Manandeep Singh: I'm more mentally strong now!

Young striker Manandeep Singh had a breakthrough season at Air India in the I-League, he will play for East Bengal Club next season. But currently his focus is on the India Under-22s with which he is playing in the AFC Under-22 Asian Championship qualifiers. But Manandeep Singh who lost his grandfather some days back still he preferred to stay back with the team and played a stellar role in India's victory against Lebanon. In the interview Manandeep spoke at length about his personal loss, his graduation into mainstream Indian football, Arthur Papas' new style of play and much more.


Do you feel you have graduated into the mainstream?

It's not for me to say. My Coaches will be able to tell you that. My job is to perform. A striker will be reaching goal-scoring situations in every match. The more the conversion rate, the better the striker. I am trying to improve upon that.


How much important is it for a striker to play regularly?

Leave aside a striker, any player sitting on the bench will start to lose his confidence. But at the same time, a team only comprises of 11 players. It's a healthy competition among all teammates to get into that (starting) XI. Once you are in, you need to improve to maintain your spot otherwise someone else will snatch it from you.


How much did your stint with Indian Arrows help you?

A lot! The Indian Arrows are a platform for youngsters to get a chance to play regularly. Looking back at the Arrows, almost 13 boys have already represented India at the Senior level. And most are around 22. Though injury intervened in between, Arrows helped me to establish myself in Indian football. And when next season I got a regular chance with Air India, I grabbed it.


You lost your grandfather some days back and were supposed to go back home for the rituals.

My dad called-up and passed on the news. I was devastated. I was very close to him. I had to take a call – continue playing for my country or go back. My grandfather always supported me as a footballer and wanted me to become a top-notch striker. My conscience told me to stay back and play for my team.


Is concentrating in such a situation tough?

You seem lost at that moment. I wanted to take solace in what I do best – play football. The ball and the game took away my pain. I told to myself, if I get to start in the first match, I will come across an opportunity to score. I am much more mentally strong now.


What did Arthur Papas tell you?

I was given a responsibility and I tried my best. He (Arthur Papas) had some specific instructions for me and my job was to stick to it and possibly do more value addition for the team.


What's your take on India's next match against Iraq?

It will be a difficult match for us. My job is to give my 100 percent on the field and never escape. In fact, it's the job of all the eleven players. Iraq are a very strong side. We need play together as a unit.


Tell us something about India's new style of play?

The style requires a lot of discipline. To be honest, when we were told about this new style of play, we had our doubts. It doesn't mean we have grasped all of it. We are still learning and will continue to learn. There are certain duties entrusted upon all of us. We need to perform individually and help each other as a team. The mind frame is much more positive now.

My Indian football Highlights in 2011

2011 ends later today and I wanted to take a look back at the year gone by in Indian football. It was another year which promised a lot, but did it keep up to its promise or let us down? A difficult question, which does not have a definite answer. Read and make your own opinion...


2011 AFC Asian Cup

The year started with India playing at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, 27 years after its last appearance at the continental champions. India coached by Bob Houghton were drawn in the Group of Death along with Australia, South Korea and Bahrain. We lost 0-4 against Australia, 2-5 against Bahrain and 1-4 against South Korea. 3-13 goals speak a clear language, but if one knows the gulf in standard between the best in Asia and a developing football nation like ours then it was an overall a good show by Team India.

The tournament also marked the career highlight for a generation of Indian footballers led by striker Baichung Bhutia, who was mostly injured and so could only play the final 15 minutes against South Korea. The others were Mahesh Gawli, Deepak Kumar Mondal, Samir Naik, Climax Lawrence, Renedy Singh and Abhishek Yadav; who all have done their bit for Indian football.

But one should not forget the fans. India had the best crowd support in Doha! It was like a home tournament for us...


The Sacking of Bob Houghton

Englishman Bob Houghton did a credible job to qualify India to the 2011 AFC Asian Cup and thereafter at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers in March 2011 in Kuala Lumpur he started to rebuild his team for the years ahead. But that was cut short by the All India Football Federation as the national body was not happy with the fact that Bob openly criticised the infrastructure and administration as the reason of India's non-development in football. Especially at the Asian Cup in Doha Bob was vocal about the problems that Indian football faces.

The end of the story is a complete disgrace. The AIFF labelled false charges of racism against Bob Houghton for statements he is said to have made against Indian fourth official Dinesh Nair in a international friendly match last year in Pune.

In the end Bob looked fed-up and left the country in haste after the AIFF dropped the charges in April 2011. After nearly five years of being India coach Bob certainly didn't deserve a send-off like this.


I-League: Salgaocar SC champions

The surprise champions of the 2010/11 I-League with 56 points were Salgaocar SC under the able guidance of Moroccan coach Karim Bencharifa. The Goans surprised everyone with their football and after snatching the lead from early leaders East Bengal Club, they never really looked back as they won the championship in style. Their foreigners in Luciano Sabrosa, Ryuji Suoeka and Yakubu Yusif were top besides young Indian talent in Gilbert Oliveira, Francis Fernandes and Anthony Barbosa emerging plus seasoned Karanjit Singh, Jaspal Singh Parmar, Khelemba Singh and Rocus Lamare playing their part.


I-League: JCT relegated, close down

Punjabi side JCT, who have been fighting relegation for the last few seasons, finally went down at the end of last season as they finished 13th amongst 14 teams. It not only ended their stay in the NFL/I-League since the launch of the league, but their management decided to close down the football club overall to concentrate on the Academy and youth development.

It marks the end of an era, leaving Punjab and North India without I-League representation. JCT not only were the flagbearers of the North but also a club to develop talent through the JCT Academy. The players often moved from the Academy to the senior team and there made a name for themselves.

The closure of JCT follows a season after Mahindra United had decided to take the same drastic measure as the clubs say that they cannot sustain themselves without earning revenues. Still things don't seem to change with the clubs unable to generate revenues and other clubs could go this way.


2014 FIFA World Cup: India out at first hurdle

The qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil were over before they had really started for India. This time around seeded into the second Round of Asian qualifiers India had to face the mighty United Arab Emirates and progress would have meant a real upset.

But only 23 minutes into the match in Al Ain it looked all over for India after having goalkeeper Subrata Pal and defender Debabrata Roy send-off for two separate incidents with the team down to nine men and 0-2 behind. It ended 0-3 for the UAE, a credible result for India under the given circumstances, and India earned a hard-fought 2-2 comeback draw at a monsoon flooded Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi, but the overall aggregate of 5-2 speaks a clear language.


Indian Arrows become Pailan Arrows

Over the summer it looked like the Indian Arrows could be shutting shop due to the high costs involved in running the India developmental side in the I-League. But then Kolkata-based Pailan Group came forward and adopted the Arrows, the AIFF rebranded the team as Pailan Arrows and as such they will now play in the I-League in the coming seasons.

The good thing about the Arrows is the fact that their future for the next few years is secure and the youngsters will get a continued chance to play in the I-League with the team not to be relegated. This exposure is necessary and will do Indian football a great service in the future.


Baichung Bhutia retirement

Striker Baichung Bhutia was an upset man that he couldn't help his beloved Team India more at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in January in Qatar due to an injury. He tried a comeback ahead of the India vs Pakistan Series in the UK, but he had to pull out due to a never-ending injury and then Baichung decided and announced his retirement from international football in August 2011 in New Delhi.

Later on in October 2011 the India vs FC Bayern Munich match came around and it will give Indian fotoball the chance to give Baichung a fitting farewell on January 10, 2012 in New Delhi at the Audi Football Summit.


SAFF Cup: India triumph!

The year ended as it started with an international assignment for Team India. But this time around India wasn't the underdog, but rather the overwhelming favourite besides defending champions. And though the team had their problems in the tournament and faced some tough competition India did trash Afghanistan 4-0 in the SAFF Cup final though the result does not really reflect the match with the Afghans the positive surprise of the tournament.


International interest in Indian football

FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation continue to say that Indian football has huge potential and international interest in the Indian market continues to grow, but the necessary development isn't seen as in my opinion a lot of effort goes in vain or is commercially driven rather then by the game.

Surely we have now tons of camps from European top clubs for big city children, but development needs to be taken to the smaller cities and the rural areas where talent lies uptapped.


These are my Indian football highlights from 2011...

Indian Club Football: Why only investors from Bengal?

The above is a question which needs to be asked. Over the Indian football summer break a number of clubs and entities have been on the lookout for new partners and sponsors, but only companies from Kolkata have come forward to spend Rs 50 to 80 Million (5 to 8 crores) per year.

