India Under-19 start with a win against Turkmenistan

The India Under-19 boys started their AFC Under-19 Championship qualifiers in Group C with a 3-1 win against Turkmenistan at the Takhti Stadium in Tehran tonight.

Turkmenistan had the better start into the game, but after their initial burst it was the young Indians who took charge of the game. Brandon Fernandes and Sehnaj Singh took control in midfield and with Holicharan Narzary and Captain Malswamfela interchanging, the Turkmenistan defence was stretched a lot.

The first goal for India came in the 39th minute. Brandon Fernandes, who with his deft touches had always kept the rival defence guessing, got past Gurt Podarov with a sudden burst of speed on the right side. Caught on the wrong foot, Podarov, all in desperation had little option but to bring Brandon down inside the box only to be given marching orders. Brandon gleefully converted from the spot to put India in the lead. It stayed 1-0 for India at the breather.

After the break against the run of play Myradov equalised for for Turkmenistan in the 56th minute. But it didn't last long as four minutes later, Malswamfela side-stepped two defenders before blasting it in to give India a 2-1 lead.

India U-19 head coach Colm Toal made a double substitution – Johnychand Singh coming in place of Brandon Fernandes and Prabir Das replacing Pronay Halder -- and the fresh legs sealed the game for India. In the 82nd minute, Prabir tapped in India's third goal after Holicharan Narzary had moved past a couple of defenders down the left flank. But as a late dampener for India, birthday-boy Anto Xavier was red-carded in the 86th minute.

India next play Iran on November 2 in what could be a crucial match in deciding India's fate in the qualifiers, while in today's other match Uzbekistan U-19 defeated Pakistan U-19 3-0.


India Under-19: 23-Ravi Kumar; 14-Narayan Das, 4-Bikramjit Singh, 3-Sonu, 16-Pritam Kotal; 12-Brandon Fernandes (67' 20-Johnychand Singh), 22-Anto Xavier, 9-Sehnaj Singh, 8-Pronay Halder (69' 7-Prabir Das); 11-Holicharan Narzary, 13-Malswamfela [C] (85' 24-Sunny)
Unused Substitutes: 21-Albino Giovanni Gomes, 26-Mohammad Moniruzzaman Ansari, 2-Pawan Kumar, 5-Arijeet Singh, 6-Akashdeep Singh, 10-Sumeet Passi, 15-Edwin Gosula, 17-Rajinder Kumar, 33-Tirthankar Sarkar

United Sikkim FC does another first

I-League Division 2 side United Sikkim FC are less then a year old as a professional outfit, but the club co-owned by the FidelisWorld, Baichung Bhutia and musician Shankar Mahadevan, is already showing the way when it comes to professionalism in Indian football.

USFC has become the first football club in India to follow the 'Standard Players Contract' that has been suggested by the Football Players Association of India to the All India Football Federation and the professional football clubs in India. At USFC all 30 contracted players have signed the same standard contract which covers FIFPro suggestions and also covers the FIFA Minimum Contract Requirements while taking Indian Law into consideration.

The 'Standard Players Contract' covers vital aspects of players from use of image rights, sharing group image rights with the clubs shirt sponsor EMTA, to contractual guarantees incase of injury. At the same time it guarantees appearances of players and staff for the clubs and sponsors events hence such a contract is beneficial for both, the players along with his club and their sponsors.

Baichung Bhutia said about the contract, "This is just a small start for the bigger steps that we will take to form a very professional club following all international standards. If the players have contract security, it will help them concentrate on the game and play to their full potential without worrying about injuries or other matters. This is beneficial to the club as well."

Meanwhile the FPAI is hoping that the example set by a small, rising club from Sikkim will act as a motivation for the more established clubs in India to follow.

Solskjaer wins Molde FK first Norwegian title

Former Norwegian international striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows since his Manchester United days how to win titles. Yesterday Solskjaer added the Norwegian league title to his name, but this time as head coach as he did with Molde what he couldn't as a player. His side Molde FK drew 2-2 Strömsgodset IF on Saturday, but the title was theirs on Sunday evening as closest rivals Rosenborg Trondheim suffered a 3-6 home defeat against Brann Bergen.

In their centenary year the 1911 founded Molde FK won their first-ever Norwegian Tippeligaen title with two rounds to play as the team is on 55 points with closest challengers Tromsö IL eight points adrift ahead of Rosenborg Trondheim and Brann Bergen.

Last season German Uwe Rösler saved the club from relegation before 38 year old Solskjaer made the move from coaching the Reserves at Manchester United to coach the first team at Molde, who no one really would have considered as title contenders at the start of the campaign. But Solskjaer showed his knowledge and skills as manager which will not have gone unnoticed in English football.

Some see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as a potential heir to Sir Alex Ferguson once he retires and such an impressive title will surely make former fan favourite Solskjaer a candidate once that happens.

German Cup: Round of 16 draw out

The draw for the pre-quarterfinals (Round of 16) of the 2011/12 German Cup (DFB Pokal) were held yesterday evening. German women's national team goalkeeper and captain Nadine Angerer did the honour of pulling out the fixtures. And there are some really interesting clashes to look forward to.

There are some mouth watering west German clashes on the cards. Defending cup winners FC Schalke 04 travel to Mönchengladbach, while Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund travel to 2.Bundesliga league leaders Fortuna Düsseldorf, who are unbeaten in 22 matches and have not lost in 21 home fixtures.

Record champions FC Bayern Munich have to travel to 2.Bundesliga side VfL Bochum, a club with which its fans have a fan friendship. In a heated Franken derby Nuremberg host high flying 2.Bundesliga neighbours Greuther Fürth, while the only remaining fourth division club in Holstein Kiel host FSV Mainz 05, who aren't having the best of seasons in the Bundesliga.

The matches will be played on December 20/21.


ROUND OF 16

VfB Stuttgart - Hamburger SV
1899 Hoffenheim - FC Augsburg
Hertha BSC Berlin - 1.FC Kaiserslautern
Fortuna Düsseldorf - Borussia Dortmund
Holstein Kiel - FSV Mainz 05
Borussia Mönchengladbach - FC Schalke 04
VfL Bochum - FC Bayern München
1.FC Nürnberg - SpVgg Greuther Fürth

20th Kohima Royal Gold Cup next month

The 20th edition of the Kohima Royal Gold Cup will kick-off on November 16 at the Khuchiezie Football Ground in the capital of Nagaland - Kohima. Once more the tournament is being organised by Royal Club, Kohima with Nagaland State Aids Control Society (NSACS) as co-sponsors; the Nagaland Post as media partner and under the theme 'Basics of HIV and AIDS'.

The tournament will once more be conducted as an All India Football Tournament under the supervision of a match commissioner and a set of National Referees nominated by the All India Football Federation, aided by best officials from the state of Nagaland for smooth and fair competition.

The organised hope to have teams from other states of the Northeast participating besides local teams. All the matches will be played under FIFA/AIFF rules and regulations.

Interested reputed local clubs from the state can avail forms for participation from the address and phone numbers given below:

United Traders
Departmental Store, Probo; Kohima
Nagaland - 797 001
Phone Numbers - 9436000456, 9856071826

Colm Toal: We will be competitive

The India Under-19 boys have been clubbed in a strong group in the AFC Under-19 Championship qualifiers in Tehran, but Head Coach Colm Joseph Toal assures, his boys will be competitive and stay positive against higher-ranked opponents. This is what he had to say...

Expectations are running high back home after the Under-16 squad qualified for the AFC Under-16 Championship finals.

It's nice to get results but we need to remember the Youth Development Programme (YDP) is not all about results. Obviously, the fact that we qualified in 2007 and again in 2011 gives us that extra fillip and tell us that we are marching forward. More than results the YDP is all about producing players who can go onto playing in the I-League and represent the senior India national team. That we have been doing that consistently is satisfying indeed.
The more the boys win, the more confident they become. We need to maintain the right balance!

How has the preparation been for the AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers?

We have been training in Goa where everything is in place. Besides, the Camp in Shanghai (China) was a very significant one for us. We made a lot of progress from where we performed reasonably well against some very tough teams in the Weifang Cup. Prior to landing in Tehran, we were based in Doha for around 12 days. I'd say it came at the right time for us. The facilities were excellent and the practice matches further helped. The AIFF has done everything a Federation can do to help us train in the right manner.

How good is this bunch of Under-19 boys?

They are as good as any other batch. But I don't believe in comparing teams. Batches which produce results don't always come out as better players in the long run. I want them to go and make a mark in the I-League for the Pailan Arrows after the Under-19 qualifiers end. That will define them for sure.

India have been clubbed in a tough Group along with hosts Iran and Uzbekistan. How do you rate our chances?

Our teams work hard and we need to be competitive. I can't guarantee we will win but we will play to win. You need to give yourself a chance against the best and stay positive. It's not for nothing that Iran and Uzbekistan are way ahead of us in the Rankings. Rankings don't only reflect the performance of the Senior Teams – rather, it filters down to the age-groups. And if we look there, you will see they have been doing a better job than us for a longer period of time.

Since you took over the YDP, the face of Indian football is slowly but surely changing. What is the secret of Colm Toal's approach/success?

I have a strong objection to what you say. It's not about an individual; it's about team work. If Indian football is to move ahead, it's essential the Indian coaches do well in the long term. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by competent individuals who I believe, will change Indian football in the long run. YDP is not just about developing players -- it's important the coaches also get the recognition.

