2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers: Anadi Barua to continue as India Women's National Coach!

The Indian Women's national football team will be coached by Anadi Barua in the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers in which India face hosts Palestine, Myanmar and Chinese Taipei in May 2013.

The qualifying Group D would be played at the Faisal Al Huseni Stadium in the West Bank, Palestine. India open against Myanmar (May 21), then face Chinese Taipei (May 23) and then the hosts Palestine (May 25) in the final.

The AIFF meanwhile have called-up 36 players for the India Women's team probables camp to be held in Pune from April 1 ahead of the qualifiers. The team will visit Nepal and Bahrain before proceeding to Palestine for the qualifiers.


INDIA Women's Probables

Goalkeepers
Swarnamayee Samal, Roshini Devi, Tikina Samal, Usharani Das

Defenders
Romi Devi, Ashalata Devi, Rashmita Patra, Suprava Samal, G. Radharani Devi, Tuli Goon, Lako Phuti Bhutia, Rebika Devi, Bijaya Devi, Ansha

Midfielders
Kamal Devi, Premi Devi, Supriya Routray, Manisha Panna, Nikhila Thumbayil, Amoolya Kamal, Montessori Chanu, O. Bembem Devi, Subhaprava Rout, Margaret Devi, Paromita Sit

Forwards
Prameshwori Devi, Nima Lamhu Bhutia, Rinaroy Devi, Jyoti Burret, Swati Rawat, D. Grace, Pinky Bompal Magar, Sasmita Mallick, Sangita Basfore, L. Naobi Chanu

Officials
Anadi Barua (Coach), Surmala Chanu (Assistant Coach), Chitra Gangadharan (Goalkeeping Coach), Dimple (Physio), Indu Choudhary (Manager)

Match-Winner Robin Singh: It's a confidence booster for me!

Coming on a substitute against Chinese Taipei, Robin Singh ensured the 'most important match of the Tournament' yielded India three full points in the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers. The morning after, the lad from Delhi spoke to AIFF Media about what it means to score a winner for the country, the next match against Guam, his 'regained confidence', and much more.


What does it mean for you to score India's winner in injury time?

It's my first goal for my country and that too, a winning one. Honestly, it took long for the feeling to sink in. It's a proud moment not only for me but also my family. I can imagine and excitement and the pride of my mom and dad. After all, we are a country of 120 crore of people and I was the one who saw my country through. I dedicate this goal to my parents.

But this is just my start. I need to move on from it and concentrate on the next match.


Does anything change for Robin Singh with this goal?

It makes me more confident as a player! It's the AFC Challenge Cup being played in a different country and scoring in a foreign country, far way from all my near and dear ones, makes it all the more satisfying. It's a special moment for me as much as it's a confidence booster. In fact, I was so overwhelmed that I even forgot to even celebrate my first International goal. I just hope, plenty more follow (smiles).


What are the team's thoughts against Guam?

First things first – every team is here to win. If we will be playing to win, so would Guam. But it's a different team who may have a different technique and tactic. We will stick to ours Coach's plans. We were desperate for a win in the first match of the Tournament and now that we have achieved it, we need to sustain the momentum.

Personally speaking, I look forward to getting a chance and scoring again.


There's a perception Robin Singh hasn't done justice to his talent.

(Smiles again). I've never felt that way. But yeah, people will have their opinions. You just can't control or influence what they think. My Coaches will tell you that I've never shied away from working hard and sweating it out. But at the same time I admit that I am upset when I don't score. It happens. The perception will change for sure. I won't let my talent go waste and the fact that I am donning the India Blue explains it hasn't.


What much is life a learning curve for you at the moment, especially from the bench?

I need to remember that I have just joined the team. I need to be fit, sharp and confident enough for the Coach to put his faith in me. A player always needs to be patient and understand the situation. Whatever the Coach asks for me, I'm there for the team – be it 5 minutes, be it 55 minutes or be it 90 minutes.


You have a whole lot of tattoos – can you explain their significance.

(Smiles again). I have five tattoos. I have one on the leg – it's a tattoo of stars. I believe in stars and it's important one always dreams big. Nine is my lucky number, hence, I have nine stars on my left leg.

I also have a tattoo of a Warrior on my right shoulder which signifies hard work and fighting through rough times. There's also a Prayer, with a Cross on my right shoulder. My mom is a Christian and hence, I had it. Then I have a tattoo of all my family names on my chest – my family always will stay close to my heart. Lastly on the back, I have a tattoo of Faith. I need to believe in myself, my abilities and talent.

(Interview & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers: India score injury-time winner against Chinese Taipei

In their opening match of the Group A qualifiers for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup, Team India needed an injury time winner to win 2-1 against Chinese Taipei at the Thuwanna Yangon Training Centre Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar.

Midfielder Jewel Raja Shaikh put India ahead in the 40th minute while substitute Robin Singh headed in the winner in the first minute of injurz time. In between, Lee Tai Lin has equalised for Chinese Taipei in the 54th minute.

After a series of raids at the rival citadel, India finally surged ahead in the 40th minute. Jewel who was playing with one-twos with Chhetri with much aplomb slipped past the two rival Central defenders, trapped Chhetri's through with poise and sent it past the rival goalkeeper Lun Kun Chi.

