Coerver Coaching India's Dragon Summer Soccer Camp in Bhutan

Coerver Coaching India in association with the Bhutan Football Federation will be organising the Dragon Summer Soccer camp, which is an advanced football skills program, in Bhutan in May 2013.

The course participants leave Delhi by train on May 11 and reach the Bhutanese capital Thimphu the next day by car.

From May 13 to 16, the boys will have daily matches against local schools (Mogthang Higher Secondary School, Khatsarabchu Middle Secondary School, Kelki High School, Druk School) besides training sessions.

After a day off football training on May 17 to do some sightseeing, the camp participants leave Thimphu for Delhi on May 18 and arrive in the capital a day later.

For more information contact: +91 92500 00813 (Bikram).

The registration form can be downloaded under: http://www.coervercoachingindia.com .

AFC U-14 Girls Regional Championship: India are South & Central champions!

The India Under-14 Girls team are inaugural champions of the AFC Under-14 Girls Regional Championship 2013 for the South and Central region after whipping Bhutan 9-0 in their final game at the City Football Complex in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo today.

The Indian girls finished on 15 points from five matches as Kashmina scored thrice, Daya Devi Heigrujam and Pooja Dnyaneshwar Dhamal both with a brace with Nisha and Roja Devi Asem also amongst the Indian goals.

India scored an impressive 33 goals in their five matches, while only conceeding two. India beat Tajikistan 3-0 in their opener, followed it up by beating Bangladesh 5-1, then trashed hosts Sri Lanka 10-0, went on to beat Iran 6-1 and finished off with a 9-0 against Bhutan.


Final standings:

India – 15 points
Iran - 12 points
Bangladesh - 7 points
Sri Lanka - 6 points
Tajikistan - 4 points
Bhutan - 0 point

United Sikkim FC on training visit to Bhutan

A 23-member United Sikkim FC squad on Wednesday, February 27 proceeded for a 10-day camp at Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan. The squad consists of 19 players and four officials including head coach Nathan Hall.

I-League side United Sikkim FC would be playing three friendly matches at Thimpu organized by the Bhutan Football Federation. All three matches are against local Bhutanese club sides at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimpu.

USFC on March 2 take on Drukpol FC, play on March 5 against Zimdra FC and then finally take on Yeedzin FC on March 7.

United Sikkim CEO and co-owner Baichung Bhutia is joining the team at Thimpu on March 6 for the final game.

Besides Nathan Hall the USFC officials travelling with the team are senior manager Arjun Rai, physio Sheril Lepcha and masseur Ranjit Das.

The travelling USFC players are Monotosh Ghosh, Rakshit Kumar, Pawan Chettri, Anwar, Sandesh Jhingan, Ashish Chettri, Sonam Zangpo Bhutia, Munmun Timoty Lugun, Sahenshah Ansari, Syed Farid, Nima Tamang, Nim Tshering Lepcha, Thupden Tshering Bhutia, Linekar Machado, Mashangva Genius Zenith, Nadong Bhutia, Jiten Rai, Sagar Rai, Pablo Rodriquez Aracil.

SAFF Women's Cup - Stats: India triumph again!

The second edition of the SAFF Women's Championship was organised by the South Asian Football Federation and the tournament was held from September 7 to 16 at the CR&FC Place ground in Colombo, Sri Lanka with India defending their crown.

The Indian Women went into the tournament as the defending champions having won the inaugural edition with a 1-0 final win against Nepal in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh in December 2010 and this time around they beat Nepal 3-1 in the final.

India were drawn in Group A along with Bangladesh, Bhutan and hosts Sri Lanka, while Group B contained Afghanistan, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan.


