Mumbai Tiger FC owners Dodsal Group to bid for I-League Franchise

According to a report in the UAE-based Gulf News the Dodsal Group owned Mumbai Tigers FC, who are currently playing in the final round of the 2nd Division I-League, are set to bid for one of the I-League franchises that the AIFF has put out into the market.

Rajen Kilachand, the chairman of Dubai-based conglomerate Dodsal Group, told Gulf News when asked if he is bidding, "Of course, we are bidding. We have two choices, to ignore this route and play out the remainder of the second division, or, if accepted, we don't have to go through this process. Because if we don't make top two in the second division this season, we would have to wait a whole year again to go up."

As per the requirements of a successful bid for a new I-League franchise the newcomers will have to commit to build a stadium and run a club academy, which the Dodsal Group is willing to do with Navi Mumbai their likely destination for a stadium and training complex.

Mumbai Tiger FC a few months back were linked to former French international Mikael Silvestre, but Rajen Kilachand has his own philosophy on players for his club. "My philosophy is to combine players from Africa, the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and India because at the end of the day the next 1,000 years of the planet belong to everything in this part of the world – the party in the West is over. The future Beckham's are all going to be here and the future is not 20 years from now it's two years down the road."

A confident approach by Rajen Kilachand and one thing looks to be certain. Mumbai Tigers FC will play I-League next season, be it through promotion or being awarded a Franchise.

2nd Division I-League: Complete Preliminary Round Results!

The three 2nd Division I-League preliminary round groups comprising of 26 teams was played from March 9 to 27, 2013 across the country with the top two clubs from each group reaching the final round, while from there two teams will gain promotion to the next edition of the I-League.

The 2nd Division I-League's Final round will be played as a double header in Bangalore and Kerala and it will see Langsning FC, Rangdajied United FC, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Bhowanipore Club, Southern Samity and Mumbai Tigers FC in action.


Preliminary Round Results

Group A (Singrauli)
Delhi United Soccer Club, DSK Shivajians FC (Pune), George Telegraph SC (Kolkata), Kenkre FC (Mumbai), KGF Academy (Bangalore), Kohima Komets (Nagaland), Langsning FC (Shillong), Rangdajied United FC (Shillong), Samaleshwari Sporting Club (Orissa)

09-Mar-2013: Samaleshwari SC 1-1 KGF Academy
09-Mar-2013: DSK Shivajians 3-2 Rangdajied United FC
09-Mar-2013: George Telegraph SC 1-2 Kenkre FC
09-Mar-2013: Kohima Komets 0-7 Langsning FC
11-Mar-2013: Delhi United Soccer Club 1-0 Samaleshwari SC
11-Mar-2013: KGF Academy 1-0 DSK Shivajians
11-Mar-2013: Rangdajied United FC 1-0 George Telegraph SC
11-Mar-2013: Kenkre FC 3-1 Kohima Komets
13-Mar-2013: Langsning FC 0-0 Kenkre FC
13-Mar-2013: DSK Shivajians 1-1 Delhi United Soccer Club
13-Mar-2013: Kohima Komets 0-3 Rangdajied United FC
13-Mar-2013: George Telegraph SC 1-3 KGF Academy
15-Mar-2013: Rangdajied United FC 0-1 Langsning FC
15-Mar-2013: KGF Academy 1-1 Kohima Komets
15-Mar-2013: Delhi United Soccer Club 0-1 George Telegraph SC
15-Mar-2013: Samaleshwari SC 0-1 DSK Shivajians
17-Mar-2013: George Telegraph SC 5-0 Samaleshwari SC
17-Mar-2013: Kenkre FC 1-2 Rangdajied United FC
17-Mar-2013: Langsning FC 4-0 KGF Academy
17-Mar-2013: Kohima Komets 0-3 Delhi United Soccer Club
19-Mar-2013: KGF Academy 2-2 Kenkre FC
19-Mar-2013: DSK Shivajians 2-1 George Telegraph SC
19-Mar-2013: Samaleshwari SC 2-0 Kohima Komets
19-Mar-2013: Delhi United Soccer Club 2-3 Langsning FC
21-Mar-2013: Rangdajied United FC 3-1 KGF Academy
21-Mar-2013: Langsning FC 1-0 Samaleshwari SC
21-Mar-2013: Kenkre FC 1-1 Delhi United Soccer Club
21-Mar-2013: Kohima Komets 0-5 DSK Shivajians
23-Mar-2013: George Telegraph SC 1-2 Kohima Komets
23-Mar-2013: Samaleshwari SC 1-2 Kenkre FC
23-Mar-2013: DSK Shivajians 1-1 Langsning FC
23-Mar-2013: Delhi United Soccer Club 0-5 Rangdajied United FC
25-Mar-2013: Langsning FC 3-1 George Telegraph SC
25-Mar-2013: Kenkre FC 1-2 DSK Shivajians
25-Mar-2013: Rangdajied United FC 2-0 Samaleshwari SC
25-Mar-2013: KGF Academy 0-0 Delhi United Soccer Club

Group B (Indore)
Aizwal FC (Mizoram), Aryan Club (Kolkata), Bhowanipore Club (Kolkata), Green Valley SC (Guwahati), Josco FC (Kerala), Mohammedan Sporting Club (Kolkata), PIFA (Mumbai), Royal Wahingdoh FC (Shillong), Simla Youngs FC (Delhi)