Edu Football League to revive Football in Punjab

Rurka Kalan village in Punjab has set an example for football development which is a model which could be followed by rest of India. This small village has not only produced five international footballers including the costliest Indian defender in Mohun Bagan's Anwar but also brought home the Street Child World Cup for India in March 2010.

The Youth Football Club in Rurka Kalan is emerging a strong Football hub in the region. With quality facilities for 40 Boarders in the Academy and 500 young kids in an organised training program it is a model youth development system for the country. The club has a tie-up with Coventry University Sports Science Department and Coventry City FC for technical help. Every year the club calls foreign coaches to train the coaches and players of YFC.

The problem with Indian football is the lack of mass participation, paucity of necessary infrastructure, no concrete youth development plan and lack of quality coaching system at grassroots. YFC with minimal sources at its disposal has been able to address these issues at a micro level.

The new Edu Football League Project will provide curriculum based coaching for five day a week around the year to under-12 and under-14 players. YFC has opened its satellite training centres in villages like Bundala, Bilga, Sarhali, Jandiala, Shankar, Aloona tola; which impart coaching to the kids regularly. The players will be given sports kits worth RS 1,500 free of cost. To promote football as tool for sustainable development and save youth from drugs and bad vice Life Skill Education workshop will also be held every weekend. The 500 registered players of the league are closely monitored in physical, technical and tactical areas. These players are distributed in 32 teams which will play 7 A-Side football every Sunday. The League started on October 23 end in January 2012. These kids are awarded with various freebies to keep their motivation levels high.

The event will be publicized in the media and a comprehensive outdoor media plan. Big wigs from the Arts, Sports, Politics and the Entertainment industry will regularly attend the event. Gurdas Mann has already been associated with the event as he released logo of the event at Rurka Kalan. Every fortnightly a newsletter will be published with players, photos and interviews. A couple of business houses have come forward to make the event a big success. The life skill Education workshops will also include art and craft, drama, personality development, psychological testing and counselling workshops. This will not only help youngsters to realize their potential but also establish that football can change lives. Ultimately YFC aims to make football as the way of life of youngsters.

This league will be held every year with increased no of players and aims to develop footballers for the country in the near future.

Every Sunday 'Most Valuable Player' of every match will be awarded. Similarly children who do well in Life Skill Education workshops will also be honoured.

A coaching DVD for youth players will also be released during the league. Every fortnightly a Newsletter of the league will be circulated in 5000 homes. This will encourage more participation in football. During the league 5000 notebooks will be distributed to kids.

In the Finals Two All Stars Teams will be selected from the whole program ,these teams will be rewarded with Avon cycles. Capital Local Area Bank is the main sponsor of the league. Sant Tarlok Singh World School Kanha Dhesian and Jagbani will be associate sponsors. JJ Jonex has provide 900 kits and is the official kit sponsor. Nivia is the official Ball and shoes partner of the League.

India striker Sunil Chhetri and Rurka Kalan product Anwar will also be visiting the league in due course.

Robin Dutt returns to Freiburg tonight

Coach of Indian origin Robin Dutt returns to SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga tonight with his current club Bayer 04 Leverkusen. And it will be an emotional return for Dutt, who worked four years for the Breisgau club before making the move to the Rhine club in the summer.

In Freiburg Robin Dutt successfully worked for four years to make a name for himself after his time in Ditzingen and Stuttgarter Kickers. In the first season they gained promotion to the Bundesliga, then survived two years in the top tier and last year had their best finish in years.

The good work of Robin Dutt didn't go unnoticed with clubs in Hamburger SV and Hannover 96 showing interest in the coach, but in the end it was Leverkusen who signed him last summer. And for Dutt it was a big move to the Bundesliga runners-up, who are playing UEFA Champions League this season.

So far it has been a mixed season for Leverkusen, whose biggest problem has been consistency as the team has played some great matches but also disastrous performances. In the Champions League Leverkusen are second to FC Chelsea ahead of Valencia and Genk with chances to reach the pre-quarterfinals, but in the Bundesliga Leverkusen is only ninth with 14 points from 10 matches. And that isn't acceptable to the Bayer management, who have ambitions to challenge for the title or at least the Champions League places.

A win at his old club is therefore a must for Robin Dutt tonight...

India Under-19 boys lands in Tehran for Qualifiers

The India Under-19 squad landed in the Iranian capital Tehran at 4.30am on early today for the AFC Under-19 Championship qualifiers which kick-off on Monday, October 31. The squad arrived from Doha, Qatar where they were based for the last 12 days.

Chief Coach Colm Toal said he was 'happy' to have arrived in Tehran. "It always helps when you come in early. Arriving early has its own advantages," Colm maintained.

The boys were greeted by rain and temperatures as low as seven degrees which came in sharp contrast to the hot desert climate in Doha.

"The Camp in Doha was pretty useful. We got to practice on excellent grounds which is very much essential prior to such an important Championship. The boys made full use of the facilities," Coal added. "We need to make use of the time in Tehran and focus on our first match," Toal quipped.

The India U-19 team even played a practice match in Doha where they beat Al Rayyan U-19 team 4-1. Brandon Fernandes scored a hattrick while Johnny Chand Singh scored the other goal.

India who have been clubbed in Group C along with hosts Iran, strong contenders Uzbekistan, dark horses Turkmenistan and archrivals Pakistan. India U-19 play their first match against Turkmenistan on October 31 and they will hope to qualify for the final round like the Under-16 boys. The boys were given a day's rest to overcome from the jet lag and will resume their practice session from Saturday.


INDIA U-19

Goalkeepers
Ravi Kumar, Albino Gomes, Mohammed Moniruzzaman Ansari

Defenders
Bikramjit Singh, Sonu, Arijeet Singh, Pawan Kumar, Akashdeep Singh, Pritam Kotal, Edwin, Narayan Das

Midfielders
Sehnaj Singh, Prabir Das, Pranoy Halder, Johnny Chand Singh, Tirthankar Sarkar, Sunny, Anto Xavier, Brandon Fernandes

Forwards
Holicharan Narzary, Sumit Passi, Rajinder Kumar, Malswamfela

Officials
Colm Joseph Toal (Head Coach), Francisco Bruto Da Costa (Assistant Coach), Syed Shabbir Pasha (Assistant Coach), Feroze Sheriff (Goalkeeping Coach), Vijayan Inian Lenin (Physio), C.M. Ranjith (Manager)


INDIA U-19 Fixtures

October 31: India U-19 vs Turkmenistan U-19
November 2: Iran U-19 vs India U-19
November 4: India U-19 vs Uzbekistan U-19
November 8: Pakistan U-19 vs India U-19

Michael Chopra was in rehab for gambling addiction

Player of Indian Origin Michael Chopra, who plays for English Championship side Ipswich Town, is once more fighting his addiction against gambling as was disclosed by his club coach Paul Jewell earlier today.

After the game on October 1 against Brighton Chops spent three weeks receiving treatment for a gambling addiction in the Sporting Chance Clinic in Hampshire and only came out to play games for Ipswich Town. Now things are said to be better and the club decided to make it public ahead of the game against FC Millwall over the weekend.

"Chops has a gambling problem. It's an illness," Paul Jewell told the Ipswich Town club website.

"But he's doing something about it. He is standing up and facing the problem head on and he deserves credit for that. It's a brave man that does that.

"He needs the help of the players around him, myself, the chief executive, and most importantly the supporters. He is desperate to do well for this Football Club and loves it here.

"We have been there for him and we will continue to be there for him. All I ask is for the supporters to be there for him as well. I'm sure they will be because we're lucky, we have a great set of supporters at this Club."

But it isn't the first time that Chopra went into the Sporting Chance Clinic, founded by former England defender Tony Adams, to treat behavioural problems, such as alcohol, drugs and gambling addictions in professional and amateur sports people. Chopra is known to have a gambling problem and had been in rehab in 2008 while at AFC Sunderland.

Man City fine Tevez, who might take legal action against coach Mancini

Not all is well at high flying Manchester City. After their 6-1 trashing of Manchester United over the weekend the Sky Blues still have a matter to sort, the issue of Argentinian Carlos Tevez and his unwillingness to come on as a substitute during a Champions League match last month in Munich.

The club on Tuesday fined Tevez four weeks wages, which add up to around 1 Million Pounds, for what they say are five accounts of breach on contract, then as per signed contract there is "an obligation to participate in any matches in which the player is selected to play for the club when directed by a club official".

This as per the clubs stand point is not given. The following had happened in Munich that Tuesday night in September. English Premier League side Manchester City are guests to German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League. Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini's side are 0-2 down and with about 35 minutes of play left he wants to make a substitution to strengthen his attack. The Italian wants to replace an off-colour Edin Dzeko with a fresh Carlos Tevez, but the Argentinian refuses for unknown reasons to come on. A verbal argument on the bench starts with other players also seen to be involved, while in an unconnected incidence the substituted Dzeko is angry and says some words towards his coach.

Tevez has 14 days to appeal the sentence, while his management meanwhile maintain that Mancini had not asked Carlos Tevez to come on against Bayern Munich and that such a move by the club is damaging to his reputation. And to project Tevez's reputation he could take coach Roberto Mancini to court in a defamation case.

