50th minute off a pass from Naoba Singh scored his teams third and his second of the day to ensure that he would finish as the highest goalscorer of the 11th NFL with a total of 18 goals. George Ekeh scored his teams fourth in the 80th minute off a Odafe pass before Air-India got a consolation goal in the last minute of the match through midfielder Paresh Shivalkar.
ONGC MAN of the MATCH: George Ekeh (Churchill Brothers).
YELLOW CARDS: none.
REFEREE: Dinesh Nair (Gujarat).
For detailed information and pictures go to the >>IndianFootball.Com National League Special
16th Dutta Ray (Under-21) Trophy - Quarterfinal League Group B: Punjab 2-2 Mizoram - Goals: 0-1 JE Jelapekhlua (52'), 1-1,2-2 Baljit Singh Sahni (56',90+2'), 1-2 Zico Zoremsanga (76').
16th Dutta Ray (Under-21) Trophy - Quarterfinal League Group B: Services 0-3 Goa - Goals: 0-1 Kevin Lobo (30'), 0-2 Lavino Fernandes (45'), 0-3 Milagres Gonsalves (72').
42nd Moulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy - Pre-Quarterfinal: Karnataka State Police 1-1,5-3 Tirunelveli District FA [penalties] - Goals: 0-1 Freddie Joshi (31'), 1-1 Karthik (68').
The original participant in this fixture should have been Netaji SC, Chennai. But they informed earlier that they could not come as they had some players injured, some have left, and some other reasons. As such, the neighbouring Tirunelveli District FA obliged with their team as a stand-in, at such short notice. The game was equally played, but it was the Nellai youngsters who had the better of exchanges, and on the 31st minute, their forward striker Freddie Joshi, did a wonderful solo effort, and scored for for them. The cops could not match their passing skills and solid defence, but they had better running capacity, and their poor finishing often found the ball straying here and there. But in the 68th minute they were lucky to have Karthik, their right half, ruled not off-side for his adventurous running, scored the Karnataka equaliser 1-1. The game ended only to be concluded by the tie-breaker. Karnataka scored all their chances through Srinath, Vinod Kumar, Pradeep, Sameer Ahamed and Girish. The Nellai lads scored with Frederic, Gabasker and Robin, with strike blocked by the keeper, Karnataka State Police earned the right to play Calcutta's Mohammedan AC in the third quarterfinal tomorrow.
43rd Kerala Inter District Senior Football Championship 2007 - Semifinal: Ernakulam 1-1,1-1,7-6 Malappuram [penalties] - Goals: 0-1 Javed OK (42'), 1-1 TS Anooj (43').
Ernakulam entered into the finals of 43rd Kerala Inter District Championship by beating Malappuram in sudden death. Ernakulam will now face the hosts Palakkad tommorow for the championship title. After both teams were tied at 1-1 after full time it was penalties that was needed to separate the teams. Both teams were tied also after the tie-breaker. In the Sudden death Ernakulam won the match 2-1.
The match started off with Ernakulam attacking Malappuram from both sides of the pitch, but they missed five open chances during the first half hour of the match. It was Malappuram gaolkeeper Nawaz's brillance that kept the scores level. In the 42nd minute Malappuram took the lead through Javed OK. Javed scored the goal from a cross from the left side of the pitch, but suddenly after the restart Ernakulam pulled one back through TS Anooj. He dribbled past Malappuram defenders and put the ball into the net. Second half saw both teams getting more defensive still there were some moves from Malappuram but the scoreline remained the same.
In the tie-breaker both teams converted their respective penalties and the match moved to sudden death. OK Javed missed crucial penalty for Malappuram and Denny scored the winner for Ernakulam in the sudden death.
Malappuram, the winners of the championship last time will face Trivandrum for the thrid place tommorow. While Ernakulam will face Palakkad in the Finals to clinch their 10th title in the championship. A win for Palakkad will mean that they will clinch their maiden title of the championship.
::: Dempo SC threathen Super Cup boycott ::: Newly crowned NFL champions Dempo SC have threathened to boycott the season ending Super Cup match on May 27 planned to be held in Gurgaon.
Dempo coach Armando Colaco, who also happens to be the clubs secretary, has written a letter to the AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco stating that the heat and ground conditions in Gurgaon were not fitting for the Super Cup. Citing an example, Armando wrote that coaches complained about the ground conditions during last years Santosh Trophy.
May 18
IndianFootball.Com Editorial Team expansion
IndianFootball.Com would like to announce the appointment of two new correspondents!
Vijay Bali from Phagwara, Punjab and MM Jafar Khan from Calicut, Kerala have joined IndianFootball.Com's Editorial team to help us further increase the quality and quantity of our coverage of Indian football.
Vijay will be our Punjab correspondent to cover the game in the northern state, while Jafar joins Parameswaran in Kerala to improve our coverage from the football crazy state in the south.
We would also like to announce that Parameswaran has been promoted from correspondent to Editor in Kerala!
We are more than happy to welcome Vijay and Jafar to our team!