09-Mar-2013: Simla Youngs FC 2-3 PIFA, Mumbai
09-Mar-2013: Green Valley SC 1-1 Aizawl FC
09-Mar-2013: Mohammedan Sporting Club 2-1 Royal Wahingdoh FC
09-Mar-2013: Aryan Club 0-1 Bhowanipore Club
11-Mar-2013: PIFA, Mumbai 2-1 Green Valley SC
11-Mar-2013: Bhowanipore Club 1-0 Simla Youngs FC
11-Mar-2013: Royal Wahingdoh FC 2-0 Aryan Club
11-Mar-2013: Josco FC 1-2 Mohammedan Sporting Club
13-Mar-2013: Aryan Club 2-3 Josco FC
13-Mar-2013: Simla Youngs FC 0-5 Royal Wahingdoh FC
13-Mar-2013: Green Valley SC 0-2 Bhowanipore Club
13-Mar-2013: Aizawl FC 3-2 PIFA, Mumbai
15-Mar-2013: Bhowanipore Club 2-1 Aizawl FC
15-Mar-2013: Royal Wahingdoh FC 4-0 Green Valley SC
15-Mar-2013: Josco FC 1-2 Simla Youngs FC
15-Mar-2013: Mohammedan Sporting Club 0-0 Aryan Club
17-Mar-2013: Aizawl FC 2-1 Royal Wahingdoh FC
17-Mar-2013: Green Valley SC 0-3 Josco FC
17-Mar-2013: Simla Youngs FC 0-5 Mohammedan Sporting Club
17-Mar-2013: PIFA, Mumbai 1-3 Bhowanipore Club
19-Mar-2013: Royal Wahingdoh FC 2-0 PIFA, Mumbai
19-Mar-2013: Josco FC 0-3 Aizawl FC
19-Mar-2013: Mohammedan Sporting Club 1-0 Green Valley SC
19-Mar-2013: Aryan Club 4-0 Simla Youngs FC
21-Mar-2013: Green Valley SC 1-2 Aryan Club
21-Mar-2013: PIFA, Mumbai 0-1 Josco FC
21-Mar-2013: Aizawl FC 0-1 Mohammedan Sporting Club
21-Mar-2013: Bhowanipore Club 0-3 Royal Wahingdoh FC
23-Mar-2013: Josco FC 0-2 Bhowanipore Club
23-Mar-2013: Mohammedan Sporting Club 1-0 PIFA, Mumbai
23-Mar-2013: Aryan Club 2-0 Aizawl FC
23-Mar-2013: Simla Youngs FC 2-4 Green Valley SC
25-Mar-2013: Aizawl FC 5-4 Simla Youngs FC
25-Mar-2013: PIFA, Mumbai 0-4 Aryan Club
25-Mar-2013: Bhowanipore Club 1-1 Mohammedan Sporting Club
25-Mar-2013: Royal Wahingdoh FC 0-0 Josco FC

Group C (Bangalore)
Mumbai Tigers (formerly Dodsal FC, Mumbai), Eagles FC (Kerala), Hindustan FC (Delhi), Kalighat Milan Sangha (Kolkata), Luangmual FC (Mizoram), South United FC (Bangalore), Southern Samity (Kolkata), Vasco SC (Goa)

11-Mar-2013: Vasco SC 1-1 Southern Samity
11-Mar-2013: South United FC 3-4 Luangmual FC
12-Mar-2013: Hindustan FC 0-1 Kalighat Milan Sangha
12-Mar-2013: Mumbai Tigers 1-1 Eagles FC
13-Mar-2013: Vasco SC 1-0 South United FC
14-Mar-2013: Southern Samity 1-0 Eagles FC
14-Mar-2013: Kalighat Milan Sangha 1-2 Mumbai Tigers
15-Mar-2013: Luangmual FC 0-2 Hindustan FC
17-Mar-2013: Mumbai Tigers 4-2 Luangmual FC
16-Mar-2013: Eagles FC 1-5 Kalighat Milan Sangha
17-Mar-2013: Hindustan FC 0-2 Vasco SC
16-Mar-2013: South United FC 0-1 Southern Samity
18-Mar-2013: Southern Samity 2-1 Kalighat Milan Sangha
19-Mar-2013: Luangmual FC 1-3 Eagles FC
19-Mar-2013: Vasco SC 0-1 Mumbai Tigers
20-Mar-2013: South United FC 2-0 Hindustan FC
21-Mar-2013: Eagles FC 0-1 Vasco SC
21-Mar-2013: Kalighat Milan Sangha 8-0 Luangmual FC
22-Mar-2013: Mumbai Tigers 3-1 South United FC
22-Mar-2013: Hindustan FC 0-2 Southern Samity
23-Mar-2013: Vasco SC 2-1 Kalighat Milan Sangha
24-Mar-2013: South United FC 4-0 Eagles FC
24-Mar-2013: Southern Samity 1-1 Luangmual FC
25-Mar-2013: Hindustan FC 0-2 Mumbai Tigers
26-Mar-2013: Kalighat Milan Sangha 2-2 South United FC
26-Mar-2013: Luangmual FC 0-2 Vasco SC
27-Mar-2013: Eagles FC 2-2 Hindustan FC
27-Mar-2013: Mumbai Tigers - Southern Samity

Newcomers Dodsal FC are now Mumbai Tigers FC

I had reported about it earlier this month on my blog (Dodsal FC change name to Mumbai Tigers) now there has been an official statement from the Mumbai-based club.

