Climax Lawrence retires from international football

33 year old midfielder Climax Lawrence has retired from the Indian national football team. Climax took this decision earlier today after hearing that national coach Savio Medeira has dropped him from the 30 player probables list for the upcoming 2012 AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal.

Speaking to the agency IANS Climax said, "I had to retire. Age is not on my side. But this is not the way you treat a senior player. During the SAFF Cup, Savio said I have two years of international football left in me. And now he does a U-turn."

"If he had told me earlier then I would have retired after the SAFF Cup or the friendly against Bayern Munich. It really hurts to be treated badly after serving the country for more than a decade," added a clearly hurt Climax, who indirectly criticized national coach Savio Medeira.

Climax had started his international career in 2002 under then national coach Stephen Constantine. Over the years he has been a key midfielder for India and in recent times Climax has captained on a number of occasion - 2011 AFC Asian Cup (as back-up to Baichung Bhutia), 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, 2011 SAFF Cup.

Talking about his retirement Climax said, "I was thinking about retirement and thought I would hang up my boots after the AFC Challenge Cup. But it was not to be. I am retiring with a heavy heart."

Over his career Climax has been a very loyal player. He started his professional career with Salgaocar SC in 1998, then played for East Bengal Club in the 2004/05 season and since 2005 has been playing for Dempo SC.

PLS Players Auction: Franchises pay high prices

After the auction of the Premier League Soccer franchises in Kolkata on Sunday, yesterday it was now the turn of the auction of the foreign players and coaches. With Haldia unsold there were 20 spot as players and five as coaches up for grabs. Indian players would be auctioned in the coming days.

The highest price was paid by Barasat for former Argentina striker Hernan Crespo at USD 840,000 followed closely by Siliguri, who paid USD 830,000 for Italian World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro.

Former Portuguese international Fernando Couto was the highest paid coach at USD 240,000 by the Howrah franchise with all the other coaches set to be paid between USD 200,000 to 210,000.


Barasat
Coach: Teitur Thordarson (US$ 210,000)
Icon Player: Hernan Crespo (US$ 840,000)
Asian: Byoung-Gyu Park (US$ 90,000)
Joaquin Botero (US$ 180,000)
Christian Lara (US$ 200,000)

Durgapur
Coach: Samson Siasia($210,000)
Icon Player: Jay Jay Okocha (US$ 550,000)
Asian: Bong-Kyeom Kim (US$ 115,000)
Jose Carlos Castillo (US$ 80,000)
Alonso Solis (US$ 200,000)

Kolkata
Coach: Peter Reid (US$ 200,000)
Icon Player: Robbie Fowler (US$ 530,000)
Asian: Ji-Seung Park (US$ 140,000)
Daniel Varela (US$ 110,000)
Robert Egbeta (US$ 350,000)

Howrah
Coach: Fernando Couto (US$ 240,000)
Icon Player: Robert Pires (US$ 800,000)
Asian: Yoon-Chui Byun (US$ 115,000)
Jose Gabriel Rios (US$ 180,000)
Diego Madreigal (US$ 120,000)

Siliguri
Coach: Marco Etcheverry($200,000)
Icon Player: Fabio Cannavaro (US$ 830,000)
Asian: Gyu-Hwan Hwang (US$ 90,000)
Santino Quaranta (US$ 180,000)
Limberg Gutierrez (US$ 180,000)

Under-14 Football Fest kicks-off in Kalyani

The Under-14 Football Fest conducted by the AIFF kicked-off at the picturesque Kalyani Stadium Ground in Nadia district of West Bengal on Tuesday, January 31 morning. The Fest, aimed in spotting players for the various AIFF-FIFA Regional Academies and the National Age-Group Teams was inaugurated by Minister for Food Processing and Horticulture, West Bengal, Mr. Ujjwal Biswas.

Mr. Biswas marked the opening with the traditional lighting of the lamp in presence of Dr. Pradip Kumar Sur, Chairman, Kalyani Municipality, who is also the President of the Organising Committee.

Scott O'Donnell -- Technical Manager, Regional Academies; Colm Toal – Head Coach, Youth Development Programme and Shubhankar Mukherjee, Director, National Teams, were also present on the occasion. Mr. Gobinda Chandra Naskar, Member of Parliament, Bongaon, was also part of the proceedings.

The 27 teams represented by 594 kids participating in the Fest which concludes on February 4 were also treated to a Cultural Programme. Besides, Guinness Book record-holder Uttam Das demonstrated his juggling skills on a motorbike, much to the appreciation of the boys.

The teams have been divided into 7 groups of four-teams each. Each team would be playing three matches of 30-minute duration after which they would again be classified in separate groups – for stronger teams and weaker teams.

AIFF's spotters for the Fest: Scott O'Donnell, Savio Medeira, Colm Toal, Marcus Pacheco, Aqueel Ansari, Francisco Bruto da Costa, Gautam Ghosh, Tarun Roy and Hilal Rasool Parray.


THE GROUPS

Group 1: Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Delhi

Group 2: Haryana, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat

Group 3: Uttarakhand, Manipur, Pondicherry, Goa

Group 4: Maharashtra, Kerala, Chattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh

Group 5: Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, West Bengal

Group 6: Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, Sikkim (did not turn up)

Group 7: Orissa, Mizoram, Bihar, Chandigarh

Carlsberg brings the UEFA EURO 2012™ Trophy to India!

For almost a quarter of a century, Danish brewery Carlsberg has been the official sponsor of the UEFA European Championships (EURO) - the world's second largest football event - and, in 2012 Carlsberg continues this successful partnership.

This year, the tournament will be held for the first time in Eastern Europe – in the exciting growth markets of Poland and the Ukraine - from June 8 to July 1, 2012. Carlsberg India, for the first time ever, will bring the UEFA EURO 2012™ Trophy to fans across a few cities in India this year, further endorsing Carlsberg's reputation as one of the most committed sponsors of football in the world.

Announcing this exciting initiative Carlsberg India MD Soren Lauridsen said, "True to our commitment of providing the best possible experience to Indian consumers, this association with UEFA EURO 2012™ represents another milestone to cement the relationship. We are extremely pleased and proud to be able to bring the Trophy to India for the first time and add to this nation's growing enthusiasm for football. Over the next few months, we will be implementing some exciting campaigns which will create further excitement about football and EURO 2012, at the same time allowing consumers and fans to connect with the Carlsberg brand."

Carlsberg India has kicked off a 'Vote to get the Trophy to your city' campaign, encouraging fans to vote for their city in order that it has a chance to qualify and host the Trophy. The three cities out of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Goa, Kochi and Pune will get a chance to host this coveted Trophy.

