Bayern Munich win friendly against Wolfsburg in China

German giants FC Bayern Munich won 2-1 against their Bundesliga rivals VfL Wolfsburg in a pre-season friendly earlier today at the Olympic Stadium in the south Chinese city of Guangzhou. Bayern Munich's goals were scored by new striker Mario Mandzukic and Arjen Robben, while Vaclav Pilar reduced the deficit.

The match was held in China as the second friendly match of the Audi Football Summit series, which is an open series of friendly football matches organised by Audi AG and played around the world. The car major is using football as a tool of promoting its products with Bayern Munich being co-owned and sponsored by Audi, while its parent company Volkswagen owns VfL Wolfsburg. The first Audi Football Summit match was held on January 10, 2012 in New Delhi when Team India took on FC Bayern Munich.

Wolfsburg had the better start into the match, while Bayern Munich needed time to get into the game but on the half hour mark they got a penalty for a foul on Thomas Müller. Former Wolfsburg striker Mario Mandzukic took the penalty to give his new team the lead. Dutch international Arjen Robben doubled the lead in the 39th minute with a lob over Wolves keeper Hitz off a pass from Franck Ribéry.

After the break substitutions and the hot-and-humid weather took its toll on the game with Wolfsburg's Czech newcomer Vaclav Pilar reducing the deficit in injury time. The match ended 2-1 for Bayern Munich, their second win on their China tour after beating Beijing Guoan on Tuesday.


MATCH STATS
FC Bayern Munich 2-1 (2-0) VfL Wolfsburg - Goals: 1-0 Mario Mandzukic (29', pen), 2-0 Arjen Robben (39'), 2-1 Vaclav Pilar (90+2')

FC Bayern
Neuer - Boateng, Van Buyten, Dante (46' Badstuber), Contento (46' Tymoshchuk) - Gustavo, Kroos (63' Can) - Robben (46' Pizarro), Müller (67' Weiser), Ribéry (46' Shaqiri) - Mandzukic (46' Gomez)

VfL Wolfsburg
Hitz - Fagner (80' Diego), Naldo (80' Russ), Pogatetz (46' Knoche), Schäfer (80' Kahlenberg) - Hasani (27' Hasebe), Josué (69' Dejagah), Polák (46' Pilar) - Olic (69' Träsch), Helmes (46' Orozco) - Dost (46' Lakic)

Referee
Zhao Liang (China)

Spectators
35,000

VIDEOs: Baichung's Moment of International Retirement

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

INDIAN version




GERMAN version

VIDEO: Bayern Munich goals against Team India

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

FC Bayern Munich win, but India not humiliated

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bayern Munich stars to bid farewell to Baichung Bhutia tonight

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

VIDEO: Baichung speaking ahead of his Farewell match

Baichung Bhutia is back one final time to play for Team India. And the interest this has generated amongst the media is something great to see.

NewsX did an interview with Baichung at the Team India hotel, here it is

FC Bayern Munich arrive into Delhi today

German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich arrive in New Delhi this afternoon ahead of the Audi Football Summit tomorrow in which they face the Indian national football team at the floodlit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

From the original 24 players squad which had been announced in late-December by the Bavarians there is only one change. FC Bayern will fly from the Qatari capital Doha to Delhi with only three goalkeepers in the squad as fourth keeper Maximilian Riedmueller stayed at home, while talented 17 year old midfielder Emre Can was brought along by coach Jupp Heynckes to get a feel of the first team.

The week long Qatar camp has been very harmonious with only a second of bother when star striker Mario Gomez limped off after only a few minutes in a friendly against Egyptian giants Al Alhi, Cairo on Saturday. FC Bayern kept their 100% record in 2012 intact with a injury time 2-1 win. Both goals came from Croatian Ivica Olic. Yesterday FC Bayern's second team took on the ASPIRE Academy Under-19 boys and won 5-0 with Japanese recruit Takashi Usami scoring all five goals in the win.

Earlier on Thursday FCB had played a match against Qatari second Division side Al Sailiya SC and they went on to win the match in emphatic fashion. It ended with a 13-0 trashing for the Qataris.

The Audi Football Summit will kick-off at 4.30 pm with the national India finals of the FC Bayern Youth Cup, while the India vs Bayern Munich game will start at 6 pm.

