NEWS FOR THE MONTH OF June 2007
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Guwahati Super Division: Food Corporation of India, Guwahati 0-1 Assam State Electricity Board - Goal: 0-1 Dewan Singh (21').
Sikkim Senior Division - Super League - Group A: Young Star FC 2-0 Northeners Star FC
Sikkim Senior Division - Super League - Group A: Sports Academy of Sikkim 3-1 United Sikkim Sporting Club
Sikkim Senior Division - Super League - Group B: SAI, Namchi 2-2 Arsenal
Sikkim Senior Division - Super League - Group B: Kanchenjunga FC 5-1 Boys Club
::: AIFF releases fourth Transfer list :::
The AIFF today released the fourth list of 154 cleared Inter-State Transfers for the first transfer window of the 2007/08 season which ran from June 1 to 20.
::: "We have a Young balanced Side": Salgaocar SC Chief Coach Medeira :::
by Zena Costa: Goan Football giants, Salgaocar SC whose shock relegation in the 10th ONGC NFL upset the green brigade's huge fan following in south and central Goa, have made a resurgent comeback to the premier league and despite heavy showers in the state have begun training in earnest for the Goa Pro League which kicks off on 1 August 2007.
The Port towners of Vasco-da-Gama this time settle for its balanced its time-honored balanced 'team play 'as opposed to 'stars cast' has been welcomed by the Goa's Football sorority. Although Salgaocar lose out on lanky medio and India international Micky Fernandes (to Sporting Clube) and Chief Coach Savio Medeira is expected to return to field only late August following surgery, the club has conversely finalized a squad which includes 3 foreign recruits Bolwe Mputu (defender), Baba Thunde and Felix Chimaokwu (strikers).
Speaking to this writer from his residence in vicinity of the JPN stadium at Fatorda; amongst the finest coaching minds in India; SSC's 'without-airs' thinking Cap -- Savio Medeira who finds himself in the pretty unpleasant spot of being confined to home since mid subsequent to steering the team back to the big league with his trademark resilience, stated. "We have a youthful and very well balanced team this season. We have to establish ourselves now and we are working very hard and as a unit. I am expectant to get back (to coaching) by late August... Mathew is running things for now. My ultimate goal is towards coming close up to the former glory Salgaocar once enjoyed."
Medeira certainly has reasons for optimism; as the squad is enhanced by new arrivals the talismanic and volatile entertainer Shylo Malswam Tulunga (MAMA) from East Bengal. Young and gifted Nicholas Rodrigues is a catch and Joe Rodrigues too (both Sporting Clube) in midfield, are also very effective on the wingers and nippy finishers too. In defense is (East Bengal's) Vincent Pires and tough defending Samson Fernandes (Mahindra). Bolwe Mputu , Felix Chimaokwu add more teeth to Salgaocar strike force which has the nations most promising youngsters Joshuah Vaz (16), Beeven D'Mello (19) and Milagres Gonsalves (18). All three can leave the toughest defence leaded footed and are sure shots in bulging the nylons. Salgaocar retain the services of the teams pillars and hard-slog guys Rocus Lamare, who impressed at the India U23, and team-cheer leader and possibly captain again Remus Gomes.
Savio's Assistant Mathew D'Costa GFA's most Promising Young Coach awardee will be at helm in the local league and Salgaocar are credible to put up a good showing along with Churchill Brothers SC and Sporting Clube de Goa in the GPL. Salgaocar's clash with traditional challengers Current NFL and Durand cup champs Dempo SC is significantly anticipated. Amongst eager fans watching the team go through the drills at the Parvathibai Chowgule College Grounds artificial surface, was the distinguished presence Portuguese Coach Manuel Gomes, who is vacationing in Goa. The former Angola National coach who has coached the Portuguese sides FC Braga and Benfica and is the national coach of Maldives was spotted watching the 'Greens' and seen in dialogue with Coach Mathew.
Salgaocar SC 2007/08:
Goalkeepers: Milagrio Medeira, Marcus Basumatari.
Defenders: Vincent Brice Pires, Navjot Singh, Samson Fernandes, Remus Gomes, Peter Costa, Eric Bolwe Mputu, TV Biju Kumar.
Winger/half :Jerose Oliveira, Macklas Fernandes, Anthony Barbosa, Wellington Fernandes.
Medios: Sachin Gawas, Nicholas Rodrigues, Joe Rodrigues, Rocus Lamare, Francis Fernandes, Zico Costa, Premjit Singh, Francis Andrade, William Colaco, Shylo Malswam Tulunga, Agnelo Baretto, Anil Kumar.
Strikers: Badmus Baba Thunde, Felix Chimaokwu, Milagres Gonsalves, Beevan D'Mello, Savio Carneiro, Edison Sequeira, Mario Mascarenhas, Cajetan Fernandes, Lenny Rodrigues, Joshuh Vaz.
Technical Team: Chief Coach: Savio Medeira; Assistant Coach: Mathew D'Costa; Manager: Sanjeev Nagvenkar; Secretary: RAJ Gomes; Physio- Lloyd Simoes.
::: East Bengal U15 camp in Kalyani :::
The East Bengal U15 boys in preparation for the world finals of the Manchester United Premier Cup in August 2007 will have a residential camp in Kalyani, West Bengal from July 9 to 26.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase II Group H: George Telegraph SC 2-1 West Bengal Police - Goals: Satyajit Bose (2x); Kishore Mullick.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase II Group I: Tollygunge Agragami 2-0 Police AC - Goals: SH Singh, Amit Biswas.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase II Group J: Chirag United SC 0-0 Food Corporation of India, Calcutta - Goals: none.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase II Group K: Peerless SC 0-0 Calcutta Customs - Goals: none.
::: Houghton critical about Santosh Trophy and Durand Cup :::
Indian chief coach Bob Houghton was particularly critical of tournaments such as the Santosh Trophy and Durand Cup as he addressed the media on Friday.
"The Santosh Trophy is a concept I just cannot relate to. International players suddenly have to play with teammates they know very little of," Houghton said.
"They find themselves playing under coaches who play them in positions, which are completely different from the ones they have at the national team," the Englishman added.
"This cannot be good for Indian football."
He, however, admitted that all suggestions of scrapping these tournaments had been met with staunch criticism.
Former India coach Stepehen Constantine faced the same criticism, when he pointed out the same problems during his tenure with the Indian team.
Meanwhile, all 27 players at the India camp underwent fitness tests in the past two days and apart from defender Sanjeev Kumar Maria, who had a knee injury, everyone passed the tests.
::: Former Indian Olympian Vajravelu passes away :::
Former Indian international B. N. Vajravelu passed away last night aged 84. Midfielder Vajravelu represented the Mysore state team in the several Nationals and also represented India in the 1948 Olympic Games at London.
::: Kolkata Police Friendship Cup 2007 kicks-off :::
The Kolkata Police Friendship Cup will take place from June 29 till August 15. This is a three-tier tournament with the thana level beginning from
July 2, the divisional level from July 18 and the inter-divisional level from August 7.
The tournament is organised by the Kolkata Police every summer for the local clubs (Paras) of Kolkata. Over 500 teams participate in this tournament, which was inaugurated today at the Bodyguard Lines.
The tournament was inaugurated by Prasun Mukherjee, IPS, Police Commissioner of Kolkata, while Prithbhi, a Bangla rock band performed at the
inaugural event. The opening ceremony commenced with a special song, composed specially for the Friendship Cup by the band.
The tournament will witness about 7770 participants from 519 teams who will play in 575 matches across 45 days. It has all the reasons to become one of the largest tournaments because of its magnitude. The matches will be at various locations like the Presidency College grounds, Deshbandhu
Park, Park Circus maidan, Madox Square, Northern park and many more.
Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM and ESPN Star Sports are the official media partners of the Kolkata Police Friendship Cup 2007.
::: Providence FC's Juniors to play Kanga Cup in Australia :::
The U15 juniors from Providence FC in Gujarat will play in this years international youth tournament Kanga Cup in Australia. The tournament will be held from July 8 to 13 in and around Canberra.
The Providence FC Juniors are the first recipient of the Kanga Cup Asian Fellowship, a program in which one Asian team will compete in the Kanga Cup each year.
Applications had been received from across Asia, but the Providence FC story off a club selling items to finance the football team, which has now gone on to have an on superstore, did it for the boys from Gujarat. They will get invaluable exposure at an international youth tournament.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase II Group H: Calcutta Port Trust 0-0 Indian Air Force, Barrackpore
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase II Group I: Eastern Railway SC 1-0 Aryan Club
::: Mumbai FC launched by Essel Group :::
The Essel Group's professional football club was officially launched today in the financial capital of the country under the name of Mumbai Football Club, a community football club as the officials termed it.
