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9th Goa Governor's Cup - Semifinal: Vasco SC 0-1 Sporting Clube de Goa - Goal: 0-1 Wilton Gomes (7').

1st JRD Tata Youth (U19) Cup - Semifinal: JCT Football Academy 2-1 Mohun Bagan-SAIL Football Academy

5th Abhijit Kadam Memorial Trophy, Pune - Round 1: Pheonix 'A' 0-7 Miraj United, Sangli
5th Abhijit Kadam Memorial Trophy, Pune - Round 1: Chetak SC 'A' 2-2,4-5 Aurangabad XI [penalties]
5th Abhijit Kadam Memorial Trophy, Pune - Round 1: Sangam FC 'A' 0-1 Shivajians 'A'
5th Abhijit Kadam Memorial Trophy, Pune - Round 1: Parshuramians 'A' 0-6 Gadhinglaj Taluka Football Association

16th Women's National Football Championship - Cluster 1: Jharkhand 12-0 Uttarakhand
16th Women's National Football Championship - Cluster 3: West Bengal 2-1 Madhya Pradesh
16th Women's National Football Championship - Cluster 4: Assam 5-1 Delhi

44th Kerala State Senior Inter District Football Championship - Pre-Quarterfinal: Trivandrum 4-0 Kasargod
44th Kerala State Senior Inter District Football Championship - Pre-Quarterfinal: Thrissur 5-1 Wayanad

::: Calcutta's Chirag United prepare for 2.Division :::
Calcutta's Chirag United SC is preparing in right earned for the I-League Division 2 with the hope of being third time lucky, as far as qualifying for the I-League's top division. In the last couple of years they just about failed to gain promotion to the NFL.
Having finished third in the Calcutta Premier League 2007 behind Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, and being currently coached by the renowned Amal Dutta, they are among the top contenders for one of the four promotion spots. But Chirag United are however placed in the tougher of the two preliminary groups that will battle it out in Pune and Kolhapur starting March 25.
Chirag United yesterday signed four new players on lien from other clubs to assist them in their 2.Division campaign. They are goalkeeper Vikrant Singh (Delhi), defender Arnab Mondal (Mohammedan AC, Calcutta) plus the midfielders midfielder Lallawanzuala (Mohun Bagan AC) and Gouranga Biswas (Peerless SC, Calcutta).
But not all is good news. There is a rumour making the rounds that veteran coach Amal Dutta may step down from his responsibility for health reasons.

February 28

RESULTS & NEWS

::: 5th SAFF Cup: INDIA drawn in tough Group A :::
The draw for the 5th edition of the South Asian Football Federation Championships (SAFF Cup) was held today in Male, the capital of the Maldives. Defending champions INDIA have been drawn in the tough Group A along with hosts Maldives, neighbours Pakistan and Nepal, while Group B looks easier with Sri Lanka drawn to face Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Bhutan.
The 5th SAFF Cup will be played from June 3 to 14, 2008 in Male, Maldives and Colombo, Sri Lanka. The opening match will be in Male, while the final will be held in Colombo.
The total prize money on offer will be $ 95,000 with the champions getting $ 50,000, the runners-up $ 25,000 and the losing semifinalists get $ 10,000.

5th SAFF Cup - Male (Maldives) & Colombo (Sri Lanka) - Match schedule:
June 3: Nepal - INDIA; Maldives - Pakistan (both Male)
June 4: Bangladesh - Bhutan; Sri Lanka - Afghanistan (both Colombo)
June 5: Pakistan - INDIA; Maldives - Nepal (both Male)
June 6: Afghanistan - Bangladesh; Sri Lanka - Bhutan (both Colombo)
June 7: Pakistan - Nepal; Maldives v INDIA (both Male)
June 8: Afghanistan - Bhutan; Sri Lanka - Bangladesh (both Colombo)
June 11: Semifinals (Male & Colombo)
June 14: Final (Colombo)

113th IFA-Shield Fixtures & Results click here

113th IFA-Shield | Group A | Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta | 15.00 IST: Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting 0-0 Mohammedan Sporting Club, Calcutta Goals: none DHAKA MD SPORTING: 1-Aminul Haque; 2-Wali Faisal, 4-Rajani Kanta Barman, 5-Arizul Islam, 6-Hasal Al-Mamun, 8-Enamul Haque Sharif, 10-Paul Macjames Nwachukwu, 16-Faisal Mahmood (52' 7-Motiur Rahman Munna), 17-Arman Aziz, 20-Hakim Daoudi (81' ??-Mohammed Rony), 21-Adil Karrouchi. Unused Substitutes: ... MD SPORTING, CALCUTTA: 1-Nasim Akhtar; 30-V Premkumar, 21-Seby Martin, 6-Sheikh Azim, 4-Dipak Singh; 12-Prasanta Chakraborty, 14-Basudeb Mondal (66' 7-Roque Barreto), 15-Tapan Giri, 27-A Jyothi Kumar (84' 24-Nirapada Mondal); 19-Kalia Kulothangan (74' ??-Mohammed Muneer KP), 10-Mike Okoro. Unused Substitutes: ... YELLOW CARDS: ... REFEREE: Bikramjit P (Delhi). ASSISTANT REFEREES: ... FOURTH OFFICIAL: ... Match Report: ...

113th IFA-Shield Fixtures & Results click here

113th IFA-Shield | Group B | Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta | 18.00 IST: Mahindra United 0-2 Santos FC, RSA Goals: 0-1,0-2 Tasleem Paulse (7',50'). MAHINDRA UTD: 24-Sandip Nandy [C]; 7-Sushanth Mathew, 5-Harpreet Singh, 2-Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep; 16-Sunil Kumar (20' 28-Sushil Kumar Singh), 17-Sukhwinder Singh, 29-Pierre Djidjia Douhou, 12-Manjit Singh (67' 20-Bhola Prasad), 15-Khangemban Thoi Singh (59' 23-Steven Dias); 8-Andrews Pomeyie Mensah, 10-Yakubu Yusif. Unused Substitutes: ... SANTOS: 69-Eduan Andre Naude; 2-Jean Pierre Farrugia, 3-Kristopher C Nicolas, 6-Leon Godloza, 7-Tasleem Paulse, 8-Clifton Davids, 9-Ruzaigh Gamildien (20' ??-Waleed Krotz), 10-Danny R Rodrick, 11-Ayanda Maqasha (81' ??-Jarrein L Moultrie), 12-Zuroog Daniels, 13-Joswin John Hendricks. Unused Substitutes: ... YELLOW CARDS: ... REFEREE: Benjamin D'Silva (Goa). ASSISTANT REFEREES: ... FOURTH OFFICIAL: ... Match Report: ...

5th Abhijit Kadam Memorial Trophy, Pune - Round 1: Fatima 6-1 Central Railways Pune Division
5th Abhijit Kadam Memorial Trophy, Pune - Round 1: Pune Police 1-1,4-2 Skyhawks [penalties]
5th Abhijit Kadam Memorial Trophy, Pune - Round 1: Mischief Makers 2-2,6-5 Deccan XI 'A' [penalties]

1st JRD Tata Youth (U19) Cup - Quarterfinal League Group 1: Tata Football Academy 1-1 IFA-CSF Academy

44th Kerala State Senior Inter District Football Championship - Quarterfinal: Kollam 1-2 Malappuram
2nd Manipur State League: Manipur Police SC 3-1 Kakching FC

::: IFA-Shield venue voes continue :::
The venue voes continue for the 113th IFA-Shield. This time around the Army has stopped the fencing work at the Mohun Bagan ground on the Maidan. The Army hasn't given permission to organise the IFA-Shield match between Mohun Bagan - Mohammedan Sporting Club and Mohun Bagan - Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting at the clubs ground.
West Bengal Minister Kshiti Goswami came to the Mohun Bagan ground in the late afternoon and discussed with club officials about the arisen scenario. He sought permission from the Central Home Ministry to acquire the controlling power of the Maidan ground from the Fort William, but the request has been turned down. The IFA is likely to host the matches at Barasat Stadium or Howrah Maidan.

::: Goa Women's team named :::
The Goa FA named the Goa Women's team for the 16th Women's National Football Championship to be played in Haldia, West Bengal from February 29 to March 16.
Goa Women: Maymol Rocky, Blanka Barreto, Reshma D'Souza, Lydia Vales, Sharon Fernandes, Dakshata Shirodkar, Margarita Rodrigues, Snehal Morajkar, Shaini Rodrigues, Remediana Noronha, Teena Volvoikar, Candice Fernandes, Crista Souza, Sabina Carvalho, Laura Estebeiro, Domiana Gomendes, Soccorina Costa, Filda Andrew, Vandana D'Cruz, Valencia Estibeiro. Coach: MM Mutawalli; Manager: Avinash J Costa; Assistant Manager: Audrey Furtado.

::: Orissa Women's team named :::
Goalkeeper Ranjit Mohanty will lead the Orissa Women's team for the 16th Women's National Football Championship to be played in Haldia, West Bengal from February 29 to March 16.
Orissa Women: Goalkeepers: Ranjit Mohanty (Captain), Asha Tigga; Defenders: Alochana Senapati, Bijay Laxmi Sahu, Ashrita Kissan, Subasini Bag, Renuka Mallick; Midfielders: Sanjukta Tirkey, Gayatri Mallick, Shradhanjali Sahu; Jyotsnarani Das, Gitanjali Khuntia, Santosini Oram, Gomati Bara; Forwards: Jhiti Munda, Sasmita Mallick, Rasmita Podh, Thunki Munda, Pinky Bompal Magar, Janjali Sahu. Coach: Mohammad Sahid Jabbar; Manager: Sangita Sharma.

::: Assam Women's team named :::
Rekha Sonowal has been named captain for the Assam Women's team for the 16th Women's National Football Championship to be played in Haldia, West Bengal from February 29 to March 16.
Assam Women: Pholmita Hasnu, Tarali Handique, Rupali Mech, Mridulina Sanga, Rebati Baruah, Lavita Kumari, Joytima sonowal, Junita Kujur, Bobita Munda, Lirbon Tissopi, Rajashree Karmakar, Mamoni Karmakar, Sabitri Urang, Pratima Gogoi, Sabita Narzary, Dayabati Singha, Sabina Minj, Suchitra Kujur, Anjana Pegu, Rekha Sonowal.

::: Maharashtra Women's team named :::
Krishna Marape has been named captain of the Maharashtra State women's team for the 16th Women's National Football Championship to be played in Haldia, West Bengal from February 29 to March 16.
Maharashtra Women: Krishna Marape (Captain), Tasneem Muchhala (Vice-captain), Padmini Shukla (Goalkeeper), Durva Wahia (GK), Ratna Bhalavi, Suchita Patil, Sanaya Bokdawala, Anjana Turambekar, Jennifer Rayar, Sneha Pillai, Manisha Jadhav, Aarti Ahirrao, Vaishali Shinde, Monisha Lulla, Prithvi Gaikwad, Bhagyashri Swamy, Reshma Sayyad, Aquila Paul. Coach: Damodar Kuckian; Manager: Anjali Nirvan Shah.

February 27

IndianFootball.Com congratulate Dempo SC on winning the Super Cup!!!

::: IndianFootball.Com interview: Bernard McNally (Pune FC chief coach) :::
IndianFootball.Com's Subhajyoti Banerjee had the chance to interview Bernard McNally, Pune FC chief coach, and his assistant Vivek Nagul about Pune FC and their upcoming assignments and the future outlook of the club.
Click here to read the complete >>Bernard McNally (Pune FC chief coach) interview

Super Cup stats page click here

11th "ONGC" Super Cup | Ch. Devi Lal Sports Complex, Sector 38 in Gurgaon, Haryana | 16.30 IST: Dempo Sports Club (2007/08 I-League champions) 1-0 East Bengal Club (2007/08 Federation Cup winners) Goal: 1-0 Chidi Edeh (71'). DEMPO: 1-Abhijit Mondal; 4-Cressan Antao, 3-John Charles Dias, 23-Dominic Noronha, 16-Samir Naik; 19-Johnny D'Cruz (46' 17-Joaquim Abranches), 8-Climax Lawrence, 11-Roberto Mendes Silva, 22-Nicolau Borges; 9-Ranty Martins Soleye [C] (77' 29-Clifton Gonsalves), 30-Chidi Edeh. Unused Substitutes: 31-Tyson Caiado, 24-Melwyn Rodrigues, 25-Pio Rodrigues, 27-Avedesh Pal, 20-Riston Rodrigues EAST BENGAL: 24-Subrata Pal; 27-Irungbam Surkumar Singh, 4-Julius Owino, 12-Anupam Sarkar, 5-Debabrata Roy; 23-Mehtab Hussain, 26-Mehraj din Wadoo (83' 34-Snehashish Chakraborty), 7-Jayanta Sen, 9-Alvito D'Cunha; 19-Syed Rahim Nabi [C], 30-Edmilson Marques Pardal. Unused Substitutes: 21-Abhra Mondal, 3-Majekodumni Bolaji, 17-Surya Bikash Chakraborty, 29-Soumik Dey, 40-Vanlal Rova, 22-Vimal Pariyar "ONGC" MAN OF THE MATCH: ... YELLOW CARDS: Mehtab Hussain (69', East Bengal). REFEREE: Dinesh Nair (Gujarat). ASSISTANT REFEREES: SB Saha (Delhi), T Pradeep Kumar (Tamil Nadu). FOURTH OFFICIAL: ... Match Report: Inaugural I-League winners Dempo SC added the Super Cup 2008 title to their kitty with a lone goal victory against Federation Cup champions East Bengal Club at the Ch. Devi Lal Sports Complex in Gurgaon, Haryana. With today's win Dempo won their first Super Cup title in three attempts and earned an additional Rs. 1,000,000. Last year the blues had been trashed 4-0 by Mohun Bagan AC at the very same ground and in 2005 they were beaten 3-0 by Sporting Clube de Goa in Calicut. It needed a Chidi Edeh goal in the 71st minute against the run of play to decide the match in Dempo's favour, while East Bengal's Brazilian striker Edmilson Marques Pardal was the main culprit of his team not winning the trophy as he missed numerous chances or was denied by an excellent Abhijit Mondal in the Dempo goal.

