Indian Football: Transfer Season 2012/13 - Version 2

Here is the latest updated list of Transfers 2012 from across India of the I-League, 2nd Division sides and further clubs. The team squads are now mostly complete with additions plus I have added some more non-I-League sides.


Here an updated list of Transfers 2012

DEMPO SC - GOA
RETAINED: Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, Laxmikant Kattimani, Tyson Caiado, Luis Xavier Barreto, Reagan Juliao, Valeriano Rebello, Mahesh Gawli, Creson Antao, Rowilson Rodrigues, Selwyn Fernandes, Covan Lawrence, Samir Naik, Debabrata Roy, Jessel Carneiro, Shallum Pires, Anthony Pereira, Joe Rodrigues, Climax Lawrence, Godwin Diogo Franco, Peter Carvalho, Marcus Peixito, Clifford Miranda, Romeo Fernandes, Nicolau Borges, Aaron Fernandes, Koko Sakibo, Joaquim Abranches, Joy Ferrao, Clifton Gonsalves
NEW: Jovito Fernandes, Bharat Thapa, Vincy Fernandes, Seriton Fernandes, Mandar Rao Dessai, Aniston Fernandes, Micky Vaz, Myron Fernandes (all Dempo Under-20), Ryuji Sueoka (Salgaocar SC), Basileo Rego (Goa Velha SC), Nickson Castanha (Wilfred Leisure SC, Goa), Rohan Ricketts (Exeter City FC, ENGLAND)
LEFT: John Charles Dias, Micky Fernandes (both Air India), Dominic Noronha, Brian Mascarenhas (both Salgaocar SC), P.K. Anil Kumar (Mohun Bagan AC), Ranty Martins Soleye (Prayag United SC), William Colaco (Mumbai FC), Johnny D'Cruz (Wilred Leisure SC, Goa), Terence Fernandes, Richard Fernandes, Savio Fernandes, Sidroy Alfonso, Yusuke Kato, Densill Theobald
COACH: ARMANDO COLACO

EAST BENGAL CLUB - KOLKATA
RETAINED: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Jayanta Pal, Saikat Saha Roy, Abhishek Das, Thokchom Naoba Singh, Uga Okpara, Raju Eknath Gaekwad, Gurwinder Singh, Sunil Kumar Thakur, Soumik Dey, Robert Lalthlamuana, Sanju Pradhan, Reisangmi Vashum, Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Charan Rai, Mehtab Hussain, Susanth Mathew, Subodh Kumar, Penn Ikechukwu Orji, Alvito D'Cunha, Khanthang Paite, Robin Singh, Baljit Singh Sahni, Branco Vincent Cardozo, Seiminlen Doungel
NEW: Jaspal Singh Parmar, Ishfaq Ahmed, Chidi Edeh (all Salgaocar SC), Lalrindika Ralte, Jagpreet Singh (both Churchill Brothers SC), Abhijit Mondal, Arnab Mondal (both Prayag United SC), Manandeep Singh (Air India), Cavin Peter Lobo (Mumbai FC), Safar Sardar (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Priyant Kumar Singh (Tollygunge Agragami)
LEFT: Nirmal Chetri, Tolgay Ozbey (both Mohun Bagan AC), Beingaichho Beokhokhai, Budhiram Tudu (both United Sikkim FC), Debjit Majumdar, Nabin Hela (both Bhowanipore Club, Kolkata), Sandip Nandy (Churchill Brothers SC), Abhra Mondal (Pune FC), Ravinder Singh (Prayag United SC), Biswarup Deb (Aryan Club, Kolkata), Sunil Kumar (Dodsal FC, Mumbai)
COACH: Trevor MORGAN (ENGLAND)

CHURCHILL BROTHERS SC - GOA
RETAINED: Felix D'Souza, Denzil Franco, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Roberto Mendes Silva, Lenny Rodrigues, Henry Arnaud Antchouet Rebienot, T. Bineesh Balan, Jaison Vales
NEW: Gurtej Singh Sr, Bikramjit Singh, Ajay Singh (all Pailan Arrows), Bilal Khan, Sanjay Balmachu, Manpreet Singh (all Tata Football Academy), Bilal Sheikh El Najjarin, Akram Moghrabi (both Al Nejmeh SC, LEBANON), Sandip Nandy (East Bengal Club), W. Tomba Singh (Salgaocar SC), Satish Singh (Southern Samity), Surjit Singh (Ar-Hima FC), Amandeep Singh (Tollygunge Agragami), Alesh Sawant (Calangute Association, Goa)
LEFT: Lalrindika Ralte, Jagpreet Singh (both East Bengal Club), Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, Mundampara P. Sakeer (both Prayag United SC), Arindam Bhattacharya (Mohun Bagan AC), Chitrasen Chandam Singh (Shillong Lajong FC), N.D. Opara (Mumbai FC), Hardeep Singh (Kalighat Milan Sangha), M. Mohammed Rafi, Durga Boro (both Dodsal FC, Mumbai), Lenny Pereira (Margao SC), Felipe Gomes, Antun Mathew Kovacic
UNKNOWN: Lalit Thapa, Yumnam Raju Mangang, Sudhakaran Naveen Kumar, Joshua Rebello, Ashley Fernandes, Rauf Sher Khan, Steven Benedic Dias, Savio Diogo Carneiro, Israil Gurung, Melroy Fernandes, Sabino Bryan Rodrigues, Jerry Zirsanga, Nascimento Silveira, Melwyn Rodrigues, Y. Jaikumar, Xavier Vijayakumar, Thangjam Saran Singh, S. Parthiban, Lionel Rodrigues, Ovlito Dias, Nicholas Fernandes, Richard Costa
COACH: Mariano DIAS (new), Subhas Bhowmick (TD)

MOHUN BAGAN AC - KOLKATA
RETAINED: Shilton Pal, Deepak Sumanta, Rakesh Masih, Syed Rahim Nabi, Manish Mathani, Sheikh Jewel Raja, Snehashis Chakroborty, Sourav Chakraborty, Manish Bhargav, Odafe Onyeka Okolie
NEW: Naveen Kumar, Lalrozama Fanai, Rajib Ghosh, Bijendra Rai, C.S Sabeeth (all Pailan Arrows), Irungbam Khelemba Meetei, Biswajit Saha, Mehrajuddin Wadoo (all Salgaocar SC), Nirmal Chetri, Tolgay Ozbey (both East Bengal Club), Denson Devadas, Arjun Chatterjee (both Prayag United SC), Anyichie Echezona Celestine, L. Lalrinfela (both Southern Samity), P.K. Anil Kumar (Dempo SC), Arindam Bhattacharya (Churchill Brothers SC), Warundeep Singh (Sporting Clube de Goa), Aibor Khongjee (Shillong Lajong FC), Cyprian Stanley Okoroigwe (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Dipendu Biswas (Bhowanipore Club, Kolkata), Mohan Sarkar (Aryan Club, Kolkata), Nirapada Mondal (Gauhati Town Club), Milton Bhowmick (IFA Academy)
LEFT: Dipendu Dowary, Abinash Ruidas, Goutam Thakur, Hudson Lima da Silva, Jose Ramirez Barreto (all Bhowanipore Club, Kolkata), Kingshuk Debnath, R. Dhanarajan, Gouranga Datta, Ashim Biswas (all Mohammedan Sporting Club), Anwar, Sakatar Singh (both United Sikkim FC), Irungbam Surkumar Singh, Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep (both Dodsal FC, Mumbai), Nallappan Mohanraj (Pune FC), Sangram Mukherjee (Prayag United SC), Souvik Chakraborty (Air India), Sunil Chhetri (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Sudipta Banerjee, Satish Kumar Jr, Jagtar Singh, Daljit Singh, Souvik Mondal, Bungo Thokchom Singh, Joseph Muralidharan
COACH: Santosh KASHYAP (new)

PUNE FC - PUNE
RETAINED: Shahinlal Meloly, Amrinder Singh, Othallo Tabia, Ramu Srikanth, Anes Edathodika, Chika Wali, Caitano Costa, John Benedick, Gurjinder Kumar Singh, Shanmugam Venkatesh, Karma Tsewang, Maninder Singh, Douhou Sey Djidja Pierre, Izumi Arata, Asim Hassan, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Singam Subash Singh, Jeh Williamson
NEW: Kamardeep Singh, Sujie Kumar M., Nikhil Kadam (all Pune FC Under-19), Valente Silva, Velington Rocha (both Margao SC), Abhra Mondal (East Bengal Club), Nallappan Mohanraj (Mohun Bagan AC), James Moga (Sporting Clube de Goa), Zomingliana Ralte (Shillong Lajong FC), Sukhwinder Singh (Chirag United Kerala), Mumtaz Akhtar (United Sikkim FC)
LEFT: Sarif Molla, Surjeet Singh, Thangjam Abung Meetie, Lalrimawma Lianhna Rintea, Premjeet Singh, F. Lalrempuia, William Lalnunfela (all Pune FC Under-19), Subrata Pal, Baldeep Singh, Lester Mark Fernandez (all Prayag United SC), Kamaljeet Kumar (Mumbai FC), Rollingson Hungyo (Shillong Lajong FC), Dhanpal Ganeshan (Pailan Arrows), Paresh Shivalkar (Dodsal FC, Mumbai), Thangmin Lal Gangte (KSC, Manipur), Mandjou Keita (Kelantan FC, MALAYSIA), Nanjangud Shivananju Manju, Jayashelan Prasad, Nirmal Kumar, Karthik Govind
COACH: Derrick PEREIRA