Dodsal FC, Mumbai's newest professional football club officially announced the renaming of the club to 'Mumbai Tigers'. The Dodsal Group is headed by Rajen Khilachand, which is a diversified multinational conglomerate headquartered in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. The key objective of this move was to enhance and to generate an identity and connectivity with the residents of Mumbai City.

The Mumbai Tigers have had an impressive start to their I-League Division 2 campaign by winning three of the four matches in the preliminary round. They beat Vasco SC thanks to a 21st minute solid strike by Mohammed Rafi. Mumbai Tiger’s Demba Diakhate also has been in great form in the knockout stages by scoring three goals till now.

The Mumbai Tigers are currently top of their Group C and are one of the favorites' to qualify for next seasons I-League.

In less than a year of its launch, Mumbai Tigers (erstwhile Dodsal FC) has already created a substantial buzz in the Indian football community. The club made its debut by participating in India's oldest football tournament, the Durand Cup 2012 and made its way to the finals. From there, they went on to lift the Nadkarni Cup by defeating local Mumbai-based football teams.

Led by one of India's renowned coach, Bimal Ghosh, Mumbai Tigers has a youthful balance of experienced footballers as well as talented youngsters from India and other nations.

Dodsal FC change name to Mumbai Tigers

Aspiring 2nd Division I-League club Dodsal FC have renamed themselves to Mumbai Tigers for a better connect to the football fans in the financial capital of India.

The Mumbai-based professional side Mumbai Tiger, who were formed as Dodsal FC in May 2012, have in the last few months shown their intend to push the limits in Indian football, which the Dubai-based Dodsal Group chairman Rajen Kilachand has given out the ultimate goal of the club.

The big aim of the season for Mumbai Tigers is to qualify for the I-League next season and then the club aims to play in the AFC Asian Champions League over the next five years. A very ambitious plan but surely a possible target.

Last week the new club name of Mumbai Tigers was registered with the national body All India Football Federation and the local body Mumbai District Football Association in a step ahead of a better connect with the Mumbai football fans.

Mumbai Tigers had signed seasoned coach Bimal Ghosh and ex-internationals like N.P. Pradeep, Surkumar Singh and Mohammed Rafi besides other established I-League players to show their serious intent in the transfer market with even talk of signing ex-Manchester United Mikael Silvestre of France late last year.

2nd Division I-League: Updated Preliminary Round Fixtures

There are three 2nd Division I-League preliminary round groups comprising of 26 teams which will be played from March 9 to 27, 2013 across the country with the top two clubs from each group reaching the final round, while from there two teams will gain promotion to the next edition of the I-League.

Below are the updated fixtures of the preliminary round!


Preliminary Round Fixtures

Group A (Singrauli)
Delhi United Soccer Club, DSK Shivajians FC (Pune), George Telegraph SC (Kolkata), Kenkre FC (Mumbai), KGF Academy (Bangalore), Kohima Komets (Nagaland), Langsning FC (Shillong), Rangdajied United FC (Shillong), Samaleshwari Sporting Club (Orissa)

09-Mar-2013: Samaleshwari SC - KGF Academy
09-Mar-2013: DSK Shivajians - Rangdajied United FC
09-Mar-2013: George Telegraph SC - Kenkre FC
09-Mar-2013: Kohima Komets - Langsning FC
11-Mar-2013: Delhi United Soccer Club - Samaleshwari SC
11-Mar-2013: KGF Academy - DSK Shivajians
11-Mar-2013: Rangdajied United FC - George Telegraph SC
11-Mar-2013: Kenkre FC - Kohima Komets
13-Mar-2013: Langsning FC - Kenkre FC
13-Mar-2013: DSK Shivajians - Delhi United Soccer Club
13-Mar-2013: Kohima Komets - Rangdajied United FC
13-Mar-2013: George Telegraph SC - KGF Academy
15-Mar-2013: Rangdajied United FC - Langsning FC
15-Mar-2013: KGF Academy - Kohima Komets
15-Mar-2013: Delhi United Soccer Club - George Telegraph SC
15-Mar-2013: Samaleshwari SC - DSK Shivajians
17-Mar-2013: George Telegraph SC - Samaleshwari SC
17-Mar-2013: Kenkre FC - Rangdajied United FC
17-Mar-2013: Langsning FC - KGF Academy
17-Mar-2013: Kohima Komets - Delhi United Soccer Club
19-Mar-2013: KGF Academy - Kenkre FC
19-Mar-2013: DSK Shivajians - George Telegraph SC
19-Mar-2013: Samaleshwari SC - Kohima Komets
19-Mar-2013: Delhi United Soccer Club - Langsning FC
21-Mar-2013: Rangdajied United FC - KGF Academy
21-Mar-2013: Langsning FC - Samaleshwari SC
21-Mar-2013: Kenkre FC - Delhi United Soccer Club
21-Mar-2013: Kohima Komets - DSK Shivajians
23-Mar-2013: George Telegraph SC - Kohima Komets
23-Mar-2013: Samaleshwari SC - Kenkre FC
23-Mar-2013: DSK Shivajians - Langsning FC
23-Mar-2013: Delhi United Soccer Club - Rangdajied United FC
25-Mar-2013: Langsning FC - George Telegraph SC
25-Mar-2013: Kenkre FC - DSK Shivajians
25-Mar-2013: Rangdajied United FC - Samaleshwari SC
25-Mar-2013: KGF Academy - Delhi United Soccer Club