Fans will battle it out by simply liking the page and voting for their cities. The cities with the maximum votes will host the Trophy. Each fan can track the status of their city through The 'Glass-o-Meter' tracker on the vote to get the Trophy to your city page. To make sure your city hosts the UEFA EURO 2012™ Trophy, log on to www.facebook.com/Carlsberg and cast your vote now.

PLS franchises auctioned, Barasat costliest

The six franchises of the Premier League Soccer, a new concept West Bengal city league modelled on the IPL cricket, were auctioned yesterday in Kolkata. Five of the franchises were sold for substantial amounts with Barasat the costliest of the lot at Rs 251,5 Million (25,15 crore), but the Haldia franchise could not be sold.

Barasat, which went into the auction at only 80 lakhs, was picked-up by URO Infra Realty India Ltd. The second highest bid was made by Aajay Consultants for the Siliguri franchise at Rs 180 Million (18 crore). The Kolkata franchise came third at Rs 115 Million (11,5 crore) and was bought by the Camellia Group. The Howrah franchise went to Syncsys Infotech Ltd at Rs 90 Million (9 crore), while Durgapur was sold at Rs 76 Million (7,6 crore) to Tulip Infonet Pvt. Ltd.

But the Haldia franchise could not be sold and the first season of the PLS might start with five instead of six teams. A sixth bidder was part of the auction process, but they did not bid for Haldia and when offered the franchise he did not accept.

The franchises have been sold by the organisers Indian Football Association (West Bengal) and Celebrity Management Group for a period of 10 years and they will have to spend between USD 2 to 2,5 Million per season on their players. The players auction is set to be held sometime today.

The list of 'icon' players is inpressive which includes Italian World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, French World Cup winner Robert Pires, former Argentina captain Juan Pablo Sorin, Argentina striker Hernan Crespo, England striker Robbie Fowler and Nigeria midfielder Jay Jay Okocha.

Indian Football: Transfer Season 2011/12 - Version 13

Here is the latest updated list of Transfers 2011/12 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 (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); Edmilson Marques Pardal (Southern Samity, in the season)
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; Abhra Mondal (Pune FC, on loan), Alan Gow
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; P.K. Anil Kumar (Chirag United Kerala, in the season)
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 Mathew 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), Nirmal Kumar (BEML(EM)), 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), Jeh Williamson (Pune FC Reserves), Douhou Sey Djidja Pierre; Nanjangud Shivananju Manju (United Sikkim FC, in the season), Abhra Mondal (East Bengal Club, on loan)
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), Soram Poirei Anganba (Shillong Lajong FC), 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; Abhra Mondal (East Bengal Club, on loan)
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), Daljit Singh, Sakatar Singh (both JCT), 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), Simon Storey (AUSTRALIA), Hudson Lima da Silva (BRAZIL), Daniel Carl Zeleny (AUSTRALIA, in the season)
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, Simon Storey (released in the season); Subhashish Roy Chowdhury (Prayag United SC, on loan)
COACH: Steve DARBY (ENGLAND/new - resigned) - Subrata BHATTACHARJEE (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, Amiri Islam (AFGHANISTAN, in the season)
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), Francis Xavier (Southern Samity), 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; Subhashish Roy Chowdhury (Mohun Bagan AC, on loan)
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, Ongnam Milan Singh, 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, Prabir Das, Krishanu Banerjee, Lalnunka, Lalnunpuia, Holicharan Narzary
LEFT: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Abhishek Das, Raju Eknath Gaekwad, Subodh Kumar (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)

CHIRAG UNITED KERALA (formerly 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; Sukhwinder Singh (Air India, in the season), P.K. Anil Kumar (Dempo SC, in the season), David Sunday (in the season), James Effiong (in the season)
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/new)

AIR INDIA - MUMBAI
RETAINED: Kunal Sawant, Arup Debnath, Avijit Ghosh, Haobijam Napoleon Singh, Uttam Leishangthem Singh, Chanchal Saha, Collin Abranches, Vijith Shetty, Santosh Koli, Hringsolal Thomte, Allan Dias, Bijay Baspore, Manjit Singh, Alex Mario Ambrose, 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; Sukhwinder Singh (Chirag United Kerala, in the season)
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: Thayarajan

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), Daljit Singh, Sakatar Singh (both Mohun Bagan AC), 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), 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), 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, M.C. Dhanesh, Bimal Minz, Jatin Singh Bisht, 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: Caetano 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), Soram Poirei Anganba (Pune 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); Potsangbam Renedy Singh, Sushil Kumar Singh (both United Sikkim FC, in the season); Mathew Osvaldo Mayora (AUSTRALIA, in the season)
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), L. 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, Mituski Ichihara, Muttath Suresh, Sumit Thapa, APD Carvalho, Kalia Kulothungan, Pradip Hembrom, Joseph Lapira; Potsangbam Renedy Singh, Sushil Kumar Singh (both Shillong Lajong FC, in the season), Nanjangud Shivananju Manju (Pune FC)
COACH: Stanley ROZARIO (fired) - Philippe de RIDDER (BELGIUM/new)

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, 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), Rahul Bhattacharya, Madhab Kumar Das (both Police AC), Francis Xavier (Prayag United SC), Tuishim Mashangva (Shillong Lajong FC), P.T. Somy (Josco FC), Amit Singha Roy, Binod Mallick, Anit Kumar Ghosh, Karthik Chatterjee, Mahesh Sarkar, Uken Debbarma, Sasthi Duley, Pradip Nag, Deepak Sharma, S. Heman Singh, Adebayo Tokunbo Adewusi; Edmilson Marques Pardal (East Bengal Club, in the season), Eduardo Chacon Coelho Lacerda
COACH: Carlos Roberto PEREIRA da SILVA (BRAZIL/fired)

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: Ricardo Cardozo, Mohammed Moniruzzaman Ansari, Bilal Khan, Suraj Kumar, Kamaldeep Singh, Gurpreet Singh, S.K. Rohit, Jarmanjeet Singh, Rocky Singh, Sanjiv Kumar, Manas Sarkar, Harpreet Singh, Biswajit Sardar, Chingkhei Meetei, Baidyanath Das, Amit Kumar, Vineet Rai, Deepak Tirkey, Mohammed Irfan Khan, Udanta Singh, Randhan Meetei
NEW: -
LEFT: -
COACH: P. Vijay KUMAR

India to face Oman in friendly on February 23

As part of their preparations for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal in March 2012 the senior Indian national football team will be playing a friendly international against Oman on February 23 in their capital Muscat.

India have been drawn in the AFC Challenge Cup's tough Group B along with former champions North Korea and Tajikistan along with rising the Philippines.

Middle Eastern side Oman are presently ranked 90 in the latest FIFA World rankings while India are in 158th position.

The squad for the friendly and the AFC Challenge Cup would be announced on a later date.