Tickets for the match are still available and will be sold across counter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.


FC Bayern München

Goalkeepers
1-Manuel Neuer, 22-Hans-Joerg Butt, 32-Rouven Sattelmaier

Defenders
2-Breno, 5-Daniel van Buyten, 13-Rafinha, 17-Jérôme Boateng, 21-Philipp Lahm, 26-Diego Contento, 28-Holger Badstuber

Midfielders
7-Franck Ribéry, 10-Arjen Robben, 14-Takashi Usami, 23-Danijel Pranjic, 27-David Alaba, 30-Luiz Gustavo, 31-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 39-Toni Kroos, 44-Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, Emre Can

Forwards
9-Nils Petersen, 11-Ivica Olic, 13-Thomas Mueller, 33-Mario Gomez

Officials
Jupp Heynckes (coach), Peter Hermann (Assistant Coach), Hermann Gerland (Assistant Coach), Toni Tapalovic (Goalkeeper Coach)



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

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

Indian players look forward to take on FC Bayern Munich stars

On a cool Sunday morning the Indian national football team had their first training session at Delhi's Ambedkar Stadium as they eagerly await to face FC Bayern Munich in the Audi Football Summit on Tuesday, January 10.

When the India players were asked about the players whom they like to face on Tuesday or who they admire most then the names of Thomas Mueller, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Arjen Robben were the most often named. Here some of the Team India statements and comments.

2010 AIFF Player-of-the-Year Gouramangi Singh said, " There are a lot of players I like at Bayern Munich. I admire Philipp Lahm as a Germany captain, but also we will be able to see from close players like Mueller and Gomez, who we normally only watch on television. Especially having to face Gomez will be a test for our defence."

India's utility player Syed Rahim Nabi said, "I have played against Thomas Mueller in Kolkata, but the player I really like is Arjen Robben. It isn't about winning or losing, but about learning from players who have played at World Cups."

Defender Nirmal Chetri said, "I will lookout for a number of players, but my pick has to be Thomas Mueller. The best part is that three years ago when I first played against him he was an unknown youngster, but now he one of the stars in world football. It is great to see his progress, lets see how we can stop him."

Wing-back Samir Naik said, "I'd like to play against Schweinsteiger, Bastian Schweinsteiger. He is my favourite because I love the way he plays his game."

Meanwhile Baichung Bhutia was happy to be back amongst the Team India players and there was huge media interest to hear from him ahead of his farewell match. When asked about whom at Bayern Munich he most wants to see in action, a diplomatic Baichung said, "They are all world stars, but to take out one is difficult though surely I look forward to seeing Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Arjen Robben in action here in Delhi."

"It is a good chance for our youngsters to learn from the best, then the Bundesliga is one of the strongest leagues in the world," Baichung added.


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

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

Baichung Bhutia looks forward to final Indian match against Bayern Munich

Baichung Bhutia is set to play one last time for the Indian national football team in his farewell match on Tuesday, January 10 in the Audi Football Summit against German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.

For the 35 year old Baichung his international journey ends with this game, but he will still continue to play for his own club United Sikkim FC for another two/three years before retiring fully from active football.

For Baichung such a finale is a great honour and he said, "It is a tough finale for my international career as Bayern Munich is one of the best teams in European club football. But it is a challenge in which I want to succeed."

The Sikkimese striker started his international career in a 1995 Nehru Cup match against Uzbekistan and he would go on to score in that game, the youngest goal scorer for India at the time at the age of only 19. Baichung would go on to represented India in 107 international matches and score an impressive 43 goals.

Talking about his career Baichung said, "I just wanted to play for India. I would have never dreamt of playing 100 plus matches."

India defender Gouramangi Singh said, "Baichung is a legend in Indian football, a role model for us footballers and I am honoured to be part of his final match."

As his biggest achievement at international level Baichung rated the qualification (2008 AFC Challenge Cup triumph) and participation in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, the first continental appearance by India in 27 years. But the tournament was also a big disappointment for Baichung as he only was able to play the final 12 minutes against South Korea due to a persistent injury and in August 2011 he then called it quits on his international career.

Baichung wanted to sign off by saying, "I want to thank Audi India, FC Bayern Munich and the All India Football Federation for organising such a farewell match for me!"