Any such move would escalate the matter, but Manchester City stand by their coach and it looks more and more likely that Tevez will leave Manchester City in the January transfer window.


Here the original report from September 28: Scandal in Munich, Tevez refuses to come on as a sub .

VIDEO: Best Goals Compilation 2010/11

A great link that a friend send me a few days ago showed some great goals from last season across the top European leagues - England, Spain, Italy, Germany - besides UEFA Champions League and Europa League. Watch and simply enjoy!

Homeless World Cup: Brazil top, India in 39th place

Former champions Brazil top the annual Homeless World Cup Rankings following a string of impressive tournament performances, while Mexico sit atop the first ever Women's Homeless World Cup Rankings.

In the men's category India have moved up six spots to be now 39th, while amongst women India is ranked 14th a drop of a spot.

The rankings are compiled following each annual Homeless World Cup tournament to commemorate the event and to commend the thousands of players who have taken part since the inaugural competition took place in 2003.

Top ranking Brazil were host nation and champions of the 2010 tournament in Rio and finished in third at the Paris 2011 Homeless World Cup which took place last August. The South Americans are joined in the top three by 2011 finalists Mexico and two-time champions Scotland. Mexico, semi-finalists in 2010 secure second place despite defeat in the Paris final whilst the Scots, who lifted the trophy after a 4-3 victory, climb six places and into third place.

Kenya (10th) break into the top ten after taking fourth place in Paris whilst perennial contenders Ukraine, Russia and Poland slipped to 4th, 6th and 9th respectively. Ireland retain seventh place as Portugal (8th) concede top spot. Indonesia make an impressive entrance to the rankings, they occupy the 22nd spot having finished sixth in their Homeless World Cup debut.

The Women’s Homeless World Cup Rankings have been released for the first time and Mexico is the first nation to hold top spot. The Mexico team have reached the grand final in the previous two editions of the growing women’s tournament, although they were unfortunate to lose on both occasions. They will look to go one step further on home turf as Mexico hosts the Mexico City 2012 Homeless World Cup next year.

Former champions Brazil sit in second place in the women’s rankings as Kenya, the winners of the Paris 2011 Women’s Homeless World Cup are ranked third following a glorious debut tournament, beating Mexico 4-3 in a pulsating finale.

Colombia (4th) and Argentina (5th) add South American clout to the top five as Haiti, Scotland, Malawi, Norway and the Netherlands complete the top ten.

Mel Young, President Homeless World Cup said, "Congratulations to Brazil and Mexico for their great performance that lead them to top."

"The importance of these rankings, however, is not only about the final positioning but the recognition of the determination and hard work of our players and National Partners organisations. Every player participating at the tournament is a winner."

For the full rankings click here .

Sorry for Patchy/Irregular Updates

I have been travelling over the last few days, from New Delhi to Kolkata and now back to Germany as I am on my way to Munich for a meeting before getting back home to Remscheid tonight. This is the reason why my blog updates have been a little patchy and irregular over the last couple of weeks. Sorry for that...

I hope I can be back to my usual self in the coming days as there is a lot to write about in Indian and international football. Especially my observations in the last 10/11 days while being in New Delhi and Kolkata in regard to Indian football and sports in general in India should be interesting to read.

So i'll continue blogging and happy reading...

An afternoon at the Saltlake Stadium

I am in Kolkata, so decided to catch some live football over the weekend. Saturday evening it was the official I-League opener East Bengal Club vs Churchill Brothers SC and then on Sunday a double header. First-up was Southern Samity vs Mohammedan Sporting Club in the Calcutta Premier League and then Pailan Arrows vs Mohun Bagan AC in the I-League.

When I go for a football match I not only go to see the actual game, but also things around the match like infrastructure, organisation and things overall. And I am especially interested in such things when going for a match in India. And Sunday was just like that...

I came a little late on Sunday afternoon, so only caught about 30 minutes from the second half of the Southern Samity vs Mohammedan Sporting Club tie. The only area with fans was the VIP seating ahead of the VVIP box; about 200, maybe 300 people who were mainly supporting Mohammedan Sporting. And their gestures after every Sporting goal and at the final whistle is better not explained by me. Things one doesn't want to see at a football ground.

After the game I walked to the Saltlake Stadium pitch to have a look for myself how it looks at the moment. The good things to see was that the ground was being watered by six people during the two matches, then the ground was hard and stiff due to the Kolkata heat. But what I saw missing was that the artificial turf ground was maintained in such a way that it can last longer. You can see black patches of the granules with the grass lying dormant, not a good sign.

Thereafter the stadium slowly filled-up for the Pailan Arrows vs Mohun Bagan AC match. My guess would be round 25,000 to 30,000 turned-up for a match, where the youngsters did cause problems for the much more seasoned side, but in the end the class of Odafe Onyeka Okolie and Jose Ramirez Barreto took the Mariners through.

I watched the match in the press box, the best place at the stadium. And my journalist friends where following online the Manchester derby. One realised that there were a number of Manchester United fans around, but when the end result of 6-1 was announced the Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal fans all had a big smile on their face. There was banter Indian journalist style...

After the game, a quick move to the the press conference room. Listen to Prasanta Banerjee and Sukhvinder Singh before having a final chat with Sukhiji and then a walk home to my aunts place. Thats an afternoon spend at the Saltlake Stadium for me...

I-League kicks-off tomorrow

The fifth edition of the I-League, India's so-called professional football league, is set to kick-off tomorrow across the country with eight of the 14 participating clubs in action on the opening day. The biggest change is that the league has a new logo, if the fans like it or not will have to be seen. I have heard different reactions so far.

The big opening ceremony for this years I-League will be held at the Saltlake Stadium when newly crowned Super Cup champions East Bengal Club take on former champions Churchill Brothers SC though the first few games will have stated before the opening ceremony.

But the fans look forward to an interesting I-League, then it is open in regards to the title contenders and those fighting relegation. Surely defending champions Salgaocar SC, their Goan rivals Dempo SC and Churchill Brothers SC besides East Bengal Club will be amongst the title contenders with Prayag United SC and Pune FC having the potential for surprises, while Mohun Bagan AC will have to sort out themselves before any bigger aspirations.

At the other end of the table Public Sector Undertaking teams like Air India and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC are the top candidates for relegation, but all is possible in football so we look forward to an interesting seven/eight month's of I-League action.


Opening Day matches

Margao: Salgaocar SC vs Dempo SC (3.30pm, Live on TenAction+ & NewsTime Bangla)
Kolkata: East Bengal Club vs Churchill Brothers SC (6.30pm, Live on TenAction+ & NewsTime Bangla)
Pune: Pune FC vs Shillong Lajong FC
Bangalore: HAL vs Chirag United Club Kerala

Formula 1 Buzz in New Delhi ahead of Indian Grand Prix

Yes, I mainly write, report and work on football; but I am a big Formula 1. No surprise having grown up in Germany and having seen the heydays of Michael Schumacher at Benetton and Ferrari.

Now the inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix will be held next week at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, just outside of New Delhi and the buzz in the capital, across the NCR (National Capital Region) is already at an unbelievable level for a sport which many see as niche in India.

But the inaugural race has caught the imagination of at least the Indian capital, where F1 is the big thing at the moment. Be it on television, newspapers, outdoor advertising plus shopping malls and hotels everywhere you see something or the other connected to motorsport and racing.

I myself saw at one of the City hotels yesterday a real F1 racing car from champions Red Bull Racing, which everyone around wanted to look at and/or take a photograph off.

A lot of people I have spoken to are surprised at the level of interest, others are simply finding it great that a sporting event like F1 is finally coming to India.

One can only hope for a successful event and a great Grand Prix on October 30, but I won't be around as I will be back in Germany.

VIDEO: TenAction+ I-League Promo

The new season of the I-League which kicks-off on Saturday will be shown on TenAction+ and News Time Bangla. The Dubai-based sports channel TenAction+ has created a promo to promote their broadcast of the I-League.

FC Barcelona to train Indian kids

UEFA Champions League and Spanish La Liga champions FC Barcelona is coming to India to train Indian children in its way in a partnership with Conscient Football. This was announced yesterday at a press conference in New Delhi.

Aspiring youth footballers in India will now have the opportunity to be trained by one of the world's best youth development programs created FC Barcelona. FC Barcelona is globally recognized for its ability to develop players with 50% of its current first team flowing through its youth system. The club plays an integral role in its country's global football success, having eight of its players on Spain's 2010 FIFA World Cup winning squad and scoring 100% of the team's goals. They have tied up with Conscient Football and will launch their entry into India through their trademark FCBarcelona Soccer Camps. The first of the week long camps will be held in early 2012 in the NCR, offering world-class training under the same successful methodology that has produced leading football stars like Pique and Victor Valdes.

Xevi Marce, Director of FCBEscola, during his visit to India said, "We are excited to partner with Conscient Football to introduce FC Barcelona in the country through FCBCamps. India is an important and strategic country for FCBarcelona given their growing interest in football."

Last year, the FCBarcelona Soccer Camps were held in 22 cities across the world and were attended by 18000 young footballers. The training offers the participants a chance to live and experience the FC Barcelona way for a week under the expert guidance of their coaches. Scientifically developed, the training program is divided into three segments - Introduction, Pre-Training, and Training for children in the age groups of 6-17 years. These camps serve as a major stepping-stone for the participants who wish to move to more serious training. For the India Camps, the FCBEscola Technical Team will travel from Spain to oversee preparation and execution for all Camps hosted in the country. It will provide youth with access to the highest levels of football training and development and will be open to all interested on a first come first serve basis.