11th National League - Duler Ground, Mapusa: Sporting Clube de Goa 4-0 Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC
Goals: 1-0,4-0 Earnest Jeremiah (45+2',90+5'), 2-0 MacPherlin Dudu Omagbemi (70'), 3-0 Mauricio Freeman Peixoto (76'). Sporting Clube de Goa trashed relegated Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC in an inconsequential match of the 11th National League at the Duler Ground, Mapusa. Sporting Clube de Goa, who had gone into the season on high expectations, finished sixth in the league on 25 points from 18 matches; while Hindustan Aeronautics Limited finished at the bottom of the table on 10 points from 18 matches. Promoted HAL had only received a chance to play in the 11th NFL as the Tata Football Academy had pulled out.
It was Sporting Clube de Goa all the way as the HAL players only seemed physically present in today's match. But the Sporting Clube attack lacked the sting to create troubles to a side like HAL today. But that changed in injury time of the first half as substitute Earnest Jeremiah scored past HAL keeper Gumpe Rime. In the second half the Sporting Clube attacks continued but Rime stood tall under the HAL bar, still he couldn't keep the score low as the Goans added three more goals. The task was made easier for Sporting Clube as HAL lost defender N Govin Singh due to an expulsion. Sporting Clube doubled the score in the 70th minute through captain MacPherlin Dudu Omagbemi's penalty. Joseph Pereira had been brought down in area by HAL keeper Rime. Mauricio Freeman Peixoto made it 3-0 in the 76th minute off a Joseph Pereira cross and Jeremiah rounded off the tally late in injury time with his teams fourth.
ONGC MAN of the MATCH: Joseph Pereira (Sporting Clube).
RED CARD: N Govin Singh (HAL).
For detailed information and pictures go to the >>IndianFootball.Com National League Special
11th National League - Nehru Stadium, Margao: Dempo SC 1-0 Mohun Bagan AC
Goal: 1-0 Ranty Martins Soleye (63'). Newly crowned champions Dempo SC won by a lone goal against three time former champions Mohun Bagan AC in their concluding, but indecisive 11th National League match at the Nehru Stadium, Margao. Dempo finished the season on top with 36 points from 18 matches, while Mohun Bagan ended their dismal NFL campaign as eighth with only 21 points.
Dempo were the better of the sides on display and had midfield control but the first half ended goalless. Mohun Bagan gave Dempo a scare early in the second session when defender John Charles Dias had to make a frantic goalline save of a Jose Ramirez Barreto shot. But Dempo scored the match winner in the 63rd minute when Nigerian striker Ranty Martins Soleye scored off a cross from substitute Jerry Zirsanga. For Ranty it was the 16th goal of the season and now he is on top of the goalscorer chart along with countrymen Odafe Onkeya Okolie from Churchill Brothers, but Odafe tomorrow has a chance to become the sole top scorer. Dempo could have enhanced their lead, but with the lead and nothing to really play for they played out the match and started the celebrations at the ground in front of their fans.
But today's match was only a test run as the two sides will meet again on May 27 in Gurgaon for the Super Cup final.
ONGC MAN of the MATCH: Clifford Miranda (Dempo).
For detailed information and pictures go to the >>IndianFootball.Com National League Special
11th National League - Cooperage Ground, Mumbai: Mahindra United 9-0 Mohammedan Sporting Club
Goals: 1-0,3-0,5-0 M Mohammed Rafi (3',46',50'), 2-0 Samson Fernandes (43'), 4-0 Rauf Sher Khan (47'), 6-0,7-0 Andrews Pomeyie Mensah (61',64'), 8-0 Steven Dias (79'), 9-0 Bhola Prasad (84'). Deposed NFL champions Mahindra United ended their season on a high with a 9-0 trashing of relegated Mohammedan Sporting Club in a Round 18 match the 11th National League at the Cooperage Ground in Mumbai. Mahindra United ended their season on 30 points from 18 matches and they are currently second in the league, but their final place in the table depends on tomorrow's East Bengal vs JCT match. Mohammedan Sporting ended their dismal season on only 12 points from 18 matches.
Today's victory margin is now the biggest in the NFL's 11 year history. It was one goal better score then Vasco SC's 8-0 win against Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC on April 9, 2003. And on both occasions Derrick Pereira happened to be the coach of the winning side.
Mahindra United took an early lead in the 3rd minute through a M Mohammed Rafi header while Samson Fernandes doubled the lead in the 43rd minute off a pass from Andrews Pomeyie Mensah. But the real routh was to come in the second session. It was Rafi again who scored very early, this time seconds into the second session as he scored of a pass from Steven Dias. And six more goals where to follow in the half in which the young Mohammedan Sporting team was simply taken apart. Mohammed Rafi would score his third of the day to complete his indirect hattrick, Ghanian Andrews Pomeyie Mensah would add a brace with Rauf Sher Khan, Steven Dias and substitute Bhola Prasad added one each to the scoreline.
ONGC MAN of the MATCH: M Mohammed Rafi (Mahindra United).
For detailed information and pictures go to the >>IndianFootball.Com National League Special
16th Dutta Ray (Under-21) Trophy - Quarterfinal League Group A: West Bengal 4-3 Kerala - Goals: 1-0 Gouranga Biswas (10'), 2-0,4-0 Ashim Das (57',87'), 3-0 Bishu Oraon (60'), 4-1,4-2 Farhad VV (84',85'), 4-3 Abdul Bashid (90+').