VIDEO: The Future of Football???

Norwegian scientists have been working on creating a security cover (shield) for footballers, which could avoid injuries in the future. The outcome doesn't look so realistic to me, but still the test run is fun to watch and maybe something Lionel Messi would like to wear and avoid the rough tackles...


Here excerpts from a Norwegian TV show trying out the suits

AFC U-22 Asian Cup draw on February 14

The Asian Football Confederation is plugging the gap between the Under-20s and the senior national sides by creating the new AFC U-22 Asian Cup and 39 member nations have submitted their interest to participate.

The draw date has been set for February 14, 2012, at 11:00 hrs, at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, for the qualification campaign which will be held this year.

The first edition of the AFC U-22 Asian Cup is expected to be held in June 2013 while the next edition of the biennial competition will serve as qualifiers for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

The 39 countries who had submitted their intention to participate by the deadline of January 13 are

Bahrain, Bangladesh, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor Leste, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen

Leverkusen: Ballack signing a mistake

German Bundesliga side Bayer 04 Leverkusen had high hopes when they resigned former Germany captain Michael Ballack in summer 2010. They had hoped Ballack could bring back the golden days of the early 2000s when the club finished second in all competitions - UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga, German Cup - in the 2001/02 season.

But things haven't worked out the way the club had hoped then in his first season Ballack was more often injured then on the field and also the younger players were better then Ballack forcing him often onto the bench when match fit.

Leverkusen chairman Wolfgang Holzhäuser has said in the Express tabloid, "This transfer didn't work for us. We expected more from him."

Ballack's stats speak for themselves. Last season he played 17 matches and didn't score a goal, this season he has played 14 times scoring twice. Ballack has been better this season, but both Jupp Heynckes last season and now Robin Dutt are said to have their problems with the ageing star.

The former Germany 'Capitano' has not been able to deliver what he has been able to perform in the past. The club has been disappointed that Ballack hasn't helped in pushing the young team in the right direction. And what has surprised many observers is the fact that Ballack has a lot of support from fans, who happen to be critical of coach Robin Dutt.

Holzhäuser ended by saying, "He (Ballack) has three months of contract left. We will finish it off professionally."

Doesn't sound like Leverkusen willing to offer Ballack a new contract in the summer. A sad finish at the club where Ballack became a big player.

The Asian Football Awards 2012

The first ever Asian Football Awards supported by The FA and Kick It Out, with Sporting Equals as its legacy partner saw leading figures come out to support the glitzy event at the home of football, Wembley Stadium.

Guests for this event included David Bernstein (FA Chairman), Paul Elliot, Graham Le Saux, Piara Powar, Mihir Bose, Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham) and award winners Michael Chopra and Manish Bhasin.

The AFA managed to engage with key representatives of those individuals working hard to engage with their communities and develop Asians within the game. The event brought together representatives of clubs and organisations such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspurs, Aston Villa, QPR, Wolves, Charlton, Liverpool, The PFA and many
leading Asian organisations.

Imran Hassan, Co-Founder of the Asian Football Awards, said, "It was really pleasing seeing so many key figures supporting and enjoying the awards, but the hard work begins now in our legacy programme."

"A very big congratulations to all the nominees and winners, it really was truly inspirational to see so many role models, in particular nominees like Rikin Shah and Lifetime Achievement recipient Jarnail Singh."

Baljit Rihal, Co-Founder of the Asian Football Awards, said, "The first ever Asian Football Awards was a celebration of the success of Asians in all aspects of UK football. We are proud to have created the awards which we are confident will be an annual high profile event."

Sporting Equals CEO Arun Kang sadi, "Sporting Equals was delighted to be a partner at the first ever Asian Football Awards. It was a fantastic evening celebrating the significant contribution that British Asians are making in the game at all levels, congratulations to all the nominees. I believe the strength of the awards is that they not only showcase elite players like Michael Chopra the Player of the Year, but also the considerable impact that Asians are making in coaching, sports medicine and administration, creating new role models and inspiring the next generation. We are now looking forward to finding talent, engaging and empowering communities through SE Talent id the legacy programme of the Asian Football Awards 2012."

Russell Atkinson, Managing Director Lebara Mobile added, "We are proud to be a part of the first ever Asian Football Awards, recognising excellence and inspiring future generations of Asians into the sport. At Lebara, we are passionate about supporting activities, such as football, that are important to our customers. We are honoured to be associated with Michael Chopra, a highly deserving winner of the Player of the Year Award."

The Asian Football Awards will be shown by TV partner Sony Entertainment Network on February 10 in the United Kingdom.

Here the detailed list of the The Asian Football Awards 2012 - The Winners

The Asian Football Awards 2012 - The Winners!

The inaugural Asian Football Awards were held last night at London's Wembley Stadium with the support from The FA and Kick It Out. The event has been made possible through a partnership between Initiate Sports and Inventive Sports.

Here are the winners in each category!

Player of the Year
Michael Chopra (Ipswich Town)

Coach of the year
Nas Bashir (Hayes & Yeading FC)

Asian Woman in Football
Rimla Akhtar (Muslim Women's Sports Foundation)

Young Player of the year
Danny Batth (Wolves FC – on loan Sheff Weds)

Football Development project of the year
Diversity Academy (Nottingham)

Football Foundation of the year
Osmani Trust

Investors in Football
Lakshmi Mittal and Tony Fernandes (QPR)

Football behind the scenes award - 'Administration'
Raj Athwal (Watford FC) – Commercial Manager

Football behind the scenes award - 'Medical'
Dr Zaf Iqbal (Liverpool)

Football Media award
Manish Bhasin (BBC)

Grass Roots Heroes
Bal Singh (Khalsa Football Academy)

Asian Community Club of the year
London Tigers (London)

Inspiration Award
Permi Jhooti (FIFA Ambassador)

Lifetime Achievement Award
Jarnail Singh (Referee)


Congratulations from my side to all winners!!!

2nd Division I-League: Change in Group B Fixtures

There have been changes to the fixtures of Group of the 2nd Division of the I-League due to other commitments of Techno Aryan Club in the championship-leg of the Calcutta Premier League.

Aryan's fixtures have been adjusted according of Group B, which will be played in Cuttack. The Cuttack fixtures would now end a day later on February 21.

Otherwise the fixtures remain the same for all participating teams.