The last 15 minutes prior to the goal, it was all about India. In the 25th minute, Gouramangi Singh followed Clifford Miranda's corner but his header deflected for a corner. The resultant two corners went abegging and then in the 38th minute, Mehtab Hossain's long-ranger was fisted out.

In this phase earned India five corners and debutant Gurjinder Kumar came agonisingly close to heading one in but the ball hit his top of the head and going the other way.

It wasn't about the corners alone. India played to a plan and from the stands it seemed it was tactic-board football on the lush green. The synchronisation was just about perfect with everyone having two options as supports, be it wherever in the field. They were willing to roam around, slow it down, build it from the back and look for the runs and one-twos. Possession once gained was not to be lost with Chinese Taipei chasing them.

Earlier, India began on a cautious note. Not willing to let open much, they were content to play the waiting game. And then slowly, they took control. The midfield played among themselves allowing Chhetri and Jewel to time their runs. Francis Fernandes and Nirmal Chhetri did break free a couple of occasions down the right but the rival defence recovered in time.

This apart, India had two more chances – Raju Gaikwad's throw in the 20th minute dipped alarmingly to beat all in the rival box but the flurry of legs didn’t allow any Blue to tap it in and then Mehtab Hossain was set up by Sunil Chhetri inside the rival box but the Taipei goalkeeper Lu Kun Chi anticipated it in time. Chinese Taipei defended and depended on counters and much against the run of play had almost scored in the 11th minute but an alert Subrata Paul was acrobatic enough to tap over a Chen Yi Wei freekick from outside the box.

But the complexion changed almost immediately after resumption. Chinese Taipei equalised in the 54th minute – Lee Tai Lin heading in Su De Cai's corner. The goal pushed the Indians on the backfoot and all of a sudden, Taipei, for a brief period, had a bit more of the possession.

But not for long! The Indians regrouped fast. AIFF Player-of-the-Year Syed Rahim Nabi replaced Francis Fernandes in the 68th minute and the Indians seemed to be playing all over by then. But with the entire Chinese Taipei team having fallen back by then, breaking through seemed difficult.

Wim Koevermans brought on Robin Singh in place of Jewel in the 82nd minute and with India attacking down the middle and the two flanks, the goal seemed inevitable.

The wait ended in the first minute of injury-time when Robin leaped high to head in Nabi's centre from the right. India won 2-1, a "deserving win", as Koevermans said at the post-match Press Conference.

The fighting spirit of the boys and the manner they pressed till the dead end deserve praise. "It's a big day for us. We need to win," Chhetri had uttered the moment he had stepped out for the breakfast. And they did!

India next play Guam on March 4 and look forward to another win.



MATCH STATS

INDIA 2-1 (1-0) Chinese Taipei - Goals: 1-0 Jewel Raja Sheikh (23'), 1-1 Lee Tai Lin (54'), 2-1 Robin Singh (90+1')

INDIA
1-Subrata Pal - 4-Nirmal Chettri, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 3-Raju Eknath Gaikwad, 31-Gurjinder Kumar Singh - 10-Francis Fernandes (68' 22-Syed Rahim Nabi), 6-Lenny Rodrigues, 7-Mehtab Hossain, 15-Clifford Miranda - 23-Jewel Raja Sheikh (82' Robin Singh) - 11-Sunil Chhetri [C]

Guam Squad for 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers

Guam have finalised their squad for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup Group A qualifiers in which they would face India, Chinese Taipei and Guam.

The pacific islanders are considered the minnows in the group, but under coach Gary John White they have improved a lot and have brought in player of Guam origin to strengthen the squad.


GUAM

Goalkeepers
Doug Herrick (Seattle Sounders FC U-23, USA), Dallas Jaye (United States University of South Florida, USA)

Defenders
Dominic Gadia (Cars Plus, Guam), Mark Chargualaf (Table 35 Espada, Guam), Scott Leon Guerrero (Quality Distributors, Guam), Micah Paulino (Niagara University, USA), Christian Schweizer (Table 35 Espada, Guam), Jonahan Romero (Kaya, Philippines), Shawn Nicklaw (HB Køge, Denmark)

Midfielders
Jason Cunliffe (Captain | Pachanga, Philippines), Ian Mariano (Pachanga, Philippines), Dylan Naputi (Table 35 Espada, Guam), Ian Adamos (SoCal Elite, USA), Marcus Lopez (Guam Shipyard, Guam), Ryan Guy (New England Revolution, USA), Thaddeus Atalig (Table 35 Espad, Guam), Travis Nicklaw (San Diego State University, USA), John Matkin (United Sikkim FC, India)

Strikers
Zachary DeVille (California State University, Northridge, USA), Sean Navarro, David Nussbaum, Jorge Valenzo

Officials
Gary John White (Head Coach)

Myanmar Squad for 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers

The hosts Myanmar of the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup Group A qualifiers have finalised their squad for the tournament in which they would face India, Chinese Taipei and Guam.

The hosts hope to take advantage of playing at home and moving into the final round of the tournament in the Maldives next year.


