Goa Pro League: Delayed kick-off on September 6

The Goa Football Association has been forced to postpone the opening round of the Goa Professional League with the league set to kick-off now on September 6 with the second round of matches. The first round had to be postponed due to heavy rains over the last few days.



This season the Goa Professional League will be played by 10 teams, an expansion by two teams, under a new format to reduce the number of matches for top teams. I-League sides Salgaocar SC, Dempo SC, Churchill Brothers SC and Sporting Clube de Goa will be seen in action along with Vasco SC, Sesa Football Academy, Goa Velha SC plus promoted teams Margao SC, Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim and Calangute Association.





GPL - Round 2



06-Sep-11: Vasco SC - Margao SC (Tilak Maidan)

07-Sep-11: Churchill Brothers SC - Salgaocar SC (Tilak Maidan)

07-Sep-11: Cavelossim - Calangute Association (Poriat Ground)

08-Sep-11: Dempo SC - Goa Velha SC (Tilak Maidan)

08-Sep-11: Sporting Clube de Goa - Sesa Football Academy (Duler Ground)

FC Arsenal sign Mertesacker from Werder Bremen

English Premier League side FC Arsenal have been trying to sign German international Per Mertesacker for quite a while, now on the last day of this summers transfer window they have been able to get Mertesacker from SV Werder Bremen. The fee is expected to be around 10 Million Euros (appro. 8 Million Pounds) with Mertesacker set to get a salary of 4,7 Million Euros.



Mertesacker had yesterday left the Germany camp ahead of an Euro2012 qualifier to undergo a medical in London and after passing the test the details of the deal were worked out by the two clubs.



An official Arsenal statement read, "Arsenal has confirmed they have agreed terms with Werder Bremen to sign German international defender Per Mertesacker. The deal is subject to the completion of formal registration processes."



In Per Mertesacker the Gunners get a rock solid centre-back with years of experience in the Bundesliga and the German national team. The 26 year old is really tall at 198 cm (6ft 6in) with 75 international caps to his name.



Mertesacker has not travelled much in his professional career which started with home town team Hannover 96, whom he left in 2006 for SV Werder Bremen. Now he makes his 'dream' move to London to join FC Arsenal.



Talking about the move Mertesacker said, "'I had a great time at Werder, and I owe a lot to the club. The move to London is a wish come true, to take another step in my career. The English Premier League has for me always represented an interesting challenge."

VIDEO: Messi arrives in Kolkata

Here a news item by news channel Times Now on the arrival of Lionel Messi in Kolkata. Interesting here too, no footage of Messi's arrival but only still pictures.

VIDEO: Messi arrives in Kolkata, but no show to fans & media

Here a report filed by NDTV from the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport in Kolkata on the arrival of Lionel Messi in the City of Joy or rather the anticipation from fans of his arrival.

Messi-Mania in Kolkata as the superstar arrives

The little Argentinian maestro Lionel Messi landed in Kolkata in the early hours of the day to end speculations if he would be coming for an international friendly to be played against Venezuela on Friday evening at the Saltlake Stadium.



And as one would expect there were a few thousand fans with the entire local and national media present to get a glimpse of Messi, but as one would expect he got his immigration and customs work done and was whisked away through a separate entrance.



"I can only say that Messi is in town," said Bhaswar Goswami, executive director of Celebrity Management Group.



The hype around Messi's visit to the City of Joy has been building for weeks and it was geared up towards the arrival of one of the world's best current footballers. Sometimes one feels that Lionel Messi could have come on his own, shown some of his tricks and that might have been enough rather then a full international friendly between Argentina and Venezuela.



However Messi and his Argentina team mates are now in Kolkata with a likely visit to Mothers Teresa's on the cards besides some pre-match training, but the media shy Messi might not give Kolkata what they would expect from such a superstar. So hopefully for the fans they will get to see on the field, live in their own backyard what Lionel Messi is all about - class football...

August 31: Most important Day in Football Calendar?

Today is August 31, the final day of the summer transfer window in European club football. Some call it the most important day of the European football calendar with a number of clubs frantically trying to get transfers done before the midnight deadline when the transfer window closes until the winter transfer window in January.



While some clubs hope to lure their targets from other clubs at the last moment, there are other clubs who are looking to strengthen their squads after weak starts to their campaigns in their domestic leagues, while others are trying to offload excess players from their roaster and wage bills.



Friends who are Director of Sports, managers and agents say these are the busiest days of the year; then even clubs who have settled teams sometimes can suddenly be forced to look for options due to injuries or other reasons.



And if one follows those running tickers of major football websites and newspapers it is often really interesting and sometimes even surprising what kind of deals go through at the last moment.



So enjoy the day and follow the transfers...

Götze: Dortmund turn down 40M Euro offer from Arsenal

As I have written in my blog before German teenager Mario Goetze is one of the brightest young talent currently plying his trade in the Bundesliga. And as one would expect the young international Mario Goetze has attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe.



Now the first real bid has come in which club Borussia Dortmund have turned down outright. English Premier League side FC Arsenal had last week made a 40 Million Euros (appro. 35 Million Pound) bid for the BVB starlet which the club did not entertain as they say, Goetze is not for sale.



Borussia Dortmund won the German Bundesliga title last season with a young team which plays attractive, attacking football and they will want to build on that to be a force in German football in the years to come.



Especially an offer from Arsenal, who happen to be in the same group as Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League, is something which the Ruhr valley would not like to entertain.



And Goetze is at a stage of his young career where he needs to focus as his red card against Bayer 04 Leverkusen over the weekend showed even a young, cool headed player like him might not always be able to cope with pressure.

Indian Football: Transfer Season 2011 - Version 8

Here is the latest updated list of Transfers 2011 from across India of the I-League and top 2nd Division sides. Slowly the squads are getting more and more complete.



Here an updated list of known/confirmed Transfers 2011



SALGAOCAR SC - GOA

RETAINED: Karanjit Singh, Macklas Moraes, Jaspal Singh Parmar, Rino Anto, Luciano Sabrosa, Irungbam Khelemba Singh, W. Tomba Singh, Cajetan Fernandes, Rocus Lamare, Francis Fernandes, Anthony Barbosa, Gilbert Oliveira, Beevan D'Mello, Ryuji Sueoka, Milagres Gonsalves,

NEW: Presley Mascarenhas, Keenan Almeida, Roy Rodrigues, Aliston Fernandes, Godfrey Silva, Cliften Dias, Bobbychan Singh, Rosario Mendes (all Salgaocar Juniors), Nicolau Colaco, Augostinho Fernandes, Gagandeep Singh, Vivek Singh Kaira (all Sesa Football Academy), Chidi Edeh, Ishfaq Ahmed, Biswajit Saha (all Mohun Bagan AC), Rahul Kumar, Randeep Singh, Balwant Singh (all JCT), Vinay Singh, Thounaojam Dinesh Singh (both Churchill Brothers SC), Mehrajuddin Wadoo (East Bengal Club), Elijah Obagbemiro Junior (United SC), Mohammad Dada Nabeel (Air India), Karthik Kisku (Mohammedan Sporting Club)

LEFT: Arnab Das Sharma, Monotosh Ghosh, Syed Farid, Govin Moirangthem Singh, Khangembam Thoi Singh (all United Sikkim FC), Chinta Chandrashekar Rao, James Lukram Singh, Yakubu Yusif (all United SC), Baldeep Singh, Singam Subash Singh (both Pune FC), Jagdeep Singh (Viva Kerala), Eneke Ikenwa

COACH: Karim BENCHARIFA (MOROCCO)



EAST BENGAL CLUB - KOLKATA

RETAINED: Sandip Nandy, Abhra Mondal, Jayanta Pal, Saikat Saha Roy, Thokchom Naoba Singh, Nirmal Chetri, Uga Okpara, Gurwinder Singh, Sunil Kumar Thakur, Soumik Dey, Ravinder Singh, Sanju Pradhan, Reisangmi Vashum, Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Susanth Mathew, Mehtab Hussain, Penn Ikechukwu Orji, Alvito D'Cunha, Beingaichho Beokhokhai, Tolgay Ozbey, Baljit Singh Sahni, Robin Singh, Budhiram Tudu, Biswarup Deb

NEW: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Abhishek Das, Raju Eknath Gaekwad, Subodh Kumar, Ongnam Milan Singh (all Indian Arrows, returns from a one year loan), Robert Lalthlamuana, Charan Rai, Khanthang Paite (all Churchill Brothers SC), Sunil Kumar (Pune FC), Branco Vincent Cardozo (United SC), Seiminl Doungel (JCT), Debjit Majumdar (United Sikkim FC), Alan Gow (Notts County FC, ENGLAND)

LEFT: Mehrajuddin Wadoo (Salgaocar SC), Syed Rahim Nabi (Mohun Bagan AC), Rajib Ghosh (Indian Arrows), Sushil Kumar Singh (United Sikkim FC), Naseem Akhtar (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Aseem Koraliyadan Kutty (Central Excise, Chennai), Sukumal Santra, Lalchhuan Awma, Bikash Narzary, Alexandro da Silva Santos

COACH: Trevor MORGAN (ENGLAND)



DEMPO SC - GOA

RETAINED: Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Laxmikant Kattimani, Luis Xavier Barreto, Tyson Caiado, Valeriano Rebello, Mahesh Gawli, John Charles Dias, Creson Antao, Covan Lawrence, Dominic Noronha, Samir Naik, Debabrata Roy, Shallum Pires, Anthony Pereira, Climax Lawrence, Godwin Diogo Franco, Micky Fernandes, Peter Carvalho, Marcus Peixito, Jessel Carneiro, Aaron Fernandes, Clifford Miranda, Nicolau Borges, Joe Rodrigues, Johnny D'Cruz, Bharat Thapa, Joaquim Abranches, Ranty Martins Soleye, Clifton Gonsalves, Myron Fernandes, Terence Fernandes, Mandar Rao Dessai

NEW: Sidroy Afonso, Brian Mascarenhas, Richard Fernandes, Romeo Fernandes, Aniston Fernandes, Reagan Juliao (all Dempo Juniors), Savio Fernandes, Koko Sakibo, Joy Ferrao (all Vasco SC), Rowilson Rodrigues (Churchill Brothers SC), Selwyn Fernandes (Pune FC), P.K. Anil Kumar (Viva Kerala), Romeo Fernandes (Margao SC)

LEFT: Roberto Mendes Silva (Churchill Brothers SC), Ogba Kalu Nnanna (Sporting Clube de Goa), Cavin Peter Lobo, Aikan Dias, Roy Colaco, Flann D'Souza, Rouhollah Samieinia

COACH: ARMANDO COLACO



CHURCHILL BROTHERS SC - GOA

RETAINED: Arindam Bhattacharya, Denzil Franco, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Rauf Sher Khan, Mundampara P. Sakeer, T. Bineesh Balan, Sabino Bryan Rodrigues