Group B (Indore)
Aizwal FC (Mizoram), Aryan Club (Kolkata), Bhowanipore Club (Kolkata), Green Valley SC (Guwahati), Josco FC (Kerala), Mohammedan Sporting Club (Kolkata), PIFA (Mumbai), Royal Wahingdoh FC (Shillong), Simla Youngs FC (Delhi)

09-Mar-2013: Simla Youngs FC - PIFA, Mumbai
09-Mar-2013: Green Valley SC - Aizawl FC
09-Mar-2013: Mohammedan Sporting Club - Royal Wahingdoh FC
09-Mar-2013: Aryan Club - Bhowanipore Club
11-Mar-2013: PIFA, Mumbai - Green Valley SC
11-Mar-2013: Bhowanipore Club - Simla Youngs FC
11-Mar-2013: Royal Wahingdoh FC - Aryan Club
11-Mar-2013: Josco FC - Mohammedan Sporting Club
13-Mar-2013: Aryan Club - Josco FC
13-Mar-2013: Simla Youngs FC - Royal Wahingdoh FC
13-Mar-2013: Green Valley SC - Bhowanipore Club
13-Mar-2013: Aizawl FC - PIFA, Mumbai
15-Mar-2013: Bhowanipore Club - Aizawl FC
15-Mar-2013: Royal Wahingdoh FC - Green Valley SC
15-Mar-2013: Josco FC - Simla Youngs FC
15-Mar-2013: Mohammedan Sporting Club - Aryan Club
17-Mar-2013: Aizawl FC - Royal Wahingdoh FC
17-Mar-2013: Green Valley SC - Josco FC
17-Mar-2013: Simla Youngs FC - Mohammedan Sporting Club
17-Mar-2013: PIFA, Mumbai - Bhowanipore Club
19-Mar-2013: Royal Wahingdoh FC - PIFA, Mumbai
19-Mar-2013: Josco FC - Aizawl FC
19-Mar-2013: Mohammedan Sporting Club - Green Valley SC
19-Mar-2013: Aryan Club - Simla Youngs FC
21-Mar-2013: Green Valley SC - Aryan Club
21-Mar-2013: PIFA, Mumbai - Josco FC
21-Mar-2013: Aizawl FC - Mohammedan Sporting Club
21-Mar-2013: Bhowanipore Club - Royal Wahingdoh FC
23-Mar-2013: Josco FC - Bhowanipore Club
23-Mar-2013: Mohammedan Sporting Club - PIFA, Mumbai
23-Mar-2013: Aryan Club - Aizawl FC
23-Mar-2013: Simla Youngs FC - Green Valley SC
25-Mar-2013: Aizawl FC - Simla Youngs FC
25-Mar-2013: PIFA, Mumbai - Aryan Club
25-Mar-2013: Bhowanipore Club - Mohammedan Sporting Club
25-Mar-2013: Royal Wahingdoh FC - Josco FC

Group C (Bangalore)
Mumbai Tigers (formerly Dodsal FC, Mumbai), Eagles FC (Kerala), Hindustan FC (Delhi), Kalighat Milan Sangha (Kolkata), Luangmual FC (Mizoram), South United FC (Bangalore), Southern Samity (Kolkata), Vasco SC (Goa)

11-Mar-2013: Vasco SC - Southern Samity
11-Mar-2013: South United FC - Luangmual FC
12-Mar-2013: Hindustan FC - Kalighat Milan Sangha
12-Mar-2013: Mumbai Tigers - Eagles FC
13-Mar-2013: Vasco SC - South United FC
14-Mar-2013: Southern Samity - Eagles FC
14-Mar-2013: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Dodsal FC
15-Mar-2013: Luangmual FC - Hindustan FC
16-Mar-2013: Mumbai Tigers - Luangmual FC
16-Mar-2013: Eagles FC - Kalighat Milan Sangha
17-Mar-2013: Hindustan FC - Vasco SC
17-Mar-2013: South United FC - Southern Samity
18-Mar-2013: Southern Samity - Kalighat Milan Sangha
19-Mar-2013: Luangmual FC - Eagles FC
19-Mar-2013: Vasco SC - Mumbai Tigers
20-Mar-2013: South United FC - Hindustan FC
21-Mar-2013: Eagles FC - Vasco SC
21-Mar-2013: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Luangmual FC
22-Mar-2013: Mumbai Tigers - South United FC
22-Mar-2013: Hindustan FC - Southern Samity
23-Mar-2013: Vasco SC - Kalighat Milan Sangha
24-Mar-2013: South United FC - Eagles FC
24-Mar-2013: Southern Samity - Luangmual FC
25-Mar-2013: Hindustan FC - Mumbai Tigers
26-Mar-2013: Kalighat Milan Sangha - South United FC
26-Mar-2013: Luangmual FC - Vasco SC
27-Mar-2013: Eagles FC - Hindustan FC
27-Mar-2013: Mumbai Tigers - Southern Samity

Mohammed Rafi: Santosh Trophy is a great platform for youngsters!

