Punjab's premier football team JCT from Phagwara
have launched their official club website under www.jctfootball.com.
We from IndianFootball.Com congratulate JCT on
this new venture!
05.05.2008 | 12 team league for 2008/09
season
The two member committee from amongst non-participating
state I-League Club states, SR Dev (Madhya Pradesh) and Atuo Mezhur
(Nagaland), has come back to the AIFF with follow recommendations
after reviewing FIFA and AFC input, I-League workshops and other
details and papers.
The follow recommendations has been made to the AIFF
Executive Committee:
(i) The I-League 2008/09 shall consist of 12 Teams.
(ii) The I-League 2009/10 can be increased upto
14 teams, subject to the sponsoring revenue support is further augmented
and AIFF Executive Committee along with I-League Committee examine
the issue well before the launching of 2008/09 I-League.
(iii) The findings of the Committee are as follows:
(a) In the presentation given to FIFA, it states that the I-League
2008/09 will consist of 12 teams and if everything goes well the
I-League 2009/10 will be increased to 14 teams.
(b) The I-League regulation (Art. VIII-4) states that the two teams
standing in the last two place of the League will be relegated to
2nd Division.
(c) 2nd Division League regulations state that the teams placed
in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th position in the final round will be
promoted to I-League 2008/09 (Art.2/VIII)
(d) There are no provisions in the I-League regulations to retain
the relegated teams.
(e) In 2007, we have turned down the request of Salgaocar Sports
Club to retain them in the 1st Division, instead the 3rd placed
team of the 2nd Division (HAL) was promoted to the 1st Division
NFL last year.
(f) In case AIFF wants to make 14 teams I-League in 2008/09, they
should follow the same procedure, which was followed in 2007, i.e.,
promote 5th and 6th placed teams of the 2nd Division League (that
is Pune FC and Indian Bank).
(g) Any change in the regulations should be announced well before
the next season starts. The regulations should not be changed during
the season/competition.
04.05.2008 | Pune FC register first
win
Pune FC 2:0 Indian Bank
Goals:
1-0 K Rahul (13'), 2-0 Abhishek Yadav (28')
PUNE FC:
... Unused Substitutes: ...
INDIAN BANK:
... Unused Substitutes: ...
YELLOW CARDS: S Santha Kumar (27', Indian
Bank)
"ONGC" MAN OF THE MATCH: ....
REFEREE: MA Siddiqui (Madhya Pradesh) ASSISTANT REFEREES: Rathin Mukherjee
(West Bengal), Deepak Kumar Dey (Assam)
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Pratap Singh (Services) MATCH COMMISSIONER:
BNG Neogi (Chhattisgarh)
Match Report:
Mumbai FC beat Chirag United by a lone goal in an inconsequential
match of the I-League Division 2 at the Nehru Stadium, Guwahati
to finish top of the league table. Mumbai FC remained unbeaten in
the final leg to finish with 13 points freom five matches, while
Chirag United finished in third place on 10 points just behind city
rivals Mohammedan Sporting on goal difference.
REFEREE: A Arjunan (Services) ASSISTANT REFEREES: Rizwan ul-Haq
(Delhi), Nazir Ahmed (Jammu&Kashmir)
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Deepak Kumar Dey (Assam) MATCH COMMISSIONER:
BNG Neogi (Chhattisgarh)
Match Report:
Vasco SC won a seven-goal thriller against "new kid on the
block" Pune FC to ensure their promotion to the I-League proper.
The Goans sealed the fourth and final promotion spot with the 4-3
win at the Nehru Stadium, Guwahati in the I-League Division 2 against
the still pointless Pune FC, who fought hard but failed in the end
in an open and attacking game of football.
REFEREE: Deepak Kumar Dey (Assam) ASSISTANT REFEREES: PK Bose (Madhya
Pradesh), Pratap Singh (Services)
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Nazir Ahmed (Jammu&Kashmir) MATCH COMMISSIONER:
BNG Neogi (Chhattisgarh)
Match Report:
Mohammedan Sporting Club held Calcutta rivals Chirag United SC to
a one-all draw in the I-League Division 2 at the Nehru Stadium,
Guwahati to also confirm their place in next seasons I-League proper.