SALGAOCAR SC - GOA
RETAINED: Karanjit Singh, Vinay Singh, Presley Mascarenhas, Luciano Sabrosa, Nicolau Colaco, Augostinho Fernandes, Rahul Kumar, Roy Rodrigues, Rosario Mendes, Rocus Lamare, Randeep Singh, Cajetan Fernandes, Anthony Barbosa, Aliston Fernandes, Godfrey Silva, Beevan D'Mello, Gilbert Oliveira, Francis Fernandes, Balwant Singh, Mohammad Dada Nabeel, Milagres Gonsalves, Marcus Mascarenhas, Thounaojam Dinesh Singh, Clifton Dias
NEW: Pawan Kumar, Collin Abranches, Royston D'Souza, Bijay Baspore, Sandesh Gadkare (all Air India), Albino Gomes, Allwyn Fernandes, Jos Joquim Vaz, Melwin Fernandes (all Salgaocar Under-20), Dominic Noronha, Brian Mascarenhas (both Dempo SC), Keegan Pereira, Chhangte Malswamkima (both Mumbai FC), Abdullah Hamza Amaba, Kshetrimayum Malamnganba Meitei (both HAL SC), Karan Atwal, Quinton Norman Jacobs (both United Sikkim FC), Angelo D'Souza (Sporting Clube de Goa), Agnelo Colaco (Vasco SC), Aslon Oliveira (Margao SC), Karan Sawhney (Tata Football Academy), N. Tomarjit Singh (NEROCA, Manipur), P. Kishan Singh (SAIL Football Academy), Sean Daniel Rooney (Deltras FC, INDONESIA), Ángel Guirado Aldeguer (Global FC, PHILIPPINES)
LEFT: Jaspal Singh Parmar, Ishfaq Ahmed, Chidi Edeh (all East Bengal Club), Irungbam Khelemba Meetei, Biswajit Saha, Mehrajuddin Wadoo (all Mohun Bagan AC), Ryuji Sueoka (Dempo SC), W. Tomba Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Keenan Almeida (Sporting Clube de Goa), Gagandeep Singh (Air India), Karthik Kisku (Southern Samity), L. Bobbychand Singh (Dynamo Club, Guwahati), Macklas Moraes (Wilred Leisure SC, Goa), Rino Anto, Vivek Singh Kaira, Maxime Belouet, Abdullah Hamza Amaba (released during season)
COACH: Karim BENCHARIFA (MOROCCO)

PRAYAG UNITED SC - KOLKATA
RETAINED: Sukhen Dey, Bapi Saha, Deepak Kumar Mondal, Bello Razaq, Anupam Sarkar, Chinta Chandrashekar Rao, Gourshankar Dutta, Gouranga Biswas, Shylo Malswam Tulunga, James Lukram Singh, Lal Kamal Bhowmick, Francis Xavier, Thoudam Joychandra Singh, Tanmoy Ghosh, Parimal Burman, Snehashish Dutta, Shankar Oraon, Mohammed Rafique, Shankar Sil
NEW: Subrata Pal, Baldeep Singh, Lester Mark Fernandez (all Pune FC), Arindam Ghosh, Asif Kottayil, Usman Ashik, C.K. Vineeth (all Chirag United Kerala), Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, Mundampara P. Sakeer (both Churchill Brothers SC), Ishan Debnath, L. Dhanachandra Singh (both Mumbai FC), Ranty Martins Soleye (Dempo SC), Ravinder Singh (East Bengal Club), Sangram Mukherjee (Mohun Bagan AC), Tapan Maity (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Gour Naskar (Southern Samity), Dipak Mondal Jr (Aryan Club, Kolkata), Soumik Rai (BNR, Kolkata), Bivas Sarkar (Pathachakra, Bengal), Carlos Hernández Valverde (Melbourne Victory, AUSTRALIA)
LEFT: Somnath Khara, Narugopal Hait, Jayanta Sen (all Mohammedan Sporting Club), Justine Stephen, Subhas Chakraborty, Yakubu Yusif (all Mumbai FC), Abhijit Mondal, Arnab Mondal (both East Bengal Club), Denson Devadas, Arjun Chatterjee (both Mohun Bagan AC), Sheikh Shabbir Ali (United Sikkim FC), Jagroop Singh, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Soumik Chakraborty, F. Liandala, Crispin Chetri, Sena, Suhas S.N.Josimar da Silva Martins, Kayne Vincent
COACH: Sanjoy SEN

SPORTING CLUBE DE GOA - GOA
RETAINED: Gerald D'Mello, L. Ashok Singh, Mathew Gonsalves, Boubacar Keita, N. Samananda Singh, Rovan Pereira, Konthoujam Boboi Singh, Singam Rojen Singh, Mohammed Ali, Mauricio Freeman Peixoto, Jovel Martins, Adil Ahmed Khan, Lairenjam Bisheshwor Singh, Ogba Kalu Nnanna, Stephen Barretto, Joyner Lourenco, Rowlinn Borges, Pedro Gonsalves, Joseph Pereira, Mackroy Peixoto, Victorino Fernandes, Ningthounjam Pritam Singh, Dawson Fernandes
NEW: Agnelo Gomes, Joseph Clemente, Velito D'Cruz (all Margao SC), Valentino Rodrigues, Pratesh Shirodkar (both Sesa Football Academy), Charles Cardoso, Clayton Dias (both Sporting Clube de Goa Under-20), Keenan Almeida (Salgaocar SC), Sourav Chakraborty (Bhowanipore Club, Kolkata), Wellington Fernandes (Goa Velha SC), Anil Hansda (Tata Football Academy), Amandeep Singh (JCT Academy), Bertrand Benik Tequwa Bong (Al Shamal, QATAR)
LEFT: Milagrio Medeira, Avelino Fernandes, Michael Faleiro (all Vasco SC), Warundeep Singh (Mohun Bagan AC), James Moga (Pune FC), Angelo D'Souza (Salgaocar SC), Gabriel Fernandes (Mumbai FC), Prajot Naik (Sesa Football Academy), Wilton Gomes (Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim), Jae-Hyun Park, Kailo Karpeh
UNKNOWN: Fulganco Cardozo, P. Niroshan Mani, Valzinho Fernandes, Charanjit Singh
COACH: Ekendra SINGH

AIR INDIA - MUMBAI
RETAINED: Harshad Meher, V. Prem Kumar, Ramandeep Singh Randhawa, Vijith Shetty, Santosh Koli, Hringsolal Thomte, Allan Dias, Pratek Chaudhury, Prakash Thorat, Abhishek Ambekar, Rahul Bhere, Ezeh Nna Henry, Soccor Velho, Neil Gaikwad
NEW: John Charles Dias, Micky Fernandes (both Dempo SC), Baldeep Singh, Ong Teshering Lepcha (both United Sikkim FC), Souvik Chakraborty (Mohun Bagan AC), Gagandeep Singh (Salgaocar SC), Pradeep Mohanraj (Chirag United Kerala), Donald Rocha (Goa Velha SC), Sukhwinder Singh, Johnny Chandran Singh, Nikunj Khandelwal, Akshay Kumar Mall, Sailesh Jadhav, Harold Fernandes, Wilfred Anthony
LEFT: Pawan Kumar, Collin Abranches, Royston D'Souza, Bijay Baspore, Sandesh Gadkare (all Salgaocar SC), Arup Debnath, Nisthar Kali Alaudeen (both Dodsal FC, Mumbai), Manandeep Singh (East Bengal Club), Kunal Sawant (Mumbai FC), Amit Nandy (Kalighat Club, Kolkata), Frederic Endro, Emmanuel Anoskie
UNKNOWN: Haobijam Napoleon Singh, Uttam Leishangthem Singh, Chanchal Saha, Manjit Singh, Alex Mario Ambrose, Kumar Samson Singh, T. Narender Meetei, Lamine Tamba, Muhammed Shafi M., Sandeep Sangha, Oken Singh, Abhishek Matthew, Satvinder Singh, Takayuki Omi, Bhuvan Krishna Joshi, Satwinder Singh
COACH: Godfrey PEREIRA (new)

SHILLONG LAJONG FC - SHILLONG
RETAINED: Lalthuammawia Ralte, Gumpe Rime, M. Subhas Singh, Rodingson Sangma, Wailadmi Passah, C. Lallawmzuala, John D. Menyongar, Lalramluaha, Samuel Shadap, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Boithang Haokip, Lalchuanmawia, P.C. Lahlimthara Mahlima, Potsangbam Renedy Singh, Sushil Kumar Singh
NEW: Sanasam Basant Singh, Govin Moirangthem Singh (both United Sikkim FC), Chitrasen Chandam Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Rollingson Hungyo (Pune FC), Gbeneme Friday (Mumbai FC), Jibon Singh (Pailan Arrows), Saikhohau Tuboi (Tiddim Road Athletic Union, Manipur), Th. Bipin Singh (Wanghi F.A., Manipur), N. Rojit Singh (BOSV Betul, Madhya Pradesh), Mil-Chol Son (FC Korea, JAPAN)
LEFT: James Strongman Giblee, Iyikwobe Christopher Chizoba (both Kalighat Milan Sangha, Kolkata), Lalnunmawia, Ronald Zothanzama (both Dinthar FC, Mizoram), Aibor Khongjee (Mohun Bagan AC), Zomingliana Ralte (Pune FC), Soram Poirei Anganba (Pailan Arrows), Mashangva Genius Zenith (United Sikkim FC), L. Romenjit Singh (Royal Wahingdoh FC), Henry Gangte (Dodsal FC, Mumbai), H. Lalmuamkima (Luangmual FC, Mizoram)
UNKNOWN: Samson Ramengmawia, Racy Khiangte, Lalrengmawia, Tuishim Mashangva, Joy Mrong Kaaraswai
COACH: Desmond BULPIN (SCOTLAND/new)