The fact that the 67th edition of the Santosh Trophy is full of youngsters is actually a blessing in disguise, according to former Indian international striker Mohammed Rafi.

"It's true that the big names are missing in the Santosh Trophy nowadays. But I look at things from a different perspective. There are so many young footballers who aspire to play for India someday, plying their trade in the Santosh Trophy. Look at our team (Maharashtra). Except me and (NP) Pradeep, all are youngsters and their talent is there to be seen. People point out that the partnership upfront between the two of us (he and Pradeep) is the main reason behind Maharashtra's success but that's not entirely true."

"Football is a team game and all these nine players as well as the substitutes are responsible for the team's success. They have been simply outstanding. I feel there is lot of budding talent in the Santosh Trophy and their proper grooming can only benefit India football in the long run," said the Dodsal FC forward who played for Maharashtra at the tournament for the first time.

Rafi, who was the Indian top goalscorer in the 2009/10 season of the I-League for now defunct Mahindra United, added that the secret behind his successful partnership upfront with another former India international N.P. Pradeep lies in the long-term on-pitch association between the two players from Kerala.

"We have been playing together for nine years now. For Mohammedan Sporting, Mahindra United and now for Dodsal. So the camaraderie on the pitch is because of that. We know each other very well in footballing terms that is and that's why we gel brilliantly."

Though Maharashtra bowed out of the semifinals, losing 2-1 to hosts Kerala in extra-time Rafi feels that the better team won though regretting his early exit from the tie owing to injury.

"Kerala played good football. So they won. I rue my early exit. I got injured unfortunately. This is my first season for Maharashtra. And we were doing really well. I thought we too fought in this match but was just not out day. The youngsters in the side listen to us (referring to himself and Pradeep) and we learn from them too. It"s a give and take policy."

"Having said that, I got emotional playing against Kerala, my home state, for whom I have played for three years in the Santosh Trophy. Obviously, I am a professional and switching allegiances is part of our job. But deep down in your heart, you do feel something for your native land. Added, the crowd here love football and come in numbers. They are amazing people who appreciate good football."

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

MDFA scraps Mumbai Elite Division due to lack of teams

After months of not knowing if the Mumbai Elite Division would be played or not, the Mumbai District Football Association has decided to scrap the 2012/13 edition of the city league due to lack of teams able to participate as 10 of the 14 teams have other commitments at the time of the league.

Only last week the MDFA had announced that the league would be played from February 25 to March 16 with only seven teams as due to fixture problems there would be no participation from clubs playing in the I-League (ONGC, Air India, Mumbai FC) and 2nd Division I-League (Dodsal FC, Kenkre FC, PIFA) besides the Indian Navy.

This meant the Elite Division would have been played with Western Railway, Central Railway, Mumbai Customs, Union Bank of India, Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers besides promoted outfits Maharashtra State Police and Companeroes SC taking part.

But then the Railway sides - Western Railway and Central Railway - pulled out due to their Inter-Railway Tournament commitments while Mumbai Customs also have an Inter-Customs tournament to play.

As per the MDFA an earlier date was not possible due to the renovation work at the Cooperage ground and non-availability of alternative venues. This left the Mumbai District Football Association with only four teams to play and therefore the MDFA decided to scrap the top tier division of Mumbai football, a sad first for football in Mumbai.

Frenchman Mikael Silvestre decides to join Portland Timbers, not Dodsal FC

Former French international Mikaël Samy Silvestre is joining MLS side Portland Timbers for their 2013 season and will not be joining I-League Division 2 side Dodsal FC as had been stated earlier by the player himself.

Silvestre had created quiet a stir by announcing in October that he is set to come to India to play for Dodsal FC, but the newly formed club never confirmed the transfer though talks had taken place between the two sides.

Silvestre in his illustrious club career has played for Stade Rennes, Inter Milan, Manchester United, FC Arsenal and Werder Bremen. He who has 40 caps for France to his name had been released at the end of last season by Bundesliga side Werder Bremen after a disappointing two years in Germany and he had been searching for a new club in Europe to sign. He initially kept himself fit at former club Arsenal with a hope to sign for West Ham United which didn't happen and then he returned to Manchester to keep himself fit at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, where Silvestre had his mosts successful stint.

The Timbers rivals Seattle Sounders, who also had looked to sign Silvestre, held the rights of first refusal for Silvestre, and Portland sent a first-round pick in the 2014 Supplemental Draft and a conditional 2015 draft pick to their rivals in exchange for the opportunity to land their man.

"Mikaël will bring a tremendous amount of experience and a presence on the field and in the locker room," Timbers head coach Caleb Porter said in a statement. "He is a quality player on both sides of the ball and his impact will certainly go a long way in helping to solidify our backline. Mikaël made a very positive impression on the players and our coaching staff during his two-week trial and we are very excited to welcome him to the Timbers organization."

While it is a gain for Portland and the MLS, it is a loss for Dodsal FC and Indian football.

Mumbai Elite Division: No I-League or Division 2 clubs to participate

After months of not knowing if the Mumbai Elite Division for the 2012/13 season would be played or not, the Mumbai District Football Association has announced that the league would be played from February 25 to March 16, but due to fixture problems there would be no participation from clubs playing in the I-League and 2nd Division I-League besides the Indian Navy.