NEW: Jerry Zirsanga, Nascimento Silveira, Melwyn Rodrigues (all United SC), Y. Jaikumar, Xavier Vijayakumar (both HAL, Bangalore), Thangjam Saran Singh, Jagpreet Singh (both JCT), Roberto Mendes Silva (Dempo SC), Lalrindika Ralte (Indian Arrows, returns from a one year loan), N.D. Opara (ONGC), Basileo Rego (Vasco SC), S. Parthiban (Chennai Customs), Henry Antchouet (Moreirense FC, PORTUGAL), Antun Kovacic (Richmond SC, AUSTRALIA)

LEFT: Robert Lalthlamuana, Charan Rai, Khanthang Paite (all East Bengal Club), Vinay Singh, Thounaojam Dinesh Singh (both Salgaocar SC), Rowilson Rodrigues (Dempo SC), Odafe Onyeka Okolie (Mohun Bagan AC), Warundeep Singh (Sporting Clube de Goa), Kayne Vincent, Amaury Gentil Nunes, Boima Karpeh

COACH: Manuel GONSALVES GOMES (PORTUGAL/new)



PUNE FC - PUNE

RETAINED: Subrata Pal, Othallo Tabia, Caitano Costa, Kamardeep Singh, Gurjinder Kumar Singh, Rollingson Hungyo, Shanmugam Venkatesh, J. Prasad, Asim Hassan, Lester Mark Fernandez, Paresh Shivalkar, Izumi Arata, Mandjou Keita

NEW: Baldeep Singh, Singam Subash Singh (both Salgaocar SC), Shahinlal Meloly, Karma Tsewang (both Viva Kerala), Amrinder Singh, Surjit Singh (both Harbhajan SC, Punjab), Thangjam Arung Meetie (Mohun Bagan AC), Anes Edathodika (Mumbai FC), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Indian Arrows, returns from a one year loan), R. Srikanth (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC), Maninder Singh (JCT), Sarif Molla (Milan Samity, Kolkata), Karthik Govind (Bangalore FC), Lalrimawma Lianhna Rintea (Tamthar FC, Mizoram), William Lalnunfela (Pui Pui FC, Mizoram), Lalrempuia F. (Bazar Veng FC, Mizoram), Preemjeet Singh (Barielly Hostel FC, Uttar Pradesh)

LEFT: Krishnan Nair Ajayan, Gunashekar Vignesh, Manoj T.M. (all Viva Kerala), Velington Rocha, Valito Cruz (both Margao SC), Sunil Kumar (East Bengal Club), Selwyn Fernandes (Dempo SC), Lamine Tamba (Air India), Thokchom Roshan Singh (Sesa Football Academy), Johny Khamrang (NISA, Manipur), S. Vinobagandhi (Indian Bank), A. Sherin (AGORC, Chennai), K. Vigneshwaran (Tamil Nadu), Edmar Figueira (CD Feirense, PORTUGAL), Narshiman Balaji, Soram Poirei Anganba, Sandesh Gadhkari

COACH: Derrick PEREIRA



MOHUN BAGAN AC - KOLKATA

RETAINED: Shilton Pal, Sangram Mukherjee, Sudipta Banerjee, Irungbam Surkumar Singh, Kingshuk Debnath, Anwar, Rakesh Masih, Nallappan Mohanraj, R. Dhanarajan, Gouranga Datta, Satish Kumar Jr, Manish Mathani, Souvik Chakraborty, Dipendu Dowary, Snehashis Chakroborty, Ashim Biswas, Jose Ramirez Barreto

NEW: Sheikh Jewel Raja, Jagtar Singh (both Indian Arrows, return from a one year loan), Souvik Mondal, Sourav Chakraborty (both Techno Aryan Club), Syed Rahim Nabi (East Bengal Club), Odafe Onyeka Okolie (Churchill Brothers SC), Bungo Thokchom Singh (Mumbai FC), Sunil Chhetri (United SC), N.P. Pradeep (Viva Kerala), J. Muralidharan (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC), Sakatar Singh (JCT), Simon Storey (AUSTRALIA), Hudson Lima da Silva (BRAZIL)

LEFT: Chidi Edeh, Ishfaq Ahmed, Biswajit Saha (all Salgaocar SC), Deepak Kumar Mondal, Jayanta Sen (both United SC), Harpreet Singh, Karan Atwal (both United Sikkim FC), Suman Datta, Surabuddin Mollick (both Mohammedan Sporting Club), Thangjam Arung Meetie (Pune FC), Nagimuddin Mollick (Southern Samity), Sagram Mandi (Bhawanipore Club, Kolkata), David Lalbiakzara (Pune FC Reserves), Pralay Datta, Amar Deb, Rahul Kumar, Sheikh Azim, Parminder Singh, Santosh Oraon, Jacken Sebastian, Subair Muritala Ali, Owky Diamondstar

COACH: Steve DARBY (ENGLAND/new)



MUMBAI FC - MUMBAI

RETAINED: -

NEW: L. Dhanachandra Singh (Air India)

LEFT: Anes Edathodika (Pune FC), Bungo Thokchom Singh (Mohun Bagan AC), Hiralal Chetri (United Sikkim FC)

COACH: Khalid JAMIL



PRAYAG UNITED SC - KOLKATA

RETAINED: Abhijit Mondal, Sukhen Dey, Anupam Sarkar, Arnab Mondal, Shylo Malswam Tulunga, Denson Devadas, Lal Kamal Bhowmick, Soumik Chakraborty, Josimar da Silva Martins, Mohammed Rafique

NEW: Chinta Chandrashekar Rao, James Lukram Singh, Yakubu Yusif (all Salgaocar SC), Deepak Kumar Mondal, Jayanta Sen (both Mohun Bagan AC), Jagroop Singh (Indian Arrows), Bello Razaq (Viva Kerala)

LEFT: Jerry Zirsanga, Nascimento Silveira, Melwyn Rodrigues (all Churchill Brothers SC), Elijah Obagbemiro Junior (Salgaocar SC), Sunil Chhetri (Mohun Bagan AC), Branco Vincent Cardozo (East Bengal Club), Asif K. (Viva Kerala), Munna Mallick (Techno Aryan Club), S. Santha Kumar (Integral Coach Factory)

COACH: Sanjoy SEN (new)



PAILAN INDIAN ARROWS - KOLKATA

RETAINED: Ravi Kumar, Kamaljeet Singh, Deepak Devrani, Vishal Kumar, Lalrozama Fanai, Souvik Ghosh, Prathamesh Maulingkar, Bikramjit Singh, Tirthankar Sarkar, Shilton Sydney D'Silva, Jibon Singh, Malsawmfela

NEW: Naveen Kumar, Gurtej Singh Sr, Amarwant Singh, Gurtej Singh Jr, Ajay Singh (all JCT), Rajib Ghosh (East Bengal Club), C.S Sabeeth (Viva Kerala), Bijendra Singh (Royal Wahingdoh SC), Avinaba Bag (Kalighat Milan Sangha, Kolkata), Narayan Das, Shenaz Singh, Probit Das, Krishanu Banerjee, Lalnunka, Lalnunpuia, Holicharan Narzary

LEFT: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Abhishek Das, Raju Eknath Gaekwad, Subodh Kumar, Ongnam Milan Singh (all East Bengal Club), Sheikh Jewel Raja, Jagtar Singh (Mohun Bagan AC), Lalrindika Ralte (Churchill Brothers SC), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Pune FC), Jagroop Singh (United SC), Ravindra Kumar, Inderpreet Singh, Akshay Kumar Mall, Manandeep Singh

COACH: -



VIVA KERALA - KANNUR/COCHIN

RETAINED: Sharath K., Charles Dzisah, Sherin Sam, O.K. Javed

NEW: Krishnan Nair Ajayan, Gunashekar Vignesh, Manoj T.M. (all Pune FC), Jagdeep Singh (Salgaocar SC), Asif K. (United SC), Shahbas Shaleel (ONGC), Alex Carioke (Moto Club de Sao Luis, BRAZIL), Isaac Boakye (Young Africans SC, TANZANIA)

LEFT: Shahinlal Meloly, Karma Tsewang (both Pune FC), P.K. Anil Kumar (Dempo SC), N.P. Pradeep (Mohun Bagan AC), Bello Razaq (United SC), C.S Sabeeth (Indian Arrows), Muhammed Shafi M. (Air India), Bimanyu Bimal Birua (Peerless SC, Kolkata), Felix Chimaokwu

COACH: P.K. KUNHIKRISHNAN



AIR INDIA - MUMBAI

RETAINED: Collin Abranches, Allan Dias

NEW: Lamine Tamba (Pune FC), Muhammed Shafi M. (Viva Kerala), Pawan Kumar (JCT), Sandeep Sangha (ONGC), V. Prem Kumar (United Sikkim FC), Oken Singh (Kenkre FC), Harshad Meher (Bengal Mumbai FC), Abhishek Matthew (Union Bank of India, Mumbai), Nisthar Kali Alaudeen (Central Excise, Chennai), Satvinder Singh (Punjab State Electricity Board), Royston D'Souza (Mahindra United Under-19), Bhuvan Krishna Joshi, Satwinder Singh

LEFT: Eduardo Chacon Coelho Lacerda, Soraisam Dharamjit Singh, Babin Biswas (all Southern Samity), Mohammad Dada Nabeel (Salgaocar SC), L. Dhanachandra Singh (Mumbai FC), Amrit Pal Singh (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Praneel Mendon (Mumbai Customs), Amulya Mondal (Peerless SC, Kolkata), Okorogor Nnabuike Praise, Yusuf Ibrahim

COACH: Santosh KASHYAP



HAL SC - BANGALORE

RETAINED: -

NEW: Bijoy Das (United Sikkim FC)

LEFT: Y. Jaikumar, Xavier Vijayakumar (both Churchill Brothers SC), R. Srikanth (Pune FC), J. Muralidharan (Mohun Bagan AC), Deepak K. (Southern Samity), P. Karthik (Indian Bank)

COACH: M. MURALIDHARAN



JCT - PHAGWARA

LEFT: Naveen Kumar, Gurtej Singh Sr, Amarwant Singh, Gurtej Singh Jr, Ajay Singh (all Indian Arrows), Prasanta Dora, Barjinder Pal Singh, Parveen Kumar, Amandeep Singh, Jaswinder Singh (all Tollygunge Agragami), Rahul Kumar, Randeep Singh, Balwant Singh (all Salgaocar SC), Onkar Singh, Jatinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh (all Calangute Association, Goa), Thangjam Saran Singh, Jagpreet Singh (both Churchill Brothers SC), Baldeep Singh, Harish Sharma (both United Sikkim FC), Seiminl Doungel (East Bengal Club), Maninder Singh (Pune FC), Sakatar Singh (Mohun Bagan AC), Pawan Kumar (Air India), Lalchuanmawia (Shillong Lajong FC), Vijay Hooda (Hindustan FC, Delhi), Navtej Singh (Delhi United FC), Inderjit Singh (Shahdara FC, Delhi), Thangjam Manikanta Singh (USA, Manipur), Rajbir Singh (Mauri SC, Kolkata), Daljit Singh, Rakinderjit Singh, Sehij Pal Singh, R. Sriram, Abhishek Yadav, Mandeep Singh, Balraj Singh, Badru Keke Ibrahim, Omolaja Nurain Kareem