Group 1 - Silchar
Green Valley SC (Guwahati), Eagles FC (Kochi), Southern Samity (Kolkata), Bhowanipore Club (Kolkata), United Sikkim FC (Gangtok), Ar-Hima FC (Shillong), Aizawl FC (Mizoram)

Fixtures
01-Feb-2012: Ar-Hima FC - Aizawl FC
01-Feb-2012: Southern Samity - Eagles FC
02-Feb-2012: United Sikkim FC - Bhowanipore Club
04-Feb-2012: Southern Samity - Green Valley SC
04-Feb-2012: Bhowanipore Club - Ar-Hima FC
05-Feb-2012: United Sikkim FC - Eagles FC
07-Feb-2012: Bhowanipore Club - Ar-Hima FC
07-Feb-2012: Eagles FC - Aizawl FC
08-Feb-2012: United Sikkim FC - Green Valley SC
10-Feb-2012: Eagles FC - Ar-Hima FC
10-Feb-2012: Green Valley SC - Aizawl FC
11-Feb-2012: United Sikkim FC - Southern Samity
13-Feb-2012: Eagles FC - Bhowanipore Club
13-Feb-2012: Green Valley SC - Ar-Hima FC
14-Feb-2012: Southern Samity - Aizawl FC
16-Feb-2012: Green Valley SC - Bhowanipore Club
16-Feb-2012: Southern Samity - Ar-Hima FC
17-Feb-2012: United Sikkim FC - Aizawl FC
19-Feb-2012: Green Valley SC - Eagles FC
19-Feb-2012: Southern Samity - Bhowanipore Club
20-Feb-2012: United Sikkim FC - Ar-Hima FC


Group 2 - Cuttack
Royal Wahingdoh SC (Shillong), Sesa Football Academy (Goa), Quartz SC (Kozhikode), Kalighat Milan Sangha (Kolkata), Techno Aryan Club (Kolkata), Guwahati Town Club (Assam), Kenkre FC (Mumbai), Samaleshwari FC (Orissa)

Fixtures
01-Feb-2012: Royal Wahingdoh SC - Samaleshwari FC
01-Feb-2012: Sesa Football Academy - Kenkre FC
02-Feb-2012: Quartz SC - Guwahati Town Club
02-Feb-2012: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Techno Aryan Club
04-Feb-2012: Samaleshwari FC - Techno Aryan Club
04-Feb-2012: Guwahati Town Club - Kalighat Milan Sangha
05-Feb-2012: Kenkre FC - Quartz SC
05-Feb-2012: Royal Wahingdoh SC - Sesa Football Academy
07-Feb-2012: Sesa Football Academy - Samaleshwari FC
07-Feb-2012: Quartz SC - Royal Wahingdoh SC
08-Feb-2012: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Kenkre FC
19-Feb-2012: Techno Aryan Club - Guwahati Town Club
10-Feb-2012: Samaleshwari FC - Guwahati Town Club
11-Feb-2012: Kenkre FC - Techno Aryan Club
10-Feb-2012: Royal Wahingdoh SC - Kalighat Milan Sangha
11-Feb-2012: Sesa Football Academy - Quartz SC
13-Feb-2012: Techno Aryan Club - Royal Wahingdoh SC
13-Feb-2012: Guwahati Town Club - Kenkre FC
14-Feb-2012: Quartz SC - Samaleshwari FC
14-Feb-2012: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Sesa Football Academy
16-Feb-2012: Samaleshwari FC - Kenkre FC
16-Feb-2012: Royal Wahingdoh SC - Guwahati Town Club
17-Feb-2012: Sesa Football Academy - Techno Aryan Club
17-Feb-2012: Quartz SC - Kalighat Milan Sangha
20-Feb-2012: Kenkre FC - Royal Wahingdoh SC
20-Feb-2012: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Samaleshwari FC
21-Feb-2012: Techno Aryan Club - Quartz SC
21-Feb-2012: Guwahati Town Club - Sesa Football Academy


Group 3 -
Mohammedan Sporting Club (Kolkata), Vasco SC (Goa), Golden Threads FC (Kerala), Luangmual FC (Mizoram), Simla Youngs FC (Delhi), Langsning FC (Shillong), PIFA-Colaba FC (Mumbai), KGF Academy (Bangalore)

Fixtures
01-Feb-2012: Mohammedan Sporting Club - KGF Academy
01-Feb-2012: Vasco SC - PIFA-Colaba FC
02-Feb-2012: Golden Threads FC - Langsning FC
02-Feb-2012: Luangmual FC - Simla Youngs FC
04-Feb-2012: KGF Academy - Simla Youngs FC
04-Feb-2012: Langsning FC - Luangmual FC
05-Feb-2012: PIFA-Colaba FC - Golden Threads FC
05-Feb-2012: Mohammedan Sporting Club - Vasco SC
07-Feb-2012: Vasco SC - KGF Academy
07-Feb-2012: Golden Threads FC - Mohammedan Sporting Club
08-Feb-2012: Luangmual FC - PIFA-Colaba FC
08-Feb-2012: Simla Youngs FC - Langsning FC
10-Feb-2012: KGF Academy - Langsning FC
10-Feb-2012: PIFA-Colaba FC - Simla Youngs FC
11-Feb-2012: Mohammedan Sporting Club - Luangmual FC
11-Feb-2012: Vasco SC - Golden Threads FC
13-Feb-2012: Golden Threads FC - KGF Academy
13-Feb-2012: Luangmual FC - Vasco SC
14-Feb-2012: Simla Youngs FC - Mohammedan Sporting Club
14-Feb-2012: Langsning FC - PIFA-Colaba FC
16-Feb-2012: KGF Academy - PIFA-Colaba FC
16-Feb-2012: Mohammedan Sporting Club - Langsning FC
17-Feb-2012: Vasco SC - Simla Youngs FC
17-Feb-2012: Golden Threads FC - Luangmual FC
19-Feb-2012: Luangmual FC - KGF Academy
19-Feb-2012: Simla Youngs FC - Golden Threads FC
20-Feb-2012: Langsning FC - Vasco SC
20-Feb-2012: PIFA-Colaba FC - Mohammedan Sporting Club

Bundesliga: A Four-way title race

Over the weekend the German Bundesliga returned to action after a four week winter break. And Round 18 started off with a big bang to open-up the title race with now four clubs with a chance of winning the title.

The second-leg of the Bundesliga opened on Friday evening with a classic Borussia Mönchengladbach vs FC Bayern Munich game. Bayern Munich came into the game as winter champions, but Mönchengladbach's young turks showed the Bavarians what they are made off as Gladbach went on to win 3-1 on the night.

On Saturday FC Schalke 04 followed with a 3-1 win against VfB Stuttgart and then Borussia Dortmund demolished Hamburger SV 5-1 away to make it a successful start in 2012 for the three west German clubs chasing the mighty Bavarians.

After match day 18 the top four teams are only divided by one point. Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke all have 37 points, while Borussia Mönchengladbach is fourth on 36 points. But Bayern remain top of the league with a superior goal difference.