Surely one has to criticize Chirag Computers style of their Viva Kerala takeover to name them Chirag United Club Kerala or in short CUCK, which is even worse. But on the other side why has Kerala's lone entrant in the top tier of the I-League not been able to find a local Kerala sponsor/backer or a Non-Resident Keralite with money? Then the fact is without Chirag Computers owner Kaustav Roy being on the lookout for an I-League club after his split with United SC the future of Viva Kerala looked seriously bleak.

Take Kolkata-based United SC. The I-League side split from Chirag Computers due to differences in ownership but after a few weeks found a new long-term partner in the Prayag Group of Industries, who have agreed to sponsor them for six years. This gives he United SC management planning security.

The third example of this summer are the Indian Arrows, the AIFF's developmental team. The team was based in Delhi last season and played in Gurgaon, but due to the high costs involved the AIFF where on the lookout for a sponsor and partner for the Arrows who could adopt the team. They hoped to either keep the team in Delhi or shift to Bangalore or Pune with a national or local sponsor. It didn't happen, then in the end the Pailan Group from Kolkata became the partners and the Arrows have now shifted to their world school campus in Joka.

There are other companies from Kolkata to have come forward to fund Calcutta Premier Division sides with budgets which would surely make some of the I-League sides envious.

But why aren't there any investments into Indian club football elsewhere? Especially from Mumbai and to some extend Bangalore I have been hearing for years now that there are investors waiting in the wings to launch new clubs, but nothing has ever happened.

The biggest disappointment remains for me Kerala. There is a state with huge interest in football, people follow the sport there like in Bengal, Goa and the Northeast; but there seems to be no local business which can support and sustain a local football team at the top level? That can't be.

Hopefully companies and individuals with the necessary deep pockets in other parts of India come forward to fund clubs or even found clubs to compete with the best in the country, otherwise soon it will be a Kolkata and Goa league with some Indian flavour in it...

Pailan Indian Arrows squad announced

The Pailan Indian Arrows will be an I-League side of old and new players after some of the teams key players from their inaugural season have left the AIFF's developmental side. Rising stars in Jeje Lalpekhlua, Raju Gaikwad and Jewel Raja had to return to their clubs after a one year loan period after the clubs were not willing to release them for another year.

This development was not to the liking of the new AIFF partners and sponsors of the Indian Arrows, the Pailan Group. They expected the Jeje's and Raju's to be part of the Arrows in the new season. The AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das had to fly across to Kolkata to sort out pending issues with especially the topics of players being discussed.

Now a new look Arrows will start their second season of existence at a new home in Joka, on the fringes of Kolkata. The big signing for the Arrows is that of India Under-23 striker C.S. Sabeeth from Viva Kerala. Further a number of players from the now defunct JCT have been signed, while also some boys have moved up from the India under-19 squad.

There is also talk that former India coach Sukhvinder Singh could be brought in as Technical Director of the Indian Arrows to strengthen the staff within the Arrows system. Sukhvinder has been a key element at JCT and their Academy, who has brought up numerous players at the club over the years.


PAILAN INDIAN ARROWS

Goalkeepers
Naveen Kumar (JCT), Ravi Kumar, Kamaljeet Singh

Defenders
Avinaba Bag (Kalighat Milan Sangha, Kolkata), Deepak Devrani, Gurtej Singh Sr (JCT), Prathamesh Maulingkar, Amarwant Singh (JCT), Lalrozama Fanai, Souvik Ghosh, Vishal Kumar, Rajib Ghosh (East Bengal Club), Narayan Das (new)

Midfielders
Bijendra Singh (Royal Wahingdoh SC), Khangebam Jibon Singh, Tirthankar Sarkar, Bikramjit Singh, Shilton Sydney D'Silva, Shenaz Singh (new), Probit Das (new), Krishanu Banerjee (new), Lalnunka (new)

Forwards
Ajay Singh (JCT), Gurtej Singh Jr (JCT), Malsawmfela, C.S Sabeeth (Viva Kerala), Lalnunpuia (new), Holicharan Narzary (new)

Officials
Desmond Bulpin (Chief Coach), Tanumoy Bose (Assistant Coach)

Pailan Group officially adopt Indian Arrows

Yesterday the official signing was done under which the Indian Arrows, the junior development national side of the All India Football Federation, will now become part of the Pailan World Group for the next five years and will be known as the Pailan Indian Arrows. The official signing took place at Pailan World Group Complex on Sunday afternoon.

The official agreement was signed by the AIFF president Praful Patel and Pailan Group chairman Apurba Saha at the Pailan Headquarters in Kolkata.

"We look forward to the deal taking Indian football to greater heights," Mr. Patel said. "This is the developmental team of AIFF. We have a long way to go to regain lost glory," Mr. Patel added.

As per the deal the Indian Arrows will shift base from the National Capital Region to Kolkata and will be training in the residential complex of Pailan World School in Joka.

"I've been impressed with the residential wing, the kitchen, the swimming pool and the gymnasium and the training grounds," Praful Patel added.

In the evening the Indian Arrows at their new home played a 50 minute friendly game against the Santosh Trophy winning squad of West Bengal, who beat the now rechristened Pailan Indian Arrows 1-0 through a goal from Francis Xavier.

Talking about the issue of release player for the Arrows from their parent clubs for another year Praful Patel did stress that he would be speaking to the clubs about the same. "The developmental attitude of the clubs will go a long way in helping the sport. Everyone has to put their best foot forward for the betterment of Indian football. I'd request the clubs to release the players for one more year."

But the concerned clubs in East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Pune FC and Churchill Brothers aren't happy that such an approach to them was made by the AIFF president through the media rather then speaking to them first.

India's Jeje Lalpekhlua amongst Sports Illustrated Asian talent list

Sports Illustrated has published a list of 10 Asian footballers who could make it in the future in Europe like the illustrious names like Ji-Sung Park (Manchester United), Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund) and Chung-Yong Lee (Bolton Wanderers).

The list has been put together by Asian football insider John Duerden and he has chosen only one player per country, so the list is an interesting pot-pourri of Asian talent which also features our very own Jeje Lalpekhlua. And it shows that not we, but also the outside world is taking notice of Jeje's exploits for the Indian national teams and at the Indian Arrows in the I-League.


About Jeje Lalpekhlua the writer John Duerden says:

Bhaichung Bhutia has been the main man in India for too long and while the 20-year-old Lalpekhlua is not be the first to be labeled as Bhutia's successor, he may be the one that can actually manage to do it.

"It always feels good to be compared with one whom you have always idolized or look up to," said Lalpekhlua. "But Bhaichung has reached his prime and has done so much for the country. As for me, I have just started off my career and still have a long way to go. So comparing with Bhaichung at this point is not done. It's too early. I will have to prove myself at the highest level."

Four goals in three internationals is a great start and he has also been enjoying himself for the Indian Arrows, a club set up by the federation for promising young players to get regular I-League football. This team is supposed to be the way into the 2018 World Cup. That still remains doubtful but by then Jeje, not the biggest of forwards but with the ability to find space inside the area, could easily be rubbing shoulders with the stars.

"As of now I am happy with where I am. I need to mature more as a player. I need to learn many things more. However I would like to play for a big European club one day."

Here the link to the SI.Com article

Indian Arrows' future in Kolkata

Towards the end of the I-League season the future of the Indian Arrows looked bleak, but within a few weeks things have changed and the India Under-21 boys are set to shift base from Delhi/Gurgaon to Kolkata.

The Pailan Group will be looking after the Arrows from the new season onwards with the teams training base being at the Pailan World School's ground in Joka, which will provide two training pitches along with other facilities including a swimming pool, lodging and food. The contracts are set to be signed by the AIFF and the Pailan Group to make this partnership official soon.

The Indian Arrows were founded in the summer of 2010 as the AIFF XI and took over the place of disbanded Mahindra United in the I-League. The AIFF appointed Englishman Desmond Bulpin as the coach and he worked with the young team to ensure that they stay out of the relegation zone at the end of the season. The Arrows finished ninth after initial problems, but it was a credible finish for the youngsters as the team had no foreigners like all other clubs.

The Arrows were part of the program initiated by former national coach Bob Houghton and youth development director Colm Toal to prepare an Indian national team for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The AIFF spend around Rs 70 Million (7 crores) for accommodation, salaries of the players and coaching staff, etc; but for the federation the financial burden was too high to sustain over a long term period.

Also under the AFC Club Licencing criteria the Indian Arrows need to be run as a team and not as part of the federations youth development, which forced the AIFF also to look at options on how to keep the plans for the future running. Besides the Pailan Group there was also said to be interest from Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Bharat Forge and Kalyani Group.