ONGC - MUMBAI

RETAINED: -

NEW: Sachin Gawas (Vasco SC)

LEFT: Kamal Thapa, Robin Gurung, Bikash Jairu (all Ar-Hima FC), N.D. Opara (Churchill Brothers SC), Shahbas Shaleel (Viva Kerala), Sandeep Sangha (Air India), Tapan Maity (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Gour Naskar (Southern Samity), K.V. Lalu (Josco FC), Sudipta Kar (Bhawanipore Club, Kolkata), Ricky Joy (Postal FC, Bangalore)

COACH: -



SHILLONG LAJONG FC - SHILLONG

RETAINED: Lalthuammawia Ralte, Gumpe Rime, Aibor Khongjee, Wailadmi Passah, Zomingliana Ralte, Rodingson Sangma, M. Subhas Singh, Marlanki Suting, C. Lallawmzuala, Mashangva Genius Zenith, Samson Ramengmawia, Boithang Haokip, Lalramluaha, James Giblee, P.C. Lahlimthara Mahlima, Samuel Shadap, Racy Khiangte Lalrengmawia, Saikhohau Tuboi, Lalnunmawia

NEW: Henry Gangte, L. Romenjit Singh (both Bengal Mumbai FC), Lalchuanmawia (JCT), John D. Menyongar (United Sikkim FC), Eugeneson Lyngdoh (Ar-Hima FC), Tuishim Mashangva (Southern Samity), Christopher Chizoba (Kalighat Milan Sangha/Mohammedan Sporting Club), H. Lalmuamkima (Sport & Youth Service, Mizoram)

LEFT: Marcus Basumatary, Keleche Okoye (both Ar-Hima FC), Marlanki Suting (Royal Wahingdoh SC), Ochei Emeka Michael (George Telegraph SC), Thanggoulal (AIM, Manipur), Jonathan Mgochukwu Kingsley (Nagpur FC), Anil Gurung (Manang Marshyangdi Club, NEPAL), Million Mwenge Butshire

COACH: Pradhyum REDDY



SPORTING CLUBE DE GOA - GOA

RETAINED: Felix D'Souza, Gerald D'Mello, Siddesh Morje, Fulganco Cardozo, Elvino Fernandes, Boubacar Keita, Mathew Gonsalves, N. Samananda Singh, Singam Rojen Singh, Rovan Pereira, Konthoujam Boboi Singh, Michael Faleiro, Joyner Lourenco, Adil Ahmed Khan, Mauricio Freeman Peixoto, Jovel Martins, P. Niroshan Mani, Lairenjam Bisheshwor Singh, Mackroy Peixote, Angelo D'Souza, Joseph Pereira, Rowlinn Borges, Avelino Fernandes, Ningthounjam Pritam Singh, Valzinho Fernandes, Agnelo Colaco

NEW: Milagrio Medeira, Prajot Naik (both Vasco SC), Warundeep Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Ogba Kalu Nnanna (Dempo SC), Charanjit Singh (Kenkre FC), Gabriel Fernandes (Sesa Football Academy), Mohammed Ali (Calangute Association), Victorino Fernandes (Cavelosim), James Moga (Mukti Joddha Sangsad, Bangladesh), Ashok Singh

LEFT: Ayeni Bidemi Daniel (United Sikkim FC), Ashokan Guru (Integral Coach Factory, Chennai), Thangjam Itomba Singh (Tiddim Road Athletic Union, Manipur), Bibiano Fernandes, Emmanuel Akwuegbu, Joshua Maguire

COACH: Alex ALVARES



VASCO SC - GOA

RETAINED: -

NEW: -

LEFT: Savio Fernandes, Koko Sakibo, Joy Ferrao (all Dempo SC), Milagrio Medeira, Prajot Naik (both Sporting Clube de Goa), Basileo Rego (Churchill Brothers SC), Sachin Gawas (ONGC)

COACH: -



UNITED SIKKIM FC - GANGTOK

RETAINED: Pranesh Dewan, Sagar Rai, Potsangbam Renedy Singh, Martin Louis Joseph Daniel, Jiten Rai, Nim Tshering Lepcha, Quinton Norman Jacobs, Mayal Dok Lepcha, Baichung Bhutia, Tenzing Tsephel Bhutia

NEW: Arnab Das Sharma, Monotosh Ghosh, Syed Farid, Govin Moirangthem Singh, Khangembam Thoi Singh (all Salgaocar SC), Harpreet Singh, Karan Atwal (both Mohun Bagan AC), Baldeep Singh, Harish Sharma (both JCT), Sushil Kumar Singh (East Bengal Club), Hiralal Chetri (Mumbai FC), Ayeni Bidemi Daniel (Sporting Clube de Goa/Shillong Lajong FC), Mumtaz Akhtar (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Babatunde John Oladele (Techno Aryan Club), Ong Teshering Lepcha (Bengal Mumbai FC), Nganingmi Shimran (Denzong Boyz), Prantosh Roy (Calcutta Port Trust), Vikram Singh Gill (Youngmen SC, Delhi), Sanasam Basant Singh (Manipur), Afzal Ansari, K. Romen Singh, Mayosing Khongreiwo

LEFT: Debjit Majumdar (East Bengal Club), V. Prem Kumar (Air India), Bijoy Das (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC), John D. Menyongar (Shillong Lajong FC), Lalrinfela (Southern Samity), Mutum Bijen Singh (NISA, Manipur), Sukhdeb Ghosh, Tashi Tseten Bhutia, Nanjangud Shivananju Manju, Mituski Ichihara, Muttath Suresh, Tanmoy Ghosh, Sumit Thapa, APD Carvalho, Kalia Kulothungan, Pradip Hembrom, Joseph Lapira

COACH: Stanley ROZARIO



MOHAMMEDAN SPORTING CLUB - KOLKATA

RETAINED: Gautam Kujur

NEW: Suman Datta, Surabuddin Mollick (both Mohun Bagan AC), Naseem Akhtar (East Bengal Club), P. Ummer Farooque (Viva Kerala), Amrit Pal Singh (Air India), Tapan Maity (ONGC), Sovan Das (Peerless SC, Kolkata), Gobinth Adhikari (Faria Strikers, Goa)

LEFT: Habibur Rehman Mondal, Nilendra Dewan (both Southern Samity), Dipendu Biswas, Satyajit Bose (both Bhawanipore Club, Kolkata), Karthik Kisku (Salgaocar SC), Mumtaz Akhtar (United Sikkim FC), Tenzing Dhondup (Royal Wahingdoh SC), Tharangachan Tungshang (Langsning SC), Satvir Singh (Ahbab FC, Delhi)

COACH: Aloke MUKHERJEE (new)



SOUTHERN SAMITY - KOLKATA

RETAINED: Pronoy Roy, Rajib Ahmed, Gurpreet Singh, Mriganka Sharma, Chandan Das, Debayan Saha, Jamir Ali Mandal, Francis Xavier

NEW: Eduardo Chacon Coelho Lacerda, Soraisam Dharamjit Singh, Babin Biswas (all Air India), Habibur Rehman Mondal, Nilendra Dewan (both Mohammedan Sporting Club), Nagimuddin Mollick (Mohun Bagan AC), Gour Naskar (ONGC), Deepak K. (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC), Lalrinfela (United Sikkim FC), Zico Zorengsanga (Ar-Hima FC), Prasanta Chakraborty (Peerless SC, Kolkata), Thang Somi Ruivah (BEML (EM), Bangalore), R.K. Jimmy Kazip (New Delhi Heroes), Prateek Joshi (RCF, Mumbai), Moirangthem Basanta Singh (RCU, Manipur), Matthew Mayora (Sydney Olympic, AUSTRALIA), Gopal Das, Abhijit Das, Sheikh Moidul, Sanku Debbarma, Eehe Zara, Kaushik Biswas, Basant Singh, Suman Ghosal, Sheikh Sanjib, Thuksuma Boy

LEFT: Tuishim Mashangva (Shillong Lajong FC), P.T. Somy (Josco FC), Marcos Alexandro de Carvalho Pereira (Bhawanipore Club, Kolkata), Amit Singha Roy, Binod Mallick, Rahul Bhattacharya, Madhab Kumar Das, Anit Kumar Ghosh, Karthik Chatterjee, Mahesh Sarkar, Uken Debbarma, Sasthi Duley, Pradip Nag, Deepak Sharma, S. Heman Singh, Adebayo Tokunbo Adewusi, Edmilson Marques Pardal

COACH: Carlos Roberto PEREIRA da SILVA (BRAZIL)



SESA FOOTBALL ACADEMY - GOA

RETAINED: -

NEW: Thokchom Roshan Singh (Pune FC)

LEFT: Nicolau Colaco, Augostinho Fernandes, Gagandeep Singh, Vivek Singh Kaira (all Salgaocar SC), Gabriel Fernandes (Sporting Clube de Goa), Don Tshering Lepcha (Royal Wahingdoh SC), Pradeep Kumar (Indian National FC), Haolengou Kipgen (United Sports Association, Manipur)

COACH: Clifford CHUKWAMA



TATA FOOTBALL ACADEMY - JAMSHEDPUR

RETAINED: Udanta Singh, Suraj Kumar, Kamaldeep Singh, Gurpreet Singh, S.K. Rohit, Jarmanjeet Singh, Rocky Singh, Sanjiv Kumar, Manas Sarkar, Harpreet Singh, Biswajit Sardar, Muniruzzaman Ansari, Chingkhei Meetei, Baidyanath Das, Amit Kumar, Vineet Rai, Deepak Tirkey, Mohammed Irfan Khan, Bilal Khan, Randhan Meetei

NEW: -

LEFT: -

COACH: P. Vijay KUMAR

Dempo Group buys stake in Danish club FC Midtjylland

In April 2011 Goan giants Dempo SC entered into a partnership with Danish Superliga side FC Midtjylland to develop its young elite players, but also work on the overall development of the club. Now that tie-up is set to become much more with the Dempo Group buying a 34 percent stake in the Danish club to strengthen their ties in the interest of Dempo SC and Indian football.



