Pune FC Academy trials for Under-17 & U-19s in April

Peninsula Pune Football Club Academy (PPFCA) will conduct 'Open' trials for the Under-19 and Under-17 teams at the Pune FC Training Pitch in Mamurdi from April 20 to 25. Selected players will be eligible for a two-season residential programme (2013 to 2015). Both batches will begin regular training in June 2013.

The Under-17 programme will make up the first batch of the PPFCA residential scheme breaking away from the non-residential tag held earlier. The Under-19s trials are for the second batch.

"The idea to have an Under-17 residential programme is to allow players make a stage wise progress a concept followed world over. We believe and hope that someday, with the right exposure, players from these ranks will graduate to higher levels and make all proud," informed Ranjan Choudhary, Pune FC's Head Of Youth Development.

Age eligibility is as follows

Under-17 – Players born after January 1, 1997
Under-19 – Players born after January 1, 1995

Registration forms can be downloaded from punefc.com, which is listed under the link 'Academy'.

Forms will need to be emailed with a subject line bearing – 'Under -19 Trials' or 'Under-17 Trials' respectively to ppfcacademy@gmail.com on or before April 22.

Every applicant will thereafter be emailed a Confirmed Registration Number (CRN), which will make them eligible to give a trial. The CNR reply mail will also include all other details.

All players attending any age-group 'Pune FC Open Trials' should carry along a proof of age document/certificate (a xerox of either birth certificate/ SSLC Certificate issued by board of education or passport).

For details contact, Pune Football Club Pvt. Ltd., Peninsula Centre, Plot No. 4, Galaxy Co-op Society, Off Dhole Patil Road, Pune, or on Tel: +91-20-66063126 (D) / +91-20-66063100.

Mizoram Premier League: Mizoram Police, Dinthar FC & Aizawl FC win

The Round 10 of the inaugural 'Mahindra 2 Wheelers' Mizoram Premier League was held on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Assam Rifles ground in Aizawl, Mizoram with all eight participating teams in action with Mizoram Police still top of the league.

Till Round 10 of the MPL 96 goals have been scored so far at an average of 2,4 goals per game. Lalbiakhlua (Mizoram Police FC), F. Lalrinpuia (Mizoram Police FC), R. Laldanmawia (Dinthar FC) and Lalnunmawia (Dinthar FC) are the leading scorers with six goals each.

The Rounds 11 to 14 of the MPL will be played in April 2013 after a two months break for the Santosh Trophy and 2nd Division I-League.


MIZORAM PREMIER LEAGUE - Results

Round 9
23-Jan-2013: Aizawl FC 3-1 FC RS Annexe
23-Jan-2013: Reitlang FC 1-1 Luangmual FC
24-Jan-2013: Chanmari FC 1-1 FC Kulikawn
24-Jan-2013: Mizoram Police FC 1-2 Dinthar FC

Round 10
29-Jan-2013: Luangmual FC 0-3 Mizoram Police FC
29-Jan-2013: FC Kulikawn 0 1C RS Annexe
30-Jan-2013: Chanmari FC 0-1 Aizawl FC
30-Jan-2013: Dinthar FC 2-1 Reitlang FC


Latest Mizoram Premier League table

67th Santosh Trophy: Mizoram name final 20 players squad

The Mizoram Football Association has named their final 20 players squad for the 67th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy which is being played from tomorrow until March 3 in Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.

The MFA has decided to name a state squad of only local players who are playing in the Mizoram Premier League. No Mizo footballer has been included who plays for 2nd Division I-League teams and as is the case with Mizo 2nd Division sides, Aizawl FC and Luangmual FC, as their player were also left out to allow the clubs to prepare for the 2nd Division.

Mizoram have been drawn in Group C alongside co-hosts Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra with the matches to be played in U.P. from February 12 onwards.


MIZORAM

Goalkeepers
T. Zothanmawia (Dinthar FC), J. Vanlalhriata (Mizoram Police FC)

Defenders
Lalrinchhana (Chanmari FC), Ronald Zothanzama (Dinthar FC), C. Lalrosanga (Dinthar FC), Zomuanpuia (Chanmari FC), J.S. Lalruatthara (Mizoram Police FC), Lalropuia (Mizoram Police FC)

Midfielders
V. Laltanpuia (Mizoram Police FC), Sama Hnamte (Mizoram Police FC), K.C. Lalchhuanmawia (Dinthar FC), Lalchhuanawma (Chanmari FC), Rohmingthanga (FC Kulikawn), Zion Lalramluaha (Reitlang FC)

Forwards
F. Lalrinpuia (Mizoram Police FC), Lalbiakhlua (Mizoram Police FC), C. Lalnunmawia (Mizoram Police FC), R. Laldanmawia (Dinthar FC), Lalnunmawia (Dinthar FC), Samuel Laltlanthanga (Dinthar FC)

Officials
Benjmin L. Khiangte (Coach), Anand Gurung (Physio), T. Vanlalhluna (Manager)

VIDEO: Interview with new Tottenham signing Lewis Holtby

Germany Under-21 international captain Lewis Holtby decided a few weeks ago that in the summer he would end his time at FC Schalke 04 to join EPL side Tottenham Hotspurs. Now in a quick decision Holtby was transferred in the winter break and here his first interview with SpursTV.

The AFC ExCo sets election date for May 2/3

The Asian Football Confederation Executive Committee met on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur under the chairmanship of AFC Acting President Zhang Jilong and decided to hold an Extraordinary Congress and an Ordinary Congress here in the capital of Malaysia on May 2/3, 2013, respectively.

The main business of the AFC Extraordinary Congress on May 2 would be to: a) elect the AFC President; b) one female AFC Vice-President; c) two female members to the AFC Executive Committee, and; d) one position on the FIFA Executive Committee. The Ordinary Congress on May 3 will fulfill the statutory business, including the report of the general secretary, amendments to the Statutes, etc.

The term for the position of the AFC President, one female AFC Vice-President and two female AFC Executive Committee members will be from 2013 until 2015, while the position on the FIFA Executive Committee will have a four-year term until 2017.

The nominations for all the positions opened on January 31, 2013 (90 days before the day of the Extraordinary Congress) and will close on March 3, 2013 (60 days before the Extraordinary Congress). The final list of candidates will be released on April 2, 2013, 30 days before the day of the Extraordinary Congress.

At the outset, Jilong thanked the members for their guidance and support for successfully conducting the activities last year.

"We will have to work towards making the Year 2013 memorable for Asian football. Our teams and administrators made us proud in 2012 and I am confident that we will better that mark this year," Jilong said.

"We have many events lined up in 2013 and we, as guardians of AFC and Asian football, must make sure that the continent scales newer heights each year."

The AFC Executive Committee also decided to nominate AFC Vice-President and Chairman of the AFC Women's Committee, Ms Moya Dodd (Australia) as AFC's candidate for the position of women's football representative in the FIFA Executive Committee. The election for this position will be held during the FIFA Congress in Mauritius in May this year.

FIFA Artificial Turf ground inaugurated in Imphal

After much delay the FIFA sponsored artitificial turf at the Rising Athletic Union Ground, which is located close to Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, was finally inaugurated yesterday in the Manipuri capital Imphal.

The ground was inaugurated by Commissioner R.K. Nimai of the Youth Affairs and Sports department along with the All Manipur Football Association president A. Santoshkumar Singh and secretary L. Ranjit Roy.

