VIDEO: Scott O'Donell Speaks @ Budweiser 6v6 Cup Delhi Regional

At the Delhi regionals of the Budweiser 6v6 they spoke to the AIFF Director of the Regional Academies Scott O'Donell about India, its football and development.

AIFF Regional Academy, Navi Mumbai to play GM Police on Saturday

Victorious in the last nine games, AIFF Regional Academy - Navi Mumbai will take on Greater Mumbai Police tomorrow in their next friendly match at the Fr. Agnel’s Ground, Navi Mumbai. The Police Outfit is currently competing in the Super Division of the Mumbai Football League.

AIFF Regional Academy's Head Coach Sajid Dar lavished huge praise on his boys saying they have shown a lot of 'character'.

"We have won nine games in a row and the boys have shown a lot of character – especially to come back from behind in a couple of games. We need to remember that in such a developmental programme, results are not that important," Sajid told AIFF Media.

"The inspiring part stays that the boys have been playing against teams which are physically and mentally much stronger than them. All of their opponents are much superior outfits who have been competing and doing incredibly well in their Super and Elite Division matches in Mumbai," he added.

Former India International Aqeel Ansari, the Assistant Coach maintained, "GM Police are a good team. They boast of a lot of experienced players. We look forward to our boys to implement the tactics which are being stressed upon in training."

The kick-off tomorrow is at 4.30pm.


Last Five Results
AIFF Academy 2–1 RCF Sports Club
AIFF Academy 8-0 Indian Cultural League
AIFF Academy 5–0 Income Tax
AIFF Academy 2–1 RCF Sports Club
AIFF Academy 3-2 PIFA, Colaba

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

AIFF's U-15 Regional Academy extend winning streak to nine matches

The AIFF's Under-15 Regional Academy based in Navi Mumbai extended their winning streak to nine matches as they beat another Mumbai Division outfit Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers (RCF) 2-1 in the return-leg fixture of their friendly hosted at the Fr. Agnel's Ground, Navi Mumbai.

Rakesh Oram and Delbert Fernandes scored in each half to ensure they notch up a remarkable double against their much more fancied opponents. The previous encounter played at the RCF Grounds in Chembur ended with an identical score-line.

Winger Oram opened the scoring as early as the fifth minute with a trademark run down the left flank followed by a cool finish in a one-on-one situation with the opposition keeper. The RCF players, still reeling from the previous loss on their home turf three weeks ago, had reinforced their line-up with fresh faces but still struggled to make any inroads into the final third courtesy of a very sturdy defensive performance by the Academy boys in the first half.

Post the breather and following Head Coach Sajid Dar's six substitutions, the boys took control of the game with midfielders Hayden Fernandes and Jayson Lucas dictating terms in the middle of the pitch and full backs Kapil Boro and Situ Basumatary providing some much needed width on the flanks with their tireless running and crosses into the box.

The second goal came in the 65th minute with defender Gursimat Singh Gill's precise long ball from the halfway-line was intelligently chested down by Indermohan Singh Hundal and into the path of on-rushing striker Delbert Fernandes who blasted the ball into the back of the net. RCF pulled one back in the 90th minute but it was all too little too late.


Last Five Results

AIFF U-15 Regional Academy 2–1 RCF Sports Club

AIFF U-15 Regional Academy 8–0 Indian Cultural League

AIFF U-15 Regional Academy 5–0 Income Tax

AIFF U-15 Regional Academy 2–1 RCF Sports Club

AIFF U-15 Regional Academy 3-2 PIFA Colaba

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

AIFF's Navi Mumbai U-15 Academy rout another Mumbai Super Division team

The AIFF's Navi Mumbai Regional Academy breezed past Mumbai Super Division outfit Indian Cultural League, this time 8-0 in a friendly match at the Father Agnel Sports Complex in Vashi. This is the Academy's eighth consecutive victory against an second tier Mumbai Super Division outfits.