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

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

Team India arrives in Delhi ahead of Bayern Munich match

The first contingent of Indian international footballers arrived in the capital on Saturday morning with the rest of the players awaited from Kolkata after playing the local league derby this afternoon. The team will face German giants FC Bayern Munich in the Audi Football Summit exhibition match.

The young strike duo of Jeje and Sabeeth, both of whom have been together for the Under-23 Olympic qualifiers, just couldn't wait to get on the field against the Bayern Munich side.

"This is a life-time opportunity for us," Jeje said. "International scheduling in football doesn’t permit one to get on the same field against such renowned clubs. But here we are playing against Bayern Munich," Jeje who turned 21 on Saturday, expressed.

"All of them are international stars. The entire footballing fraternity will be keeping a close eye on the match," Jeje added.

"We speak of Exposure Tours every alternate minute. Can any Tour get bigger than this?" Sabeeth, putting on his boots, quipped. "I'm lucky to be in the squad for this match. It's for us to learn, the more the better for us," Sabeeth joined in.

The duo hasn't yet played together with legend Baichung Bhutia and that makes it all the more significant for them. "Baichung has been the most deadly Indian striker I have seen," Sabeeth quipped. "His commitment and his reflexes are a lesson for any young player."

Jeje added, "It's fortunate that I get to play with Baichung. It's unfortunate that I won't ever get a chance to play with him again. He is such a great player."

"Baichung was such an aggressive striker. He always had the ability to put the rival defence under pressure," Sabeeth maintained.

Gouramangi Singh, the 2010 AIFF Player-of-the-Year, feels it's an honour for him to be playing in Baichung's farewell match. "I have always looked upto him! To be a part of his Farewell Match is indeed an honour for me," Mangi opined.

Team India will be having their first practice session at the Ambedkar Stadium on Sunday morning.


INDIA

Goalkeepers
Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar SC), Subhasish Roy Chowdhury (Dempo SC), Felix D'Souza (Churchill Brothers SC)

Defenders
Jaspal Singh Parmar (Salgaocar SC), Samir Naik (Dempo SC), Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Govin Moirangthem Singh (United Sikkim FC), Nirmal Chetri (East Bengal Club), Syed Rahim Nabi (Mohun Bagan AC), Adil Khan (Sporting Clube de Goa), Gurjinder Singh (Pune FC)

Midfielders
Reisangmi Vashum (East Bengal Club), Jewel Raja Sheikh (Mohun Bagan AC), Climax Lawrence (Dempo SC), Rakesh Masih (Mohun Bagan AC), Baldeep Singh (Pune FC), Clifford Miranda (Dempo SC), Lalrindika Ralte (Churchill Brothers SC), Rocus Lamare (Salgaocar SC)

Forwards
Jeje Lalpekhlua (Pune FC), Baichung Bhutia (United Sikkim FC), Sushil Kumar Singh (United Sikkim FC), C.S. Sabeeth (Pailan Arrows)



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

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

India Game on the mind of Bayern Munich players

It's one of the most high-profile visit of an international football club to India, waiting for its football talent to be explored and tapped. Make no mistake, the FC Bayern stars are preparing for the launch of the second half of the Bundesliga season, but their stars are also eagerly waiting for their first glimpse of Delhi at the Audi Football Summit on January 10.

Football has the uncanny ability to make even strangers bond over a 90-minute game. The Germans are already aware of the contribution that Bhaichung Bhutia has made single-handedly to Indian football. At an interaction here after training, Bayern captain Philipp Lahm said, "At FC Bayern, we would like to contribute to the growth of Indian football. It is a great idea to play in Delhi." French international and star winger in the Bayern outfit, Franck Ribery is looking forward to his maiden trip to India. The 28-year-old Ribery said, "Football has taken me to places, which I would not have gone otherwise. I look forward to add India to that list."

Youngster Thomas Mueller, who had been to India earlier, is the 'official' guide for the trip, joked some of his team-mates. This will be Muller's first tour to the country after he shot into the limelight in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The winner of the 2010 World Cup 'Golden boot' award said, "A lot has happened since I visited India with the FCB second team in January 2009. I look forward to renew my ties with your country."