MYANMAR

Goalkeepers
Thiha Si Thu (Yadanarbon), Kyaw Zin Phyo (Magwe), Pyae Phyo Aung (Southern Myanmar)

Defenders
Yan Aung Win (Yadanarbon), Zaw Min Htun (Yadanarbon), Thet Naing (Yadanarbon), Ye Zaw Htet Aung (Yadanarbon), Zaw Zaw Oo (Ayeyawady), Moe Win(Naypyidaw), Thein Than Win (Kanbawza), Aung Hein Kyaw (Zeyar Shwe Myay)

Midfielders
Phyo Ko Ko Thein (Ayeyarwady), Nyi Nyi Min (Ayeyarwady), Naing Lin Oo (Ayeyarwady), Yan Aung Kyaw (Yangon), Yar Zar Win Thein (Yangon), Kyi Lin (Yangon), David Htan (Yangon), Khin Maung Lwin (Yangon), Myo Zaw Oo (Myanmar Magway)

Strikers
Kyaw Ko Ko (Yangon), Kaung Si Thu (Yadanarbon), Kyaw Zeyar Win (Kanbawza), Soe Min Oo (Kanbawza), Paing Soe (Yadanarbon)

Officials
Park Sung Wha (Coach)

2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers: India ready for Chinese Taipei challenge!

"Come over boys", coach Wim Koevermans gestures with his hand. And then it's a sprint for Team India to get to him.

"I'm happy with the intensity. Only be careful, don't ever switch-off, even in practice. Even if you switch-off for three seconds, you're gone," Wim says in one breath. Some have hands on their hips, some have them folded back; most wipe off the sweat, but all listen.

"OK. Now's let get back," Koevermans utters. Again, you just cannot miss the sprint. And then, it begins. Lenny Rodrigues to Francis Fernandes, back to Lenny, forward to Alwyn George, an one-two with Jeje Lalpekhlua, back to Jeje, a floater to Alwyn and he volleys it in. Everyone claps, Koevermans whistles.

The clean and green of Yangon will strike you at every step. Once a part of undivided India, some of the Houses built during the British regime will remind you of good old Kolkata. But more than Kolkata, it's the Dooars which hit you at every step, specially the Houses. Gouramangi Singh says, "It's more like Manipur," while Syed Rahim Nabi admits, "We will never have this back in Kolkata. Everyone is following the traffic rules. I haven't heard anyone honk as yet."

Rules? Well, they are always meant to be broken. "There can't be any fixed pattern of play," Koevermans stays consistent. "You need to adjust according to the situation." The videos keep the boys interested even as Koevermans' hands, nimble, shuffle the magnets on the tactical board.

You take a walk round the Official Team Hotel. Mehtab Hossain maintains, "The AFC Challenge Cup is the most important tournament for us." Cliffird Miranda agrees, "Very often, the first match of the Tournament sets the pace. We need to go all guns blazing against Chinese Taipei." Subrata Pal complements both. "We need to have confidence in ourselves. Nothing else matters. We are capable of doing it."

Captain Sunil Chhetri nods. "A team will always have mixed luck. We won the Nehru Cup as we played to our potential. Then, we were a bit rusty in the International Friendlies. But our quality stays. Had we not had them, we wouldn't have won the Nehru Cup, that too beating Cameroon in the Final, he pronounces. "We will do it," Denzil Franco echoes. Lenny, who with eyes wide open was switching his eyes from one to the other, was juggling with the ball by then. C.K. Vineeth didn't speak. He just listened.

You turn to Koevermans. "Have a drink, boys." This time, the boys don't sprint; rather they walk fast. You go nearby and overhear Clifford Miranda and C.K. Vineeth animated; discussing the timing of the release and the run. Nabi walks up to Jeje and puts his hand around him. "Your turn at that time was excellent."

Koevermans explains to his defenders, the set-pieces follow.

At the breakfast table, Lalkamal and Nabi, use the salt and pepper sprinkler to discuss a dummy run. Arata joins in and gets drawn into it. You watch from a distance. Till the other day, he had a Japanese passport but here he is, for India's cause, the country which he "wanted to represent".

It's one big family after all!

With match-day approaching the buzz increases. Sanjay Dhyani, the Kit Manager stays busy arranging the Match kit, the Manager Sriniwas Murthy busy with the Manager's meeting, Gigi George, the Team Physio and Dr. Manabendra Bhattacharya, the Team Doctor enquire about niggles. But there aren't any. In midst of everything, there's a queue in Masseur Liaqat Ali's room, boys lining up to get rejuvenated. The Manager runs again to check about the ice-bath.

Koevermans, till then, just can't take his eyes off the videos. When he does, he scribbles something on his notebook. He has his final XI written on it.

The kick-off at the Yangon Training Centre is at 4pm local time (3pm IST) tomorrow afternoon.

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

Sunil Chhetri: I'll carry on doing my job!

It was at the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup that Sunil Chhetri announced his arrival in international football – his hattrick in the final earning India a ticket to 2011 AFC Asian Cup. Since then, he has been India's leading goal scorer and at the moment stays on 38 goals, four behind Baichung Bhutia's highest tally for an Indian at 42 goals. A day prior to India's first match in the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers, the India captain spoke to AIFF Media about India's challenge, the areas where the team is focusing, reaction from the fans, India's opponents in the forthcoming tournament and much more.


Sunil Chhetri, they say, is synonymous with the AFC Challenge Cup.

(Smiles, shrugs his shoulder and smiles again). I just hope I can live up to the expectations. As a player it never comes to my mind as to which Tournament or match I am playing. I have always had one aim – to do well for my Country. This is a very important Tournament for us and we, as a team, will give everything we have.


Do you believe the fans are becoming a bit impatient and are starting to forget what we did in the Nehru Cup?