Playing friendly matches every weekend stays a part of the Curriculum of the U-15 Academy which is based at the Father Agnel School premises in Navi Mumbai.

Despite many of the first-team players being rested, the Academy boys scored at regular intervals against one of the oldest and most decorated clubs of Mumbai. Indian Cultural League (ICL) are former winners of Kolkata's prestigious IFA Shield and are currently in the Super Division of the Mumbai Football League.

Midfielder Hayden Fernandes opened the scoring in the 9th minute placing the ball into the far corner before Prasanth doubled the lead two minutes later with an emphatic finish from close range. Rakesh Oram latched onto a loose ball to make it 3-0 in the 18th minute.

Winger Suman Sarkar, making a return to the playing XI following a lengthy injury lay-off, put in an commendable performance on the flanks, notching up a well-deserved brace. A tap-in by Sarkar in the 24th minute was followed by a penalty conversion in the 39th, ensuring that the team went into the half-time break with a comfortable 5-0 lead.

Changing over, Gursimrat Singh Gill volleyed in the team's sixth goal in the 68th minute and then Bidyananda Singh added the seventh in the 73rd with a thunderous twenty yard strike. The rout was completed in stoppage time when Robinson's Singh back-flicked a long ranger into the net.

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

AIFF Navi Mumbai Academy win 5-0 against Mumbai Super Division side

The AIFF's Navi Mumbai Regional Academy breezed past Mumbai Super Division outfit Income Tax SC 5-0 in a practice match at the Father Agnel Sports Complex in Vashi.

The deadlock was broken barely seconds into the game when winger Rakesh Oram capitalised on a defensive lapse and crossed into the box for an ice-cool striker Stany Braganca to slot home. The Academy boys made it 2-0 in the 32th minute when midfielder Milan Basumatary made amends for a missed penalty a minute earlier with a delightful cross to the far post which was met by a thunderous half-volley by Oram. The winger doubled his tally three minutes later when he followed Robinson Singh's through ball, beat the off-side trap and placed it past the rival goalkeeper to make it 3-0. Bidyananda Singh's tap-in at the stroke of half-time ensured that the boys went into the break with a comfortable 4-0 lead.

The rout was completed in the 62nd minute by midfielder Hayden Fernandes as his powerful shot from around 40 yards left the keeper with no chance. It ended 5-0 for the AIFF Navi Mumbai Regional Academy against the second tier Mumbai side Income Tax SC.

The game also marked the return of Suman Sarkar to competitive play after his knee surgery last month.

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

AIFF Regional Academy boys beat Mumbai's RCF in friendly

The AIFF Under-15 Regional Academy based in Navi Mumbai defeated Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers SC 2-1 in a friendly match at the picturesque RCF Sports Complex in Chembur, Mumbai today. This was the fifth victory for the Academy boys on the trot.

Milan Basumataray and Bidyananda Singh scored one apiece for the AIFF Regional Academy who are based at the Father Agnel School premises in Navi Mumbai.

Milan opened the scoring in the 19th minute following a well-worked sequence of passes by the midfielders. He latched onto a through pass by Prasanth and slotted it past the rival custodian to put AIFF Regional Academy in the lead.

RCF SC, who compete in the top-tier of Mumbai football, the MDFA Elite Division, gradually worked their way back into the game before restoring parity at the stroke of half-time.

Changing over, AIFF Regional Academy sealed the fate of the game in the 74th minute when Bidyananda went past three defenders before unleashing a powerful shot which bulged the net.


Last Five Results

AIFF Academy U-15 2–1 RCF Sports Club
AIFF Academy U-15 3-2 PIFA Colaba
AIFF Academy U-15 4–3 ONGC U-20
AIFF Academy U-15 4-3 Air India U-20
AIFF Academy U-15 9–0 Thane District FA U-19

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

Is AIFF TD Rob Baan correct in criticizing Indian football?

Dutchman Robert 'Rob' Baan was very critical about Indian football at the FICCI GOAL 2013 convention on Friday morning, which was widely covered by the national media and surprisingly raised a few eyebrows.