MUMBAI FC - MUMBAI
RETAINED: Sanjiban Ghosh, Faizal Rehman M.A., Peter Costa, Haroon Ritesh Perambara, Fakruddin Amiri Islam, Dane Lloyd Pereira, Nicholas Lewis Rodrigues, Ashutosh Mehta, John Coutinho, Rohit Mirza, Sampath Kumar Kuttymani, Abhishek Yadav, Jayesh Dilip Rane
NEW: Justine Stephen, Subhas Chakraborty, Yakubu Yusif (all Prayag United SC), William Colaco (Dempo SC), N.D. Opara (Churchill Brothers SC), Kamaljeet Kumar (Pune FC), Gabriel Fernandes (Sporting Clube de Goa), Kunal Sawant (Air India), Sharath K. (Chirag United Kerala), Sargolsem James Singh (HAL SC), Evans Quao
LEFT: Keegan Pereira, Chhangte Malswamkima (both Salgaocar SC), Ishan Debnath, L. Dhanachandra Singh (both Prayag United SC), Cavin Peter Lobo (East Bengal Club), Gbeneme Friday (Shillong Lajong FC), A.C. Nithinlal, Mintu Saha, Noel Anthony Wilson, Goutam Debnath, Nihal Chandran, Karan Amin, Peter Siddiqui, Salil Usman, Pachau Lalam Puia, Neeraj Sharma, Rolfred Coutinho, Manuel D'Souza, Tushar Poojary, Darren Caldeira, Ajmaludheen M., Shahnawaz Bashir, Ebi Theophilus Sukore, Kingsley Chioma
COACH: Khalid JAMIL

CHIRAG UNITED KERALA - COCHIN
RETAINED:
NEW:
LEFT: Arindam Ghosh, Asif Kottayil, Usman Ashik, C.K. Vineeth (all Prayag United SC), Sukhwinder Singh (Pune FC), Pradeep Mohanraj (Air India), Sharath K. (Mumbai FC), Shaiju Mon (Pailan Arrows), Shahbas Shaleel (United Sikkim FC), David Sunday (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Gurjinder Singh (Southern Samity), Suman Datta,
UNKNOWN: Charles Dzisah, Faisal T., Sherin Sam, Jimshad U., O.K. Javed, Krishnan Nair Ajayan, Gunashekar Vignesh, Manoj T.M., Noushad K., Jagdeep Singh, Isaac Boakye, James Effiong
COACH: ???

PAILAN INDIAN ARROWS - KOLKATA
RETAINED: Shayan Roy, Ravi Kumar, Deepak Devrani, R. Vishal Kumar, Souvik Ghosh, Prathamesh Maulingkar, Bikramjit Singh Jr, Arijeet Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Sonu Beniwal, Pritam Kotal, Avinaba Bag, Shilton Sydney D'Silva, Shenaz Singh, Pronoy Haldar, Ongnam Milan Singh, Prabir Das, Tirthankar Sarkar, Shankar S, Malsawmfela, Holicharan Narzary, Alwin George, Rajinder Kumar, Sumit Passi
NEW: Mohammed Irfan Khan, Chingkhel Meetei Yumnam, Ravinder Singh, Jayabrata Dhar, S. Siam Hanghal, Simranjeet Singh, Randhan Meetei Yumnam, Pankaj Kumar Sona (all Tata Football Academy), Dhanpal Ganeshan (Pune FC), Soram Poirei Anganba (Shillong Lajong FC), Shaiju Mon (Chirag United Kerala), Deepak Prakash (HAL SC)
LEFT: Naveen Kumar, Lalrozama Fanai, Rajib Ghosh, Bijendra Rai, C.S Sabeeth (all Mohun Bagan AC), Gurtej Singh Sr, Bikramjit Singh, Ajay Singh (all Churchill Brothers SC), Jibon Singh (Shillong Lajong FC), Krishanu Banerjee (Mohammedan Sporting Club), T. Lalnunpuia (Royal Wahingdoh FC), Loukik Jadhav (Dodsal FC, Mumbai), Kamaljeet Singh, Amarwant Singh, Gurtej Singh Jr, Narayan Das, Lalnunka
COACH: Arthur PAPAS (new)

HAL SC - BANGALORE
RETAINED:
NEW:
LEFT: Pramod P., T.V. Biju Kumar, Goutam Debnath, Femi Joseph Adeola, Kaushik Bose, Ethesham Bucks, Konsam Ajitkumar Singh (all Mohammedan Sporting Club), Abdullah Hamza Amaba, Kshetrimayum Malamnganba Meitei (both Salgaocar SC), Sargolsem James Singh (Mumbai FC), Deepak Prakash (Pailan Arrows), Bijoy Das (United Sikkim FC), Muttath Sudheesh (Vasco SC), Amar Deb, Rohit Chand, Aleksandar Sujdovic
UNKNOWN: Liliyan Kennath, Prakash Koley, Rajendra Prasad, R.C. Prakash, Satish Kumar Sr, Sarbjeet Singh, Chandandeep Singh, Bhola Prasad, Ramesh, J. Karthigeyan, Sukalpa Mondal, Praveen Kumar, B. Prakash, Vinoth Kumar V., Sunder Raj Rajan
COACH: H. CHANDRASHEKAR (new)

UNITED SIKKIM FC - GANGTOK
RETAINED: Monotosh Ghosh, Harpreet Singh, Syed Farid, K. Romen Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Munmun Timoty Lugun, Sagar Rai, Jiten Rai, Mayal Dok Lepcha, Nim Tshering Lepcha, Sahinsha Ansari, Baichung Bhutia, Tenzing Tsephel Bhutia, Vikram Singh Gill
NEW: Beingaichho Beokhokhai, Budhiram Tudu (both East Bengal Club), Anwar, Sakatar Singh (both Mohun Bagan AC), Nima Tamang, Mobin Rai (both Sikkim Sports Academy), Sheikh Shabbir Ali (Prayag United SC), Mashangva Genius Zenith (Shillong Lajong FC), Shahbas Shaleel (Chirag United Kerala), Bijoy Das (HAL SC), Salau Nuruddin (Green Valley SC, Assam), Lineker Machado (Union Bank of India, Mumbai), Gokul Oram (Samaleshwari FC, Orissa), Hardip Singh Saini, Rahul Jaiswal, Sanjeev Mali, Raju Debnath, Thupden Bhutia, V. Lalthanpuia, Nadong Bhutia, Ashish Chettri, Tae-Yoon (KOREA), Míchael Steven Rodríguez Gutiérrez (CS Herediano, COSTA RICA)
LEFT: Karan Atwal, Quinton Norman Jacobs (both Salgaocar SC), Baldeep Singh, Ong Teshering Lepcha (both Air India), Sanasam Basant Singh, Govin Moirangthem Singh (both Shillong Lajong FC), Mumtaz Akhtar (Pune FC), Arnab Das Sharma (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Mayosing Khongreiwo (Langsning FC, Shillong), Khangembam Thoi Singh (Dodsal FC, Mumbai), Pranesh Dewan, Martin Louis Joseph Daniel, Harish Sharma, Hiralal Chetri, Nganingmi Shimran, Prantosh Roy, Afzal Ansari, Ayeni Bidemi Daniel, Babatunde John Oladele
COACH: Philippe de RIDDER (BELGIUM)

ONGC - MUMBAI
RETAINED: Prasenjit Ghosh, Bilifang Narzary, Parwinder Singh, A. Naresh, Sachin Gawas, Jatin Singh Bisht, Rajib Boro, Kailash Patel
NEW: Mohammed Adeola Hassan, Surabuddin Mollick (bothMohammedan Sporting Club), Robin Gurung (Ar-Hima FC), David Lalrinmuana, I.K. Echukwu
LEFT: Al-Hassan Abubakar, Olagoke Akinsel Isamit (both Police AC), Silva Andrea (Calcutta Port Trust), Sujay Dutta (Calcutta Customs), Krishna Shirodkar (Cuncolim Union, Goa), Kabijit Khotel (Calcutta), Sandip Das (Calcutta)
UNKNOWN: M.C. Dhanesh, Bimal Minz, Katsumi Yusa, F. Lalmuanpuia, Kenistan C., Joel Sequeira, Gary D'Mello, J. Modi, Reuben D'Souza, Wahid Mohammed, Ashish Pandey
COACH: Caetano PINHO

MOHAMMEDAN SPORTING CLUB - KOLKATA
RETAINED: Sheikh Azim, Phool Chand Hembram, Mohammed Mukhtar, Gautam Kujur, Monirul Mondal Mullah, Alfred K. Jaryan
NEW: Pramod P., T.V. Biju Kumar, Goutam Debnath, Femi Joseph Adeola, Kaushik Bose, Ethesham Bucks, Konsam Ajitkumar Singh (all HAL SC), Kingshuk Debnath, R. Dhanarajan, Gouranga Datta, Ashim Biswas (all Mohun Bagan AC), Somnath Khara, Narugopal Hait, Jayanta Sen (all Prayag United SC), Subhankar Dey, Sujoy Mondal (both Vasco SC), David Sunday (Chirag United Kerala), Krishanu Banerjee (Pailan Arrows), Arnab Das Sharma (United Sikkim FC), Shin Ho Jun (Langsning FC), Pralay Dutta, Akhil Rajbanshi, Mohammed Mustufa, Satish, Amit Kumar, Sanath Roy, Bengkok Nameirakpam, Mohammed Nasim, Rohit Kalshotra, Lzwala Singh
LEFT: Naseem Akhtar, Sudip Das, Amrit Pal Singh, Suraj Mondal (all Southern Samity), Mohammed Adeola Hassan, Surabuddin Mollick (both ONGC), Suman Datta, Surojit Bose (both Dodsal FC, Mumbai), Safar Sardar (East Bengal Club), Cyprian Stanley Okoroigwe (Mohun Bagan AC), Tapan Maity (Prayag United SC), Suman Dey (Bhowanipore Club, Kolkata), Sovan Das (Calcutta Port Trust), Sukhdeb Ghosh (Eastern Railway SC, Kolkata), Debkumar Sashmal, Mohammed Hatchibuddin Mondal, Bikash Narzary, P. Ummer Farooque, Gobinth Adhikari, Felix, Maharaj Hossain, Dibyandu Chanda
COACH: Aloke MUKHERJEE