"ONGC" I-League Award Winners:
After the Super Cup match the individual awards for the I-League were handed out.
• Player Of the I-League (MVP) - Odafe Onyeka Okolie (Churchill Brothers SC)
• Best Coach (SA Rahim Trophy) - Armando Colaco (Dempo SC)
• Best Goalkeeper - Subrata Pal (East Bengal Club)
• Best Defender (Jarnail Singh Award) - Mahesh Gawli (Dempo SC)
• Best Midfielder - Climax Lawrence (Dempo SC)
• Best Forward - Odafe Onyeka Okolie (Churchill Brothers SC)
• Golden Boot - Odafe Onyeka Okolie (Churchill Brothers SC)
• Fairplay Trophy - Dempo SC

113th IFA-Shield Fixtures & Results click here

113th IFA-Shield | Group A | Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta | 15.00 IST: Mohun Bagan AC 0-1 Churchill Brothers SC Goal: 0-1 Robert Lalthalma (31') MOHUN BAGAN: 1-Sangram Mukherjee; 5-Habibur Rehman Mondal (62' 22-Lal Kamal Bhowmick), 14-Peter Odafe, 3-Nanjangud Shivananju Manju, 7-Rauf Sher Khan; 16-James Lukram Singh, 13-Douglas da Silva, 6-Shanmugam Venkatesh (46' 9-Pachau Lalam Puia), 18-Dharamjit Singh (58' 17-Rahul Kumar); 10-Jose Ramirez Barreto, 15-Baichung Bhutia [C]. Unused Substitutes: ... CHURCHILL BROS: 1-Vinay Singh; 13-Mashangva Genius Zenith, 6-N Govind Singh, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 17-Robert Lalthalma; 12-Reisangmei Vashum (18-Saran Thangjam Singh), 14-Chitrasen Chandam Singh, 5-Fabio Cortez Vidal, 21-Ogba Kalu Nnanna, 15-D Raju; 9-Mboyo Iyomi. Unused Substitutes: ... YELLOW CARDS: ... REFEREE: A Arjunan (Services). ASSISTANT REFEREES: ... FOURTH OFFICIAL: ... Match Report: ...

5th Abhijit Kadam Memorial Trophy, Pune - Round 1: City Club 2-2,1-3 Thunderkatz 'A' [penalties]

1st JRD Tata Youth (U19) Cup - Quarterfinal League Group 3: East Bengal Club U19 4-2 Salgaocar SC U19
1st JRD Tata Youth (U19) Cup - Quarterfinal League Group 4: Dempo SC U19 0-6 JCT Football Academy

44th Kerala State Senior Inter District Football Championship - Pre-Quarterfinal: Malappuram 4-0 Alappuzha
2nd Manipur State League: NISA, Thangmeiband 4-0 Eastern Sporting Union
2nd Manipur State League: Phoudel Youth Club, Thoubal 1-2 NEROCA
2nd Manipur State League: YWC, Thambalkhong 3-4 Southern Sporting Union
2nd Manipur State League: AMOFA, Moirang 1-2 United Sports Association
Mumbai Super Division - Playoffs: Rizvi Mumbai Muslims 2-0 Sea View SC
Mumbai Super Division - Playoffs: Income Tax 1-1 PIFA Colaba Young Stars

::: King Khan launches 5th Abhijit Kadam Memorial Trophy :::
The charisma of the "King of Bollywood" Shahrukh Khan lured almost 50,000 people to the Bharati Vidyapeeth Educational Complex ground during the opening ceremony of the 5th Abhijeet Kadam Memorial Football Cup. Other guests included Sunil Chetri, Indian football star; Suresh Kalmadi, president of the Indian Olympic Association; Joaquim Alemao, president of the Goa FA; Dr. Patangrao Kadam, the founder president of Bharati Vidyapeeth and minister for co-operation, relief and rehabilitation, and Ashok Tanwar president of All India Youth Congress, and Baba Siddiqui, MLA from Mumbai.
Played under the floodlights, the first match of the tournament was very entertaining. City Club drew the first blood by scoring a goal in the 3rd minute of the game, Imran Shaikh was the scorer. In the 23 minute, Sunil Chaudhury of Thunderkatz "A" drew level. In the second half, Thunderkatz "A" took the 2-1 lead with a goal from Nikhil John, however, Imran Shaikh from the City Club scored again to equal the score 2-2, and stretched the match into the tie-breaker. In the tie-breaker, Mohit Tyagi, Anand Surve, and Nikhil John scored for the Thunderkatz "A" and Junaid Akkalkotkar for the City Club.

::: Bob Houghton criticizes Indian clubs :::
PTI report: Chief national football coach Bob Houghton on Wednesday held the country's top clubs responsible for the dearth of quality strikers in India, saying the outfits were not giving proper opportunity to indigenous talent.
"The clubs are responsible for this problem. Apart from Baichung (Bhutia) and Sunil Chetri, Indian strikers are not regulars in their own clubs. How do you expect that there would be a flurry of quality strikers in the national side?" Houghton asked during an informal interaction at the Salt Lake stadium. The Briton, who took over the responsibility of the Indian team two years back, referred to the ordeal of nippy Mahindra United forward Manjit Singh, who had warmed the benches for most of the season.
"Manjit Singh is a very good example of suppression of local talent," said the seasoned coach.
Giving Saudi Arabia's example, Houghton said the middle east nation had slapped a ban on importing foreign strikers between 1984 and 1989 and were now reaping the fruits.

::: Delhi Women's team named :::
Priyanka Kumari Singh will lead a 20-member Delhi Women's team at the 16th Women's National Football Championship to be played in Haldia, West Bengal from February 29 to March 16.
Delhi Women: Goalkeepers: Palavi Singh, Raj Shree Pandey; Defenders: Shweta Kaushik, Anjana Kumari, Poonam Rawat, Momita Barua, Jyoti Mann, Neeta Rawat; Midfielders: Kanchan Singhal, Sanju, Shubhangi Joshi, Vandana Sharma, Abha Jain; Forwards: Udita, Nancy Gupta, Usha,Neeta Singh, Ritu, Frahan Salman, Hema Khati.

::: AMFA scratches RACC, Churachandpur from Manipur State League :::
The All-Manipur FA has decided to scratch Rengkai Athletic & Cultural Club, Churachandpur from the ongoing 2ns Manipur State League for not appearing in their scheduled Round 16 match against United Sports Association, Khurai on Monday, February 25. All RACC's played matches or upcoming one's will be awarded with three points and a 3-0 scoreline for their opponents. The AMFA will initiate further disciplinary action against the club.

February 26

RESULTS & NEWS

Pradyut Dutta Memerial Trophy - Final: Mohammedan Sporting Club 2-0 George Telegraph SC - Goals: 1-0 Adebayo Tokunbo Adewusi, 2-0 Mohammad Muneer KP.

1st JRD Tata Youth (U19) Cup - Quarterfinal League Group 1: Tata Football Academy 3-0 Air-India U19
1st JRD Tata Youth (U19) Cup - Quarterfinal League Group 2: Sporting Clube de Goa U19 0-2 Mohun Bagan-SAIL Football Academy

44th Kerala State Senior Inter District Football Championship - Pre-Quarterfinal: Kollam 2-0 Kottayam

::: I-League clubs to comply with AFC licensing rules by June :::
IANS report: All the clubs in the I-League's first and second division have to fulfil the licensing rules of the Asian Football Confederation by June if they want to qualify for the regional champions league, the All India Football Federation announced in New Delhi yesterday.
The I-League, which concluded Saturday with Dempo lifting the title, is the country's first professional league and was played on the lines of AFC pro-league. The AFC is trying to professionalise leagues in 21 countries and India is a part of it.
"All the clubs in the first division have been given a deadline to fulfil all the licensing criteria by June, before the draw of next I-league. The AFC pro-league committee officials will also have a workshop here in April and all the clubs will attend it," said Colaco.
"Out of the 21 countries we are in a very good place and if our clubs fulfil all the rules then our clubs can qualify for the 2009-10 Champions League," he said.
The AFC officials will help the clubs to fulfil the licensing rules before they submit their report to the Asian body in October.
Colaco also said that some second division clubs like Chirag United, Vasco, Mumbai FC, Pune FC and Amity United are very close to fulfilling all the licensing rules set by the AFC.

::: Titanium XI clinches the Iron Ore Championship :::
Kerala's Titanium XI won the 30th All-India Iron Ore Championship held in Durg, Chhatisgarh by defeating Bokaro Steel Authority of India 1-0 in the final. It was the guest player Clitters who netted in the winner for the club from gods own the country in the 83rd minute of the game. The club which has been struggling due to financial reasons will be boosted by the win in the championship and the same team were the runners-up of the recently held Kerala State Club Championship which was held in Thiruvalla. It was Titanium XI's KT Nawaz who was selected as the best Goalkeeper of the tournament. The team is led by former Kerala player T Usman.

::: Kerala Women's team named :::
The Kerala team for the 16th Women's National Football Championship in Haldia, West Bengal has been announced. The team will be led by Amrita Aravind and the vice-Captain of the squad is PV Priya.
Kerala Women: Goalkeepers: Sindhya Mohammad, Remya Nazar, Venus Paul; Defenders: PV Priya, Juby C, T Geetha, A Hafsath, Mary Vargheese, P Sunitha; Midfielders: VV Sheeba, K Vasanthi, Amrita Aravind (Captain), CV Seena, CN Ajitha; Forwards: Subitha P, Angel Adolfs, VJ Soumiya, Nifitha P Becker, A Reshma, J Preetha. Coach: T Murugaraj

February 25

RESULTS & NEWS

6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Final: Indian National FC 0-1 Jammu&Kashmir Bank
Goal: 0-1 S Rizwan (90').
There was heartbreak once again for Indian National FC after they were beaten by a solitary goal in the final of the 6th Lt. Governors Invitational DDA football tournament at the Ambedkar stadium in Delhi today. Jammu&Kashmir Bank captain S Rizwan scored the all important goal in the dying moments of the match to deservedly earn the man of the match award.
Both teams started the match cautiously and took time to settle down with National's looking more threatening of the two. The best chance of the half fall to Ifeanyi in the 17th minute who fired wide of the open goal after the J&K Bank keeper fail to collect the ball cleanly. The second half saw both the teams continuing with the same tempo but the match picked up in the last 20 minutes with both teams going all out for the winner. In the 71st minute Rajat Guha brilliantly denied Kamalpreet's left-footed grounder which was the first real opening for J&K Bank in the match. National's should have finished the game off but failed to take their chances and paid the price heavily. Anthony was the culprit on both the occasions, the first in the 82nd minute after he beat the offside trap but shoot the ball just over the bar with only the goalkeeper to beat and in the very next minute in the ensuing goalmouth melle after a cross from the right flank found Anthony who had time and space to shoot but it went straight to the goalkeeper who palmed away the shot. Then the match was heading towards extratime, J&K Bank in a swift counter attack found the ever present Keke Ibrahim who slided the ball to the onrushing Rizwan from the left flank with Rizwan making no mistake with his shot finally beating Rajat Guha with an excellent finish to score the winning goal.
J&K Bank were awarded Rs. 200,000 and a trophy, runners-up Rs. 100,000 and a trophy with both the losing semifinalists getting Rs 50000 each.
Indian National: 22-Rajat Guha, 18-Manoj Joshi [C], 14-Gurjinder Singh, 3-Pushpender Kundu, 27-Akham Duidang, 15-Lalit Rawat, 2-Rishi Kapoor, 24-Trilok Singh Bisht, 19-Manish Khatri, 7-Ifeanyi (77' 6-Peter), 12-Anthony.
Unused Substitutes: 29-Tharngachan, 9-Tuireising Ruivah, 21-Bangkok Singh, 23-Ashish, 33-Raj Kumar
J&K Bank: 1-Vikramjeet Singh; 17-Kamaljeet Kumar, 25-Abiodun Kolawole Martins, 16-Mohit Verma, 14-Imran Rafiq, 19-S Rizwan [C], 10-Adil Qadir (86' 6-Intikhab Alam), 11-Rohit Kumar, 27-Badru Keke Ibrahim, 15-Manzoor Ahmad (54' 20-Bilal Wani Ahmad), 12-Wasim Feroze.
Unused Substitutes: 21-Tanveer Ahmed, 4-Mohammed Haniff, 13-Majid Yusuf, 23-Showkat Sultan
Yellow Cards: Ifeanyi (INFC); Wasim Feroze (J&K Bank).

6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Awards winners:
• Fairplay Trophy - Border Security Force, Jalandhar
• Best Goalkeeper - Rajat Guha (Indian National FC)
• Best Defender - Shariyat Reza (New Delhi Heroes)
• Best Forward - Harpreet Singh (Border Security Force)
• Player Of the Tournament - Badru Keke Ibrahim (Jammu&Kashmir Bank)

1st JRD Tata Youth (U19) Cup - Quarterfinal League Group 3: East Bengal Club U19 1-1 SAI, Delhi
1st JRD Tata Youth (U19) Cup - Quarterfinal League Group 4: JCT Football Academy 1-1 Sesa Football Academy

44th Kerala State Senior Inter District Football Championship - Quarterfinal: Ernakulam 4-0 Pathanamthitta

::: I-League Division 2 draw carried out :::
The draw of the preliminary groups of the inaugural I-League Division 2 was carried out at Football House, Dwarka today. The 12 participating teams have been drawn into two groups of six teams each to be played in Pune and Kolhapur. The final round would be played in Guwahati, Assam.
In Group A Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC (Bangalore) would face ONGC (Mumbai), State Bank of Travancore (Thiruvananthapuram), Vasco SC (Goa), Chirag United SC (Calcutta) and Pune FC from March 26 to April 13 in Pune.
In Group B Mohammedan Sporting Club (Calcutta) and Mumbai FC, New Delhi Heroes, Oil India Limited (Duliajan, Assam), Indian Bank (Chennai) and Amity United FC (Haryana) from March 25 to April 12 in Kolhapur.
The AIFF has selected Pune and Kolhapur as preliminary round venues to take the game to different cities. Both the venues have good stadiums and two practice grounds each, making them ideal venues for the I-League Division 2.
For the I-League Division 2 fixtures .