If Rob Baan's statements come as a surprise to you, then these only remind me of want our former national coach Bob Houghton said about the state of Indian football in Qatar at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. This wasn't to the liking of AIFF officials, which in the end led to Bob having to leave.

I personally felt that morning that 69 year old Rob Baan is getting frustrated with the system or lack of system within Indian football. He had been brought in to prepare a roadmap which he did and has been titled 'Lakshya 2022', but there seems to be lack of funding and will to implement the very basics for improvement within Indian football.

Amongst other things Baan said about Lakshya's funding problem, "IMG-Reliance says that they are not able to generate funds but I say, if the plan is good, funds will come."

Going on he said, "There is no national team training centre, no elite academies, no budget as far as implementing the Lakshya 2022 project is concerned."

And further disgust about the situation came out when Rob Baan and later on Director of Regional Academies Scott O'Donell spoke about age cheating in the AIFF Football Festival, which is intended to be the scouting platform for young Indian talent for the AIFF Regional Academies besides an Under-12 Elite Academy, which could be the core team for the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, if India is given the right to host it.

We all know that all is not good within Indian football, but as things stand today we can only hope it gets better in the years to come...

India Under-14 Boys off to a winning start in SAARC Tournament

The India Under-14 Boys opened their campaign in the U-14 SAARC Tournament with a 2-1 victory over Afghanistan at the Tokinosumika Sports Centre in Shizuka, Japan. Striker Krishna Pandit scored both of India's goals in the first half.

Pandit opened the scoring immediately after kick-off. The goal scored after only 30 seconds was the fastest goal in the tournament so far. Krishna followed a Amey Ranawade pass and chipped it over the rival goalkeeper. The second goal came in the 5th minute off a set-piece movement. Ranawade again set-up the goal, when he made a run on the right wing and his cross was directed into the net by Krishna.

Changing over, Afghanistan went all out. But Jerry, Amit Tudu and Amey Ranawade in the Indian defence stood tall. Afghanistan eventually managed to pull one back in the injury time. in a match that was played in two halves, each of 25 minutes duration.

Head Coach Sajid Dar said i'’s important to stick to the philosophy. "This is a good exposure for us and overall development stays the priority. We played in a 4-3-3 format and the boys stayed keen in keeping possession all throughout."

Assistant coach, Goutam Ghosh lauded the boys for sticking to the basics. "This was the first time the boys played on an artificial turf and they adapted well. They implemented all has been taught in the training sessions."

Besides India, eight more teams – Japan Football Association Academy 1, Japan Football Association Academy 2, Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Nepal are taking part in the Tournament. India will be playing overall four matches in the tournament and it is about the international exposure for the boys.

AIFF Under-14 Academy Team lands in Japan

A 16-member All India Football Federation Regional Academy Team landed in Shizuoka, Japan to participate in the Under-14 SAARC Programme. The Programme is being held from October 7-20. This is the first overseas exposure trip for AIFF's Regional Academy boys.

The boys headed into the Programme from a Under-14 National Training Camp which was organised at the Pailan World School in Joka, Kolkata. Sajid Dar stays the Head Coach with Goutam Ghosh being his deputy while Vishnu Nair is the physio of the team.


AIFF Under-14 Academy Team

Goalkeepers
Sam Noronha (Goa), Subrata Das (West Bengal)

Defenders
Amey Ganesh Ranawade (Maharashtra), Jayananda Singh (Manipur), Jerry Lalrinzuala (Mizoram), Prasenjit Chakraborty (West Bengal), Amit Tudu (West Bengal)

Midfielders
Aaron Franklin Hermiz (Goa), Saravanan Kiran (Karnataka), Bugde Vineet Vikas (Goa), Bodo Baoringdao (Assam), Kyntiew Shaphrang Kharlukhi (Meghalaya)

Forwards
Mohammed Hasil (Kerala), Krishna Pandit (Chandigarh), Zonunmawia (Mizoram), Laishram Bedashwor Singh (Manipur)

Times Now VIDEO: Big step forward for Indian football

Here a report from Times Now on the five-day coaching seminar organised by the All India Football Federation, which has come in for praise from the participating coaches and instructors who found it quite useful.