RESULTS

Quarterfinal League

Group A
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka

07-Sep-2012: India 3-0 Bangladesh
07-Sep-2012: Sri Lanka 4-0 Bhutan
09-Sep-2012: Sri Lanka 0-5 India
09-Sep-2012: Bangladesh 1-0 Bhutan
11-Sep-2012: Sri Lanka 2-1 Bangladesh
11-Sep-2012: India 11-0 Bhutan

Group B
Afghanistan, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan

08-Sep-2012: Nepal 8-0 Pakistan
08-Sep-2012: Maldives 1-1 Afghanistan
10-Sep-2012: Nepal 5-0 Maldives
10-Sep-2012: Pakistan 0-4 Afghanistan
12-Sep-2012: Nepal 7-1 Afghanistan
12-Sep-2012: Maldives 2-3 Pakistan

Semifinals
14-Sep-2012: India 11-0 Afghanistan
14-Sep-2012: Nepal 3-0 Sri Lanka

Final
16-Sep-2012: India 3-1 Nepal

SAFF Women's Cup: India demolish Bhutan 11-0, top their group

Defending champions India demolished minnows Bhutan 11-0 to continue their winning run in the 2012 SAFF Women's Championship at the Longden Place ground in Colombo. India have topped Group A with three wins and move into the semifinals with a clean 19-0 statistic.

Bhutan were no match for India, but it took 13 minutes to take the lead which Tuli Goon scored off a cross which beats the keeper and goes into the goal. 10 minutes later midfielder Yumnam Kamala Devi doubled the score with an effort from outside the box. In the 27th minute Sasmita Mallick scored from a penalty and only three minutes later Yumnam Kamala Devi made it 4-0. In the 38th minute Pinky Bompal Magar would get her first before Irom Prameshwori Devi added India's sixth in the 42nd minute. It remained 6-0 at the break.

And it didn't get any better for Bhutan as india went on to score five more after the break. In thr 49th minute Pinky Bompal Magar scored her second of the day before India went on to score three goals in two minutes. Nameirakpam Montesori Chanu started it in the 63rd minute, Irom Prameshwori Devi scored her second a minute later and Pinky Bompal Magar scored her third of the day less then sixty seconds later.

Now Bhutan were heading for a very heavy defeat as the Himalayan nation were 10 goals down, but India went on to score only one more in the remaining 25 minutes though having more chances to score. The final goal was scored by Supriya Routray in the 73rd minute.

It ended 11-0 for India, who in the end easily top Group A and now await who they face in the semifinals.


INDIA
Sita Sharma - Ashem Romi Devi, Loitongbam Ashalata Devi, Alochana Senapati, Tuli Goon - Yumnam Kamala Devi, Oinam Bembem Devi [C], Nameirakpam Montesori Chanu - Sasmita Malik, Irom Prameshwori Devi, Pinky Bompal Magar

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

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

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


INDIA Women's Probables

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

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

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

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

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

India to defend SAFF Women's Cup title in Sri Lanka next month

The second SAFF Women's Championship will once again be organised by the South Asian Football Federation and the tournament will be held from September 7 to 16 at the Longden Place ground in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Indian Women go into the tournament as the defending champions having won the inaugural edition with a 1-0 final win against Nepal in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh in December 2010.

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

Interestingly both these groups had been drawn with the same set of four teams as two years ago at the 1st SAFF Women's Championship.

30 Indian Women probables are currently sweating it out at the SAI Eastern Centre to make the final 20 players squad which will fly across to Sri Lanka. India go into the tournament as the big title favourites, especially after having scored 41 goals and conceded only one in their title triumph in 2010.


FIXTURES

Quarterfinal League

Group A
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka

07-Sep-2012: India - Bangladesh
07-Sep-2012: Sri Lanka - Bhutan
09-Sep-2012: Sri Lanka - India
09-Sep-2012: Bangladesh - Bhutan
11-Sep-2012: Sri Lanka - Bangladesh
11-Sep-2012: India - Bhutan

Group B
Afghanistan, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan

08-Sep-2012: Nepal - Pakistan
08-Sep-2012: Maldives - Afghanistan
10-Sep-2012: Nepal - Maldives
10-Sep-2012: Pakistan - Afghanistan
12-Sep-2012: Nepal - Afghanistan
12-Sep-2012: Maldives - Pakistan

Semifinals
14-Sep-2012: Winner Group A - Runners-Up Group B
14-Sep-2012: Winner Group B - Runners-Up Group A

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

2011 SAFF Cup: The Group Stage is over

The SAFF Cup (South Asian Football Federation Championships) is being played from December 2 to 11, 2011 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. The group stage ended yesterday with the semifinals to be played tomorrow.