Now the Pailan Group would enter into a contract with the AIFF under which the Pailan Group will look after the administrative side of things, while the AIFF continue to look after the technical and playing aspects of the team.

I-League - Round 26: Salgaocar win title, Dempo score 14!

The twenty-sixth and last Round of matches of the I-League 2010/11 were played from May 28 to 31 across India. Salgaocar confirmed their I-league with a 2-0 away win in Ludhiana, while Dempo scored a record 14-0 win against Air India in Goa.


Round 26 Match by Match Short Review
28-May-2011: HAL, Bangalore 1-1 (0-0) East Bengal Club (in Bangalore)
Relegation threatened HAL drew one-all against East Bengal Club at the new artificial turf at the Bangalore Football Stadium to end the Kolkata giants dream of winning the I-League title. HAL remain bottom of the league with 21 points from 25 matches, while East Bengal now have 48 points with one match to go.
East Bengal looked the better of the two sides in the first session, but HAL held their ground with especially their goalkeeper P Pramod having a good game. After the break HAL looked the better side, but this time around East Bengal's seasoned keeper Sandip Nandy was in the way. Against the run of play East Bengal took a 76th minute lead through substitute Ravinder Singh, but HAL captain Xavier Vijayakumar would equalise to deny the red-and-gold the much needed three points.

29-May-2011: Chirag United SC 1-1 (0-1) Viva Kerala (in Kolkata)
Chirag United SC and Viva Kerala played out a one-all draw in Kolkata. The men in purple now have 29 points from 25 matches, while Viva Kerala ensured their I-League status after finishing with 27 points from 26 matches.
The story of the match is quickly told as two Indian internationals would score after the break. Viva Kerala would take a 47th minute lead through N.P. Pradeep, while striker Sunil Chhetri would equalise for Chirag United in the 81st minute.

31-May-2011: Churchill Brother SC 2-3 (1-1) Pune FC (in Goa)
Churchill Brother SC ended their I-League campaign on a low with a 2-3 defeat at the hands of Pune FC at home in Goa. Meanwhile Pune FC ended their season as fifth with 36 points from 26 matches, while Churchill Brothers SC are currently third with 50 points from the same number of games.
With nothing much to play for the two sides played an open, attacking match. FC took a fifth minute lead through a Mandjou Keita shot, but as one would expect Odafe Onyeka Okolie was the danger man for the Goans in the first session though he would only get the equaliser in injury time. After the break Churchill Brothers kept up the pressure and went ahead through Odafe in the 75th minute and only two minutes later Othallo Tabia was send off, it seemed PFC were beaten. But they pressed on with Kamaljeet Kumar heading in a free-kick four minutes from time and again Mandjou Keita would seal a memorable 3-2 victory for Pune.

30-May-2011: ONGC 2-2 (2-0) Mumbai FC (in Kolhapur)ONGC were held to a two-all draw by Mumbai FC in a local derby away from Mumbai at the Sahu Maharaj Ground in Kolhapur. With this draw ONGC end their campaign on 24 points from 26 matches, while Mumbai FC finish on 34 points.
The Oilmen made a quick start into the game with N.D. Opara giving them a 7th minute lead from a penalty. His team mate Badmus Babatunde would make it 2-0 in the 36th minute and NGC seemed to be heading for a crucial win in their final league match. But after the break Mumbai FC would get back into the game with Sampath Kumar Kuttymani scoring in the 65th minute, while international striker Abhishek Yadav equalised in the 75th minute. And it remained two-all until the very end.

30-May-2011: Dempo SC 14-0 (4-0) Air India (in Goa)
Dempo SC scored the biggest ever win in the history of the I-League/National Football League by trashing Air India 14-0! But still the win didn't help Dempo to defend their I-League title as they moved to 50 points from 25 matches, while Air India finished their 26 match campaign on 24 points.
The fans at the Nehru Stadium in Margao watched a match where numerous new records were set, but at half-time it didn't look like it could head where it finally did as Dempo where only leading 4-0 and went on to score 10 goals in the second session. Nigerian striker Ranty Martins Soleye was the stand-out with seven goals as he scored in the 35th, 43rd, 48th, 61st, 67th, 78th and 84th minutes. The other goal scorers were Roberto Mendes Silva (54th, 68th, 90+3), Peter Carvalho (41st, 59th), Climax Lawrence (45th) and Clifton Gonsalves (90th)

29-May-2011: Indian Arrows 5-4 (4-1) Mohun Bagan AC (in Gurgaon)
The Indian Arrows won a nine goal thriller against Mohun Bagan AC 5-4 at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Gurgaon. The Indian Arrows ended their inaugural I-League season on 29 points and in 9th place, while Mohun Bagan ended their disappointing campaign as sixth and with 34 points from 26 matches.
The Arrows had a great first half with Jeje Lalpekhlua scoring the opening goal in the 9th minute before Shilton D'Silva added a brace in the 18th and 23rd minute while Jeje made it 4-0 in only the 25th minute. A big defeat seemed on hands for Mohun Bagan, but the green-and-maroon scored their first goal through striker Chidi Edeh in the 42nd minute. After the break Subair Muritala Ali would get twice onto the score-sheet in the 57th and 78th minute to reduce the deficit to 3-4 and it seemed as if Mohun Bagan could score a remarkable comeback, but Jeje would win the match in the 87th minute making the 5-3 but Muritala would reduce the deficit in the last minute of the match to complete hattricks for both Jeje and Muritala.

30-May-2011: JCT 0-2 (0-1) Salgaocar SC (in Ludhiana)
Salgaocar SC won their final match of the season 2-0 against JCT to seal their first I-League title. For the Goans it is their second overall national league title as they finished the season on 56 points from 26 matches, while JCT finished on disappointing 24 points from the same number of matches.
JCT needed the points themselves in the relegation battle so they wanted to keep the points in Ludhiana, but Salgaocar took a 13th minute lead through a Francis Fernandes goal. And seasoned Yakubu Yusif sealed the win and the title with an 85th minute goal.


Click here for the 4th I-League 2010/11 - League Table & Fixtures .

Remaining I-League fixtures revised

With Dempo SC making it to the 2011 AFC Cup pre-quarterfinals the AIFF was forced to change the fixtures of some of the remaining matches of the I-League with Dempo still to play four matches in the last couple of weeks of the season.

But Indian clubs having contracts with players ending on May 31, the AIFF has decided to only have two matches on June 1 with Dempo SC hosting HAL, Bangalore and East Bengal Club facing Chirag United SC.

It seems the AIFF is hoping for the title race to be a two team affair between these two sides with no interference from current league leaders Salgaocar SC and Churchill Brothers SC. If not it will be interesting to see what happens and if there will be any protest from opponents in regard to favouring sides.

On the other side the AIFF will be happy that the AFC Cup pre-quarterfinals is a one-off match on May 24 and not a home-and-away affair which would have further jeopardised the season ending.


The remaining revised I-League Fixtures

Round 19
19-May-2011: Mumbai FC - Dempo SC
22-May-2011: Mohun Bagan AC - JCT
19-May-2011: Salgaocar SC - East Bengal Club

Round 24
22-May-2011: Churchill Brothers SC - East Bengal Club
01-Jun-2011: Dempo SC - HAL, Bangalore

Round 25
01-Jun-2011: East Bengal Club - Chirag United SC
27-May-2011: Pune FC - Dempo SC

Round 26
28-May-2011: HAL, Bangalore - East Bengal Club
29-May-2011: Chirag United SC - Viva Kerala
30-May-2011: Churchill Brothers SC - Pune FC
30-May-2011: ONGC - Mumbai FC
30-May-2011: Dempo SC - Air India
29-May-2011: Indian Arrows - Mohun Bagan AC
30-May-2011: JCT - Salgaocar SC

Postponed I-League Games: East Bengal score big point

May 15 was an I-League match day for postponed games which had not been held earlier due to commitments of East Bengal Club and Dempo SC in the 2011 AFC Cup, while other matches had been postponed for organisational reasons. Overall four matches were played on this Sunday which could influence the outcome of the I-League at the top and bottom.