42nd Moulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy - Pre-Quarterfinal: Mohammedan AC, Calcutta 3-1 United SC, Kayalpatnam - Goals: 1-0 Sandeep Saha (23'), 2-0 Rana Roy (42'), 3-0 Skeikh Saidul Islam (56'), 3-1 Abdul Kader (78').
This was the eagerly anticipated match for the local football loving crowd. The Visitors started off cautiously, making short and long passes among themselves, and the local lads, perhaps overawed by their Seniors' nationwide reputation, remained passive spectators of their skills. But once in a while, when they had the chance to steal the ball away from them, displayed their own skills, which was a notch above yesterdays, but again, inaccurate passes let them down. Goalkeeper Shameem had to be excused as he had to sit for an exam, and was replaced by Naufel, who did a splendid job. But in the 23rd minute, the visitors showed their supremacy, when right winger Rana Roy's cross was met by left midfielder Sandeep Saha, for the 1-0 scoreline until half-time. Immediately after the breather, in the 42nd minute left winger Saidul Islam gave a cross to Rana Roy, who made it 2-0. Then in the 56th minute, Skeikh Saidul Islam received a cross-field ball which he netted for their third goal. But the local lads did their best, and some their shots went wayward, over, left and right, and some times they just fiddled in the goal box that the defenders easily kicked the ball away. And their perseverance paid in the 78th minute, when after a few good moves, Abdul Kader found the net for the consolation goal, to make the score line read a respectable 3-1.
43rd Kerala Inter District Senior Football Championship 2007 - Semifinal: Palakkad 2-1 Trivandrum - Goals: 1-0,2-1 MA Abdul Hakkim (17',78'), 1-1 Dinraj Kumar (36').
SBT's star striker MA Abdul Hakkim's brace was enough for Palakkad to enter the finals of 43'rd Kerala Inter District Championships. Palakkad, the home team defeated Trivandrum 2-1 in front of a packed stadium in the first semifinal and this was also the first time Palakkad entered the finals of the championships.
Palakakd took the lead in the 18th minute through Abdul Hakkim. Hakkim beautifully connected a cross from right side and placed it in the right side of the post. But Trivandrum pulled a goal back just before half time to make the game more exciting. Dinraj Kumar captilazed on Sajith's (RWB) error as his long shot found the net. In the second half the Kerala captain Hakkim scored the decisive goal of the match. A fantastic low header into the left side of the post from won the match for Palakkad. The goal was one of the best in the tournament. Abdul Hakkim's perfomance really showed he is really getting back to his old form. In the finals Palakkad will await the winner of the second semifinal (i.e, Malappuram vs Ernakulam). For Trivandrum it will be another disappointing exit from the tournament. The most time winners of the championship (10 time in total) had been going through a bad patch in the past five years. This year Trivandrum will have the chance to secure a podium finish and ending the tournament with a high note (last three years Triavndrum was not able to have a podium finish).
::: Players unhappy over the AIFF Model Players Contracts ::: IndianFootball.Com contacted the Football Players Association of India CEO Sumit Mukherjee to take his side of the story on the controversial points in the AIFF's model players contract. According to him there are certain points in the contract which aren't suitable to players. Some of them are:
1. Endorsement
2. Returning of equipment
3. Insurance claim (Illness point)
For the moment the FPAI has asked the Indian players not to sign the model contract which comes into effect on Monday, May 21.
::: NFL Programme on DD Sports ::: The NFL programme started on DD Sports in the beginning of the season is now a huge success for the channel. The programme's TRP ratings have surpassed other news programmes of the channel like Sports News. With limited footage, excellent graphics, analysis, discussions on players, referees and management, the show finally came out well, which was not expected considering the reputation of the channel.
Also the only two World Cup commentators from India Novy Kapadia and Ghaus Mohammed did an as usual excellent job to make the show interesting.
The next show will be on May 21 at 19:30 IST and on May 28 there will be an hour show at the same time.
From close sources IndianFootball.Com got to know that coaches and players appreciated the show.
With the aim of developing Indian football, Zee Sports shared the telecast of the match between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan on April 15. As DD reaches more homes than Zee Sports, the special interviews on players made them a bit famous in the football circle.
It indirectly shows that DD Sports should be allowed to telecast those matches which Zee Sports don't cover, thus, giving more mileage to the top league.
Ghaus Mohammed told IndianFootball.Com that he enjoyed doing the show with Novy Kapadia and got full support from the channel's production team. He also thanked IndianFootball.Com and AIFF for their contribution on Indian football.
Meanwhile Novy Kapadia told IndianFootball.Com that PR Das Munshi's idea of a programme on the league helped the game a lot. Also the interesting aspects of the show like interviews and digging lesser known facts about the top league made it popular amongst the viewers.
But the question remains the same, will DD Sports continue its work on Indian football after the end of NFL or will cool down on its ongoing football show.
::: BCSSA 2007 UK summer residential camp, marketed by PIFA in India ::: Premier India Football Academy will market the Bobby Charlton Soccer & Sports Academy camps this summer in India.