Conscient Football is a grassroots football development initiative dedicated to raising the bar in football programming across the country. In a very short time of two years they have demonstrated success through their organization of the Conscient Premier Football League (CPFL) that has over 800 participants in the NCR, week-long Soccer camps and exposure trips to major international football destinations. In keeping with their belief that the coaches are the key to deeper success, they have tied up with the AIFF to execute Coach the Coaches programs. The first such program - AIFF 'D' License course in India was completed last month at their Heritage School Gurgaon campus. They now plan to create new programming leveraging FCBEscola coaches and methodology.

Anu Jain, Director Conscient Football, expressed, "The main objective is the development of youth footballers on a wide spread and sustainable basis guided by the best in the world. We plan to build a solid foundation upon which Indian talent can be nurtured and grown to become champions in football and in their own lives."

The natural progression from the Camps will be to setup the FCBEscola, the official football school of FC Barcelona. This is the trademark after school intensive training program that trains the players year round, three times a week. It caters specifically to players aged 6-14, prepares them for the rigors of professional football and is a major feeder school to the club's world class academy La Masia. This residential youth academy has produced superstars such as Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi Hernandez, Gerard Pique, Victor Valdes, Carlos Puyol and Andres Iniesta to name a few.

Super Cup: East Bengal win on penalties

Kolkata giants East Bengal Club won the 2011 Super Cup at the Ambedkar Stadium tonight with a 9-8 sudden death victory against rivals Salgaocar SC, who over the last half year have taken top spot in the I-League and Federation Cup ahead of them.

It was not the best of Super Cup's as East Bengal tried their luck in attack, while Salgaocar took a more wait-and-watch approach allowing their Kolkata rivals space in midfield to combine; but chances on both sides were few with Scotsman Alan Gow having the best of them for the red-and-gold while Japanese Ryuji Sueoka for the Goans. Unlike in the Federation Cup final the East Bengal defence held a tight leash on Chidi Edeh, which hampered the chances of Salgaocar who couldn't play their game.

After 90 minutes there was no extra-time with the match going straight into a penalty shootout and there the stalemate continued with East Bengal's Gurpreet Singh Sandhu first denying Jasmal Singh Parmar, while Karanjit Singh blocked Reisangmi Vashum's shot. The 10th penalty for Salgaocar was hit by Irungbam Khelemba Singh onto the post, while youngster Saikat Saha Roy scored for East Bengal.

Tolgay Ozbey, Allan Gow, Robin Singh, Sanju Pradhan, Sushant Mathew, Khantang Paite, Nirmal Chetri, Uga Opara and Saikat Saha Roy converted for East Bengal, while Chidi Edeh, Ryuji Sueoka, Rocus Lamare, Rahul Kumar, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Francis Fernandes, Luciano Sabrosa and Tomba Singh scored for Salgaocar.

Thereafter it was celebration time for East Bengal and their legion of fans at the not so well attended match. The Kolkata giants won their third Super Cup as the first Indian club and received the prize money of Rs 1 Million (10 lakhs).


MATCH STATS

Salgaocar SC 0-0 East Bengal Club [penalties] - Goals: -.

Salgaocar SC
1- Karanjit Singh; 2-Jaspal Singh Parmar, 4-Irungbam Khelemba Singh, 20-Luciano Sobrosa [C], 14-Biswajit Saha (23-Rahul Kumar); 30-Francis Fernandes, 25-Rocus Lamare, 7-W Tomba Singh (5-Mehrajuddin Wadoo), 15-Ishfaq Ahmed; 11-Ryuji Sueoka, 10-Chidi Edeh

East Bengal Club
30-Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, 33-Saikat Saha Roy, 4-Uga Okpara [C], 25-Robert Lalthlamuana (19-Ravinder Singh); 12-Reisangmi Vashum (15-Sanju Pradhan), 17-Sushant Matthew, 18-Penn Ikechukwu Orji (20-Tolgay Ozbey), 11-Khanthang Paite; 10-Alan Gow, 23-Robin Singh

Referee
Pratap Singh (Uttarakhand)

VIDEO: Bayern Munich chance for India's youngsters

A nice video report from the weekend by television news channel CNN-IBN on the FC Bayern Youth Cup and the announcement of the India vs Bayern Munich match on January 10, 2012.

Interesting there a snippets in the report from the press conference on Saturday, which I moderated with me on stage with John Abraham, Baichung Bhutia and others...

Super Cup: Salgaocar look to add to their trophies

Salgaocar SC are on a role, though they did lose to Prayag United SC last week in the Durand Cup group stage, then the I-League champions added the Federation Cup title to their kitty last month. Now they face the former Fed Cup champions and I-League runners-up East Bengal Club in the Super Cup tomorrow.

For the Goans it will be the aim to retain their supremacy against their Kolkata rivals, whom they had beaten 3-1 in the 2011 Fed Cup final and earn the Rs 1 Million (10 lakhs) in prize money; while for both sides the Super Cup is the perfect dress rehearsal for the I-League which is set to kick-off over the upcoming weekend.

Salgaocar are on a high at the moment, but Coach Karim Bencharifa prefers to play it safe. "It's true we defeated them in the I-League and the Fed Cup, and the level of competition is very high between us. But there's no place for complacency and we are not taking anything for granted as they are a very strong team," Karim added.

East Bengal's strike force which comprises of Tolgay Ozbey and Alan Gow will stay a menace for most teams. But Bencharifa feels it best to concentrate on his team's strength. "It's our principle that we focus on our strength rather than focusing on the strength of our rival team. We need to find out our weak links and plug the holes," he maintained.

"Luckily, we don't have any injury woes confronting us," Karim finished.

East Bengal Club, who saw their Federation Cup dreams smashed by Salgaocar that too on their home turf will look to regain the momentum ahead of the I-League, something which Salgaocar will surely be wary of.

None can deny the presence of match-winners in the East Bengal side -- Robin Singh, Sanju Pradhan, Reisangmi Vashum and the foreign recruits - Australian Tolgay Ozbey and Scotsman Alan Gow -- are capable of settling the issue on their own. Despite Bencherifa dismissing them, Gow and Tolgay are East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan's best bet.

The red-and-gold stay a bit jittery for the tie – after all they have travelled a lot in the last few days after their return from a tournament in Vietnam. Trevor Morgan hopes the boys recover in time for the Super Cup.

The kick-off is slated for 19.00 IST and there will be live telecast from the game.

Punjab FA appoint new Honorary Secretary

The Punjab Football Association have appointed in Parminder Singh a new Honorary Secretary after incumbent Inder Singh, a former Arjuna Awardee, had resigned from the position.

Under the instructions of Samir Thapar, the president of the Punjab FA, an emergency Executive Committee meeting was held on Friday, October 14 at the Conference Hall of JCT Limited in Phagwara to discuss the position of honorary secretary.

In the absence of Samir Thapar, the meeting was chaired b S.S. Jassar, senior Vice-President of the Punjab Football Association. The position of Honorary Secretary was discussed with Inder Singh's resignation accepted, while the name of former Asian Allstar Parminder Singh was suggested and accepted by the committee. Parminder has been given a term until April 2014, when the current term of secretary would have ended.

With JCT now shut as a professional football team, the work of the secretary of the Punjab FA has gotten tougher with chances for youngsters to make it to the national level becoming more difficult from the state.

124th Durand Cup: Churchill Bros regain trophy

Goan giants Churchill Brothers SC have regained the Durand Cup trophy with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory against defending champions Prayag United SC from Kolkata. The 124th edition of the Durand Cup, India's oldest football tournament, was held from September 24 to October 15 at Delhi's Ambedkar Stadium with two stages - the qualifiers and the tournament proper.

With top teams like East Bengal Club, Mohun Bagan AC and Dempo SC giving the tournament a miss and others dropping out days before they were supposed to play that has taken away some shine from the tournament, but for those I-League sides who took part it was part of their preparations for the I-League which is set to kick-off next week.