ROYAL WAHINGDOH SC - SHILLONG
RETAINED: Saroj Pradhan, Nikhil C Bernard, Kareem Omolaja Nurain, Lalchhawnkima, Miliancy Khongstia, T. Jackichand Singh, Tenzing Dhondup, I. Seityasen Singh, Zosangkima, C. Laldinmawia, Chencho, Beekay Bawar
NEW: L. Romenjit Singh (Shillong Lajong FC), T. Lalnunpuia (Pailan Arrows), T. Premchand Sharma (Southern Sporting Union, Manipur), A. Niruchand Singh (DMRAO, Manipur), Ennio Di Girolamo Silva (BRAZIL), Reagan Singh, Rodin
LEFT:
UNKNOWN: Sanju Thapa, Karma Tshreing Lepcha, Brolington Warlarpih, Algan Jones Sun, Bowari Khongstia, Baskhem Carter Shanpru, K. James Singh, Lalhmangaih Sanga, Kerionald Pyngrope, Tyllilang Syiem, Chesterfield Nongdhar, Samuel R. Hmar, H. Malsawmtluanga, Ph. Boy Singh, Ashish Chetri, Perry S Koli
COACH: Volker HOFFERBERT (GERMAN, new)

VASCO SC - GOA
RETAINED:
NEW: Milagrio Medeira, Avelino Fernandes, Michael Faleiro (all Sporting Clube de Goa), Muttath Sudheesh (HAL SC), Bruno Furtado (BRAZIL)
LEFT: Subhankar Dey, Sujoy Mondal (both Mohammedan Sporting Club), Menino Fernandes, Jerose Oliveira (both Wilred Leisure SC, Goa), Agnelo Colaco (salgaocar SC), Julius Irabor Akpele (Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim), Andrew Igado, Isa Ali Isa
UNKNOWN: Agnelo Barreto, Aniket Dilip Jadhav, Jose Colaco, Christofer Borges, Milind Shinde, Rahul Kandulkar, Rohan Sagar, Elvino Fernandes, Aikan Dias, Agnelo Noronha, Rajni Kumar, Melroy D'Silva, Sarvanand Korgaonkar, Sagar Bhatkande, Sunil Sharma, Kishan
COACH: ???

SESA FOOTBALL ACADEMY - GOA
RETAINED: Jayganesh Goltekar, Andrew Don Bosco, Valinton D'Silva, Charles Miranda, Girish Naik, Joston Lourenco, Chikudi Chukwama
NEW: Jerson Pereira, Melvin Lobo, Nevil Miranda (all Sesa Juniors), Prajot Naik (Sporting Clube de Goa), Sunny Singh, Yogesh G. Kadam
LEFT: Bruno Colaco, Stanley Coutinho, Frehauf Fernandes, Rakshak Naik (all Margao SC), Valentino Rodrigues, Pratesh Shirodkar (both Sporting Clube de Goa)
UNKNOWN: Neves Fernandes, Shishuram Chutia, Amol Salgaocar, Inacio Colaco, Marcus Fernandes, Edwin Lucas, Lesly Fernandes, Daniel Albert Vales, Samson Fernandes, Thokchom Roshan Singh, Steven Fernandes, Agnelo Quadros, Shadab Shaikh, Daniel Fernandes, Amritpal Singh, Jonychand Singh, Richard Colaco, Felix Barreto
COACH: Clifford CHUKWAMA

SOUTHERN SAMITY - KOLKATA
RETAINED: Abhijit Das, Rajib Ahmed, Mriganka Sharma, Kaushik Biswas, Sovan Chakraborty, Suman Ghosal, Nilendra Dewan, Moirangthem Basanta Singh,
NEW: Sudip Das, Amrit Pal Singh, Suraj Mondal (all Mohammedan Sporting Club), Manash Barua, Marcos Alexandro de Carvalho Pereira (both Bhawanipore Club, Kolkata), Karthik Kisku (Salgaocar SC), Gurjinder Singh (Chirag United Kerala), Naseem Akhtar (Mohammedan Sporting Club/Green Valley SC, Guwahati), Munna Mullick (Aryan Club, Kolkata), M. Parthiban (Indian Bank), David K.C. Ngaihte (Tarun Sangha, Delhi), M. Ram Kumar Singh (Arrows FC, Tamil Nadu), S. Heman Singh (Malki SC, Meghalaya), Pranit Lama, Avijit Das, Rahul Bhattacharjee, Shyam Mondal, Mithun Naha, Ajoy Saha, Imran Khan, Amitava Chakraborty, Eduardo da Silva Escobar (BRAZIL)
LEFT: A. Echezona Celestine, L. Lalrinfela (both Mohun Bagan AC), Gurpreet Singh, Nazimuddin Mollick (both Bhawanipore Club, Kolkata), Gour Naskar (Prayag United SC), Jamir Ali Mandal (Police AC, Kolkata), Prasanta Chakraborty (Calcutta Port Trust), Avijit Ghosh (Dodsal FC, Mumbai), R.K. Jimmy Kazip (Delhi United FC), Govinda Maity (BNR, Kolkata), Zico Zorengsanga (Dinthar FC, Mizoram), Pronoy Roy, Uken Debbarma, Chandan Das, Debayan Saha, Soraisam Dharamjit Singh, Babin Biswas, Habibur Rehman Mondal, Deepak K., Manas Das, Thang Somi Ruivah, Prateek Joshi, Gopal Das, Sheikh Moidul, Sanku Debbarma, Sheikh Sanjib, Thuksuma Boy, Eehe Zara, Alfred Alfie Ndyenge
COACH: Shabbir ALI

BHOWANIPORE CLUB - KOLKATA
RETAINED: Rupak Dutta, Sagram Mandi, Johny Routh, Rahul Mistry, Subhojit Majumdar, Jagannath Sana, Swapan Oraon, Santosh Oraon, Souvik Ghosh, Surajit Chakraborty, Uttam Debnath, Biswajt Biswas
NEW: Dipendu Dowary, Abinash Ruidas, Goutam Thakur, Hudson Lima da Silva, Jose Ramirez Barreto (all Mohun Bagan AC), Debjit Majumdar, Nabin Hela (both East Bengal Club), Gurpreet Singh, Nazimuddin Mollick (both Southern Samity), Suman Dey (Mohammedan Sporting Club), Subho Kumar (Aryan Club, Kolkata), Amit Singha Roy, Amit Kundu, Sayantan Das Roy, Kalia Kulothungan, Richard Gariseb
LEFT: Manash Barua, Marcos Alexandro de Carvalho Pereira (both Southern Samity), Satish Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Dipendu Biswas (Mohun Bagan AC), Sourav Chakraborty (Sporting Clube de Goa), Satyajit Bose (Aryan Club, Kolkata), Amit Chakraborty (George Telegraph SC, Kolkata), Sukuruddin Laskar (Kalighat Club, Kolkata), Ndudirim Henry Chukwukere (Eastern Railway SC, Kolkata), Dulal Biswas (retired), Sudipta Kar, Bapi Chowdhury, Amar Sardar, Sukanta Banerjee, Manas Das, Sukumal Santra, Sanjib Santra, Sabir Khan, Tubai Lohar, Amar Ganguly, Bachchu Chowdhury, Tilak Saha, Ram Sarup, Ankit Sharma, Douglas da Silva, Samuel Ike
COACH: Dulal BISWAS (new)

GOA VELHA SC
RETAINED:
NEW:
LEFT: Basileo Rego (Dempo SC), Wellington Fernandes (Sporting Clube de Goa), Donald Rocha (Air India)
UNKNOWN: 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, Xavier Estrocio, Tyson Fernandes, Joseph Rodrigues, Atish Shetgaonkar, Siddesh Morje, Pio D'Sousa, Elias D'Sousa, Bruno Fernandes, Parsuram Kaddinawar, Denzil Pritto, Nestor Dylan Dias, Morbimore Pinto, Jolan Lourenco, Gautam Kanconkar, Royden Camelo, Volvino Rego, Freddy Oliveira, Kunal Rodrigues
COACH: Lino PEREIRA

SANTA CRUZ CLUB OF CAVELOSSIM
Retained: Jason D'Mello, Remus Gomes, Jolex Fernandes
NEW: Wilton Gomes (Sporting Clube de Goa), Julius Irabor Akpele (Vasco SC), Thomas Joaquim D'Souza (Calangute Association, Goa), Samson Fernandes
LEFT: Bibiano Fernandes (retired), Sunford Cardozo (Margao SC), Monday Ugboji, Emmanuel Okoro
UNKNOWN: Desmond Fernandes, Marcus D’Costa, Levino Fernandes, Floyed Colaco, Joston Pereira, John Barreto, Mario Mascarenhas, Daison Cardozo, Bitu Singh, Floyd Colaco, Dickson Rogtao
COACH: Kannan PRIOLKAR (new)

DODSAL FC
NEW: M. Mohammed Rafi, Durga Boro (both Churchill Brothers SC), Irungbam Surkumar Singh, Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep (both Mohun Bagan AC), Arup Debnath, Nisthar Kali Alaudeen (both Air India), Suman Datta, Surojit Bose (both Mohammedan Sporting Club), Rabindra Ghosh, Jishaan Ahmed (both Nagpur FC), Sunil Kumar (East Bengal Club), Paresh Shivalkar (Pune FC), Henry Gangte (Shillong Lajong FC), Loukik Jadhav (Pailan Arrows), Khangembam Thoi Singh (United Sikkim FC), Bikash Jairu (Ar-Hima FC), Avijit Ghosh (Southern Samity), Vinay Kumar (Jammu&Kashmir Police), Nitesh Saini (Uttaranchal Heroes Club), Varinder Singh (Mahilpur), Rahul Kumar, Anthony Fernandes, Demba Diakhate
COACH: Bimal GHOSH (new)