Chirag United dropped their first points of the final round, while
Mohammedan Sporting earned the one point they needed to confirm
their promotion. Chirag United are top of the league with 10 points
from four matches, while Mohammedan Sporting are second with seven
points from as many matches with more goals scored against Mumbai
FC, who have a match in hand. Today's score results in Calcutta
having four teams in the I-League next year!
REFEREE: Rizwan ul-Haq (Delhi) ASSISTANT REFEREES: A Arjunan (Services),
Magho Singh (Manipur)
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Rathin Mukherjee (West Bengal) MATCH COMMISSIONER:
BNG Neogi (Chhattisgarh)
Match Report:
Mumbai FC were held to a one-all draw by Vasco SC in the final round
of the I-League Division 2 being played at the Nehru Stadium, Guwahati
but that point was enough to confirm Mumbai FC's promotion to the
I-League proper. After three matches Mumbai FC now have seven points,
which means fifth and sixth placed Pune FC and Indian Bank are still
pointness so those two clubs cannot catch-up with the Mumbai-based
start-up. Vasco meanwhile moved to four points and would ideally
need another win from their two remaining matches to confirm promotion.
REFEREE: Nazir Ahmed (Jammu&Kashmir) ASSISTANT REFEREES: Pratap Singh (Services),
Deepak Kumar Dey (Assam)
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Rizwan ul_haq (Delhi) MATCH COMMISSIONER:
BNG Neogi (Chhattisgarh)
Match Report:
Calcutta's Chirag United SC gained promotion to the I-League proper
by beating Indian Bank from Chennai by a lone goal in the I-League
Division 2 final round at the Nehru Stadium, Guwahati. While for
Chirag United it was the third win in as many matches, it was the
third loss for the Chennai Bankmen which reduced their chances of
promotion to a minimum.
25.04.2008 | Nehru Stadium unavailable
for I-League matches in October/November
Goan clubs in the second edition of the I-League
will not be able to host their matches in in the Nehru Stadium in
Margao due to a One-Day International Cricket match in November
2008. The ground will be blocked from October for a few weeks to
prepare the wicket for the Cricket match as the ground has been
booked by the Goa Cricket Association.
The Goa FA will try and make arrangements at their own Duler ground
in Mapusa and the Tilak Maidan in Vasco as alternative venues within
the state of Goa.
Goan team might be also scheduled to play more away then home matches
in the period, while also neutral venues could be an option.
Sadly this once more shows that a football crazy state like Goa
needs at least one football only venue of international standard.
The AIFF has revised the I-League Division 2 fixtures
after last night fiasco with power problems with the floodlights
at the Nehru Stadium, Guwahati. The local organisers, the Assam
FA, are in an embarassing position and the national body decided
to do away with evening matches of the final round to avoid further
such instances. Matches would now kick-off at 15.15 IST each day
with matches to be played upto May 4. Only on May 1 and either May
3 or 4 would there be two matches a day, which will be held at two
separate venues. The dates and scheduling of the final round of
matches would only be decided after Round 4 is played depending
on the importance of matches.
18.04.2008 | Late Ferrao-goal secure
three points for Vasco
Vasco SC 3:2 Indian Bank
Goals:
0-1 S Santha Kumar (5'), 0-2 M Subash Singh (73'), 1-2 Luciano Sabrosa
(81'), 2-2 Donald Rocha (88'), 3-2 Joy Ferrao (90+')
17.04.2008 | Emeka Ezeugo appointed
new Churchill Brothers coach
Nigerian Emeka Ezeugo was today appointed the
new chief coach of Churchill Brothers SC. Emeka, whose younger brother
Valentino Ezeugo had played for the club in the past, replaces Karim
Bencharifa who has had two very successful seasons with the Goan
club.
The former World Cupper, who has played for East Bengal and Mohammedan
Sporting in India, had played in Europe and North America thereafter.
Emeka had been coaching at the US College level and will return
in June to Goa to start preseason training.