A release from FC Midtjylland said, "Leading Goa-based Indian industrial group, Dempo, with interests in soccer promotion has effected a Share Subscription Agreement with prominent professional Danish soccer club and academy, FC Midtjylland, based in Herning and Ikast."



Dempo Group will make an investment of around 12 Million Euros (approximately Rs 80 crore) to take a 34 percent stake in the clubs parent company FC Midtjylland Holdings AS with an Indian presence on the board of the club.



"The investment marks the moment when intent turned into commitment. It's kick-off time for the Dempo foray into truly international football. Our agreement is aimed at raising the playing standard of Indian soccer, and this tie-up with a first-rate European academy and team shall spur the development of the game even faster," said Dempo Group chairman, Srinivas Dempo.



Soren Bach, CEO of FC Midtjylland, said: "It's a historic day for FC Midtjylland and the start of a new era for the club. The agreement enables us to add value to the continuity of our soccer team and retain our own playing talent longer. We can enhance the level of talent development, and begin truly to internationalise the academy."



So far the technical partnership between the two sides has been very fruitful with the Dempo SC technical staff impressed by the infrastructure and technical expertise available at FC Midtjylland.



Now Dempo's will want to utilise all this knowledge and manpower to make their club Dempo SC a real professional outfit and enable talented, young Indian boys to get into Europe at a young age to develop as professional footballers, which hopefully will also help Indian football to develop further.

Indicast Podcast: Argentina Friendly, Lionel Messi in India!

The Sportsbench & Hand of Pod producers, Sam Kelly and Daniel Colasimone, got together ahead of the Argentina vs Venezuela international friendly to give you an idea of what can be expected from Argentines in the upcoming game on Sept 2 as well as over the medium term. Arunava Chaudhuri is conspicuous by his absence on this episode, as he is travelling with the Indian national team in the Caribbean.



We talk about Carlos Tevez & Fernando Gago - both of whom have failed to find a place on new coach Alejandro Sabella's squad. While it will be difficult to take eyes off Lionel Messi, Sam & Dan tell Indian football fans that Javier Pastore, Ricardo Alvarez & Eduardo Salvio are others that should be watched.



South American teams - especially Argentina & Brazil - have a massive massive fan base in India (& especially in Kolkata) having made inroads into the hearts of football fans long before the marketing blitzkrieg of certain European leagues. While Pele, Maradona, Diego Forlan have played/made an appearance in this City of Joy, a FIFA-ratified international friendly is a biggie.







Listen Online (64 kbps) : ~ 26 mins











Here the direct link to the Indicast Podcast page: Sportsbench Podcast

Could Ballack be leaving Leverkusen?

Former Germany captain Michael Ballack is part of a lot of speculation in Germany at the moment. The 34 year old has only played in one of the four Bundesliga matches for Bayer 04 Leverkusen this season so far as new coach Robin Dutt has been favouring other midfielders ahead of the ageing star.



Ballack remains ambitious and still wants to prove a point that his time isn't over just yet, but things haven't been going well for him in the last 15 months. It all started with the foul from Kevin-Prince Boateng in the FA Cup in May 2010, Ballack missed the 2010 FIFA World Cup as a young Germany played a great tournament. His contract was not extended by Chelsea and Ballack returned to Bayer 04 Leverkusen where he was seen as the potential new leader of a young team, but injuries forced him to miss many matches, while he was unable to regain his place in the German national team.



In the new season he wanted to show what he is still capable of but coach Robin Dutt is favouring other, younger players in the Leverkusen squad. This has led to speculation that Ballack could be leaving the west German club with VfL Wolfsburg a potential target.



Initially Leverkusen officials stated that Ballack was not for sale as the club would surely need him with Bundesliga and Champions League assignments coming up, but in the meantime they say they would be willing to speak to Ballack, if an offer comes in which so has not happened.



It will be interesting to see if Ballack stays in Leverkusen over the coming three days or moves on somewhere else, where he would get playing time.

Lahm writes autobiography, creates controversy

Germany and FC Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has gotten himself into serious trouble with his upcoming autobiography, though it hasn't been released so far but only excerpts have been published in the German tabloid Bild.



The book titled 'The Subtle Difference' is about Lahm's observations over the years of his professional career about his coaches and teams. The first excerpts have been about Rudi Voeller, Juergen Klinsmann, Felix Magath and Louis van Gaal; with some harsh criticism from Lahm about their coaching and style of players management.



Philipp Lahm was surprised at the reactions and had to come out with a public statement which said, "Of course, I did not want to attack or offend Rudi Voeller, Juergen Klinsmann and other people. Rather I wanted, as is clear from reading my book, to portray my honest opinion about the work under different coaches and at different times."



All this hasn't gone down well with the football establishment in Germany with even the German FA (DFB) having to come together to discuss if any action would be taken against Lahm but the captain will not lose the armband as many in the German media speculated.



"We want mature players to make their opinions known, however in this case, Philipp has over-stepped the mark," said team manager Oliver Bierhoff.



And the same opinion was German national coach Joachim Loew who said, "There are a few passages in the book which I don't like, because here we have a young player openly criticising his trainer after they have worked together successfully for a long time."



"We will talk about this together next week," Loew added.



The autobiography has come in for heavy criticism by numerous Bundesliga coaches who cannot understand how Lahm could simply write such a book.

UEFA Europa League: Group Stage draw is out

The draw for the 2011/12 Europa League group stage was held yesterday at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, Monaco. And the 48 teams who qualified for the group stages have been divided into 12 groups of four teams each.



The Europa League enters its third season with the second tier of European club competition looking to further enhance its standing. After Atletico Madrid being winners in 2010, last season FC Porto won the Europa League title against local Portuguese opposition in SC Braga.



This season the final of the 2011/12 UEFA Europa League will be played in the Romanian capital Bucharest in May 2012. A number of big clubs will play in the competition after missing out on the UEFA Champions League.



The toughest of all groups is Group I which includes Atletico Madrid (Spain), Udinese Calcio (Italy), Stade Rennes (France) and FC Sion (Switzerland), but FC Sion could be replaced by Scottish giants Celtic Glasgow then the Swiss side is said to have used an ineligible player. UEFA is investigating the case.





The Groups



Group A: Tottenham Hotspurs (England), Rubin Kazan (Russia), PAOK Saloniki (Greece), Shamrock Rovers (Ireland)



Group B: FC Copenhagen (Denmark), Standard Liege (Belgium), Hannover 96 (Germany), Worskla Poltawa (Ukraine)



Group C: PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands), Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel), Rapid Bucharest (Romania), Legia Warsaw (Poland)



Group D: Sporting Clube de Lisbon (Portugal), Lazio Roma (Italy), FC Zurich (Switzerland), FC Vaslui (Romania)



Group E: Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine), Besiktas Istanbul (Turkey), Stoke City (England), Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel)



Group F: FC Paris Saint-Germain (France), Athletic Bilbao (Spain), Red Bull Salzburg (Austria), SK Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia)



Group G: AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands), Metalist Charkiw (Ukraine), FK Austria Wien (Austria), Malmö FF (Sweden)



Group H: SC Braga (Portugal), FC Brugge (Belgium), Birmingham City (England), NK Maribor (Slovenia)



Group I: Atletico Madrid (Spain), Udinese Calcio (Italy), Stade Rennes (France), FC Sion (Switzerland)



Group J: FC Schalke 04 (Germany), Steaua Bucharest (Romania), Maccabi Haifa (Israel), AEK Larnaka (Cyprus)



Group K: FC Twente Enschede (Netherlands), FC Fulham (England), Odense BK (Denmark), Wisla Krakau (Poland)



Group L: RSC Anderlecht (Belgium), AEK Athen (Greece), Locomotive Moscow (Russia), SK Sturm Graz (Austria)

Talking about Indian football in Trinidad&Tobago

On our Caribbean Tour with the Indian national football team the most developed of the three football destinations was surely Trinidad&Tobago. In their football organisation one can see that they have hosted FIFA Youth World Cups for men's and women's besides having played bigger footballing nations like England plus the United States of America and Mexico in CONCACAF qualifiers at home.



T&T is a football crazy country and on the drive from the airport to the hotel one could see so many football pitches that this fact became evident.



The same could be said about the media interest in the T&T vs India match on August 21 and the extensive pre-match coverage that India got in the local media. It was a busy time for me in Trinidad&Tobago as I was coordinating all media related work.



Especially the Friday before the match was a long day in the media with India training in the morning, I was asked to go to TV stations, radio shows and newspapers to talk about Indian football. In the end I had visited three TV breakfast morning shows, three radio stations and spoken to four newspapers. All eager to hear about India and its football.



The most fun I had was that Friday evening on Power 102 FM's sports show hosted by Rey Davis which was attended by Sunil Chhetri, Gouramangi Singh and Shaun Fuentes (TTFF Media Officer) besides myself. We talked on the show for over 30 minutes about football in India and Trinidad as well as letting people know more about Indian football as one has to make that point again and again - yes, we play other sports then cricket.



And once you tell them about Indian football, people want to know more. And that was one of the big positives that people are genuinely interested to hear more about Indian football.



Then on the match day I did joint commentary with two local commentators to give the T&T public more insights into Indian football.

UEFA Super Cup: Barca win against Porto

UEFA Champions League winners FC Barcelona started the European season the way they ended the last with a title as they beat UEFA Europa League champions FC Porto 2-0 in the UEFA Super Cup in Monaco last night.



Barcelona is currently the club side to beat in Europe with their shot passing game the best football currently has to offer. And it was on display in Monaco as the Portuguese side had no real answer to tiki-taka football.



But Porto did make some initial inroads with Hulk and Joao Moutinho getting early chances for Porto. Once Barca settled down it was often one way traffic with Barca having 70% of the ball at the end of the first session with Andres Iniesta once more outstanding in midfield supplying the ball to Lionel Messi, David Villa and Pedro Rodriguez.



It was none other then Lionel Messi, yesterday named UEFA Player of the Year, who gave Barca a 39th minute first half lead as he intercepted a suicidal back-pass from Fredy Guarin; while new Barca signing Cesc Fabregas made it 2-0 in the 88th minute after the former Arsenal captain had to warm the bench for most of the match.



To make matters worse for FC Porto they ended the match with nine men, a game that started promisingly for them but ended as many would make expected against the Catalans. First Rolando got his second booking in the 86th minute, while Fredy Guarin got a straight red for a harsh foul on Javier Mascherano.

Clash of the Titans: Series postponed

The Clash of the Titans series between India and Pakistan has been postponed by the London-based organisers TouchSky Sports. Officially the match on September 3 in Derby to mark the death of Haroon Jahan, Shazad Ali and Abdul Musavir, killed in the UK riots in Birmingham was postponed and with it the whole tour less then 48 hours before the teams were set to leave south Asia for the United Kingdom.