::: Indian international Mehraj has launched his own personal website :::
Indian international midfielder Mehrajuddin Wadoo a few days ago launched his personal website under mehrajuddin.com, which has been created by KM Technologies, Calcutta.
Talking to IndianFootball.Com Mehraj said about his own site, "This website really means a lot to me because I am currently the only player from Jammu&Kashmir to play in the Indian national team. I started playing in extreme adverse conditions in the valley and now the people from the valley are proud of me to have made it."
Mehraj wants to connect to his fans through the site and reach out to the youngsters who want to follow in his footsteps from across the country. As he told us, "I want people to know more about me through my website and get more attracted towards football..."
And Mehraj concludes, "My goal is to play outside India and I hope this website will connect me to clubs abroad!"
We from IndianFootball.Com wish Mehraj all the best and that he achieves his goals. The personal website is a good start...
Go to the Mehrajuddin Wadoo Website .

::: Tamil Nadu Women's team named :::
S Vasanthi will lead the Tamil Nadu state Women's team in the 16th Women's National Football Championship to be played in Haldia, West Bengal from February 29 to March 16.
Tamil Nadu Women: S Vasanthi (Captain), A Geetha (Vice-Captain), S Franglether Elize, P Baby, A Maheswari, P Sathish Kumari, M Jayanthi, V Gowri, R Rekha, R Keerthiga, J Mahalakshmi, G Ruba Devi, A Silambarasi, R Tharani, V Gokila, V Nancy Fabiyona, R Saranya Pandi, C Sujitha, B Sinthuja, S Jayanthi. Coach: M Elango; Manager: Kalpana Dass.

February 24

RESULTS & NEWS

Pradyut Dutta Memerial Trophy - Group A: Mohammedan Sporting Club 1-0 Peerless SC - Goal: 1-0 Mike Okoro.

1st JRD Tata Youth (U19) Cup - Quarterfinal League Group 1: Air-India U19 2-1 IFA-CSF Academy
1st JRD Tata Youth (U19) Cup - Quarterfinal League Group 2: Mahindra United U19 2-1 Mohun Bagan-SAIL Football Academy

44th Kerala State Senior Inter District Football Championship - Pre-Quarterfinal: Pathanamthitta 0-0,4-3 Kannur [penalties]
2nd Manipur State League: NEROCA 0-1 NISA, Thangmeiband
2nd Manipur State League: Phoudel Youth Club, Thoubal 2-3 Kakching FC
2nd Manipur State League: Eastern Sporting Union 0-4 Southern Sporting Union
2nd Manipur State League: AMOFA, Moirang 1-3 Manipur Police SC
2nd Manipur State League: Tiddim Road Athletic Union 2-1 YWC, Thambalkhong
Mumbai Super Division - Playoff: Rizvi Mumbai Muslims 6-0 Income Tax

::: 5th SAFF Cup draw in Male on Thursday :::
The 5th edition of the South Asian Football Federation Championships (SAFF Cup) draw will be held on Thursday, February 28 in the capital of the Maldives, Male. The 5th SAFF Cup will be held in the last week of May and first week of June this year in Male and Colombo, Sri Lanka. For the first time two nations will host the championships due to the Maldives not being in a position to host the championships on their own, so Sri Lanka will be hosting one of the two groups of four-teams and one of the semifinals. The tournament will be played at the National Stadium, Male and Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Along with the draw ceremony the SAFF Executive Committee would be holding a meeting to discuss matters related to the SAFF Cup and other matters of interest to south Asian football.
The draw ceremony will see SAFF president Ganesh Thapa (Nepal), SAFF General Secretary Sirajul Islam Bachchu (Bangladesh) plus the General Secretaries of the eight participating nations - Mukthar Rustami (Afghanistan), Manzoor Hassain (Bangladesh), Ugyen Wanchuk (Bhutan), Alberto Colaco (India), AH Abdul Ghafoor (Maldives), Narendra Shrestha (Nepal), Ahmad Yar Khan Lodhi (Pakistan) and Hafiz Marikar (Sri Lanka) - in attendence.

::: Fixtures of 113th IFA-Shield revised once more :::
The 113th edition of the IFA-Shield will according to the latest fixtures be played from February 27 to March 7. The seven team tournament would be played at the Saltlake Stadium, Barasat Stadium, Howrah Maidan and Mohun Bagan ground. with the Saltlake Stadium, natural choice as venue, not available in March due to the Bookfair, the three other venues have to be used. The venues of the semifinals and final would be decided on the matches to be played as security is a key aspect in deciding where to play which match.
For the 113th IFA-Shield fixtures .

::: Maharashtra U14 team named :::
Arjun Mudliar Kumar has been named Maharashtra U14 captain of the 16 member squad for the AIFF Under-14 Football Festival to be held in Goa from February 25 to March 4.
Maharashtra U14: Arjun Mudliar Kumar (Captain; SFS, Nagpur), Harold Fernandes (Vice-Captain; Don Bosco, Mumbai), Neel Nirvan Shah (Campion School, Mumbai), Siddaharth Vishwanath Nayak (St Francis D'Assisi, Mumbai), Dion Menezes (Don Bosco, Mumbai), Mervin Stephen (Don Bosco, Mumbai), Girik Khosla (Don Bosco, Mumbai), Arbaz Akbar KM (MM Rabbani High School, Nagpur), Naresh Mohanlal Choudhary (St Augustine High School, Nerul), Anil Utsav Maralkar (Kolhapur), Siddhart Prashant Mane (New English, Meeraj), Fernando Milton Bebito (OLPS, Chembur), Allen Selvary Joseph (Gyan Matha School, Amravati), Rohit Rajesh Mhaske (St Lawerence, Vashi), Asheer Akhtar Mehfooz (DPS, Nerul), Omkar Jadhav Sambhalee (Private High School, Kolhapur). Coach: Sunil Poojari (Thane District); Manager: Mohammed Abid (Jalgaon District).

::: Tamil Nadu U14 team named :::
KG Parane Prasad has been named Tamil Nadu U14 captain of the 16 member squad for the AIFF Under-14 Football Festival to be held in Goa from February 25 to March 4.
Tamil Nadu U14: KG Parane Prasad (Captain), NM Mohamed Navas (Vice-Captain), S Ramalingam, G Lakshmanan, E Rithwik, V Ranjith, Cruz Thomas, K Sadam Hussain, P Aravind, S James Rajan, Damien Remo Francis, J Tamilarasan, R Sumanth, M Guru, S Surya Prakash, Lalranthang. Coach: Kamalakannan; Manager: AU Celestine.

February 23

IndianFootball.Com congratulate Dempo SC on winning the inaugural I-League!!!

::: 1st I-League Final Matchday: LIVE UPDATES :::
The title is still to be decided and IndianFootball.Com will bring you the action live online in our IndianFootball.Com MATCH CENTER!
For LIVE UPDATES go to the >>IndianFootball.Com MATCH CENTER

I-League Special with lots of news, stats, pictures and more click here

1st "ONGC" I-League | Round 18 | Municipal Corporation Stadium, Calicut | 15.30 IST: Viva Kerala 1-4 Dempo SC Goals: 0-1,1-3 Chidi Edeh (27',45'), 0-2 Ranty Martins Soleye (31' pen), 1-2 Shahbas Shaleel (35'), 1-4 Roberto Mendes Silva (80') VIVA KERALA: 1-TG Purushothaman; 2-Ebin Rose, 4-Tutu George, 3-Khelemba Singh [C], 6-Othallo Tabia (66' 27-TK Manoharan); 22-KV Lalu, 8-Sargolsem James Singh, 7-Bimanyu Bimal Birua (57' 26-Mohammad Helmy), 16-Shahbas Shaleel; 10-Badmus Baba Thunde (86' 19-Sabbarayan Satish Kumar), 17-Wisdom Abbey Unused Substitutes: 25-MV Nelson, 5-Akshay Das, 28-Somy PT, 21-Santa Saikhom Singh DEMPO: 1-Abhijit Mondal; 4-Cressan Antao, 3-John Charles Dias, 23-Dominic Noronha, 16-Samir Naik; 19-Johnny D'Cruz (88' 20-Riston Rodrigues), 8-Climax Lawrence, 11-Roberto Mendes Silva, 22-Nicolau Borges (69' 17-Joaquim Abranches); 9-Ranty Martins Soleye [C] (90+1' 29-Clifton Gonsalves), 30-Chidi Edeh. Unused Substitutes: 31-Tyson Caiado, 24-Melwyn Rodrigues, 25-Pio Rodrigues, 27-Avedesh Pal "ONGC" MAN OF THE MATCH: Chidi Edeh (Dempo). YELLOW CARDS: Tutu George (36', Viva Kerala), Roberto Mendes Silva (81', Dempo). REFEREE: S Suresh (Tamil Nadu). ASSISTANT REFEREES: G Thampiraj (Tamil Nadu), Andrew Sekhar (Karnataka). FOURTH OFFICIAL: Subrata Sarkar (West Bengal). Match Report: Dempo SC scored a convincing 4-1 away victory against relegated Viva Kerala at the Municipal Corporation Stadium, Calicut to win the inaugural I-League title! Dempo ended their campaign on 36 points from 18 matches with a goal difference of plus 22, four goals better then their closest rivals Churchill Brothers SC to win in a thrilling finale. Dempo were upto the task on hand and it was today never in doubt that they would win the title with the team focused on the job on hand. Post-match Comments: Armando Colaco (Coach, Dempo): • It was the hardwork of players that helped us to win the title! • When we won NFL for first time evertone said it was out of luck we clinched it as Sporting Clube lost in the last game in the 9th NFL • But we have proved to everyone in the last seasons (including this) • Our performance ladder has reached its peak • When I was injuried and we missed many players like Rebello, Gawli, Miranda, etc I told my players to keep the spirit and go ahead

I-League Special with lots of news, stats, pictures and more click here

1st "ONGC" I-League | Round 18 | Barasat Stadium, Calcutta | 15.30 IST: East Bengal Club 1-1 Sporting Clube de Goa Goals: 0-1 Joseph Pereira (21'), 1-1 Syed Rahim Nabi (56') EAST BENGAL: 24-Subrata Pal; 27-Irungbam Surkumar Singh, 4-Julius Owino, 12-Anupam Sarkar, 5-Debabrata Roy; 23-Mehtab Hussain, 26-Mehraj din Wadoo, 7-Jayanta Sen, 9-Alvito D'Cunha; 19-Syed Rahim Nabi [C], 30-Edmilson Marques Pardal. Unused Substitutes: 21-Abhra Mondal, 3-Majekodumni Bolaji, 29-Soumik Dey, 16-Ratan Das, 34-Snehashish Chakraborty, 40-Vanlal Rova, 22-Vimal Pariyar SPORTING CLUBE: 31-Gerald D'Mello; 18-Denzil Franco, 6-Philip Gomes, 3-Mathew Gonsalves, 4-Chinta Chandrashekhar Rao; 2-Parwinder Singh (77' 8-Rajesh Nongmaithem Meetei), 27-Lairenjam Bisheshwor Singh, 14-Wilton Gomes [C] (84' 23-Bibiano Fernandes), 22-Joseph Pereira; 20-Elijah Obagbemiro Junior (74' 9-Freddy Mascarenhas), 11-Lawrence Adjei. Unused Substitutes: 1-Felix D'Souza, 15-Mauricio Freeman Peixoto, 28-Anthony D'Souza, 12-Lavino Fernandes "ONGC" MAN OF THE MATCH: Syed Rahim Nabi (East Bengal). YELLOW CARDS: Alvito D'Cunha (60', East Bengal); Parwinder Singh (17', Sporting Clube). REFEREE: PK Bose (Madhya Pradesh). ASSISTANT REFEREES: Gokulananda Singh (Manipur), MA Siddiqui (Madhya Pradesh). FOURTH OFFICIAL: Deepak Kumar Dey (Assam). Match Report: East Bengal Club and Sporting Clube de Goa ended their inaugural I-League campaign in a one-all draw at the Barasat Stadium, Calcutta. Finally, both the teams finished with 19 points from 18 matches but East Bengal stood in 6th spot due to their better goal average ahead of Sporting Clube. East Bengal captain Syed Rahim Nabi was awarded the Man of the Match award. Sporting Clube de Goa started well when Joseph Perreira's left footer side volley entering the East Bengal net in the 21st minute. Earlier in the 10th minute, Lawrence Adjei entered the box from the right flank and sent in a cross but Subrata Pal saved it on the second attempt. Lawrence again entered the East Bengal box from the right flank and Bisheshwor Singh finds his back minus, his shot gets deflected and goes to Junior but his header hits the crossbar, finds an unmarked Joseph Perreira inside the six yard box. And it is Joseph's side volley that makes the scoreline read 1-0 in favour of Sporting Clube in the 21st minute of the match. East Bengal started to control the game from the last quarter of the first half. In the 38th minute, Edmilson managed to enter the Sporting Clube box but fell on the ground. Referee PK Bose denied his claim for a penalty. Four minutes later, Edmilson's pass finds Nabi in an unmarked position but his shot goes outside the post. In the following minute, Nabi's pass finds Edmilson into the box, his push beats Sporting Clube's young keeper Gerald D'Mello but went outside the post. Two minutes later, a Mehraj din Wadoo long ranger volley goes straight into the hands of keeper D'Mello. Just before the fag end, Edmilson's goal bound shot from the outside of the 6 yards box hits Jayanta and goes outside. Nabi's head from Alvito's corner evens the scoreline for East Bengal in the 56th minute. Alvito is cautioned as he is involved in a fight with Bisheshwor Singh a little after. On 67th minute, Joseph Pereira managed to enter into the East Bengal box and is tripped by an East Bengal defender but the referee is reluctant to give a penalty. 6 minutes later, Lawrence failed to utilize the opportunity arising due to a misunderstanding between the East Bengal defence and keeper Subrata Pal. In the 82nd minute, Alvito got an opportunity from a miss throw by Sporting Clube keeper D'Mello but his shot is saved by D'Mello.