REFEREE: S Shujauddin (Jharkhand) ASSISTANT REFEREES: BS Negi (Delhi),
Pratap Singh (Services)
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Minangshu Bhattacharya (West
Bengal) MATCH COMMISSIONER:
GH Chauhan
Match Report:
A last-gasp goal by skipper Xavier Vijayakumar handed Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited SC a chance of making the final phase of the
I-League Division 2 and while doing that also raised hope of local
outfit Pune FC who with a win against State Bank of Travancore could
make it to Guwahati, while today's opponents ONGC's run end in injury
time.
Playing against an equally determined ONGC, the Bangalore-based
team aided by Dada Nabeel's solo efforts opened up a 2-0 advantage
at half-time. Displaying fine skills Dada netted both his goals
in identical fashion, dribbling past a charging ONGC custodian Rajat
Ghosh Dastidar.
ONGC returned charging in the second half. Eight minutes into the
second half Nigerian Chukwekere N Henry pulled one back and in by
the 74th minute HAL found all their efforts nullified through Kaushik
Bose. A cracking shot by Bose ended up at the back of the net leaving
'keeper Gumpe Rime rooted to the ground.
With the game seeming to end in a draw HAL had other ideas. With
four minutes of injury time added Xavier Vijayakumar into the last
minute of the game capitalized on a pass supplied by Alesha Shameki
to dash ONGC's hopes.
HAL finished their Group A engagements with 6 points the same as
ONGC but due to a superior goal difference (11 goals to 6) are in
the driver's seat. A win for Pune FC against SBT on Saturday would
mean Pune FC moving on, while a draw would help HAL.
REFEREE: A Arjunan (Services) ASSISTANT REFEREES: Francisco Fernandes
(Goa), Andrew Shekhar (Karnataka)
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Amjad Khan (Maharashtra) MATCH COMMISSIONER:
Inayatullah Khan (Karnataka)
Match Report:
The final matchday of the I-League Division 2 Group B saw two matches
in Kolhapur being played simultameously. In the National Capital
region derby Amity United FC defeated the New Delhi Heroes 3-1,
but didn't make it to the final round as their rivals Indian Bank
also won their match at another venue.
At Police ground Amity United got a penalty stroke in the first
half, on which their Praveen Arora scored the first goal of the
match in the 16th minute. Immediately thereafter the New Delhi Heroes
also got a penalty by main referee A Arjunan but unfortunately,
ND Heroes's foreign import failed to score the equalizer. Amity's
goalkeeper Pradeep Kumar saved the ball.
In the second half, Malsawm Dawngliana scored the second goal. The
good cross was given by Danny to him, while the third goal came
by substitute Sandip Chakraborty's header. The ND Heroes could only
reduce the deficit in injury time through Babathunde.
REFEREE: Debratan Meetel (Manipur) ASSISTANT REFEREES: Benjamin D'Silva
(Goa), Francisco Fernandes (Goa)
FOURTH OFFICIAL: A Rowan (Services) MATCH COMMISSIONER:
...
Match Report:
Mumbai FC coach David Booth used todays encounter to give some of
his substitute players an opportunity to showcase themselves. On
the other side Mohammedan Sporting utilized their chances and had
more of match with 70% possesion in the first half.
Mumbai FC took the lead in the through a Aseem Kutty header in the
15th minute. Mohammedan were quick to respond and equalised in the
very next minute with Adebayo Tokunbo Adewusi finding the net.
Mohammedan Sporting kept their dominance in the second half and
took full advantage with five minutes left on the clock. Nigerian
Mike Okoro converted a chance in the final minutes of the match.
Match Report:
A goal in each half by the Liberian striker, Theodore Sundey Wrobeh
ensured Chirag United's entry to the next round of the II Division
I-League. On Wednesday, April 9, Wrobeh was on fire, his speed and
agility was just too much for the PuneFC to handle.