Match by Match Short Review
Round 15
15-May-2011: East Bengal Club 3-2 (0-1) Dempo SC (in Kolkata)
Former NFL champions East Bengal Club came from behind to defeat reigning I-League champions Dempo SC 3-2 in an exciting match at the Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata. East Bengal now have 47 points from 22 matches, while Dempo stay on 44 from the same number of games.
Dempo took an early seventh minute lead through a Ranty Martins Soleye goal and it was an open game thereafter with more chances for East Bengal, but Dempo went into the break with a one goal lead. Things would change after the break as the red-and-gold were on fire. First Baljit Singh Sahni would equalise two minutes into the half. Then a double strike from Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey in the 50th and 57th minute gave the local side a 3-1 lead. The referee Dinesh Nair had his hands full with a lot at stake - tons of yellow cards and three red cards. First Dempo's Clifford Miranda and then East Bengal's Gurwinder Singh and Nirmal Chetri were all send off. The match was stopped for a while as Mahesh Gawli was taken off the field and to a hospital, which led to the match having more then 10 minutes of injury time. Just before the end Roberto Mendes Silva would reduce the margin through a penalty after Nirmal Chetri handled the ball in the box.

Round 15
15-May-2011: Pune FC 1-1 (0-0) Mumbai FC (in Pune)
Pune FC and Mumbai FC played out a one-all draw in their mid-table clash at Pune's Balewadi Sports Complex. MFC stay in fifth place with 33 points while PFC remain seventh with 30 points as both sides have played 24 matches.
After a goalless first session substitute Singam Subash Singh gave Pune FC a 65th minute lead, but six minutes from time Mumbai FC's Ebi Theophilus Sukore would equalise for his team and the game ended in a stalemate.

Here all I-League Round 15 match reports


Round 17
15-May-2011: JCT 2-2 (0-2) Chirag United SC (in Ludhiana)
JCT scored a vital comeback 2-2 draw against Chirag United SC at the floddlit Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana. The point gained today takes JCT into 11th spot with 24 points from 24 matches out of the relegation zone, while Chirag United SC stay mid-table with 28 points from 24 matches.
The Kolkata side have only themselves to blame of not picking-up the three points. Their Brazilian striker Josimar da Silva Martins gave them a 2-0 half-time lead with goals in the 28th and 35th minute and it seemed the game was theirs, but JCT turned things around after the break. First Rahul Kumar reduced the deficit in the 53rd minute, then Gurtej Singh Jr. equalised in the 59th minute and it stayed two-all until the end.

Here all I-League Round 17 match reports


Round 18
15-May-2011: Indian Arrows 1-3 (0-1) Salgaocar SC (in Gurgaon)
Salgaocar SC returned to winning ways with a 3-1 away win against the Indian Arrows in their postponed Round 18 match. The Goans are now top of the league again with 50 points from 24 matches, while the Indian Arrows stay on 26 points from 25 matches.
Initially it was the Arrows who put pressure on Salgaocar, but against the run of play the Goans took a 22th minute lead through their Japanese recruit Ryuji Sueoka. 10 minutes later the Arrows got a golden opportunity to equalise, but Lalrindika Ralte blasted his shot over the goal after he himself had been brought down. It was Ryuji Sueoka again who doubled the lead i the 63rd minute, but the Arrows stayed in the game when Holicharan Narzary reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, but a Cajetan Fernandes header a minute from time ensured Salgocar would take home the three points.

Here all I-League Round 18 match reports


Click here for the 4th I-League 2010/11 - League Table & Fixtures .

I-League - Round 25: Salgaocar drop more points

The twenty-fifth Round of matches of the I-League 2010/11 were played on May 7 & 8 across India with some matches slated for late-May. Salgaocar once more dropped points and seem to have run out of steam towards the end of the campaign, while Churchill Brothers go to the top on goal difference though they have played more games. This leaves East Bengal and Dempo in a better position, but once more due to AFC Cup commitments their matches had to be postponed.


Round 25 Match by Match Short Review
01-Jun-2011: East Bengal Club 2-1 (2-0) Chirag United (in Kolkata)
East Bengal Club ended their season with a 2-1 win against local rivals Chirag United SC at the Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata. With the win East Bengal leapfrogged past Dempo SC and Churchill Brothers SC into the second spot with 51 points from 26 matches, which will bring some smiles back to Trevor Morgan and his boys. Chirag United ended their season on 29 points as eighth in the season.
East Bengal took a 18th minute lead from a Susanth Mathew goal, while Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey made it 2-0 in the 38th minute. Chirag United's Sunil Chhetri was only able to reduce the deficit in the 63rd minute as the match ended 2-1 in favour of East Bengal.

07-May-2011: Mumbai FC 1-2 (1-1) Indian Arrows (in Kolhapur)
Indian Arrows scored a vital 2-1 win against Mumbai FC to get three crucial points in their fight against relegation in the I-League. The Arrows moved to 26 points from 24 matches, while Mumbai FC stay on 32 points from 23 matches.
The Arrows took an early 12th minute lead through a curling Lalrindika free-kick, but Sampath Kumar Kuttymani would equalise for MFC in the 35th minute. The winner would come on the hour mark as once more Lalrindika scored for the Arrows.

07-May-2011: Viva Kerala 0-0 ONGC (in Kannur)
Viva Kerala and ONGC played out a goalless draw in the I-League in Kannur. The result helps Viva Kerala more as they move to 26 points from 25 matches, while ONGC now have 23 points from 25 matches to stay just above the relegation zone.
There wasn't much action in this game as both defences stood tight with rare chances to P.K. Anil Kumar of Viva Kerala and Badmus Babatunde for ONGC, the top striker of both the teams.

27-May-2011: Pune FC 3-2 (1-0) Dempo SC (in Pune)
Dempo SC suffered a major setback in their quest to retain the I-League with a 2-3 loss away to Pune FC at their Balewadi Sports Complex. Dempo remain on 47 points from 24 matches and will have to hope that Salgaocar lose their final match against JCT, while they win their remaining to two games with big margins to have any chances to retain the title. PFC meanwhile moved into sixth place with 33 points from 25 matches.
Izumi Arata opened the scoring for Pune FC in the 34th minute before Mandjou Keita doubled the score after the break, but Dempo weren't beaten yet as first Roberto Mendes Silva reduced the deficit in the 62nd minute before Ranty Martins Soleye equalised only four minutes later. But PFC would score the winner once more through Izumi Arata to deny Dempo any points from this match.

08-May-2011: HAL, Bangalore 0-3 (0-2) Churchill Brothers SC (in Bangalore)
Bangalore's HAL suffered another set-back in their quest to stay in the I-League when they suffered a 0-3 home loss against title chasing Churchill Brothers SC. HAL stay 14th and last with only 20 points from 24 matches, while Churchill Brothers SC moved to the top of the table with now 47 points from 24 matches, but their title rivals have played less matches.
The Goans had the match sealed early on as Odafe Onyeka Okolie's 7th minute goal and T. Bineesh Balan goal in the 12th minute gave them an early cushion which was never really tested as Kayne Vincent added a late 87th minute goal to seal the 3-0 win.

08-May-2011: Air India 1-0 (0-0) JCT (in Kolhapur)
In a relegation battle Air India prevailed 1-0 against JCT in Kolhapur. The Airmen moved past JCT to 24 points from 25 matches, while JCT dropped back into the relegation zone while staying on 23 points from 23 matches.
Air India's golden goal of the day was scored by Nigerian striker Okorogor Nnabuike Praise in the 54th minute, a vital victory for the Mumbai who only have a match in hand.

08-May-2011: Mohun Bagan AC 2-2 (1-2) Salgaocar SC (in Kolkata)
Mohun Bagan held league leaders Salgaocar SC to an entertaining two-all draw in Kolkata. The Goans moved to 47 points from 23 matches, while Mohun Bagan moved to 31 points from 24 matches.
Nigerian striker Chidi Edeh gave Mohun Bagan a 15th minute lead off a Surkumar Singh cross. But Salgaocar would turn things around before the break. First Japanese Ryuji Sueoka would equalise on the half hour mark and then young Gilbert Oliveira would give Salgaocar a 39th minute lead. But it was once more Chidi who scored for the green-and-maroon in the 52nd minute. Salgaocar did try to get the winner, but they wouldn't succeed as their title push got another dampener.


Click here for the 4th I-League 2010/11 - League Table & Fixtures .

I-League - Round 24: Salgaocar lose, Relegation battle continues

The twenty-fourth Round of matches of the I-League 2010/11 were played on April 29, 30 and May 1 across India with some matches slated for later in May. Another defeat for Salgaocar while East Bengal, Dempo and Churchill Brothers' matches will be played later has opened up the title race further, while at the bottom teams continue to win which is making it more and more intense with only a few matches left.