PIFA strongly believes that to be the best, you must train with the best. They have been the leaders in the resurgence Indian football and have only associated themselves with only the best football academies for children in the world. They have been appointed agents for BCSSA and will market the BCSSA 2007 UK residential camps in India.
This will be the 29th year of operation for BCSSA during which time they have built a great reputation for providing high quality football tuition for children and coaches throughout the U.K. and around the world.
The summer residential school welcomed visitors from over 45 different nations during 2006 and provided a truly International experience for all of the players who visited.
During the last 12 months they have seen the development of regular coaching courses in Australia, Egypt, and India, and during 2006 they have visited other countries including Iceland, Spain, Germany, Italy, The Azores and Turkey. They are sure that 2007 will see BCSSA providing children's coaching events and coach education sessions in even more locations around the globe.
All of the courses utilise their original Soccer Theme Park coaching equipment, a concept which they have developed since 1996. BCSSA still remain the market leader and will continue to provide the very latest training equipment and methods for all of the players and coaches who visit the courses.
It is well documented that David Beckham won their skills competition as a 12 year old, the skills competition this year involved over 20,000 players from our various courses. Each participant that attends any of their courses, either Residential, local or overseas have the chance to compete to enter the World Skills Final which takes place during their residential school in July.
This year, Devkrsna Sagar, Amitesh Mukherjee, Sumehr Gwalani, Jonathan Stephen and David Vaz have been invited from India to participate in the World Skills Final to be held on 29 July 2007.
Whether you are a regular visitor to the school or you are planning on visiting for the first time in 2007 they are sure that you will have a thoroughly enjoyable time and learn some new skills and meet new friends.
Forms can be downloaded from www.pifacademy.com or can be obtained by calling 91 22 3042 2262.
May 17
RESULTS & NEWS
16th Dutta Ray (Under-21) Trophy - Quarterfinal League Group B: Punjab 1-0 Services - Goal: 1-0 Lalhalmtharamama (44').
16th Dutta Ray (Under-21) Trophy - Quarterfinal League Group B: Goa 3-1 Mizoram - Goals: 0-1 B Vanlalnghaka (10'). 1-1 Kevin Lobo (38'), 2-1 Joy Ferrao (67'), 3-1 Milagres Gonsalves (79').
42nd Moulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy - Round 1: United SC, Kayalpatnam 1-1,5-4 Kochin Port Trust [penalties] - Goals: 0-1 Nithin Sainjan (23'), 1-1 Abdul Kader (68').
The match started very sedately as if both teams were testing one another. After a few good passes from both teams, the local host team lost their bearings and started kicking waywards, while the visitors were focussed with good moves. They were rewarded in the 23rd minute, when receiving a good pass from the flanks, centre forward Nithin Sainjan opened the scoring for the Kochin team. Thereafter it was an uphill task for the local lads. They had a good opportunity in the 38th minute when left winger Sadakathullah (Sena) shot rebounded off the crossbar. In the second half, both teams seem tired, and after some hard fought tackles, corners and foul kicks, the locals found themselves in a goal mouth melee, and right winger Abdul Kader found the back of the net, equalizing the scores at one-all. At the end tie breaker had to be resorted to. Kochin Port Trust had the first shot and the initial kick of Ramesh was blocked by the Kayal custodian, Shameem. Thereafter both teams scored until the last when equalizer Abdul Kader's shot found the upright and bounced back, resulting in sudden death. Once again custodian Shameem did the honours by blocking the shot, and Sadak Omer converted his shot, thus assuring victory for the local host team. They will meet Calcutta's Mohammedan AC tomorrow.
43rd Kerala Inter District Senior Football Championship 2007 - Quarterfinal: Ernakulam 4-3,2-2 Kozhikode [on penalties] - Goals: 0-1 Rajeev C (43'), 1-1 Javed (79'), 2-1 Anil Kumar (83'), 2-2 T Usman (90').
43rd Kerala Inter District Senior Football Championship 2007 - Quarterfinal: Idukki 0-4 Malappuram - Goals: 0-1 Javed OK (25'), 0-2,0-3 T Asif Saheer (73',81'), 0-4 Firoze K (85').
::: Navelim to clash with AVC in a Challenging Final: Daswin Memorial in Kuwait ::: by Gasper Crasto: Navelim Youth Centre will meet seasoned campaigners AVC Overseas Association in the finals of Daswin Memorial Football Tournament to be played at Sour Grounds, Kuwait City on May 18. Daswin Memorial is organized by Santos FC and is played under Kuwait Indian Football Federation. All matches of the tournament are officiated by Indian Football Referees Association.
In the semifinals played on Friday, Navelim thrashed Bombay Boys 5-0 while AVC beat last years semifinalists Kerala Challengers 2-0.
Kuwait India Football Federation Season Champions for 3 years at a stretch, the men in black, AVC-Kuwait proved their mental and physical strength to storm into the Finals of Daswin Memorial Football Tournament organized by Santos FC, edging out strong contenders Kerala Challengers by a brace. They will meet their arch rivals Navelim Youth Center-Kuwait who in thrashed Bombay Boys 5-0.