The artificial turf ground in Manipur is part of the FIFA 'Win in India with India' program, which the world governing body put together to help in the development of infrastructure across India. Part of the program have been grounds in Bangalore, Shillong, Mumbai and Goa besides the one in Imphal, while Barasat (outside Kolkata) is also getting an artificial turf.

The infrastructure around the ground will be developed by the state government in partnership with the All Manipur Football Association over the next 12 months.

The first squad to train on the ground will be the probables of the Manipur state football team, which will be participating in the upcoming 67th Santosh Trophy in Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.

Sporting Clube de Goa sign Spanish striker Juanfri

I-League side Sporting Clube de Goa signed Spanish striker Juan Francisco García Peña yesterday to increase the Spanish Armada at the club as first young coach Óscar Bruzón Barreras was signed during the season and then last week defender Angel Berlanga had come in.

Sporting Clube de Goa has been having a difficult season and they hope that Juan Francisco García Peña, known as Juanfri in short, can sort out their problems upfront in attack.

The 1,80m tall striker was born in Fuenirola at the Costa del Sol. He started his career with his home town club before moving to Estepona and was then for three seasons at CF Málaga before being with Écija the first half of this season.

Relegation fighting Sporting Clube de Goa, who have a focus on local Goan talent, will hope that their two new Spanish recruits will give them a flavour of what the World and European champions are known for and keep the side in the I-League.

AFC to co-host INTERPOL conference

The Asian Football Confederation will co-host an INTERPOL conference against match fixing and corruption in football to be organised in the Malaysian capital on February 20/21, 2013 for the Asian region.

Representatives from AFC member associations, government, betting industry and law enforcement will be invited to attend the 'INTERPOL International Conference – Match Fixing: The Ugly Side of the Beautiful Game' which is organised with active support from FIFA, AFC and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

The conference, organised under the INTERPOL/FIFA Training, Education and Prevention Initiative, aims to

- Improve knowledge and understanding of the global threat from match fixing and irregular/illegal betting and its immense impact at the national level, what the current tactics used by criminals to initiate match fixing in football are, and likely trends in the future;

- Identify current good practices and innovative ways to prevent match fixing and corruption in football and more effectively protect the future of the ‘beautiful game’, and,

- Further encourage global, regional and national bodies associated with football to work together more effectively in partnerships, regularly sharing information and taking action to prevent match fixing.

The INTERPOL's series of conferences kicked off in Rome on January 17/18 for the European region preceded by a regional conference for the United States of America and Canada in New York City on January 24/25.

Head of INTERPOL's Integrity in Sport unit Michaela Ragg was quoted as saying that the conference provides 'a strong base to further advance the collective fight against match fixing'.

"By bringing together representatives from the widest possible range of organisations involved in combating match fixing, the conference provided an opportunity to share expertise and identify best practice to ensure that we all move forward together in tackling this global problem," Ragg said.

67th Santosh Trophy: Jammu&Kashmir name final 20 players squad

The Jammu&Kashmir Football Association has named their final 20 players squad for the 67th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy which is being played from February 1 to March 3 in Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.

The kit of the Jammu&Kashmir state team is this year being sponsored by Jammu&Kashmir Bank, a first for the state's football team.

Jammu&Kashmir have been drawn in Cluster C alongside Assam, Andaman&Nicobar and Rajasthan with the matches to be played in Uttar Pradesh from February 2 onwards.


JAMMU&KASHMIR

Vikramjit Singh (Captain, J&K Bank), Aman Thapa (J&K Bank), Wasim Feroz (J&K Bank), Rohit Kumar (J&K Bank), Khalid Qayoom (J&K Bank), Shahnaz Iqbal (J&K Bank), Zubair (J&K Bank), Aiman (J&K Bank), Rizwan Sheikh (J&K Bank), Nusrat Kamal (J&K Bank), Umer Jan (J&K Bank), Jamsheed Ahmad (J&K Bank), Asif Majid (J&K Police), Ajay Kumar (J&K Police), Yaseen (J&K Police), Faisal Ahmad (Food&Supplies), Altaf Ahmad (Food&Supplies), Amir Farooq (Power Development Corporation), Javeed Hussain (Maharaja Sports), Dhanjay Sharama (Vijay Club, Jammu)

Officials
Satpal Singh (Coach), Karan Nayyar (Physio), Zahoor Ahmad Teli (Manager)

VIDEO: Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal derby at 2pm on Feb. 9

The Government of West Bengal has decided to host the upcoming I-League derby between Mohun Bagan AC and East Bengal Club on February 9 at 2pm due to the work on the floodlights still not finished. Here the ABP Ananda report!

2nd Division I-League: Three more clubs added, 24 teams to participate

The All India Football Federation has cleared three more clubs to participate in the 2nd Division I-League to push up the number of participating clubs to 24 in the 2nd Division I-League 2012/13, which is set to kick-off in March. The top two clubs will gain promotion to the next edition of the I-League.

The AIFF has now granted clearance to participate also to Bhowanipore Club (Kolkata); Josco FC (Kerala) and Luangmual FC (Mizoram). The clubs had earlier sent their documents via email and original papers were required for verification. Once the process was completed the above mentioned three teams were deemed to have met the Club Licensing criteria for this seasons 2nd Division I-League.

Now this means these three teams join Mohammedan Sporting Club (Kolkata), Green Valley SC (Guwahati), Kalighat Milan Sangha (Kolkata), South United FC (Bangalore), Vasco SC (Goa), Royal Wahingdoh FC (Shillong), Delhi United Soccer Club, Kenkre FC (Mumbai), Hindustan FC (Delhi), Aryan Club (Kolkata), PIFA (Mumbai), Dodsal FC (Mumbai), Samaleshwari Sporting Club (Orissa), Aizwal FC (Mizoram), Rangdajied United FC (Shillong), Langsning FC (Shillong), DSK Shivajains FC (Pune), Kohima Komets (Nagaland), Simla Youngs FC (Delhi), Eagles FC (Kerala) and George Telegraph SC (Kolkata) in the 2nd Division I-League.

67th Santosh Trophy: Delhi name 33 probables

The Delhi Soccer Association has announced 33 probables for the 67th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy which is being played from February 1 to March 3 in Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.

The selection-cum-training camp would be held from Friday, February 1 onwards at the DDA Netaji Subhash Sports Complex, Jasola with the players asked to report to coach Surinder Kumar at 10.00 IST.

The players have been chosen by a DSA selection committee from matches of the Delhi Senior Division.

Delhi have been drawn in Group A of the preliminary round to be played in Kochi having to face Indian Railways on February 15 and record champions Bengal on February 17.