Round 24 Match by Match Short Review
29-Apr-2011: Salgaocar SC 2-3 (0-2) Mumbai FC (in Goa)
League leaders Salgaocar SC suffered a surprise 2-3 loss against Mumbai FC to loosen their grip on the I-League. For the moment Salgaocar remain top on 46 points from 22 matches, while Mumbai FC moved to 32 points from the same number of matches.
Mumbai FC took a surprise 17th minute lead through Keegan Pereira which was doubled by a well timed lob by Noel Anthony Wilson in the 32nd minute. Seasoned Ghanian Yakubu Yusif reduced the deficit in the 64th minute, but only five minutes later Nicholas L. Rodrigues made it 3-1 with substitute striker Milagres Gonsalves only being able to reduce the deficit in the 87th minute. It was a tough and unwanted loss for Salgaocar in their title chase.

29-Apr-2011: ONGC 2-2 (0-1) Chirag United SC (in Kolhapur)
ONGC needed a late goal to hold Chirag United SC to a two-all draw in Kolhapur. ONGC now have 22 points from 24 matches, while Chirag United have 27 points from 23 matches.
India striker Sunil Chhetri put his side ahead in the 41st minute, but N.D. Opara would equalise for the Oilmen five minutes after the break. Again Sunil Chhetri gave Chirag United the 2-1 lead in the 76th minute, but once again N.D. Opara would equalise for ONGC in injury time to earn what could be a vital point in their fight against relegation.

22-May-2011: Churchill Brothers SC 2-1 (1-0) East Bengal Club (in Goa)
Churchill Brothers SC kept their slim title chances alive with a 2-1 win against East Bengal Club in Goa. Churchill Brothers moved to 50 points from 25 matches, while East Bengal stay on 47 points from 24 matches after their second loss in a row. Both sides will have to win their remaining matches, while Salgaocar SC need to lose their final encounter against JCT to have a chance to win the I-League title.
In an open game Churchill Brothers sharp-shooter Odafe Onyeka Okolie gave his side a 1-0 lead on the half hour mark and doubled it through a penalty in the 58th minute against the outstretched hands of East Bengal keeper Jayanta Paul. East Bengal was able to reduce the deficit in the 79th minute through a Baljit Singh Sahni goal, but they wouldn't score any more goals.

30-Apr-2011: Indian Arrows 0-1 (0-1) Viva Kerala (in Gurgaon)
Viva Kerala scored a vital lone goal away win against Indian Arrows in Gurgaon to move away from the relegation spots. Viva Kerala moved past the Arrows into ninth spot with now 25 points from 24 matches, while the Indian Arrows stay on 23 points from 23 matches.
The lone goal of the afternoon came from Nigerian striker Felix Chimaokwu in the 19th minute against a depleted Indian Arrows who missed a number of regulars due to injuries and sickness, but after the break the young Arrows boys tried their best to get onto the score-sheet but they failed on this day.

01-May-2011: Mohun Bagan AC 2-0 (0-0) Air India (in Kolkata)
Mohun Bagan AC scored a 2-0 win again Air India in Kolkata to return to winning ways with their Nigerian striker Subair Muritala Ali the star of the day as he scored both the goals. Mohun Bagan now have 30 points from 23 matches, while Air India dropped back into the relegation zone with 21 points from 24 matches.
It was mainly the green-and-maroon which attacked the Airmen throughout the match, but Air India did have the better chances in the first session. This changed after the break as Muritala would score twice in the 66th and 78th minute on both occasions off Chidi Edeh.

01-May-2011: JCT 2-1 (1-0) Pune FC (in Ludhiana)
JCT continued their good recent run by scoring a 2-1 win against Pune FC in Ludhiana. JCT left the relegation places with now 23 points from 22 matches but stay in the fight for survival, while Pune FC missed a chance to move back into fifth spot as they dropped to seventh with now 29 points from 23 matches.
The Phagwara Millmen are a force to reckon with at home and it wasn't any different against PFC as the lone flag-bearer of North Indian football. It was young Ajay Singh who would score a brace in the 38th and 65th minute, while Mandjou Keita could only reduce the deficit for Pune FC in the 70th minute.

01-Jun-2011: Dempo SC 2-4 (2-1) HAL, Bangalore (in Goa)
HAL scored a vital 4-2 comeback win against now former champions Dempo SC in Goa to retain their place in the I-League. HAL like Air India, JCT and ONGC finished on 24 points; but they survive the drop due to a better head-to-head record against JCT and ONGC, who have to go down to the 2nd Division. Dempo finished third with 50 points from 26 matches.
Only two days after having trashed Air India 14-0, Dempo were out playing again in their final league match with only second spot to play for. HAL took an 11th minute lead through former Dempo striker R.C. Prakash, but Dempo hit back with Ranty Martins Soleye scoring a brace in the 25th and 42nd minute to take his tally to an incredible 30 goals this I-League season.
After the break HAL would make an unbelievable comeback. First Xavier Vijayakumar would get the equaliser five minutes into the second session and it was once more Vijayakumar to give HAL a shock 68th minute lead. Dempo went all out to get the equaliser, but instead Valeriano Rebello scored an own goal in the 87th minute to ensure HAL's victory and their top tier status. After the final whistle it was celebration time in the HAL camp.


Click here for the 4th I-League 2010/11 - League Table & Fixtures .

What Bob Houghton has done for our football

I have been surprised at the amount of criticism our now former coach Bob Houghton has received from the media and fans. Because I think one thing is for sure, Bob has done a lot of things which were and are important for the development of Indian football, but some facts are often forgotten or maybe not even known, while others just seem to criticise for the sake of doing so.

The nearly five year reign of Bob Houghton as coach of the Indian national team ended on Saturday, so lets focus on what Bob has done or tried to do for Indian football outside of Team India.

But lets first look at how it all started. In June 2006 while the whole planet was looking at Germany during the 2006 FIFA World Cup India appointed a new coach in Bob Houghton, who came with a pedigree of over 30 years of coaching experience from around the world. At the time Bob came to India, England under Sven Goran Eriksson took on his native Sweden at the FIFA World Cup in Cologne. Eriksson is one of the numerous Swedish coaches who where heavily influenced by Bob Houghton and Roy Hodgson, who coached in Scandinavia in the 1970s and we actually had a nice conversations about Bob's appointment and Sven had said it was a wise decision by the federation in India.

From those days it is known that Bob Houghton prefers to play a classic 4-4-2, which some would call old fashioned in modern day football though it is result oriented football and in the end results count the most plus it's also known in football circles that Bob mainly relies on a set group of players, he isn't a manager who makes too many changes to his squads. You go with it or leave it.

And when Bob arrived Team India was in a mess. Some players had resigned others like Baichung Bhutia where thinking about resigning and ending their international career, so Bob first had to convince key players to return or stay with Team India.

Some say Bob hasn't developed any talent. Then I simply ask them who where Subrata Pal, Gouramangi Singh or Sunil Chhetri when Bob came to India? None of these boys were anywhere near being key players in the national team. And the next crop of players would have been developed now after the Asian Cup, if given chance as the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers showed.

Bob also ensured extended foreign camps, the best available facilities and that the interest of the players were taken care off, so nobody would have to worry about anything. Things which weren't done in the past and therefore it isn't surprising that Bob was popular amongst his players, though he kept a distance but was there whenever needed and he treated the players like his own sons.

Bob also has been working on getting a youth development system in place. He got Colin Toal as technical director and Desmond Bulpin as coach of the Indian Arrows & Under-23 national side. Along with them he first created and then streamlined Indian football's youth development system. Against opposition from the federation who often said what's the use of spending money on such projects they got long duration camps, foreign exposure trips and better accommodation in place besides fighting for the Arrows to be integrated into the I-League.

The results of youth development work doesn't come overnight it will take time, but to end on an example most of the players in the Indian Arrows are a product of this development work of the last four years and maybe in another four/five years we can judge that work if it is allowed to continue.

You might not like it, but I believe that Bob deserves credit for all the work and whoever comes next has a tough job on hand.

I-League - Round 23: Title/Relegation race wide open

The twenty-third Round of matches of the I-League 2010/11 were played on April 22 to 25 across India. With Dempo SC beating rivals Salgaocar SC and East Bengal winning these three sides are now only two points apart in the title race, while Churchill Brothers having played two matches more are out of the title race. Elsewhere the relegation race is hotting up by the day with the bottom teams gaining more valuable points. HAL are now bottom of the league.