TATA FOOTBALL ACADEMY - JAMSHEDPUR
RETAINED: Ricardo Cardozo, Mohammed Moniruzzaman Ansari, Suraj Kumar, Kamaldeep Singh, Gurpreet Singh, S.K. Rohit, Jarmanjeet Singh, Rocky Singh, Sanjiv Kumar, Manas Sarkar, Harpreet Singh, Biswajit Sardar, Baidyanath Das, Vineet Rai, Deepak Tirkey, Udanta Singh
NEW: Seiminlum Kipgen, Khaikhogen Kipgen (both JSYC, Manipur), Thiyam Chingkheinganba, Sh. Roland Singh (both USAL, Manipur), Konsham Chinglensana Singh (Air India Juniors), Hitesh Sharma (Chandigarh Football Academy), Sourav Das (Bata SC, Kolkata), Samrat Chowdhury (SAI Siliguri), Toki Zomuanpuia (Dinthar FC, Mizoram), Ramandeep Kumar (Youth FC - Rurka Kalan, Punjab), Asil K. (SEPT, Kerala), L. Jonathan Ginthianlal (Kuki Sporting Club, Manipur), Longjam Lamyamba Meitei (RYDO, Manipur), O. Romtan Singh (NIPSO Club, Manipur), Rajak Nag (Sports Hostel - Cuttack, Orissa), Abdul Bilal (Independent Club, Orissa), Sandeep Alhan, Aibanbha Kupar Dohling, Vijay Kumar, M. Rahul Raj, Arjun, Shashi Prasad Keshri
LEFT: Mohammed Irfan Khan, Chingkhel Meetei Yumnam, Ravinder Singh, Jayabrata Dhar, S.Siam Hanghal, Simranjeet Singh, Randhan Meetei Yumnam, Pankaj Kumar Sona (all Pailan Arrows), Bilal Khan, Sanjay Balmachu, Manpreet Singh (all Churchill Brothers SC), Karan Sawhney (Salgaocar SC), Anil Hansda (Sporting Clube de Goa), Mustafa Ali, Amit Kumar, Satish Patel
COACH: P. Vijay KUMAR

AIFF name Bem Bem Devi as India captain for Women's SAFF Cup

The All India Football Federation has named Bem Bem Devi as the captain of the Indian national women's team for the 2012 SAFF Women's Championship to be played from September 7 to 16 at the Longden Place ground in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Indian Women go into the tournament as the defending champions having won the inaugural edition with a 1-0 final win against Nepal in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh in December 2010.

India have been drawn in Group A along with Bangladesh, Bhutan and hosts Sri Lanka. India face Bangladesh in their opener on September 7, then play the hosts Sri Lanka on September 9 and then face Bhutan on September 11. The other Group B contains Afghanistan, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan.


INDIA Women's Probables

Goalkeepers
Sita Sharma (Orissa), Aditi Chauhan (Delhi)

Defenders
Ashem Romi Devi (Manipur), Loitongbam Ashalata Devi (Manipur), Kangujam Rebika Devi (Manipur), Alochana Senapati (Orissa), Suprava Samal (Bihar), Tuli Goon (West Bengal)

Midfielders
Yumnam Kamala Devi (Manipur), Yumlembam Premi Devi (Manipur), Montessori Chanu (Manipur), Oinam Bembem Devi (Manipur), Supriya Routray (Orissa), Lochana Munda (Orissa)

Forwards
Irom Prameshwori Devi (Manipur), Salam Rinaroy Devi (Manipur), Laishram Naobi Chanu (Manipur), Raju Suganya (Tamil Nadu), Pinky Bompal Magar (Orissa), Sasmita Malik (Orissa)

Officials
Shahid Jabbar (Chief Coach); Pratima Biswas (Assistant Coach), Mutum Surmala Chanu (Assistant Coach); Ranjita Mohanty (Goalkeeping Coach); Poulami Ghosh (West Bengal); Khyati Sharma (Physiotherapist); Sudeshna Mukherjee (Manager)

2012 Nehru Cup: India lose 0-1 against Cameroon

Defending champions India suffered a lone goal defeat against Cameroon in their fourth and final round robin league match of the 2012 Nehru Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.

India coach Wim Koevermans as he had said a day earlier at the press conference made five changes to his starting line-up to give some of the fringe players playing time and rest to some of the regulars ahead of the final on Sunday, while Cameroon rested eight of their regular first eleven.

Cameroon had more of the ball throughout the game though India did have their moments. The winner for Cameroon came as early as the 2nd minute as Samuel Bitte scored with a shot into the far corner of the goal.

Cameroon could have doubled the result before the break through a penalty as Eloundou Charles was brought down by Syed Rahim Nabi according to the referee, but Ebanga Bertin tried to do a Andrea Pirlo but his chip goalwards was weak, not placed and Karanjit Singh somehow blocked the shot from going in.

The second half was a weak affair with both sides not willing to expose their strengths and having few chances amongst them. India had a last chance to equalise through a Sanju Pradhan cross which Francis Fernandes headed goalwards, but Nkessi Hosea collected the ball before the goalline.

India and Cameroon will meet again on Sunday, September 2 in the final of the 2012 Nehru Cup.


MATCH STATS

India 0-1 (0-1) Cameroon - Goals: 0-1 Bite Samuel (2')

India
16-Karanjit Singh - 2-Denzil Franco, 5-Gurwinder Singh (80' 3-Raju Gaikwad), 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi - 8-Sanju Pradhan, 20-Mehtab Hussain, 28-Jewel Raja Sheikh, 15-Clifford Miranda - 26-Francis Fernandes (83' 12-Alwyn George) - 23-Manandeep Singh (67' 24-Robin Singh)

Cameroon
Nkessi Hosea - Momaso Joseph (78' Bebey Kingue), Ebongoue Echille, Ntolla Robert. Talla Eugine - Ebanga Bertin (77' Ashu Tambe), Eloundou Charles, Bite Samuel, Ousmaila Baba - Mandjombe Soulemanou, William Bogning (82' Thierry Neoga)

Referee
...

VIDEO: Koevermans' looks forward to Cameroon challenge!

India take on Cameroon in tonight's final round robin league match at the 2012 Nehru Cup and coach Wim Koevermans looks forward to the challenge! Here is what he told XtraTime...


Here my match preview: 2012 Nehru Cup: India face Cameroon tonight & again in Sunday's final

VIDEO: "Knowledgeable" Indian football fans

The number of football fans in India is growing by the day, but many only follow international football especially the English Premier League rather then local I-League football. Here a video of English Premier League fans in India quizzed about EPL and I-League, which sadly shows their lack of local football knowledge.

The guys who produced this video did a good job by highlighting this issue & it needs to be supported!!!

2012 Nehru Cup: India face Cameroon tonight & again on Sunday

Team India go into tonight's last round robin league match against Cameroon at the 2012 Nehru Cup knowing that they will meet the Africans again in 48 hours on Sunday evening in the tournaments final. The question is if both the coaches will really play all their trump cards or keep some secrets for Sunday's final.

Surely the Africans have been the best team in the tournament which is also confirmed by India coach Wim Koevermans, "Cameroon are surely a very strong side. They are capable of playing good football and that's already on display."

"The match will be interesting. We play Cameroon twice and the final stays the more important one. The last Group League match gives us a chance to have a look more at our bench," Koevermans goes on to say.

Meanwhile Cameroon coach Emmanuel Bosso said, "We have come to India to show to you all what football in Cameroon is all about. We have mesmerised the World with our brand of football. We want India to have a feel of it too!"

That is for sure, but India will hope that that does not happen today though they'll be more worried about Sunday. The situation is actually a repeat of 2009 when India faced Syria twice within three days. The group match was lost and then India won in the final on penalties. A repeat would surely be fine with Wim Koevermans and his team though surely they would like to stay unbeaten in the tournament going into the final.

Coming to talk about India Emmanuel Bosso said, "India have some good players. The No. 6 (Lenny Rodrigues) has impressed me a lot. He can play around in the midfield and stays a potent force. Also, the Captain (Sunil Chhetri) and the goalkeeper (Subrata Pal) are key members. But we have our plans."

Surely Cameroon have their plans as will have Wim Koevermans for India. The Dutchman is considering of starting with some of his reserve bench players, giving the boys some match time and some rest to other players, but who we will only get to know before the match.

The India vs Cameroon match will kick-off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 19.00 IST and will be live on Neo Prime.

Andres Iniesta named as UEFA Best Player in Europe!

Spain and FC Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta was today chosen and then handed the 2011/12 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Iniesta won the award ahead of club team mate Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo from CF Real Madrid.

The FC Barcelona midfielder, who helped Spain defend their 2012 UEFA European Championship title this summer in Poland and Ukraine, deservingly got the award for his great performances across the season for club and country. What makes it special is that Andres Iniesta finally won an award ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who normally stand ahead of him in rankings and votings.

In a live poll of sports journalists representing each of UEFA's 53 member national associations, Andres Iniesta received 19 votes while Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both received 17 votes.

It is interesting to note that no player from 2011/12 UEFA Champions League champions Chelsea FC and beaten finalist FC Bayern Munich made it into the top three with former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba coming seventh and his club mate Petr Cech as joint eighth within the top 10.

Positions four to ten were finalised after each journalist provided a list of their top five players, with the first receiving five points, the second four points and so on:

4. Andrea Pirlo (Juventus, ITALY) (90 points)
5. Xavi Hernández (FC Barcelona, SPAIN) (57 pts)
6. Iker Casillas (Real Madrid CF, SPAIN) (53 pts)
7. Didier Drogba (Chelsea FC; IVORY COAST) (31 pts)
8. Petr Cech (Chelsea FC, CZECH REPUBLIC) // Falcao (Club Atlético de Madrid, COLOMBIA) (14 pts)
10. Mesut Özil (Real Madrid CF, GERMANY) (10 pts)

North East Lajong Super Series: Lajong FC reach finals

Shillong Lajong FC beat Northeast rivals United Sikkim FC 3-0 in the third match of the North East Lajong Super Series Cup to reach the finals and will now take on A-League side Wellington Phoenix FC from New Zealand in Shillong on Saturday, September 1.

In a match-up of two I-League sides the more experienced Shillong Lajong FC got the better of United Sikkim FC through three goals from their new Nigerian striker Gbeneme Friday, who has scored all of Lajong's five goals in the series so far.