The Bayern camp is also upbeat about the return of star midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger after his two month lay-off due to a collarbone injury. The 27-year-old Schweinsteiger is one of the most sought-after sporting icons in Germany. It's quite evident that the Bayern vice-captain is raring to be back in action soon. Schweinsteiger is equally thrilled about taking the flight to Delhi on January 9. Schweinsteiger said, "I am returning from an injury, so the India match is crucial to see how I have recovered ahead of a hectic second phase of the season." Another star in the midfield, Dutch international Arjen Robben shares his aim for their Indian fans. Standing tall at six-feet, Robben said, "I know you love your cricket, but for 90 minutes next week we hope to show you quality football."


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

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

Bayern Munich arrive in Qatar, prepare for India friendly

German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich landed in Doha, Qatar on Monday, January 2 afternoon for their week-long mid-season training camp ahead of the friendly against the Indian national team at the Audi Football Summit in New Delhi.

FC Bayern are staying at the Grand Heritage hotel, which is part of the beautiful Aspire Sports Complex in Doha, an unbelievable world class sporting facility. FC Bayern had their first feel of beautiful lush green on Tuesday morning and while they where training on one pitch, the adjacent field was being used by French Ligue 1 leaders FC Paris Saint-Germain and from Wednesday onwards Bundesliga rivals FC Schalke 04 will also join them in Doha.

FC Bayern were supposed to come with a 24 players squad to Doha, but the Brazilian Rafinha was delayed by a day due to visa problems and joined the squad on Tuesday evening. Otherwise the 23 players were seen in action amongst them midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who had his first full team training session after his collar bone fracture in early-November and in good news for his Indian fans, Schweinsteiger will be seen in action in Delhi on January 10 as per coach Jupp Heynckes.

Meanwhile Jupp Heynckes was in a jovial mood in his interaction with the media. They took great interest in the season so far, his thought about some of his players and the May 19 UEFA Champions League final in Munich. But seasoned coach Heynckes said, "I am mainly focused on the upcoming matches in the Bundesliga, German Cup and UEFA Champions League then in February, March and April you have to have substance to succeed in the big matches towards the end of the season."


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

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

FC Bayern Munich start journey to Qatar & India

German record league champions FC Bayern Munich start their preparations for the return-leg (second phase) of the German Bundesliga tomorrow with a week long training camp in Qatar and a visit to New Delhi for friendly match against India on January 10.

The clubs players had 12 days of holiday and rest over the christmas and new year period, now the preparations start in full earnest. A squad of 24 players will leave for Doha tomorrow morning from Munich for a week long camp in the Aspire Academy, one of the best training facilities in the world.

Coach Jupp Heynckes and his team will try and set to base to regain the Bundesliga title, which restarts on January 20 with a match against old rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach. The Bavarians still have the chance to win three titles - UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup.

But it isn't only about training for Heynckes and his men. FC Bayern will take on Egyptian giants Al Ahli at the Al Sadd Stadium, Doha on January 7, while on their way back Bayern Munich will visit New Delhi to play a friendly match against Team India at the Audi Football Summit which is the international farewell match for Indian football icon Baichung Bhutia.


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

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

FC Bayern Munich to come with whole squad of stars to New Delhi

German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich will come with their full 24 player squad to New Delhi to face Team India in the Audi Football Summit on January 10, 2012 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

The Bavarians will be led by captain Philipp Lahm, who also captains the German national team, in the exhibition match which is a farewell for the Indian football icon Bhaichung Bhutia from the Indian national football team.

FC Bayern Munich boasts of some of the best talent in the world. Captain Lahm is a class apart as a defensive wing-back, their attack is led bz star striker Mario Gomez, while the club has one of the strongest midfield in the business, led by Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben and Bastian Schweinsteiger which also includes
the 'Golden Boot' winner of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Thomas Mueller.

FC Bayern Munich are using the match against India as part of their mid-season preparations after the mid-season break in the Bundesliga following their week-long training camp in Qatar.

The AIFF had earlier released the Team India squad list for the match .