I'd say it's a normal reaction. Fans expect us to win every match and I don't blame them at all. It's all about the mentality. I try not to be bothered by it and carry on doing my job. Success and failures and the reaction will come and go.


It was a tale of two contrasting halves against Palestine – what do we need to do to maintain the momentum?

It was a tale of seven drastic minutes and we have nobody to blame. The positive part stays that we were the better team in the first half. But at this level, there can't be any room for excuses. We need to ensure that such a phase never hits us again. It's past for us but at the same time have taught us a lesson. We are working hard on that.


You have played both against Myanmar and even Chinese Taipei. What do you expect from them?

Chinese Taipei and Myanmar are very good teams especially Myanmar, as they are playing at home. We need to remember they would be backed by a vociferous crowd.

But first things first, and at the moment, we are concentrating on our first match against Chinese Taipei. We need to take one match at a time.


How much valuable is it for you to be moving to I-League tile-contenders Churchill Brothers on loan?

It's good but at the same time, it's an added pressure. There will be expectations as we are in contention to win the I-League this season. I have played two matches for them and am looking forward to joining them after the campaign in the AFC Challenge Cup 2014 (qualifiers).

(Interview & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

India Coach Wim Koevermans: We are here to win!

Indian National Coach Wim Koevermans said India are here to "win the Tournament" to make his intentions clear at the qualifiers for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup. Koevermans said this at the Official Pre-Tournament Press Conference in Yangon today.

"We aim to win every match which we play and that's no different for the AFC Challenge Cup," Koevermans said. "We have had a good Preparatory Camp for the Tournament in Pune. We landed early in Yangon to acclimatise to the conditions and the boys have responded well," he added.

"There are a lot of young players in India who have the capability to play at the highest level. This is a test for them as much it's a chance for me to assess their performance and how they react."

"Indians are very proud when it comes to the National Team. We are expected to win every match. We have a huge responsibility," he pronounced.

If the Indians have had a preparatory camp for two weeks, then their rivals in the tournament opener, Chinese Taipei head in the competition after a '40-day Camp'.

Koevermans' rival counterpart, Chinese Taipei coach Chen Kuel Jen meanwhile siad, "We have had a Preparatory Camp for 40 days and we are satisfied with the sessions. All the teams are equally strong in the Tournament. We have also spent time to learn about each of them."

"We play to a different style nowadays," Jen continued. "There are a whole lot of new players from the lot which played in the EAFF Championship in December 2012," he added. "We will try our best to qualify."

Park Sung Wha, Myanmar's South Korean Coach felt there isn't much "difference between the teams".

"This will be a tough competition for sure. There’s isn’t much difference between the sides. All the teams are equally strong and have a chance for qualifying for the final phase of the AFC Challenge Cup in Maldives in 2014."

"It doesn't necessarily mean that Myanmar will be through just by virtue of being the hosts," he went on.

For the record, the Group-toppers get a direct entry into the final phase while the two best runners-up amongst the five groups also get a place in the final round next year.

Guam Coach Gary White said, "We have studied a lot about all our opponents. History may not be on our side but we have prepared well this time around," he warned.

Guam come into the Competition with two of their players from the North American MLS while three of their players play in the Philippines League.

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

Jeje Lalpekhlua: Koevermans has helped me improve my turning

Striker Jeje Lalpekhlua after over a year is back to 'where he belongs' - Team India. Since his ankle injury, Jeje, touted as the most exciting prospect in Indian Football, says he has seen the worst of times. In his first interview since getting a call back into the National squad, the Mizo striker speaks as length to AIFF Media about the phase which he wants to forgets fast, his immediate targets, his improvement under Wim Koevermans and much more.


How is it to be back in the National squad?

Every player sweats hard to be here. It feels nice and makes me more confident as a player that I am back in the National squad after more than a year. My ankle injury had kept me out of the AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal in March 2012 and since then it has been a battle, more within my own self to be back.

I see this as a new beginning and will work harder and wait for my chance.


How did you motivate yourself when you were hit by injury and simultaneously out of the Senior squad?

Football motivated me more than anything else. I just wanted to be back playing again for my club. More than the physical aspect, an injury hits you hard mentally as a player. You start thinking that you won't ever have the strength to be back. Serious doubts kept creeping in. But at the same time, it makes you tougher as a player as you have already seen the worst of times.


This is the first time you are in the squad under Wim Koevermans. How do you see him from close?

The first and foremost thing that will appeal to you is his nature. I'd say, as much he is a Coach, he is simultaneously a true gentleman and a very caring human being. That's an extraordinary and a very rare combination, I must say.

Technically, he has fine-tuned me a lot. He explained to me as to how I could be sharper with my turning and off-the-ball play. I like his style a lot.


What are your targets?

As a striker, I'd say to score as many goals as possible. But the AFC Challenge Cup 2014 (Qualifiers) stay the immediate target - not only for me but for the entire contingent. We are a good unit and need believe in ourselves.


You have played against Chinese Taipei and Myanmar in the recent past. What can we expect from them?

I made my Senior India debut against Chinese Taipei in the AFC Challenge Cup (qualifiers) in Malaysia in 2011. I remember scoring in the match as we won 2-1. Then, in the U-23 Olympic Qualifiers, I scored against Myanmar in Pune as we went on to win 2-1. I can tell you, both of the teams are very competitive ones and would pose a huge threat. And there's Guam too.