The Bundesliga has had interesting two or three-way races for the title, but never ever has it experienced such a four-way race. One will have to see how things pan out in the weeks to come, if Bayern Munich slip further or if they can regain their form and keep their rivals at a distance. Then one thing remains the same - the title favourites are Bayern Munich.

Jeje Lalpekhlua doubtful for 2012 AFC Challenge Cup

India could have to play the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal in March without young striker Jeje Lalpekhlua as he has been advised eight-weeks rest, which would mean he would miss the tournament.

Jeje suffered an injury on his left knee during his club Pune FC's I-League match against Air India. His MRI report reveals bone contusion and grade 2/3 injury to MCL of the left knee. The striker is being treated by Dr. Anant Joshi and has been advised non-weight bearing with crutches for three weeks. It will be followed by a minimum rehab for another three weeks under Dr. Joshi's supervision.

If confirmed then Jeje would be the second absentee like his club team mate goalkeeper Subrata Pal, who had earlier been ruled out of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup.

With injuries to other key players or these returning from injuries like Sunil Chhetri and Syed Rahim Nabi, one hope that India can play its best possible side in the tournament.

India have been drawn in the tough Group B along with North Korea, Tajikistan and the Philippines. India begin their campaign against Tajikistan on March 9, 2012.

Pele critical of Messi's achievements so far

Brazilian legend Pele is one of the greatest footballers to have played the game, some regard him as the best of all time. And the now 71 year old is open and direct with his opinions when asked by the media.

The French newspaper Le Monde has recently interviewed Pele and when asked about 24 year old Argentinian Lionel Messi being compared to him Pele simply said, "When Messi's scored 1,283 goals like me, when he's won three World Cups, we'll talk about it."

Now that is Pele at his best and he has a point here which he reiterated by adding, "I like Messi a lot, he's a great player! Technically, we're practically at the same level. He's a great player for (FC) Barcelona, but when he plays for Argentina he doesn't have the same success."

Messi's club coach Pep Guardiola was critical of Pele's assessment of his star player, but Messi has often not been able to recreate that magic for Argentina which he shows when he wears a Barca jersey.

Many say Messi is only as good as he is at FC Barcelona due to the blind understanding he has with long-time team mates like Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Carlos Puyol and the others; which is simply not there in the Argentinian team.

Three UEFA Champions League titles with Barca are good to have, but the legends of the game are matched by at least one FIFA World Cup triumph. Argentina and Messi have not been close to such a feat since Diego Maradona in 1990, when Argentina lost out to West Germany in the finals.

Here Lionel Messi has to prove his international class in the years to come...

VIDEO: Tolgay's funny push header against Pailan Arrows

On Tuesday afternoon East Bengal Club scored a fluent 4-1 win against the Pailan Arrows in the I-League. But the match will be most remember for the blunder in the Arrows defence which lead to Tolgay going down to his knees and heading the ball across the goal-line. This wasn't liked by his coach Trevor Morgan, who directly took him off.

Asian Football Awards Shortlist Announced for Wembley Stadium extravaganza

The first ever Asian Football Awards (AFA) will take place at Wembley Stadium on 24th January 2012 where outstanding UK Asians will be honoured. This inaugaral event is expected to attract a premier list of guests to gather, support and celebrate outstanding Asians in football.

The AFA has been launched to recognise the great contribution to both the professional game and grassroots initiatives by individuals and groups across the UK with South Asian heritage. The FA and Kick It Out are supporting this landmark initiative.

The events primary objective is to create an awareness of the positive efforts made by Asians within the UK football industry. It also aims to engage with organisations and individuals to help increase Asian participation levels in the UK.

The AFA are proud to announce that Sporting Equals are to be the Legacy Partner for the 2012 event. There has been tremendous support since the announcement of the awards last November that the organisers have decided that all profits will be used for legacy projects and future bursary disbursements for young elite Asian players.

Some of the AFA nominations include: Michael Chopra (Ipswich Town), Danny Batth (Wolves FC/Sheff Wed), Dr Zaf Iqbal (Liverpool FC), Manish Bhasin (BBC), The Zesh Rehman Foundation, Anwar Uddin (Barnet FC), Permi Jhooti (FIFA Ambassador), Chelsea Asian Soccer Star, Javed Khan (Premier League), Tony Fernandes and Lakshmi Mittal (QPR FC).

FA Chairman David Bernstein said, "The FA is committed to diversity and inclusion across all areas of the game and I'm delighted that the Asian football community are celebrating their achievements at Wembley Stadium."

Baljit Rihal, Co-Founder Asian Football Awards, "We have received hundreds of inspiring nominations from across the country. It is such a pleasure to know that so many Asians are involved and passionate about the game of football. We hope that the Asian Football Awards can play a part by recognising great individuals, organisations and initiatives."

"Our vision has always been to support the growth of Asians in UK football. Since we announced the event last year, the media attention and support from all across the industry has been phenomenal. I can proudly say that the Asian Football Awards will most definitely encourage more Asians to get involved in every aspect of the game.

Sporting Equals CEO Arun Kang said, "Sporting Equals are delighted to be the legacy partner of the Asian Football Awards and believe that our Talent ID Programme, will provide real opportunities for talented young people to be exposed to high performance coaching, developing their skills and encourage more diversity in professional football.

We believe our partnership with the AFA can both deliver a meaningful legacy and continue to support our wider work.

Sporting Equals welcomes and recognises the importance of celebrating the achievements of Asians in football, looks forward to the AFA becoming a key annual event for the future, and working with them and other partners to facilitate change."

Shalin Patel, Head of UK Marketing, Sony Entertainment Network, "As an organisation, we have always had a close association with raising the profile of sport in the British Asian community and the Asian Football Awards are an exciting initiative which we are proud to associate with and help build support for. Good luck to everyone involved."

INDIA move-up to 158th in World Rankings

The world football governing body FIFA released the latest FIFA World Rankings earlier today in which India gained four spots to be now 158th amongst the 208 ranked nations and territories, while within Asia India moved to joint 28th amongst 46 nations in the rankings.

India is joint 158th along with neighbours Bangladesh behind the Philippines and ahead of Madagascar with 138 points, seven more then last month. The points came through the change of points on the year to year calculations.

India's next assignment will be the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal from March 8 to 19, 2012. There India could get some useful points to move-up the FIFA World Rankings.

Meanwhile there has been no change amongst the top five of the FIFA World Rankings. World champions Spain (1,564 points) stay at the top with the Netherlands (1,365), Germany (1,345), Uruguay (1,308) and England (1,173) behind them.

PSG Champions of the inaugural Al Kass U-17

In a spectacular finale to ten days of relentless battling for the first Under-17 international championship, French side FC Paris Saint-Germain earned their right to the Golden Cup, which was brought down to the field by the Qatar Armed Forces' Paratroopers.