After taking on Henry Menezes as consultant for the club project, who is now going to move into the role of general manager at the club, another former Mahindra United official in Englishman David Booth has been signed as chief coach by Mumbai FC for a three year period. The aim in season one would be to qualify for the National League's Premier Division from the 2.Division NFL in which MFC will take part in.
Essel's Managing Director Amit Goenka announced at the press conference that the club has been set up with an initial investment of $1 million (about Rs 4 crore) per annum.
Henry Menezes added, "We want to win as many tournaments as possible and we will be taking part in events like the Durand Cup and the IFA Shield. We’ve fulfilled the criteria laid down by the All India Football Federation for making it to the second division of the NFL this season," said Mr Menezes.
To fulfill critiria for participation in the 2.Division NFL the club is set to form U15 and U19 teams in the coming month. The club has also adopted two city colleges and three schools under their wings and are also planning to make sub-junior and junior teams from under-8 to under-19 category.
Further the club is in line to adopt the St Xavier's ground at Parel and enhance its given infrastructure so the stadium could become an alternative to the Cooperage Ground for top class football matches.
::: Delhi SA fine clubs :::
The Delhi Soccer Association has penalised the three Senior Division clubs who pulled out during the last season. The clubs had pulled out due to reasons ranging from poor refereeing to internal players problems. While the New Delhi Heroes, who had gone professional a few weeks ago, where fined Rs 15,000; Shastri Club and Moonlight Club have been fined only Rs 5,000.
Meanwhile New Delhi Heroes player Sanjay Sidhu was fined Rs 5,000 for misbehaving with a match official.
::: Zee Sports to telecast FIFA U20 World Cup :::
PTI report: Football aficionados here will get to watch the live action of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup from Canada with Zee Sports telecasting the event from July 1-23.
The competition, which will take place in six Canadian cities of Victoria, Burnaby, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal, runs from June 30 to July 22 and will showcase world's top 24 youth teams battling it out for the world title.
Held every two years around the world since 1977, the series has featured some of the best young players in the world like Diego Maradona, Saviola, Raul, Marco Van Basten, Luis Figo, Ruiz Costa, Thierry Henry, Adriano, Roberto Carlos, Bebeto, Dunga, and Canada's newest Hall of Fame inductees Craig Forrest and Domenic Mobilio.
In this edition of the competition, the stars to watch out for include Spaniard Alberto Bueno, who was the top scorer in 2006 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. He was also in the first team for the Champions League squad of Real Madrid.
Other star attractions will be Carlos Vela from Mexico, who was the golden boot winner at the 2005 U17 World Cup, Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva and Argentine forward Sergio Aguero.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Quarterfinal: Kalighat Milan Samity 2-5 Howrah Union
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase II Group J: SAIL 2-0 Food Corporation of India, Calcutta
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase II Group K: Railway FC 2-0 Calcutta Customs
3rd Nripendra Narayan Bhattacharjee Trophy - Final: Assam Dynamo Club 1-1,1-3 Sunrise Club [penalties] - Goals: 1-0 Eric Obiora Aningo (87'), 1-1 Namdei Bonang (90+2').
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase II Group H: George Telegraph SC 1-0 Indian Air Force, Barrackpore
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase II Group I: Tollygunge Agragami 1-1 Aryan Club
::: India camp set to start in Gurgaon :::
PTI report: A potentially long and significant season for Indian football kicks off with 27 shortlisted probables attending a 15-day conditioning camp starting in Gurgaon tomorrow. India, languishing at 161 spot in the latest Fifa rankings, are scheduled to play nearly 15 internationals in the coming 12 months which can help the team improve on its present standing.
The probables will be put through their paces by head coach Bob Houghton and assistant coach Stanley Rozario at the camp. Goalkeeping coach Marcos Pacheco and physical trainer Suresh Babu will also be at hand during the camp. The fortnight-long camp, which will continue till 12 July, will be followed by a training stint in Portugal, and the squad will attend another camp in Gurgaon in the lead-up to the ONGC international tournament to be held in the capital from 16 August.
The players will start arriving from tomorrow and it may take a day or two for the camp to get into full throttle. Mr Houghton had a few reservations about the playing surface at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex, but the AIFF claimed the turf was good enough.
The coming season is a significant one for Indian football as it will see the launch of the first-ever Professional League, which is scheduled to start on 30 September. It also includes the South Asian Football Federation Championship jointly hosted by Sri Lanka and Maldives and three qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup, to be held in South Africa.
::: Kuwait Goan Association crowned JP Memorial KIFF League Champions :::
by Gasper Crasto: Siemens-sponsored Kuwait Goan Association won the prestigious JP D'Mello Memorial Rolling Trophy - KIFF League 2006-07 organized by Kuwait Indian Football Federation for the first time defeating Kerala Challengers 2-1 in the final played at Soor Grounds, Kuwait City.
The KIFF League, perhaps the only 11-aside league among expatriate Indians is played throughout the season. Eligible Indian players mostly from Goa, Kerala, Bangalore, Madras, Mangalore and Bombay are seen in action every year. This year, the league featured 16 registered teams.
The final played between the two top teams in the league - Kuwait Goan Association and Kerala Challengers was organized in high spirits by the KIFF Managing Committee. Although the match was played in scorching temperatures near to 50°C, it attracted sufficient number of spectators.
Youngsters rule the game as was seen in the finals. Kuwait Goans' young Andre Dias, Zelito Cardoz and Christo Colaco were pick of the players who shunned off heat and tackles in leading Kuwait Goans - one the best organized teams on Soor Grounds to their debut League Championship.
Both teams had equal scoring chances and many attempts at goal. KGA displayed better stamina and control than Kerala who were handicapped by six players owing to suspension. KGA moves initiated right from their goalkeeper Martin, a new face in Kuwait. Their midfield played a calculated game throughout - feeding the strikers at regular breaks, and when they lost the ball Christovam, Caridade and captain Tiago were quick to pounce and dispossess the strongly built Keralites. Kerala stood strong in defence in the first half of play wherein their defenders and goalkeeper exhibited absolute expertise to thwart off any infiltration at the goal. KGA went into the lead in the second session through substitute Andre Dias whose rasping shot zoomed past the Kerala goalkeeper (1-0). With minutes remaining for the end and victory on their minds, Kuwait Goan goalkeeper spilled a hard crack from outside the D-Area by an opportunistic Kerala player (1-1).
In extratime, cheered by their supporters, Kerala twice came close to clinching the winner. On the other end, a goal bound shot by KGA was handled by a Kerala defender giving enough justice for referee Tony D'Costa to give a penalty.
The match was officiated by Indian Football Referees Association (IFRA).
Earlier, the players were introduced to B.M. Viegas -- KIFF President and other guests. Presidents of participating clubs were among the distinguished guests in attendance. The KIFF established in 1982 controls all Expatriates Indians Football activities in Kuwait. Apart from the League, Four Regular; 7-A-Side and 9-A-Side Non-Regular tournaments are organized by clubs affiliated to KIFF.
::: Football Camp ongoing in Kohima :::
by Xavier Rutsa: A three-week long football coaching camp for boys, organized by department of Youth Resources and Sports is currently on at the local ground, Kohima in Nagaland. The youngsters are trained by Rüpofu Meyase, Nagaland football coach and Kevilebei an AFC 'C' License holder.
The camp which started on June 12, saw a high registration of 107 young aspirants, from which around 70 to 80 are turning-up regularly for the coaching camp. Daily around two and half hours the boys are trained in football basics and techniques, informed Rüpofu Meyase, who added that the daily refreshment for the players are provided by the department concerned. The camp will conclude on June 30.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Quarterfinal: Wari AC 1-2 Mouri Sporting Club
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Quarterfinal: Calcutta Police SC 0-5 SAI (Eastern Zone)
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group E: Kalighat Milan Samity 2-1 Sonali Shibir AC
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase II Group H: Calcutta Port Trust 0-3 West Bengal Police
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase II Group I: Eastern Railway SC 2-2 Police AC
3rd Nripendra Narayan Bhattacharjee Trophy - Semifinal: Sunrise Club 1-1,5-3 Assam State Electricity Board [penalties] - Goals: 0-1 Dewan Singh (17'), 1-1 Abuan Gonmei (34').
::: Qatar only nation to submit formal bid for 2011 Asian Cup :::
REUTERS report: Iran have missed the final deadline to submit their formal bid to stage the 2011 Asian Cup, leaving Qatar as the only country left in the running to stage the event, the Asian Football Confederation said on Monday.