Round 23 Match by Match Short Review
22-Apr-2011: East Bengal Club 3-0 (3-0) Viva Kerala (in Kolkata)
East Bengal Club returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win against Viva Kerala at the Saltlake Stadium. With this win the red-and-gold are now on 44 points from 21 matches and are back in the title race, while Viva Kerala remain on 22 points from 23 matches and in danger of relegation.
The Kolkata side after initially having problems with their guests scored two quick goals to take control of the match. First a Syed Rahim Nabi solo in the 17th minute was followed by a Penn Ikechukwu Orji strike only a couple of minutes later. India striker Sushil Kumar Singh made it three in the 41st minute of a header, his first goal for East Bengal. It remained this way not only at the break, but after 90 minute too.

24-Apr-2011: HAL, Bangalore 1-2 (0-1) Pune FC (in Bangalore)
A downbeat Hindustan Aeronautics Limited who have to cope with the dead of their reserve goalkeeper Arun Kumar suffered another setback by losing 1-2 against Pune FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Pune FC moved into fifth place with now 29 points from 22 matches, while HAL dropped to the bottom of the table with only 20 points from 23 matches.
HAL have only themselves to blame as the Airmen wasted numerous chances throughout the match. PFC took a 42nd minute lead through a well placed shot from Lester Fernandes, while Mandjou Keita would double the lead in the 52nd minute with both goals coming of passes from seasoned Shanmugam Venkatesh. HAL did reduce the deficit through R.C. Prakash in the 63rd minute, but thereafter they couldn't get on the score-sheet anymore.

23-Apr-2011: Air India 2-2 (1-1) Churchill Brothers SC (in Kolhapur)
A late equaliser for Air India earned them a hard fought 2-2 against Churchill Brothers SC in Kolhapur. The Airmen moves to 21 points from 23 matches, while the draw has evaporated the little title chance that Churchill Brothers had going into the match as the Goans now have 44 points from 23 matches with the other title contenders having played two matches less.
Air India took the lead through Okorogor Nnabuike Praise in the 15th minute with Odafe Onyeka Okolie equalising only a couple of minutes later. It stayed one-all at the break, but only three minutes into the second session T. Bineesh Balan gave the Goans the lead and they were denied all three points through another O.N. Praise goal in injury time while Air India were happy about the point in their fight against relegation.

24-Apr-2011: JCT 2-0 (0-0) Indian Arrows (in Ludhiana)
JCT scored a vital 2-0 win against the Indian Arrows in Ludhiana to keep their fight for survival alive. The Phagwara Millmen moved to 20 points from 21 matches, while the Arrows remain on 23 points from 22 games.
After an action packed goalless first session JCT took the lead in the 70th minute through a Badru Keke Ibrahim strike and substitute Sakatar Singh would ensure victory with a second a minute from time.

24-Apr-2011: Mohun Bagan AC 1-2 (1-0) ONGC (in Kolkata)
Debutants ONGC scored a 2-1 comeback win against seasoned Mohun Bagan AC at the Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata. The Oilmen moved out of the relegation spots with 21 points from 23 matches, while Mohun Bagan stay on 27 points from 22 matches.
Mohun Bagan took an early fourth minute lead through a typical Surkumar Singh long-ranger, but that was nearly all that the green-and-maroon put together as ONGC didn't look to bother them in the first session. After the break things changed, but it needed goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee not being able to clear a back pass which allowed substitute Kailash Patel to equalise in the 79th minute and only five minutes later Kailash Patel scored again with a placed shot to shock the Kolkata giants and earn three vital points for ONGC.

23-Apr-2011: Salgaocar SC 1-3 (1-2) Dempo SC (in Goa)
League leaders Salgaocar SC suffered a 1-3 loss against defending champions Dempo SC in a Goan I-League derby which has opened up the title race. Salgaocar remain on 46 points from 21 matches, while Dempo move to 44 points from the same number of games.
Dempo took an early fourth minute lead through a deflected Ogba Kalu Nnanna shot following a corner. Salgaocar got back into the game and equalised through seasoned Yakubu Yusif in the 31st minute, but two minutes before the break Roberto Mendes Silva and Ranty Martins Soleye would combine with Ranty giving Dempo a 2-1 half-time lead. After the break Salgaocar attacked the Dempo in search of the equaliser, but Dempo would seal the game in the 85th minute through a placed Roberto Mendes Silva shot passed Karanjit Singh in goal.

25-Apr-2011: Mumbai FC 0-0 Chirag United SC (in Kolhapur)
Mumbai FC and Chirag United SC played out a goalless draw in Kolhapur. Mumbai FC move to 29 points from 21 matches, while Chirag United now have 26 points from 22 matches.
Both sides had their chances, but their strikers simply couldn't score on this day and with both teams rather secure in the middle of nowhere there wasn't an urge to score and win.


Click here for the 4th I-League 2010/11 - League Table & Fixtures .

I-League - Round 22: Salgaocar win, while EB & Churchill lose

The twenty-second Round of matches of the I-League 2010/11 were played on April 16, 17 & 18 across India. Salgaocar SC won a crucial derby against Churchill Brothers SC to close in on the I-League title, while closest rivals East Bengal lost to Pune FC.


Round 22 Match by Match Short Review
16-Apr-2011: Dempo SC 5-2 (3-1) Indian Arrows (in Goa)
Dempo SC scored a 5-2 win against the Indian Arrows in Goa to maintain their slim I-League title chances. The defending champions moved now to 41 points from 20 matches while the Arrows remain on 23 points from 21 matches. The Goans took a fifth minute lead through Iranian Rouhollah Samienia but only a couple of minutes later Shilton D'Silva would equalise for the Arrows. But Dempo's would hit back with strikes from Roberto Mendes Silva in the 27th and then Ranty Martins Soleye in the 44th minute. And was Rant again who would score Dempo's fourth on the hour mark, while an in-form Jeje Lalpekhlua would reduce the deficit for Arrows in the 72th minute. But Roberto Mendes Silva would seal the match in the 83rd minute through a penalty.

18-Apr-2011: Pune FC 2-1 (1-1) East Bengal Club (in Pune)
East Bengal Club suffered a major setback in their quest for the I-League title when they suffered a 1-2 loss away to Pune FC. East Bengal stay on 41 points from 20 matches, five behind league leaders Salgaocar; while Pune FC move to 26 points from 21 matches.
PFC put the Kolkata side under pressure from the start, but the red-and-gold went ahead in the 17th minute through an Uga Okpara goal after a corner, but in the 31st minute PFC equalised through a Mandjou Keita strike. After the break East Bengal had more of the ball, but former India captain Shanmugam Venkatesh would score the winner in the 63rd minute to win the game for PFC and dent East Bengal's title hopes.

16-Apr-2011: Viva Kerala 1-0 (1-0) Mumbai FC (in Kannur)
Viva Kerala continued their climb up the I-League table away from the relegation zone with a 1-0 win against Mumbai FC at home in Kannur. Viva Kerala now have 22 points from 22 matches, while Mumbai FC stay fifth with 28 points from 20 matches.
Viva Kerala was the dominant side in the game and won the match through a deserving strike from Nigerian Felix Chimaokwu.

16-Apr-2011: Chirag United SC 1-1 (1-0) Mohun Bagan AC (in Kolkata)
The small Kolkata derby between Chirag United SC and Mohun Bagan AC ended in a one-all stalemate at the Saltlake Stadium. Both sides have played 21 matches with Mohun Bagan ahead on 27 points, while Chirag United now have 25 points.
Chirag United SC took a first half lead through India striker Sunil Chhetri, who scored from the spot and it was Sunil's third goal in as many matches; while Subair Muritala Ali equalised for Mohun Bagan in the 80th minute. It wasn't the best of matches and to make matters worse the referee send three players off - Bapi Saha and Josimar da Silva Martins of Chirag United plus Mohun Bagan's Chidi Edeh.

17-Apr-2011: Churchill Brothers SC 1-2 (1-2) Salgaocar SC (in Goa)
I-League leaders Salgaocar SC took a giant step towards the title by beating Goan rivals Churchill Brothers SC 2-1 in the latter's home match, while for Churchill Brothers their title chase looks all but over. Salgaocar now have 46 points from 20 matches, while Churchill Brothers stay on 43 points but from 22 matches.
It was mostly Salgaocar in the first session, but the Churchill Brothers defence mostly stood their ground. The men in green-white took the lead in the 37th minute through a long ranger from Francis Fernandes, but only three minutes later Odafe Onyeka Okolie was brought down by Khelemba Singh in the box and Odafe went on to score from the penalty. But at the stroke of half-time Japanese 'Man of the Match' Ryuji Sueoka would score the winner of Yakubu Yusif for Salgaocar's.
But after the break the match lacked the pace and intensity of the first session and it stayed 2-1 for Salgaocar.