The match between AVC-Kuwait and Kerala Challengers rose to frantic heights as both teams tried to take control of the game. AVC-Kuwait with their traditional one touch football took the steam out of the Kerala players. Kerala mostly relied on long balls which were bottled up by the strong AVC defence led by Vincy Pereira and Joseph Quadros. AVC missed easy sitters in the first half. In the first quarter of play Kerala Challengers goalkeeper made a diving save to avoid Kevin's volley entering the nets. The first half ended without either side scoring any goals. The second half saw AVC-Kuwait take full control of the proceedings with their midfielders Edward & Luciano spraying precision passes to their forwards which resulted in the first goal. Malvy lurking around broke the Kerala Challengers off-side trap for once to intercept a diagonal ball from Edward and drove it past the onrushing goalkeeper. Kerala Challengers' supporters rushed to the referee and assistant referee appealing for a off-side. The match was stopped for around 15 minutes but better sense prevailed and the Kerala Challengers continued with the game. Hats off to the Kerala players, committee and fans alike for their continuous fair play and disciplinary attitude shown on Sour grounds among the Indian expatriate community in Kuwait. The second goal was copybook two touch football from AVC players with Liston providing Kevin with a neat pass on the edge of the 16 yard box. the latter put the ball in style across the far corner of the net thereby increasing his tally to 15 goals this season - the highest among goalscorers.
The other semifinal between Navelim Youth Center and Bombay Boys was a one sided affair. Bombay Boys without most of their key players were a pack of novices on the field, succumbing as early as the 5th minute of the match to a 'straight volley' by Duarte Ferrao. After that it was Navelim all the way pumping in 5 goals at regular intervals.
The Finals to be played on Friday, May 18 between the two rivals is going to be a thriller. Without their key players Alvaro Dias (former Churchill Bros goalkeeper), Francis Senior (C), Vincy and Joseph, AVC will need to rely on their stand-in Captain Francis Jr to guide and maneuver the young AVC brigade.
May 16
RESULTS & NEWS
::: INDIA remain 165th in latest FIFA World Rankings ::: In the latest FIFA World Rankings released today INDIA remain 165th amongst 207 ranked nations. But it is sad to see INDIA continue to be behind tiny nations like Vanuatu, Andorra and St. Lucia. In Asia INDIA remain 32nd amongst 46 ranked nations.
2008 Beijing Olympics Football Tournament - Asian Qualifiers - Nehru Stadium, Chennai: India U23 1-1 Iraq U23
Goals: 0-1 Karrar Jassim (54'), 1-1 Tarif Ahmed (71'). The Indian Olympic team held their much fancied Iraqi rivals to a one-all draw in the Asian qualifiers for the 2008 Beijing Olympics at the Nehru Stadium, Chennai. After today's draw Iraq reached the final round of the Asian qualifiers, while India's minimal chances of making it ended. India now have four points from five matches, while Iraq have nine points from the same number of matches.
REFEREE: Basma Muhsen (Syria).
ASSISTANT REFEREES: Kadrie Hamdi Al-Shekand (Syria), Hamdoun Tammam (Syria).
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Turki Mahmoud (Syria).
More information are available at the >>IndianFootball.Com National Team special
16th Dutta Ray (Under-21) Trophy - Quarterfinal League Group A: Assam 2-0 Delhi - Goals: 1-0,2-0 S Lalmuanpuia (13',57').
43rd Kerala Inter District Senior Football Championship 2007 - Pre-Quarterfinal: Kannur 1-2 Idukki - Goals: 0-1,1-2 Rateesh (65',86'), 1-1 Kalesh (79').
::: Indian Super Cup on May 27 in Gurgaon ::: The 10th Indian Super Cup will be played on May 17 at the Ch. Devi Lal Sports Complex, Sector 38 in Gurgaon, Haryana when National League champions Dempo SC take on Federation Cup winners Mohun Bagan AC. Interestingly both clubs will meet each other on the last matchday of the 11th NFL on May 18 in Goa.
Zee Sports plans to show the match live, but the final timings will only be released in a few days time.
::: Three Lajong SC players sign for East Bengal Club ::: Meghalaya's premier football club Lajong SC is set to lose three of their top players with defenders Aibor Khongjee and Poibang Pohshna plus striker Marlangki Suting all signing for Calcutta giants East Bengal Club for the 2007/08 season. While Marlangki still is a India Junior international both Khongjee and Pohshna have represented India at junior level. Actually a few years ago Marlangki was seen as the heir to Baichung Bhutia, but he couldn't make it at Mohun Bagan then. Now he gets another chance to prove that he is a quality striker, which he has done regularly for his home town team in Shillong.
May 15
IndianFootball.Com congratulates Dempo SC on winning the 11th National League title!
::: 11th National League title goes to Dempo SC ::: After Mahindra United's loss tonight against East Bengal Club in a Round 17 match of the 11th National League, the title is now back with Dempo SC who won their second NFL title in the 11th edition of the National Football League.
Dempo SC have 33 points from 17 matches with one match to go against Mohun Bagan AC and they have a five point lead over their closest rivals JCT, Phagwara.
After winning the Durand Cup earlier in the season, it was clear that Dempo would be one of the contenders for the NFL title, but the Armando Colaco coached side proved their class the longer the league lasted while their competitors fell by the side.