TOURNAMENT RESULTS

Qualifiers

Round 1
26-Sep-2011: Assam Green 0-0,1-3 Bhowanipore Club, Kolkata
26-Sep-2011: Border Security Force 1-1,5-3 Jammu&Kashmir Bank

Round 2
24-Sep-2011: Delhi United 2-0 MEG, Bangalore
24-Sep-2011: Assam Rifles 5-1 State Bank of India, Hyderabad
25-Sep-2011: Shahdara Club 0-0,3-4 Indian Air Force
25-Sep-2011: Assam Regimental Centre, Shillong 2-1 State Bank of Travancore
27-Sep-2011: Army Juniors 1-2 CRPF
27-Sep-2011: Punjab Police 0-1 Indian Navy
28-Sep-2011: Bhowanipore Club, Kolkata 2-4 Border Security Force

Semifinals
28-Sep-2011: Delhi United 1-2 Assam Rifles
29-Sep-2011: Indian Air Force 2-1 Assam Regimental Centre, Shillong
29-Sep-2011: CRPF 2-1 Indian Navy
30-Sep-2011: Tata Football Academy 0-2 Border Security Force

Final
01-Oct-2011: Indian Air Force 1-0 CRPF
03-Oct-2011: Assam Rifles 3-4 Border Security Force [penalties]

Quarterfinal League

Group 1
Prayag United SC, Salgaocar SC, Border Security Force (Qualifier A)

04-Oct-2011: Prayag United SC 2-0 Border Security Force
07-Oct-2011: Salgaocar SC 1-0 Border Security Force
09-Oct-2011: Prayag United SC 2-0 Salgaocar SC

Group 2
Shillong Lajong FC, Sikkim United FC, Indian Air Force (Qualifier B)

04-Oct-2011: Shillong Lajong FC 2-1 Indian Air Force
07-Oct-2011: Sikkim United FC 3-0 Indian Air Force
09-Oct-2011: Shillong Lajong FC 3-1 Sikkim United FC

Group 3
Pune FC, Air India, ONGC

05-Oct-2011: Pune FC 1-1 ONGC
08-Oct-2011: ONGC 0-3 Air India
10-Oct-2011: Pune FC 2-1 Air India

Group 4
Mohammedan Sporting Club, Churchill Brothers SC, Army Red

05-Oct-2011: Mohammedan Sporting Club 1-0 Army Red
08-Oct-2011: Churchill Brothers SC 5-0 Army Red
10-Oct-2011: Mohammedan Sporting Club 0-2 Churchill Brothers SC

Semifinals
12-Oct-2011: Prayag United SC 2-0 Pune FC
13-Oct-2011: Shillong Lajong FC 1-4 Churchill Brothers SC

Final
15-Oct-2011: Prayag United SC 0-0,4-5 Churchill Brothers SC [penalties]

India to play Bayern Munich, match to be Baichung's Farewell Game

It was officially announced today that the Indian national team will take on German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on January 10, 2012; which will also be the farewell match for long-time India captain Baichung Bhutia.

The press conference was held today on the sidelines of the FC Bayern Youth Cup at the training ground of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium premises. The press meet was attended by AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das, Bayern Munich's International Relations Martin Hägele, former India captain Baichung Bhutia, Audi India MD Michael Perschke and Adidas Brand Manager Tushar Gokuldas.

Also it was announced at the press conference that the proceeds from the match will go to Earthquake victims in Sikkim, but details of those plans will be disclosed at a later date.

Bayern Munich will make a detour on their way back to Munich from a mid-season training camp in the Qatari capital Doha to play the match in New Delhi; while India themselves have a friendly international against South Africa in Johannesburg on January 7, which means Team India does not have to assemble especially for the tie and the I-League fixtures have been amended to make room for the match.

Baichung meanwhile is happy to get an official farewell, while his biggest personal concern is physical fitness for the match; then he would like to be fit for such a fitting farewell.

More information will be disclosed in the coming days and weeks...

I-League Committee Meeting Decisions

The I-League Committee held a meeting at Football House in Dwarka, New Delhi yesterday to discuss and decide pending issues ahead of the start of the fifth edition of the I-League on Saturday, October 22. The meeting was chaired by Senior AIFF Vice-President Subrata Dutta in the absence of AIFF President Praful Patel and I-League Committee chairman Sajjan Jindal.

The meeting lasted four-and-a-half hour and took place in a cordial atmosphere where all members present contributed and extended their co-operation to arrive at solutions on each and every issue raised. The meeting which was attended by I-League members comprising of Club Representatives, Executive Committee members and I-League CEO Sunando Dhar, reached upon the following decisions unanimously.


1. It was decided that the Functional Committees will have representation from I-League Clubs.

2. The Committee stayed convinced on the decision earlier taken by the Executive Committee that AIFF's Developmental Team Pailan Arrows won't be relegated from the I-League.

3. The Committee clarified to the Clubs that it's their responsibility to organise their respective Home Matches. The Clubs stay free to tie-up with either an Event Management Company or the State Association.

4. The demand of the Clubs to enhance the organisational subsidy to Rs. 100,000 (1 lakh) would be circulated to the members of the Executive Committee whereupon a decision would be reached.

5. Allowances towards Boarding and Lodging for the I-League Teams and Match Officials have been raised by 15 percent.

6. The Clubs also requested IMG Reliance (AIFF's Marketing Partners) to give them more Marketing Opportunities for the enhancement of their revenue earning.

7. The Clubs have been given the permission to take on ground sponsor activation rights, eg, presence of cheer leaders, fans meet and greet player before a match, etc. They have also been allowed branding of Bibs of ball-boys, stretcher bearers and photographers.

8.Some adjustments have been made in the I-League Calendar to accommodate the following matches:

a. International Friendlies: India vs Malaysia on Novmeber 13 & 16, 2011.

b. International Friendly: India vs Zambia on November 29, 2011.

c. SAFF Cup from December 2 to 11, 2011.

d. India vs South Africa in Johannesburg on January 7, 2012.

e. India vs FC Bayern Munich in New Delhi on January 10, 2012.

9. It was decided that Clubs would be allowed to register players till the end of the second transfer window on February 15, 2012.


10. It was also decided that a Core-Committee would be constituted by AIFF from the members of the I-League Committee with five representatives each from Clubs and Executive Committee members to address various issues of I-League as and when required during the course of the tournament.


Although it was strenuous meeting all members were happy about the decisions taken and the Chairman thanked and appreciated all the members for their co-operation and support.

Is UEFA right to ban Rooney for three matches?

European football governing body UEFA has banned English striker Wayne Rooney for three competitive matches after kicking Montenegro's Miodrag Dzudovic in a 2-2 draw in a Euro2012 qualifier in Podgorica on Friday a week ago.

This means that Wayne Rooney would miss all three of England's group stage matches at next years 2012 European Championships in Poland and the Ukraine. England coach Fabio Capello now has to consider what to do, if to take Rooney along and gamble that England will get through the group stages or another striker whom he could utilise if the need be during the group stage.

Not surprisingly the reactions from England and around Europe have been different. While in England many have questioned the decision, in Europe the issue often not a tpic at all and many after seeing the foul say it is a correct decision by UEFA and the English should blame Rooney for what he did.

Interestingly in the English Premier League the punishment for violent conduct is an automatic three-match ban. At UEFA a panel reviews such an incident and then takes a decision about suspensions.

For the Three Lions and their fans this is a disaster as it does weaken the team at Euro2012.

Indian Football: Transfer Season 2011 - Version 11

Here is the latest updated list of Transfers 2011 from across India of the I-League, 2nd Division sides and further clubs. The squads are now mostly complete with additions plus I have added some more non-I-League sides.

Here an updated list of 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, Marcus Mascarenhas
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), William Colaco (Dempo SC), Peter Costa (Mumbai FC), Jagdeep Singh (Viva Kerala), Dawson Fernandes (Sporting Clube de Goa), Daniel Albert Vales (Sesa Football Academy), Sukhwinder Singh, Alvito Rodrigues, Jagrup Singh, Sohail Akhtar, 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: Naseem Akhtar, Bikash Narzary (both Mohammedan Sporting Club), Mehrajuddin Wadoo (Salgaocar SC), Syed Rahim Nabi (Mohun Bagan AC), Rajib Ghosh (Indian Arrows), Sushil Kumar Singh (United Sikkim FC), Aseem Koraliyadan Kutty (Central Excise, Chennai), Sukumal Santra, Lalchhuan Awma, 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: Brian Mascarenhas, Richard Fernandes, Romeo Fernandes, Aniston Fernandes, Reagan Juliao (all Dempo Juniors), Savio Fernandes, Koko Sakibo, Joy Ferrao (all Vasco SC), William Colaco (Salgaocar SC), Rowilson Rodrigues (Churchill Brothers SC), Selwyn Fernandes (Pune FC), P.K. Anil Kumar (Viva Kerala), Sidroy Alfonso (Sesa Football Academy), Romeo Fernandes (Margao SC), Densill Theobald (Caledonia AIA, TRINIDAD&TOBAGO)
LEFT: Roberto Mendes Silva (Churchill Brothers SC), Cavin Peter Lobo (Mumbai FC), Ogba Kalu Nnanna (Sporting Clube de Goa), Aikan Dias (Vasco SC), Samson Fernandes (Sesa Football Academy), Roy Colaco, Flann D'Souza, Rouhollah Samieinia
COACH: ARMANDO COLACO

CHURCHILL BROTHERS SC - GOA
RETAINED: Arindam Bhattacharya, Lalit Thapa, Denzil Franco, Yumnam Raju Mangang, Sudhakaran Naveen Kumar, Joshua Rebello, Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Ashley Fernandes, Rauf Sher Khan, Steven Benedic Dias, Chitrasen Chandam Singh, Lenny Rodrigues, Mundampara P. Sakeer, Savio Diogo Carneiro, Israil Gurung, Melroy Fernandes, Durga Boro, M. Mohammed Rafi, T. Bineesh Balan, Jaison Vales, 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), Felix D'Souza (Sporting Clube de Goa), S. Parthiban (Chennai Customs), Henry Antchouet (Moreirense FC, PORTUGAL), Antun Kovacic (Richmond SC, AUSTRALIA), Felipe Gomes, Lionel Rodrigues, Ovlito Dias, Nicholas Fernandes, Richard Costa
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), Kayne Vincent (United SC), Konsam Ajitkumar Singh (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC), Warundeep Singh (Sporting Clube de Goa), Noel Fernandes, Amit Rajbhansi, Jayanta Rajbhansi, Sunil Barla, Hardeep Singh, Vimal Pariyar, Amaury Gentil Nunes, Boima Karpeh
COACH: Manuel GONSALVES GOMES (PORTUGAL/new)