Qatar, India and Iran had all expressed an interest in bidding for the 2011 tournament when the AFC initially asked for expressions of interest. Qatar submitted their formal bid document last week but India announced they were pulling out of the race while Iran did not submit an application when the deadline expired last Thursday.
Despite being the only country to formally lodge a bid, Qatar's submission must meet all the requirements stipulated by the AFC before it can be ratified as host. Otherwise the bidding process will be reopened.
The AFC said the decision on 2011 would be announced on July 29, the same day as the 2007 Asian Cup final. This year's Asian Cup, which starts on July 7, is being co-hosted by Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia.
::: Assam Sub-Junior Inter-District Football Tournament next month :::
The Assam Sub-Junior Inter-District Football Tournament will be played from July 6 to 19 at Bengtol, Baksa District. In total 30 districts would be taking part.
3rd Nripendra Narayan Bhattacharjee Trophy - Semifinal: Maharana AC 0-0,4-5 Assam Dynamo Club [penalties]
::: Viva Kerala sign Appa Rao Chiman :::
Viva Kerala have further strengthened their squad in the signing of midfielder Appa Rao Chiman from Mahindra United. Further club official Liaquat Ali confirmed that they will be planning for one more addition to this year's squad.
::: Constantine writes book on Football training :::
Former Indian national coach Stephen Constantine, now national coach of Malawi, is releasing a book in the coming week titled "A Year in the Championship" on the training that he conducted at Championship side Millwall FC during the 2005/06 season.
More than 150 easy-to-read diagrams illustrate the practices along with clear explanations of the important coaching points. This combination will enable you to use the practices with your team in a clear and effective way.
A book surely worth reading and learning from if you are into coaching!
A Year in the Championship
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group E: Kalighat Milan Samity 1-0 Muslim Institute
3rd Nripendra Narayan Bhattacharjee Trophy - Quarterfinal: Guwahati Town Club 0-3 Assam State Electricity Board - Goals: 0-1,0-3 Sarbananda Sonowal (20',75'), 0-2 Rocky Singh (60').
::: German Bundesliga set to host two India Junior teams in coming month's :::
PTI report: Two Indian youth teams would rub shoulders with their German counterparts in September as Bundesliga plans to take its partnership with the AIFF one step forward. Bundesliga plans to give the Indian youngsters an opportunity to play with and against youth teams of various German clubs and provide them the exposure against top level competition in their relevant age groups.
"In September, it is planned that two Indian youth teams will reach here for training camps. We will, on our part, support the organisation of these camps and the Indian teams will play against and practise with German youth teams," Bundesliga Commercial Director Joerg Daubitzer said.
The Bundesliga also wants to involve the German clubs more into its strategic alliance with the AIFF.
"The next step on our side will now be to involve our clubs more and more in the realisation of common projects."
"In August, it is planned that a delegation of DFL and club representatives will visit India for a club workshop. Our representatives will most probably speak about topics like fan development, club marketing and youth development to the Indian clubs," he said.
Daubitzer said an AIFF delegation, in preparation for the first ever professional league in India later this year, visited Germany in April to learn more about functioning of the DFL.
Besides several workshops at the DFL, the AIFF representatives visited the clubs and saw them working as well as the organisation of a Bundesliga match day in the stadium. The focus of the exercise was also on league and club marketing, youth football, fan development and player administration.
36th Hot Weather Football Championship, Mandi, HP - Final: Hyderabad Globe Club 1-1,4-3 ONGC, Mumbai [penalties]
3rd Nripendra Narayan Bhattacharjee Trophy - Quarterfinal: Maharana AC 1-0 Assam Police Blues - Goal: 1-0 Apurba Phukan (23').
3rd Nripendra Narayan Bhattacharjee Trophy - Quarterfinal: Assam Dynamo Club 1-1,4-2 Green Valley SC [penalties] - Goals: 0-1 Abhijit Nandi (4'), 1-1 Ronald Singh (90+').
::: India not to bid for AFC Asian Cup 2011 :::
REUTERS report: India have withdrawn from the race to stage the AFC Asian Cup 2011 because they would not be able to meet the huge infrastructure requirements, a senior federation official said on Thursday.
"We are not making a formal bid," All India Football Federation (AIFF) secretary Albert Colaco told Reuters.
Qatar on Tuesday submitted their bid to stage the competition ahead of the Thursday deadline.
Qatar are expected to be joined by three-times champions Iran, who hosted the tournament in 1968 and 1976.
"We tried to see if it would be possible," Colaco said.
"We need two international standard stadiums in each of the cities where matches will be played. It is very tough."
::: Essel Group forms new Mumbai-based club :::
The Essel Group is looking forward to lock horns with giants Mahindra United and Air-India, while forming a new football club in Mumbai.
Essel Group FC is awaiting official approval from the Mumbai District FA to participate in the Mumbai Super Division and have submitted the list of signings on the last day of the first window. Further the Essel Group have also made arrangements to play in the 2nd Division NFL.
The squad of 24 players include several reputed players like Abhishek Yadav, Kalyan Chaubey, Noel Wilson and Khalid Jamil have signed with Essel Group FC, while others will certainly follow soon.
Henry Menezes, former Mahindra United manager and new Essel Group FC sports consultant, told a press gathering: "The AIFF said it was imperative that we field a team in the MDFA Elite League if we want to play in the 2nd Division NFL this season. We had just three days to put a team together! All the best players had already been snapped up. So I had to settle for whoever I could get my hands on. And I think I succeeded in putting together a very decent team with an emphasis on youth and height."
Menezes is also keen to sign a foreign coach and support staff as soon as possible.
"We plan to hire high quality coach and a complete staff of assistant coach, physio and doctor. Now my hunt is on for three good foreign players and a Player of Indian origin. We have sent out feelers to Africa, Brazil, Turkey and Greece. As of now, we have a PIO from Australia who has shown interest," Menezes continued.
Essel Group FC squad 2007/08 (previous club in brackets):
Papiah Jagadish Kumar (Sporting Clube de Goa), John Benedict (Bharath Electronics Limited SC, Bangalore), Dipankar Choudhury (Vasco SC), Aseem Kutty (Salgaocar SC), Libu C Philip (Viva Kerala), Jerome Sebastian (Young Challenger, Calicut), Lolendra L Singh (Mohun Bagan AC), Bira Oraw (FCI, Calcutta), Nilap Ganesh Rao (Howrah Union, Calcutta), Rahul Roy (MPMS, Calcutta), Rajib Shukla (Kidderpore Sporting Club, Calcutta), Noel Anthony Wilson (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Bengkok Nameirakpam (Manipur), Romeenjit Singh (Manipur), Dane Lloyd Pereira (Mahindra United), Khalid Jamil (Mahindra United), Darren Caldeira (Mahindra United), Abhishek Yadav (Mahindra United), Ujjal Ghosh (Mahindra United), Kalyan Chaubey (JCT), Balpreet Singh (JCT Academy), Jatinder Singh Sanga (JCT Academy).
::: Benjamin Silva to officiate at AFC Asian Cup 2007 :::
Assistant referee Benjamin Silva is the lone Indian official to officiate at the AFC Asian Cup 2007 from July 7-29. The AFC has approved a list of referees and assistant referees who will officiate in the finals.
Sixteen referees will officiate in the competition with the help of twenty-four assistant referees. They will be officially cleared following a fitness test scheduled for July 2 in Kuala Lumpur.
::: Trials for Salgaocar SC U-18 team :::
The selection trials for the Salgaocar SC U-18 junior team will start today. The trials will be held till Saturday at the Sao Jose de Areal grounds at 15.30 IST. Footballers born on or after January 1, 1990 may report to coach Micky Rebello with playing kit and original birth certificates.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group A: Wari AC 0-0 Milan Bithee
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group A: Manoharpur Milan Samity 0-1 Kumartuli Institute - Goal: 0-1 Rupam Das.
3rd Nripendra Narayan Bhattacharjee Trophy - Quarterfinal: Sunrise Club 2-2,5-3 SAI SC, Guwahati [penalties] - Goals: 0-1 Rabiluchan Basumatary (28'), 1-1 Arock Zeliang (33'), 2-1 Ahizo Kiho (36'), 2-2 Gakul Basumatary (73').
::: Jammu&Kashmir not to host Santosh Trophy :::
PTI Report: Jammu and Kashmir will not host Santosh Trophy football tournament this year due to clash of dates with the Amarnath Yatra, state sports minister Babu Singh said here today.
Singh, however, said the tournament would come to the state next year.
Since July 10, the proposed date of inauguration of the Santosh Trophy this year, was coinciding with the Amarnath Yatra, the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) has decided to allot the event to Jammu and Kashmir next year, Singh told PTI.