17-Apr-2011: ONGC 2-1 (0-1) JCT (in Kolhapur)
Promoted ONGC scored a late 2-1 comeback win against JCT in Kolhapur to further intensify the relegation battle. ONGC moved away from the bottom to be now on 18 points from 22 matches, while JCT dropped to the last place with 17 points but having played only 20 matches. Ajay Singh gave the Punjab Millmen a first half lead, but Nigerian striker Badmus Babatunde got the Oilmen a 54th minute equaliser before he would score the vital winner in injury time to give ONGC a boasting victory, while for JCT it was a late shock.

17-Apr-2011: HAL, Bangalore 1-3 (0-1) Air India (in Bangalore)
HAL suffered a 1-3 home defeat at the hands of Air India to place them just above the relegation zone. Both sides are now on 20 points from 22 matches, but the Airmen have a three goal better goal difference and suddenly HAL are in the relegation battle which they themselves would have not thought about two/three rounds ago.
The Airmen took a 39th minute lead through Nigerian striker Okorogor Nnabuike Praise. After the break Soccor Velho would score in the 63rd minute and O.N. Praise again in the 69th minute to give Air India a comfortable 3-0 lead. HAL could only reduce the deficit in injury time through a R.C. Prakash penalty after the seasoned striker was brought down.


Click here for the 4th I-League 2010/11 - League Table & Fixtures .

I-League: 14 team league, PSU sides to stay!

I had kept a question mark last night behind my article 'PSU sides out of I-League?' because as per my information it hadn't been fully decided if the three 'Public Sector Undertaking' clubs - Air India, ONGC and HAL, would be allowed to stay in the I-league or would be thrown out, while the Indian media reported that a final decision had been taken and the clubs had been thrown out.

This was clarified by the AFC president Mohammed bin Hammam at a press conference in New Delhi today, where he said, "The committee has decided to accept all the 14 teams in the next edition of the Indian Professional League. However, there are four teams (HAL, ONGC, Air India, Indian Arrows) who have just not met one criteria for commercial entity. The eligibility for these four teams has been extended by one year."

This did come as a surprise as many where of the expectations that the AFC would maintain their stand of wanting a real professional I-League in the 2011/12 season. But that under these circumstances will not be the case as the league remains semi-professional even terming it professional.

The Indian Professional Football Ad-hoc committee discussed and decided following key points: composition of the I-League, time-line to set up the I-League 2011-2012 season, the registration of I-League clubs and the I-League organisation.

Following the last meeting of the committee last September a thorough and wide-ranging inspection of all I-League clubs was conducted in October/November 2010 by an AFC Professional Football Project Special Mission Team, and the members, after discussing the report presented to them, approved the composition of the I-League first division with 10 clubs that have met the criteria and decided to give a waiver to four clubs, which have failed to meet the requirements.

The 10 clubs, which complied with the I-League criteria, are: 1. Mohun Bagan AC (Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata), 2. East Bengal Club (Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata), 3. Chirag United SC (Barasat Stadium, Kolkata - to improve the stadium facilities by July 2011), 4. Viva Kerala (Jawahar Stadium, Kannur - to improve the stadium facilities by July 2011), 5. Mumbai FC (Cooperage Ground, Mumbai - to improve the stadium facilities by July 2011), 6. JCT FC (Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana), 7. Pune FC (Balewadi Stadium, Pune), 8. Churchill Brothers SC (Nehru Stadium, Margao), 9. Dempo SC (Nehru Stadium, Margao), 10. Salgaocar SC (Nehru Stadium, Margao).

The members also recommended that three clubs - ONGC (Cooperage Ground, Mumbai), Air India (Cooperage Ground, Mumbai) and HAL (Bangalore Football Stadium) – who failed to meet the 'commercial entity’ criteria, and also Indian Arrows (Ambedkar Stadium, Delhi) be given a grace period of one season in the first division on the condition that if any one of them wins the I-League or finishes second or third, they will not be eligible to represent India in the AFC Champions League.

It was further suggested that the top two second division teams would be eligible for promotion to the first division only if they satisfied the professional league criteria. In case they fail to meet the criteria then there would be no relegation of any club from the first division, which would continue with the same 14 teams.

The members agreed to a proposal that the deadline for the clubs to improve their stadiums would be July 2011, following which another inspection of the clubs would be undertaken between July to September 2011. Thereafter, the I-League's 2011/12 season would kick off on September 2011.

The committee proposed that the I-League regulations should be revised to ban the registration and participation of I-League clubs in other leagues other than the I-League and that I-League club players should not be allowed to register with any other club other than I-League clubs. This would mean no I-League sides in the Calcutta Premier Division or Goa Professional League.

With all the matches at present being organised by the local Football Association (state or district), the committee proposed that the clubs should start implementing the home match operations - including and not limited to ticket sales, match operations and security. This would mean that all the clubs would have to create new jobs and positions within their system to run such match day operations.

I-League - Round 21: Air India upset Salgaocar

The twenty-first Round of matches of the I-League 2010/11 were played between April 8 to 11 across India. The bottom three of JCT, Air India and ONGC all won putting pressure on the teams ahead of them making the relegation race more open, while Salgaocar's loss at the top allows Churchill Brothers and East Bengal close on.


Round 21 Match by Match Short Review
09-Apr-2011: ONGC 4-0 (2-0) HAL, Bangalore (in Kolhapur)
Relegation fighting ONGC scored a convincing 4-0 win against HAL in Kolhapur, their biggest victory in the I-League so far and a crucial one as well. ONGC got a 14th minute lead through a free-kick from their Japanese midfielder Katsumi Yusa and their in-form striker Badmus Babatunde doubled the lead in the 36th minute. After the break Kailash Patil would score twice in the 48th and 59th minute to seal a memorable victory for the Oilmen.

08-Apr-2011: Dempo SC 3-3 (2-1) Viva Kerala (in Goa)
Dempo SC needed a late goal to earn a three-all draw against Viva Kerala at the Nehru Stadium, Goa. Dempo make a quick start into the game and were 2-0 up by the eighth minute after goals from Debabrata Roy and Ranty Martins Soleye, but the Goans became complacent and allowed Viva Kerala to get back into the match when P.K. Anil Kumar scored a tap in after Subhashish Roy Chowdhury couldn't collect the ball. After the break it continued this way and Viva Kerala were suddenly equal when N.P. Pradeep scored in the 66th minute and suddenly Dempo were under pressure, who then even conceded a third through a Charles Dzisah header in the 78th minute. But Ranty Martins Soleye saved the day for Dempo's with a last minute equaliser, but still after such a great start Dempo's lost two vital points in the title race.

09-Apr-2011: JCT 1-0 (1-0) Mumbai FC (in Ludhiana)
In their fight against relegation JCT scored a crucial 1-0 win against Mumbai FC at home in Ludhiana. The Millmen where the better of the two sides on display and took an early 11th minute lead through Ajay Singh, but they couldn't score of their other chances thereafter as it ended with a lone goal win.

09-Apr-2011: East Bengal Club 2-1 (1-0) Mohun Bagan AC (in Kolkata)
East Bengal Club scored a crucial 2-1 derby win against Mohun Bagan AC at the Saltlake Stadium to keep their I-League title hopes alive. The red-and-gold took an early seventh minute lead through a Tolgay Ozbey strike though they didn't have the best of halves. After the break Mohun Bagan got a quick 48th minute equaliser from a Surkumar Singh shot which went in off a deflection. But East Bengal would go back into the lead through a Baljit Singh Sahni strike off a pass from Tolgay. It remained 2-1 until the end.

10-Apr-2011: Churchill Brothers SC 2-1 (0-1) Chirag United SC (in Goa)
Churchill Brothers SC scored a crucial comeback 2-1 win against Chirag United SC in Goa to keep their title challenge alive. The Kolkata side were the better of the two sides in action and Sunil Chhetri gave them a spectacular 29th minute lead through a bicycle kick off a Josimar da Silva Martins pass. And Chhetri could have doubled the lead before the break, but things would change thereafter. Churchill Brothers were a more organised lot and with a double strike tilted the match in their favour. First in the 61st minute Chika Wali scored into his own goal and then only four minutes later M.P. Sakeer scored the winner for the Goans.

10-Apr-2011: Indian Arrows 0-0 Pune FC (in Gurgaon)
In a mid-table clash Indian Arrows were held to a goalless draw by Pune FC in Gurgaon with both sides now on 23 points. PFC were the better of the two sides in the first session but they couldn't score of their few chances, while the Arrows came back stronger after the break with them also unable to break the deadlock.