This is what TouchSky Sports said in a press release



For the past nine months TouchSky Sports have been planning this historical FIFA fixture, India vs. Pakistan, two nations better known for their cricket than their football, and this will be the first time that these two nations have met on English soil, a fixture that will bring these two communities together.



As a company TouchSky Sports aims to stimulate and provide exposure for this growing football region and provide their UK based fans and respective communities with access to their national team.



As a company we were struck by how the nation has rallied behind the families and the community that have endured this sad loss, and as such we have dedicated this match to their memory, pledging all profits from the match to a foundation, if one is set-up in the future and administered by the families or a charity of their choice. And at this point we would like to STRESS that this is NOT a fundraising event.



When we met with Tariq Jahaan and Qoodas last Sunday, we were overwhelmed by the love, affection and support they showed for our event despite having endured such a tragic loss.



After getting to know the families over the course of the week, as well as understanding the families personal situations and the Islamic faith, we as a company feel we have a social and moral responsibility to postpone the match and allow the families the time and space to grieve. The Islamic faith calls for a 40 day mourning period, which we whole heartedly respect.



Our stakeholders and shareholders are sympathetic to our position and we have commenced the process of rescheduling in accordance with the FIFA calendar, with a new date to be announced in due course.

Draw for the UEFA Champions League groups done

The draw for the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League group stage was held today at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, Monaco. And all the participating clubs aim to reach the final to be played on May 2012 at Munich's Allianz Arena.

The strongest of all groups is Group A containing German giants FC Bayern Munich, who will aim to reach the finals at home. But in the group stage they play Spanish side FC Villarreal, high spending English club Manchester City and rejuvenated SSC Napoli.

Defending champions FC Barcelona have a rather easy group as they and Italy's AC Milan are favourites over FC BATE Borisov from Belarus and Czech newcomers FC Viktoria Plzen.


The Groups

Group A: FC Bayern München (Germany), Villarreal CF (Spain), Manchester City FC (England), SSC Napoli (Italy)

Group B: FC Internazionale Milano (Italy), PFC CSKA Moskva (Russia), LOSC Lille Métropole (France), Trabzonspor AS (Turkey)

Group C: Manchester United FC (England), SL Benfica (Portugal), FC Basel 1893 (Switzerland), FC Otelul Galati (Romania)

Group D: Real Madrid CF (Spain), Olympique Lyonnais (France), AFC Ajax Amsterdam (Netherlands), GNK Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)

Group E: Chelsea FC (England), Valencia CF (Spain), Bayer 04 Leverkusen (Germany), KRC Genk (Belgium)

Group F: Arsenal FC (England), Olympique de Marseille (France), Olympiacos Piräus FC (Greece), Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

Group G: FC Porto (Portugal), FC Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine), FC Zenit St Petersburg (Russia), APOEL FC (Cyprus)

Group H: FC Barcelona (Spain), AC Milan (Italy), FC BATE Borisov (Belarus), FC Viktoria Plzen (Czech Republic)

India lose 1-2 against Guyana in friendly

Guyana beat India 2-1 in an international friendly at the National Stadium, Providence as part of the +ONE India Caribbean Tour. Guyana had taken the lead through Vurlon Mills, while Steven Dias equalised before the break. Guyana scored the winner after the breather through Walter Moore.



It was an open and even game between the two sides, which experienced very heavy rains during the first half but it didn't stop the teams from dishing out a good game of football.



After initial chances to both sides Guyana took a 19th minute lead when striker Vurlon Mills headed in the ball beating a surprised Indian defence. India needed time to get back into the game and scored a deserving equaliser in the 36th minute through a perfectly curled in Steven Dias free-kick. The teams went into the break with a one-all scoreline.



After the break Guyana looked the more adventurous side and they took the lead in the 63rd minute through a goal from left-back Walter Moore, who played a couple of double passes before chipping the ball over Subrata Pal in the Indian goal. Guyana were reduced to ten men when substitute Travis Henry, who had just come on, received marching orders for a rough tackle on Clifford Miranda.



India could not utilize the numerical advantage over the last few minutes as Guyana won the match 2-1 though a draw between the two sides would have been a fair result.





INDIA



1-Subrata Pal; 16-Samir Naik (82' 17-Robert Lalthlamuana), 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 3-Raju Eknath Gaekwad (71' 14-Mahesh Gawli), 2-Debabrata Roy; 23-Steven Benedic Dias (73' 15-Clifford Rayes Miranda), 8-Climax Lawrence [C], 30-Mehtab Hussain, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi; 10-Jeje Lalpekhlua, 11-Sunil Chhetri



Substitutes: 21-Karanjit Singh, 18-Sushil Kumar Singh, 20-Lalrindika Ralte, 28-Peter Carvalho

Baichung Bhutia retires - End of an Era

Long-time India captain Baichung Bhutia earlier today at Football House in Dwarka, New Delhi announced his retirement from international. It marks the end of an era which started in 1995 with a match against Thailand on March 10, 1995 at the Nehru Cup in Kolkata and ended on January 18, 2011 with a substitute appearance against South Korea at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.



"It is a hard decision for any footballer to decide on his retirement and I wasn't any exception. But everyone has to retire one day. I wanted to retire after playing a match but recurring injuries prevented me from donning the India jersey for one more time," Baichung Bhutia announced in front of over a hundred journalists who had come for the occasion.



"I'm lucky enough to still be associated with football. My association with United Sikkim Football Club and my Football Schools will keep me going," an emotional Baichung added.



AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das handed the Sikkimese sniper a specially designed silver plaque and a shawl in the name of the federation.



Lauding Baichung's achievements Kushal Das said, "All good things come to an end and the AIFF will be seeking his support for the future development of the sport in the country.”



AIFF President Praful Patel in a public message thanked Baichung for his contribution to Indian football. "I thank Baichung Bhutia for his wonderful contribution to Indian football and the joy he has provided to all Indians by his performance and leadership of the Indian Team in a long and illustrious career. He is a true icon of Indian Football and it is indeed a sad day that he has decided to hang his boots from International Football."



Baichung Bhutia has done a lot for Indian football on and off the field, now his contribution will be more off the field...

India ready for Guyana test

Tonight India face Guyana in their second international friendly on their +ONE India Caribbean Tour. The match will be held at the National Stadium in Guyana, a venue build for the 2007 Cricket World Cup and now used as a multi-purpose stadium.



India had their final training session on Tuesday evening under lights. There the players got a first feel of the ground, which was surprisingly in good shape after heavy rains lashed Guyana over the day.



The team prepared for the match with the coaching staff working on combination and set play with coach Armando Colaco likely to use the same starting eleven as against Trinidad&Tobago.



A special focus was finishing which really let the team down in Port of Spain, then otherwise a better result would have been surely possible.



In the afternoon India had visited the office of the Guyanese Minister of Culture, Youth & Sports; Dr. Frank Anthony. There at a press meet the minister welcomed the Indian national football team once more to Guyana and hoped for better sporting relationships between India and Guyana.



Manager Mandar Tamhane on behalf of the Indian contingent thanked the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Football Federation for their invitation to play the international friendly match.



The match will be played at 19.30 local (5.00 am IST) at the National Stadium and the organisers hope for a good turn-out.

India vs Pakistan football match to raise money for UK riot victims

TouchSky Sports at the Portland Hotel Birmingham on Thursday, August 25 will officially announce its contribution to the new charitable foundation being set up in the name of the three men - Harroon Jahan, Abdul Mussavir, Shahzad Ali - tragically killed during the recent Birmingham riots.



Proceeds for the foundation will come from the first ever UK football match between the two nations better known for their cricketing prowess, India and Pakistan. The 'Clash of the Titans' match will see the teams go head to head at Derby County's Pride Park on Saturday, September 3 in a game that will promote closer cohesion between diverse communities.



Speaking about the forthcoming fixture, TouchSky Director Peter Virdee said, "The football match has the potential to provide a very public show of support from the whole community which stood together during the riots and the subsequent sad loss of these three lives. The lives of these three young men can never be replaced however measures need to be put in place for the prevention of future incidents and to bridge the divide within the community."



Representatives from the affected families and the Football Association will join the TouchSky directors in Birmingham to make the announcement. They will also attend the football match where a minute's silence in memory of their loved ones will be observed. In support of the cause both teams will also don black arm bands for the duration of the game.



TouchSky Sports hopes that this historical match will provide a vital catalyst for communities, authorities and the football community at large to begin to address the issues that have been raised through the senseless loss of these three lives.



TouchSky Sports wants to ensure that these lives were not lost in vein and that the concerns and wishes of the family remain integral to the program.



More information on the 'Clash of the Titans' tour under http://www.clashofthetitansuk.com/ .

VIDEO: Armando Colaco's post-match press-conference

After the Trinidad&Tobago vs India match on Sunday, the coach of the Indian team Armando Colaco spoke to the local media about the game.

India arrive in Guyana

The Indian national football team arrived in Guyana on Monday, August 22 morning after a short flight across from Port of Spain. The team was welcomed on the tarmac by the Guyana Football Federation at the Cheddi Jagan International airport in Georgetown.



After a quick lunch the team visited the headquarters of one of the match sponsors, where coach Armando Colaco spoke to the press. And there the Guyanese media was interested to know more about Indian football.



Coach Armando Colaco said, "This Indian team represents the whole nation with players from across the country in the team."



After last nights loss against Trinidad&Tobago India looks forward to another game against a Caribbean side and this time would hope for a better result.



In the afternoon the team had a 90 minute session. While the players who played on Sunday did some recovery training, the substitute had a full training session.



The match on Wednesday, August 24 will be at the Guyana National Stadium with kick-off at 19.30 local (5.00 am IST).

VIDEO: T&T vs INDIA match highlights

Here the match highlights from the Trinidad&Tobago vs India match from a local T&T TV news channel:

T&T beat India, but Indians show fighting spirit

Trinidad&Tobago won 3-0 against India in an international friendly at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain as part of the +ONE India Caribbean Tour. The Soca Warriors took a 1-0 lead in the first half, while scoring two more after the break.



The first goal came of a penalty from veteran striker Stern John in the 19th minute, while Darryl Roberts added two more in the 47th and 85th minutes.



The opening quarter saw caution from both teams with each side testing the water with T&T stringing a lot of passes together, while India took a more direct approach. India went behind in the 19th minute when Raju Gaikwad brought down Darryl Roberts on the right side of the box with the Indian defence beaten. The foul was unnecessary as Roberts looked to be heading out. The resultant penalty was scored by a strong Stern John shot into the heart of goal.



India needed some minutes to regroup and their best chance of the half fell to Syed Rahim Nabi on the half hour mark as he beat the T&T defence on the left, cut in but his right-footer just curled wide of the goal. T&T went into the break with a one goal advantage.