It surely has been a team effort and Armando Colaco has been able to mould a squad together - the local Goan (Climax Lawrence, Clifford Miranda, Anthony Pereira, etc); the Indian (VP Satish Kumar, Jerry Zirsanga, etc) and the foreign element (Nigerian striker Ranty Martins Soleye, Brazilian midfield marshall Roberto Mendes Silva and Nigerian defender Majekodumni Bolaji). A team of youth and experience, who peaked at the right time and won crucial matches.
11th National League - Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta: East Bengal Club 2-1 Mahindra United
Goals: 0-1 Andrews Pomeyie Mensah (28'), 1-1,2-1 Boniface Ngairah Ambani (45',52'). East Bengal Club came from a goal down to beat now former champions Mahindra United 2-1 in a Round 17 match of the 11th National League at the floodlit Saltlake Stadium in Calcutta. Today's loss ended Mahindra United's slim hopes of retaining their title as they remain third on 27 points from 17 matches. Though winning today East Bengal remain fifth with 26 points from also 17 matches.
Mahindra United seemed to making up lost ground in the first half as their Ghanian attack Yakubu Yusif and Andrews Pomeyie Mensah troubled the East Bengal defence again and again. The Mumbai Jeepmen took the lead in the 28th minute when an alert Andrews Pomeyie Mensah lobbed the ball over an advancing East Bengal keeper Rajat Ghosh Dasdidar. But after scoring the goal Mahindra United reduced the pressure and allowed East Bengal to get back into the match and the result was the equaliser from Kenyan striker Boniface Ngairah Ambani in the 45th minute. After receiving a through ball from Alvito D'Cunha this time Boniface lobbed the ball over the Mahindra keeper Subhashish Roy Chowdhury. East Bengal continued their attacks after the break and went ahead in the 52nd minute when Boniface scored off an excellent pass from Jayanta Sen. Towards the end of the match in the 87th minute Mahindra United lost Indian international Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep due to a red card after hitting out at Jayanta Sen.
A great finale for the second place is on the cards on the final match day of the season with JCT, Phagwara (28 pts); Mahindra United (27 pts); Churchill Brothers (26 pts); and East Bengal (26 pts) in the running. East Bengal host JCT, Phagwara on May 19 in Calcutta, while Mahindra United face relegated Mohammedan Sporting Club in Mumbai on May 18 in their final match.
EAST BENGAL: 24-Rajat Ghosh Dasdidar; 27-Gurpreet Singh, 3-Cristiano Hilario de Oliviera, 4-Covan Lawrence, 2-Muttath Suresh, 29-Saumik Dey, 28-Shylo Malswam Tulunga, 7-Jayanta Sen, 9-Alvito D'Cunha, 24-Vimal Pariyar (39' 22-Freddy Mascarenhas), 10-Boniface Ngairah Ambani (87' 6-Dipankar Roy).
MAHINDRA: 1-Subhashish Roy Chowdhury; 7-Sushanth Mathew, 14-Mahesh Gawli, 2-Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep, 4-Krishnan Nair Ajayan, 23-Steven Dias, 16-James Lukram Singh (57' 11-M Mohammed Rafi), 6-Shanmugam Venkatesh (57' 5-Samson Fernandes), 8-Mbaka Bokembe Dady, 10-Yakubu Yusif, 25-Andrews Pomeyie Mensah.
ONGC MAN of the MATCH: Boniface Ngairah Ambani (East Bengal).
RED CARD: Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep (87', Mahindra United).
REFEREE: S Suresh (Tamil Nadu).
For detailed information and pictures go to the >>IndianFootball.Com National League Special
42nd Moulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy - Quarterfinal: Chennai Soccer 3-1 Southern Blues FC, Bangalore - Goals: 1-0,2-0,3-1 David (6',36',??'), 2-1 Chandrasekhar (48')
The game began on a livelier note, but the Chennai team drew first blood, in the 6th minute. A foul kick 30 metres away, lofted by full back Parthiban found centre forward David, who neatly scored their first goal. Thereafter, the Bangaloreans played some neat passes and were unlucky in many respects as the Chennai defenders stood their ground and didn't give any room. It Chennai again in the 36th minute, when a set-piece corner kick found David again, and he neatly obliged with their second goal. In the 41st minute, the Blues had their best chance, when right winger Nirmal Kumar deftly brought into the box, and gave it to Udayakumar, whose kick found goal upright and bounced back into the field, cleared by the Chennai defenders. After the break, once again the Blues attacked and in the 48th minute Udayakumar dribbled in and Chandrasekhar netted the ball to reduce the deficit 2-1. Although the Bangaloreans played their best and attacked very often, it was once again the Chennai hero, David (Beckham?) who dribbled in past four defenders for his hattrick, giving them an ussailable 3-1 lead. Fight as hard as they can, all the 10 Blues went in for the attack, and when the counter attack came, there was only their custodian Ilavarasan, who had to go all the way out of his area to clear the ball away. But in the end it is going to be Chennai Soccer, who is destined to meet SAI, in the all-Chennai first semifinal.
43rd Kerala Inter District Senior Football Championship 2007 - Pre-Quarterfinal: Ernakulam 7-1 Alappey - Goals: 1-0,3-0,5-0 Javed (3',23',32'), 2-0,6-1,7-1 Anil Kumar (21',71',88'), 4-0 Bijish Ben (28'), 5-1 Rajesh (38').