I-League Special with lots of news, stats, pictures and more click here

1st "ONGC" I-League | Round 18 | Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana | 15.30 IST: JCT, Phagwara 4-0 Salgaocar SC Goals: 1-0,3-0 Sunil Chetri (30',43'), 2-0,4-0 Eduardo da Silva Escobar (36',47'). JCT: ... Unused Substitutes: ... SALGAOCAR: ... Unused Substitutes: ... "ONGC" MAN OF THE MATCH: Sunil Chetri (JCT). YELLOW CARDS: ... REFEREE: Dinesh Nair (Gujarat). ASSISTANT REFEREES: ... FOURTH OFFICIAL: ... Match Report: ...

I-League Special with lots of news, stats, pictures and more click here

1st "ONGC" I-League | Round 18 | Cooperage Ground, Mumbai | 15.30 IST: Mahindra United 0-0 Mohun Bagan AC Goals: none MAHINDRA UTD: 24-Sandip Nandy [C]; 7-Sushanth Mathew, 5-Harpreet Singh, 26-Bello Rasaq; 23-Steven Dias [C], 16-Sunil Kumar, 29-Pierre Djidjia Douhou, 17-Sukhwinder Singh, 11-M Mohammed Rafi; 28-Sushil Kumar Singh, 10-Yakubu Yusif. Unused Substitutes: 1-Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, 2-Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep, 14-Dharmaraj Ravanan, 21-Gautam Debnath, 12-Manjit Singh, 20-Bhola Prasad, 15-Khangemban Thoi Singh MOHUN BAGAN: 1-Sangram Mukherjee; 32-Anit Kumar Ghosh, 14-Peter Odafe, 3-Nanjangud Shivananju Manju, 17-Rahul Kumar; 16-James Lukram Singh, 6-Shanmugam Venkatesh, 18-Dharamjit Singh, 7-Rauf Sher Khan; 10-Jose Ramirez Barreto, 15-Baichung Bhutia [C]. Unused Substitutes: 19-Pralay Dutta, 5-Habibur Rehman Mondal, 12-Peter Siddiqui, 11-Ishfaq Ahmed, 22-Lalkamal Bhowmick, 28-Muttah Sudheesh, 9- Pacahu Lalam Puia "ONGC" MAN OF THE MATCH: Sangram Mukherjee (Mohun Bagan). YELLOW CARDS: ... REFEREE: T Pradeep Kumar (Tamil Nadu). ASSISTANT REFEREES: ... FOURTH OFFICIAL: ... Match Report: ...

I-League Special with lots of news, stats, pictures and more click here

1st "ONGC" I-League | Round 18 | Nehru Stadium, Margao | 15.30 IST: Churchill Brothers SC 3-0 Air-India Goals: 1-0,3-0 Odafe Onyeka Okolie (30',59'), 2-0 D Raju (51') CHURCHILL BROS: 1-Vinay Singh; 13-Mashangva Genius Zenith, 6-N Govind Singh, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 17-Robert Lalthalma; 12-Reisangmei Vashum, 14-Chitrasen Chandam Singh, 21-Ogba Kalu Nnanna, 15-D Raju (67' 38-Jaison Valles); 9-Mboyo Iyomi, 10-Odafe Onyeka Okolie [C]. Unused Substitutes: 29-Arindam Bhattcharya, 2-Villroy D'Cruz, 28-K Boboi Singh, 7-Martin Louis Joseph Daniel, 25-Drupesh Desai, 18-Saran Thangjam Singh AIR-INDIA: 30-Sarath EC; 2-Haobijam Napoleon Singh, 3-Nirmal Chetri, 22-Suley Musah [C] (75' 26-Amrit Pal Singh), 6-L Uttam Singh, 19-Santosh Koli; 18-Hamza Zaheer Abbas (58' 15-Sanju Pradhan), 12-Michael Segum Tayo, 20-Paresh Shivalkar; 27-Bashiree Mohammed Abbas, 8-Kumar Samson Singh (57' 10-T Narender Meetei). Unused Substitutes: 21-Raju Ekka, 4-L Dhanachandra Singh, 16-Covan Lawrence, 11-Hringsolal Thomte "ONGC" MAN OF THE MATCH: Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Churchill Bros). YELLOW CARDS: D Raju (51', Churchill Bros), Michael Segum (32'), Nirmal Chetri (62', both Air-India). REFEREE: P Bhaskar (Tamil Nadu). ASSISTANT REFEREES: A Arjunan (Services), ... FOURTH OFFICIAL: ... Match Report: ... Post-match Comments: Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Defender, Churchill Bros): • Dempo were the favourites from the beginning on. • They are a good team, well organised and I congratulate them! • We were the underdogs and did our part in pushing them. • It's a good achievement to finish off with the same number of points. We showed some entertaining football and we showed the great character of our team!

6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Semifinal: Indian National FC 1-0 New Delhi Heroes - Goal: 1-0 Tuireising Ruivah (9').
A fine strike from just outside the box by Tuireising Ruivah in the 9th minute plus some superb keeping from Rajat Guha and good defending from the Indian National#s gave them a solitary goal victory over the New Delhi Heroes. Thus gaining a sweet revenge after their heart breaking defeat in the Delhi League finals. New Delhi Heroes dominated the match right from the start but failed to breakthrough the Nationals defence. Nationals took the lead against the run of play with a fine strike from Tuireising, who only started the match due to suspension of Ifeanyi, collected a neat pass and blasted his shot pass the goalkeeper to gave the lead. which was the only meaningful contribution in the first half. New Delhi Heroes started the second half in the same fashion but failed to beat keeper Guha. Gyan Moin Thapa missed a golden chance in the 57th minute after Guha had parried away Harvinder's shot but blasted it wide. Guha denied Gurung's left footer from the flag kicked in the 74th minute and Gyan in injury time to pick-up the Man of the Match award. The best chance for Nationals fall to Trilok Singh Bisht who should have burried the match but his superb run was undone by a poor finish with only the goalkeeper to beat in the 89th minute. Nationals were clearly missing the service of their Nigerian duo Ifeanyi and Anthony, both of whom were suspended but are expected to feature in the final. It was a dissappointing perfomance from New Delhi Heroes jst ahead of the 2nd Division I-League and they will need to raise their tempo to qualify for the I-League.
Indian National: 22-Rajat Guha, 18-Manoj Joshi [C], 14-Gurjinder Singh, 3-Pushpender Kundu, 27-Akham Duidang, 15-Lalit Rawat, 2-Rishi Kapoor, 24-Trilok Singh Bisht, 19-Manish Khatri, 6-Peter, 9-Tuireising Ruivah.
Unused Substitutes: 29-Tharngachan, 21-Bangkok Singh
New Delhi Heroes: 12-Rashid Mehdi; 30-Amjad Ali Khan, 27-Stanley Cyprian [C], 24-Prashant Jaggi, 3-Shariyat Raza (66' 28-Pradeep Gurung), 18-Buangpui Paite, 4-Baba Tunde, 7-Bhuvan Krishna Joshi, 21-Crispin Chetri, 15-Harvinder Singh Jr, 14-Gyan Moin Thapa.
Unused Substitutes: 25-Mohsin Khan, 16-Anuj Kumar, 22-Nwaeke Harrison Nwabueze, 10-Malswama, 17-Amit Ganguly, 20-Wajid Ali.
Yellow Card: Manish Khatri (INFC).

6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Semifinal: ONGC, Mumbai 1-1,1-1,4-5 Jammu&Kashmir Bank [penalties] - Goals: 1-0 Jatin Singh Bisht (8'), 1-1 Bilal Wani Ahmad (80'), 2-1 F Lalmunpuia (94'), 2-2 Badru Keke Ibrahim (106').
Unheralded Jammu&Kashmir Bank defeated Mumbai's ONGC through a penalty shootout 7-6 after the match ended 2-2 after extra time. The match was tied one-all at the end of regulation time. J&K Bank dominated the match right from the start and were unlucky not to finish of the tie in regulation time. Jatin Singh Bisht gave ONGC the lead after he curled in from the corner in the 9th minute with the ball eluding everyone and ending up in the net. J&K Bank should have equalised but the crossbar denied Ibrahim"s header after a quick freekick in the 24th minute. In the 34th minute Rizwan missed a glorious opportunity whose shot was saved by Rajat Ghosh Dasdidar with the rebound falling to Ibrahim whose shot was blocked by the defenders. The second half was also dominated by J&K Bank and deservedly got the equaliser with substitute Bilal Wani Ahmad tapping in the cross of Ibrahim from the right flank. The match was tied at the end of regulation time.
Substitute F Lalmunpuia gave ONGC once more the lead in the 4th minute of extratime after a superb through ball from MC Dhanesh who cooly slotted home with his left foot after dodging an defender. ONGC dominated the first half of extratime but failed to find the target. J&K Bank equalised just after the start of the second half with Man of the Match Ibrahim chipping the ball through the onrushing Ghosh Dasdidar in the 106th minute.
In the ensuing tie-breaker J&K Bank keeped their cool to script a memorable victory. Earlier ONGC's Krishna Shirodkar blasted his teams fifth penalty wide after scoring the first four.
ONGC: 1-Rajat Ghosh Dasdidar; 16-Gour Naskar, 4-Krishna Shirodkar, 6-Kabijit Khotel, 7-D Shasmal, 25-Jatin Singh Bisht, 14-Kaushik Bose, 12-Gulidom Rongmoi (68' 11-MC Dhanesh), 22-Naresh, 17-Nooruddin Saleh Olawale (105' 26-Sanjeeva Rongpi), 27-Henry Ndurin Chukwukeri (25' 18-F Lalmunpuia).
Unused Substitutes: 24-Prasenjit Ghosh, 31-Subhas Banerjee, 3-Clifford Kilmo, 30-Nitin Bisht
J&K Bank: 1-Vikramjeet Singh; 17-Kamaljeet Kumar, 25-Abiodun Kolawole Martins, 3-Billu Khan, 14-Imran Rafiq, 19-S Rizwan [C], 10-Adil Qadir (106' 16-Mohit Verma), 11-Rohit Kumar (74' 6-Intikhab Alam), 27-Badru Keke Ibrahim, 15-Manzoor Ahmad (60' 20-Bilal Wani Ahmad), 12-Wasim Feroze.
Unused Substitutes: 21-Tanveer Ahmed, 5-Shahnawaz Iqbal, 4-Mohammed Haniff, 23-Showkat Sultan
Yellow Cards: D Shasmal(ONGC); Billu Khan (J&K Bank).

1st JRD Tata Youth (U19) Cup - Quarterfinal League Group 3: Salgaocar SC U19 3-5 SAI, Delhi U19
1st JRD Tata Youth (U19) Cup - Quarterfinal League Group 4: Dempo SC U19 0-1 Sesa Football Academy - Goal: 0-1 Mckenz Fernandes (68').

February 22

RESULTS & NEWS

In the latest IndianFootball.Com Guest Column lecturer Dr. Maibam Chourjit Singh under the title "Manipur State League" looks at the success story of the Manipur State League and the guidelines which the clubs of the Northeastern state have to follow and inplement.
Read the complete article here >>IndianFootball.Com Guest Column - Dr. Maibam Chourjit Singh .

1st JRD Tata Youth (U19) Cup - Quarterfinal League Group 2: Sporting Clube de Goa U19 3-0 Mahindra United U19 - Goals: 1-0,2-0,3-0 Victorino Fernandes (8',54',90').

::: Brazilian "Du" likely to return to India next season :::
The I-League is set to finish tomorrow and the transfer season is still some weeks away, but transfer rumours are on. Brazilian Eduardo Chacon Coelho Lacerda, popularly know as Du is all set to return to India. Talking to IndianFootball.Com from Brazil, Du said he misses India and Indian football. He has a few offers in hand, from India and from another country. Like a tactful defender, Du averted the obvious question of his club for the next season. Du is coming to India in June to end all speculations and finalise a deal.
Du has played four seasons in India. He started of his India campaign by donning the colours of Hindustan Aeronautic Limited SC in the 2003/04 season, next year he moved to Mohun Bagan AC and stayed there for nearly three years. He was the mainstay of the Mohun Bagan defence and was an integral part of the team. By displaying sheer commitment and dedication, he carved a niche among the football frenzy fans in Calcutta.
However, an injury during the 2006 Federation Cup semifinals against Mahindra United forced Du out of action. But now he is fit as ever, all raring to go, and in his own words, "I just want to fight like I used to and want to make a big name in Indian football".

February 21

RESULTS & NEWS

6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group B: Jammu&Kashmir Bank 2-0 State Bank of Travancore - Goals: 1-0 S Rizwan (20'), 2-0 Badre Keke Ibrahim (89').
6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group B: Indian National FC 2-0 Garhwal Heroes, Delhi - Goals: 1-0 Lalit Rawat (70'), 2-0 Anthony Ifeanyi (85').