FC Bayern München

Goalkeepers
1-Manuel Neuer, 22-Hans-Joerg Butt, 24-Maximilian Riedmueller, 32-Rouven Sattelmaier

Defenders
2-Breno, 5-Daniel van Buyten, 13-Rafinha, 17-Jérôme Boateng, 21-Philipp Lahm, 26-Diego Contento, 28-Holger Badstuber

Midfielders
7-Franck Ribéry, 10-Arjen Robben, 14-Takashi Usami, 23-Danijel Pranjic, 27-David Alaba, 30-Luiz Gustavo, 31-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 39-Toni Kroos, 44-Anatoliy Tymoshchuk

Forwards
9-Nils Petersen, 11-Ivica Olic, 13-Thomas Mueller, 33-Mario Gomez

Officials
Jupp Heynckes (coach), Peter Hermann (Assistant Coach), Hermann Gerland (Assistant Coach), Toni Tapalovic (Goalkeeper Coach)



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

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

Medeira names 23 players squad for Bayern Munich match

India national football team head coach Savio Medeira has named his 23 players squad for the Audi Football Summit in which his side will face German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich on January 10, 2012 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.

The match also marks the official farewell from Team India of long-time captain Baichung Bhutia, who will lead the national side for one last time.

The players have been asked to report in Delhi on January 7, 2012; but there could be controversy waiting then on that day East Bengal take on Mohun Bagan in the Calcutta Premier League and the Indian Football Association (West Bengal) along with the two clubs has asked for the release of their players on that day. If granted then the players would join the camp a day later.

Team India will be missing recent SAFF Cup hero Sunil Chhetri due to injury, while players in Adil Khan, Gurjinder Singh and Reisangmi Vashum have gotten their first senior India call-up.


INDIA

Goalkeepers
Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar SC), Subhasish Roy Chowdhury (Dempo SC), Felix D'Souza (Churchill Brothers SC)

Defenders
Jaspal Singh Parmar (Salgaocar SC), Samir Naik (Dempo SC), Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Govin Moirangthem Singh (United Sikkim FC), Nirmal Chetri (East Bengal Club), Syed Rahim Nabi (Mohun Bagan AC), Adil Khan (Sporting Clube de Goa), Gurjinder Singh (Pune FC)

Midfielders
Reisangmi Vashum (East Bengal Club), Jewel Raja Sheikh (Mohun Bagan AC), Climax Lawrence (Dempo SC), Rakesh Masih (Mohun Bagan AC), Baldeep Singh (Pune FC), Clifford Miranda (Dempo SC), Lalrindika Ralte (Churchill Brothers SC), Rocus Lamare (Salgaocar SC)

Forwards
Jeje Lalpekhlua (Pune FC), Baichung Bhutia (United Sikkim FC), Sushil Kumar Singh (United Sikkim FC), C.S. Sabeeth (Pailan Arrows)



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

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

2012 Audi Football Summit - India's best vs Germany's finest

The Audi Football Summit will be played on January 10, 2012 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi with the Indian national football team taking on German football giants FC Bayern Munich. The match also marks the farewell game for long-time India captain Baichung Bhutia and proceeds from the game will go to the victims of the Sikkim earthquake.


FC Bayern Munich are the most successful club in the history of the Bundesliga, the top tier of German football. They have won 21 Bundesliga titles since the inception of the league in 1963 along with 15 German Cup (DFB Pokal) trophies. The club has also four UEFA Champions League wins to their name besides the 1967 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and the 1996 UEFA Cup (now UEFA Europa League) titles. The Bavarians are financially the most stable and profitable club in Europe with a state-of-the-art stadium in the Allianz Arena, a 69,000 capacity venue.

Currently Bayern Munich are coached by seasoned Jupp Heynckes, who is with the club since the start of the season for a third stint. The club is captained by Philipp Lahm, who also happens to be the Germany captain. Other star players at the club include Frenchman Franck Ribéry, Dutchman Arjen Robben besides German internationals Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Mueller, Manuel Neuer and Mario Gomez to name a few. The club has players from nine nations as part of their 24 player professional squad.


Team India is in a transitional phase. The generation of the Baichung Bhutia's, Renedy Singh's, Mahesh Gawli's, Deepak Mondal's, Climax Lawrence's and co had their last big hurrah at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in January in Qatar. It was the first time in 27 years that India qualified for Asia's showpiece football event, but now after the tournament new, young players have come into the national team with the aim to push Indian football to new unknown heights in international football.

The star players of Team India are striker Sunil Chhetri, goalkeeper Subrata Pal, defender Gouramangi Singh and utility player Syed Rahim Nabi with 20 year old Jeje Lalpekhlua the brightest young prodigy. A lot will be expected from these players against Bayern Munich. The match also marks the end of an era as Baichung Bhutia is set to don the India jersey for one last time, nearly 17 years after his first match for India and over 100 internationals later.