Lajong were in-charge from the start and went ahead in the 7th minute from a Gbeneme Friday strike, who doubled the lead in the 15th minute through a rebound follow a free-kick. United Sikkim had their problems with Gbeneme Friday and Lajong overall, but it stayed 2-0 for the home team at the break.

After the break United Sikkim were better in the game, but they couldn't score of their few chances while Gbeneme Friday sealed the match for Lajong FC with his third goal of the day.

The final of the series will be played between Wellington Phoenix FC and Shillong Lajong FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong on Saturday, September 1 at 15.15 IST.


North East Lajong Super Series - Fixtures

August 24: United Sikkim FC 0-3 Wellington Phoenix FC (Imphal, Manipur)
August 26: Shillong Lajong FC 2-5 Wellington Phoenix FC (Imphal, Manipur)
August 30: Shillong Lajong FC 3-0 United Sikkim FC (Shillong, Meghalaya)
September 1 - Final: Wellington Phoenix FC - Shillong Lajong FC (Shillong, Meghalaya)

Draws out for UEFA Champions League 2012/13 Group Stage

The draw for the 2012/13 UEFA Champions League group stage was carried out today at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, Monaco. And all the 32 participating clubs aim to reach the final to be played on May 2013 at Wembley Stadium in London.

The strongest of all groups is Group D containing four national champions - Real Madrid CF (Spain), Manchester City FC (England), AFC Ajax Amsterdam (Netherlands), Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

Defending champions FC Chelsea have been drawn in a weaker Group E then along with Italian champions Juventus they should move into the knockout stage past Ukrainians FC Shakhtar Donetsk and newcomers FC Nordjaelland from Denmark.

Last season finalists FC Bayern München after having had the Group of Death last term, this time around got an easier Group F in which they face Valencia CF (Spain), LOSC Lille Métropole (France) and FC BATE Borisov (Belarus).


The Groups

Group A: FC Porto (Portugal), Dinamo Kyiv (Ukraine), FC Paris Saint-Germain (France), GNK Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)

Group B: Arsenal FC (England), FC Schalke 04 (Germany), Olympiacos Piräus FC (Greece), HSC Montpellier (France)

Group C: AC Milan (Italy), FC Zenit St. Petersburg (Russia), RSC Anderlecht (Belgium), FC Malaga (Spain)

Group D: Real Madrid CF (Spain), Manchester City FC (England), AFC Ajax Amsterdam (Netherlands), Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

Group E: Chelsea FC (England), FC Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine), Juventus Torino (Italy), FC Nordjaelland (Denmark)

Group F: FC Bayern München (Germany), Valencia CF (Spain), LOSC Lille Métropole (France), FC BATE Borisov (Belarus)

Group G: FC Barcelona (Spain), SL Benfica (Portugal), Spartak Moskva (Russia), Celtic Glasgow (Scotland)

Group H: Manchester United FC (England), Sporting Braga (Portugal), Galatasaray Istanbul (Turkey), CFR Cluj (Romania)

Photos - Orissa 1st Division Football League

The Football Association of Odisha organised 1st Division Football League at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack is running since July 22. Here are photos from some of the recent matches.

Here earlier Photos - Orissa 1st Division Football League: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5

adidas and Chelsea FC train Mumbai's young footballing talent

After giving Delhi a taste of how football is played the Chelsea way, adidas, the Blues from London gave young footballers in Mumbai an unmatched experience-cum-training opportunity with the youth coaches from the UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea FC. The adidas-Chelsea FC Foundation Clinic kicked off at Priyadarshini Park, Napensea Road in Mumbai yesterday.

The foundation clinic was preceded by a month long scouting program - the adidas Predator Camp, conducted across 8 leading schools in Mumbai, including Dhirubhai Ambani School, Campion and DY Patil International. This scouting camp yielded 150 of the best footballing talent from the city. The Chelsea FC youth coaches also held a master-class training session with the respective school coaches, sharing essential training techniques to improve talent coaching and development.

Speaking about the clinic, Tushar Goculdas, Brand Director at adidas India, said, "Football is at the core of our brand's rich heritage and adidas is deeply committed towards building India's success as a footballing nation. Over the last few years we have consistently supported grassroots programs to help the development of young footballers. Mumbai is all in for the adidas-Chelsea FC Foundation Clinic and we plan to expand the program to more cities to encourage aspiring footballers from across the country."

The clinic was supervised by Steve Winnet, who is currently head coach of the Chelsea FC Boys College Academy. Steve has had been coaching for 12 years, working in different countries representing the Chelsea FC International Development Team. Before working at Chelsea FC he was a full time coach at the famous David Beckham Academy in London. Assisting Winnet at the clinic are youth coaches Sam Hubert, Gareth Davies, James Phillips, Julian Hart and Kane Cowburn.

Speaking at the clinic coach Steve Winnet said, "During the first foundation clinic conducted in New Delhi this May, we were extremely encouraged by the skill and passion showcased by the kids. We believed there was tremendous potential in other cities too and were excited to come to Mumbai. These kids are amongst the most talented and dedicated young footballers that we have coached. We believe the right training methods can really help these youngsters improve their game to world class level."

The adidas-Chelsea FC Clinic is working to take the football fever to another level in India and give young Indian footballers an 'all Blue' experience.

Samir Naik receives Goa's Dilip Sardesai award!

33 year old former Indian international wing-back Samir Subash Naik yesterday evening received the Dilip Sardesai award for Excellence in Sports at the Macquinez Palace, Entertainment Society of Goa in Panaji.

Samir Naik received on the occasion a cash award of Rs 200,000 (2 lakh), a bronze plaque of legendary India cricketer late Dilip Sardessai and an official certificate from Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

The award is a great honour for Samir Naik. He is the third footballer and Dempo SC player after team mates Mahesh Gawli and Climax Lawrence to receive the prestigious Goan state award from sports persons.

While addressing the gathering Samir said, "I am grateful to God, Goa's CM Parrikar, parents, family. I am indebted to my boss at Dempo, Mr Shrinivas V. Dempo, coach, team members and all my well wishers and friends. It was my hard work, dedication and love for football that helped me in achieving this excellence."

Samir's biggest strength was that he could play as wing-back on both sides - right and left with the ability to push forward and feed the attacking wingers and strikers.

Samir Naik who has represented India 39 times has won the 2002 LG Cup in Vietnam, the 2007 & 2009 Nehru Cup, 2008 AFC Challenge Cup and the 2011 SAFF Cup in an India shirt. In his time as Indian international Samir Naik played under Stephen Constantine, Sukhvinder Singh, Bob Houghton, Armando Colaco and Savio Medeira.

VIDEO: Brazilian boy with no feet to train at FC Barcelona

The following is one of the lovely real life stories. Football mad, but footless Brazilian kid Gabriel Muniz has been invited to FC Barcelona's Academy after impressing at a FCB summer camp in Rio de Janeiro and Gabriel will be meeting his hero Lionel Messi while in Catalunya.

A BBC report

A Daily Telegraph report

2012 Nehru Cup: Cameroon beat Maldives, seal final against India

Tournament favourites Cameroon beat the Maldives 3-1 in their penultimate round robin match to seal a place in the finals against hosts and defending champions India in the 2012 Nehru Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Cameroon are now top with seven points from three matches, while the Maldives are out of the competition with six points from their four matches.

The Africans had the better start putting the Maldives defence on the backfoot and after missing some early chances Cameroon took the lead in the 12th minute through a crisp Kingue Mpondo volley. It looked like another rout as against Nepal could be on the cards, but the Maldives are a stronger side then their south Asian counterparts. The islanders equalised in the 26th minute when wing-back Abdul Akram overlapped and played a one-two to slot home past the Cameroon goalkeeper. Camroon looked stunned for a few minutes, but then regrouped and Kingue Mpondo was again on target in the 39th minute following a corner.

With the result at 2-1 at the interval the hope was to see a close encounter, but Cameroon sealed the match in the 50th minute itself as they earned a penalty which Ebanga Bertin blasted into the Maldives goal. After awarding the penalty the referee was questioned by the Maldives player and Ashaad Ali was given marching orders for touching the referee.

Nothing much happened thereafter and the match ended 3-1 for Cameroon, which means that the Africans meet India in their final round robin match on Friday, August 31 and then again in the final on Sunday, September 2.

Wellington Phoenix beat Royal Wahingdoh 3-0 in friendly

Australian A-League side Wellington Phoenix FC from New Zealand took on local side Royal Wahingdoh FC in a friendly which Wellington won 3-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong this afternoon. Jeremy Brockie scored all three goals, his second hattrick of the Northeast tour.

After the two wins against United Sikkim FC (3-0) and Shillong Lajong FC (5-2) in the North East Lajong Super Series in Imphal, the Kiwis continued their impressive tour of India by beating Royal Wahingdoh FC 3-0 ahead of the final of the North East Lajong Super Series on Saturday, September against either United Sikkim FC or Shillong Lajong FC.

It was a tough game for the local Shillong Premier League champions, who had their chances; but Wellington were in control throughout the match.

The Kiwis got their goals through Jeremy Brockie who scored in the 29th, 47th and in the second half injury time. Brockie has now scored seven of the eight goals in the last couple of matches.

Tomorrow Shillong Lajong FC take on United Sikkim FC in the North East Lajong Super Series at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Shillong at 15.00 IST. The winner of the match will play the final of the North East Lajong Super Series against Wellington Phoenix FC on Saturday, September 1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 15.15 IST.

Bayern Munich expand Allianz Arena capacity to 71,000

German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich have with immediate effect increased the capacity of their Allianz Arena by 2,000 seats from 69,000 to 71,000 for domestic matches and from 66,000 to 68,000 for international fixtures.

The expansion has been made possible by adding a new last row of seats in the top tier of the Allianz Arena. The necessary clearances have been received by Bayern Munich from the local Munich authorities and the expansion will be valid from Sunday's first home Bundesliga fixture of the season against VfB Stuttgart.