Wrobeh opened his account in the first-half after Gouranga Dutta
did the spade work. Changing ends, PuneFC desperate to make a match
of a defeated situation conceded a penalty-kick. Setting off on
his own Wrobeh ended up confronting the 'keeper N Balaji. The latter
leaving charge, realizing that Wrobeh was smarter with a dodge that
prompted Balaji to dive as a last ditch effort, which was to costly
as Wrobeh hit the turf. While Balaji earned a yellow card, Wrobeh's
got to his feet and score.
The game saw six yellow cards flashed. Ejike Chika Chime, Sasthi
Duley, and Gouranga Dutta from Chirag along with N Balaji, Bungo
Singh, and Bounougou Edca Marie Robin from PuneFC.
PuneFC did have their chances, Sylester Inyang's try was blocked
by the custodian Arindam Ghosh. But the best of all was Emeka Ogbonna
Hyginus' piledriver that was again denied by Ghosh.
For Chirag Theodore Sundey Wrobeh missed a sitter in the first-half,
while Sankar Oraon's try hit the post.
Chirag United took their tally to 10 point and became the second
team to qualify, while PuneFC are left with a must-win situation
and hope HAL beat ONGC.
Match Report:
Group A topper Vasco S.C, Goa with nothing to lose played out a
goalless draw with ONGC, Mumbai in the II Division I-League on Tuesday,
April 8.
The Goan outfit, who continued their unbeaten run, had the better
of exchanges missing as many as four chances. In the first half
it was Alvito Rodrigues' shot that found the 'keeper Rajat Ghosh
Dastidar hands instead of the open goal in a one-to-one situation,
before Sujay Mondol had his try saved by the custodian.
The second half was no better as Agnello D'Souza and Jose Colaco
found Dastidar too good to beat. ONGC was at the receiving end for
most of the match had NC Henry missed from a very close range.
Vasco took their points tally to 10 after round four, while ONGC
went up to six and improved their chances to become the third team
from group-A to qualify for the final round.
Match Report:
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bangalore finally managed to
take off from the cellar with an emphatic 4-0 win over State Bank
of Travancore (SBT) in the II Division I-League encounter on Monday,
April 7.
In a battle of teams trying to stay off the cellar, HAL found their
hero in Okwagbe Fredrick. The Nigerian displaying top-form registered
a hat-trick and in the process helped his team to their first win.
This victory margin was the highest in Group 'A'.
After a barren first-half, Okwagbe in the span of 17 minutes destroyed
SBT who slumped to their fourth defeat. Beginning his dream-run,
the first in the tournament, the lanky forward netted in the first
courtesy, Rajendra Prasad who incidentally made way for the second.
Okwagbe completed his 'trick combining with his fellow-mate Alesh
Shamaki in the 82nd minute. Substitute Pradeep Kumar completed the
tally in the 85th minute.
REFEREE: Yaima Singh (Manipur) ASSISTANT REFEREES: Benjamin D'Silva
(Goa), Bebratan Meetei (Manipur)
FOURTH OFFICIAL: A Rowan (Services) MATCH COMMISSIONER:
Inayatullah Khan (Karnataka)
Match Report:
Mumbai FC defeated Oil India Limited 3-2 in a very interesting match
at the Chhatrapati Sahu Stadium, Kolhapur today. In the I-League
Division 2 group B matches; this was a crucial match for Oil India
Limited as they were with only 2 points. But after fighting till
the ending moment of match, they lost to Mumbai FC by 2-3 and are
now out from the league. Mumbai FC remain top of group B with an
all win record and 12 points.
Today Mumbai FC took the field giving their substitute players a
start. Indian international Abhishek Yadav was leading the team
and played for the first time in the first 11. On the other side
Assam's Oil India Limited showed their skill and fighting spirit.
Mumbai FC's Sanjay Parte opened the scoring. After this, from Oil
India Francis Chibueze Maduako scored the equaliser by defeating
goalkeeper Amit Singha Roy. In the second half, Mumbai FC's substitute
player Alex Ambrose scored another goal of a penalty. Immediately,
Liberian Aaron Cole of Oil India Limited netted the qualiser by
a fantastic header in the goalpost of Mumbai FC. Finally, Mumbai
FC's Alex has crossed one ball which entered in goal of Oil India
from Michael George Osei.