PUNE FC - PUNE
RETAINED: Subrata Pal, Othallo Tabia, Caitano Costa, Kamaljeet Kumar, 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), Chika Wali (United SC), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Indian Arrows, returns from a one year loan), Ramu Srikanth (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC), Maninder Singh (JCT), John Benedict (Bengal Mumbai FC), 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), Douhou Sey Djidja Pierre
LEFT: Krishnan Nair Ajayan, Gunashekar Vignesh, Manoj T.M. (all Viva Kerala), Lamine Tamba, Sandesh Gadkare (both Air India), Velington Rocha, Valito Cruz (both Margao SC), Sunil Kumar (East Bengal Club), Selwyn Fernandes (Dempo SC), 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
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), Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep (Viva Kerala), Joseph 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), Sheikh Azim, Suman Datta, Surabuddin Mollick (all Mohammedan Sporting Club), Deepak Kumar Mondal, Jayanta Sen (both United SC), Harpreet Singh, Karan Atwal (both United Sikkim FC), Sagram Mandi, Santosh Oraon (both Bhawanipore Club, Kolkata), Thangjam Arung Meetie (Pune FC), Amar Deb (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC), Nazimuddin Mollick (Southern Samity), David Lalbiakzara (Pune FC Reserves), Pralay Datta, Rahul Kumar, Parminder Singh, Jacken Sebastian, Subair Muritala Ali, Owky Diamondstar
COACH: Steve DARBY (ENGLAND/new)

MUMBAI FC - MUMBAI
RETAINED: A.C. Nithinlal, Ishan Debnath, Faizal Rehman M.A., Goutam Debnath, Nihal Chandran, Karan Amin, Peter Siddiqui, Ashutosh Mehta, Nicholas Lewis Rodrigues, Dane Lloyd Pereira, Keegan Pereira, Salil Usman, Chhangte Malswamkima, Sampath Kumar Kuttymani, Noel Anthony Wilson, Ebi Theophilus Sukore, Abhishek Yadav, Pachau Lalam Puia, Jayesh Rane
NEW: Neeraj Sharma, Ritesh Perambara, Rolfred Coutinho, Rohit Mirza, Manuel D'Souza, Tushar Poojary (all Mumbai FC Under-19), L. Dhanachandra Singh, Darren Caldeira (both Air India), Peter Costa (Salgaocar SC), Cavin Peter Lobo (Dempo SC), Mintu Saha (Bengal Mumbai FC), Sanjiban Ghosh, Ajmaludheen M., Kingsley Chioma, Gbeneme Friday
LEFT: Ramandeep Singh Randhawa, Ezeh Nna Henry (both Air India), Anes Edathodika (Pune FC), Bungo Thokchom Singh (Mohun Bagan AC), Pradeep Mohanraj (Viva Kerala), Deepak Prakash (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC), Hiralal Chetri (United Sikkim FC), Lihaz Koya, Sheikh Mustakin, Nishant Mehra, John Coutinho, Evans Quao
COACH: Khalid JAMIL

PRAYAG UNITED SC - KOLKATA
RETAINED: Abhijit Mondal, Somnath Khara, Bapi Saha, Sukhen Dey, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Anupam Sarkar, Arnab Mondal, Justine Stephen, Narugopal Hait, Shylo Malswam Tulunga, Gouranga Biswas, Subhas Chakraborty, Denson Devadas, Lal Kamal Bhowmick, Soumik Chakraborty, Sheikh Shabbir Ali, Josimar da Silva Martins, Shankar Oraon, Mohammed Rafique
NEW: Chinta Chandrashekar Rao, James Lukram Singh, Yakubu Yusif (all Salgaocar SC), Parimal Burman, Arjun Chakraborty, F. Liandala (all United SC Under-19), Deepak Kumar Mondal, Jayanta Sen (both Mohun Bagan AC), Kayne Vincent (Churchill Brothers SC), Jagroop Singh (Indian Arrows), Bello Razaq (Viva Kerala), Thoudam Joychandra Singh (Sporting Clube de Goa), Tanmoy Ghosh (United Sikkim FC), Snehashish Dutta (Techno Aryan Club), Crispin Chetri (Tollygunge Agragami), Gourshankar Dutta (Railway FC, Kolkata), Sena, Suhas S.N.
LEFT: Jerry Zirsanga, Nascimento Silveira, Melwyn Rodrigues (all Churchill Brothers SC), Noushad K., Asif K. (both Viva Kerala), Elijah Obagbemiro Junior (Salgaocar SC), Sunil Chhetri (Mohun Bagan AC), Branco Vincent Cardozo (East Bengal Club), Chika Wali (Pune FC), Safar Sardar (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Munna Mallick (Techno Aryan Club), Ram Malik (Kalighat Milan Sangha), Subhojit Majumdar (Bhawanipore Club, Kolkata), S. Santha Kumar (Integral Coach Factory), Swarup Das, Bibhash Ghosh, Subho Kumar, Sirajudeen C., Sergei Tokov, Young Il Choi
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 Rai (Royal Wahingdoh SC), Loukik Jadhav (Bengal Mumbai FC), 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 (both Mohun Bagan AC), Lalrindika Ralte (Churchill Brothers SC), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Pune FC), Jagroop Singh (United SC), Manandeep Singh (Air India), Ravindra Kumar, Inderpreet Singh, Akshay Kumar Mall
COACH: Sukhvinder Singh (TD)

VIVA KERALA - KANNUR/COCHIN
RETAINED: Sharath K., Charles Dzisah, Faisal T., Sherin Sam, Jimshad U., C.K. Vineeth, O.K. Javed
NEW: Krishnan Nair Ajayan, Gunashekar Vignesh, Manoj T.M. (all Pune FC), Noushad K., Asif K. (both United SC), Jagdeep Singh (Salgaocar SC), Pradeep Mohanraj (Mumbai FC), Shahbas Shaleel (ONGC), Gurjinder Singh (Peerless SC, Kolkata), Arindam Ghosh (Kolkata), Alex Carioke (Moto Club de Sao Luis, BRAZIL), Isaac Boakye (Young Africans SC, TANZANIA), Michael Matricciani (MetroStars, AUSTRALIA), Shyjumon
LEFT: Shahinlal Meloly, Karma Tsewang (both Pune FC), P.K. Anil Kumar (Dempo SC), Naduparambil Pappachan 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, Alex Carioke (released, in the season)
COACH: P.K. KUNHIKRISHNAN (fired); Mohamed Nizam Packeer ALI (SRI LANKA)

AIR INDIA - MUMBAI
RETAINED: Haobijam Napoleon Singh, Collin Abranches, Hringsolal Thomte, Allan Dias, Bijay Baspore, Manjit Singh, Soccor Velho, Kumar Samson Singh, T. Narender Meetei
NEW: Lamine Tamba, Sandesh Gadkare (both Pune FC), Ramandeep Singh Randhawa, Ezeh Nna Henry (both Mumbai FC), Manandeep Singh (Indian Arrows), 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), Takayuki Omi (Japan), Amit Nandy, Pratek Chaudhury, Bhuvan Krishna Joshi, Satwinder Singh, Abhishek Ambekar, Rahul Bhere
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: Pramod P., Femi Joseph Adeola, Liliyan Kennath, Goutam Debnath, Prakash Koley, Sargolsem James Singh, Rajendra Prasad, Abdullah Hamza Amaba, R.C. Prakash, Kshetrimayum Malamnganba Meitei, Satish Kumar Sr,
NEW: Sarbjeet Singh, Chandandeep Singh (both JCT), Bhola Prasad, Kaushik Bose (both ONGC), T.V. Biju Kumar, Muttath Sudheesh (both Vasco SC), Ramesh, J. Karthigeyan (both BEML (EM), Bangalore), Konsam Ajitkumar Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Amar Deb (Mohun Bagan AC), Deepak Prakash (Mumbai FC), Bijoy Das (United Sikkim FC), Ethesham Bucks (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Sukalpa Mondal (Techno Aryan Club), Praveen Kumar (Josco FC), B. Prakash (Postal FC, Bangalore), Vinoth Kumar V. (Railway Wheel Factory, Bangalore), Aleksandar Sujdovic (Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, BANGLADESH), Sunder Raj Rajan
LEFT: Y. Jaikumar, Xavier Vijayakumar (both Churchill Brothers SC), Ramu Srikanth (Pune FC), Joseph Muralidharan (Mohun Bagan AC), Deepak K. (Southern Samity), P. Karthik (Indian Bank), Rohit Chand (NEPAL), T. Karthikeyan, Vijesh Kumar, Sanath Kumar R., Shekar Muralidharan, Bengkok Nameirakpam, Arun S., D. Samuel Dhinakaran, B. Karthik, Shahas K., Meikinlung
COACH: -

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), Omkar Singh, Jatinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh (all Calangute Association, Goa), Thangjam Saran Singh, Jagpreet Singh (both Churchill Brothers SC), Sarbjeet Singh, Chandandeep Singh (both Hindustan Aeronautics Limited 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), Nurain Kareem Omolaja (Royal Wahingdoh SC), 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