This means that defending champions ONGC besides former champions Air India and Mumbai FC plus 2nd Division sides Kenkre FC, PIFA and newly formed Dodsal FC would not be part of the league due to their national commitments, while Indian Navy have also opted out as they have to play in the Inter-Services tournament.

This means the Mumbai District Football Association organised Mumbai Elite Division would kick-off at the Western Railway ground, Mahalaxmi, from Monday, February 25 with only seven teams participating.

The teams, who will vie for the top honours this year, are Western Railway, Central Railway, Mumbai Customs, Union Bank of India, Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers besides promoted outfits Maharashtra State Police and Companeroes SC.

The MDFA has also decided to complete league just within a month and the fixtures have been drawn up with the concluding league matches scheduled to be played on Friday, March 16.

The opening match would be between Central Railway and Union Bank of India at 1.30pm on February 25, followed by the second match between Western Railway and Mumbai Customs that day itself.

2nd Division I-League: Preliminary Round Fixtures

There are three 2nd Division I-League preliminary round groups comprising of 26 teams which will be played from March 9 to April 5, 2013 across the country with the top two clubs from each group reaching the final round, while from there two teams will gain promotion to the next edition of the I-League.

Below are the fixtures of the preliminary round!


Preliminary Round Fixtures

Group A (Bhopal)
Delhi United Soccer Club, DSK Shivajians FC (Pune), George Telegraph SC (Kolkata), Kenkre FC (Mumbai), KGF Academy (Bangalore), Kohima Komets (Nagaland), Langsning FC (Shillong), Rangdajied United FC (Shillong), Samaleshwari Sporting Club (Orissa)

09-Mar-2013: Samaleshwari SC - KGF Academy
09-Mar-2013: DSK Shivajians - Rangdajied United FC
10-Mar-2013: Kohima Komets - Langsning FC
10-Mar-2013: George Telegraph SC - Kenkre FC
12-Mar-2013: Delhi United Soccer Club - Samaleshwari SC
12-Mar-2013: KGF Academy - DSK Shivajians
13-Mar-2013: Rangdajied United FC - George Telegraph SC
13-Mar-2013: Kenkre FC - Kohima Komets
15-Mar-2013: Langsning FC - Kenkre FC
15-Mar-2013: DSK Shivajians - Delhi United Soccer Club
16-Mar-2013: Kohima Komets - Rangdajied United FC
16-Mar-2013: George Telegraph SC - KGF Academy
18-Mar-2013: Rangdajied United FC - Langsning FC
18-Mar-2013: KGF Academy - Kohima Komets
19-Mar-2013: Delhi United Soccer Club - George Telegraph SC
19-Mar-2013: Samaleshwari SC - DSK Shivajians
21-Mar-2013: George Telegraph SC - Samaleshwari SC
21-Mar-2013: Kenkre FC - Rangdajied United FC
22-Mar-2013: Langsning FC - KGF Academy
22-Mar-2013: Kohima Komets - Delhi United Soccer Club
24-Mar-2013: KGF Academy - Kenkre FC
24-Mar-2013: DSK Shivajians - George Telegraph SC
25-Mar-2013: Samaleshwari SC - Kohima Komets
25-Mar-2013: Delhi United Soccer Club - Langsning FC
27-Mar-2013: Rangdajied United FC - KGF Academy
27-Mar-2013: Langsning FC - Samaleshwari SC
28-Mar-2013: Kenkre FC - Delhi United Soccer Club
28-Mar-2013: Kohima Komets - DSK Shivajians
30-Mar-2013: George Telegraph SC - Kohima Komets
30-Mar-2013: Samaleshwari SC - Kenkre FC
31-Mar-2013: DSK Shivajians - Langsning FC
31-Mar-2013: Delhi United Soccer Club - Rangdajied United FC
02-Apr-2013: Langsning FC - George Telegraph SC
02-Apr-2013: Kenkre FC - DSK Shivajians
03-Apr-2013: Rangdajied United FC - Samaleshwari SC
03-Apr-2013: KGF Academy - Delhi United Soccer Club

Group B
Aizwal FC (Mizoram), Aryan Club (Kolkata), Bhowanipore Club (Kolkata), Green Valley SC (Guwahati), Josco FC (Kerala), Mohammedan Sporting Club (Kolkata), PIFA (Mumbai), Royal Wahingdoh FC (Shillong), Simla Youngs FC (Delhi)