After the break T&T upped the pressure and Darryl Roberts would make it 2-0 in the 47th minute. At this early second half stage it looked that India could be in danger of falling apart, but India needed some minutes to get back into the game and the boys showed character as they started playing football, stringing passes together and combining on the ground rather then using the long ball which was often used in the first half.



First a Nabi header of a Raju Gaikwad throw-in would just went over the crossbar in the 53rd minute and then a couple of minutes later a nice combination saw Sunil Chhetri's shot being blocked by T&T keeper Marvin Phillips, while Nabi's attempt of the rebound went over. India had another chance through Jeje Lalpekhlua in the 73rd minute as he got a nice through ball, but once more Marvin Phillips was upto the task.



India would concede a late third in the 85th minute when an alert T&T caught India napping during a free-kick with the ball played to Darryl Roberts who would make it 3-0 past Subrata Pal on the night.



India gave a good account of themselves with mistakes leading to the first and third goal, while own chances were not converted.



Coach Armando Colaco said in the post-match press conference, "It is about learning for my boys. Trinidad&Tobago is a much better team, you only have to look at the FIFA rankings. And they showed it today."



"But I am proud of my boys on how they came back and fought in the game. We take this experience to Guyana and there hope for a better result," Armando added.





MATCH STATS



Trinidad and Tobago 3-0 India



Goals: 1-0 Stern John (19', penalty), 2-0 Darryl Roberts (47'), 3-0 Darryl Roberts (85')





INDIA



1-Subrata Pal; 16-Samir Naik (79' 28-Peter Carvalho), 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 3-Raju Eknath Gaekwad, 2-Debabrata Roy; 23-Steven Benedic Dias (83' 20-Lalrindika Ralte), 8-Climax Lawrence [C] (88' 35-Rocus Lamare), 30-Mehtab Hussain, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi (74' 34-Valeriano Rebello); 10-Jeje Lalpekhlua, 11-Sunil Chhetri (84' 18-Sushil Kumar Singh)

Substitutes: 21-Karanjit Singh, 14-Mahesh Gawli

Clash of the Titans: History unfolds in UK

Pakistani origin world boxing champion Amir Khan and Indian origin award winning artist Jaz Dhami joined forces to show their support of the hugely anticipated India versus Pakistan football friendly fixture at the boxer's home turf in Bolton at Reebok Stadium.



The match has gotten the support from FIFA and the English FA alongside Kick It Out, the friendly football fixtures will take place on the 3rd September at Derby County as well as on the 9th September in Glasgow.



The 'Clash of the Titans' tour will set centre stage for these two heavyweights to lock heads in a series of games up and down the UK and also give precedence to help bring communities together in a wider social message via the power of football.



Amir said, "I will be attending the Derby County fixture, and I will be honoured with the task of bringing on the Pakistani team to show my support to this great footballing fixture, however I wish both teams the beat of luck."



Meanwhile Jaz Dhami said "I am excited to get involved and support the Clash of the Titans tour. India and Pakistan are primarily noted for their cricketing abilities and this tour will give the UK sports enthusiasts the opportunity to see these two big nations don their football boots and show what they have on the pitch."



The FA's Ambassador Brendon Batson also expressed his support of the 'Clash of the Titans' tour. Brendon said, "I have worked closely with the Asian community for several years at the FA, helping to build bridges and lending support so that the Asian community may become more involved in the beautiful game. This fixture will hopefully offer further encouragement for Asian kids across the UK to put on their boots and prove that football is a universal and inclusive sport. There are many opportunities for Asian kids to play at the highest level possible which this fixture clearly demonstrates.



Ahmer Kunwar, Director of TouchSky Sports added, "this fixture presents a great opportunity for Indian and Pakistani football fans and families to come out and support their native teams and enjoy the carnival atmosphere. The match has received overwhelming support with excellent take up on ticket sales and the tour website inundated with several thousand hits per day. We look forward to putting on a great show with football, music and half time football activities with children on the pitch with stars."





Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by logging onto www.clashofthetitansuk.com

Team India visits Indian High Commissioner to Trinidad&Tobago

For the Indian national football team it has become a tradition to visit their local Embassies and High Commissions wherever they travel around the world.



On arrival in Port of Spain Team on Thursday India received an invitation from the Second Secretary of the India High Commission Rajendra Shanker to come for high tea to the High Commission on Friday afternoon.



The team travelled to Bharat Bhawan in Port of Spain to meet the Indian High Commissioner Shri Malay Mishra. He was first introduced and spoke to the team coach Armando Colaco, captain Climax Lawrence, this year Arjuna Awardee Sunil Chhetri and manager Mandar Tamhane before meeting the whole team.



The management of the Soca Warriors, the Trinidad & Tobago national team also been invited by the High Commissioner for the gathering.



The High Commissioner in his speech welcomed the Indian team to Trinidad and Tobago, which has a high population of Indian origin. He wished the team would play in good spirit and get a good result to show India and its football to the Caribbean population.



After that the team enjoyed some Indian snacks, while the High Commissioner interacted with the whole team, showing interest in the players, their origin, what position they play and wanted to know how they see the upcoming match on Sunday.

India U-23s to play three matches on UK Tour

The All India Football Federation has finally confirmed that the India Under-23s will be travelling to the United Kingdom to face Pakistan in a two match series titled 'Clash of the Titans' besides taking on an England C side.



India's first match would be on September 3 at Derby County FC's Pride Park ground, followed by a match against an England C side (a team made-up of non-league players, semi-professional players) at Victoria Road, Dagenham in East London and the tour would end with another encounter against Pakistan on September 9 in Glasgow.



The AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das expressed his happiness in the Under-23 team getting the much-needed exposure in England. "The All India Football Federation is happy the boys are getting the right kind of exposure. Clash of the Titans India Pakistan UK Tour has generated huge interest among the fans in India and we are eagerly looking forward to the Tour," he said.



India have started their practice in Gurgaon with Sukhvinder Singh the coach of the squad, while Tanumoy Bose as the assistant-cum-goalkeeping coach with seasoned Renedy Singh set to lead the young squad with Baichung Bhutia unlikely to make a return. The Team will leave for England on August 27.

33rd Federation fixtures are out, prize money increased

The 33rd Federation Cup, India's version of the FA Cup, will be held from September 17 to 29 in Kolkata and Pune with the 14 I-League teams and two qualifiers taking part in the quarterfinal league group stage. While two groups will each be played in Kolkata and Pune, the semifinals and final will be played in Kolkata.



All four groups look interesting and guarantee some good encounters, but the toughest group is surely Group C where defending champions East Bengal Club face former champions Dempo SC and Pune FC besides a qualifier, while Group A also looks interesting with Mohun Bagan AC having to take on Churchill Brothers SC, Shillong Lajong FC and a qualifier.



I-League champions Salgaocar SC seem to have an easier group as they face Pailan Arrows, Mumbai FC and HAL; while Group D looks the weakest of all groups with Prayag United SC, Sporting Clube de Goa, Air India and Viva Kerala taking on each other. The most anticipated encounter would be the match between Prayag United SC and Viva Kerala, the former and current clubs sponsored by Chirag Computers.



The AIFF has decided to hike the prize money for the champions from Rs 1,2 Million (12 lakhs) to 2,5 Million (25 lakhs), while the runners-up would now get Rs 1,5 Million (15 lakhs) instead of Rs 700,000 (7 lakhs).





FIXTURES



Group A - Pune:

Mohun Bagan AC, Churchill Brothers SC, Shillong Lajong FC, Qualifier B



17-Sep-2011: Mohun Bagan AC - Qualifier B

17-Sep-2011: Churchill Brothers SC - Shillong Lajong FC

19-Sep-2011: Shillong Lajong FC - Mohun Bagan AC

19-Sep-2011: Qualifier B - Churchill Brothers SC

21-Sep-2011: Mohun Bagan AC - Churchill Brothers SC

21-Sep-2011: Shillong Lajong FC - Qualifier B





Group B - Pune:

Pailan Arrows, Salgaocar SC, Mumbai FC, HAL



18-Sep-2011: Pailan Arrows - HAL

18-Sep-2011: Salgaocar SC - Mumbai FC

20-Sep-2011: Mumbai FC - Pailan Arrows

20-Sep-2011: HAL - Salgaocar SC

22-Sep-2011: Pailan Arrows - Salgaocar SC

22-Sep-2011: Mumbai FC - HAL





Group C - Kolkata:

East Bengal Club, Dempo SC, Pune FC, Qualifier A



17-Sep-2011: East Bengal Club - Qualifier A

17-Sep-2011: Dempo SC - Pune FC

19-Sep-2011: Pune FC - East Bengal Club

19-Sep-2011: Qualifier A - Dempo SC

21-Sep-2011: East Bengal Club - Dempo SC

21-Sep-2011: Pune FC - Qualifier A





Group D - Kolkata:

Prayag United SC, Sporting Clube de Goa, Air India, Viva Kerala



18-Sep-2011: Prayag United SC - Viva Kerala

18-Sep-2011: Sporting Clube de Goa - Air India

20-Sep-2011: Air India - Prayag United SC

20-Sep-2011: Viva Kerala - Sporting Clube de Goa

22-Sep-2011: Prayag United SC - Sporting Clube de Goa

22-Sep-2011: Air India - Viva Kerala



Semifinals - Kolkata



25-Sep-2011: Group A Winner - Group B Winner

26-Sep-2011: Group C Winner - Group D Winner



Final



29-Sep-2011: Winner SF 1 - Winner SF 2

VIDEO: TTFF Captain Densill Theobald

Here the video link to an interview the Trinidad&Tobago Football Federation did with the Soca Warriors captain Densill Theobald at their training session ahead of the game against India on Sunday.

VIDEO: TTFF Interview with Sunil Chhetri

Here the video link to an interview the Trinidad&Tobago Football Federation did with India striker Sunil Chhetri on the sidelines of the Team India training yesterday (Thursday) afternoon at the Fatima College Grounds, Port of Spain.

Indian Football: Transfer Season 2011 - Version 7

Here is the latest updated list of Transfers 2011 from across India of the I-League and top 2nd Division sides. Slowly the squads are getting more and more complete.