43rd Kerala Inter District Senior Football Championship 2007 - Pre-Quarterfinal: Kozhikode 2-0 Waynad - Goals: 1-0 Majnu CP (77'), 2-0 Abdul Rashid (88').
::: FIFA Award India full points from 2008 Olympic qualifier against Thailand ::: FIFA have confirmed to us at IndianFootball.Com that India has been awarded three points from the India - Thailand match held on March 14 at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai, which India had lost by a lone goal. The reason behind this decision taken by FIFA's disciplinary committee on April 24 was that Thailand fielded an ineligible player. The match has been awarded 3-0 to India and suddenly India could with things going it's way qualify for the Asian finals of the 2008 Olympic qualifiers, but India would have to win both their remaining matches against Iraq on wednesday and against Thailand next month with Iraq not winning their final match against North Korea. But for this to happen India would need to finally score a goal.
::: Goan writer to spill the beans on Chima Okorie ::: The exploits of Chima Okorie in Indian Football are vividly clear to those who watched'the black leopard' who's goal scoring prowess (more than a hundred goals for Mohun Bagan, Mohammedan Sporting and East Bengal) make him a part of Bengal's folklore.
Whilst Chima has been volatile, worn his heart on sleeve, and spoken his mind on football, how many can claim to truly know India's most successful Nigerian Striker off-field? Who really knows Chima beyond Football? Flooded with offers for his story over the years, Chima has favored stay-away from the media and has been a very private man beyond football.
According to sources close to IndianFootball.Com all that changes with Chima Okorie finally set to tell.
Already on the job of unraveling the 'Okorie Enigma' is Goa's only female football journalist Zena Costa (26). The Goan writer who is taking a sabbatical from journalism to research and document Goan football from its very beginnings till date, is believed to have been officially commissioned to author the biography in March 2007 and the legal consultants for both parties have zeroed in on 3 of India's top publishing houses.
Sources inform that the book will finally reveal all one would want to know of Okorie. Commencing in the Imo District of Nigeria from where the striker hails, the biography will journey through the untold. Chima as a child, a football prodigy in Lagos, his arrival in India aged 16 as a student of Architecture at Vizag and him signing for Mohammedan Sporting in 1985 at 17 (after being spotted by Mohammed Habib) Chima's blaze of glory in Bengal, His rapport or lack of it with his team mates, the brawls and temper, and his close association and devotion to Coach Nayeem whom Chima credits for his fit-till-date physique.
The 'enfant terrible and star 'who emerged top sorer 8 times in the 12 years of the local league (East Bengal - 1987, '88, '89, '90), (Mohun Bagan - '91, '92, '98, '99 ) had Bagan break their age old tradition to make Okorie the first foreigner to sign for the club, simultaneously breaking the Rs 500,000 mark as wages. Chima also became Bagan's first foreign coach in the current NFL.
The book is probable to throw light on the many controversy that have dogged Okorie, what makes Chima tick-and open up the man beyond media made image. Chima, who married his sweetheart Calcutta Gal Kathleen, has two teenaged Children Okeoma (16) and Diya (14) was based in UK after his retirement. But his love affair with Indian football brought back to India with the quest of fulfilling a life long dream of training children.
Chima who was in Goa with regard to the book, has left for Chennai to comment on the Iraq-India U-23 encounter for Zee Sports and wasn't available for comment.
Speaking to IndianFootball.Com from Goa, Zena confirming that she was indeed working on the biography said "I am absolutely thrilled Chima trusts me with his story. It's up to me now to deliver.. Whilst we all know of him as a footballer, Chima as portrayed is truly far removed from what he truly is. As a first time writer's it's an honor for me and I'm working very hard. to try and do justice to the subject. And added "Chima will certainly call a press conference once he is ready. All I can say at this point is that I put on record and unlock the paradox that is Okorie and give the reader an unflinching look-into the factors that define Chima. Of course, when its Chima it may rub off a few the wrong way? I guess for the first time - transparent, informative, honest and wholly personal. On futbol and beyond it. I hope to justice to the man and the readership..."
::: Malappuram District team announced ::: The Malappuram District team for the ongoing 43rd Kerala Inter District Senior Football Championship 2007 has been announced. The team will be lead by SBT defender K Abdul Basheer.
MALAPPURAM SQUAD: KT Navas (Titanium), OP Musthafa (Mailappuram FC), C Sameer (MES College Mampad), Jayaraj (NSS College Manjery),OK Javed ( MES College Mampad), Shihab (Mailapparum SC), Fazaludheen (NSS College Manjery), Zulfeekarali (Basco Othukkungal), Ajmal (Sporting Malappuram), Usman (Soccer Club Malappuram), Manzoor (Ali Memorial Club Pookkottur), Sameer (Basco Othukkungal), Aslam (ECFC), K Firoz (Viva Kerala), T Asif Saheer (State Bank of Travancore), Muneer (Ali Memorial Club Pookkottur), Majeed Baksar (Ali Memorial Club Pookkottur). COACH: PM Sudeer Kumar (NSS College, Manjery); MANAGER: K Surendran (KSEB).