The Coach has shown us some videos and we need to stick to his plans!

(Interview & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

Wim Koevermans: Acclimatising fast is very important!

Keeping in mind that in Asia 'you need to travel long', National Coach Wim Koevermans insisted on arriving early in Yangon for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers. In an interview to AIFF Media, Koevermans talks about the intensity of his training sessions, challenges of acclimatisation, the couple of injuries in the Preparatory Camp, India's opening opponent in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers and much more.


Are you satisfied the manner the Preparatory Camp in Pune shaped up?

Very much! The boys worked hard and so did the staff. There was a reason for the Camp and we accomplished it. I need to thank the authorities in Pune for their cooperation and also the All India Football Federation for arranging for the Preparatory Camp. Things are working in the right direction and that's important.


What do you make of the players prior and after the Camp?

The players will always have to get used to the tempos of the training sessions. The sessions were of very high intensity and everyone adjusted well.

At the moment we are focusing on Chinese Taipei, our first opponent in the AFC Challenge Cup 2014 (Qualifiers). It's the first game of the Tournament and a really important one for us. We are providing them the information and they are learning about them.


How much have the couple of injuries (to Arnab Mondal and Sandesh Jhingan) in the Preparatory Camp affected your plans?

Unfortunately injuries are always a part of any training camp, anywhere in the World. They were freak ones but we need to move on. That's the reason we had called for a bigger group of players. Even after Sandesh (Jhingan) was ruled out, we called for an extra defender (Rowilson Rodrigues) to ensure we had enough quality players for the Tournament.


India are the first team to have landed in Yangon. How much is acclimatisation important in such a Tournament?

I'd say, most important! The idea stays to get enough rest to overcome and adjust after the hectic travel schedules. Travelling is tiring and takes its toll, especially if you travel to a different time zone; and one needs to remember that in Asia, you need to travel long. Hence, acclimatisation is important. We need to get it out of system. The boys have adjusted superbly so far and we even had a light practice session on the first afternoon.

However, having said that, the boys from Churchill Brothers and East Bengal couldn't arrive together with the Group, courtesy the AFC Cup schedule. They need to recover fast and stay fresh.


You have had a look at the Videos – what do you make of your opponents?

We take every opposition seriously. In a build-up to a match, we need to analyse our rival teams and stay 100 percent prepared. We need to see the players, their qualities, their strengths and weaknesses and prepare accordingly.

(Interview & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers: Chinese Taipei name squad

Chinese Taipei have named their 21 players squad for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup Group A qualifiers to be played in Myanmar next month.

Chinese Taipei, who are taking a complete home-based squad to play the qualifiers, are the opening day opponent of Team India with hosts Myanmar and Guam the other teams in the group.


CHINESE TAIPEI

Goalkeepers
Lu Kun-Chi (Taiwan Power Company FC), Chiang Yung Hsuan (Taiwan Power Company FC), Yang Chun Kuang (Pingtung University of Education football team)

Defenders
Chen Shanfu (Taiwan Power Company FC), Lin Cheng-Yi (Taiwan Power Company FC), Lee Meng-Chian (Taiwan Power Company FC), Wei Pei Lun (National Sports Training Center), Tsai Sheng-An (Taiwan Power Company FC), Lee Tai-Lin (Taiwan Power Company FC), Yang Chao-Hsun (Shou University SC)

Midfielders
Jiang Minghan (Military Service of the National Training Center), Huang Kai-Jun (Taiwan Power Company FC), Feng Pao-Hsing (Taiwan Power Company FC), Chen Yi-Wei (Taiwan Power Company FC), Chang Fu-Hsiang (Tatung FC), Su De-Cai (National Sports Training Center), Chan Che-Yuan (National Sports Training Center), Huang Han-Sheng (TMNCK University FC)

Forwards
He Ming-Chan (Taiwan Power Company FC), Chiu I-Huan (National Sports Training Center), Tai Hung-Hsu (Taiwan Power Company FC)

Officials
Chiang Mu-Tsai (Head Coach)

India coach Koevermans names squad of 23 players for 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers

Indian national team coach Wim Koevermans has named his final 23 players squad ahead of the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers to be played next month in Myanmar.

Team India have been drawn in Group A of the qualifiers alongside the hosts Myanmar, Chinese Taipei and Guam with Chinese Taipei the opponent in the first match on March 2.

The squad would be leaving Mumbai late on Monday, February 25 evening and reach Yangon the next day morning. However, the four Churchill Brothers players – Sandip Nandy, Denzil Franco, Lenny Rodrigues and Sunil Chhetri – who would be doing duty for their club in the AFC Cup would be joining the rest of squad on February 27; while the three East Bengal players - Raju Gaikwad, Mehtab Hossain and Robin Singh - would be joining the squad on February 28 in Yangon.

Those omitted from the final squad include Subhasish Roy Chowdhury (Dempo SC), Peter Carvalho (Dempo SC), Asif K. (Prayag United SC), Shylo Malswam Tulunga (Prayag United SC) and Sushil Kumar Singh (Shillong Lajong FC); while Sandesh Jhingan (United Sikkim FC), Arnab Mondal (East Bengal Club) and Joaquim Abranches (Dempo SC) had to leave the camp due to injury.

Meanwhile Karanjit Singh, Jeje Lalpekhlua and Rowilson Rodrigues make a comeback into the squad.