09-Mar-2013: Simla Youngs FC - PIFA, Mumbai
09-Mar-2013: Green Valley SC - Aizawl FC
10-Mar-2013: Mohammedan Sporting Club - Royal Wahingdoh FC
10-Mar-2013: Aryan Club - Bhowanipore Club
12-Mar-2013: PIFA, Mumbai - Green Valley SC
12-Mar-2013: Bhowanipore Club - Simla Youngs FC
13-Mar-2013: Royal Wahingdoh FC - Aryan Club
13-Mar-2013: Josco FC - Mohammedan Sporting Club
15-Mar-2013: Aryan Club - Josco FC
15-Mar-2013: Simla Youngs FC - Royal Wahingdoh FC
16-Mar-2013: Green Valley SC - Bhowanipore Club
16-Mar-2013: Aizawl FC - PIFA, Mumbai
18-Mar-2013: Bhowanipore Club - Aizawl FC
18-Mar-2013: Royal Wahingdoh FC - Green Valley SC
19-Mar-2013: Josco FC - Simla Youngs FC
19-Mar-2013: Mohammedan Sporting Club - Aryan Club
21-Mar-2013: Aizawl FC - Royal Wahingdoh FC
21-Mar-2013: Green Valley SC - Josco FC
22-Mar-2013: Simla Youngs FC - Mohammedan Sporting Club
22-Mar-2013: PIFA, Mumbai - Bhowanipore Club
24-Mar-2013: Royal Wahingdoh FC - PIFA, Mumbai
24-Mar-2013: Josco FC - Aizawl FC
25-Mar-2013: Mohammedan Sporting Club - Green Valley SC
25-Mar-2013: Aryan Club - Simla Youngs FC
27-Mar-2013: Green Valley SC - Aryan Club
27-Mar-2013: PIFA, Mumbai - Josco FC
28-Mar-2013: Aizawl FC - Mohammedan Sporting Club
28-Mar-2013: Bhowanipore Club - Royal Wahingdoh FC
30-Mar-2013: Josco FC - Bhowanipore Club
30-Mar-2013: Mohammedan Sporting Club - PIFA, Mumbai
31-Mar-2013: Aryan Club - Aizawl FC
31-Mar-2013: Simla Youngs FC - Green Valley SC
02-Apr-2013: Aizawl FC - Simla Youngs FC
02-Apr-2013: PIFA, Mumbai - Aryan Club
03-Apr-2013: Bhowanipore Club - Mohammedan Sporting Club
03-Apr-2013: Royal Wahingdoh FC - Josco FC

Group C
Dodsal FC (Mumbai), Eagles FC (Kerala), Hindustan FC (Delhi), Kalighat Milan Sangha (Kolkata), Luangmual FC (Mizoram), South United FC (Bangalore), Southern Samity (Kolkata), Vasco SC (Goa)

17-Mar-2013: Vasco SC - Southern Samity
17-Mar-2013: South United FC - Luangmual FC
18-Mar-2013: Hindustan FC - Kalighat Milan Sangha
18-Mar-2013: Dodsal FC - Eagles FC
20-Mar-2013: Southern Samity - Eagles FC
20-Mar-2013: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Dodsal FC
21-Mar-2013: Luangmual FC - Hindustan FC
21-Mar-2013: Vasco SC - South United FC
23-Mar-2013: Dodsal FC - Luangmual FC
23-Mar-2013: Hindustan FC - Vasco SC
24-Mar-2013: South United FC - Southern Samity
24-Mar-2013: Eagles FC - Kalighat Milan Sangha
26-Mar-2013: Southern Samity - Kalighat Milan Sangha
26-Mar-2013: Luangmual FC - Eagles FC
27-Mar-2013: Vasco SC - Dodsal FC
27-Mar-2013: South United FC - Hindustan FC
29-Mar-2013: Hindustan FC - Southern Samity
29-Mar-2013: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Luangmual FC
30-Mar-2013: Eagles FC - Vasco SC
30-Mar-2013: Dodsal FC - South United FC
01-Apr-2013: Southern Samity - Luangmual FC
01-Apr-2013: Vasco SC - Kalighat Milan Sangha
02-Apr-2013: South United FC - Eagles FC
02-Apr-2013: Hindustan FC - Dodsal FC
04-Apr-2013: Eagles FC - Hindustan FC
04-Apr-2013: Dodsal FC - Southern Samity
05-Apr-2013: Kalighat Milan Sangha - South United FC
05-Apr-2013: Luangmual FC - Vasco SC

2nd Division I-League: Groupings done for 26 teams

The All India Football Federation has named the three 2nd Division I-League preliminary round groups comprising of 26 teams which will be played from March 9 to April 5, 2013 across the country with the top two clubs from each group reaching the final round, while from there two teams will gain promotion to the next edition of the I-League.

In Group A, which will be played in Bhopal, the following teams will face each other in Delhi United Soccer Club, DSK Shivajains FC (Pune), George Telegraph SC (Kolkata), Kenkre FC (Mumbai), KGF Academy (Bangalore), Kohima Komets (Nagaland), Langsning FC (Shillong), Rangdajied United FC (Shillong) and Samaleshwari Sporting Club (Orissa).

In Group B the teams Aizwal FC (Mizoram), Aryan Club (Kolkata), Bhowanipore Club (Kolkata), Green Valley SC (Guwahati), Josco FC (Kerala), Mohammedan Sporting Club (Kolkata), PIFA (Mumbai), Royal Wahingdoh FC (Shillong) and Simla Youngs FC (Delhi) will be facing each other.

In Group C with would be Dodsal FC (Mumbai), Eagles FC (Kerala), Hindustan FC (Delhi), Kalighat Milan Sangha (Kolkata), Luangmual FC (Mizoram), South United FC (Bangalore), Southern Samity (Kolkata) and Vasco SC (Goa).

21 clubs to participate in 2nd Division I-League

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

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

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

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


The list of 21 clubs stay as follows

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

Mumbai's Nadkarni Cup to be played next month

The 106th edition of the 'RCF' Nadkarni Cup Football Tournament 2012/13 will be held from October 3 onwards at the RCF Ground in Chembur, Mumbai. 12 of Mumbai's top clubs including I-League side ONGC, newly founded Dodsal FC and I-League Division 2 sides Kenkre FC and PIFA-Colaba FC will be seen in action.