The minister said the deployment of a major chunk of security forces for Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to be held from June 30 to August 30, was the reason behind not holding the football tournament.
"AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi must have talked to Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad about the availability of security forces to ensure safe conduct of the tournament. Since the focus of the security apparatus would be on the Amarnath Yatra, it was decided that the Santosh Trophy would be held in the state next year," Singh said.
Last month, a committee of the AIFF, headed by its vice-president Subroto Dutta, had visited the venues and had given the nod for holding the tournament. The minister said all arrangements for conducting the tournament this year had been completed. "All the venues are ready and facilities have been put in place as per the guidelines given by the AIFF," he added.
Singh said it had been decided to hold the premier football event of the country in May next year.
Although Jammu and Kashmir had expressed desire to host the Santosh Trophy in 2006, it was turned down by the AIFF because of security concerns and lack of proper facilities.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group B: Taltala Institute 1-1 Bata SC - Goals: Nabakunar Ghosh; Biplab Rajbansi.
3rd Nripendra Narayan Bhattacharjee Trophy - Pre-Quarterfinal: Maharana AC 1-0 Jewel Star Club - Goal: 1-0 Amal Nath Das (28').
::: IFA treasurer arrested by Calcutta Police :::
The Calcutta Police arrested IFA treasurer KD Pal in connection with a case of arson on March 14. Sleuths said the fire at the IFA building was not accidental and it "aimed at removing certain documents and facts". Pal was arrested for tampering with the accounts.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group A: Milan Bithee 2-0 Kumartuli Institute - Goals: 1-0,2-0 Prasanta Sarkar.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group B: Mohammedan AC 1-0 Janbazar AC - Goal: 1-0 Abhijit Ghosh.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group C: Calcutta Police 2-1 Rajasthan Club - Goals: Nirmal Mandal, Bijendra Bahadur; Mohammed Hidayetullah.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group D: Mouri Sporting Club 4-0 Salkia Friends - Goals: Sheikh Sabir Ali (2x), Chandan Das (2x).
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group E: Sonali Shibir AC 0-0 Muslim Institute - Goals: none.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group G: Howrah Union 3-2 Sporting Union - Goals: Sanjay Das (2x), Anup Dutta; Kaushik Dutta, Sabir Ali.
3rd Nripendra Narayan Bhattacharjee Trophy - Pre-Quarterfinal: Green Valley SC 5-1 Nabajyoti Club - Goals: 1-0,4-0 Dhananjoy Brahma (38',58'), 2-0,5-1 Prasanta Singh (53',84'), 3-0 Anupam Chetia (56'), 4-1 Suraj Goyari (74').
::: Mohun Bagan name Carlos Roberto Pereira da Silva as new coach :::
Mohun Bagan AC at a press conference today at their Maidan club tent in Calcutta today named Brazilian Carlos Roberto Pereira da Silva as their new club coach and announced their 30 player squad for the new 2007/08 season.
In a somewhat expected move the Green-and-Maroon named Pereira as their new coach, who has been given a one year contract. He will be assisted by Satyajit Chatterjee and Hemanta Dora has been named as the goalkeeping coach. Mohun Bagan are currently searching for a new physio as Brazilian physio Robson has not been retained due to "bad luck" as Bagan president Swapan Sadhan Basu termed it.
Indian international Baichung Bhutia has been given the captains role, while Dharamjit Singh will be the clubs vice-captain.
Mohun Bagan AC 2007/08:
Goalkeepers: Imran Khan (retained), Sangram Mukherjee (retained), Shilton Pal (retained), Pralay Datta (Chirag United).
Defenders: Sanjeev Kumar Maria (retained), Deepak Kumar Mondal (retained), Bijay Baspore (retained), Nanjangud Shivananju Manju (Mahindra United), Peter Siddiqui (Mahindra United), Rauf Sher Khan (Mahindra United), Subhashish Roy Chowdhury (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Habibur Rehman Mondal (Mohammedan Sporting Club), N Mohan Raj (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC), Rahul Bhattacharjee (Calcutta Customs).
Midfielders: Dharamjit Singh (retained), Lal Kamal Bhowmick (retained), Suman Datta (retained), Chinmoy Sarkar (retained), Rahul Kumar (retained), Lukram James Singh (Mahindra United), Shanmugam Venkatesh (Mahindra United), Jamir Ali Mondal (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Muttath Sudheesh (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Parminder Singh (JCT, Phagwara), Tapan Maity (Calcutta Port Trust).
Forwards: Jose Ramirez Barreto (retained), Baichung Bhutia (retained), Pachau Lalam Puia (retained), Ayan Chowdhury (retained), Ishfaq Ahmed (Dempo SC).
::: AMFA president to face jail sentence :::
All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) president A. Santoshkumar Singh will face a monthlong civil prison sentence for breach of a court order pertaining to a case filed by a football club, Nambul Mapal Athletic and Cultural Organisation.
The organisation reportedly filed a petition before a civil judge last year, asking the association to stall the preparation of an elite team for the 1st AFC Manipur State League and not to approve transfer of players. Subsequently, the court passed a temporary injunction order on April 27, 2006.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group C: Calcutta FC 0-1 Barisha SC - Goal: 0-1 Biplab Das.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group D: Kalighat Club 1-0 Khidderpore Sporting Club - Goal: 1-0 Tilak Das.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group E: City AC 2-0 Kalighat Milan Samity
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group F: Garalgacha SC 0-0 Taltala Dipti Sangha - Goals: none.
3rd Nripendra Narayan Bhattacharjee Trophy - Pre-Quarterfinal: Sunrise Club 4-0 Young Blue AC - Goals: 1-0,3-0,4-0 Keyho (25',59',66'), 2-0 Lipok Sashi Jamir (32').
14th N.M. Garodia Memorial Football Tournament - Final: Assam State Electricity Board 1-0 Oil India Limited - Goal: 1-0 Sanjiba Rongpi (18').
The Assam State Electricity Board was honoured by Prasanta Phukon (Dibrugarh MLA). The runners-up were awarded by Biswanath Garodia (son of N.M. Garodia). Dhananjay Boro (Oil India Limited) was adjudged "Player of the Tournament".
::: AMFA to organise Referees' Course :::
The All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) is set to hold a five-day residential Basic Referees' Course for the 'teachers of grassroots schools'. The course will commence from June 20 at the Sports Hostel No I in Khuman Lampak Sports Complex. Jadavchandra Haobam has been appointed as the course instructor.
::: Portuguese Olympic Committee President impressed by Goa U-14 :::
Commandante Vincent Moura, President of the Comité Olímpico Português, has complimented and congratulated the Goa U-14, which is currently touring Portugal. The team is having a training camp under the Portuguese coach Danniel Barreira.
Moura, adressing the invitees of a grand reception in Lisbon, said: "I am impressed with Goan footballers at the under-14 level. They have shown a lot of promise and this augurs well for future exchanges not only in football but other sporting disciplines as well. The exchanges have got to be reciprocal. Goan footballers do have a bright future"
The Goan U-14 team is scheduled to play several local oufits during this tour and will also participate in the Prof. Mariano Barreto Football Tournament.
::: Norbert Gonsalves appointed new Vasco coach :::
Norbert Gonsalves has been appointed as the new Vasco SC coach for the 2007-08 season. The 48-year-old Gonsalves had a previous stint with Fransa Pax in the NFL before switching to Raia FC last season.
Talking to a media gathering Gonsalves said: "It is a new opportunity to coach Vasco. I will take it up as a challenge to guide the club to glory in the Professional League."
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group F: SAI (Eastern Zone) 0-0 Taltala Dipti Sangha - Goals: none.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group G: Victoria SC 3-0 Sporting Union - Goals: 1-0,2-0,3-0 Amit Pal.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group A: Milan Bithee p-p Kumartuli Institute
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group B: Janbazar AC 4-0 Bata SC - Goals: Babu Das (2x), Pintu Sarkar, Ananda Paul.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group C: Barisha SC 1-2 Rajasthan Club - Goals: Kousik Dutta; Amit Haldar, Avijit Goswami.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group D: Khidderpore SC 0-1 Mouri Sporting Club - Goal: 0-1 Rajen Mondol.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group E: Kalighat Milan Samity p-p Sonali Shibir AC
::: India up 2 spots in FIFA Women's World Ranking :::
India has climbed 2 spots in the latest FIFA Women's World Ranking released today. India is now ranked 55 in the world, while going down one spot in the Asian Zonal Ranking to 11.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group A: Wari AC 2-0 Manoharpur Milan Samity - Goals: Raja Chakrabarty (2x).