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), Rowilson Rodrigues (Dempo SC), Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Prayag United SC), Gurjinder Kumar Singh (Pune FC)

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

Forwards
Sunil Chhetri (Churchill Brothers SC), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Pune FC), Robin Singh (East Bengal Club)

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

VIDEO: 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers | India, Myanmar, Chinese Taipei, Guam

Here a nicely made video of available footage from the participating teams of the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup - Group A qualifiers in India, Chinese Taipei, Guam and hosts Myanmar next month.

Koevermans names 30 probables for AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers camp

Indian national coach Wim Koevermans has named 30 probables for the Preparatory Camp ahead of the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers to be played next month in Myanmar. The Camp will kick-off at the Bharatiya Vidyapeeth premises in Pune from Tuesday, February 12.

All the selected players and support staff would be reporting to the Camp the previous day ahead of the camp.

Wim Koevermans has left out East Bengal striker Manandeep Singh, while calling-up Sandesh Jhingan (United Sikkim FC), Arnab Mondal (East Bengal Club), Peter Carvalho (Dempo SC), Asif K. (Prayag United SC), Shylo Malswam Tulunga (Prayag United SC), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Pune FC) and Robin Singh (East Bengal Club) to the camp.

A surprise omission remains an inform Lalrindika Ralte, who once under Koevermans does not find a place in the squad.

The team will be travelling to play the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers in Yangon in the last week of February. India play their first match against Chinese Taipei on March 2 followed by matches against Guam and hosts Myanmar on March 4 and 6 respectively.


INDIA

Goalkeepers
Sandip Nandy (Churchill Brothers SC), Subrata Pal (Prayag United SC), Subhasish Roy Chowdhury (Dempo 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), Sandesh Jhingan (United Sikkim FC), Arnab Mondal (East Bengal Club), 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), Peter Carvalho (Dempo SC), Francis Fernandes (Salgaocar SC), Alwyn George (Pailan Arrows), Mehtab Hossain (East Bengal Club), Asif K. (Prayag United SC), Clifford Miranda (Dempo SC), Jewel Raja Sheikh (Mohun Bagan AC), Lenny Rodrigues (Churchill Brothers SC), Shylo Malswam Tulunga (Prayag United SC), C.K. Vineeth (Prayag United SC)

Forwards
Joaquim Abranches (Dempo SC), Sunil Chhetri (Sporting Clube de Portugal 'B'), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Pune FC), Robin Singh (East Bengal Club), Sushil Kumar Singh (Shillong Lajong FC)

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

AFC Under-19 Women's Cup: India to host qualifying group

The official draw for the AFC U-19 Women's Championship 2013 Qualifying Rounds 1 and 2 were conducted at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur today.

In the first round there are 12 participating nations. The eight participating Member Associations in the Central, South and West regions were drawn into two groups of four teams each, while the East/ASEAN zones already consist of Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Myanmar and the Philippines.

Group A would be host by India besides whom Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh make-up the group. Group B consists of Jordan, Iran, Tajikistan and Palestine with Jordan playing hosts for this group with both the qualifying groups set to be played between October 19 to 27, 2012.

Each group shall play a one-round league, where each team in the group shall play one match against every other team and the top two teams from each group (total six teams) will proceed to Qualifying Round 2 which will be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam between December 1-9, 2012. For Round 2, seventh-ranked Thailand have been drawn into Group A while Vietnam, ranked sixth, into Group B.


THE GROUPINGS

ROUND 1
Group A: India, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh
Group B: Jordan, Iran, Tajikistan, Palestine
Group C: Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Philippines

ROUND 2
Group A: Thailand, Team Ranked 4, Team Ranked 5, Team Ranked 8
Group B: Vietnam, Team Ranked 3, Team Ranked 6, Team Ranked 7

AFC Challenge Cup - Qualifiers: India start in style!

The Bob Houghton coached newly formed Indian senior national team started their AFC Challenge Cup Group B qualification campaign on a winning note. The Bhangra Boys beat Chinese Taipei 3-0 at the MBPJ Stadium in Petaling Jaya outside of Kuala Lumpur with goals from Jeje Lalpekhulua, captain Sunil Chhetri and substitute Shaikh Jewel Raja to earn their first three points of the competition.

There were fears if the newly put together squad could perform after an only five day camp, but the young experimental side delivered. The pressure was on experienced Subrata Pal, Gouramangi Singh, N.S. Manju, Steven Dias, Syed Rahim Nabi and captain Sunil Chhetri to lead a young team; while Govin Singh, Rakesh Masih and Jagpreet Singh had to prove what they have learned under Bob over the last few years while debutants Raju Eknath Gaikwad and Jeje Lalpekhulua have been showing for the Indian Arrows in the I-League that they are talents to look forward to.

India started off the game with a positive frame of mind against a Chinese Taipei, who had problems especially with our wingers Nabi and Steven Dias, while Rakesh Masih and Jagpreet where more content in holding the ball in midfield and blocking the opponents.

India where the dominant side in the first session, but only had one goal to their name. Jeje Lalpekhulua took his Indian Arrows and Under-23 national team form into his debut for the senior side as he gave his side a 32nd minute lead off a Steven Dias cross which Sunil Chhetri headed on.