PSG had beaten Juventus after the lines man discounted a goal they scored in the last minute as an offside led to tense penalty kicks that they won 5-4, after three-time Juventus Man of Match Matiello Federico surprised the crowd and his fans by missing the third kick. An earlier match on the same evening over third and fourth places saw Ajax Amsterdam beat Kashima Antlers 1-0.

Chairman of the Al Kass Local Organizing Committee Issa Abdulla al-Hitmi congratulated the winners and the rest of the teams on the eye-opening experience gained during the tournament, which acted as a simulation of the World Cup to the international players.

"Though none of our local or regional teams made it to the finals, I was happy to hear their coaches, after every match, speak of the growth and the improvement they saw," he said. "I am proud that Qatar has been home to the opportunity for these budding talents to experience how football is played on the international stage; whether in pace, technique or strategic tactics everyone here has become a better player than they were before the tournament, and that is what the U-17 is about."

Coaches of the four Arab teams participating agreed. Abdulrahman Arrammal, coach of the U-17 Al Jazira team said, "This tournament has been a great benefit to Al Jazira. It helped us develop our skills and expose our players to big names and to an international tournament."

Arrammal's team had finished in 10th place followed by Egypt’s Al Ahly, while Qatar’s Aspire International and Aspire Qatar finished in the 7th and 8th places respectively.

"This is the first time that the Al Ahly club plays with international teams. Because of that we were able to see our level compared to other teams," said Mamdouh Eid, director of co-ordination and PR for Al Ahly.

The inaugural Al Kass U-17, which marks a new yearly event on the FIFA calendar, was also praised by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani, President of the Qatar Football Association (QFA) and Qatar Stars League in a special letter to the tournament's organizers.

"2012, has been marked by another milestone achievement with the launch of the Al Kass International Cup U-17. Such a tournament has not only become an additional asset to our football legacy in supporting and showcasing the football stars of the future, but it has also given other talents the chance to step up and shine," he remarked.

"We hope that we have extended our football family and have made new friends with whom we shall grow and enjoy this journey together. Who knows; we may see some of the young men as national team players representing their countries in the 2022 FIFA World Cup."

Rivaldo signs for Angolan club

Brazilian 2002 FIFA World Cup winner Rivaldo, whose full name is Rivaldo Vítor Borba Ferreira, has surprisingly signed a contract with Angolan club side Kabuscorp SC. Rivaldo had last played for FC Sao Paolo in his home country.

For the Angola Premier League club Kabuscorp Sport Clube do Palanca, who finished second last season, bringing in Rivaldo is a massive signing; but locally amongst the Angolan media there is scepticism if the ageing former superstar is more a PR signing then a real strengthening of the team.

Rivaldo, who turns 40 in April this year, has been a globetrotter throughout his carrier. He has not only played in Spain and Italy for football giants like FC Barcelona and AC Milan but also in leagues in Greece and Uzbekistan.

Rivaldo explained his signing in Angola with the reason that they speak the same language and he will be wearing the number 9 jersey.

Earlier there were rumours that Rivaldo's agent was trying to find a club for his client in Europe, but no one wanted to take the risk of signing a nearly 40 year old.

No 'Super Football' on January 23 in Kolkata

JPR Events today informed the media that the 'Super Football' event planned for January 23 at the Saltlake Stadium in Kolkata has been postponed indefinitely. On that day former stars like Brazilians Cafu, Pele and others would have graced the occasion, but that is not to be. A new date would be announced soon, but the organisers still wanted to organise something and are therefore doing something in Sikkim.

Now on January 22 a Worldstar XI vs Sikkim United FC would take place at the Paljor Stadium in Gangtok, which will feature some of the players originally scheduled to make the Kolkata trip who will be joined by some former Indian stars. But the names of the players have not been announced. Some of them will also come to Kolkata to have a youth clinic with kids as part of the organisers commitment to develop and better football in the state of West Bengal.

The organisers JPR Events also regreted any inconvenience caused to the public as well as the FPAI (Football Players Association of India) for the postponement of the match.

Interestingly reports had appeared in the Indian media in recent days which asked the validity of the organisers claims of having certain players coming for the match, with no sponsorship sold plus tickets not out in the market.

One would hope the match in Gangtok takes place as per the latest announcement.

The Asian Football Awards 2012 - Nominations Shortlist

The inaugural Asian Football Awards will be held on January 24, 2012 at London's Wembley Stadium with the support from The FA and Kick It Out and it is a partnership between Initiate Sports and Inventive Sports.

Here are the top five nominations shortlist in each category!


Player of the Year
Zesh Rehman (Kitchee SC – Hong Kong)
Anwar Uddin (Barnet FC)
Michael Chopra (Ipswich Town)
Indy Aujla (RRFC Montegnee - Belgium)
Netan Sansara (Paeek FC - Cyprus)

Coach of the year
Nilio Bagga (Samba Soccer Schools)
Nas Bashir (Hayes & Yeading FC)
Bal Singh (Khalsa Football Academy)
Taff Islam (ProTouch and Arsenal)
Chris Dolby

Asian Woman in Football
Vanisha Patel (Charlton Women)
Rimla Akhtar (Muslim Women's Sports Foundation)
Sophia Rashid (Women United AFC)
Priti Trivedi (Scottish Premier League)
Sangi Patel (QPR)

Young Player of the year
Jasbir Singh – (Solihull Moors FC)
Danny Batth (Wolves FC – on loan Sheff Weds)
Adil Nabi (West Bromwich Albion)
Aaron Singh Sekhon (Partick Thistle FC)
Malvind Benning (Walsall FC)

Football Development project of the year
Young Asian Voices (Sunderland)
Chelsea Asian Soccer Star
QPR – Player Development Centre (West London)
Samba Soccer Schools (Warwickshire)
Diversity Academy (Nottingham)

Football Foundation of the year
Zesh Rehman Foundation
Punjabi Wolves
Muslim Women's Sports Foundation
Osmani Trust
London Tigers

Investors in Football
Ilyas Khan (Accrington Stanley)
Lakshmi Mittal and Tony Fernandes (QPR)
Venkatesh and Balaji Rao (Blackburn)
Shahid Azeem


Football behind the scenes award - 'Administration'
Priti Trivedi (SPL) - Admin & Finance Manager
Raj Athwal (Watford FC) – Commercial Manager
Sunil Kaikini (Head of Media Premier League)
Ravinder Masih (Aston Villa FC) – Community Relations Manager
Javed Khan (Finance Director Premier League)

Football behind the scenes award - 'Medical'
Sangi Patel (QPR) - Physio
Dr Zaf Iqbal (Liverpool)
Jazz Sodhi (Wolves) – Head Academy Physio
Dr Ansar Zaman (Wigan FC)
Poora Singh (Birmingham FC) - Physio