::: Five I-League Division 2 teams for Abhijeet Kadam Memorial tournament :::
by Micky Aigner: Increased prize money, top-notch football teams from the country and a galaxy of Bollywood stars, Pune football couldn't have got better.
For the first time in the history of city football, 'professional' teams will showcase their skills in the 5th All-India Invitational Abhijeet Kadam Memorial knockout football tournament that kicks-off on February 27.
With the AIFF deciding to conduct the Second Division I-League preliminary group matches at Pune and Kolhapur, five teams - Mumbai FC, Osian's New Delhi Heroes, Vasco SC, Goa; Indian Bank, Chennai; including the city's very own Pune FC - are utilising the tournament as a build-up to their campaign.
Says Vishwajeet Kadam, Managing Trustee Abhijit Kadam Memorial Foundation, "We've tried our level best to include a team each from each zone of the country and I guess the field has surely surpassed expectations. However, a team from the East, Indian's football capital, is the only absentee and that's because most of the teams are doing duty in the IFA-Shield (Feb 25 to March 7). Else, for once, the tournament would of reached out to every corner of India. Our aim is to make that possible someday."
To be played at the Bharati Vidyapeeth Educational Complex ground, Dhankawadi - the venue of for the forthcoming I-League - the 11-day tournament is being organised by the Abhijit Kadam Memorial Foundation in association with Deccan XI FC, Pune
As part of the organizers endeavour to enable local teams brush their shoulders alongside outstation teams on an all-India level platform, the field - like in the past - comprises of 14 local teams and 14 outside Pune. The local teams incidentally went through a qualifying tournament in December, 2007.
Kadam, also the President of Pune District FA and Vice President of the Western India Football Association, added, "in our capacity we try not to leave out district and local participation and feel they are equally important in our mission to treat them on levels with outstation teams on local turf."
Among the 14 teams from outside Pune; six are from outside Maharashtra and eight from within the State, mainly district teams some winners of their respective league.
This year a total cash prize of Rs. 1,71 lakh is up for grabs, which is a whopping 45 percent increase from 2007. The winner would be richer by Rs 1 lakh apart from a trophy and certificates, while the runners-up would receive Rs 51,000 (trophy and certificates included). Likewise, the 'Best Player' and the 'Best Goalkeeper' of the tournament would stand to gain Rs 10,000 respectively. As an added incentive after every match the 'Man of The Match' would receive a branded jersey.
Last year the winners and runners-up received Rs 61,000 and Rs 41,000 respectively, while individual awards were worth Rs 5000 each and totaled Rs 1.12 lakh.
With four matches scheduled for the day, barring March 4 - reserved for the charity match between Bollywood Stars and Pune Select, and the semifinals and final - the city's football aficionados would know the place to be in - the Bharati Vidyapeeth Educational Complex Ground, Dhankawadi.
The inaugural match will pit City Club against Thundercatz 'A' at 18.30 IST under lights.

February 20

RESULTS & NEWS

6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group A: ONGC, Mumbai 4-0 Peerless SC, Calcutta - Goals: 1-0 Henry Ndurin Chukwukeri (11'), 2-0 Jatin Singh Bisht (44'), 3-0 MC Dhanesh (52'), 4-0 Gour Naskar.
6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group A: New Delhi Heroes 2-1 Ahbab FC, Delhi - Goals: 0-1 Praveen Kumar (28'), 1-1,2-1 Baba Tunde (89',90+2').

::: Aloke Mukherjee to be East Bengal's interim coach :::
East Bengal Club will be coached by former player Aloke Mukherjee in the upcoming IFA-Shield and AFC Cup as a decision taken by the club's executive committee today.
Current coach Manoranjan Bhattacharjee had decided to step down after the I-League is over. So the club had been forced to look for an interim coach for the remainder of the season as Manoranjan has said that he could return to coach the club in the new season. Manoranjan had asked for a break due to unnamed personal reasons.

::: EXCLUSIVE NEWS: Cyd Gray, biggest star to play I-League Div II, out for over 2 months through shin injury :::
by Micky Aigner: IT seems Pune Football Club's worst fears have come true.
Resigned to the fact that their star signing Cyd Gray -- nursing a cracked shin -- will be out of action for four to five weeks as preliminary reports last week suggested, orthopedic expert Dr Anant Joshi's verdict Tuesday presented a grimmer picture. The Mumbai-based specialist ruled out the 2006 World Cupper from playing football for at least two-and-a-half months.
Joshi's final word, thus, ends Gray's hopes of playing the Second Division I-League which begins in the third week March, handing the club a major blow to their hopes. Confirming this was PFC spokesperson Chirag Tanna, who informed that "Gray's situation is bleak and it would be a miracle only if he plays."
Gray had injured himself during a 'friendly' match against Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bangalore last week.
According to the diagnosis it would only be four to five weeks before Gray can put any weight on his right foot. Tanna informed, "He (Gray) suffered a crack... but the bone alignment was good and hence he did not need an operation."
In fact, even after four to five weeks Gray -- currently in a cast -- would be able to put a little weight on it (foot), but would still have crutches for six weeks. "It would then get into rehab, which can take it's own time," Tanna added.
Asked if the PFC management had any plan to send Gray back, Tanna informed, "We (PFC) will have to look into that aspect...nothing is decided. We should be taking that call in the next day or so."
Having run into unexpected trouble, PFC are planning to approach the national body -- the AIFF -- to consider Gray's unfortunate situation and help them reinstate order in their squad before the I-League. The 31-year-old had signed on with the club for five months.
As Tanna put it, "We've (PFC) exhausted all our options (on-loan players, interstate transfers)." While the possibility of AIFF considering PFC's request seems bleak -- the possibility being other teams use 'injury and ruled out' as an excuse -- PFC have surely not had the best of starts in their inaugural year.

::: Waris Rashid to lead Chandigarh U14 team :::
Waris Rashid of St Stephen's Football Academy, Sector 45, will lead the Chandigarh U14 team in the AIFF Under-14 Football Festival to be held in Goa from February 25 to March 4. The team was attending a 15-day coaching camp which concluded at the St Stephen's School today.
Announcing the team, Chandigarh FA secretary Rakesh Bakshi said that Surinder Singh and Manjit Singh will accompany the team as coach and manager, respectively.
Chandigarh U14: Warish Rashid (captain), Sirtaj Singh, Sahil Mohkta, Uma Kant Singh,Suraj Singh, Kanwar Sumari Singh, Gulmei Miramdun, Rahul Chadha, Attinder Pal Singh, Sonu Majhi, JasbirSingh, Pawan, Daksh Bassi, Amrinder Thappa and Uday Partap.

::: Delhi U14 team named :::
Midfielder Kislay Singh Salwan has been named Delhi U14 captain for the AIFF Under-14 Football Festival to be held in Goa from February 25 to March 4.
Delhi U14: Goalkeepers: Shaswat Mishra, Gaurav Rawat; Defenders: Rahul Aswal, Real Singh, Rodrick Joseph, Rajendra Singh, Ankit Yadav; Midfielders: Kislay Singh Salwan (Captain), Supunya Davavrat, Yudhveer Singh Rawal, Ishal Pakrashi, Shrikant Mohan, Sachin Rawat, Anirudh Ojha; Forwards: Michael Chongthu, Anish Kumar and Vidur Kathuria.

::: I have achieved my goals with CFA: Tom Stuckey :::
The Chief coach of the Egidius Braun Sports School in Leipzig, Germany Tom Stuckey has prepared profiles of all trainees of the state-run Chandigarh Football Academy after training them for two weeks at the Sector 42 Sports Complex in Chandigarh. The advanced training camp concluded today with a practice match with Sanjay Public School, Sector 44.
"I have submitted the profile of the players and now the Indian football coaches have to work on it for improvement," said Tom Stuckey and added that "I have achieved by goals I wanted to achieve in two weeks which is not much of time."
"Though the CFA boys lost, they played proper football with quick passes, dribbling and shooting. However, their opponents were more mature and physically strong. The SPS players played with long passes. I am happy with my trainees whose basics are more strong and sound," said Tom Stuckey, 25, who is a 'C' licence holder in Germany. He would have cleared level 'A' licence but two years experience is required as per the rules before getting an 'A' level licence.
"Though happy with his assignment with the CFA trainees, two weeks were not enough. At least one month would have been better for more better results. Exams and other factors prevented longer stay with the CFA trainees," said Tom who was confident that "we (CFA) will get the fruits after some time."
Asked about the main weakness he might have noticed among the CFA players, Tom Stuckey said "they lacked defensive discipline. My stress was on that aspect more."
Elaborating the defensive discipline, the young German coach said "if a striker loses the ball, it will not make much difference. However, if a defender loses the ball, it can spell danger. So the defender should know his next job. That is diagonal coverage. The CFA players are adopting it and they have to continuously work on it. I have given the inputs and the Indian coaches have to work on it."
Regarding the plus point, Tom Stuckey explained "their basics - passing, dribbling and ball control - are very sound. They play two-touch or one-touch game."
Tom has also given junior practice plans before the CFA trainees next visit Germany. "I was also involved in selection for CFA vacant seats. Out of 50 shortlisted eligible players, I selected three seniors and three juniors."
On physical training, Tom said "the hi-tech gym is wonderful. The infrastructure and training facilities are excellent. Even some of these are not available in Germany. The football trainees can play volleyball and other sports disciplines when they find training monotonous." Tom who had studied sports science, said the 'football wall' is an excellent thing for training. He had also given a suggestion for reducing the height of the poles for header practice.
Stressing the participation in tournaments and playing regular matches are very essential to evaluate the players progress, Tom has suggested 'weekly competitions". "We have prepared videos of each training session. The Indian coaches can see, if they require, how I taught a particular exercise during the training."
Sports Director-cum-Additional Deputy Commissioner IS Sandhu confirmed that the German coach has submitted the profile of all players and "our coaches would work on the evaluation given by Tom Stuckey."
Inderjit Sandhu presented a memento to Tom after his last training session with the CFA players on Wednesday evening.
Tom Stuckey had called on Chandigarh Administrator and Punjab Governor Gen (Retd) SF Rodrigues and Adviser to the Chandigarh Administrator Pardip Mehra. Gen Rodrigues suggested "review after every practice. This should be a continuous process for achieving excellence. Mr Mehra assured that whatever suggestions Tom Stuckey has given after his evaluation, the Chandigarh Sports Department would implement it.

February 19

RESULTS & NEWS

6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group B: Border Security Force 0-1 Garhwal Heroes, Delhi - Goal: 0-1 Henry Jerome Etuke (45+2').
6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group B: State Bank of Travancore 0-1 Indian National FC - Goal: 0-1 Anthony Ifeanyi (pen).

::: Inaugural JRD Tata Youth (U19) Invitational Football Tournament in Jamshedpur :::
As part of their Centenary Celebrations Tata Steel's Tata Football Academy will be organising the inaugural JRD Tata Youth (U19) Invitational Football Tournament / I-League under the aegis of the Jharkhand FA and AIFF, from February 22 to March 3, 2008 at the JRD Sports Complex, Jamshedpur. This event is being initiated to bring competition among the U19 academies and club sides of the country.
In total 12 I-League sides and Academies will be seen in action, who have been divided into four groups of three teams each. In Group 1 hosts Tata Football Academy would face Air-India and IFA-CSF Academy. In Group 2 Mohun Bagan-SAIL Football Academy would face Sporting Clube de Goa and Mahindra United. In Group 3 East Bengal would take on Salgaocar SC and SAI, Delhi. While in Group 4 Dempo SC would take on JCT, Phagwara and Sesa Football Academy.
The tournament will be played on league-cum-knockout basis and the prize money for the winner and runner up teams would be Rs. 100,000 and 75,000 respectively along with the replica trophies. Besides this two semifinalist teams will also get a cash award of Rs. 50,000 each and three awards of Rs 5000/- each would be given to the Best Goalkeeper, Highest Scorer and Man of the tournament. A Fair Play trophy would be handed out to the best-disciplined team with a cash prize of Rs. 10,000.
The finals will be held on March 3, 2008 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex with AIFF president Priya Ranjan Das Munshi having agreed to be Chief Guest of the occasion.

There will also be a two-day Coaches Clinic at JRD Sports Complex on February 25/26 which will be conducted by national coach Bob Houghton in which all the coaches of District Associations of Jharkhand are invited to participate and take the benefit from the Coaches Clinic. This course will be attended by all academies / I-League Clubs participating in the tournament.
For the 1st JRD Tata Youth (U19) Cup fixtures .

::: Mumbai FC Junior Champs 2008: Close to 1000 teams register for Mumbai's football fiesta :::
Come February, all roads in Mumbai will lead to the football ground as close to 1000 teams and more than 10,000 players below the age of 18, both boys and girls, will lace up their boots to kick off the Mumbai FC Junior Champs football tournament. This novel initiative by the city's newest community based football club has taken Mumbai by storm and the city's sports loving community has responded in typical fashion, with teams from Colaba to Dharavi, Churchgate to Vasai, VT to Navi Mumbai and Bandra to Ambarnath registering in huge numbers.
Where man divides, sport unites. Nothing justifies this better than the response from the people of Mumbai to the Mumbai FC Junior Champs programme. Cutting across barriers of economic disparity, caste, creed and religion, football teams have come together at 16 zones across the demographic spread of the city over four weekends to indulge themselves in the world's most popular game - Football.
The action on the first weekend beginning February 22 kicks off at the Thakur Ground, Kandivli; the PWD Ground at Malwani, Malad; and the St. Andrew's Ground, Bandra. This will be followed by the tournament at the Bhavan's College ground, Andheri on February 25/26. The following weekend (February 29 to March 2) will see action shifting to Navi Mumbai, Chembur, Mulund, Vikhroli-Ghatkopar and Dadar-Matunga and to Saki Naka, Andheri on March 6/7. March 7 to 9 will see football action in the zones of Sion-Dharavi, Mazgaon-Byculla, Mumbai Central to Worli, which will also cover areas like Colaba, Kalbadei, Girgaum and Mahim, and the zone of Thane-Ambarnath.