DELHI Probables

Goalkeepers
Virender Singh (Simla Youngs FC), Yogesh Kumar (Youngmen SC), Vikrant Sharma (Hindustan FC), Amit Negi (Shahdara FC), Mohammed Rashid (Royal Rangers FC)

Defenders
Deepak Kumar (Garhwal Heroes FC), Yogesh Kumar (Garhwal Heroes FC), Nishant Siddhu (Shahdara Club), Sarwer Ali (Shahdara Club), Anil Bara (Delhi United FC), Vikash Rawat (Delhi United FC), Sohrab Ali (City Club), Pushpender Kundu (Hindustan FC), Tara (Tarun Sangha)

Midfielders
Akshey Kumar (Youngmen SC), Jeet (Royal Rangers FC), Monu Choudhary (Delhi United FC), W. Ajit Singh (Delhi United FC), Jasbir (Tarun Sangha), Dheeraj (Hindustan FC), Asahu Nathani (Hindustan FC), Rajesh Methai (Goodwill FC), Vijay Kumar (Veterans FC), Inderjeet Singh (Veterans FC)

Forwards
Sourav Patra (Ahbab FC), Kamal Rawat (Garhwal Heroes FC), Gaimlung Kamei (Garhwal Heroes FC), Manik (Royal Rangers FC), Mohinder Kumar (Hindustan FC), Obed Kamei (Delhi United FC), Ankit (City Club), Adam (Goodwill FC), Vivek Kumar (IAF, New Delhi)

Officials
Surinder Kumar (Coach), Kamaluddin Qureshi (Manager), Hafiz Shahid (Convenor)

Jamshedpur to host Under-20 I-League

The All India Football Federation has allotted Jamshedpur the right to host this seasons Under-20 I-League tournament, which is set to kick-off from March 6.

The officials from the Jharkhand Football Association and the Tata Steel Sports department met on Monday to discuss organisational matters for the national level youth tournament.

Earlier in the season in September 2012, Jamshedpur had been co-hosts of the Federation Cup, but monsoonal rains caused major organisational problems.

Though not confirmed, but this seasons Under-20 I-League could be a 16 team affair with the Pune FC Juniors the defending champions of the Under-20 I-League which is set to be played at the JRD Tata Sports Complex and the Gopal Maidan.

VIDEO: East Bengal to set-up Academy in Rajganj

ABP Ananda reports that Kolkata giants East Bengal Club are planning to open an Academy in Rajganj, Jalpaiguri district in the north of West Bengal state. The club plans to have a full-fledged Academy for boys aged 12 to 18 with all necessary facilities.

Dramatic end to inaugural Sunfeast Dream Cream Roots Football League in Bangalore!

At the inaugural Sunfeast Dream Cream Roots Football League, the Cheetah won the Under-11 championship in dramatic fashion after a penalty shootout with the Eagles after they drew their last Super League match which left both the teams tied on points and goal difference. The Eagles earlier made a superb comeback after being two goals down to restore parity in the match.

In the Under-13 age category the Sharks defeated Eagles in a see-saw match before the Sharks prevailed 2-1 to be crowned champions. In the Under-15 age category Cheetahs continued their fine form to take the title, defeating Lions and Rhinos in their last two Super League matches.

Former Indian international Noel Wilson, and V.L. Rajesh (Executive VP, Marketing and Exports, ITC Ltd. - Foods Division) were part of the presentation ceremony. Noel Wilson, while speaking to the players and parents urged the parents to encourage their kids to take up football as a sport. Krishanji Rao, former national assistant coach and Deputy Secretary of the KSFA, was also present to encourage this first of a kind junior league in Bangalore which saw the participation of around 180 kids in the 3 age categories.

RFL which kicked off last December had league matches being played every Sunday. The registered players were earlier distributed among teams based on skill assessments and age to ensure the teams are balanced. Another notable feature of RFL is parent's involvements as team coaches for the various teams, assisted by qualified coaches of Roots Football School.

The league initiated by Game On Sports Management, which runs after-school football training programmes for kids in partnership with Sunfeast which has always been proudly associated with sporting events of such nature – World 10K Marathon, Sunfeast Open, etc. RFL aspires to create a football movement among kids and parents – the League will encourage more children in the age group to play football, thus broadening the base of football in our community.


Brief Scores, League Standings and Individual Winners

Under-11: Super League Scores
1) Rhinos drew Sharks 2-2 (Rhinos: Riu -1, Yuvaraj P-1; Sharks Soham -1, Adit Nahar- 1)
2) Cheetahs def. Lions 4-2 (Cheetahs: Macarton 3, Saurabh 1; Lions: Ajay S -1, Shiu - 1)
3) Bisons def. Sharks 3-0 (Bisons: Rohaan- 1, Suman- 2)
4) Rhinos def Bisons 3-2 ( Rhinos:Neil -2,Yuvaraj P-1; Bisons: Gabriel-1, Suman-1)
5) Eagles def Lions 2-0 (Eagles: Nabeel-2)
6) Cheetahs drew Eagles (Cheetahs: Saurabh -2; Eagles; John S -2)

Final Standing: 1-Cheetahs, 2-Eagles, 3-Lions, 4-Rhinos, 5-Bisons, 6-Sharks

Individual Awards
Best Goalkeeper: Rhea Appachu (Eagles)
Best Defender: John S (Eagles)
Best Player: Raneesh Krishnan (Lions)
Highest Goal Scorer: Macartan Louis (Cheetahs)
Best Parent Coach: Nicky Appachu (Eagles)

Under-13: Super League Scores
1) Cheetahs def. Bisons 5-3 (Cheetahs:Aryan-3,Manoj-1,Srinivas-1; Biscons;Siddharth-2, Manav-1)
2) Rhinos def. Bisons 5-0 (Rhinos: Sharvana-3, Mario-1, Ved-1)
3) Sharks def. Lions 5-1 (Sharks: Rudra-3, Anish-1, Vimal-1; Lions: Shrikritt-1)
4) Sharks def. Eagles 2-1 (Sharks: Rudra-1, Vimal-1; Jathin Jaykumar-1)

Final Standing: 1-Sharks, 2-Eagles, 3-Lions, 4-Rhinos, 5-Cheetahs, 6-Bisons

Individual Awards
Best Goalkeeper: Mani (Eagles)
Best Defender: Ved Devaiah (Rhinos)
Best Player: Arun Kumar (Sharks)
Highest Goal Scorer: Rudra Ved Moola (Sharks); Sharvana V (Rhinos)
Best Parent Coach: Arinjoy Ghosh (Sharks)

Under-15: Super League Scores

1) Sharks drew with Bisons 1-1( Sharks: Ajith R-1; Bisons: Jairaj-1)
2) Bisons def. Eagles 6-1 (Bisons: Raghav Rao-4, Jairaj-1, Tapaswini-1)
3) Cheetahs def. Lions 4-1 (Cheetahs: Vikram S- 4; Lions: Deepu-1)
4) Rhinos def. Lions 1-0 ( Rhinos: Ranjith M-1)

Final Standing: 1-Cheetahs, 2-Rhinos, 3-Lions, 4-Bisons, 5-Sharks, 6-Eagles

Individual Awards
Best Goalkeeper: Steny Kiran (Cheetahs)
Best Defender: Rohan Shah (Cheetahs)
Best Player: Raghav Rao (Bisons)
Highest Goal Scorer: Vikram S (Cheetahs)
Best Parent Coach: P. Seshadri (Sharks)

67th Santosh Trophy: Manipur name 27 probables

The All Manipur Football Association has announced 27 probables for the 67th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy which is being played from February 1 to March 3 in Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.

The selection-cum-training camp would be held from tomorrow onwards at the Artificial Turf Football Ground in Imphal with the players asked to report to coach M. Ratankumar Singh.

Manipur have been drawn in Group D of the Quarterfinal League and would face Qualifying Group I (B-1), Qualifying Group I (A-2) and Qualifying Group II (Cluster B winner) from February 22 onwards in Kollam, Kerala.