Football Media award
Rajvir Rai (The Daily Telegraph)
Manish Bhasin (BBC)
Mayur Bhanji (World Sport Group)
Vaishali Bhardwaj (Freelance)
Karthi Gnanasegaram (BBC)

Grass Roots Heroes
Ash Rahman (ProTouch)
Bal Singh (Khalsa Football Academy)
Butch Fazal (Luton AFC)
Karl Sanghera (Concorde Juniors)
Mamun Chowdhury (Beamont Athletic)

Asian Community Club of the year
Albion Sports (Bradford)
London Tigers (London)
Sporting Khalsa (Birmingham)
London APSA (London)
Sporting Bengal (London)

Inspiration Award
Rikin Shah (power chair user – Coach – UEFA level B)
Butch Fazal (Asian Football Forum)
Permi Jhooti (FIFA Ambassador)
Piara Powar (Director FARE)
Dinesh Vijayan (Arsenal FC)


Congratulations to all that made the shortlist!!! Looking forward to meeting you on January 24, 2012 at London's Wembley Stadium.

Many thanks to all those that put forward nominations. It was great to read about so many inspirational Asians doing fantastic work in football.

web: www.asianfootballawards.co.uk
twitter: @AFootballAwards

2nd Division I-League: Groupings & Fixtures out

The 2nd Division of the I-League will kick-off with the three group preliminary round on February 1 with 23 teams divided into groups of seven or eight teams. The groups would be played in Silchar, Cuttack and Delhi with only the top two sides making it to the next round where they would be joined by last years relegated I-League side ONGC.

The draw is an interesting one with the seven team Group A the toughest of all the three groups. To name favourites is difficult then in such a single-leg format it all depends on how you start into the tournament and if you can keep the momentum going through such a group phase.


Group 1 - Silchar
Green Valley SC (Guwahati), Eagles FC (Kochi), Southern Samity (Kolkata), Bhowanipore Club (Kolkata), United Sikkim FC (Gangtok), Ar-Hima FC (Shillong), Aizawl FC (Mizoram)

Fixtures
01-Feb-2012: Ar-Hima FC - Aizawl FC
01-Feb-2012: Southern Samity - Eagles FC
02-Feb-2012: United Sikkim FC - Bhowanipore Club
04-Feb-2012: Southern Samity - Green Valley SC
04-Feb-2012: Bhowanipore Club - Ar-Hima FC
05-Feb-2012: United Sikkim FC - Eagles FC
07-Feb-2012: Bhowanipore Club - Ar-Hima FC
07-Feb-2012: Eagles FC - Aizawl FC
08-Feb-2012: United Sikkim FC - Green Valley SC
10-Feb-2012: Eagles FC - Ar-Hima FC
10-Feb-2012: Green Valley SC - Aizawl FC
11-Feb-2012: United Sikkim FC - Southern Samity
13-Feb-2012: Eagles FC - Bhowanipore Club
13-Feb-2012: Green Valley SC - Ar-Hima FC
14-Feb-2012: Southern Samity - Aizawl FC
16-Feb-2012: Green Valley SC - Bhowanipore Club
16-Feb-2012: Southern Samity - Ar-Hima FC
17-Feb-2012: United Sikkim FC - Aizawl FC
19-Feb-2012: Green Valley SC - Eagles FC
19-Feb-2012: Southern Samity - Bhowanipore Club
20-Feb-2012: United Sikkim FC - Ar-Hima FC


Group 2 - Cuttack
Royal Wahingdoh SC (Shillong), Sesa Football Academy (Goa), Quartz SC (Kozhikode), Kalighat Milan Sangha (Kolkata), Techno Aryan Club (Kolkata), Guwahati Town Club (Assam), Kenkre FC (Mumbai), Samaleshwari FC (Orissa)

Fixtures
01-Feb-2012: Royal Wahingdoh SC - Samaleshwari FC
01-Feb-2012: Sesa Football Academy - Kenkre FC
02-Feb-2012: Quartz SC - Guwahati Town Club
02-Feb-2012: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Techno Aryan Club
04-Feb-2012: Samaleshwari FC - Techno Aryan Club
04-Feb-2012: Guwahati Town Club - Kalighat Milan Sangha
05-Feb-2012: Kenkre FC - Quartz SC
05-Feb-2012: Royal Wahingdoh SC - Sesa Football Academy
07-Feb-2012: Sesa Football Academy - Samaleshwari FC
07-Feb-2012: Quartz SC - Royal Wahingdoh SC
08-Feb-2012: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Kenkre FC
08-Feb-2012: Techno Aryan Club - Guwahati Town Club
10-Feb-2012: Samaleshwari FC - Guwahati Town Club
10-Feb-2012: Kenkre FC - Techno Aryan Club
11-Feb-2012: Royal Wahingdoh SC - Kalighat Milan Sangha
11-Feb-2012: Sesa Football Academy - Quartz SC
13-Feb-2012: Quartz SC - Samaleshwari FC
13-Feb-2012: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Sesa Football Academy
14-Feb-2012: Techno Aryan Club - Royal Wahingdoh SC
14-Feb-2012: Guwahati Town Club - Kenkre FC
16-Feb-2012: Samaleshwari FC - Kenkre FC
16-Feb-2012: Royal Wahingdoh SC - Guwahati Town Club
17-Feb-2012: Sesa Football Academy - Techno Aryan Club
17-Feb-2012: Quartz SC - Kalighat Milan Sangha
19-Feb-2012: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Samaleshwari FC
19-Feb-2012: Techno Aryan Club - Quartz SC
20-Feb-2012: Guwahati Town Club - Sesa Football Academy
20-Feb-2012: Kenkre FC - Royal Wahingdoh SC


Group 3 -
Mohammedan Sporting Club (Kolkata), Vasco SC (Goa), Golden Threads FC (Kerala), Luangmual FC (Mizoram), Simla Youngs FC (Delhi), Langsning FC (Shillong), PIFA-Colaba FC (Mumbai), KGF Academy (Bangalore)