115 teams will be seen in action in Bandra, while 115 teams will play in Kandivli, with the Malad zone seeing 62 teams in action. The Andheri zone has attracted a mammoth 149 teams. These teams are divided into the four age categories of under-10, under-14, under-18 among boys and under-16 among girls. The winner from each category will advance into the city finals, which will be played at the Police Ground, Ghatkopar on March 14 to 16, 2008.
For the first time ever in the footballing history of the city has a private club endeavoured to take on the mammoth task of getting the entire city together on the common platform of football. The tremendous popularity the game enjoys can be gauged from the response, which has seen up to 1000 teams registering for the event. Of course, the response also reflects positively on the commitment of Mumbai FC towards making true their credo, which is to give every Mumbaikar an opportunity to play football, transcending all limitations.

Mumbai FC has also set a record of sorts by having all the participants in the Mumbai FC Junior Champs programme insured against injury.
The Mumbai FC Junior Champs will also be the launch pad for talented footballers to fulfil their potential of going ahead and playing for reputed clubs and their country as talent scouts will pick them for future intensified football training under the tutelage of Mumbai FC's reputed coaches.

Every participant will be given a certificate, while there will be a man of the match award for each match, which will be a certificate, a memento and a free entry ticket to Esselworld. The winners of the zonal finals in all categories will get a cash award of Rs 5.000, while the winners of the city finals will get a cash award of Rs 25.000, besides a goody bag with a replica of the Mumbai FC T-shirt, a sipper and other gifts. Besides creating a festival atmosphere at all venue with comperes, live music and food stalls, all spectators who register themselves at the venues will be given gifts and freebies and will also be eligible to a daily lucky dip, where the prize will be a Dish TV connection.

::: 1st International Goalkeeping Congress to be held in Nuremberg, Germany :::
The 1st International Goalkeeping Congress will be held from April 18 to 20, 2008 at the easyCredit Stadium in Nuremberg, Germany. Patrons of the Congress are German national goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke and Michael Fuchs (German Women's national goalkeeping coach).
At the three day congress numerous Coaches, Trainers and Guest speakers will talk about the latest trends, perspectives and the future potential of Goalkeeping. On Sunday there will be practical workshops for children.
Over 100 Coaches, Goalkeeping Coaches and Goalkeepers plus Media and other football interested person from Germany and abroad are likely to attent. A large amount of the participation fees will go to the charity SOUTH AFRICAN GOALKEEPER SCHOOLS 2010, who have centres in the nine 2010 FIFA World Cup hosting cities in South Africa.

February 18

RESULTS & NEWS

6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group A: Punjab Police 3-0 Ahbab FC, Delhi - Goals: 1-0 Harshdeep Singh (2'), 2-0 Amandeep Singh Batra (74'), 3-0 Harpreet Singh (75').
6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group A: New Delhi Heroes 3-0 Peerless SC, Calcutta - Goals: 1-0 Amjad Hussain (3'), 2-0 Baba Tunde (30'), 3-0 Gyan Moin Thapa (85').

2nd Manipur State League: Manipur Police SC 2-0 Phoudel Youth Club, Thoubal
2nd Manipur State League: NISA, Thangmeiband 3-0 Kakching FC
2nd Manipur State League: YWC, Thambalkhong 0-2 United Sports Association
2nd Manipur State League: Eastern Sporting Union 0-2 Tiddim Road Athletic Union
2nd Manipur State League: Southern Sporting Union 1-1 NEROCA

::: Pune FC - Injury to insult: World Cupper cracks shin bone, out for 3-4 weeks :::
by Micky Aigner: If Stewart Hall's departure was an unexpected development, Pune FC on Friday was in for a bigger shock. High-profile defender Cyd Gray - a member of the Trinidad&Tobago squad at the 2006 Germany World Cup - on Friday was ruled out for at least three to four weeks. Reason: a cracked shine bone.
Gray, it is learnt, was injured during a 'friendly' match against Hindustan Aeronautics Limited at Bangalore on Friday. Pune FC ended 4-0 victors, but in the bargain paid the price. The Trinidadian was "ruthlessly" tackled and ended up with a cracked right shin and major damage to the lower tibia. Confirming this was Chirag Tanna, who added, "the HAL player was red-carded... and mind you this was a friendly tie." As PFC general manager explained, "Cyd and Minz (HAL) were in a fifty-fifty situation with the later in a good position to take a shy on the goal."
For the record, Emeka netted a hattrick, while Suman completed the tally.
While a time frame could not be ascertained - two months was the Bangalore hospital's verdict - as to how long Gray would take to rehabilitate himself, Chirag informed The Indian Express that they were hoping to get Mumbai-based renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr Anant Joshi check Gray.
"It's a big blow no doubt," informed Tanna, who also highlighted that they (Pune FC) have closed all doors on seeking transfers, loans on players by already completing their quota. "I guess if he (Gray) can play towards the end of the league it would be a miracle," explained Tanna.
With Gray injured the biggest loser would be the city's football fraternity who would miss the chance to see a World Cupper in action with the All India Abhijeet Kadam Memorial scheduled to be played from February 27.

::: Guardian Blog: Something interesting on Indian football :::
The Sportblog on the Guardian website always have something interesting on the world of sports and the different views of numerous people!
Today Dileep Premachandran has written something on his experiences yesterday at the Municipal Corporation Stadium, Calicut at the Viva Kerala vs East Bengal relegation. Titled "Crowds dwindle as disillusioning reality of Indian football bites" Dileep looks at the state of football, its infrastructure and its fans after watching this match.
Go to the Guardian Sportblog write-up .

February 17

RESULTS & NEWS

I-League Special with lots of news, stats, pictures and more click here

1st "ONGC" I-League | Round 17 | Nehru Stadium, Margao | 16.00 IST: Salgaocar SC 1-1 Dempo SC Goals: 1-0 Joe Rodrigues (29'), 1-1 Ranty Martins Soleye (37') SALGAOCAR: 2-Marcus Basumatary; 12-Remus Gomes, 22-Hery Habimana, 8-Agnelo Colaco, 23-William Colaco; 19-Shylo Malswam Tulunga (63' 6-Nicholas L Rodrigues), 25-Rocus Lamare [C], 31-Fabio dos Passos, 29-Joe Rodrigues, 27-Bevan D'Mello (74' 30-Francis Fernandes), 10-Boniface Ngairah Ambani (53' 26-Milagres Gonsalves). Unused Substitutes: 1-Milagrio Medeira, 17-TV Biju Kumar, 18-Samson Fernandes, 11-PK Anil Kumar DEMPO: 1-Abhijit Mondal; 4-Cressan Antao, 3-John Charles Dias, 28-Mahesh Gawli (19' 23-Dominic Noronha), 16-Samir Naik; 19-Johnny D'Cruz (81' 17-Joaquim Abranches), 8-Climax Lawrence, 11-Roberto Mendes Silva, 22-Nicolau Borges; 9-Ranty Martins Soleye [C], 30-Chidi Edeh. Unused Substitutes: 31-Tyson Caiado, 24-Melwyn Rodrigues, 25-Pio Rodrigues, 20-Riston Rodrigues, 29-Clifton Gonsalves "ONGC" MAN OF THE MATCH: Joe Rodrigues (Salgaocar). YELLOW CARDS: Remus Gomes (9'), Hery Habimana (73'), 2-Marcus Basumatary (90+1', all Salgaocar). REFEREE: Dinesh Nair (Gujarat). ASSISTANT REFEREES: Andrew Sekhar (Karnataka), Pratap Singh (Services). FOURTH OFFICIAL: T Pradeep Kumar (Tamil Nadu). Match Report: ...

I-League Special with lots of news, stats, pictures and more click here

1st "ONGC" I-League | Round 17 | Municipal Corporation Stadium, Calicut | 15.30 IST: Viva Kerala 1-3 East Bengal Club Goals: 0-1 Syed Rahim Nabi (20'), 1-1 Ebin Rose (45+1'), 1-2 Alvito D'Cunha (57'), 1-3 Edmilson Marques Pardal (90') VIVA KERALA: 25-MV Nelson; 2-Ebin Rose, 4-Tutu George, 5-Akshay Das, 6-Othallo Tabia; 22-KV Lalu, 8-Sargolsem James Singh [C], 7-Bimanyu Bimal Birua (68' 21-Santa Saikhom Singh), 16-Shahbas Shaleel; 10-Badmus Baba Thunde (65' 18-Chanambam Jatin Singh), 17-Wisdom Abbey. Unused Substitutes: 1-TG Purushothaman, 26-Mohammad Helmy, 19-Sabbarayan Satish Kumar, 23-Sunil Kumar Thakur, 28-Somy PT EAST BENGAL: 24-Subrata Pal; 27-Irungbam Surkumar Singh, 4-Julius Owino, 12-Anupam Sarkar, 29-Saumik Dey; 23-Mehtab Hussain, 26-Mehraj din Wadoo, 9-Alvito D'Cunha, 40-Vanlal Rova (46' 34-Snehasis Chakraborty); 19-Syed Rahim Nabi [C], 30-Edmilson Marques Pardal. Unused Substitutes: 21-Abhra Mondal, 3-Majekodumni Balaji, 11-Hardip Singh Saini, 16-Ratan Das, 10-Dipendu Biswas, 22-Vimal Pariyar "ONGC" MAN OF THE MATCH: Syed Rahim Nabi (East Bengal Club). YELLOW CARDS: Shahbas Shaleel (74'), Wisdom Abbey (90', both Viva Kerala). REFEREE: Rizwan ul-Haq (Delhi). ASSISTANT REFEREES: G Thampiraj (Tamil Nadu), A Arjunan (Services). FOURTH OFFICIAL: Francisco Fernandes (Goa). Match Report: Calcutta giants East Bengal Club maintained their I-League status by winning a crucial Round 17 away match 3-1 against Viva Kerala at the Municipal Corporation Stadium, Calicut. With today's win East Bengal jumped into sixth place with now 18 points from 17 matches and they relieved themselves of the fear of relegation. Meanwhile Viva Kerala and Goans Salgaocar SC are now definitely relegated to Division 2 at the end of Round 17. Viva Kerala have so far been only able to gather 12 points from the same number of matches which means that the two sides which came-up last season go down again this year.

17th Dutta Ray Trophy (U21 Nationals) - Final: Goa 2-0 Tamil Nadu - Goals: 1-0 Adil Khan (8'), 2-0 Savio Fernandes (44').

6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group B: Garhwal Heroes, Delhi - State Bank of Travancore - Goals: -.
6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group B: Border Security Force - Jammu&Kashmir Bank - Goals: -.

::: EXCLUSIVE NEWS: Pune FC: Exit Hall, Enter McNally :::
by Micky Aigner: Just four months after taking charge as Pune F.C's first coach, Stewart Hall leaves in search for grassier knowles
Four months after being signed on, Pune Football Club coach Stewart Hall last week quit. For several aficionados Hall's decision may seem as a major setback for the newly formed club who eye the Second Division I-League, but consider this - the British journeyman has landed a job with the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines national football team!
As club officials put it, "we feel moving to better and greener pastures are decisions anyone and everyone need to accept sportingly. We have no hard feelings and wish him good luck." Hall, it is learnt, has joined SVG as technical director/ head coach and will deal with the U-15, 19, 21 and National football teams. The SVG Football Federation (SVGFF) has signed Hall on a three-year deal.
On the hindsight, Hall's move can be perfectly understood since his profile lacked being at the helm of a National team. Moreover, SVG currently rank six places higher than India at 139 on FIFA's list. Hall, informed, "this year has undoubtedly been a great year for me professionally. Coming to India and working with Pune FC allowed me to experience India and acknowledge the potential that this country has towards football. I also believe that an opportunity of managing a country that is ranked much higher than India will not happen very often and therefore I have had to take this decision. Their World Cup campaign starts in June and there is a lot of ground work for me to do before the kickoff."
Left with an 'act quickly situation' Pune F.C who relieved the Britisher of all contractual obligations - Hall meanwhile addressed his first press conference on Monday - have gone ahead in signing England-born Northern Irishman Bernard McNally, a member of the Pat Jennings-led squad at the 1986 Mexico World Cup. For the record Jennings celebrated his 40th birthday as Northern Ireland bowed out losing to Brazil.
The 44-year-old McNally - one among the many Pune FC short-listed coaches - has already joined the team and also witnessed the club's practice matches at Bangalore. "McNally has formally taken over," informed Chirag Tanna. In fact, McNally from Bangalore has decided to get a feel of Indian football and has shown desire to watch a couple of I-League matches.
Acknowledging the Ashok Piramal Group's trust in him, McNally added, "coaching is about hard work, determination, and inspiration at the right moment. I believe this is a great time for PFC to make their mark and to accomplish this, our practice sessions are already on a roll and we are all set to play in the forthcoming second division I-League."
McNally, unlike Hall, was an active player until 1998. A midfielder during his heydays, McNally has mostly traded his skills in England - Shrewsbery Town (for nearly a decade) and Hednesford Town, apart from six years at West Bromwich Albion where he tasted both relegation and promotion in the second tier of English football. On the international stage, McNally earned five caps for Northern Ireland between 1986-88. McNally was first given a chance at international level in the build up to Mexico '86, and earned himself a place in Northern Ireland's squad for the Finals despite having made just one appearance. Over the following two years he further caps, without ever establishing himself in legendary coach Billy Bingham's plans.
With an ankle injury finishing his career, McNally returned to West Brom in 2002, coaching various age groups, before being appointed as Centre of Excellence Director. He left the role in July 2004 to become the first manager of AFC Telford United, the club he last played as a non contract player.
Whether or not McNally can wave his magic wand on Pune FC's fortunes will be something time would tell, one thing for sure is the vast 'playing' experience he has something Hall did not.