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group B: Mohammedan AC 1-1 Taltala Institute
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group C: Calcutta FC 0-1 Calcutta Police
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group D: Kalighat Club 3-0 Salkia Friends
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group E: City AC 0-0 Muslim Institute
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group F: Garalgacha SC 0-1 SAI (Eastern Zone)
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group G: Howrah Union 1-0 Victoria SC
::: BREAKING NEWS: BOB BOOTLAND PASSES AWAY :::
India's first-ever foreign coach Bob Bootland passed away in Goa today. The 73-year-old Englishman from Newcastle coached the Indian national team and various clubs in Goa (e.g. Vasco SC, Dempo SC) besides Tata SC in Mumbai and JCT Mills.
IndianFootball.Com would like to pass on our deepest condolences to Bob Bootland's family and friends!
::: India up 4 spots in FIFA World Rankings :::
India has climbed 4 spots in the latest FIFA World Rankings released today by the governing body of world football. India is now ranked 161 in the world, while climbing one spot in the Asian Zonal Ranking to 31.
::: AFC Cup 2007: Mahindra Utd to face Al Nejmeh :::
Former Indian champions Mahindra United will face Lebanese outfit Al Nejmeh in the AFC Cup 2007 quarterfinals. The draw has held at the AFC headquarters at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today.
The AFC Cup quarterfinals will be played over two matches with the first legs taking place on September 18 and the return games on September 25.
The semifinals will take place on October 2 and 23 with the winners of the Mahindra United or Al Nejmeh match facing either Shabab Al Ordun or Singapore Armed Forces.
The final will be played over two legs on November 2 and 9.
AFC Cup 2007 Quarterfinals:
Mahindra United - Al Nejmeh
Tampines Rovers - Al Faisaly
Sun Hei - Al Wihdat
Shabab Al Ordun - Singapore Armed Forces
::: Mittal interested in Birmingham City :::
Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal has emerged as a contender to takeover Birmingham City. The steel magnate, who is worth £19.25 billion, has made an inquiry about the possibility of taking over the midlands club from David Sullivan and David and Ralph Gold.
Mittal, who lives in Central London but has no previous connection with football, attended a shareholders' meeting in the Netherlands yesterday. A Mittal Steel source described the news of a possible move from Mittal, 56, as "complete rubbish, though that's only a gut reaction", while officials at Birmingham also doubted its validity. "Yes, we've heard about this," one said, "but it seems that it's little more than a Chinese whisper."
City are already the subject of interest from a mystery Far East businessman who is planning to make a formal bid later in the week if auditors are satisfied after going through the club's books. But 56-year-old Mittal, who last year bought Arcelor, the world's second biggest steel-maker for £17.8 billion, is maintaining a watching brief.
Sullivan and the Golds, who would relinquish control for around £50 million, would be happier with a quick sale of City rather than a long drawn-out affair if their time at the club is to end after 14 years.
Meanwhile the following statement was released by Birmingham City Football Club on the takeover rumours:
"The Directors have noted the recent movement in the share price and the press speculation and confirm that they have had an approach with regard to a possible acquisition of the issued share capital which may or may not lead to an offer for the Company.
Such discussions are at a very preliminary stage and the Directors note that there is no certainty that a transaction will result from the approach."
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group A: Milan Bithee 2-1 Manoharpur Milan Samity - Goals: Swapan Mandi (2x); Sudip Naskar.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group B: Janbazar AC 2-3 Taltala Institute - Goals: Ranjan Majhi, Sabir Mullick; Sirajul Mistry, Amiruddin, Naba Ghosh.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group C: Barisha SC 0-1 Calcutta Police - Goal: 0-1 Dipankar Das.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group D: Khidderpore Sporting Club 0-1 Salkia Friends - Goal: 0-1 Prosenjit Biswas.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group E: Kalighat Milan Samity p-p Muslim Institute
::: CFA trainees learn discipline and skills in Germany :::
Chandigarh Finance and Sports Secretary S K Sandhu, IAS has directed Sports Director Inderjit Singh Sandhu, PCS, to chalk out a comprehensive scheme for laying more stress on improvement of the physical standards and changing of dietary habits of the trainees of the Chandigarh Football Academy who
returned from Germany after receiving advanced training at Sportschule Egidius Braun in Leipzig from May 24 to June 9.
The Secretary Sports interacted with the players after returning from Germany today at the Sector 42 Sports Complex. They boys seem to be happy with the training programme under A Grade coach Avid. Besides intensive training for one week in four sessions each, the CFA trainees also played four matches against the local clubs in their age group. They won all matches including one by 16-0 margin.
Mr S K Sandhu advised the trainees to work more hard and whatever they had learnt in Germany should be sincerely practised during their training under their coaches. The Secretary Sports said that the biggest advantage of the CFA trainees' visit to Germany was that the Chandigarh Administration had provided international exposure to them. Besides improving their skills, the CFA trainees have learnt to be more disciplined on and off the field. For improving their physical fitness, the Administration has appointed physical trainer Ram Singh. The Sports Department athletic coaches would help the trainees to improve their endurance.
Mr Sandhu was confident that the CFA boys would be a transformed lot after their return from Germany.
Sports Director Inderjit Singh Sandhu, who is also Additional Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh, disclosed that the Germany coach would visit Chandigarh in the last week of August for 15 days for evaluation, assessment and to supervise the progress of the trainees. He said that another batch of 12 CFA players would go to Germany for advance coaching from November 18 to December 2.
After receiving report from Dr JPS Sidhu, who accompanied the CFA boys to Germany as head of the delegation and chief coach Harjinder Singh, the
Chandigarh Sports Department would chalk out a detailed programme as there is a lot of scope for improvement. A dietitian would be consulted in all
individual cases for changing the dietary habits of the trainees for their overall development.
Dr Sidhu said that the trainees were looked after well in Germany. Arrangements were made for supply of Indian food to the trainees in Germany. "The trainees had little liking to the German diet," said Sidhu.
Chief coach Harjinder Singh said that they boys had become more confident. They were asked to perform different drills during training. A number of
players were praised by the Germany coach for showing marked improvement.
"They played four matches. Three were against comparatively weak teams. However, the CFA were pitted against a tough team. "Our boys played to a
plan and won that match with a comfortable margin," said Harjinder who wanted a longer period for training in Germany.
Each player was given $ 30 per day as pocket expenses.
Those who were part of the first CFA batch to get training in Germany were: Ramanjot Singh, Sachin Balwal, Sumeet Passi, Rajinder, Chinkash Tewari,
Maninder Singh, Baljinder Singh, Robin Singh, Samuel, Aakashdeep Singh, Gagandeep Singh and Rajbir Singh.
::: Star Ananda to broadcast Calcutta Football League :::
Star Ananda, India's first 24-hour National news channel in Bengali, has bagged the exclusive telecast rights for Calcutta Football League till 2011 for Rs 12.41 crore.
The channel is paying about Rs 3.10 crore for 40 matches a year, which is the highest amount any regional television channel has ever bid for a football league in India.
::: IFC LIVE at the Gerry Weber Open 2007 :::
IndianFootball.Com Editor-in-Chief & Creative Director Chris Punnakkattu Daniel is attending the GERRY WEBER OPEN 2007 tennis tournament at Halle/Westfalen, Germany for IndianFootball.Com.
Indian tennis star and Davis Cup captain Leander Paes is the lone Indian at this years edition of Germany's only lawn tennis tournament.
Paes and his Czech partner Martin Damm advanced to the quarterfinals of the doubles competition today.
The Indo-Czech duo went past Yves Allegro (Switzerland) and Michael Kohlmann (Germany) 6:4, 6:2.
For detailed match report and pictures go to
>>IndianFootball.Com LIVE .
June 11 |
IndianFootball.Com Awards 2007 voting poll starts today |
::: IndianFootball.Com Awards 2007 voting starts today :::
IndianFootball.Com, India's Premier Football Site, is proud to present the sixth annual IndianFootball.Com Awards voting, where Indian football fans, journalists, players and officials decide on award winning performances of the last 2006/07 season.
The voting will be held in seven different categories: INDIAN PLAYER of the Year, FOREIGN PLAYER of the Year, ROOKIE (NEWCOMER) of the Year, PIO (PLAYER OF INDIAN ORIGIN) of the Year, COACH of the Year, TEAM of the Year, GLOBAL PLAYER of the Year.
The voting is held in one single round from this year on! In the only round of voting, you can choose best performers from a list of five, which have been decided in a poll by the IndianFootball.Com team members.
Until now, the Awardees have only been mentioned on IndianFootball.Com and we are working hard to finally organise an Awards Gala for this years edition to present trophies to the best of the best.