Here an updated list of known/confirmed Transfers 2011



SALGAOCAR SC - GOA

RETAINED: Karanjit Singh, Macklas Moraes, Jaspal Singh Parmar, Rino Anto, Luciano Sabrosa, Irungbam Khelemba Singh, W. Tomba Singh, Cajetan Fernandes, Rocus Lamare, Francis Fernandes, Anthony Barbosa, Gilbert Oliveira, Beevan D'Mello, Ryuji Sueoka, Milagres Gonsalves,

NEW: Presley Mascarenhas, Keenan Almeida, Roy Rodrigues, Aliston Fernandes, Godfrey Silva, Cliften Dias, Bobbychan Singh, Rosario Mendes (all Salgaocar Juniors), Nicolau Colaco, Augostinho Fernandes, Gagandeep Singh, Vivek Singh Kaira (all Sesa Football Academy), Chidi Edeh, Ishfaq Ahmed, Biswajit Saha (all Mohun Bagan AC), Rahul Kumar, Randeep Singh, Balwant Singh (all JCT), Vinay Singh, Thounaojam Dinesh Singh (both Churchill Brothers SC), Mehrajuddin Wadoo (East Bengal Club), Elijah Obagbemiro Junior (United SC), Mohammad Dada Nabeel (Air India), Karthik Kisku (Mohammedan Sporting Club)

LEFT: Arnab Das Sharma, Monotosh Ghosh, Syed Farid, Govin Moirangthem Singh, Khangembam Thoi Singh (all United Sikkim FC), Baldeep Singh, Singam Subash Singh (both Pune FC), James Lukram Singh, Yakubu Yusif (both United SC), Jagdeep Singh (Viva Kerala), Eneke Ikenwa

COACH: Karim BENCHARIFA (MOROCCO)



EAST BENGAL CLUB - KOLKATA

RETAINED: Sandip Nandy, Abhra Mondal, Jayanta Pal, Saikat Saha Roy, Thokchom Naoba Singh, Nirmal Chetri, Uga Okpara, Gurwinder Singh, Sunil Kumar Thakur, Soumik Dey, Ravinder Singh, Sanju Pradhan, Reisangmi Vashum, Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Susanth Mathew, Mehtab Hussain, Penn Ikechukwu Orji, Alvito D'Cunha, Beingaichho Beokhokhai, Tolgay Ozbey, Baljit Singh Sahni, Robin Singh, Budhiram Tudu, Biswarup Deb

NEW: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Abhishek Das, Raju Eknath Gaekwad, Subodh Kumar, Ongnam Milan Singh (all Indian Arrows, returns from a one year loan), Robert Lalthlamuana, Charan Rai, Khanthang Paite (all Churchill Brothers SC), Sunil Kumar (Pune FC), Branco Vincent Cardozo (United SC), Debjit Majumdar (United Sikkim FC), Alan Gow (Notts County FC, ENGLAND)

LEFT: Mehrajuddin Wadoo (Salgaocar SC), Syed Rahim Nabi (Mohun Bagan AC), Rajib Ghosh (Indian Arrows), Sushil Kumar Singh (United Sikkim FC), Naseem Akhtar (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Aseem Koraliyadan Kutty (Central Excise, Chennai), Sukumal Santra, Lalchhuan Awma, Bikash Narzary, Alexandro da Silva Santos

COACH: Trevor MORGAN (ENGLAND)



DEMPO SC - GOA

RETAINED: Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Laxmikant Kattimani, Luis Xavier Barreto, Tyson Caiado, Valeriano Rebello, Mahesh Gawli, John Charles Dias, Creson Antao, Covan Lawrence, Dominic Noronha, Samir Naik, Debabrata Roy, Shallum Pires, Anthony Pereira, Climax Lawrence, Godwin Diogo Franco, Micky Fernandes, Peter Carvalho, Marcus Peixito, Jessel Carneiro, Aaron Fernandes, Clifford Miranda, Nicolau Borges, Joe Rodrigues, Johnny D'Cruz, Bharat Thapa, Joaquim Abranches, Clifton Gonsalves, Myron Fernandes, Terence Fernandes, Mandar Rao Dessai

NEW: Sidroy Afonso, Brian Mascarenhas, Richard Fernandes, Romeo Fernandes, Aniston Fernandes, Reagan Juliao (all Dempo Juniors), Savio Fernandes, Koko Sakibo, Joy Ferrao (all Vasco SC), Rowilson Rodrigues (Churchill Brothers SC), P.K. Anil Kumar (Viva Kerala), Romeo Fernandes (Margao SC)

LEFT: Roberto Mendes Silva (Churchill Brothers SC), Ogba Kalu Nnanna (Sporting Clube de Goa), Cavin Peter Lobo, Aikan Dias, Roy Colaco, Flann D'Souza, Rouhollah Samieinia, Ranty Martins Soleye

COACH: ARMANDO COLACO



CHURCHILL BROTHERS SC - GOA

RETAINED: Arindam Bhattacharya, Denzil Franco, Mundampara P. Sakeer

NEW: Jerry Zirsanga, Melwyn Rodrigues (both United SC), Y. Jaikumar, Xavier Vijayakumar (both HAL, Bangalore), Thangjam Saran Singh, Jagpreet Singh (both JCT), Roberto Mendes Silva (Dempo SC), N.D. Opara (ONGC), Basileo Rego (Vasco SC), S. Parthiban (Chennai Customs), Henry Antchouet (Moreirense FC, PORTUGAL), Antun Kovacic (Richmond SC, AUSTRALIA), Lalrindika Ralte (Indian Arrows, returns from a one year loan)

LEFT: Robert Lalthlamuana, Charan Rai, Khanthang Paite (all East Bengal Club), Vinay Singh, Thounaojam Dinesh Singh (both Salgaocar SC), Rowilson Rodrigues (Dempo SC), Odafe Onyeka Okolie (Mohun Bagan AC), Warundeep Singh (Sporting Clube de Goa), Kayne Vincent, Amaury Gentil Nunes, Boima Karpeh

COACH: Manuel GONSALVES GOMES (PORTUGAL/new)



PUNE FC - PUNE

RETAINED: Subrata Pal, Othallo Tabia, Caitano Costa, Kamardeep Singh, Gurjinder Kumar Singh, Rollingson Hungyo, Shanmugam Venkatesh, J. Prasad, Asim Hassan, Lester Mark Fernandez, Paresh Shivalkar, Izumi Arata, Mandjou Keita,

NEW: Baldeep Singh, Singam Subash Singh (both Salgaocar SC), Shahinlal Meloly, Karma Tsewang (both Viva Kerala), Anes Edathodika (Mumbai FC), R. Srikanth (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Indian Arrows, returns from a one year loan)

LEFT: Krishnan Nair Ajayan, Gunashekar Vignesh (both Viva Kerala), Sunil Kumar (East Bengal Club), Lamine Tamba (Air India), S. Vinobagandhi (Indian Bank), A. Sherin (AGORC, Chennai), Edmar Figueira (CD Feirense, PORTUGAL), Narshiman Balaji, Soram Poirei Anganba, Sandesh Gadhkari

COACH: Derrick PEREIRA



MOHUN BAGAN AC - KOLKATA

RETAINED: Shilton Pal, Sangram Mukherjee, Sudipta Banerjee, Irungbam Surkumar Singh, Kingshuk Debnath, Anwar, Rakesh Masih, Nallappan Mohanraj, R. Dhanarajan, Gouranga Datta, Satish Kumar Jr, Manish Mathani, Souvik Chakraborty, Dipendu Dowary, Snehashis Chakroborty, Ashim Biswas, Jose Ramirez Barreto

NEW: Sheikh Jewel Raja, Jagtar Singh (both Indian Arrows, return from a one year loan), Souvik Mondal, Sourav Chakraborty (both Techno Aryan Club), Syed Rahim Nabi (East Bengal Club), Odafe Onyeka Okolie (Churchill Brothers SC), Bungo Thokchom Singh (Mumbai FC), Sunil Chhetri (United SC), N.P. Pradeep (Viva Kerala), J. Muralidharan (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC), Sakatar Singh (JCT)

LEFT: Chidi Edeh, Ishfaq Ahmed, Biswajit Saha (all Salgaocar SC), Harpreet Singh, Karan Atwal (both United Sikkim FC), Suman Datta, Surabuddin Mollick (both Mohammedan Sporting Club), Jayanta Sen (United SC), Nagimuddin Mollick (Southern Samity), Sagram Mandi (Bhawanipore Club, Kolkata), David Lalbiakzara (Pune FC Reserves), Pralay Datta, Amar Deb, Rahul Kumar, Deepak Kumar Mondal, Sheikh Azim, Parminder Singh, Santosh Oraon, Jacken Sebastian, Subair Muritala Ali, Owky Diamondstar

COACH: Steve DARBY (ENGLAND/new)



MUMBAI FC - MUMBAI

RETAINED: -

NEW: L. Dhanachandra Singh (Air India)

LEFT: Anes Edathodika (Pune FC), Bungo Thokchom Singh (Mohun Bagan AC), Hiralal Chetri (United Sikkim FC)

COACH: Khalid JAMIL



PRAYAG UNITED SC - KOLKATA

RETAINED: Abhijit Mondal, Anupam Sarkar, Arnab Mondal, Shylo Malswam Tulunga, Denson Devadas, Lal Kamal Bhowmick, Josimar da Silva Martins, Mohammed Rafique

NEW: James Lukram Singh, Yakubu Yusif (both Salgaocar SC), Jayanta Sen (Mohun Bagan AC), Jagroop Singh (Indian Arrows), Bello Razaq (Viva Kerala)

LEFT: Jerry Zirsanga, Melwyn Rodrigues (both Churchill Brothers SC), Elijah Obagbemiro Junior (Salgaocar SC), Sunil Chhetri (Mohun Bagan AC), Branco Vincent Cardozo (East Bengal Club), Munna Mallick (Techno Aryan Club)

COACH: Sanjoy SEN (new)



PAILAN INDIAN ARROWS - KOLKATA

RETAINED: Ravi Kumar, Kamaljeet Singh, Deepak Devrani, Vishal Kumar, Lalrozama Fanai, Souvik Ghosh, Prathamesh Maulingkar, Bikramjit Singh, Tirthankar Sarkar, Shilton Sydney D'Silva, Jibon Singh, Malsawmfela

NEW: Naveen Kumar, Gurtej Singh Sr, Amarwant Singh, Gurtej Singh Jr, Ajay Singh (all JCT), Rajib Ghosh (East Bengal Club), C.S Sabeeth (Viva Kerala), Bijendra Singh (Royal Wahingdoh SC), Avinaba Bag (Kalighat Milan Sangha, Kolkata), Narayan Das, Shenaz Singh, Probit Das, Krishanu Banerjee, Lalnunka, Lalnunpuia, Holicharan Narzary

LEFT: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Abhishek Das, Raju Eknath Gaekwad, Subodh Kumar, Ongnam Milan Singh (all East Bengal Club), Sheikh Jewel Raja, Jagtar Singh (Mohun Bagan AC), Lalrindika Ralte (Churchill Brothers SC), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Pune FC), Jagroop Singh (United SC), Ravindra Kumar, Inderpreet Singh, Akshay Kumar Mall, Manandeep Singh

COACH: -



VIVA KERALA - KANNUR/COCHIN

RETAINED: Sharath K., Charles Dzisah, Sherin Sam, O.K. Javed

NEW: Krishnan Nair Ajayan, Gunashekar Vignesh (both Pune FC), Jagdeep Singh (Salgaocar SC), Shahbas Shaleel (ONGC)