MANIPUR Probables

Goalkeepers
M. Raj Singh (NEROCA), S. Dinakumar Singh (USA), K. Anand Singh (TRAU), L. Bishorjit Singh (NISA)

Defenders
M. Meino Singh (TRAU), S. Herojit Singh (KLASA), Daniel Singh (ZFC), T. Raju Singh (Southern Sporting Union), Mohammed Sohail Shah (NEROCA), W. Ngouba Singh (AIM), L. Chandramani Singh (TRAU), Lamkholen Haokip (KSC), T. Ajit Singh (NISA)

Midfielders
Cleaven Hmar (ZFC), H. Chakravorti (NEROCA), Thangminlal Gangte (KSC), Mohammed Imran Khan (SSU), O. Pitler Singh (NISA), N. Sushil Singh (NEROCA), L. Bikram Singh (TRAU), John L. Hmar (USA)

Forwards
Sahidur Rehman (SSU), Th. Premkumar Singh (TRAU), Gogocha Singh (Southern Sporting Union), F. Lalzarzo (USA), G. Ngulkhosiem Singh (KSC), Th. Roshan Singh (NEROCA)

Officials
M. Ratankumar Singh (Coach), Kh. Mohori Singh (Manager)

PHOTOs: Tilak Maidan reconstruction work, I-League CEO visit

Vasco's Tilak Maidan is current undergoing renovation and I-League CEO Sunando Dhar visited the ground yesterday to have a look at the ongoing work. Though the timeframe had to extended, the hope is that Tilak Maidan will host I-League matches before the end of March 2013.

A. Rowan to officiate in India vs Palestine friendly!

The All India Football Federation has selected Services referee Armughan Rowan to officiate in the international friendly between India and Palestine on Wednesday, February 6 at the Nehru Stadium in Kochi, Kerala.

Armughan Rowan would be assisted by Shaji Kurian from Kerala and Delhi's Mohammed Kamil on the touch lines, while M.B. Santosh Kumar of Kerala would be the fourth official for the match.

Delhi's J. Ravishankar has been named as the Match Commissioner for the game.

Mumbai's Kenkre FC to organise trials in Kolkata on February 1/2

Mumbai's Kenkre FC who will be once more participating in the 2nd Division I-League this season will be holding open selection trials in Kolkata on Friday/Saturday, February 1/2 to find suitable players for their squad.

The open selection trials for Kenkre FC's first team will be conducted on February 1/2 in Kolkata at the SAI grounds of the Saltlake Stadium sports complex. The trials will be held from 09.00 to 12.00 IST with interested players asked to report with their full playing kit.

The Mumbai-based club, whose Academy is well known, are hoping to find experienced players to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2nd Division I-League campaign.

For details on the trials in Kolkata contact Kenkre FC under: 98923-51609 or 98214-45880


Kenkre FC Trials in Kolkata Details

DATE: February 1/2
TIME: 09.00 to 12.00 IST
VENUE: SAI grounds, Saltlake Stadium sports complex, Kolkata

I-League CEO Sunando Dhar visits Tilak Maidan, meets club officials

The I-League CEO Sunando Dhar yesterday was in Goa to inspect the ongoing renovation work at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco. Since the Duler ground in Mapusa does not have the infrastructure to support live broadcast facilities, it was imperative for the I-League official to suggest ideas to the broadcasters who are missing high profile matches due to unavailability of suitable stadiums in Goa.

Sunando Dhar was optimistic that the renovation work would be completed soon and the stadium would host some of the remaining I-league matches this season.

The Nehru Stadium at Margao, along with Tilak Maidan are being renovated to host the 3rd Lusofonia Games later this year. Due to the excavation work at both these venues, the current I-League matches were shifted to Duler Ground in Mapusa.

Sunando Dhar was in the state to review the progress at the stadiums and to explore the possibility of live telecast of I-League matches which are currently being played by the four Goan teams.

A meeting of the four I-League club representatives was then held along with the Goa Football Association president Shrinivas V. Dempo, SAG Executive Director Elvis Gomes and GFA member Anthony Pango at the Dempo House in Panaji. Officials from the SAG expressed confidence that the I-League matches would kick start by March 20 at the fully equipped venue at Tilak Maidan, Vasco. Mr. Dhar also proposed to send a team of technical consultants from the broadcaster to give suggestions on appropriate locations for placing of the TV cameras.

In the end it was decided by the clubs to send a review report to the AIFF by mid-February.

Wim Koevermans names 23 players squad for Palestine friendly in Kochi

Team India coach Wim Koevermans has named his 23 players squad for the international friendly against Palestine on Wednesday, February 6 to be played at the Nehru Stadium in Kochi.

Koevermans, under whom India had won the 2012 Nehru Cup, maintained it's a very important match for India. "We need to assess ourselves. We need more such matches," Wim told Aiff Media.

Captain Sunil Chhetri, who plays for Sporting Clube de Portugal 'B', added, "Unless you play International Friendlies you cannot gauge where you stand. We stay grateful to AIFF for arranging the match."

"The passion for the sport in the Kerala stays unparallel and we expect a full house cheering for us against Palestine," Sunil further stated.

Koevermans has been travelling across India to watch as many I-League matches as possible to name his squad for the friendly. Interestingly seasoned Sandip Nandy makes a comeback in the squad as does Lalkamal Bhowmick, while 'Player of Indian origin' Izumi Arata gets his first call-up as does winger C.K. Vineeth.

Meanwhile Koevermans has named 14 stand-byes in-case any of his 20 players called-up get injured and can be replaced ahead of the friendly.

The squad will assemble in Kochi on Sunday, February 3 ahead of the match after their I-League engagements.


INDIA

Goalkeepers
Sandip Nandy (Churchill Brothers SC), Subrata Pal (Prayag United SC), Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar FC)

Defenders
Nirmal Chettri (Mohun Bagan AC), Raju Eknath Gaikwad (East Bengal Club), Denzil Franco (Churchill Brothers SC), Souvik Ghosh (Pailan Arrows), Syed Rahim Nabi (Mohun Bagan AC), Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Prayag United SC), Gurjinder Kumar Singh (Pune FC)

Midfielders
Izumi Arata (Pune FC), Lalkamal Bhowmick (Prayag United SC), Francis Fernandes (Salgaocar SC), Alwyn George (Pailan Arrows), Mehtab Hossain (East Bengal Club), Clifford Miranda (Dempo SC), Anthony Pereira (Dempo SC), Jewel Raja Sheikh (Mohun Bagan AC), Lenny Rodrigues (Churchill Brothers SC), C.K. Vineeth (Prayag United SC)

Forwards
Sunil Chhetri (Sporting Clube de Portugal 'B'), Manandeep Singh (East Bengal Club), Sushil Kumar Singh (Shillong Lajong FC)

Stand-Byes
Subhasish Roy Chowdhury (Dempo SC), L. Dhanachandra Singh (Prayag United SC), Sandesh Jhingan (United Sikkim FC), Arnab Mondal (East Bengal Club), Gurwinder Singh (East Bengal Club), Shylo Malswam Tulunga (Prayag United SC), Rocus Lamare (Salgaocar FC), Lalrindika Ralte (East Bengal Club), Peter Carvalho (Dempo SC), W. Tomba Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Asif K. (Prayag United SC), Joaquim Abranches (Dempo SC), Robin Singh (East Bengal Club), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Pune FC),

Officials
Wim Koevermans (Head Coach), Savio Medeira (Assistant Coach), Marcus Pacheco (Goalkeeping Coach)

67th Santosh Trophy: Assam name final 20 players squad

The Assam Football Association has named their final 20 players squad for the 67th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy which is being played from February 1 to March 3 in Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.