This is the second such expansion at the Allianz Arena after the capacity had been increased from 66,000 to 69,000 for domestic matches, while it remained at 66,000 for international matches.

The new seats are exclusively reserved for general sale, i.e. cannot be booked as season tickets. For the first Bundesliga home fixture of the season, the clash with Stuttgart at 5.30 pm on Sunday, the additional tickets are available IMMEDIATELY from the Säbener Strasse ServiceCenter. Depending on demand, any remaining tickets may be on sale at the Arena on the day of the match. Further information follows in the course of the week.

This capacity increase was already taken into account in the club's logistics planning for the season. The Ticketing Centre has thus accepted a correspondingly higher number of advance orders for Bundesliga home matches. However, every FC Bayern league fixture at the Allianz Arena this season is already sold out and/or overbooked.

IFA update latest Calcutta Premier Division fixtures

The Indian Football Association (West Bengal) has released the revised second fixtures list for the 2012/13 season of the Calcutta Premier Division which is seeing 19 teams in action and they have been divided into two group - Group A with 10 teams, Group B with nine teams.

The second list had originally scheduled matches from Wednesday, August 29 to Friday, September 7 with all participating clubs at least once in action over that 10 day period. But then the police informed the IFA that it could not provide necessary security cover from August 29 to September 1 at the Saltlake Stadium and therefore the IFA was forced to redo the fixtures and updated them accordingly with matches announced upto September 11.


FIXTURES

Group A
East Bengal Club, Prayag United SC, Aryan Club, Army XI, Kalighat Milan Sangha, Railway FC, BNR, George Telegraph SC, Eastern Railway SC, Peerless SC

30-Aug-2012: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Peerless SC
31-Aug-2012: Aryan Club - Railway FC
03-Sep-2012: East Bengal Club - BNR RC
03-Sep-2012: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Peerless SC
06-Sep-2012: East Bengal Club - Army XI
06-Sep-2012: BNR RC - Eastern Railway SC
08-Sep-2012: Prayag United SC - George Telegraph SC
10-Sep-2012: Aryan Club - BNR RC
10-Sep-2012: Army XI - Railway FC
11-Sep-2012: Prayag United SC - Peerless SC

Group B
Mohun Bagan AC, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Bhawanipore Club, Calcutta Port Trust, Tollygunge Agragami, Police AC, Southern Samity, West Bengal Police, Kalighat Club

01-Sep-2012: Calcutta Port Trust - Tollygunge Agragami
02-Sep-2012: Mohun Bagan AC - West Bengal Police
05-Sep-2012: Police AC - Tollygunge Agragami
07-Sep-2012: Mohammedan Sporting Club - Bhawanipore Club
09-Sep-2012: Calcutta Port Trust - Southern Samity
09-Sep-2012: West Bengal Police - Kalighat Club

VIDEO: Indian Football Fathers (ARS Series)

As part of the video series of the Airtel Rising Stars they interviewed the fathers of contestants in Mumbai. The outcome was an interesting mix of ideas and reactions from the football dads...

Photos - Orissa 1st Division Football League

The Football Association of Odisha organised 1st Division Football League at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack is running since July 22. Here are photos from some of the recent matches.

Here earlier Photos - Orissa 1st Division Football League: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4

2012 Nehru Cup: Nepal hold India to goalless draw

Defending champions India were held goalless by Nepal in their third match of the 2012 Nehru Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. India started the tournament with back-to-back victories against Syria and Maldives and now have seven points from three matches, while Nepal gained their first point of the competition.

India coach Wim Koevermans made two changes to his starting line-up with injured Nirmal Chetri replaced by Denzil Franco as right wing-back, while Sanju Pradhan was replaced by the more experienced Anthony Pereira on the right wing.

Due to the continuing monsoon rains the match kicked-off 30 minutes late, but it didn't help a struggling India against a fighting and committed Nepali team. In the first session India wasn't able to recreate what it has shown against Syria and the Maldives as Nepal were the more attacking of the two sides though goal chances were a rarity at both ends.

Wim Koevermans changed from his preferred 4-4-1-1 to a more classic 4-4-2 formation bringing on tall Robin Singh for winger Clifford Miranda after the breather to try and add weight upfront.

India got more of the action after the break with Nepal tiring the longer the match lasted, but India could not really utilise this fact. India had a chance in the 53rd minute as Sunil Chhetri held on to the ball, dribbled and then Mehtab let fly with the ball going over.

Both teams continued to face problems with the difficult ground conditions and India's best chance of the match came in the 81st minute when substitute Jewel Raja broke lose from the right, but his shot just about missed the goal. The following corner also caused worry for Nepal, but their alert keeper Kiran Chemjong collected a good timed shot from Robin Singh.

Towards the end Nepal tried delay tactics to keep the draw intact, but referee Vladislav Tseytlin from Uzbekistan took no nonsense and handed out to yellow cards before giving a red card to Bikash Singh Chhetri for arguing following a free-kick given to India.

It ended goalless with Nepal happy about the result, but the first setback for India under new coach Wim Koevermans as India was never able to adopt to the difficult ground conditions and couldn't switch to a more direct approach the trying to play possession football.

India's next opponent will be Cameroon on Friday, August 31.


MATCH STATS

India 0-0 Nepal - Goals: none

India
1-Subrata Pal - 2-Denzil Franco, 3-Raju Gaikwad, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi - 14-Anthony Pereira, 20-Mehtab Hussain, 6-Lenny Rodrigues (77' 28-Jewel Raja Sheikh), 15-Clifford Miranda (46' 24-Robin Singh) - 26-Francis Fernandes - 11-Sunil Chhetri [C]

Nepal
16-Kiran Chemjong - 19-Sagar Thapa [C], 32-Rohit Chand, 3-Biraj Maharjan, 5-Bikash Singh Chhetri, 13-Sandip Rai - 15-Raju Tamang, 23-Jagjeet Shrestha, 17-Bhola Nath Silwal (90+2' 10-Anil Gurung) - 11-Jumanu Rai (88' 9-Santosh Sahukhala), 21-Bharat Khawas

Referee
Vladislav Tseytlin (Uzbekistan)

125th Durand Cup: Four teams qualify for Semifinals

The 125th edition of the Durand Cup, India's oldest football tournament, is being held from August 16 to September 1 at Delhi's Ambedkar Stadium. Though the top I-League clubs are giving the tournament a miss, it has so far been a chance for smaller sides to test themselves and the Durand Cup has had its surprises so far.

The Quarterfinal League stage ended today with some surprises as Air India, Assam Rifles, Sesa Football Academy and Dodsal FC qualified for the semifinals which both will be played on Thursday, August 30. There were some surprises as Air India would take on Sesa Football Academy, while Assam Rifles take on newcomers Dodsal FC.

We are still in pre-season and the rainy monsoon has left the Ambedkar Stadium pitch in a bad state. Those teams best able to cope with the situation have been the biggest gainers.

Group C saw the biggest surprise as Sesa Football Academy won the group ahead of I-League side Pune FC with PFC taking the lead in their game against the Goans in injury time, but Sesa Football Academy equalising thereafter to edge past PFC with CRPF finishing last in the group.

Air India topped Group A with four points ahead of Pailan Arrows and Delhi United, in Group B Assam Rifles got the better of I-League sides Sporting Clube de Goa and ONGC, while in Group D new boys Dodsal FC impressed with two clears wins against Army Red and Punjab Police.


FIXTURES & RESULTS

Qualifiers
Round 1
16-Aug-2012: Delhi United 2-2,7-6 Indian Navy [penalties]
16-Aug-2012: Army Green 2-0 Jammu&Kashmir Bank
17-Aug-2012: JCT Academy 2-1 Arty Centre
17-Aug-2012: Assam Rifles 4-1 Assam Service Corps
18-Aug-2012: BEG, Kirkee 0-1 Border Security Force
18-Aug-2012: Uttarakhand Police 0-6 CRPF
19-Aug-2012: Indian Air Force 0-0,3-4 Garhwal Heroes [penalties]
19-Aug-2012: Punjab Police 7-1 Subrata Academy

Round 2
20-Aug-2012: Army Green 0-2 Delhi United
20-Aug-2012: CRPF 0-0,5-3 Border Security Force [penalties]
21-Aug-2012: Assam Rifles 3-0 JCT Academy
21-Aug-2012: Garhwal Heroes 1-2 Punjab Police

Quarterfinal League
Group I
25-Aug-2012: Delhi United 2-2 Pailan Arrows
26-Aug-2012: Delhi United 0-3 Air India
28-Aug-2012: Pailan Arrows 1-1 Air India

Group II
24-Aug-2012: Sporting Club de Goa 2-3 Assam Rifles
26-Aug-2012: ONGC, Mumbai 1-1 Assam Rifles
28-Aug-2012: Sporting Club de Goa 3-1 ONGC, Mumbai

Group III
23-Aug-2012: Pune FC 0-0 CRPF
25-Aug-2012: Sesa Football Academy 3-2 CRPF
27-Aug-2012: Sesa Football Academy 1-1 Pune FC

Group IV
23-Aug-2012: Punjab Police 0-1 Army Red
25-Aug-2012: Army Red 0-3 Dodsal FC, Mumbai
27-Aug-2012: Punjab Police 0-6 Dodsal FC, Mumbai

Semifinals
30-Aug-2012: Air India - Sesa Football Academy
30-Aug-2012: Assam Rifles - Dodsal FC, Mumbai

Final
01-Sep-2012: Winner SF1 - Winner SF2

IFA announce latest Calcutta Premier Division fixtures

The Indian Football Association (West Bengal) has released the second fixtures list for the 2012/13 season of the Calcutta Premier Division which is seeing 19 teams in action and they have been divided into two group - Group A with 10 teams, Group B with nine teams.

The second list has matches scheduled from Wednesday, August 29 to Friday, September 7 with all participating clubs at least once in action over that 10 day period.