Scott O'Donell: Do not pigeonhole your players

The future of Indian football is all about Youth Development Programme (YDP). The delicate issue that Coaching at the YDP is, was highlighted yesterday at the AIFF Coaching through the manner in which young players should to be coached.

Scott O'Donell, Technical Director of the AIFF Regional and Elite Academies urged the coaches to understand the psyche of the young kids to make the YDP an overwhelming success. "When you coach kids, you need to be a part of them. You need to reduce the anxiety and stress and make your sessions fun filled ones so that the kids long to come back to your sessions," he said.

"It's imperative to give chance to every player to play in every position till the age of 10. You need to be flexible," O'Donell added. "You should never pigeon hole your players."

The theoretical session was substantiated by two practical sessions at the Father Agnel Ground – 'Skill Testing' conducted by Technical Director Rob Baan in the morning and 'Implementing Match Related Coaching into AFC Coaching Courses' was conducted both by Baan and O'Donell.

"When you coach young players, you need to focus on the technical side rather than the tactical strategies. The boys need to enjoy and start loving the sport. Only then can you develop them into good players," O'Donell reiterated. "The players need to be involved all the time. Give them the licence to be creative so that technically, they are able to make the right choice."

The five-day Seminar concludes today when a Grassroots Festival will be organised in the morning followed by a guest lecture from Raymond Farrelly from Coach FX and a Group Discussion in the afternoon.

VIDEO: Documentary on Launch of first AIFF Regional Academy

The All India Football Federation in collaboration with world football governing body FIFA launched its first Regional Academy at the Father Agnel School premises in Vashi, Navi Mumbai on May 1, 2012. This is the first of four such Academies to come-up across India and here a documentary on the launch and reactions from key stakeholders and personal involved in the Academy.

AIFF Platinum Jubilee celebrations kick-off with Regional Academy launch

It was a special occasion, a very special one for Indian football. Overlooking the blue Arabian Sea in Worli - Friday, May 11 witnessed history – the official launch of the first-ever AIFF Regional Academy. All India Football Federation president Praful Patel and Ms. Edith Schippers, Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport of The Netherlands, were part of the launch.

The launch event in Mumbai also kicked-off the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of the All India Football Federation, which had been founded in 1937.

"It's the beginning of an era in the field of sports, especially football," Praful Patel said. "I also look forward to the association, partnership and encouragement of Dutch football," he added. "It’s imperative to have good partners to take the sport forward."

The first AIFF Regional Academy in collaboration with FIFA has already kicked-off at the Father Agnel School premises in Navi Mumbai where 20 boys are presently training under Australian Head Coach Arthur Papas.

"This is the first of the AIFF Regional Academy. More will follow suit," Mr. Patel declared at the press conference.

Ms. Schippers expected football in India to reach the highest level soon. "India's ambition of hosting the U-17 World Cup is a challenging one. If India win the bid to host the Championship, it would create the right sporting atmosphere and infrastructure which would in turn take Indian football to a higher level."

Her humour was very much appreciated when she went on to state, "I hope both The Netherlands and India meet each other in the U-17 World Cup and may the better team win."

Ms. Schippers was also presented the AIFF Regional Academy Launch Flag by Mr. Patel. AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das, AIFF Technical Director Rob Baan, Father Saturnino Almeida, Managing Director, Father Agnel Schools and representative from Orange Sports Forum, the Netherlands, the Developmental Partners of AIFF were also present on the dais.

"All India Football Federation stays responsible for the development of football in the country. Mr. Rob Baan has been travelling to every nook and corner of the country in the last six months to spot footballers for the Academies. I stay confident, we will be able to scout the best talent of the country," Mr. Patel opined.

"Very soon every state would be having a Technical Director, a Chief Scout Officer and a Development Officer," Mr. Baan informed the media.