On the sidelines of the big match there will also be the India finals of the FC Bayern Youth Cup. The preliminary rounds with close to a 1,000 children participating were held in Delhi (October 2011) and Mumbai (December 2011) with the scouted boys facing each other at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The best will be chosen by FCB scouts to represent India at the international FC Bayern Youth Cup in Munich in May 2012.


German carmaker Audi AG, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen AG, has a long-standing relationship with sports, especially with the game of association football. Though motorsports does come more naturally for a carmaker, football has been something which has grown in importance for the company in recent years.

Audi has its best known tie-up in football with German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich, where Audi is not only a sponsor but also a 10% stakeholder in the Bavarian club. Audi further is sponsor/partner of European football giants FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Zenit St. Petersburg (Russia) besides Bundesliga sides Borussia Mönchengladbach, Hamburger SV, 1.FC Nürnberg, 1899 Hoffenheim and Hertha BSC Berlin. Audi sponsors its local home town team FC Ingolstadt 04, who currently play in the 2.Bundesliga (second tier).


More information about the match and where to buy tickets online are available at www.audifootballsummit.in . Tickets are priced between Rs. 100 and 3,000.

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

Baichung & Team India look forward to Bayern Munich match

Baichung Bhutia will don the India jersey and lead his team onto the pitch for one last time on January 10, 2012 in the Audi Football Summit against FC Bayern Munich at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.

Speaking about his career Baichung said, "My career has been a great learning for me, a wonderful experience. My 16 year international football career has made me richer in experience and I have grown as a person. Playing my final India match against Bayern Munich is a great honour, but also a tough finale for me. Bayern are one of the best teams in the world and I rate them currently as better than Germany."

"Indian football is moving in a positive direction with the Indian team qualifying for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup after a gap of 27 years. In addition to this, the junior and developmental teams are making good progress on the Asian front. I believe that it will not be long before we see Indian players plying their trade on the international club circuit," added Baichung.

Also for India coach Savio Medeira it is a big match after the SAFF Cup triumph earlier this month. Savio said, "It's not every day that you get a chance to play against the best in the world. It would be a learning experience for us."

Sunil Chhetri, the SAFF Cup's Player of the Tournament and AIFF Players of the Year, is set to miss the match due to an injury. But talking about the match Chhetri said, "With the phase which Indian football is going through, the more we play stronger opponents, the better for us. You get to play Bayern Munich possibly once in a lifetime. We ought to make the most of it."

Striker Jeje Lalpekhlua is India's brightest young talent and he will get a chance to play alongside the legendary Baichung Bhutia for the first-time in the national team. Jeje said about the upcoming match, "The opportunity to play with one of the top clubs would be an experience indeed. It gives us the opportunity to improve ourselves."

India's dependable defender Gouramangi Singh said, "It will be a great opportunity to be playing on the same field that too against such star players. It's also an honour to be a part of Baichung Bhutia's farewell match. I'm looking forward to it."

For young midfielder Jewel Raja Sheikh it is an opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the world's greatest midfielders as he said, "The match gives us an opportunity to learn from international stars. You don't let go of such an opportunity for sure."

Playing FC Bayern Munich will be a tough assignment for Team India, but it is also about giving Baichung Bhutia a fitting farewell after 16 years of service for the Indian national football team. And it isn't only about the players, but also the fans who hopefully will make it a fitting farewell in New Delhi on January 10.


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

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

Bayern Munich stars look forward to playing in Delhi

German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich return to India for a fifth visit of a team from the Bavarian side. This time around it will be the full first team squad who will be coming to New Delhi next month for the Audi Football Summit with the club officials and players looking forward to the visit.

FC Bayern Munich AG CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who also happens to be the chairman of the European Club Association, said, "I have heard about the great experiences from our players and coaches when they traveled for Oliver Kahn's farewell match (to Kolkata in May 2008). We are now delighted to bring the full first team to India. Many of us are excited about the country, the city of Delhi, the people and their enthusiasm for football."