::: Grand KIFF Nite in Kuwait ::: The Kuwait Indian Football Federation, the only Indian overseas organisation with an affiliation of 16 Indian Clubs and Associations will organize the grand 'KIFF NITE' for the very first time since its inception in 1984.
The highlights of this gala event - sponsored by Metro Express Courier & Cargo and co-sponsored by Sports Corner Company - will be a glamorous awards distribution ceremony with live music by two of Kuwait's leading bands -- Deep Impact and Soul Shakers. Master Compere Dunstan D'Costa from Goa will further elevate the evening with floor contests including a 'Waltz Competition' for the very first time in Kuwait. Speaking about the event, KIFF President Mr. Blandino M. Viegas said, "The KIFF Nite is being organized to bring all sports loving Indians together in unity andto promote Indian Football."
Football activities in Kuwait were started by expatriate community way back in 1975. As years went by, these activities gained momentum and slowly flourished and the sport became very popular. In 1979 a few Goan sports enthusiasts formed the United Goans Football Centre in Kuwait and the first Indian tournament known as United Goans Football Rolling Trophy was held in 1979.
The Kuwait Indian Football Federation was established in 1983 and it controls all Expatriates Indians Football activities in Kuwait. In the current season (2006/07), there are 16 registered teams under KIFF with over 300 active players. Apart from the League, Four Regular; Five 7-aside and One 9-aside Non-Regular Tournaments are organized by clubs affiliated to KIFF.
The 16 clubs affiliated to Kuwait Indian Football Federation and involved in organizing the KIFF NITE are: United Goans Centre, G.O.A Maroons, Navelim Youth Centre, C.R.C Chinchinim, Santos Football Club, Bombay Boys Sports Club, Curtorcares United, United Friends Club, Veterans XI, A.V.C Overseas Association, Kerala Challengers, Fahaheel Brothers, Paradiso Football Club, Don Bosco Oratory, DHL, and Kuwait Goan Association. The KIFF NITE is also supported by Indian Referees Football Association (IFRA).
Mark the date on your calendar and be part of the BIGGEST SOCIAL EVENT OF THE YEAR in Kuwait. Due to the involvement of 16 affiliated organizations, the passes are limited. Reservations may be made through member associations or contact 7162672 for further details.
May 14
RESULTS & NEWS
::: IndianFootball.Com LIVE at New Wembley ::: Last week our Editor-in-Chief Arunava had the chance to visit the New Wembley Stadium and he was more then impressed with what he got to see of the brand new arena.
For the complete report & pictures from the New Wembley to go >>IndianFootball.Com LIVE.
11th National League - Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta: Mohun Bagan AC 1-2 Sporting Clube de Goa
Goals: 0-1 Denzil Franco (35'), 1-1 Jose Ramirez Barreto (80'), 1-2 MacPherlin Dudu Omagbemi (89'). In an inconsequential Round 17 match of the 11th National League, Sporting Clube de Goa needed a late winner from captain MacPherlin Dudu Omagbemi to beat former champions Mohun Bagan SC 2-1 at the floodlit Saltlake Stadium in Calcutta. Sporting Clube went past Mohun Bagan in the table into sixth place with now 22 points from 17 matches, while Mohun Bagan dropped to eighth with 21 points from 17 matches.
Sporting Clube took the lead in the 35th minute when a deflected Denzil Franco long-ranger from just outside the box beat Mohun Bagan keeper Sangram Mukherjee. Mohun Bagan tried their luck to get back into the match and their captain Jose Ramirez Barreto scored a class goal in the 80th minute to just do that. Receiving a long ball
42nd Moulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy - Final: SAI, Chennai 1-0 Tamil Nadu Special Police - Goal: 1-0 Elamurugan (65').
by Balbir Singh: The state-run Chandigarh Football Academy trainees have started training at the Sportschule Egidius Braun in Leipzig (Germany) on Thursday. According to information received by Chandigarh Sports Director Inderjit Singh Sandhu, the 12 CFA boys reached Germany on Wednesday night and started training under A Grade coach Avid Thursday morning.
The match started very sedately as if both teams were testing one another. After a few good passes from both teams, the local host team lost their bearings and started kicking waywards, while the visitors were focussed with good moves. They were rewarded in the 23rd minute, when receiving a good pass from the flanks, centre forward Nithin Sainjan opened the scoring for the Kochin team. Thereafter it was an uphill task for the local lads. They had a good opportunity in the 38th minute when left winger Sadakathullah (Sena) shot rebounded off the crossbar. In the second half, both teams seem tired, and after some hard fought tackles, corners and foul kicks, the locals found themselves in a goal mouth melee, and right winger Abdul Kader found the back of the net, equalizing the scores at one-all. At the end tie breaker had to be resorted to. Kochin Port Trust had the first shot and the initial kick of Ramesh was blocked by the Kayal custodian, Shameem. Thereafter both teams scored until the last when equalizer Abdul Kader's shot found the upright and bounced back, resulting in sudden death. Once again custodian Shameem did the honours by blocking the shot, and Sadak Omer converted his shot, thus assuring victory for the local host team. They will meet Calcutta's Mohammedan AC tomorrow.
::: 11th National League title goes to Dempo SC :::