Further on this occasion we would like to announce the launch of a brand-new website for the IndianFootball.Com Awards. The new site is available under following URL: http://www.ifcawards.com .
Cast your vote for India's prestigious annual football awards: >>IndianFootball.Com Awards 2007 .
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group A: Wari AC 3-1 Kumartuli Institute - Goals: Raja Chakrabarty (2x), Bijay Hembrom; Rupam Das.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group B: Mohammedan AC 6-0 Bata SC - Goals: Mohammed Sahid (2x), A Rahaman (2x), Dipankar Biswas (2x).
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group C: Calcutta FC 2-2 Rajasthan Club - Goals: Carlin Bhutia, Aslam Ali; Shyamal Das, Bappaditya Khara.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group D: Kalighat Club 0-0 Mouri Sporting Club - Goals: none.
"Celebration" Trades Cup 2007 - Phase I Group E: City AC 1-1 Sonali Shibir AC - Goals: Bir Pradhan; Naresh Pradhan.
::: Viva Kerala announces squad for 2007/08 season :::
Viva Kerala announced their squad for the upcoming 2007/08 season at a press conference held in Kochin today.
Press Conference quotes by Viva Kerala officials:
• We have signed several high quality players for the new squad.
• We have signed three players from Hearts of Oak (Ghana). The cluib has clinched several Premier League Titles in Ghana and the African Confederations Cup in 2005. Yaw Amankwa Mireku featured in the World Cup qualifiers for Ghana and he was also the captain of the Hearts of Oak team. The two others have played in the Under-17 and Under-21 national teams of Ghana.
• Praveen Rawat, one of our new signings, has played for the India U-23 national team against Thailand U-23 in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Qualifiers.
• We analyzed our team and came took the decision that the current squad, which qualified for NFL, was not good enough to compete in the new Pro League. The perfomance against Salgaocar SC and the EK Nayannar Trophy was disappointing from the team.
• The Keralite players missing in the squad list have been released due to great offers from clubs like Mohammedan Sporting Club, Chirag United SC, ONGC and others.
• We were not able to renew the contract of PV Anil Kumar, as he signed a 5 year bond with his department team of the Kerala State Electricity Board.
• We were forced to drop Badmus Baba Thunde due to financial reasons. He will join Salgoacar SC.
• Viva Kerala will launch a youth team in the near future, according to the guidlines of the Pro League. A fan club will be also formed.
• Viva Kerala is planning to play the home matches in Kochin. We would have loved to have play the matches in Calicut (Kozhikode), but there are no floodlight facilities there. Most of our fans are rather based in Kozhikode, Malappuram and others than Kochin.
• AM Sreedharan has been retained as the coach.
• We will try to sign more Kerala players in future.
• We assure that we will finish in the "Top 5" in the new Pro League season.
• Our training camp will start on July 15.
• We thank each and everyone for your support to Viva Kerala FC.
Viva Kerala Squad 2007/08 (previous club in brackets):
Goalkeepers: M Shiju (retained), TG Purushothaman (Mahindra United), Raghavendra N (SAI, Bangalore), Jinesh Thomas (Cochin Port Trust).
Defenders: Othallo Tabia (Mahindra United), Irungbam Khelemba Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), D Sajin (State Bank of Travancore), Arun S (SAI, Bangalore), Sunil Kumar Thakur (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Yaw Amankwa Mireku (Hearts of Oak, Ghana), P Sajesh (retained).
Midfielders: Sabbarayan Satish Kumar (Sporting Clube de Goa), Bimanyu Bimal Barua (JCT), Sargolsem James Singh (Indian Bank), Santa Saikhom Singh (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Praveen Rawat (Churchill Brothers SC), Shine Raj (retained).
Forward: Chanambam Jatin Singh (Indian Bank), Alfred Nil Larbi Darku (Hearts of Oak, Ghana), Wisdom Abbey (Hearts of Oak, Ghana), OK Javeed (Calicut University), Jain P Raj (retained).
::: TFA in talks with Sao Paulo and UK clubs :::
PTI Report: The Tata Football Academy, which has emerged as the main supply line for the national team of India, is in discussions with Brazilian club Sao Paulo and a couple of reputed outfits of United Kingdom for a player exchange programme to give foreign exposure to its cadets.
"We are talking to Sao Paulo and a couple of UK clubs like Southampton for a player exchange programme. We are yet to clinch the deal, but I am hopeful that things will take shape in the next three to four months," said A N Singh, Deputy Managing Director, Corporate Services of Tata Steel on Saturday.
The talks between the TFA and the Brazilian club kicked off during the visit of the Samba magicians for the Super Soccer series in February-March.
TFA chief Satish Pillai travelled to Southampton to initiate discussions with the reputed English club.
"We are still in the process of firming up the nature of the understanding. But if the foreign club agrees, we could send a couple of our boys for training. In the same way, if these clubs want, they can send some of their boys here for a stint," Singh told a group of visiting newspersons here.
The TFA was also open to a sports medicine tie-up, coach exchange programme and infrastructure assistance schemes with the foreign clubs.
The TFA, founded in 1987, provides four year training to select young talents from across the country in the age group of 14-18 years. Of the 129 cadets, who have passed out of the institute since its inception, 96 donned the Indian colours. Five of the TFA products Aloke Das, Carlton Chapman, Deepak Mondal, Renedy Singh and Kalyan Choubey - have led the senior national side.
The TFA bosses feel that there was a need for better co-ordination between the institute and the All India Football Federation.
"We need better coordination with the AIFF. Though our progamme is a completely independent one, Indian football will stand to gain if we can work closely," he said.
However, in the same breath, he appreciated the moral support from the AIFF in the TFA's endeavours.
However, India's national chief coach Bob Houghton, who took over the reins a year back, has still not visited the academy.
"It is for the AIFF to decide whether they want Houghton to come here," was all that TFA chief Satish Pillai would say on the matter as he tried to stay clear of any controversy.
The crucial role being played by the TFA in Indian football now could be gauged from the fact that 11 of the 18 footballers of the India under-23 squad in the Olympic qualifiers opposite Thailand recently were academy products. The academy recruited 18-19 players in the age group of 14-15 every alternate year, groomed them for four years, and then release them once they graduated.
"We have six to seven feeders in different states. We also hold camps in various parts of the country to find talent, said TFA coach Ranjan Chowdhury.
The Academy receives 1200-1300 applications every year from prospective cadets from which a shortlist of 400 is prepared after thorough scrutiny.
"We take into account the height, age, speed, athletic build, flexibility etc of the candidates before pruning the list down to 18-19," Chowdhury said. "Next year, we also propose to hold objective tests to determine the IQ levels of the applicants," he said.
The new cadets would fill in the slot left vacant by the seventh batch of TFA cadets, who are slated to graduate next year.
The fully residential programme offered by the TFA included free board and lodging, a handsome monthly stipend, free playing kits, summer and winter attire, medical care, free education and a group insurance scheme, Chowdhury said. All the boys are under tremendous pressure as they have to fulfil objective targets set by the management. They toil more than six hours on the field daily, he said.
After a detailed study based on its 20-year experience, the TFA has decided to recruit players with a minimum height of 158cm from next year.
"Indian football badly needs players with good height to make a mark in the international arena. And, our move is aimed towards that," said Chowdhury, who has been associated with the TFA for 19 years.
The TFA, built on 25,000 square feet amidst lush green surroundings, has an annual revenue budget of Rs 40 lakhs.
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: State Bank of Travancore 2-0 Titanium XI - Goals: 1-0 KM Abdul Naushad (17'), 2-0 Anil Kumar (77').
State Bank of Travancore defend their Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division!
Punjab State 2nd Division League: Bassi FC 0-0 Punjab State Electricity Board - Goals: none.
Punjab State 2nd Division League: Youth FC, Rurka Kalan 0-0 Mahilpur FC - Goals: none.
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: Coastal Club 1-0 St.Mary's FC - Goal: 1-0 Altaf (65').
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: Titanium XI 7-0 SMRC, Kollangod - Goals: 1-0,6-0,7-0 Abdul Hameed (5',82',87'), 2-0 Jackson Sebastian (12'), 3-0 Usman (65'), 4-0,5-0 Shajahan (67',78').
Punjab State 2nd Division League: Mahilpur FC 3-1 Bassi FC - Goals: 1-0 Davinder Lal (25'), 2-0,3-0 Jatinder Singh (55',60'), 3-1 Satinder Singh (84').
Punjab State 2nd Division League: Youth FC, Rurka Kalan 1-2 Punjab State Electricity Board - Goals: 1-0 Gagandeep (26'), 1-1 Sandeep Sangha (50'), 1-2 Kuldeep Singh (70').