"We need to be ambitious," the AIFF president Praful Patel commented. "We have bid for the U-17 World Cup to be hosted in India in 2017. If we get the right to host it, we need to develop players for the same. At the same time, we need to stay strict and prevent age-fraud."

Speaking about the partnership with AIFF, Ms. Schippers commented the "Government of The Netherlands is very active in getting sports in the lifestyle of the people of the country."

The 20 Academy boys along with the Academy training staff were also part of the launch ceremony.

Arthur Papas named as Head Coach of AIFF Regional Academy - Navi Mumbai

Australian Arthur Papas has been appointed by the All India Football Federation as the Head Coach of the first AIFF Regional Academy in Maharashtra, which opened on May 1 at the at the Father Agnel School premises in Vashi, Navi Mumbai.

At 32 Papas is a young, aspiring coach and in this interview he speaks at length about his priorities, challenges, coaching philosophy and perception about Indian football.


What brings you to India?

It's a huge challenge for me – the challenge of developing a 'sleeping giant' into a powerful force. I'll be following Rob Baan's philosophy and this gives me an opportunity to work for an elite level.


Where have your earlier assignments been?

I have worked at the Australian Institute of Sports and have had the fortune of working under Dutch Coach Jan Versleijen for two years. From there, I moved on to take charge as the Head Coach of Oakleigh Cannons FC (Victorian Premier League) at the age of 30 where I was adjudged the 'Coach of the Year'. My last assignment was with the A-League Newcastle Jets where I was working as the Assistant Coach as well as the Youth Team Coach.


What would be your priority in India?

My first priority is to bring my Coaching Philosophy in line with those of Rob Baan and Scott O'Donell to take Indian football to a higher level.

My 'Coaching Philosophy' is about the development of players by not looking at their size and physical attributes and instead stressing on the technical aspects. It’s important to understand and mould them playing within a system – the 4-3-3 formation which is now widely prevalent in all leading Academies all over the World.


Did you have any knowledge about Indian football prior to taking up this assignment?

I had gathered some basic knowledge about the I-League as there are some Australian Players who have been playing in it. Also, I have watched Indian teams playing in various AFC Tournaments.


You attended a Workshop for Coaches in New Delhi last month. What has your general perception been so far?

I feel the structure needs to improve along with the standard of Coaching in the country which will allow the athletes to develop to their full potential.

AIFF's First Regional Academy opens in Navi Mumbai

The first All India Football Federation's Regional Academy in collaboration with FIFA opened at the Father Agnel School premises in Vashi, Navi Mumbai earlier today. Twenty Under-15 boys including two goalkeepers will be a part of the Residential Academy at the School premises.

Scott O'Donell, Technical Director of the AIFF Regional and Elite Academies conducted the first training session which was more of 'fun than intensive training'.

"It's imperative that the boys settle down. Hence, we will stress on fun sessions for the first few days. Form thereon, we move into intense training," Scott O'Donell, stressed.

Colm Toal, Head Coach of the AIFF Youth Development and National Team Coach Savio Medeira were also part of the first training session.

"The Academies would provide the National Coach more options when he sits down to choose the Indian squad in the future," Colm Toal maintained.

"This was long due," Savio commented. "All India Football Federation's effort is laudable indeed."

The AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das said, "The future of Indian football lies in the youth. This is AIFF's first Regional Academy and we stay committed to open more Regional Academies."

"The entire focus stays on creating World Class Players for the future," he added.

Father Saturnino Almeida, Managing Director of Father Agnel Schools who has been running from pillar to post to get everything in perfect shape, said "the Academy is all about the future!"

"This is a fantastic opportunity where two social institutions of India come together to serve the future of the country in Academies and Football," the Father explained.

Former Indian international Aqeel Ansari will be the Assistant Coach at the Academy while Ms. Sonika Sudan has been appointed as the Physiotherapist and Shailesh Karkera has been appointed the Academy Manager.