11-Apr-2011: Salgaocar SC 0-1 (0-0) Air India (in Goa)
League leaders Salgaocar SC suffered a rare defeat against relegation fighting Air India in Goa. Salgaocar had more from the game, but unlike in earlier matches the Goans wasted their numerous chances as the Airmen mainly relied on counter attacks throughout the match. And then in the 87th minute Manjit Singh scored a surprise winner against a stunned Salgaocar.


Click here for the 4th I-League 2010/11 - League Table & Fixtures .

Jeje Lalpekhlua still has a long way to go

The last few weeks have been like a dream come true for talented 20 year old striker Jeje Lalpekhlua. Good performances with goals galore for the Indian Arrows, India Under-23 and then even on debut for the senior national team where he scored four goals in three matches in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers. Jeje has been going from strength to strength, which is great to watch.

Still the youngster from Mizoram has a long way to go, but as one would expect the first comparisons are being made with Baichung Bhutia and some already say we finally have found a suitable replacement for the Sikkimese sniper and an able partner for Sunil Chhetri.

But we have seen over the last decade a number of boys who were termed as the next Baichung Bhutia, only to name a couple - Vimal Pariyar, Pachau Lalam Puia. They sadly didn't make it for different reasons.

Also lets be realistic, lets give Jeje the time to develop into a more complete player and not put him under added pressure. Jeje has just left his teenager days and has developed really well over the last three/four years since first joining Pune FC. Last season he was PFC's 'Young Player of the Year' and the club didn't want to release him for the Indian Arrows. We now know why.

Now Jeje is a key member of the Indian Arrows and there he is forced to develop quickly like his team mates, so the idea which Bob Houghton and Colin Toal had behind creating the Arrows is working with the youngsters getting precious playing time in the I-League against tough opposition.

Jeje himself has so far remained realistic knowing where he stands at this stage of his career. In a recent interview with the FPAI he had said, "It is a great honour to be part of the Senior National team. We have a huge population and it is not easy to make it here. I am happy to be here and I consider it to be a learning process to improve my game further."

I hope we will hear a lot more about Jeje Lalpekhlua in the years to come...

I-League - Round 20: The title race is on

After the break for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers the I-League restarted with the twenteenth Round of matches with matches played on April 2, 3 & 4 across India. Amongst the four Salgaocar, East Bengal and Dempo would all win; while Churchill Brothers only drew.


Round 20 Match by Match Short Review
04-Apr-2011: Air India 0-3 (0-0) East Bengal Club (in Kolhapur)
East Bengal Club scored their second 3-0 win in a row by beating Air India away in Kolhapur. Once more this season the red-and-golds Australian recruit Tolgay Ozbey was the hero of the day with a second half hattrick which has brought the Kolkata side back in the hunt for the I-League title.

03-Apr-2011: HAL, Bangalore 0-4 (0-1) Indian Arrows (in Bangalore)
The Indian Arrows are growing in stature by the day and international experience is giving them an added edge in the I-League. HAL suffered a humiliating 0-4 loss at the hands of the India youngsters, but the Airmen also missed regular defenders Rohit Chand and Femi Joseph Adeola due to double bookings), while right-back R. Sreekanth was out injured.
Onre more the man in form Jeje Lalpekhulua gave his side the opening goal and the Arrows went into the break with a 1-0 lead. After the break Jewel Sheikh Raja, Shilton D'Silva Malsawmfela would add to the tally.

03-Apr-2011: Pune FC 0-1 (0-0) Salgaocar SC (in Pune)
Salgaocar SC continued their title chase with a lone goal victory in Pune against local side Pune FC to stay top of the I-League. Salgaocar where the better of the two sides, but they missed a number of chances early on still they went on to win the game as seasoned Yakubu Yusif scored a 66th minute winner of a perfect long-ranger.

02-Apr-2011: Viva Kerala 4-1 (1-0) JCT (in Kannur)
Viva Kerala scored a vital 4-1 win against JCT in an I-League relegation game to ease the pressure on the Kerala side, while it got more on the Punjab Millmen. Viva Kerala took a first half lead through Sajesh P. following a corner and just after the break Karma T. would double the lead. It looked as if Viva Kerala would easily win this game, but JCT got a goal back through Ajay Singh, then they went out in search of the equaliser and forgot to defend as P.K. Anil Kumar would score a brace to give Viva Kerala a 4-1 win.

03-Apr-2011: Mumbai FC 0-0 Mohun Bagan AC (in Kolhapur)
Mumbai FC and Mohun Bagan AC played out a tame draw in Kolhapur with really nothing much at stake for the two sides in the I-League, who are stuck in the middle with no chance of the championship or having anything to do with relegation. But the two sides had chances through their African strikers, but none were on target on this day.

03-Apr-2011: Chirag United SC 2-4 (1-3) Dempo SC (in Kolkata)
Lately some of Chirag United SC home matches in the I-League have been enjoyable high scoring encounters. And once more they were on the losing side as they lost 2-4 against the defending champions Dempo SC. Ranti Martins Soleye gave Dempo an early lead which Roberto Mendes Silva would double off a penalty. Chirag United did reduce the deficit before the break through Shankar Oraon, but Peter Carvalho in injury time added a third for Dempo's. After the break Chirag United scored their second through Indian international Sunil Chhetri, but only minutes later Ranti Martins Soleye would seal the game for the Goans.

04-Apr-2011: Churchill Brothers SC 3-3 (1-0) ONGC (in Goa)
Churchill Brothers SC lost two vital points in their quest for a second I-League title against bottom of the table club ONGC in Goa. The entertaining match ended three-all, which gave the relegation fighting Oilmen a vital point in their fight for survival, while Churchill Brothers might have lost their last chance to regain the title. Boima Karpeh gave the Goans a first half lead, but after the break Badmus Babatunde got the equaliser for ONGC and twice more Churchill Brothers would take the lead before ONGC equalised. First a T. Bineesh Balan goal was egalised by N.D Opara, while Odafe Oyneka Okolie's goal gave his side the 3-2 lead, but Badmus Babatunde would score his second of the day to square things at three-all.


Click here for the 4th I-League 2010/11 - League Table & Fixtures .

I-League to restart tomorrow

The fourth edition of the I-League, India's professional football league, will restart tomorrow with matches to be played over the next three days across India. The I-League had taken a three week break for the qualifiers of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup.

Now the league restarts and will continue until it finishes on May 29 with the final round of matches of the 14 team league on that day. The title race and the fight for survival is open like rarely ever before with numerous clubs involved on both sides of the league table.


So who can win the title?

This seasons title is now for Salgaocar SC to lose. The Goans lead the table with 40 points from 17 matches, while Churchill Brothers are second with 39 points but having played 19 matches already. Early league leaders East Bengal Club are third on 35 points with defending champions Dempo SC are fourth on 34 points both having played 17 matches.

All these clubs still have to face each other, so they could be dropping a lot of points which means that anyone of these four clubs could win the I-League title 2010/11. Salgaocar's biggest drawback is that they are a young team who so far have been ably led by the foreign trio of Luciano Sabrosa, Ryuji Sueoka and Yakubu Yusif. But they have been playing at the top of their game and if they can maintain that for another couple of month's will have to be seen.

On that front the other three sides Churchill Brothers SC, East Bengal Club and Dempo SC have much more experience, which could come handy towards the end of the campaign. These clubs will depend on their foreign star strikers Odafe Onyeka Okolie (Churchill Bros), Tolgay Ozbey (East Bengal) and Ranty Martins Soleye (Dempo) to score.


Who could get relegated?

The fight for survival is a tough one this season. There is no club which is already so far away that they are doomed to be relegated and as last season showed you have to beware until the last match day, the last minutes to survive the drop.

At the moment newcomers ONGC look top candidate for the drop as they are bottom of the league with 11 points, while Air India and JCT have 14 points and Viva Kerala 15 points. JCT have played two matches less at 17 compared to the three other clubs, which is an advantage for the Millmen from Punjab. The young Indian Arrows with 19 points and promoted HAL with 20 points currently look unlikely to have anything to do with relegation, but a couple of wins for the clubs behind them, they lose a few and suddenly they could also be dragged into the relegation battle.

But relegation might not be decided on the field at all as ONGC, Air India and HAL haven't fully complied with the AFC Club Licensing criteria and might be barred from taking part in next seasons I-League, which could also effect the promotion process besides the relegation race.