For winger Thomas Mueller the trip to Delhi will be his second visit to India. Thomas said, "I am happy to come back after the visit to Kolkata and Siliguri in January 2009." Mueller, the top scorer and 'Best Young Player' at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, sought to motivate young Indian footballers by saying, “Football is the best team sport in the world," and added by saying that he's 'happy that more and more kids are playing the game in India'.

Mueller’s Bayern and Germany team-mate Mario Gomez said that the entire team was looking forward to play against India at the Audi Football Summit. Gomez about whom former Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld had recently said that he was as important to Bayern Munich as Lionel Messi is to Barcelona, had joined the German champion for a record transfer fee from Stuttgart in 2009. The star striker, who has 16 goals from 16 matches in the Bundesliga, said, "The trip to India will be a big experience for us, as most of us have not been to India."

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes said, he would like to utilize the opportunity to the hilt at the Audi Football Summit. "We are coming to India after a week long training camp in Qatar. We will want to show quality football and want to present ourselves in the best possible manner. Naturally, I would like to utilize the opportunity to learn more about Indian football. I really look forward to it," said Heynckes, a member of the West German side which won the 1972 European Championship and the 1974 FIFA World Cup.

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

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

Tickets go live for Audi Football Summit: India vs FC Bayern Munich

The tickets for the Audi Football Summit India vs FC Bayern Munich match on January 10, 2012 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi went live today on Bookmyshow.com! The tickets have been priced between Rs 100 to 3,000 to be affordable for as many fans as possible.

The match is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Indian football fans to see the world's best footballers such as Philip Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Mueller, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben on Indian soil, while is also marks the farewell game of Indian football icon Baichung Bhutia from the Indian national football team.

For the Audi Football Summit ticketing Audi India has tied-up with Bookmyshow.com to make the tickets easily available through the Internet. The proceeds from the match will go to support the quake-affected people of Sikkim.

Clemens Ollmert, Head of Marketing - Audi India, said; "We, at Audi, believe that football is a perfect fit to our brand values and products. The Audi Football Summit in Delhi is a very prestigious event for us; it is the biggest football game in India. We hope to attract millions of Indians to enjoy the game and inspire thousands of children to play football. It is going to be one of the high points for Indian football fan to see the world's best footballers such as Thomas Mueller, Philip Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben in India. We are very happy to partner with BookMyShow.com, the leading entertainment ticketing website in India. With our partners, we want to deliver world class experience to sports lovers and match the expectations of football fans in India and abroad."

On the exclusive association Ashish Hemrajani, Founder and CEO of Bookmyshow.com said, "We at Bookmyshow.com are in constant pursuit to keep our customers updated with the latest happenings in the country. Our main focus is to deliver superior experience to the customer and to make the entire ticket buying process extremely user friendly and simple. Bookmyshow.com has been proudly associated with a variety of major sporting events that are being held in the country. Such vast events require the best experience including hassle free ticketing and this is where the true strength of BookMyShow lies".


Tickets for the match range from Rs. 100 to Rs. 3,000 exclusively on www.Bookmyshow.com .

FC Bayern Munich to face Team India on January 10

German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich announced at an official press conference in New Delhi that they will take on the Indian national football team in a charity match on January 10, 2012 which will also mark the farewell of now former India captain Baichung Bhutia. The match will be played under the title of Audi Football Summit with the German carmaker being not only the sponsors, but also the organisers of the match along with the AIFF.

The press conference at the Leela Palace in New Delhi was attended by Bayern Munich advisor and club legend Paul Breitner, AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das along with Audi India's MD Michael Perschke and Head of Marketing Clemens Ollmert. Baichung Bhutia sadly could not attend as he could not fly into Delhi on Friday, but he was live at the press conference through a telephone link.

The date of the match was known since mid-Otober when the game was first announced, but now more information has been revealed by the organisers. The match will be shown on TenAction+ with the Hindustan Times as the official media partner of the game. A ticketing partner would be revealed by the coming week with the organisers hoping for a packet Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on January 10, 2012.

Paul Breitner announced that Bayern Munich would come with all their first team stars like Philipp Lahm, Thomas Müller, Frank Ribery, Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mario Gomez. Further the 1974 World Cup winner said that Bayern would come to India to win the game and it would be highly beneficial for Indian football to learn from the big and developed football nations and clubs.

The proceeds of the match will go to the victims of the devastating earthquake that rocked Sikkim in September 2011.

More to come in the coming days...