Fixtures
01-Feb-2012: Mohammedan Sporting Club - KGF Academy
01-Feb-2012: Vasco SC - PIFA-Colaba FC
02-Feb-2012: Golden Threads FC - Langsning FC
02-Feb-2012: Luangmual FC - Simla Youngs FC
04-Feb-2012: KGF Academy - Simla Youngs FC
04-Feb-2012: Langsning FC - Luangmual FC
05-Feb-2012: PIFA-Colaba FC - Golden Threads FC
05-Feb-2012: Mohammedan Sporting Club - Vasco SC
07-Feb-2012: Vasco SC - KGF Academy
07-Feb-2012: Golden Threads FC - Mohammedan Sporting Club
08-Feb-2012: Luangmual FC - PIFA-Colaba FC
08-Feb-2012: Simla Youngs FC - Langsning FC
10-Feb-2012: KGF Academy - Langsning FC
10-Feb-2012: PIFA-Colaba FC - Simla Youngs FC
11-Feb-2012: Mohammedan Sporting Club - Luangmual FC
11-Feb-2012: Vasco SC - Golden Threads FC
13-Feb-2012: Golden Threads FC - KGF Academy
13-Feb-2012: Luangmual FC - Vasco SC
14-Feb-2012: Simla Youngs FC - Mohammedan Sporting Club
14-Feb-2012: Langsning FC - PIFA-Colaba FC
16-Feb-2012: KGF Academy - PIFA-Colaba FC
16-Feb-2012: Mohammedan Sporting Club - Langsning FC
17-Feb-2012: Vasco SC - Simla Youngs FC
17-Feb-2012: Golden Threads FC - Luangmual FC
19-Feb-2012: Luangmual FC - KGF Academy
19-Feb-2012: Simla Youngs FC - Golden Threads FC
20-Feb-2012: Langsning FC - Vasco SC
20-Feb-2012: PIFA-Colaba FC - Mohammedan Sporting Club

VIDEOs: Baichung's Moment of International Retirement

Yes, I have written Videos then here are the Indian and German versions of Baichung Bhutia walking off the pitch one final time in a Team India jersey.

INDIAN version




GERMAN version

VIDEO: CNN-IBN post match analysis

Following the India vs FC Bayern Munich match on Tuesday night there was an analysis of the game on news channel CNN-IBN between anchor Digvijay Singh Deo and football expert Novy Kapadia. It makes interesting following...

VIDEO: NewsX India vs FC Bayern post-match report

Here the post-match report by news channel NewsX on the India vs Bayern Munich match, which contains the first Baichung Bhutia post match interview which I carried out for TenAction+. Due to rights issues you can only hear Baichung and myself, but can't see us while we speak.

VIDEO: Bayern Munich goals against Team India

Here are the four goals that FC Bayern Munich scored against Team India at the Audi Football Summit on Tuesday evening in New Delhi through striker Mario Gomez, winger Thomas Mueller (two) and midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger in the first session itself.

FC Bayern Munich win, but India not humiliated

German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich beat the Indian national football team 4-0 in the Audi Football Summit at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi last night infront of around 35,000 spectators. The match also marked the farewell of long-time Indian football captain Baichung Bhutia.

Team India got great support from the crowds with the 'India, India' chants at some stages reaching deafening levels, but the Indians looked overawed by the occasion early on as Bayern Munich kept on the pressure. But they had to wait 14 minutes before star striker Mario Gomez gave them a deserving lead. Winger Thomas Mueller added two more in the 29th and 37th minutes to ensure FCB had a healthy lead before the break; but Bastian Schweinsteiger added a fourth in the 43rd minute, the goal of the afternoon as he curled one in beating an outstretched Karanjit Singh in the India goal.

It looked India could be in for a hammering as FCB went into the break with a 4-0 lead, which the team could not get their act together.

But after the break things changed as both coaches made numerous substitutions and once more it showed that FCB's bench isn't as strong as the first eleven plus the team didn't play with the same purpose as in the first half. But also credit to India then the young substitutes like Jeje Lalpekhlua, Lalrindika Ralte and others did a good job to keep the Bavarians without a goa in session two with India looking not as scared and vulnerable as before the break.

Then came the big moment of farewell as Baichung was substituted in the 84th minute under the thunderous applause of the crowd. Most players shock hands with Baichung before he came off. It was a very, very emotional moment for the Sikkimese sniper.

It ended 4-0 for FC Bayern Munich as India after a weak first half pulled up its socks and played much better and organised football, as FCB coach Jupp Heynckes said afterwards India were able to close down the gaps after the break.

Chhetri given AIFF Player-of-the-Year Award

Even as Baichung Bhutia, Team India and FC Bayern Munich hogged the limelight at New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, there was a significant presentation which happened during the match.

Team India striker Sunil Chhetri was awarded the 2011 AIFF Player-of-the-Year award during the interval. The Award was handed over to Chhetri by the AIFF president Praful Patel. Mr. Patel handed Chhetri a silver plaque and a Cheque of Rs. 200,000 (2 lakh).

In his message Mr. Patel congratulated Chhetri and wished him more success in the years to come. "Sunil Chhetri is a deserving recipient of the Award. I hope this will spur him on to bring more laurels for the National Team in the near future. I wish him success in coming years," Mr. Patel said.

For the first time the Award was decided in a democratic manner where all the coaches of the I-League playing teams voted unanimously on the four short-listed footballers.

An elated Chhetri thanked all his team-mates and coaches and the AIFF without whose support "the Award wouldn't have been possible at all."

"This is an inspiration to do better. 2011 has been good for me – I had earlier received the Arjuna Award and now the AIFF Player-of-the-Year Award. It feels nice when your achievements are recognised," Chhetri added.

Chhetri who scored 24 goals (13 International goals and 11 goals for Clubs) in 2011 had earlier received the Award in 2007.

Bayern Munich stars to bid farewell to Baichung Bhutia tonight

The Audi Football Summit will be played today at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi with the Indian national football team taking on German football giants FC Bayern Munich. The match also marks the farewell game for long-time India captain Baichung Bhutia and proceeds from the game will go to the victims of the Sikkim earthquake.

Bayern Munich arrived yesterday afternoon in the Indian capital ahead of the match against India. It is the fifth visit by a team from FCB in the last six years, but the first time that their full first team squad has travelled to the subcontinent.

At the pre-match press conference Philipp Lahm made the point that he was happy to be in India and had seen a little bit of country on the way from the airport to the team hotel and he hoped to interact with Indians to get feel of the country.

Baichung Bhutia was happy and proud that in his final match for Team India he would get the chance to face a team of the calibre of Bayern Munich. Baichung wants to go out on a high and will try to play as long as possible, ideally 90 minutes.

For Bastian Schweinsteiger the match is part of his comeback preparations following a collar bone fracture ahead of the start of the return-leg of the German Bundesliga on January 20 against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

And coach Jupp Heynckes added, "We are taking this match seriously. We are here to show what top European club football is all about and hope to entertain the Indian crowds."

The match will kick-off at 18.00 local time at New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The match will be shown live in India on TenAction+, while Germany's Sat1 will show the a match recording at 18.00 CET.


More information about the match and where to buy tickets online are available at www.audifootballsummit.in

The official Twitter account of the Audi Football Summit can be found under www.twitter.com/AudiFS2012 .