The tournament has had its surprises with Afghanistan topping Group A ahead of India being the biggest one so far with Bhutan a major disappointment again as they conceded 16 goals in three matches.

Group B was much more even with the Maldives topping the group ahead of Nepal, both on five points with Pakistan drawing all their matches while last hosts Bangladesh finishing a disappointing last.


2011 SAFF CUP - New Delhi

Group A: India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan

03-Dec-2011: India 1-1 Afghanistan
03-Dec-2011: Sri Lanka 3-1 Bhutan
05-Dec-2011: Sri Lanka 1-3 Afghanistan
05-Dec-2011: Bhutan 0-5 India
07-Dec-2011: Bhutan 1-8 Afghanistan
07-Dec-2011: India 3-0 Sri Lanka

Group B: Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan

02-Dec-2011: Bangladesh 0-0 Pakistan
02-Dec-2011: Maldives 1-1 Nepal
04-Dec-2011: Nepal 1-0 Bangladesh
04-Dec-2011: Pakistan 0-0 Maldives
06-Dec-2011: Pakistan 1-1 Nepal
06-Dec-2011: Maldives 3-1 Bangladesh


Semifinals
09-Dec-2011: Maldives - India (15.00 IST)
09-Dec-2011: Afghanistan - Nepal (18.00 IST)

Final
11-Dec-2011: Winner SF 1 - Winner SF 2 (18.00 IST)

VIDEO: Match Highlights Bhutan vs India

India beat Bhutan 5-0 yesterday in their second Group A match at the 2011 SAFF Cup. Here are the video match highlights from last nights game!

2011 SAFF Cup: India trash Bhutan 5-0

Defending champions India scored a vital 5-0 win against Bhutan at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi to move to the top of Group A after Afghanistan had upset Sri Lanka with a 3-1 win.

After a jittery start both winger Clifford Miranda and striker Sunil Chhetri scored a brace after wing-back Syed Rahim Nabi had opened the scoring for India against a Bhutan side who didn't make any inroads against the Indian defence.

India were all over Bhutan in the initial stages, but the lack of finishing once more showed a major problem within the team as the long ball was often used from the back and a lack of using the flanks was also an early fault. India did score early on, but four times the assistant referee waved the flag correctly.

Then in the 29th minute Syed Rahim Nabi would score of a Clifford Miranda corner to cool down the Indian nerves. It was Clifford who added a second just before half-time on a second attempt after Sunil Chhetri had played the ball across the face of the goal.

After the break things remained the same and India would continue to score at intervals. Winger Clifford Miranda registered his second goal in the 58th minute to make it 3-0 for India before star striker Sunil Chhetri got onto the scoresheet. Chhetri, who was till now, playing the feeder and watching others find the target found it best to add his name to the scoresheet. He scored a brace in the 69th and 84th minute – the second one had a stamp of authority as he waded past the entire defence and placed it past the rival Bhutanese goalkeeper.

India now have it in their own hands to move into the semifinals and also top their group. The final group game is against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.


INDIA
1-Karanjit Singh; 4-Nirmal Chetri, 14-Mahesh Gawli, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi; 12-Anthony Pereira, 8-Climax Lawrence [C] (65' ??-Jewel Raja Sheikh), 21-Rocus Lamare, 15-Clifford Miranda (20-Lalrindika Ralte); 10-Jeje Lalpekhlua (62' 9-Joaquim Abranches), 11-Sunil Chhetri

2011 SAFF Cup: India under pressure against Bhutan

Defending champions India are under pressure going into their second SAFF Cup Group A match against minnows Bhutan at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi later today. India suffered a surprise opening day draw against Afghanistan, while Bhutan had lost 0-3 against Sri Lanka.

And if India does not want to go into their final group match against Sri Lanka with a possible must win situation, then a win against Bhutan is a necessity. But the last time the two sides had met in the 2008 SAFF Cup semifinals in Male India had to dig deep to overcome Bhutan 2-1 in extra-time. It needed an injury time winner in extra-time from defender Gouramangi Singh to seal a win.