February 16

RESULTS & NEWS

I-League Special with lots of news, stats, pictures and more click here

1st "ONGC" I-League | Round 17 | Nehru Stadium, Margao | 16.00 IST: Sporting Clube de Goa 0-1 Churchill Brothers SC Goals: 0-1 Odafe Onyeka Okolie (11'), 1-1 Freddy Mascarenhas (73') SPORTING CLUBE: 1-Felix D'Souza; 18-Denzil Franco, 6-Philip Gomes, 3-Mathew Gonsalves, 4-Chinta Chandrashekar; 14-Wilton Gomes [C] (63' 23-Bibiano Fernandes), 22-Joseph Pereira, 7-Harmanjot Singh Khabra, 27-L Bisheshwor Singh; 20-Elijah Obagbemiro Junior (73' 9-Freddy Mascarenhas), 11-Lawrence Adjei (90'+6' 8-N Rajesh Meetei). Unused Substitutes: 31-Gerald D'Mello, 2-Parwinder Singh, 12-Lavino Fernandes, 15-Mauricio Freeman Peixoto CHURCHILL BROS: 1-Vinay Singh; 8-Thokchom Naoba Singh, 6-N Govind Singh, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 13-Mashangva Genius Zenith; 12-Reisangmei Vashum, 14-Chitrasen Chandam Singh, 21-Ogba Kalu Nnanna, 11-Khemtang Paite (81' 15-D Raju); 9-Mboyo Iyomi, 10-Odafe Onyeka Okolie [C]. Unused Substitutes: 29-Arindam Bhattcharya, 2-Villroy D'Cruz, 4-Rowilson Rodrigues, 7-Martin Louis Joseph Daniel, 25-Drupesh Desai, 18-Saran Thangjam Singh "ONGC" MAN OF THE MATCH: Chinta Chandrashekar (Sporting Clube). YELLOW CARDS: Wilton Gomes (50', Sporting Clube). REFEREE: T Pradeep Kumar (Tamil Nadu). ASSISTANT REFEREES: Pratap Singh (Services), Andrew Sekhar (Karnataka). FOURTH OFFICIAL: Dinesh Nair (Gujarat). Match Report: ...

I-League Special with lots of news, stats, pictures and more click here

1st "ONGC" I-League | Round 17 | Nehru Stadium, Margao | 15.30 IST: Air-India 0-1 Mahindra United Goals: 0-1 Yakubu Yusif (83') AIR-INDIA: 1-Arnab Das Sharma; 2-Haobijam Napoleon Singh, 3-Nirmal Chetri, 22-Suley Musah [C], 6-L Uttam Singh, 19-Santosh Koli (90+4' 26-Amrit Pal Singh); 15-Sanju Pradhan (71' 10-T Narender Meetei), 12-Michael Segum Tayo, 20-Paresh Shivalkar; 27-Bashiree Mohammed Abbas, 8-Kumar Samson Singh (85' 18-Hamza Zaheer Abbas). Unused Substitutes: 30-Sarath EC, 4-L Dhanachandra Singh, 13-Hirohito Elangbam, 11-Hringsolal Thomte MAHINDRA UTD: 24-Sandip Nandy [C]; 7-Sushanth Mathew, 5-Harpreet Singh, 26-Bello Rasaq; 23-Steven Dias [C], 16-Sunil Kumar, 29-Pierre Djidjia Douhou, 17-Sukhwinder Singh, 11-M Mohammed Rafi (90+1' 14-Dharmaraj Ravanan); 15-Khangemban Thoi Singh (46' 28-Sushil Kumar Singh), 10-Yakubu Yusif (90+3' 27-Noel Fernandes). Unused Substitutes: 1-Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, 21-Gautam Debnath, 12-Manjit Singh, 20-Bhola Prasad "ONGC" MAN OF THE MATCH: Yakubu Yusif (Mahindra United). YELLOW CARDS: none. REFEREE: Subrata Sarkar (West Bengal). ASSISTANT REFEREES: PK Bose (Madhya Pradesh), Shaji Kurian (Kerala). FOURTH OFFICIAL: Egideo D'Costa (Goa). MATCH COMMISSIONER: Gokuldas Nagvenkar (Goa). Match Report: ...

I-League Special with lots of news, stats, pictures and more click here

1st "ONGC" I-League | Round 17 | Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana | 14.30 IST: JCT, Phagwara 1-1 Mohun Bagan AC Goals: 0-1 Habibur Rehman Mondal (26'), 1-1 Sunil Chetri (58') JCT: 1-Karanjit Singh; 2-Jaspal Singh, 3-Anwar Ali, 4-Julius Irabor Akpele [C], 12-Daljit Singh; 13-Baldeep Singh Sr (46' 28-Shivraj Singh), 6-Baljit Singh Sahni, 20-Marcos Pereira, 27-Baldeep Singh Jr; 11-Sunil Chetri, 10-Eduardo da Silva Escobar. Unused Substitutes: 32-Prasanta Dora, 24-Gurwinder Singh, 8-Jaswinder Singh, 15-P Renedy Singh, 17-Parveen Kumar, 25-Sakatar Singh MOHUN BAGAN: 1-Sangram Mukherjee; 5-Habibur Rehman Mondal, 14-Peter Odafe, 3-Nanjangud Shivananju Manju, 17-Rahul Kumar; 16-James Lukram Singh (64' 8-Ayan Chowdhury), 2-Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, 18-Dharamjit Singh, 11-Ishfaq Ahmed (78' 6-Shanmugam Venkatesh); 10-Jose Ramirez Barreto, 15-Baichung Bhutia [C]. Unused Substitutes: 19-Pralay Dutta, 12-Peter Siddiqui, 32-Anit Kumar Ghosh, 22-Lalkamal Bhowmick "ONGC" MAN OF THE MATCH: Sunil Chetri (JCT). YELLOW CARDS: none. REFEREE: S Suresh (Tamil Nadu). ASSISTANT REFEREES: A Rowan (Services); SB Saha (Delhi). FOURTH OFFICIAL: Mohammed Kamil (Delhi). MATCH COMMISSIONER: J Ravishankar (Delhi), Match Report: Phagwara's JCT managed a 1-1 draw against Mohun Bagan AC in a Round 17 match of the ongoing I-League held at Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana. The Calcutta team went ahead in the 28th minute through Habibur Rehman Mondal who sneaked into JCT territory and sent the ball into the nets with a superb shot. After changing ends JCT played better game and exhibited fine coordination, which helped them to cancel the lead in 58th minute through Sunil Chetri. Eduardo da Silva Escobar and Chetri combined well to get the equaliser. Indian international striker Sunil Chetri was adjudged Man of the Match. JCT now with eight wins, three defeats and six draws have gathered 30 points and are placed third in the table, just ahead of Mohun Bagan who are on 29 points.

6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group A: Ahbab FC, Delhi 1-1 Peerless SC, Calcutta - Goals: 0-1 Manik Burman (31'), 1-1 Isiah (77').
6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group A: Punjab Police 1-2 ONGC, Mumbai - Goals: 1-0 Gur Iqbal Singh (27'), 1-1,1-2 Nooruddin Saleh Olawale (55',62' pen).

::: 113th IFA-Shield fixtures out :::
The 113th edition of the IFA-Shield will finally be played from February 25 to March 7. Seven teams have been divided into two groups. Three team Group A will be local side East Bengal facing defending champions Mahindra United from Mumbai and South African side Santos FC. In Group B four teams would be seen in action. Besides local giants Mohun Bagan AC, there would be Goans Churchill Brothers SC, Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting from Bangladesh and the champions of the ongoing Pradyut Dutta Memorial Trophy.
Matches from February 25 to 29 would be played at the Saltlake Stadium. As we reported from March 1 to 10 the huge venue isn't available due to the Bookfair. On March 1 the group match would be played at Barasat Stadium, while on March 2 & 3 the IFA hopes to allow the local giants to play their matches at their home ground. For the remainder of the tournament the IFA is looking for the right venues. The venues for the semifinals and final would only be decided after the group stages as an East Bengal - Mohun Bagan derby would need to be played at a venue cleared by security officials. This match could be played outside Calcutta at the Haldia Stadium.
The semifinals and final will be shown live by ESPN-Star Sports who hold the tournament rights.
For the 113th IFA-Shield fixtures .

February 15

RESULTS & NEWS

6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group A: New Delhi Heroes 1-1 ONGC, Mumbai - Goals: 0-1 Sashmal (40'), 1-1 Baba Tunde (68').
6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group B: Indian National FC 2-1 Jammu&Kashmir Bank - Goals: 0-1 Bilal Ahmad Wani, 1-1 Anthony Ifeanyi (58'), 2-1 Lalit Rawat (78').

2nd Manipur State League: NEROCA 0-0 Tiddim Road Athletic Union

17th Dutta Ray Trophy (U21 Nationals) - Semifinal: Punjab 0-2 Goa - Goals: 0-1 Joel Sequeira (33'), 0-2 Semson Fernandes (70').
17th Dutta Ray Trophy (U21 Nationals) - Semifinal: Assam 1-3 Tamil Nadu - Goals: 0-1 Sabeeth (8'), 0-2 Elamurugan (43'), 1-2 Diganta Baruah (52'), 1-3 Manikandan (85' pen).

::: Inaugural I-League is heading for a thrilling finale :::
The inaugural I-League is heading for a thrilling finale! Two of the 18 Rounds are still to be played with the title race and relegation battle both hotting-up with Round 17 matches to be played over the upcoming weekend across India.
At the top Dempo SC, Churchill Brothers SC and JCT are fighting for the title. Dempo and Churchill Brothers are on 32 points, while JCT trail the duo on 29 points and have an outside chance. History could repeat itself like 11 years ago when JCT won the inaugural National Football League title, but only if the Goan favourites slip up. Both Dempo SC and Churchill Brothers SC face tricky Goan derbies. Dempo take on Salgaocar SC (Sunday), while Churchill Brothers face Sporting Clube de Goa (Saturday) with both matches at the Nehru Stadium in Margao. JCT host Mohun Bagan AC (Saturday) at the Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana in a top clash between the third and fourth placed teams.
On the other side of the table things are as interesting. Salgaocar SC are nearly relegated on 10 points, while Viva Kerala on 12 points and East Bengal on 15 points are fighting for survival, and Sporting Clube de Goa and Air-India just need a point from two matches to be safe.
Bottom of the table Salgaocar SC won their first match of the I-League in the last round against Viva Kerala, but only if they win both remaining matches the Goans might, only might have a chance to stay in the I-League. Above them in ninth are Viva Kerala and they face eighth-placed East Bengal Club in a crucial clash on Sunday at the Municipal Corporation Stadium, Calicut. It is a game of survival though East Bengal's situation is better not only due to three more points then their Keralite rivals but also due to a 12 goal better goal difference.
Sit back and enjoy the final two rounds of the inaugural I-League...

February 14

RESULTS & NEWS

6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group A: Peerless SC, Calcutta 0-2 Punjab Police - Goals: 0-1 Amandeep Singh (42'), 0-2 Gurbinder Singh (88').
6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group B: State Bank of Travancore 1-4 Border Security Force - Goals: 0-1,0-2,1-3 Harpreet Singh, 1-2 Dennis Mark Afam (39'), 1-4 Balraj Singh (pen).

::: Indian players need more foreign exposure: Baichung Bhutia :::
PTI report: Indian players need more foreign exposure to come up to the world standards, top footballer Baichung Bhutia said on Thursday.
"Indian football players need more international exposure, which they are lacking," Bhutia told reporters in Mohali, where the Mohun Bagan skipper along with his teammates had a brief stopover as they called on one of their injured players Sanjeev Marya at his residence.
Bhutia, however, said he was still happy the way national team was shaping up, with some good young talent showing a lot of promise ahead. He said players like NP Pradeep, Sunil Chetri, Steven Dias and Subrata Pal were quite talented.
Bhutia said the team had good chances in the upcoming SAFF Cup and AFC Challenge Cup, but now they need to prepare well for it.
To a question, he lamented that after any major tournament they do not get adequate time to settle down to play for their clubs.
Asked about the Padmshri awarded to him, he said, "it is not just an honour for me, but I share it with my entire team and credit goes to all of them".

February 13

RESULTS & NEWS

::: IndianFootball.Com interview: Roberto Mendes Silva (Midfielder, Dempo SC) :::
IndianFootball.Com's Arunava Chaudhuri had the chance to interview Brazilian Roberto Mendes Silva, Dempo SC's influencial midfielder. They chat about Indian football, his aims with Dempo and the private 'Beto'...
Click here to read the complete >>Roberto Mendes Silva (Midfielder, Dempo SC) interview

6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group A: ONGC, Mumbai 1-0 Ahbab FC, Delhi - Goal: 1-0 Nooruddin Saleh Olawale (54').
6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group B: Jammu&Kashmir Bank 0-0 Garhwal Heroes, Delhi - Goals: none.

2nd Manipur State League: Kakching FC 1-2 Southern Sporting Union
2nd Manipur State League: United Sports Association 0-2 Eastern Sporting Union
2nd Manipur State League: Phoudel Youth Club, Thoubal 1-3 NISA, Thangmeiband
2nd Manipur State League: RACC, Churachandpur 1-3 Manipur Police SC
2nd Manipur State League: AMOFA, Moirang 1-0 YWC, Thambalkhong
2nd Manipur State League: NEROCA - Tiddim Road Athletic Union = match couldn't be played due to match officials not turning-up

17th Dutta Ray Trophy (U21 Nationals) - Quarterfinal League Group B: Maharashtra 6-1 Kerala - Goals: 0-1 Shamil (8'), 1-1,3-1 Chetan Kumar (43',67'), 2-1,5-1 Keegan Pereira (65',79'), 4-1 Craig D'Souza (78'), 6-1 Sameer Ansari (89').
17th Dutta Ray Trophy (U21 Nationals) - Quarterfinal League Group B: Goa 1-1 Assam - Goals: 0-1 Sibra Narzary (18'), 1-1 Sanasar Fernandes (63').