::: Transfers 2007 - Day 8 :::
• Mohun Bagan signed defender Habibur Rehman Mondal and midfielder Jamir Ali Mondal from Mohammedan Sporting Club today, while youngsters Shilton Pal and Ayan Chowdhury remain with the Green-and-Maroon.
• Mohammedan Sporting in a rebuilding phase after their disastrous season have been able to keep Rajib Ahmed, Subrata Guha and seasoned Basudeb Mondal. While Gautam Das and Avinash Thapa signed for them from Calcutta Port Trust besides Sheikh Azim (Chirag United SC), Dipak Singh (George Telegraph SC) and Ehteasam Bucks (Calcutta Customs).
::: New professional club in Kerala: Malabar United :::
Malabar has a great heritage and future in football, but still they have not a formidable football club. At last the much awaited professional club is ready to kick off, inspired by the thumping success of Viva Kerala and their promotion to the National Football League (NFL). The new club will be named MALABAR UNITED!
The club is going to be registered under the Ernamkulam District Football Association, but head quarters and camp will be at Calicut (Kozhikode).
Malabar United's goal is to be the premier football club in the football-crazy southern state of Kerala.
With a group of businessmen including a smattering of NRIs unanimously deciding that Malabar needs a club, Malabar United took shape in the form of a public limited company. The official declaration of the club will be done next week. The club has aready signed eleven Kerala youngsters. Three players from Ghana may join the club according to the latest information.
Malabar United is going to conduct trials for players on June 9. The trials will kick-off at 15.00 IST at the Sacred Heart College Ground, Thevara, Cochin.
Only footballers who have participated in University teams or in the Kerala Under-21 team will be eligible for the trials!
For further information please contact the club's secretery under: 0484-2206020 (Phone) or 9946063999 (Mobile).
::: Viva Kerala duo to join Mohammedan Sporting :::
Viva Kerala players K Shyju and Mohammad Muneer have exclusively confirmed to IndianFootball.Com that will join Calcutta-outfit Mohammedan Sporting Club for the new season.
"I had a good offer from Mohammedan Sporting Club and it was always my dream to play in Calcutta. So I signed with them" Mohammad Muneer told IndianFootball.com.
"Shabeer Ali (Mohammedan Sporting Club coach) called us! It was a great offer from them, so there is no way we can reject it," Muneer added.
Shyju and Muneer are set to sign a one-year contract, which will keep them with Mohammedan Sporting till 2008.
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: Titanium XI 2-0 St.Mary's FC - Goals: 1-0,2-0 Ebin Rose (56',80').
::: AIFF and Zee Sports meet five corporate houses :::
The All India Football Federation and Zee Sports met senior representatives of five corporate houses on Wednesday evening to discuss their investment and involvement in Indian football.
At Football House in Delhi for the three hour long workshop were Reliance (ADA Group), Osian Group, Peninsular Land Limited (Ashok Piramal Group), J& K Bank and the Essel Group.
The Club Licensing requirements for Professional League Clubs, procedures for player registration and transfers and the promotion and relegation system for the next three seasons was explained to the representatives of the new and proposed clubs.
Zee Sports outlined the media and television plans for the new professional league over the next three years and there were further discussions about community involvement in the clubs, marketing, merchandising, the football calendar and stadium development.
"This day has been a good step in the right direction for bringing more communities and more commercial expertise into Indian football," said Gary Lovejoy, Chief Operating Officer of Zee Sports. "The new professional league is gathering momentum and interest across the country."
2008 Beijing Olympics Football Tournament - Asian Qualifiers - Bangkok: Thailand U23 2-0 India U23
Goals: 1-0 ??? (20'), 2-0 ??? (81').
More information are available at the >>IndianFootball.Com National Team special
Punjab State 2nd Division League: Mahilpur FC 0-1 Punjab State Electricity Board - Goal: 0-1 Sandeep Sangha (30').
Punjab State 2nd Division League: Bassi FC 0-0 Youth FC, Rurka Kalan - Goals: none.
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: State Bank of Travancore 1-0 Kerala State Electricity Board - Goal: 1-0 TV Mohammed Harris (29').
::: Zee Sports to broadcast special programme on 16th Dutta Ray Trophy :::
Zee Sports second season of coverage of the AIFF calendar will end with a half hour special programme on the 16th Dutta Ray Trophy (Under-21) in Assam. The highlights show on the Dutta Ray Trophy will be broadcast at 20.00 IST on Sunday, June 10.
In the 2006/07 season Zee Sports has covered a total of 95 matches live from seven cities across India and also made specials on the MUPC Cup for Under-15s, the Women's Championships in Orissa and the U21 Nationals.
Extensive live and documentary coverage was also made of the historic visit to India of the FIFA President Sepp Blatter in April.
The number of live games exceeds the 82 covered in the 2005/06 season when five cities were visited and no additional amateur or junior tournaments were covered.
Zee's coverage has also started to expand overseas, in conjunction with partner channel Ten Sports, with AIFF matches in 2006/07 being seen live in the Middle East and Hong Kong.
"The plans for next season will feature the new professional league and details will be made available as soon as possible. We expect to expand our distribution internationally and make more of the "twin strike force" of Zee Sports and Ten Sports", Gary Lovejoy, Zee Sports COO, told IndianFootball.Com.
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: St.Mary's FC 1-0 SMRC, Kollangod - Goal: 1-0 Earnest (34').
::: Transfers 2007 - Day 5 :::
• Talking to IndianFootball.Com Mahindra United and India defender Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep has denied rumours he would join Viva Kerala in the new season. Further Pradeep confirmed that he and his Kerala-compatriot M Mohammed Rafi have renewed their contracts with Mahindra United for two more years.
• Chandan Das, Dipankar Roy and Soumik Dey today signed in favour of East Bengal Club to remain with the club.
::: Henry Menezes leaves Mahindra United :::
Mahindra United already hard hit by the departure of numerous players now also will have to search for a new team manager as Henry Menezes has left Mahindra&Mahindra to join the Essel Group of Companies as a Consultant on Sports and Activities with his focus being football.
For Menezes, who had first played for Mahindra's as a goalkeeper and later on went to manage the club, it is a plunge into something new, which he wanted to venture into.
::: AIFF meets Brazilian Clube dos 13 and decide another MoU :::
The AIFF President Priya Ranjan Das Munshi had a meeting with Fabio Andre Koff, President of Clube Dos 13 (an organisation representing Brazil's Professional clubs). The initial steps for cooperation between Clube Dos 13 and the AIFF were discussed and this will form part of the Memorandum of Understanding to be signed by the two sides.
The areas of collaboration include exposure tours to Brazil by Indian Youth teams and Technical experts involved with various clubs and youth teams in India. The possibility of an understanding, which will enable matches of the Brazil League to be telecast live in India was also discussed as Mr. Das Munshi also happens to be the Indian Information & Broadcasting Minister.
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: SMRC, Kollangod 0-1 St.George FC - Goal: 0-1 Johnson (65').
::: Bob Houghton on Indian football: "No progress!" :::
PTI Report: A year after he took over as the national soccer coach, a candid Bob Houghton on Monday admitted that Indian football has seen "no progress" over the last 12 months, thanks to lack of international exposure for the senior squad.
Addressing reporters after one year in the office, Houghton was asked how much India progressed under him. "No progress," was his terse reply.
Houghton was clearly unhappy with the lack of international matches for the senior national side which slipped to 165 in the FIFA rankings.
The senior team played only three full internationals since Houghton took over as various domestic and other commitments kept it from playing more games. "We played two Asian Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and one against Japan. This is too few in a season.
"The present ranking does not reflect the quality of the Indian side but the amount of full internationals it has played," Houghton said.
Only results in full internationals played by the senior national team count towards FIFA rankings.
He said the domestic calendar, as it has been over the years, was the main obstacle to raise the standard of the team. "The calendar is not conducive at all. We have to sort it out. There are too many matches in a short period which results in injuries and prevents proper recovery," the Englishman, who took China to the World Cup finals, said.
Thanks to injuries, top players like Deepak Mondal, Ajayan, Climax Lawrence and Mahesh Gawli have hardly played under the present coach.
"There needs to be a compromise if we are to realise our goals, which are to be among the top 10 and eventually the top five in Asia, which will give us a chance to qualify for the World Cup," he said.
Various traditional local leagues and inter-state competitions insist on having the top players, who get overworked and unable to give their best for the national team.
"There are a lot of self-interest groups involved here," he alleged. Citing example, Houghton said he had to release eight players from the national camp six days prior to an important Asian Cup qualifier last year for a East Bengal-Mohun Bagan match in the Kolkata league.