It initally looked a more even game after the break, but India once again had more of the exchanges and doubled their lead in the 76th minute through a strike from new captain Sunil Chhetri off a pass from Jeje. The third and final goal came from a long range effort by substitute Shaikh Jewel Raja off a pass from Sunil Chhetri in the 86th minute.

After the match coach Bob Houghton said, "It was good game for us. Some young boys made their debut and fared pretty well. Jagpreet and Rakesh had a good game in the midfield and did very well. Chhetri too had a great game and playing his first game as captain scored a goal. He also paved the way for other goals."

In the groups other match of the day Turkmenistan won 3-0 against Pakistan. This means after match day one India and Turkmenistan lead the group with three points each.


MATCH STATS

INDIA 3-0 (1-0) Chinese Taipei - Goals: 1-0 Jeje Lalpekhulua (32'), 2-0 Sunil Chhetri (76'), 3-0 Shaikh Jewel Raja (88')

INDIA: 1-Subrata Pal; 2-Govin Moirangthem Singh, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 14-Raju Eknath Gaikwad, 3-Nanjangud Shivananju Manju (70' 9-Joaquim Santan Abranches); 23-Steven Benedic Dias (72' 15-Jewel Shaikh Raja), 4-Rakesh Masih (85' 16-Shilton Sydney D'Silva), 29-Jagpreet Singh, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi; 11-Sunil Chhetri [C], 12-Jeje Lalpekhulua
Substitutes: 13-Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, 5-Anwar, 7-Denzil Michael Franco, 8-Nirmal Chetri, 10-C.S. Sabeeth, 17-Nalappan Mohanraj
Not in Squad: 31-Jagroop Singh, 6-Baldeep Singh, 18-Chongtham Sushil Kumar Singh


Referee: Mohammed Nafeez Bin Abdul Wahab (Malaysia)
Asst Referees: Waleed A.R.A. Abhushish (Jordan), Mohammed Hanif Abdul Bin Rahman (Malaysia)
Fourth official: Mohammed Salem Abdullah Alrshaidat (Jordan)
Match Commissioner: Manirul Islam (Bangladesh)
Referee Assessor: Yazbeck Yazbeck (Lebanon)

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers: Chhetri to lead India!

Bob Houghton has named Sunil Chhetri as India's new captain for the qualifiers of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup to be played next week in Kuala Lumpur. In the Malaysian capital India will face Chinese Taipei (March 21), Pakistan (March 23) and Turkmenistan (March 25) in the Group B qualifiers. The top two teams from the group would move into the AFC Challenge Cup proper.

Senior players are being rested by Bob Houghton, so players like Sunil Chhetri, Gouramnagi Singh, Subrata Pal and Steven Dias will have to prove that they are ready to carry the Indian national team. Bob Houghton will also get a chance to test youngsters with talented players like Raju Gaekwad and Jeje Lalpekhulua set for their first international start tomorrow and they will have to prove that they are ready for senior competition.

For India the qualifiers are crucial as they would have to be amongst the top two teams to qualify for the final round, which India could host next year and then try to qualify for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup to be played in Australia.


INDIA

Goalkeepers
Subroto Pal (Pune FC), Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Indian Arrows), Jagroop Singh (Indian Arrows)

Defenders
Anwar (Mohun Bagan AC), Nirmal Chetri (East Bengal Club), Denzil Franco (Churchill Brothers SC), Raju Gaekwad (Indian Arrows), N.S. Manju (United Sikkim FC), Nalappan Mohanraj (Mohun Bagan AC), Syed Rahim Nabi (East Bengal Club), Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Govin Moirangthem Singh (Salgaocar SC)

Midfielders
Joaquim Abranches (Dempo SC), Shilton D'Silva (Indian Arrows), Steven Benedic Dias (Churchill Brothers SC), Rakesh Masih (Mohun Bagan AC), Jewel Sheikh Raja (Indian Arrows), Baldeep Singh (Salgaocar SC), Jagpreet Singh (JCT)

Forwards
Sunil Chhetri (Chirag United SC, Captain), Jeje Lalpekhulua (Indian Arrows), C.S. Sabeeth (Viva Kerala), Sushil Kumar Singh (East Bengal Club)

Officials
Chief Coach: Robert Douglas Houghton; Assistant Coach: Savio Medeira; Goalkeeping Coach: Marcos Anthony Pacheco; Physical Trainer: Suresh Babu Kavuluri; Doctor: Dr. Kiran Kumar Kulkarni; Physiotherapist: Gigy George; Masseur: Liyaqat Ali; Media Officer: Brij Mohan Mehta; Manager: Mandhar Tamhane

India's squad for the AFC Challenge Cup

The India preparatory squad for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers has been cut from 44 to 23 players with the camp to be held in Kuala Lumpur from March 15. In the Malaysian capital India will face Chinese Taipei (March 21), Pakistan (March 23) and Turkmenistan (March 25) in the Group B qualifiers for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup.

Senior players are being rested by Bob Houghton, who will see if the younger players can take over from their more experienced players. This will be the first assignment for Bob Houghton after the federation has tried to get rid of him with a new manager in place in Mandhar Tamhane from Pune.

For India the qualifiers are crucial as they would have to be amongst the top two teams to qualify for the final round, which India could host next year and then try to qualify for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup to be played in Australia.