::: INDIA down a place to 145 in the FIFA World Rankings :::
World football governing body FIFA today released the latest rankings in which INDIA has dropped a place to be 145th amongst 208 ranked nations. INDIA continue to have 152 points, no change from last month. In Asia INDIA remain 27th just behind Yemen.

::: Pradyut Dutta Memorial Trophy: Md Sporting vs Peerless SC :::
The Pradyut Dutta Memorial Trophy Group stage match Md Sporting vs Peerless SC which had to be abandoned last Saturday will be replayed. That was the result of a meeting between IFA and Mohammedan Sporting officials. When and where the match would be replayed will be decided later. Peerless SC is currently away in Delhi playing the Lt. Governor's Cup, but the IFA informed that the match would not take place at the Mohammedan Sporting ground where the incidence had taken place.
Mohammedan Sporting officially apologised for their club's supporters which did help the IFA to reschedule the match.

February 12

RESULTS & NEWS

6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group A: New Delhi Heroes 2-0 Punjab Police - Goals: 1-0 Shariyat Raza (64'), 2-0 Harrison Nwaeke (90+2').
6th Lt. Governor's Cup, Delhi - Quarterfinal League Group B: Border Security Force 1-0 Indian National FC - Goal: 1-0 Harpreet Singh (65').

Pradyut Dutta Memerial Trophy - Group B: Chirag United SC 0-1 George Telegraph SC - Goal: 0-1 Saheed (71').

17th Dutta Ray Trophy (U21 Nationals) - League Phase Group A: Punjab 2-0 Mizoram - Goals: 1-0 Baljit Singh (79'), 2-0 Dilshad Ahmed (85').
17th Dutta Ray Trophy (U21 Nationals) - League Phase Group B: Tamil Nadu 4-2 West Bengal - Goals: 1-0,4-2 Sabeeth (9',90+4'), 1-1 Soumik Chakraborty (16'), 2-1,3-2 Freddie (23',67'), 2-2 Mahendra Singh Panwar (52').

::: Mohun Bagan AC to visit Mauritius :::
According to news out of the island nation of Mauritius Calcutta giants Mohun Bagan AC will visit the island from March 10 to 15 to play two friendly matches. The tour is said to have been cleared by the AIFF.

::: Maharashtra Women trials :::
The Maharasthra state Women's trial is being conducted at the Cooperage Ground, Mumbai on February 13 to 15 at 07:00 IST. Maharashtra will be playing in the 16th Women's National Football Championship in Haldia, West Bengal.
Mrs Anjali Shah (Premier India Football Academy) has been appointed team manager for the Nationals.

February 11

RESULTS & NEWS

::: IndianFootball.Com strengthen's its Editorial Team :::
IndianFootball.Com would like to welcome a new team member to our Editorial Team!
29-year old Rana Datta will join our existing team of editors and correspondents to cover football in a better way as our third Calcutta correspondent. Rana will be part of our team in the "City of Joy", who are already doing a fine job from there!
Rana, welcome to IndianFootball.Com!
Go to view our IndianFootball.Com Editorial team .

17th Dutta Ray Trophy (U21 Nationals) - Quarterfinal League Group B: Maharashtra 3-3 Assam - Goals: 1-0 Craig D'Souza (5'), 2-0 Tarique Ansari (44'), 2-1 Sibra Narzary (52'), 2-2,3-3 Manash Manjit Chetia (71',??'), 3-2 Keegan Pereira (75').
17th Dutta Ray Trophy (U21 Nationals) - Quarterfinal League Group B: Kerala 0-0 Goa - Goals: none.

::: AIFF announce pre-camp & full camp probables for the SAFF CUP & AFC Challenge Cup :::
The AIFF today released two separate lists of probables for two successive camps to be held for the upcoming SAFF Cup and AFC Challenge Cup. There will be a pre-camp for newcomers to the national team from March 26 in Goa for which 21 players have been called. Thereafter the full camp would be held from April 5 also in Goa with 24 players called-up for this camp with some players likely to be added from the pre-camp.
Pre-Camp Probables: Goalkeepers: Arindam Bhattacharya (Churchill Brothers SC), Subhashish Roy Choudhury (Mahindra United), Karanjit Singh (JCT). Defenders: Robert Lalthalma (Churchill Brothers SC), N Govind Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Noaba Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Valeriano Rebello (Dempo SC), N Mohanraj (Mohun Bagan AC), Nirmal Chetri (Air-India), Denzil Franco (Sporting Clube de Goa), Rakesh Masih (Tata Football Academy). Midfielders: Chitrasen Chandam Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Reisangmei Vashum (Churchill Brothers SC), Baldeep Singh (JCT), Rocus Lamare (Salgaocar SC), Sagolsem James Singh (Viva Kerala). Forwards: Khangebam Thoi Singh (Mahindra United), Sushil Kumar Singh (Mahindra United), Tarif Ahmed (Mahindra United), Sampath Kumar Kattimani (Mumbai FC), CS Sabeet (Karnataka)
Full Camp Probables: Goalkeepers: Subrata Pal (East Bengal Club), Sandip Nandy (Mahindra United). Defenders: Irungbam Surkumar Singh (East Bengal Club), Syed Rahim Nabi (East Bengal Club), Debabrata Roy (East Bengal Club), Mahesh Gawli (Dempo SC), Sameer Naik (Dempo SC), Deepak Kumar Mondal (Mohun Bagan AC), NS Manju (Mohun Bagan AC), Moirangthem Gouramangi Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Anwar Ali (JCT). Midfielders: Climax Lawrence (Dempo SC), Clifford Miranda (Dempo SC), Anthony Pereira (Dempo SC), Steven Dias (Mahindra United ), NP Pradeep (Mahindra United), Krishnan Nair Ajayan (Mahindra United), Renedy Singh (JCT), Mehraj din Wadoo (East Bengal Club), Bungo Singh (Pune FC). Forwards: Baichung Bhutia (Mohun Bagan AC), Sunil Chetri (JCT), Manjit Singh (Mahindra United), Abhishek Yadav (Mumbai FC).

February 10

RESULTS & NEWS

I-League Special with lots of news, stats, pictures and more click here

1st "ONGC" I-League | Round 16 | Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana | 14.30 IST: JCT, Phagwara 2-0 Air-India Goals: 1-0 Eduardo da Silva Escobar (55'), 2-0 Daljit Singh (67') JCT: 1-Karanjit Singh; 2-Jaspal Singh, 3-Anwar Ali, 4-Julius Irabor Akpele [C], 12-Daljit Singh; 13-Baldeep Singh Sr (80' 8-Jaswinder Singh), 27-Baldeep Singh Jr (55' 28-Shivraj Singh), 20-Marcos Pereira, 6-Baljit Singh Sahni; 11-Sunil Chhetri, 10-Eduardo da Silva Escobar (71' 17-Parveen Kumar) Unused Substitutes: 32-Prasanta Dora, 23-Harish Sharma, 15-P Renedy Singh, 24-Gurwinder Singh AIR-INDIA: 1-Arnab Das Sharma; 2-Haobijam Napoleon Singh, 26-Amrit Pal Singh, 3-Nirmal Chetri, 4-L Dhanachandra Singh (83' 9-Jiten Rai), 6-L Uttam Singh; 15-Sanju Pradhan (65' 8-Kumar Samson Singh), 12-Michael Segum Tayo, 20-Paresh Shivalkar; 27-Bashiree Mohammed Abbas, 7-Njoh Jean (73' 18-Hamza Zaheer Abbas) Unused Substitutes: 30-Sarath EC, 16-Covan Lawrence, 13-Hirohito Elangbam, 11-Hringsolal Thomte "ONGC" MAN OF THE MATCH: Julius Irabor Akpele (JCT). YELLOW CARD: Haobijam Napoleon Singh (85', Air-India). REFEREE: Deepak Singh (Delhi). ASSISTANT REFEREES: Mohammed Kamil (Delhi), Naveen Jaideep Sundi (Jharkhand). FOURTH OFFICIAL: Sitendu B Saha (Delhi). MATCH COMMISSIONER: Pradip Nag (West Bengal). Match Report: Phagwara's JCT slammed two goals to beat Air-India from Mumbai in a Round 16 match of the inaugural I-League played at the Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana. With today's win JCT moved to 29 points from 16 matches to keep their title hopes alive, while Air-India stay on 17 points from the same number of matches. After a barren first half, JCT's Brazilian striker Eduardo da Silva Escobar struck the first goal in the 55th minute from a long range freekick. JCT's Leftback Daljit Singh scored the second goal in the 67th minute of the game with a strong left footer from close to the halfway line. Air-India, who were dominant in the first half, squandered many chances to go ahead. JCT keeper Karanjit Singh made some brilliant saves in the first as well as second half to deny the Airmen.

I-League Special with lots of news, stats, pictures and more click here

1st "ONGC" I-League | Round 16 | Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta | 18.00 IST: East Bengal Club 0-1 Churchill Brothers SC Goals: 0-1 Mboyo Iyomi (77'). EAST BENGAL: 24-Subrata Pal; 27-Irungbam Surkumar Singh, 4-Julius Owino, 12-Anupam Sarkar, 5-Debabrata Roy; 23-Mehtab Hussain, 7-Jayanta Sen, 26-Mehraj din Wadoo, 34-Snehasis Chakraborty (70' 40-Vanlal Rova); 19-Syed Rahim Nabi [C], 9-Alvito D'Cunha (60' 14-Chandan Das, 90+2' 10-Dipendu Biswas). Unused Substitutes: 21-Abhra Mondal, 29-Saumik Dey, 32-Madhab Das, 22-Vimal Pariyar CHURCHILL BROS: 1-Vinay Singh; 8-Thokchom Naoba Singh, 19-Moirangthem Gouramangi Singh, 6-N Govind Singh, 17-Robert Lalthalma; 12-Reisangmei Vashum (46' 13-Mashangva Genius Zenith, 90+4' 18-Saran Thangjam Singh), 14-Chitrasen Chandam Singh, 21-Ogba Kalu Nnanna, 15-D Raju (76' 38-Jaison Valles); 9-Mboyo Iyomi, 10-Odafe Onyeka Okolie [C]. Unused Substitutes: 29-Arindam Bhattcharya, 2-Villroy D'Cruz, 4-Rowilson Rodrigues, 7-Martin Louis Joseph Daniel "ONGC" MAN OF THE MATCH: Subrata Pal (East Bengal). YELLOW CARDS: Debabrata Roy (90+3', East Bengal); Mboyo Iyomi (32'), Robert Lalthalma (63'), Jaison Valles (89' all Churchill Bros). RED CARD: Jayanta Sen (29', East Bengal). REFEREE: A Arjunan (Services). ASSISTANT REFEREES: MA Siddiqui (Madhya Pradesh), PK Bose (Madhya Pradesh). FOURTH OFFICIAL: Rizwan ul-Haq (Delhi). Match Report: 10 Men East Bengal Club couldn't hold on to a goalless draw against Churchill Brothers SC to go down by a goal in an exciting I-League match at Saltlake stadium, Calcutta. Churchill Brothers with now 32 points from 16 matches are level on points with league leaders Dempo SC but behind them on goal difference whereas East Bengal are still fighting to escape relegation with only 15 points. The match made a slow start with East Bengal not as aggressive as in their past three matches, while Churchill Brothers were testing waters initially with their highly rated African attack of Odafe Onyeka Okolie and Mboyo Iyomi heavily marked by the East Bengal defence. But it was to be these two men to have a first look on goal. In the 15th minute a brilliant Mboyo header is acrobatically saved by Subrata Pal. And only three minutes later an Odafe freekick just goes over the crossbar due to a deflection. East Bengal had their first chance through captain and stand-in striker Syed Rahim Nabi, but his weak shot went directly into the hands of Churchill goalkeeper Vinay Singh. Thereafter East Bengal were reduced to 10 men after a kung-fu style tackle from Jayanta Sen against Naoba Singh which resulted in a meelee amongst the players, but referee Arjunan kept his cool and ejected Jayanta for a harsh foul, while outside East Bengal supporters started throwing bottles into the ground. Odafe took the freekick and found Mboyo inside the box but he was also cautioned as he used his hand to score. Thereafter East Bengal seemed to have more focus with only 10 men on the field as they tried to put some attack's together. In the 36th minute a Mehtab Hussain 30 metre volley went straight into the hands of Vinay Singh, who happened to be in the right position. In the last minute of regulation time a Surkumar Singh longranger finds Nabi in the Churchill box with Gouramangi Singh unable to clear but he fails to control the ball as Govind Singh clears it for a corner. Just before the interval Odafe manages to enter the East Bengal box but he is well blocked by the East Bengal defence. Churchill Brothers seemed to come out with a little more purpose after the lemon break with East Bengal looking rather subdued. Odafe missed a golden opportunity just after the interval as his lob went over the crossbar and in the 51st minute Odafe's touch from the 6 yard box went just outside the post. The Goans kept up the pressure and in the 68th minute Mboyo's header went straight into Subrata's hands and in the 75th minute follow a corner Govind's shot from inside the box beats Subrata but goes over the crossbar. But in the 77th minute Mboyo Iyomi scores the goal of the day. A superb cross from Naoba Singh from the right finds the head of Mboyo who beats the outstretched hands of Subrata Pal. Only a minute later Robert Lalthalma could have doubled the lead but he fails to control the ball. On the other side only another minute later after flick on Chandan Das volley's the ball just over the crossbar. Churchill Brothers now fell back with East Bengal trying to create some pressure but the lack of a genuine striker exposed their main problem with Vanlal Rova or Mehtab Hussain missing good chances. In injury time Churchill could have once more doubled the lead but Mboyo blasted the ball o