"That is unacceptable and would not be allowed in any other country," said a miffed Houghton.
Besides giving sufficient recovery time between matches, the coach suggested making competitions like the Santosh Trophy, local leagues and Durand Cup age-specific competitions.
Accordingly, the All India Football Federation has now decided that players in a national camp will not be allowed to play any league matches in the 14 days prior to a senior international.
"A choice needs to be made. The way things have been it will not be possible to improve the standard of Indian football," Houghton said.
The professional national league starting on September 30, however, intends to give more space between the matches. Things, however, look better now with India concentrating on senior internationals and scheduled to play about 15 matches in the coming 12 months. It includes the six-nation ONGC tournament (end of August), most likely in Delhi, the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup in Sri Lanka and the Maldives (December), the AFC Challenge Trophy (March 2008), meant for countries ranked outside the top 15 in Asia, and three World Cup qualifiers. The finalists of the AFC Challenge Cup will get a direct berth in the 2009 Asian Cup.
"If everything goes to plan, we would be in a much happier state one year hence with an improved ranking," Houghton said.
The 27 players shortlisted for these matches will assemble for a training camp, most likely in Gurgaon, from June 26 after before flying to Portugal for a three-week preparatory camp there.
"The two months of training will be vital for the coming season as one doesn't get time for preparation between matches," he said.
::: Transfers 2007 - Day 4 :::
• East Bengal yesterday signed defender Sanjay Parte from Chirag United SC, while today midfielder Mohammed Mukhtar decided to stay with the red-and-gold.
• Meanwhile former India goalkeeper Prasanta Dora left Mohammedan Sporting Club to sign for Calcutta Port Trust.
::: Calcutta clubs looking to sign young Kerala players :::
As part of their rebuilding process Calcutta's Mohammedan Sporting Club are in talks with a number of young Kerala players. Amongst them Vasco SC defender C Shameel and Viva Kerala duo Mohammed Muneer and K Shyju. Sporting are also in talks with Salgaocar striker Aseem Kutty, who is also linked to Viva Kerala.
Meanwhile Calcutta rivals Chirag United SC are said to be interested in R Dhanarajan and Denson Devadas of Viva Kerala.
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: Kerala State Electricity Board 0-0 Titanium XI - Goals: none.
6th Tamil Nadu State Ranking Tournament - Final: Indian Bank 3-0 Netaji SC - Goals: 1-0,3-0 Chanambam Jatin Singh (11',68'), 2-0 Ramesh (16').
::: AIFF to meet Brazilian delegation :::
PTI report: The AIFF will hold discussion with a top-level soccer delegation accompanying Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on his three-day visit to India.
AIFF officials and Fabio Andre Koff, president of the Clube Dos 13 - an association of top-20 clubs in Brazil - may also talk about exchange of players as a follow-up to the MoU signed between the two nations for the training of Indian players and coaches in Brazil.
"The head of the clubs' association in Brazil is also a businessman and our discussion will focus on the follow-up to the agreements signed during the Prime Minister's visit to Brazil," AIFF president Priya Ranjan Das Munsi said on Sunday. A group of Brazilian club officials is also likely to meet the federation mandarins, probably on Wednesday.
::: Goa U14 to Tour Portugal & Sri Lanka :::
The Goa FA is sending their Under-14 state team on a 17 day trip abroad to Colombo, Sri Lanka and then Portugal in Europe to give give them international exposure. The team will take part in a tournament in Lisbon and also face youth teams of professional clubs like Vitoria de Guimaraes SC and Boavista Porto. The team is being coached by Francisco da Costa, along with Lino Pereira and Soccoro Vaz plus goalkeeping coach Virender Singh, a former international.
GOA U14: Goalkeepers: Adney Fernandes, Shilton Fernandes, Ricardo Cardozo. Defenders: Jesmon Carvalho, Elroy D'Silva, Shane Temudo, Meldon D'Silva, Joel Menezes Gama, Fernando Colaco. Midfielders: Enfal Vaz, Michael Silva, Lyndon Pereira, Jesvil D'Souza (Captain), Brandon Fernandes, Philino Ratos. Strikers: Hasten D'Costa, Myron Fernandes, Billu Chavan, Pandhari Chopdekar.
Manchester United Premier Cup (U15) Southeast Asia Finals 2007 - Final: East Bengal Club U15 0-1 Assumption College U15, Thailand
The East Bengal U15 boys lost the final of the Southeast Asia leg of the Manchester United Premier Cup, but still made it to the finals in August 2007 in Manchester, England as both finalists get to play on the global stage!
Manchester United Premier Cup (U15) Southeast Asia Finals 2007 - Round Robin League: East Bengal Club U15 2-0 DKMJI U15, Indonesia
Manchester United Premier Cup (U15) Southeast Asia Finals 2007 - Round Robin League: East Bengal Club U15 1-1 Assumption College U15, Thailand
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: St.Mary's FC 3-1 St.George FC - Goals: 1-0,2-0,3-0 Aji (29',37',69'), Anil (74').
For us at IndianFootball.Com the month of May has been another month off loads of Indian football!!!
And now today the new 2007/08 season starts. A new season which could mean a new era for Indian football as this season we will see the launch of the new Professional League on September 30. But only in a years time we will all know if we are in a new era. A lot of people are sceptical and surely they need to be as Indian football's track record isn't the best.
But now lets focus in the coming days on the Transfer season with clubs across the country looking to strengthen their squads ahead of the Pro League.
You can see a lot is happening and is set to happen...
And we hope you continue to return to IndianFootball.Com for the latest, detailed information available on Indian football!
Manchester United Premier Cup (U15) Southeast Asia Finals 2007 - Round Robin League: East Bengal Club U15 0-2 Singapore Sports School U15
Manchester United Premier Cup (U15) Southeast Asia Finals 2007 - Round Robin League: East Bengal Club U15 1-0 Hongkong U15 - Goal: 1-0 Ajoy Roy.
Thiruvananthapuram District Super Division: State Bank of Travancore 4-0 SMRC, Kollangod - Goals: 1-0 Shabeer (37'), 2-0 TV Mohamad Harris (39'), 3-0 Renil CJ (52'), 4-0 Anil Kumar (59').
6th Tamil Nadu State Ranking Tournament - Semifinal: Chennai Customs 0-3 Indian Bank - Goals: 0-1,0-3 Chanambam Jatin Singh (14',88'), 0-2 Ramesh (26').
6th Tamil Nadu State Ranking Tournament - Semifinal: Netaji SC 3-1 Madras Sporting Union - Goals: 1-0 Gunasekaran (8'), 2-0 Khaliuddin (27'), 2-1 Balamurugan (45+1'), 3-1 Gunasekaran (50').
::: Transfers 2007 - Day 1 :::
The first day of the official local Transfers was held today in Calcutta with players signing documents to either stay at their club or join a new one. Also today was also the first day of the 2007 Inter-State Transfers. The transfers will be cross-checked by the AIFF before cleareance.
• East Bengal has been able to keep the quintett Abhra Mondal, Arup Debnath, Surya Bikash Chakraborty, Snehashis Chakroborty and Ashim Biswas; while gaining midfielders Mehtab Hussain and Tomba Singh from archrivals Mohun Bagan. East Bengal also are set to sign talented Subrata Pal and Gopal Das as their goalkeepers.
• Meanwhile Mohun Bagan retained seasoned Dharamjit Singh and teenager Rahul Kumar. The club also signed talented Tapan Maity (Calcutta Port Trust) and Rahul Bhattacharya (Calcutta Customs) on day one.
• Meanwhile news has come out that Mohun Bagan have been able to capture defender Nanjangud Shivananju Manju and midfielder Shanmugam Venkatesh from Mahindra United and are also set to sign HAL defender N Mohanraj.
::: PK Anil Kumar not to return to Viva Kerala, looking at clubs outside Kerala :::
Besides Nigerian striker Badmus Baba Thunde it was PK Anil Kumar, who was part of this deadly combination upfront which took Viva Kerala from the 3.Division offer the 2.Division into the Premier Division of the National League. But now as PK Anil Kumar has confirmed to IndianFootball.Com that he will not be returning to Viva Kerala in the new season. But he also added that this doesn't mean he will return to his office team Kerala State Electricity Board as he has received numerous offers from clubs outside Kerala, which he is looking at.
::: Bangalore Super Division postponed again :::
The Bangalore Super Division will be concluded in the new 2007/08 season after the end of the Transfer period. Since its start on February 5 the league has been having breaks and has been postponed again and again due to the late induction of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC in the 11th National League.
Now the league will play their pending games most likely in July after the end of the Transfer Period. Hardest hit would be HAL, who are likely to lose some of their key players.