ONGC - MUMBAI
RETAINED: Bilifang Narzary, Krishna Shirodkar, A. Naresh, Bimal Minz, F. Lalmuanpuia, Kailash Patel, Kenistan C.
NEW: Sachin Gawas, Joel Sequeira (both Vasco SC), J. Modi, Reuben D'Souza, Wahid Mohammed, Ashish Pandey
LEFT: Kamal Thapa, Robin Gurung, Bikash Jairu (all Ar-Hima FC), Bhola Prasad, Kaushik Bose (both Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC), Tapan Maity, Surojit Bose (both Mohammedan Sporting Club), N.D. Opara (Churchill Brothers SC), Shahbas Shaleel (Viva Kerala), Sandeep Sangha (Air India), Gour Naskar (Southern Samity), K.V. Lalu (Josco FC), Sudipta Kar (Bhawanipore Club, Kolkata), Ricky Joy (Postal FC, Bangalore)
COACH: Caetaho PINHO (new)

SHILLONG LAJONG FC - SHILLONG
RETAINED: Lalthuammawia Ralte, Gumpe Rime, Aibor Khongjee, Wailadmi Passah, Zomingliana Ralte, Rodingson Sangma, M. Subhas Singh, 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), Iyikwobe 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), Kryshan Lyngshing, Niwan-O-Gatphoh, Roming Thanga, Henry Marboh, Jenga Rongmei, Gaiham Rongmei, Million Mwenge Butshire
COACH: Pradhyum REDDY

SPORTING CLUBE DE GOA - GOA
RETAINED: Gerald D'Mello, Fulganco Cardozo, 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, Pedro Gonsalves, P. Niroshan Mani, Lairenjam Bisheshwor Singh, Wilton Gomes, Mackroy Peixote, Angelo D'Souza, Joseph Pereira, Rowlinn Borges, Avelino Fernandes, Ningthounjam Pritam Singh, Valzinho Fernandes, Stephen Barretto
NEW: Milagrio Medeira, Prajot Naik (both Vasco SC), Dawson Fernandes (Salgaocar SC), Warundeep Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Ogba Kalu Nnanna (Dempo SC), Ashok Singh (Ar-Hima FC), Charanjit Singh (Kenkre FC), Gabriel Fernandes (Sesa Football Academy), Mohammed Ali (Calangute Association, Goa), Victorino Fernandes (Santa Cruz Club of Cavellosim), James Moga (Mukti Joddha Sangsad, Bangladesh), Kailo Karpeh (Bayswater City FC, AUSTRALIA)
LEFT: Bibiano Fernandes, Mario Mascarenhas, Daison Cardozo (all Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim, Goa), Elvino Fernandes, Agnelo Colaco (both Vasco SC), Felix D'Souza (Churchill Brothers SC), Thoudam Joychandra Singh (United SC), Ayeni Bidemi Daniel (United Sikkim FC), Steven Fernandes (Sesa Football Academy), Siddesh Morje (Goa Velha SC), Ashokan Guru (Integral Coach Factory, Chennai), Thangjam Itomba Singh (Tiddim Road Athletic Union, Manipur), Joston Pereira, Koushik Ghosh, Sena Liandala, Jeswil D’Souza, Randell Dias, Gary D'Mello, Mackenze Fernandes, Emmanuel Akwuegbu, Joshua Maguire, Mohammed Ali (Calangute Association, Goa; on loan)
COACH: Ekendra SINGH (new)

VASCO SC - GOA
RETAINED: Julius Irabor Akpele, Agnelo Barreto, Subhankar Dey, Menino Fernandes, Aniket Dilip Jadhav, Jerose Oliveira, Jose Colaco, Christofer Borges
NEW: Milind Shinde, Rahul Kandulkar, Rohan Sagar (all Brasil Futebol Academia, Goa), Elvino Fernandes, Agnelo Colaco (both Sporting Clube de Goa), Aikan Dias (Dempo SC), Agnelo Noronha (Goa Velha SC), Sarvanand Korgaonkar, Sagar Bhatkande, Sunil Sharma, Andrew Igado
LEFT: Savio Fernandes, Koko Sakibo, Joy Ferrao (all Dempo SC), Sachin Gawas, Joel Sequeira (both ONGC), Milagrio Medeira, Prajot Naik (both Sporting Clube de Goa), T.V. Biju Kumar, Muttath Sudheesh (both Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC), Basileo Rego, Xavier Estrocio (both Goa Velha SC), Thomas Joaquim D'Souza (Calangute Association, Goa), Remus Gomes (Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim, Goa), Martin Frederick Okwagbe
COACH: Valentine EZEUGO (new)

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), Tanmoy Ghosh (United SC), 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 (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Tashi Tseten Bhutia, Nanjangud Shivananju Manju, Mituski Ichihara, Muttath Suresh, Sumit Thapa, APD Carvalho, Kalia Kulothungan, Pradip Hembrom, Joseph Lapira
COACH: Stanley ROZARIO

MOHAMMEDAN SPORTING CLUB - KOLKATA
RETAINED: Suman Dey, Debkumar Sashmal, Mohammed Adeola Hassan, Sudip Das, Mohammed Mukhtar, Han Wook, Gautam Kujur, Suraj Mondal
NEW: Sheikh Azim, Suman Datta, Surabuddin Mollick (all Mohun Bagan AC), Naseem Akhtar, Bikash Narzary (both East Bengal Club), Tapan Maity, Surojit Bose (both ONGC), Safar Sardar (United SC), P. Ummer Farooque (Viva Kerala), Amrit Pal Singh (Air India), Sukhdeb Ghosh (United Sikkim FC), Cyprian Stanley Okoroigwe (Techno Aryan Club), Sovan Das (Peerless SC, Kolkata), Gobinth Adhikari (Faria Strikers, Goa), Felix
LEFT: Manas Barua, Dipendu Biswas, Satyajit Bose (all Bhawanipore Club, Kolkata), Habibur Rehman Mondal, Nilendra Dewan (both Southern Samity), Saheb Ali Mondol, Zotin Liana (both Peerless SC), Karthik Kisku (Salgaocar SC), Ethesham Bucks (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC), Mumtaz Akhtar (United Sikkim FC), Tenzing Dhondup (Royal Wahingdoh SC), Priyant Kumar Singh (Tollygunge Agragami), Sarfaraz Khan (Calcutta Port Trust), Tharangachan Tungshang (Langsning SC), Satvir Singh (Ahbab FC, Delhi), Sandip Rai, David Mkandawire, Musibau Olenrewaju Adebayo
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, Edmilson Marques Pardal
NEW: Eduardo Chacon Coelho Lacerda, Soraisam Dharamjit Singh, Babin Biswas (all Air India), Habibur Rehman Mondal, Nilendra Dewan (both Mohammedan Sporting Club), Nazimuddin 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: Manas Das, Marcos Alexandro de Carvalho Pereira (both Bhawanipore Club, Kolkata), Tuishim Mashangva (Shillong Lajong FC), P.T. Somy (Josco FC), 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
COACH: Carlos Roberto PEREIRA da SILVA (BRAZIL)

SESA FOOTBALL ACADEMY - GOA
RETAINED: Bruno Colaco, Neves Fernandes, Andrew Don Bosco, Jayganesh Goltekar, Shishuram Chutia, Valinton D'Silva, Amol Salgaocar, Charles Miranda, Gaurish Naik, Pratesh Shirodkar, Inacio Colaco, Marcus Fernandes, Valentino Rodrigues, Edwin Lucas, Lesly Fernandes, Rakshak Naik
NEW: Daniel Albert Vales (Salgaocar SC), Samson Fernandes (Dempo SC), Thokchom Roshan Singh (Pune FC), Steven Fernandes (Sporting Clube de Goa), Agnelo Quadros (Goa Velha SC), Shadab Shaikh (Calangute Association, Goa), Chikudi Chukwama (Sesa Juniors), Daniel Fernandes, Amritpal Singh, Jonychand Singh, Joston Lourenco, Richard Colaco, Felix Barreto
LEFT: Nicolau Colaco, Augostinho Fernandes, Gagandeep Singh, Vivek Singh Kaira (all Salgaocar SC), Sidroy Alfonso (Dempo SC), Gabriel Fernandes (Sporting Clube de Goa), Don Tshering Lepcha (Royal Wahingdoh SC), Jason D'Mello (Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim, Goa), Pradeep Kumar (Indian National FC), Haolengou Kipgen (United Sports Association, Manipur), Shayan Roy, Ivo Fernandes, E. Shivamani, Richard Colaco, Anthony Fernandes
COACH: Clifford CHUKWAMA