Assam have been drawn in Cluster C alongside Andaman&Nicobar, Jammu&Kashmir and Rajasthan with the matches to be played in Uttar Pradesh from February 2 onwards.


ASSAM

Goalkeepers
Daoga Brahma (Guwahati), Sukhdeb Ghose (Guwahati), Mantu Mallick (Guwahati)

Defenders
Shishuram Chutia (Dibrugarh), Moneshwar Mushahary (Guwahati), Tridip Hazarika (Guwahati), Amal Boro (Guwahati), Jyotish Basumatary (Dibrugarh), Biplob Sonowal
(Dibrugarh)

Midfielders
Gerramsha Basumatary (Guwahati), F. Wary (Dibrugarh), Mathew Thomson (Dibrugarh), Mendala Ranghmai (Guwahati), Minto Boro (Dibrugarh), Syed Ansar (Guwahati), Sabir Ali (Guwahati)

Forwards
Chayaram Basumaary (Dibrugarh), Jayanta Basumatary (Dibrugarh), Shyam Murah (Guwahati), Manas Manjit Chetia (Dibrugarh)

Officials
Ratan Singh (Coach), Bikash Borah (Assistant Coach), Duyu Nipa (Physio), Plabon Baruah (Manager)

Mizoram Premier League: Mizoram Police lose, but stays top

The Round 9 of the inaugural 'Mahindra 2 Wheelers' Mizoram Premier League was held last Wednesday and Thursday at the Assam Rifles ground in Aizawl, Mizoram with all eight participating teams in action with Mizoram Police still top of the league though they lost to Dinthar FC.

Round 10 will be played over the next couple of days before another break in the league due to the Santosh Trophy state camp starting on January 31 and then Aizawl FC taking part in the 2nd Division I-League.


MIZORAM PREMIER LEAGUE - Results & Fixtures

Round 8
18-Jan-2013: Dinthar FC 2-1 FC Kulikawn
18-Jan-2013: Luangmual FC 1-2 Aizawl FC
19-Jan-2013: Reitlang FC 1-1 FC RS Annexe
19-Jan-2013: Mizoram Police FC 2-1 Chanmari FC

Round 9
23-Jan-2013: Aizawl FC 3-1 FC RS Annexe
23-Jan-2013: Reitlang FC 1-1 Luangmual FC
24-Jan-2013: Chanmari FC 1-1 FC Kulikawn
24-Jan-2013: Mizoram Police FC 1-2 Dinthar FC

Round 10
29-Jan-2013: Luangmual FC - Mizoram Police FC
29-Jan-2013: FC Kulikawn - FC RS Annexe
30-Jan-2013: Chanmari FC - Aizawl FC
30-Jan-2013: Dinthar FC - Reitlang FC


Latest Mizoram Premier League table

Latest Photos from Mizoram Premier League

I-League - Round 18: Churchill Bros held, East Bengal beat Pune FC

The eighteenth round of the 2012/13 I-League was played from January 24 to 28 across the country with only 15 goals scored across seven matches as Churchill Brothers SC continue to lead in the league table.

But Churchill Brothers winning run came to an end as they were held to a goalless draw by Munbai FC at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune, which allowed East Bengal to reduce the gap at the top with a crucial 2-1 away win against Pune FC, who with this loss are for the moment out of the title race.

Dempo SC meanwhile remain third with 34 points, but needed an injury time equaliser from Peter Carvalho to equalise against an inform ONGC, who had gone ahead through former international Jatin Singh Bisht as they remain undefeated under Santosh Kashyap.

Meanwhile at the other end of the table Mohun Bagan AC gained only their second point from 13 matches as Ranty Martins Soleye scored a late equaliser for Prayag United SC in the small Kolkata derby at the Kalyani Stadium after Tolgay Ozbey had given the green-and-maroon the lead with his first goal of this I-League campaign.

The goal of Round 18 was scored by India defender Anwar for United Sikkim FC, who surprised all with his skill in his side-volley goal but it wasn't enough for USFC to get all three points against the Pailan Arrows, who equalised just three minutes from time through substitute Tirthankar Sarkar.


Round 18 Stats

27-January-2013: Dempo SC 1-1 ONGC (Mapusa)
Goals: 0-1 Jatin Singh Bisht (37'), 1-1 Peter Carvalho (90+1')

24-January-2013: Mumbai FC 0-0 Churchill Brothers SC (Mumbai)
Goals: none

27-January-2013: Prayag United SC 1-1 Mohun Bagan AC (Kalyani)
Goals: 0-1 Tolgay Ozbey (49'), 1-1 Ranty Martins Soleye (89')

28-January-2013: Sporting Clube de Goa 2-0 Salgaocar FC (Mapusa)
Goals: 1-0 Ogba Kalu Nnanna (60'), 2-0 Angel Berlanga (67')

28-January-2013: Pailan Arrows 1-1 United Sikkim FC (Kolkata)
Goals: 0-1 Anwar (74'), 1-1 Tirthankar Sarkar (87')

25-January-2013: Pune FC 1-2 East Bengal Club (Pune)
Goals: 0-1,1-2 Chidi Edeh (6',75' pen), 1-1 Izumi Arata (16')

28-January-2013: Shillong Lajong FC 2-2 Air India (Shillong)
Goals: 0-1 Ezeh Nna Henry (16'), 1-1,2-2 Sho Kamimura (16',90+3'), 1-2 Prakash Thorat (64')

67th Santosh Trophy: Odisha name final 20 players squad

The Football Association of Orissa has finalised their 20 players squad for the 67th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy which is being played from February 1 to March 3 in Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.

The Odisha state team have been drawn in Group B alongside former champions Punjab and Meghalaya with the matches to be played in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh from February 11 onwards.

Odisha Police's Sidhartha Sankar Puruseth has been named captain with Gokul Oram from Radha Gobinda Club as the vice-captain.


ODISHA

Goalkeepers
Sheikh Kamaluddin (Sunrise Club), Umar Khan (Morning Club)

Defenders
Hurshikesh Behera (Odisha Police), Fayajuddin Shah (Morning Club), Gobinda Senapati (Odisha Police), Kh. Abdul Khan (Radha Gobinda), Kedar Singh (Sunrise Club), Dinesh Lakra (Sunshine Club), Ramdas Hansda (Odisha Police)

Midfielders
Sheikh Moin (Chand Club), Sidhartha Sankar Puruseth (Captain, Odisha Police), Sanatan Lohar (SAI Orissa), Manoj Murmu (SAI Orissa), Debashis Murmu (Radha Gobinda)

Forwards
Bijay Das (Mangala Club), Mohammed Ehesan Khan (Odisha Police), Abhimanyu Pandey (Odisha Police), Sankho Marandi (Radha Gobinda), Gokul Oram (Vice-Captain, Radha Gobinda), Sanjit Panna (Chand Club)

GOAL 2013: FICCI's International Convention on Football Business in New Delhi

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will organise its first-ever FICCI GOAL 2013 - India Football, which will be an International Convention on Football Business on February 14/15 at Federation House on Tansen Marg in New Delhi.