But last time around in 2009 in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka Bhutan were the wipping boys of the tournament having conceded 17 goals in three matches and their bad run seemed to continue on Saturday with the 3-0 defeat against Sri Lanka.


Savio Medeira had taken a conservative approach in the first game using tried-and-tested players - Mahesh Gawli, Samir Naik, Climax Lawrence - rather then risking to give the youngsters - Nirmal Chetri, Jewel Raja Sheikh, Lalrindika Ralte - a chance. This has come in for heavy criticism, then whoever the South Asian opponent an Indian team should be able to beat them.

Now Samir Naik looks a doubtful starter due to an injury with Nirmal Chetri a possible option; but one will have to see what changes, if any Savio makes to his starting eleven.

Interestingly India had also drawn their opening match against Bangladesh in the 1999 SAFF Cup held in Goa. Thereafter they went on to win the tournament. Hopefully a similarity to 2011.

But one thing is for sure. Only three points against Bhutan count for India today otherwise the SAFF Cup could be over faster then anyone would have thought...

The match kicks-off at 18.00 IST and will be live on TenAction+.

TenAction+ to broadcast 2011 SAFF Cup

The 2011 SAFF Cup will be shown by TenAction+ after the World Sports Group appointed Ten Sports as the tournaments official broadcaster. The 15 matches of the SAFF Cup (South Asian Football Federation Championships) will be played from December 2 to 11, 2011 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.

TenAction+ will be broadcasting the tournament across the eight participating nations - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Atul Pande, CEO-Ten Sports said, " We are delighted to broadcast the 2011 SAFF Championship. The championship will not only help in the development of football in the region but also in fostering goodwill among neighbouring nations. The telecast of this prestigious tournament reaffirms our commitment to grow our football and sports broadcasting business, and consolidate our position as the leading sports broadcaster."

Harish Krishnamachar, Senior vice-President & Country Head, India, World Sport Group said, "World Sport Group has worked on seven editions of the SAFF Championship and we are happy to be producing this event in India. Together, our capability and the football pedigree of Ten Sports will help us deliver a world class event."


2011 SAFF CUP - New Delhi

Group A: India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan

03-Dec-2011: India - Afghanistan (15.00 IST)
03-Dec-2011: Sri Lanka - Bhutan (18.00 IST)
05-Dec-2011: Afghanistan - Sri Lanka (15.00 IST)
05-Dec-2011: India - Bhutan (18.00 IST)
07-Dec-2011: Bhutan - Afghanistan (15.00 IST)
07-Dec-2011: India - Sri Lanka (18.00 IST)

Group B: Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan

02-Dec-2011: Bangladesh - Pakistan (15.00 IST)
02-Dec-2011: Maldives - Nepal (18.00 IST)
04-Dec-2011: Nepal - Bangladesh (15.00 IST)
04-Dec-2011: Maldives - Pakistan (18.00 IST)
06-Dec-2011: Pakistan - Nepal (15.00 IST)
06-Dec-2011: Maldives - Bangladesh (18.00 IST)


Semifinals
09-Dec-2011: Group B Winners - Group A Runners-up (15.00 IST)
09-Dec-2011: Group A Winners - Group B Runners-up (18.00 IST)

Final
11-Dec-2011: Winner SF 1 - Winner SF 2 (18.00 IST)

VIDEO: 2011 SAFF Cup promo

The 2011 SAFF Cup (South Asian Football Federation Championships) will be played from December 2 to 11, 2011 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. The tournament organisers World Sports Group have now released a promotional video for the tournament.

SAFF Cup: Kick-off Timings finalised

The SAFF Cup (South Asian Football Federation Championships) will be played from December 2 to 11, 2011 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. The tournaments match schedule and kick-off timings have been finalised.

There is a slight change to earlier mentioned kick-off timings. Instead of 15.30 and 18.30 IST kick-offs, the matches will now start at 15.00 and 18.00 IST.