GOA VELHA SC
RETAINED: Soma Korgaonkar, Valerio Vaz, Cruz Gomes, Randell Dias, Gary D'Mello, Nelson Fernandes, Alber Gonsalves, Saprem Diukar, Trevor Dias, Zico Costa, Augusto Monteiro, Clyde Dias, Cliff Fernandes, Donald Rocha
NEW: Basileo Rego, Xavier Estrocio (both Vasco SC), Wellington Fernandes, Tyson Fernandes (both Dempo Juniors), Joseph Rodrigues, Atish Shetgaonkar (both Holiday SC, Arpora, Goa), Siddesh Morje (Sporting Clube de Goa), Pio D'Sousa (Raia Sporting Club), Elias D'Sousa (Goa Police SC), Bruno Fernandes (Penha de Franca, Goa), Parsuram Kaddinawar (Peddem Bomm, Goa), Denzil Pritto (AA de Moira, Goa), Nestor Dylan Dias (Saligao United, Goa), Morbimore Pinto (Young Boys of Dhobitala, Goa), Jolan Lourenco (St Sebastian, St Cruz, Goa), Gautam Kanconkar (Sao Miguel de Taleigao, Goa), Royden Camelo (Young Boys of Tonca, Goa), Volvino Rego, Freddy Oliveira, Kunal Rodrigues
LEFT: Loyed Mascarenhas, Gaurish Naik (both Calangute Association, Goa), Agnelo Noronha (Vasco SC), Agnelo Quadros (Sesa Football Academy), Vishant Pednekar (retired, Goa Velha assistant coach), Rowan Colaco, Edwin Carvalho, Joston Lourenco, Khan Paite, Michael Dias, Oliver D'Souza, Pankaj Fondekar, Stanley D'Silva, Savio Fernandes, Ramesh Martins Palkar, Samir Agarwadekar, Reagan Fernandes, Stanley D'Silva, Stanley Lopes, Joy Gonsalves, Elvis Lopes, Gauresh Mandrekar, Blake Haldankar
COACH: Lino PEREIRA

CALANGUTE ASSOCIATION
RETAINED: -
NEW: Omkar Singh, Jatinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh (all JCT), Loyed Mascarenhas, Gaurish Naik (both Goa Velha SC), Alesh Sawant, Faizal Sheikh (both Brasil Futebol Academia, Goa), Thomas Joaquim D'Souza (Vasco SC), Sugitesh Mandraker (Faria Strikers, Goa), Gurinder Pal Singh (Harbhajan SC, Punjab), Freddy Faria, Sukhdeep Singh, Preepal Singh Gill, Jatminder Somu Singh, Sukhwinder Kumar, Charanjit Singh, Sarjit Singh, Varinderjit Singh, Hanson D'Sousa, Amar Haldankar, Frazer Picardo, Selwyn Fernandes, Marc Fernandes, Lawrence Fernandes, Ryan D'Sousa, Joaquim Gonsalves, Lestern Martins, Drupesh Dessai, Dominic Fernandes, Ologon Isaiah, Festos O.J. Avah, Mohammed Ali (Sporting Clube de Goa, on loan)
LEFT: Mohammed Ali (Sporting Clube de Goa), Shadab Shaikh (Sesa Football Academy), Sunford Cardozo (Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim, Goa), Agnelo Fernandes, Richard Costa, Stanley Coutinho, Frankie Pereira, Vesvino Miranda, Pedro Gonsalves, Siddesh Kesarkar, Manuel Crasto, Haresh Diukar
COACH: Vishwas GAONKAR (new)

TATA FOOTBALL ACADEMY - JAMSHEDPUR
RETAINED: Bilal Khan, 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, Udanta Singh, Randhan Meetei
NEW: -
LEFT: -
COACH: P. Vijay KUMAR

rs1.tv VIDEO: FC Remscheid wins Cup tie against higher tier team

It always doesn't have to be top class international or national level football to enjoy a game of football. Due to work I last night covered my local club FC Remscheid (a seventh division club) hosting SSVg Velbert (fifth division) in a local Niederrheinpokal (Lower Rhine Cup) tie.

Though our FCR is two divisions below Velbert, they were the better side and deservingly won 3-2 to move to the next round.


Here my video report for rs1.tv (is in German)

QPR Player Development Centre - encouraging Asian Participation in Football

The QPR in the Community Trust and West Middlesex & Hayes Youth Football League are pleased to announce details of a brand new Player Development Centre. This will run at Goals Soccer Centre, Springfield Road in Hayes, Middlesex. It was formally launched on Monday.

It will give players and coaches from all Clubs in the league the chance to learn key skills from QPR coaches, and is also an opportunity for players to be selected for the QPR Centre of Excellence.

R's Football Development Manager, Dave Robinson, said, "It's a fantastic initiative and something that I'm sure will be a great success for all concerned. While we have the chance of coaching and progressing players' skills, we are also providing the chance for local Club coaches to gain experience when working alongside our ones too."

"This area has always had a big connection to QPR. The Centre will provide the local Clubs with an opportunity to work alongside a Premier League Club, which has traditionally done a lot of good work in the community. We are also pleased that we will be engaging with many Asian players and coaches in an area that has great potential."

"Times are changing and cricket is not the only dominant sport among the Asian community any more. We aim to highlight this and nurture such talent."

Jonathan Mills, FA Equality Co-ordinator, added, "The Football Association is really pleased to support the launch of this initiative between the QPR Community Trust, West Middlesex and Hayes Youth League, and Inventive Sports' Jas Jassal, who has supported this process."

"This is a fantastic opportunity for youngsters from all backgrounds to experience top drawer coaching, delivered through a Premier League Football Club which will nurture and grow their talent. We are also extremely pleased that the Development Centre that will deliver this training will be in a predominantly-diverse community, and we hope that this will be an incentive to see more players coming through academies and centres of excellence."

West Middlesex and Hayes Youth Football League Chairman, Laurence Cummings, continued, "This is a great venture – and I'm told that we are the first youth league in the country to have a working relationship like this with a Premier League Club. I'm sure that our players, working with QPR, will learn plenty and go on to improve the standard of football within our league."

The Centre will run on a Monday evening between 6pm and 7.30pm at Goals Soccer Centre in Springfield Road, Yeading.

Anyone attending will have to be registered via the West Middlesex and Hayes Youth Football League.

South Africa misread qualification rules, out of African Cup of Nations

This is as embarrassing as it can get in international football. Last years 2010 FIFA World Cup hosts South Africa were eliminated over the weekend from the qualifiers for the 2012 African Cup of Nations to be hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. The Bafana Bafana played out a goalless draw against Sierra Leone at home in Nelspruit though they needed a victory to confirm their place in the final round as they didn't know the rules of qualification.

The same was announced by the South African Broadcasting Corporation with the SAFA president going on TV to congratulate his side for qualifying for next years tournament.

After the game thinking they had qualified Bafana Bafana celebrated their qualification with their fans at he ground only to be told later that head-to-head and not goal difference counts as the key factor for qualification. With Niger (-2 goals), South Africa (+2) and Sierra Leone (0) all on nine points a three-way head-to-head count was carried out and there Niger has six point while South Africa and Sierra Leone only five.

This means that Niger will play in the finals of the African Cup of Nations for the first time in their history next year like hosts Equatorial Guinea and Botswana; while regulars Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Algeria besides South Africa miss out on the tournament.

But South Africa isn't going to take their own mistake as granted and will appeal. The South African Football Association CEO, Robin Petersen, said, "We are going ahead with an appeal to the Confederation of African Football because we think we have a case."

Still I feel it is very embarrassing for such a football nation not knowing such an important rule for qualification for the continents show piece event.

Germany achieve record, win all qualifying matches!

Joachim Löw's Germany made it 10 win out of 10 qualifying matches in the 2012 European Championship by winning their final group match 3-1 against Belgium at the Esprit Arena in Düsseldorf.

As expected Löw made some changes to his starting line-up, actually he made five changes bringing in some young blood besides welcoming back Mesut Özil.

Belgium had the better start into the game, but after withstanding the initial attacks Germany took control of proceedings. It was Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Özil who opened the scoring for Germany at the half hour mark following a corner and only three minutes later André Schürrle doubled the lead following a counter-attack after a corner for Belgium. It stayed 2-0 for Germany at the break.

After the break Germany sealed the game with a third goal just three minutes into the half when Mario Gomez finished off a nice combination with Özil. Belgium did get on the scoresheet in the 86th minute through Marouane Fellaini, but the game was by then in Germany's bag. It ended 3-1 for the Germans and it was celebration time for a rare achievement, not dropping any points in the qualifiers.

Now bigger and better opponents are likely to await 'die Mannschaft' at 2012 European Championship in Poland and the Ukraine next year.


MATCH STATS

Germany 3-1 (2-0) - Goals: 1-0 Mesut Özil (30'), 2-0 André Schürrle (33'), 3-0 Mario Gomez (48'), 3-1 Marouane Fellaini (86')

Germany
1-Manuel Neuer; 3-Benedikt Höwedes, 17-Per Mertesacker, 5-Mats Hummels, 16-Philipp Lahm [C] (84' 19-Ilkay Gündogan); 18-Toni Kroos, 6-Sami Khedira; 13-Thomas Müller (71' 21-Marco Reus), 8-Mesut Özil, 9-André Schürrle; 23-Mario Gomez (76' 11-Cacau)
Unused Substitutes: 22-Ron-Robert Zieler, 2-Simon Rolfes, 4-Dennis Aogo, 15-Christian Träsch

Belgium
1-Simon Mignolet; 2-Laurent Ciman, 4-Vincent Kompany [C], 5-Jan Vertonghen, 3-Nicolas Lombaerts; 8-Marouane Fellaini, 6-Timmy Simons; 11-Moussa Dembélé (65' 17-Dries Mertens), 10-Axel Witsel, 7-Eden Hazard; 9-Marvin Ogunjimi (46' 18-Romelu Lukaku)
Unused Substitutes: 12-Thibaut Courtois, 13-Carl Hoefkens, 14-Steven Defour, 15-Gaby Mudingayi, 16-Sébastien Pocognoli

Referee
Svein Oddvar Moen (Norway)