This initiative is a strategic dialogue platform to bring together senior decision makers and who’s who of Indian and international football industry to deliberate on profitable promotion and grassroots development of the sport in the country.


Sessions over the two days will include a wide range of topics concerning Indian football. Here an overview

- Football in Asia: Opportunities for India with focus on youth development

- Joining the dots of AIFF Lakshya 2022 & IMG-RIL 2026 Vision

- Reconceptualizing of Indian League system: Club vs City Franchisee

- Football Stadia: Sustenance and Legacy of 'White Elephant'

- Strategy of acquisition and successful executive of 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in India

- A focused session on Success Stories in Indian football


To register for the event go to: http://www.ficci.com/events-page.asp?evid=21288 .

67th Santosh Trophy: Logo & mascot launched!

The 67th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy now have an own tournament logo and a mascot in Kichu, a puppy chasing a football. Both where launched yesterday in Kochi, Kerala. This years tournament will be played from February 1 to March 3 in Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.

Preejith from Kannur designed the official tournament logo and K.U. Anoop Das designed the official Mascot. The Kerala Football Association received over 700 entries for the logo and the mascot out of which the two winners were selected by a panel of judges comprising of former football players and artists.

The two winners of the logo and mascot got Rupees 5,000 each as cash price for their designs.


Here a photo of the mascot

VIDEO: Wim Koevermans talks to PFCTV!

Pune FC's PFCTV spoke to Indian national coach Wim Koevermans after Friday's I-League game between Pune FC and East Bengal Club. He spoke about PFC, their stadium, training facilities and youth development program.

2016 European Championships at 10 stadiums across France

The 2016 European Championships will be held in 10 stadiums across nine French cities. This was confirmed by the UEFA Executive Committee on Friday as per what the French Football Federation had handed in to UEFA.

At its meeting at the House of European Football in the Swiss city of Nyon, the Executive Committee endorsed the following venues for the finals in three summers' time: Bordeaux, Lens, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Paris, Saint-Denis (Stade de France), Saint-Etienne and Toulouse.

Saint-Etienne and Toulouse had been left out of the original list, which also had included Nancy in a nine venue list but the FFF increased to 10 venues in nine cities later on.

Before the final tournament, UEFA's member associations will begin the qualifying competition for UEFA EURO 2016 in September 2014, following the qualifying competition draw the previous spring. The draw for the finals will take place at the end of 2015.

The 2016 edition would be the first European Championships to feature 24 teams instead of 16 which has been usual over the last few editions and this means more venues are needed to host the bigger tournament with more matches to be played.

The Mania & Hype surrounding Pep Guardiola and Bayern Munich

German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich pulled off a coup by signing Pep Guardiola as their coach for the new 2013/14 season. The hype and international media coverage has reached unbelievable levels at the Bavarian giants.

FC Hollywood as FCB as also called for the stories and gossip that happen around the club are used to a lot of attention, but the hype surrounding the signing of Guardiola has reached unknown levels even for former greats like Franz Beckenbauer, Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Josep "Pep" Guardiola and Bayern Munich had been linked for months but it was somewhat globally expected that Guardiola in the end would sign for an English Premier League side, the only question being if it would be FC Chelsea, Manchester City or maybe even Manchester United.

But to the surprise of especially the English media, Guardiola chose Bayern Munich over the EPL which has given the German giants unknown levels of attention and coverage around the world.

Last weekend some Bayern Munich players were already annoyed when they repeatedly were being asked about Guardiola and not the ongoing season and Thomas Mueller put it nicely by saying that Guardiola will be at topic in the team from 00.01 h on July 1, 2013.

I am currently in India and even here Bayern Munich and Guardiola have been covered widely with big articles, which are rare except the club are once more on their way to India for a tour. FCB and the Bundesliga need to use this to push the league across the globe!

VIDEO: Amazing Ariel Rojas double kick bicycle goal

Here the video of River Plate Buenos Aires' Ariel Rojas brilliant double kick bicycle goal against Racing Club. Not only a great goal, but also listen to the lively commentary and the long goooaaal scream.

Namibian Quinton Jacobs joins Mohun Bagan AC

The Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan AC yesterday signed former Namibia captain Quinton Norman Jacobs for the remainder of the 2012/13 season in place of Nigerian Cyprian Stanley Okoroigwe, who has been released by the green-and-maroon.

34 year old season Quinton Jacobs had started the season with Salgaocar FC but was released recently as the club was not happy with his performances.

Quinton had come to play in India following his national teams international friendly in New Delhi against India in September 2010 as newly founded United Sikkim FC signed him. He led the Baichung Bhutia owned club into the I-League last and then earned a move to Salgaocar's.

Now Mohun Bagan hope the experienced Jacobs will add creativity to a weak midfield, also creating chances for the strikers.

Also joining the Mariners is former East Bengal midfielder Susanth Mathew, who was released recently by the red-and-gold.

VIDEO: India 1-0 Netherlands' KNVB CTO Academy Team!

Here a detailed Dristi TV report from last Sunday's India vs Netherlands' KNVB CTO Academy Team match at the Father Agnel Sports Complex in Navi Mumbai. India won through a Ashalata Devi free-kick, which is shown in the video clip!

UEFA confirms EURO2020 in 13 cities across the continent

The European governing body UEFA's Executive Committee has confirmed that the UEFA EURO 2020 will be held as "EURO for Europe" across 13 cities across the continent. It will give some countries and cities the opportunity to be part of a tournament that they may otherwise not be able to host.

The UEFA Executive Committee, chaired by UEFA President Michel Platini, approved the key event and football principles for the "EURO for Europe", which include

• The matches will be split into 13 different packages, with 12 ordinary packages including three group matches and one knockout round (round of 16 or quarterfinal), and one package for the semi-finals and the final;
• There will only be a maximum of one venue per country, meaning one stadium for each of the available 13 packages. Both semifinals and the final will be played in one stadium; and
• Each association will be allowed to present up to two bids, one for the ordinary package and one for the semifinals/final package. Each national association can decide to present the same city for these two bids or two different cities.

Projected stadiums will be admitted in the bidding process, with a deadline set in 2016 for the construction of any new stadium to start, failing which the decision on such a host city could be reviewed.

The required minimum net stadiums capacities should be

• 70,000 for semi-finals/final;
• 60,000 for quarter-finals;
• 50,000 for round of 16 and group matches; and
• Up to two exceptions would be allowed for stadiums of a net minimum capacity of 30,000 seats, limited to group matches and a round of 16 match.

All teams will participate in the qualifying competition and the 13 countries staging matches will therefore not be automatically qualified.


Michel Platini had made his revolutionary idea public last summer with now 12 cities across as many countries with the chance to host matches in the group stage with knockout matches to be played at a ideally neutral venue to give even opportunities to all UEFA member nations.

Platini is favouring the Turkish capital Istanbul, but if it is awarded the 2020 Olympics then another European capital would host the tournament.

FCBEscola conducts open trials for its Academy in Delhi NCR

The true spirit of Republic Day was seen today at the IOS Maidan with football enthusiasts' from across the nation exhibiting camaraderie while vying with their peers to get a place at FCBEscola Academy Delhi. The ground reverberated as hundreds of footballers in the age groups of Under-8, U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16 and U-18 from over 200 schools and 38 cities played hard to secure themselves for the FC Barcelona's official football school in Delhi NCR.