Meanwhile, the SAFF Championship Tournament Organisers have appointed Kyazoonga as official ticketing partner. Tickets will be available from today onwards on www.kyazoonga.com . The ticket counters at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will be opened starting November 30. Daily tickets have been priced at Rs 150 and Rs 75 respectively.


2011 SAFF CUP - New Delhi

Group A: India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan

03-Dec-2011: India - Afghanistan (15.00 IST)
03-Dec-2011: Sri Lanka - Bhutan (18.00 IST)
05-Dec-2011: Sri Lanka - Afghanistan (15.00 IST)
05-Dec-2011: Bhutan - India (18.00 IST)
07-Dec-2011: Bhutan - Afghanistan (15.00 IST)
07-Dec-2011: India - Sri Lanka (18.00 IST)

Group B: Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan

02-Dec-2011: Bangladesh - Pakistan (15.00 IST)
02-Dec-2011: Maldives - Nepal (18.00 IST)
04-Dec-2011: Nepal - Bangladesh (15.00 IST)
04-Dec-2011: Pakistan - Maldives (18.00 IST)
06-Dec-2011: Pakistan - Nepal (15.00 IST)
06-Dec-2011: Maldives - Bangladesh (18.00 IST)


Semifinals
09-Dec-2011: Group B Winners - Group A Runners-up (15.00 IST)
09-Dec-2011: Group A Winners - Group B Runners-up (18.00 IST)

Final
11-Dec-2011: Winner SF 1 - Winner SF 2 (18.00 IST)

2011 SAFF Cup: Groups drawn, India in easier group

The SAFF Cup (South Asian Football Federation Championships) will be played from December 2 to 11, 2011 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. The draw for the tournament was carried out at the Le Meridien hotel in New Delhi earlier today.

Defending champions India, who won the 2009 edition with an Under-23 team in Dhaka, Bangladesh, have been drawn in an easier Group A along with Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Afghanistan. Meanwhile Group B looks stronger in which Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan would face each other.

The top two teams from each group would qualify for the semifinals, which will be played on December 9 while the final is slated for December 11. All matches are set to be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

It will be the ninth edition of the SAFF Cup, early on called SAARC Gold Cup, with India hosting the tournament for the second time after 1999 when it was held in Margao, Goa and India had won the title then with a 2-0 victory against Bangladesh.


2011 SAFF CUP - New Delhi

Group A: India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan

03-Dec-2011: India - Afghanistan
03-Dec-2011: Sri Lanka - Bhutan
05-Dec-2011: India - Bhutan
05-Dec-2011: Sri Lanka - Afghanistan
07-Dec-2011: India - Sri Lanka
07-Dec-2011: Afghanistan - Bhutan

Group B: Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan

02-Dec-2011: Maldives - Nepal
02-Dec-2011: Bangladesh - Pakistan
04-Dec-2011: Maldives - Pakistan
04-Dec-2011: Bangladesh - Nepal
06-Dec-2011: Maldives - Bangladesh
06-Dec-2011: Nepal - Pakistan


Semifinals
09-Dec-2011: Group A Winners - Group B Runners-up
09-Dec-2011: Group B Winners - Group A Runners-up

Final
11-Dec-2011: Winner SF 1 - Winner SF 2

Women's SAFF Cup: India hammer Bhutan

The Indian Women's national team opened their campaign in the first-ever Women's SAFF Cup (South Asian Football Federation Championships) with a phenomenal 18-0 victory against minnows Bhutan in the Bangladeshi city of Cox's Bazar yesterday. The tournaments title favourites were leading 10-0 at the breather.

It was one-way traffic from the start and on average our women scored a goal every five minutes, which is also impressive at the international level. The star performer was midfielder Sasmita Mallick who scored seven of the goals, Ng. Bala Devi scored five goals and T. Tababi Devi netted four times while Pinky Bompal Magar and Amoolya Kamal also added their names once on the scoresheet.

In the other Group A game of the day hosts Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka 2-0 to also open with a win. India next face Sri Lanka on Wednesday, December 15 and then in their final group game Bangladesh on Friday, December 17.