So far the Calcutta Premier Division 2012 has been about Mohun Bagan AC's walkovers against Southern Samity and Tollygunge Agragami due to the non-resolution of the Tolgay Ozbey transfer issue and their archrival East Bengal's two high scoring victories.


FIXTURES

Group A
East Bengal Club, Prayag United SC, Aryan Club, Army XI, Kalighat Milan Sangha, Railway FC, BNR, George Telegraph SC, Eastern Railway SC, Peerless SC

30-Aug-2012: East Bengal Club - BNR RC
30-Aug-2012: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Peerless SC
31-Aug-2012: Prayag United SC - George Telegraph SC
31-Aug-2012: Aryan Club - Railway FC
03-Sep-2012: East Bengal Club - Army XI
03-Sep-2012: BNR RC - Eastern Railway SC
06-Sep-2012: Prayag United SC - Peerless SC
06-Sep-2012: Aryan Club - BNR RC
06-Sep-2012: Army XI - Railway FC
06-Sep-2012: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Eastern Railway SC

Group B
Mohun Bagan AC, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Bhawanipore Club, Calcutta Port Trust, Tollygunge Agragami, Police AC, Southern Samity, West Bengal Police, Kalighat Club

29-Aug-2012: Mohun Bagan AC - West Bengal Police
01-Sep-2012: Mohammedan Sporting Club - Bhawanipore Club
01-Sep-2012: Calcutta Port Trust - Tollygunge Agragami
02-Sep-2012: Mohun Bagan AC - Kalighat Club
04-Sep-2012: Tollygunge Agragami - Police AC
07-Sep-2012: Mohammedan Sporting Club - Police AC
07-Sep-2012: Calcutta Port Trust - Southern Samity
07-Sep-2012: West Bengal Police - Kalighat Club

VIDEO: Andres Iniesta in a New Nike ad

Andres Iniesta of Spain and FC Barcelona is one of the best footballers, but often underrated compared to his Barca team mate Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. In a new Nike ad for the new football shoe CTR 360 III Maestro, Iniesta is a puppet on strings and plays exceptional football. A lovely idea for an ad!

2012 Nehru Cup: India looking to seal place in final

Team India go into tonight's Nehru Cup match knowing that a victory against Nepal would seal their passage to their third straight final in the competition. Two wins from two matches, India has impressed so far.

Wilhelmus Jacobus Koevermans, better known as Wim Koevermans, has had a strong, positive effect on his new wards, who in only 17 days of pre-tournament practice plus those days in-between matches have made the transition from direct to passing football, which the Dutch coach finds very encouraging though more work needs to be done in training.

Koevermans' team has been labelled 'New India' for their new found style of play, but the team is not willing to let complacency step in. "There's no point in thinking about future matches. We face Nepal in the next match and a win will take us to the final. It's perhaps, the most important match for us," said an inform Syed Rahim Nabi.

"This Indian side is a stronger one that played in the AFC Challenge Cup in Kathmandu earlier this year. There are many young players in the side and they are physically strong. The players look to be sharper. Upfront, Sunil Chhetri also looks more aggressive," Nepal coach Krishna Thapa observed.

"The level of their performance is going up with every match. Against Maldives, India were too good. But that doesn't mean Nepal can't beat India. In fact, both the teams are of the same standard," he quips further though that has to questioned after the two teams performances in the tournament so far.

'Adjustments' Koevermans stresses in the Team Meeting. "You need to flexible on the field. We have tried various systems so far. You always need to make those adjustments. I will always keep on asking it from you," he goes on. The boys listen. "You need to dominate and redominate."

Against Maldives, finding the 'spare man' in the midfield stayed the priority. Winning the 'second ball' also stayed the priority as did 'pressing'. One sole formation stays taboo for the entire 90 minutes, we all know by now. And so far Koevermans isn't asking too much of his wards.

Captain Sunil Chhetri has turned himself into the Pied Piper of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Hard to keep pace with him when he walks, there's always a horde of fans following him almost everywhere. Seven matches on the trot he has been declared the Man-of-the-Match (five in 2011 SAFF Cup, 5 at 2012 Nehru Cup) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, a new record of sorts.

You can't just blame the world record holder if he carries a piece of the Stadium grass with him as his lucky charm or have put another piece on the trophy cabinet back home.

"I just give my best. That's my duty and I just can't shy away from it," Chhetri utters.

But it just isn't all about goals. Ask Robin Singh. The debutant came close to putting it past the line against the Maldives, but he isn't miffed. "It was my dream to play for India. If I carry out the instructions and improve, I will get more chances. The more the chances, the more will I get the opportunities to score," Robin says. "Chhetri has been exceptional. It's nice to play alongside him."

"Coach, don't you think you are already in the Final?" Koevermans was asked by a journalist the other day in the post-match press conference. The wit and humour, besides his height which separates him from the rest, Koevermans' reflexes were sharp. "You say it, I don't," he smiled as everyone in the room laughed. "Don't quote me. I haven't said it. No, we are not yet in the final," he maintained.

'Step by step, match by match,' stays the mantra of 'New India' and the next step can be taken against Nepal.

The India vs Nepal match will kick-off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 19.00 IST and will be live on Neo Prime.

2012 Nehru Cup: Maldives score an upset against Syria

The Maldives scored a historic 2-1 victory against Syria, the islanders first-ever victory against an Arabian nation, in the 2012 Nehru Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. With the win the Maldives move to six points from three matches and now have a real chance to reach the finals; while Syria, the 2007 and 2009 finalists, are out with only a point to their name so far.

The match had to kick-off late due to continuing monsoon rains in the capital and it did hamper the two sides in the match. Surprisingly Syria adjusted better to the ground conditions while the Maldives needed some time then passing football was simply not possible, so both teams had to rely on aerial balls.

After a goalless first session the match came to life after the breather. Syria attacked a defensive Maldives, but the islanders took the lead through their striker Ali Ashfaq's header in the 59th minute. Syria now went all out into attack, but Maldives goalkeeper Mohamed Imran was often in the way or the strikers could not finish the attacks. In the 81st minute Syria did equalise through an acrobatic bicycle kick from Alaa Al Shbli, who was in an offside position but the ball came off a Maldives defender so the goal was legitimate and allowed.

With Syria equalising and continuing to put pressure on the Maldives defence it seemed only a matter of time when they would score the winner, but towards the end the match opened-up and the Maldives would score the winner of a counter-attack late in injury time when Ahmed Rasheed pushed the ball into an empty net from a Ali Ashfaq square pass.

The winner lead to a lot of discussions on the sidelines with Syria alleging the match was finished and over by then but the Maldives coach Istvan Urbanyi was sent off for dissent as he unnecessarily got involved in the sideline discussions.

Gouramangi Singh: This is a phase of emotional transition for me!

Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh has stayed the bedrock of Indian defence since 2007. The 2010 AIFF Player-of-the-Year has been part of two Nehru Cup triumphs besides being a member of the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup winning squad. In a freewheeling interview with AIFF Media, Gouramangi speaks at length about the 'New India' under Wim Koevermans, his partnership with Raju Gaikwad, Sunil Chhetri's purple patch, old pal Subrata Pal and his transition into a Senior Pro...


With two wins on the trot the team spirit must surely be on a high.

The three points against Syria were very important for us. A win in the first match of any Tournament is always a morale booster. We combined well against Maldives but we cannot afford to bask in its glory. The focus has already shifted to our next match against Nepal. We are not thinking too far ahead.


How do you define the new team?

It is very early to comment on that. We are just two matches old under a philosophy and system brought in by our (new) coach Wim Koevermans. It has been just three weeks that we have been together. But I feel we have shown glimpses of what we are trying to do. This is a 'New India' for sure. The little success we have got so far is because every member of the team is giving his best for the cause. It's pertinent that we recognise the contributions of the coaching staff, the support staff and the fans.


What's been your assessment of the new Coach?

He is a very positive man. He has received a warm welcome from the players and is trying to instil a new philosophy into the team. We are learning a lot under him. This is the beginning of a new era. There are better days to come and this unit has it in them to go the distance.


Who has been the stand out performers for you so far?

For a moment, let's leave aside the seniors – Sunil Chhetri, Syed Rahim Nabi, Mehtab Hossain, Subrata Pal and myself - we have been talked about a lot. I feel it's time to focus on someone like Francis Fernandes or a Lenny Rodrigues. They are playing so well. Take Francis's cross to Sunil for example. It was top class – wasn't it? Robin Singh complemented Sunil very well after he was brought in. It's time these youngsters hog the limelight.

This phase is an emotional transition for someone like me – as I am no more a junior but have all of a sudden become a senior player, that too at 26. The responsibility obviously, has increased.


Sunil Chhetri is in tremendous form. If you were to stop him, what would you have done?

(Gourmangi busts into laughter)… Sunil has been in exceptional form and has been scoring at those important phases. That's what we need from him. He is a great guy to have you in your side. He can lift up the spirits very fast. We share a great rapport. Talking of stopping him (laughs again)… well our rivals would be listening, so why should I reveal (laughs again). Let the other teams think about him.


You also share a great camaraderie with Subrata Pal since the TFA days. How much does he add confidence to the team?

His consistency is laudable. He is a very energetic goalkeeper and anticipation is very good. He is my best mate and we are sharing the same room. The team depends on him and he never lets us down. I'm looking forward to playing with him together for Prayag United when the clubs season unfolds.


You have played with different partners in the central defence for the Indian Team. What is special about your understanding Raju Gaikwad.

He is one of the best centre-backs who have come up the ranks. After Mahesh (Gawli), he is the pick of the lot. He echoes a lot of confidence in defence and leads the pack of a very talented new generation which will rule Indian football in the next decade. Mahesh Gawli has always stayed my idol as a stopper back and I grew up watching him. I miss him very much as much I miss Baichung Bhutia and others.


How much has Gouramangi Singh matured over the years?

Football stays my life. I have always wanted to play football and I'm happy I'm able to chase my dream. I play with passion and chase my dream. There's still so much to learn...

(Written by Debayan Mukherjee, AIFF Media Team)