The young guns ran tirelessly after the ball at the open trials conducted by FCBEscola to pursue their dream of being trained the Barca way. Apart from the ball possession or stop and pass, the football aficionado's were also judged on the values like tolerance, respect, solidarity, friendship, community spirit and integration. The trials will be a two stage process, with selected kids from today being called to a Final Trial in March. In the end, only a handful of highly talented kids will be invited to join the FCBEscola.

FCBEscola is the official football school of the top European club, FC Barcelona. The school operates with an intensive program that runs year round, in which the players train twice a week and play matches once every week. The Escola is open for players from age 6-17. Once a player is selected to the Escola he goes through a continuous development program under the watchful eyes of official coaches.

FC Barcelona boasts of some of the top names in world football who have come through their own youth development programs. Superstars such as Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi Hernandez, Pep Guardiola, Gerard Pique, Victor Valdes, Carlos Puyol and Andres Iniesta are only a few of the illustrious players that have graduated from this system. The School, which is meant for serious footballers, will be headed by Antoni Claveria, Director of the FCBEscola India Project appointed by FC Barcelona. With the Escola, FC Barcelona aims to provide sustained world-class grassroots training to aspiring footballers and help India build the foundation for better performance at global level.

Speaking about the trials, Antoni Claveria, Director of the FCBEscola India Project said, "This will engage promising young players from across the country. We look forward to participating and hopefully seeing some of the young enthusiasts play competitive football in coming days. While we have shortlisted potential participants from the earlier camps, the trials will give impetus to finalise the students who are going to be part of FCBEscola Delhi. I am really excited to meet talent from India."

Finale of Sunfeast Dream Cream Roots Football League in Bangalore tomorrow

The grand finale of the inaugural season of the Sunfeast Dream Cream Roots Football League for kids will be played tomorrow at the Mt. Carmel College ground at Vasanth Nagar ground, Bangalore from 10.30 am onwards with children playing in the Under-11, U-13 and U-15 category.

Six teams have played in each category in a 5-A-Side format. Around 200 kids had registered for the inaugural league, which is first of a kind junior league in Bangalore. Earlier weeks witnessed skill assessments session based on the age of the registered players. Later the players were distributed among teams ensuring a balanced composition.

Each team in RFL has distinct names - Bisons, Cheetahs, Eagles, Lions, Rhinos, and Sharks. Teams have their own team colours to develop identity among kids with their teams.

Parents' involvement as team coaches for various teams is another notable feature of Sunfeast Dream Cream Roots Football League. Each coach is ably assisted by qualified coaches of Roots Football School.

All the teams played against each other in a round robin format followed by a Super League among the top three teams and the next three teams to decide the final standings.

The league initiated by Game On Sports Management, which runs after-school football training programmes for kids in partnership with Sunfeast which has always been proudly associated with sporting events of such nature – World 10K Marathon, Sunfeast Open, etc.

RFL aspires to create a football movement among kids and parents – the League will encourage more children in the age group to play football, thus broadening the base of football in our community.

rs1.tv VIDEO: Snowing in Remscheid

Currently it is quite cold in Germany with snow and minus temperatures. Here a feature from my rs1.tv colleagues with footage from the trains travelling through the snowy landscape. Nice to watch!

VIDEO: When will Saltlake Stadium host floodlight matches again?

The Saltlake Stadium has not hosted a floodlit match in close to a year with work on the revamped floodlight still going on. Here an ABP Ananda report asking the question when the Saltlake Stadium can once more host a floodlight match.

Delhi State Women Football League Championship kicked-off

The Delhi State Women Football League Championship began today at the CWG Football Ground in Akshardham. Five Women Clubs from across the capital are participating in the State League Championship.

The five women's teams taking part are Eves Soccer Club, Garhwal Heroes FC, Girls United, Growing Star and Hans FC.

In the inaugural match Girls United defeated Garhwal Heroes FC 2-1 with the the second match between Hans FC and Eves Soccer Club ending in a goalless draw.

There will be no match tomorrow, while on Sunday Eves Soccer Club take on Girls United in the first match, while Growing Star take on Hans Club thereafter.

21 clubs to participate in 2nd Division I-League

The All India Football Federation has finalised the 21 clubs to participate in the 2nd Division I-League 2012/13, which is set to kick-off in March. The top two clubs will gain promotion to the next edition of the I-League.

The clubs have been selected on basis of the AIFF's professional club licensing process which started on November 21, 2012 when State Associations were asked to nominate clubs interested in participating in the 2nd Division I-League 2012/13.

AIFF received 47 nominations for the same following which the clubs were informed to submit the documents by December 22, 2012.

The final deadline for the clubs to submit the documents were extended to January 22, 2013 by the AIFF Executive Committee which met on January 15, 2013. Eventually twenty one clubs fulfilled the criteria and have been invited to play with the 2nd Division to be played in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.


The list of 21 clubs stay as follows

Mohammedan Sporting Club (Kolkata), Green Valley SC (Guwahati), Kalighat Milan Sangha (Kolkata), South United FC (Bangalore), Vasco SC (Goa), Royal Wahingdoh FC (Shillong), Delhi United Soccer Club, Kenkre FC (Mumbai), Hindustan FC (Delhi), Aryan Club (Kolkata), PIFA (Mumbai), Dodsal FC (Mumbai), Samaleshwari Sporting Club (Orissa), Aizwal FC (Mizoram), Rangdajied United FC (Shillong), Langsning FC (Shillong), DSK Shivajains FC (Pune), Kohima Komets (Nagaland), Simla Youngs FC (Delhi), Eagles FC (Kerala), George Telegraph SC (Kolkata)

VIDEO: Mohun Bagan held goalless by United Sikkim FC

Yesterday afternoon Mohun Bagan AC hosted United Sikkim FC in an I-League match at the Saltlake Stadium. The green-and-maroon were held to a surprising, but deserving goalless draw. Here the ABP Ananda video report on the match.

Churchill Bros lose Bilal Sheikh El Najjarin to UAE club

I-League leaders Churchill Brothers SC will have to continue their quest for regaining the I-League title without Lebanese defender Bilal Sheikh El Najjarin, who yesterday played his last game for the Goans against Mumbai FC and will now join UAE Pro League side Fujairah SC.

31 year old Bilal has been a standout performer for Churchill Brothers this season amongst an incredibly strong quartet of foreigners which also include Brazilian Beto, Gabon striker Henry and fellow Lebanese Akram.

Bilal had a clause in his one year contract under which he could leave the Goans, if he received a better offer which came his way from Fujairah SC. By signing in the Emirates, Bilal will play in a stronger league with better pay and facilities plus he is closer to his home country Lebanon.

Churchill Brothers are now scouting the international market for a suitable replacement, then Bilal held the Red Machine defence together and he was one of the reasons why the club is top of the I-League.

Now technical director Subhas Bhowmick and coach Mariano Dias will most likely have to plan the upcoming match(es) without a foreign defender with D. Ravanan having to take a leading role in his teams defence.

VIDEO: Referee unintentionally fouls Player

Referees are there to detect fouls, but sometimes they themselves get involved in situations. Take this friendly match between Russian side FC Zenit St. Petersburg and Ukrainians Shakhtar Donetsk, where the referee slips and slides into a Zenit player though it isn't clear from the footage if there is any contact or not.