The tournament is a season opener for the top tier clubs of the Mumbai Football League organised by the Mumbai District Football Association. Defending champions are Mumbai FC who last year had beaten PIFA-Colaba FC 4-0 in the final.

So far the pre-quarterfinal and quarterfinal matches have been finalised with the dates of the semifinals and final to be fixed later.


FIXTURES

Pre-Quarterfinals
03-Oct-2012: RCF - Maharashtra State Police
04-Oct-2012: Indian Navy - Western Railway
05-Oct-2012: Companeros - Mumbai Customs
06-Oct-2012: Union Bank of India - Central Railway

Quarterfinals
07-Oct-2012: Dodsal FC - RCF/MSP
08-Oct-2012: Kenkre FC - Indian Navy/Western Railway
09-Oct-2012: ONGC - UBI/Central Railway
10-Oct-2012: PIFA-Colaba FC - Companeros - Mumbai Customs

Semifinals
??-Oct-2012: Winner Match Oct 7 - Winner Match Oct 8
??-Oct-2012: Winner Match Oct 9 - Winner Match Oct 10

Final
??-Oct-2012: Winner SF1 - Winner SF2

VIDEO: Footage from 2012 Durand Cup Closing ceremony & Final Highlights

The 125th Durand Cup ended on September 1 with Air India for the first-ever lifting the Durand Cup trophy! In a Mumbai derby Air India beat Dodsal FC in a penalty shootout. Here the footage from the final and closing ceremony by Anglian Football.

VIDEO: Footage from the 2012 Durand Cup 2012 Semifinals

The 125th Durand Cup ended last Saturday with Air India for the first-ever winning the trophy. Here is footage put together by Anglian Holding from the two semifinals Air India vs Sesa Football Academy and Dodsal FC vs Assam Rifles at the Ambedkar Stadium.

125th Durand Cup: Four teams qualify for Semifinals

The 125th edition of the Durand Cup, India's oldest football tournament, is being held from August 16 to September 1 at Delhi's Ambedkar Stadium. Though the top I-League clubs are giving the tournament a miss, it has so far been a chance for smaller sides to test themselves and the Durand Cup has had its surprises so far.

The Quarterfinal League stage ended today with some surprises as Air India, Assam Rifles, Sesa Football Academy and Dodsal FC qualified for the semifinals which both will be played on Thursday, August 30. There were some surprises as Air India would take on Sesa Football Academy, while Assam Rifles take on newcomers Dodsal FC.

We are still in pre-season and the rainy monsoon has left the Ambedkar Stadium pitch in a bad state. Those teams best able to cope with the situation have been the biggest gainers.

Group C saw the biggest surprise as Sesa Football Academy won the group ahead of I-League side Pune FC with PFC taking the lead in their game against the Goans in injury time, but Sesa Football Academy equalising thereafter to edge past PFC with CRPF finishing last in the group.

Air India topped Group A with four points ahead of Pailan Arrows and Delhi United, in Group B Assam Rifles got the better of I-League sides Sporting Clube de Goa and ONGC, while in Group D new boys Dodsal FC impressed with two clears wins against Army Red and Punjab Police.


FIXTURES & RESULTS

Qualifiers
Round 1
16-Aug-2012: Delhi United 2-2,7-6 Indian Navy [penalties]
16-Aug-2012: Army Green 2-0 Jammu&Kashmir Bank
17-Aug-2012: JCT Academy 2-1 Arty Centre
17-Aug-2012: Assam Rifles 4-1 Assam Service Corps
18-Aug-2012: BEG, Kirkee 0-1 Border Security Force
18-Aug-2012: Uttarakhand Police 0-6 CRPF
19-Aug-2012: Indian Air Force 0-0,3-4 Garhwal Heroes [penalties]
19-Aug-2012: Punjab Police 7-1 Subrata Academy

Round 2
20-Aug-2012: Army Green 0-2 Delhi United
20-Aug-2012: CRPF 0-0,5-3 Border Security Force [penalties]
21-Aug-2012: Assam Rifles 3-0 JCT Academy
21-Aug-2012: Garhwal Heroes 1-2 Punjab Police

Quarterfinal League
Group I
25-Aug-2012: Delhi United 2-2 Pailan Arrows
26-Aug-2012: Delhi United 0-3 Air India
28-Aug-2012: Pailan Arrows 1-1 Air India

Group II
24-Aug-2012: Sporting Club de Goa 2-3 Assam Rifles
26-Aug-2012: ONGC, Mumbai 1-1 Assam Rifles
28-Aug-2012: Sporting Club de Goa 3-1 ONGC, Mumbai

Group III
23-Aug-2012: Pune FC 0-0 CRPF
25-Aug-2012: Sesa Football Academy 3-2 CRPF
27-Aug-2012: Sesa Football Academy 1-1 Pune FC

Group IV
23-Aug-2012: Punjab Police 0-1 Army Red
25-Aug-2012: Army Red 0-3 Dodsal FC, Mumbai
27-Aug-2012: Punjab Police 0-6 Dodsal FC, Mumbai

Semifinals
30-Aug-2012: Air India - Sesa Football Academy
30-Aug-2012: Assam Rifles - Dodsal FC, Mumbai

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