LEFT: Shahinlal Meloly, Karma Tsewang (both Pune FC), P.K. Anil Kumar (Dempo SC), N.P. Pradeep (Mohun Bagan AC), Bello Razaq (United SC), C.S Sabeeth (Indian Arrows), Felix Chimaokwu

COACH: P.K. KUNHIKRISHNAN



AIR INDIA - MUMBAI

RETAINED: Collin Abranches, Allan Dias

NEW: Lamine Tamba (Pune FC), Pawan Kumar (JCT), Sandeep Sangha (ONGC), V. Prem Kumar (United Sikkim FC), Oken Singh (Kenkre FC), Harshad Meher (Bengal Mumbai FC), Abhishek Matthew (Union Bank of India, Mumbai), Nisthar Kali Alaudeen (Central Excise, Chennai), Royston D'Souza (Mahindra United Under-19)

LEFT: Eduardo Chacon Coelho Lacerda, Babib Biswas (both Southern Samity), Mohammad Dada Nabeel (Salgaocar SC), L. Dhanachandra Singh (Mumbai FC), Okorogor Nnabuike Praise, Yusuf Ibrahim

COACH: Santosh KASHYAP



HAL SC - BANGALORE

RETAINED: -

NEW: Bijoy Das (United Sikkim FC)

LEFT: Y. Jaikumar, Xavier Vijayakumar (both Churchill Brothers SC), R. Srikanth (Pune FC), J. Muralidharan (Mohun Bagan AC), Deepak K. (Southern Samity)

COACH: M. MURALIDHARAN



JCT - PHAGWARA

LEFT: Naveen Kumar, Gurtej Singh Sr, Amarwant Singh, Gurtej Singh Jr, Ajay Singh (all Indian Arrows), Prasanta Dora, Parveen Kumar, Amandeep Singh, Jaswinder Singh (all Tollygunge Agragami), Rahul Kumar, Randeep Singh, Balwant Singh (all Salgaocar SC), Thangjam Saran Singh, Jagpreet Singh (both Churchill Brothers SC), Baldeep Singh, Harish Sharma (both United Sikkim FC), Sakatar Singh (Mohun Bagan AC), Pawan Kumar (Air India), Lalchuanmawia (Shillong Lajong FC), Daljit Singh, Rakinderjit Singh, Sehij Pal Singh, R. Sriram, Abhishek Yadav, Mandeep Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Maninder Singh, Balraj Singh, Badru Keke Ibrahim, Omolaja Nurain Kareem



ONGC - MUMBAI

RETAINED: -

NEW: -

LEFT: N.D. Opara (Churchill Brothers SC), Shahbas Shaleel (Viva Kerala), Sandeep Sangha (Air India), Tapan Maity (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Gour Naskar (Southern Samity), K.V. Lalu (Josco FC), Sudipta Kar (Bhawanipore Club, Kolkata)

COACH: -



SHILLONG LAJONG FC - SHILLONG

RETAINED: Lalthuammawia Ralte, Gumpe Rime, Marcus Basumatary, Aibor Khongjee, Wailadmi Passah, Zomingliana Ralte, Rodingson Sangma, M. Subhas Singh, Marlanki Suting, C. Lallawmzuala, Mashangva Genius Zenith, Samson Ramengmawia, Boithang Haokip, Lalramluaha, James Giblee, P.C. Lahlimthara Mahlima, Samuel Shadap, Racy Khiangte Lalrengmawia, Saikhohau Tuboi, Lalnunmawia

NEW: Henry Gangte, L. Romenjit Singh (both Bengal Mumbai FC), Lalchuanmawia (JCT), John D. Menyongar (United Sikkim FC), Christopher Chizoba (Kalighat Milan Sangha/Mohammedan Sporting Club)

LEFT: Anil Gurung (Manang Marshyangdi Club, NEPAL), Keleche Okoye, Million Mwenge Butshire

COACH: Pradhyum REDDY



SPORTING CLUBE DE GOA - GOA

RETAINED: Felix D'Souza, Gerald D'Mello, Siddesh Morje, Fulganco Cardozo, Elvino Fernandes, Boubacar Keita, Mathew Gonsalves, N. Samananda Singh, Singam Rojen Singh, Rovan Pereira, Konthoujam Boboi Singh, Michael Faleiro, Joyner Lourenco, Adil Ahmed Khan, Mauricio Freeman Peixoto, Jovel Martins, P. Niroshan Mani, Lairenjam Bisheshwor Singh, Mackroy Peixote, Angelo D'Souza, Joseph Pereira, Rowlinn Borges, Avelino Fernandes, Ningthounjam Pritam Singh, Valzinho Fernandes, Agnelo Colaco

NEW: Milagrio Medeira, Prajot Naik (both Vasco SC), Warundeep Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Ogba Kalu Nnanna (Dempo SC), Charanjit Singh (Kenkre FC), Gabriel Fernandes (Sesa Football Academy), Mohammed Ali (Calangute Association), Victorino Fernandes (Cavelosim), James Moga (Mukti Joddha Sangsad, Bangladesh), Ashok Singh

LEFT: Ayeni Bidemi Daniel (United Sikkim FC), Ashokan Guru (Integral Coach Factory, Chennai), Thangjam Itomba Singh (Tiddim Road Athletic Union, Manipur), Bibiano Fernandes, Emmanuel Akwuegbu, Joshua Maguire

COACH: Alex ALVARES



VASCO SC - GOA

RETAINED: -

NEW: -

LEFT: Savio Fernandes, Koko Sakibo, Joy Ferrao (all Dempo SC), Milagrio Medeira, Prajot Naik (both Sporting Clube de Goa), Basileo Rego (Churchill Brothers SC)

COACH: -



UNITED SIKKIM FC - GANGTOK

RETAINED: Pranesh Dewan, Sagar Rai, Potsangbam Renedy Singh, Martin Louis Joseph Daniel, Jiten Rai, Nim Tshering Lepcha, Quinton Norman Jacobs, Mayal Dok Lepcha, Baichung Bhutia, Tenzing Tsephel Bhutia

NEW: Arnab Das Sharma, Monotosh Ghosh, Syed Farid, Govin Moirangthem Singh, Khangembam Thoi Singh (all Salgaocar SC), Harpreet Singh, Karan Atwal (both Mohun Bagan AC), Baldeep Singh, Harish Sharma (both JCT), Sushil Kumar Singh (East Bengal Club), Hiralal Chetri (Mumbai FC), Ayeni Bidemi Daniel (Sporting Clube de Goa/Shillong Lajong FC), Mumtaz Akhtar (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Babatunde John (Techno Aryan Club), Ong Teshering Lepcha (Bengal Mumbai FC), Nganingmi Shimran (Denzong Boyz), Sanasam Basant Singh (Manipur), Afzal Ansari, Prantosh Roy, K. Romen Singh, Mayosing Khongreiwo, Vikram Singh Gill

LEFT: Debjit Majumdar (East Bengal Club), V. Prem Kumar (Air India), Bijoy Das (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC), John D. Menyongar (Shillong Lajong FC), Lalrinfela (Southern Samity), Sukhdeb Ghosh, Tashi Tseten Bhutia, Nanjangud Shivananju Manju, Mituski Ichihara, Muttath Suresh, Tanmoy Ghosh, Sumit Thapa, APD Carvalho, Kalia Kulothungan, Pradip Hembrom, Joseph Lapira, Mutum Bijen Singh

COACH: Stanley ROZARIO



MOHAMMEDAN SPORTING CLUB - KOLKATA

RETAINED: Gautam Kujur

NEW: Suman Datta, Surabuddin Mollick (both Mohun Bagan AC), Naseem Akhtar (East Bengal Club), Tapan Maity (ONGC), Sovan Das (Peerless SC, Kolkata)

LEFT: Habibur Rehman Mondal, Nilendra Dewan (both Southern Samity), Dipendu Biswas, Satyajit Bose (both Bhawanipore Club, Kolkata), Karthik Kisku (Salgaocar SC), Mumtaz Akhtar (United Sikkim FC)

COACH: Aloke MUKHERJEE (new)



SOUTHERN SAMITY - KOLKATA

RETAINED: Pronoy Roy, Rajib Ahmed, Gurpreet Singh, Mriganka Sharma, Chandan Das, Debayan Saha, Jamir Ali Mandal, Francis Xavier

NEW: Eduardo Chacon Coelho Lacerda, Babib Biswas (both Air India), Habibur Rehman Mondal, Nilendra Dewan (both Mohammedan Sporting Club), Nagimuddin Mollick (Mohun Bagan AC), Gour Naskar (ONGC), Deepak K. (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC), Lalrinfela (United Sikkim FC), Prasanta Chakraborty (Peerless SC), Prateek Joshi (RCF, Mumbai), Moirangthem Basanta Singh (RCU, Manipur), Matthew Mayora (Sydney Olympic, AUSTRALIA), Gopal Das, Abhijit Das, Sheikh Moidul, Sanku Debbarma, R.K. Jimmy Kazip, Eehe Zara, Kaushik Biswas, Basant Singh, Suman Ghosal, Zico Zorengsanga, Sheikh Sanjib, Thuksuma Boy, Pratik Soshi

LEFT: P.T. Somy (Josco FC), Marcos Alexandro de Carvalho Pereira (Bhawanipore Club, Kolkata), Amit Singha Roy, Binod Mallick, Rahul Bhattacharya, Madhab Kumar Das, Anit Kumar Ghosh, Karthik Chatterjee, Mahesh Sarkar, Uken Debbarma, Sasthi Duley, Pradip Nag, Deepak Sharma, S. Heman Singh, Tuishim Mashangva, Adebayo Tokunbo Adewusi, Edmilson Marques Pardal

COACH: Carlos Roberto PEREIRA da SILVA (BRAZIL)



SESA FOOTBALL ACADEMY - GOA

RETAINED: -

NEW: -

LEFT: Nicolau Colaco, Augostinho Fernandes, Gagandeep Singh, Vivek Singh Kaira (all Salgaocar SC), Gabriel Fernandes (Sporting Clube de Goa), Haolengou Kipgen (United Sports Association, Manipur)

COACH: Clifford CHUKWAMA



TATA FOOTBALL ACADEMY - JAMSHEDPUR

RETAINED: Udanta Singh, Suraj Kumar, Kamaldeep Singh, Gurpreet Singh, S.K. Rohit, Jarmanjeet Singh, Rocky Singh, Sanjiv Kumar, Manas Sarkar, Harpreet Singh, Biswajit Sardar, Muniruzzaman Ansari, Chingkhei Meetei, Baidyanath Das, Amit Kumar, Vineet Rai, Deepak Tirkey, Mohammed Irfan Khan, Bilal Khan, Randhan Meetei

NEW: -

LEFT: -

COACH: P. Vijay KUMAR