Bundesliga generate more then 2 billion Euros in revenue!

The German Bundesliga is on a growth path on and off the field with its 18 clubs generating more than 2 billion Euros of revenue for the first time in the history of the league with the clubs jointly generating 55 million Euros of profits with 14 of the 18 clubs registering profits.

These numbers are just incredible with no league around the world of football anywhere close to the Bundesliga numbers in regard to profit though other leagues like the English Premier League generating higher turnovers, but less profit.

The Bundesliga increased the revenues generated for the 2011/12 season and broke the 2 billion Euro mark (2.08 b) for the first time (a 7.2% increase over last season). The league produced a post-taxes profit of 55 million euros with 14 of the 18 clubs registering profits. On the spending front, the overall wages/revenue ratio for players and coaches sunk 37.8%.

"The Bundesliga confirmed its sustainable growth and healthy development. The league is well equipped for the coming challenges. The League Association, the DFL and the clubs will work intensively on continuing their successful way. The foundations for that are economic rationality as well as aimed investments in athletic performance and infrastructure," said DFL CEO Christian Seifert.

The 36 clubs (Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga) and joined stock companies of the League Association increased the revenues generated for the 2011/12 season for the eighth season running. In total, the clubs generated 2.46 billion Euros last season. Just like last year, football in Germany recorded increases in all central areas of income (advertising, media and game revenues).

Professional football remains a meaningful taxpayer in Germany. With nearly 800 million Euros (719 million Euros the previous year), the clubs and capital companies dished out more taxes and charges than ever before in licensed football. The clubs, or their subsidiaries, employed nearly 16,000 people (previous year 14,000).

VIDEO: Chelsea's Eden Hazard kicks ball boy, red carded

FC Chelsea and Belgium midfielder Eden Hazard kicked a ball boy, who didn't want to release the ball, during yesterday's Carling Cup Semifinal at Swansea City FC and was red carded by the referee. In the incidence the ball boy holds on to the ball for longer then necessary and Eden Hazard decides to take things into his own hands, which goes totally wrong.

CII to organise Corporate Soccer Festival

The Confederation of Indian Industry will be organising the CII Corporate Soccer Festival with an aim to create awareness and connect the key influencers for football within the Indian corporate world with tournaments to be held in New Delhi and Mumbai over the next couple of months.

The envijaged format would see 32 teams per city playing in a 6 A-Side format with kits and refreshments to be provided by the organisers. All participating teams will play a minimum of three group games with match durations being of 25 minutes split into the half.

The New Delhi-leg will be played on the weekend of 23/24 February with the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium as the tournament venue, while the Mumbai-leg is planned for March with no date or venue set.

Corporate teams interested to take part would have to pay Rs 25,000 as participation fee with more information available on the www.cii.in website.

VIDEO: East Bengal's Kalyan Majumdar show cause notice

Here the ABP Ananda report on the AIFF's show cause notice to East Bengal General Secretary Kalyan Majumar and the reaction from the red-and-gold official on the above matter. As he says, he didn't expect anything else.

I-League: Can Mumbai FC stop Churchill Brothers?

In the advanced I-League Round 18 match between Mumbai FC and table toppers Churchill Brothers SC tomorrow afternoon at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune, Mumbai FC's task will be to stop the Goans winning streak to give some hopes to their rivals East Bengal Club and Pune FC, who meet at the same venue only a day later besides champions Dempo SC.

Churchill Brothers following their recent winning streak are sitting on top of the table with 37 points from 15 matches with especially their foreign quartet of Bilal Sheikh El Najjarin, Roberto Mendes Silva, Henry Arnaud Antchouet Rebienot and Akram Moghrabi having been in exceptional form besides young Indian talent like Lenny Rodrigues, Bikramjit Singh and others showing that they can be counted for.

But tomorrow the Red Machines will miss the services of right back Denzil Franco (calf strain), midfielder Tomba Singh (knee) and young striker T. Bineesh Balan (hamstring) due to injuries, while young Bikramjit Singh is suspended.

Churchill Brothers coach Mariano Dias speaking about his opponents said, "Mumbai FC is doing very well in the home ground, we must beat them to remain on the top and maintain the momentum."

"Though we have a few injuries, we have a good bench strength and I'm sure players like Sanjay Balmuechu and Israil Gurung can help will the void," a confident Mariano Dias added.

Mumbai FC coach Kahlid Jamil will hope that his team can pull off another upset, which they have done in recent rounds to move to 24 points from 16 matches and far away from the relegation spots.

Brazil's Scolari names his first squad for England friendly

Luiz Felipe Scolari is back as the coach of the Brazilian national football team and his first match in-charge will be for the high profile international friendly against England on February 6 at the iconic Wembley, which will kick-off the English FA's 150 years celebrations.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) released squad of coach Scolari contains 20 players and with the game set to get a lot of international attention, there will be added pressure on Scolari and his team.

Scolari has recalled former twice World Footballer of the Year Ronaldinho though leaving out another experienced player in Kaka, while calling up newcomers Dante, Filipe Luis and Miranda besides young talents in Neymar, Oscar and Lucas Moura.


BRAZIL

Goalkeepers
Julio Cesar (Queens Park Rangers FC, ENGLAND), Diego Alves (FC Valencia, SPAIN)

Defenders
Adriano (FC Barcelona, SPAIN), Daniel Alves (FC Barcelona, SPAIN), Leandro Castan (AS Roma), Dante (FC Bayern Munich, GERMANY), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid, SPAIN), David Luiz (FC Chelsea London, ENGLAND), Miranda (Atletico Madrid, SPAIN)

Midfielders
Arouca (FC Santos, BRAZIL), Hernanes (Lazio Roma, ITALY), Lucas Moura (FC Paris Saint Germain, FRANCE), Paulinho (Corinthians, BRAZIL), Oscar (FC Chelsea London, ENGLAND), Ramires (FC Chelsea London, ENGLAND), Ronaldinho (Atletico Mineiro, BRAZIL)

Forwards
Fred (Fluminense, BRAZIL), Hulk (FC Zenit St Petersburg, RUSSIA), Luis Fabiano (FC Sao Paulo, BRAZIL), Neymar (FC Santos, BRAZIL)

Presidents Meet: AIFF's Praful Patel & FIFA's Sepp Blatter regarding 2017 FIFA Under-17

The president of the All India Football Federation Praful Patel has travelled to Zurich and today met with FIFA President Joseph Blatter, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke and Thierry Regenass, FIFA Director Member Associations and Development Vision, at FIFA Headquarters to dicsuss the issues relating to the guarantees from the Government of India required by FIFA regarding the hosting of the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

Praful Patel explained to Sepp Blatter and Mr. Valcke that all the requirements mentioned in the guarantees are fulfilled by the existing legislations of the country and the Government of India had already sent a letter to FIFA explaining the same and giving its unequivocal support for hosting the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

The Government of India letter was also supported by a legal opinion endorsing the declaration by the Government of India though in recent interactions FIFA was critical of the guarantees given by the Government of India.

As per the AIFF the meeting was very positive and FIFA agreed to review the letter of the Government of India and the legal opinion with their legal department and requested the AIFF to send their legal advisors for a meeting with FIFA so that the matter can be explained to them in greater detail.

It seems not all is lost in India's quest to host the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

(Photo courtesy AIFF Media)