INDIA

Goalkeepers
Arindam Bhattacharya (Churchill Brothers SC), Subroto Pal (Pune FC), Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Indian Arrows)

Defenders
Anwar (Mohun Bagan AC), Nirmal Chetri (East Bengal Club), Denzil Franco (Churchill Brothers SC), Raju Gaekwad (Indian Arrows), N.S. Manju (United Sikkim FC), Nalappan Mohanraj (Mohun Bagan AC), Syed Rahim Nabi (East Bengal Club), Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Govin Moirangthem Singh (Salgaocar SC)

Midfielders
Joaquim Abranches (Dempo SC), Shilton D'Silva (Indian Arrows), Steven Benedic Dias (Churchill Brothers SC), Rakesh Masih (Mohun Bagan AC), Jewel Sheikh Raja (Indian Arrows), Baldeep Singh (Salgaocar SC), Jagpreet Singh (JCT)

Forwards
Sunil Chhetri (Chirag United SC), Jeje Lalpekhulua (Indian Arrows), C.S. Sabeeth (Viva Kerala), Sushil Kumar Singh (East Bengal Club)

Officials
Chief Coach: Robert Douglas Houghton; Assistant Coach: Savio Medeira; Goalkeeping Coach: Marcos Anthony Pacheco; Manager: Mandhar Tamhane

Malaysia to host India's AFC Challenge Cup qualifier group

The hosts for the four qualifying groups of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup were confirmed by the AFC yesterday.

India is said to have been interested to host the Group B qualifying of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup, but due to Pakistan being in the same group the continental body played it safe and is hosting it in the country that it is based in - Malaysia. So Kuala Lumpur will play hosts to Turkmenistan, India, Pakistan and Chinese Taipei over the match days March 21, 23 and 25.

Group A will be hosted in Yangon by Myanmar. The teams in this group are: Myanmar, Bangladesh, Palestine, and the winners of the pre-qualification match between Mongolia and the Philippines (second leg) on 15 March (The Philippines won the first leg 2-0). The match days are 21, 23 and 25 March.

Group C will be hosted by Maldives in Male. The teams are: Maldives, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Cambodia. The match days are March 21, 23 and 25.

Group D will be played in Kathmandu, Nepal. The teams are: Nepal, 2010 champions North Korea, Sri Lanka, and the winners of the pre-qualification match between Bhutan and Afghanistan (March 23 and 25). The match days are April 7, 9 and 11.

Two teams from each group qualify for the eight team finals. The hosts of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup will only be decided by the AFC once all the qualifiers are decided and one of these nations would host the tournament.

AIFF name surprise AFC Challenge Cup probables

The AIFF have named 44 probables for the qualifiers for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup to be played in March 2011 in which India would face Turkmenistan, Pakistan and the qualifier Chinese Taipei.

What will come as a surprise is that after the 2011 AFC Asian Cup the federation has decided to get rid of most of the experienced players and rather rely on youngsters to get the team through the qualifiers. Missing from the probables list are seasoned internationals like captain Baichung Bhutia, Mahesh Gawli, Deepak Mondal, Climax Lawrence and Renedy Singh besides Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Surkumar Singh, James Lukram Singh, N.P. Pradeep, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Clifford Miranda, Baljit Singh Sahni, Abhishek Yadav and Mohammed Rafi.

This will put added pressure on players like Subrata Pal, Gouramangi Singh, Steven Dias and Sunil Chhetri to lead such a young squad. All boys from the Indian Arrows have found their names amongst the probables as have all prbables selected for the Under-23 team.


INDIA Probables

Goalkeepers
Subrata Pal (Pune FC), Arindam Bhattacharya (Churchill Brothers SC), Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Indian Arrows), Jagroop Singh (Indian Arrows), Ravi Kumar (Indian Arrows)

Defenders
Denzil Franco (Churchill Brothers SC), Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Anwar (Mohun Bagan AC), Nalappan Mohanraj (Mohun Bagan AC), Nirmal Chetri (East Bengal Club), Govin Moirangthem Singh (Salgaocar SC), Syed Rahim Nabi (East Bengal Club), Raju Eknath Gaekwad (Indian Arrows), R. Vishal Kumar (Indian Arrows), Abhishek Das (Indian Arrows), Deepak Devrani (Indian Arrows), Lalrozama Fenai (Indian Arrows), Souvik Ghosh (Indian Arrows), Inderpreet Singh (Indian Arrows), Prathamesh Maulingkar (Indian Arrows), N.S. Manju

Midfielders
Steven Benedic Dias (Churchill Brothers SC), Joaquim Abranches (Dempo SC), Baldeep Singh (JCT), Jagpreet Singh (JCT), Rakesh Masih (Mohun Bagan AC), Jewel Raja Sheikh (Indian Arrows), Shilton D'Silva (Indian Arrows), Akshay Kumar Mall (Indian Arrows), Subodh Kumar (Indian Arrows), Ongnam Milan Singh (Indian Arrows), Bikramjit Singh (Indian Arrows), Lalrindika Ralte (Indian Arrows), Trithankar Sarkar (Indian Arrows), Jibon Singh (Indian Arrows)

Forwards
Sunil Chhetri (Chirag United SC), Sushil Kumar Singh (East Bengal Club), C.S. Sabeeth (Viva Kerala), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Indian Arrows), Manandeep Singh (Indian Arrows), Robin Singh (East Bengal Club), Malsawmfela (Indian Arrows), Jagtar Singh (Indian Arrows), Holicharan Narzary