The AFC statement on Lebanon match-fixing case

The Asian Football Confederation has received the summary report from the Lebanese Football Association on their investigations and subsequent action against involvement of Lebanese players in match-fixing. AFC has also requested the Lebanese Football Association to provide the full investigation report.

The Lebanese Football Association has informed the Member Associations of India, Malaysia and Indonesia of sanctions on Lebanese players plying their trade in these countries. As per Article 140 of the AFC Disciplinary Code "a sanction imposed by a Member Association has the same effect in each Member Association of AFC as if the sanction had been imposed by any one of them".

The three players who are playing outside Lebanon are: Mahmoud El Ali (Persiba Balipapan, Indonesia), Ramez Dayoub (Selangor FA, Malaysia) and Akram Moghrabi (Churchill Brothers SC, India).

It is interesting to note that Akram Moghrabi just a few days ago left Churchill Brothers SC


The AFC has no knowledge on any suspicion surrounding Lebanon's any of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

The AFC would like to congratulate the Lebanese Football Association for carrying out the investigation and imposing sanctions on its players and would continue to support such initiatives by our Member Associations.

The AFC has also set up an internal task force to educate the Member Associations on ways and measures to combat this menace and monitor and coordinate with everyone involved to fight match-fixing in AFC competitions.

Churchill Bros lose Bilal Sheikh El Najjarin to UAE club

I-League leaders Churchill Brothers SC will have to continue their quest for regaining the I-League title without Lebanese defender Bilal Sheikh El Najjarin, who yesterday played his last game for the Goans against Mumbai FC and will now join UAE Pro League side Fujairah SC.

31 year old Bilal has been a standout performer for Churchill Brothers this season amongst an incredibly strong quartet of foreigners which also include Brazilian Beto, Gabon striker Henry and fellow Lebanese Akram.

Bilal had a clause in his one year contract under which he could leave the Goans, if he received a better offer which came his way from Fujairah SC. By signing in the Emirates, Bilal will play in a stronger league with better pay and facilities plus he is closer to his home country Lebanon.

Churchill Brothers are now scouting the international market for a suitable replacement, then Bilal held the Red Machine defence together and he was one of the reasons why the club is top of the I-League.

Now technical director Subhas Bhowmick and coach Mariano Dias will most likely have to plan the upcoming match(es) without a foreign defender with D. Ravanan having to take a leading role in his teams defence.

AFC U-22 Qualifiers: India trash Lebanon 5-2!

The India Under-22s started their campaign in the AFC Under-22 Asian Championship qualifiers with a resounding 5-2 victory against Lebanon at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat, Oman.

Striker Manandeep Singh paid the perfect tribute to his deceased grandfather heading in a scorching header off a Lalrindika cross in the 15th minute to put India in the lead while Alwyn George slotted in past an advancing rival goalkeeper Nazih Hassan in the 38th minute. He added one more in the 54th minute while Jeje Lalpekhlua scored his first goal in the 70th minute and completed the rout in injury time. Lebanon had pulled goals back through substitute Omar Kurdi in the 48th minute while Abdul Fattah scored his teams other goal in the 69th minute.

Under the new coach Arthur Papas the new style was about possession. The boys stayed as protective of the ball, they roamed around it all over, sometimes at a leisurely place, the next moment with a sudden run. Lebanon chased.

In the first half, India were more prepared; more organised. The practice sessions in Delhi and Dubai helped the team to acclimatise faster then the Lebanese. Muscat, despite being hotter, was more homely for them than Lebanon. It showed as Manandeep Singh gave India a 15th minute lead before Alwyn George doubled the lead in the 38th minute.

But just three minutes into the second session Lebanon reduced the margin through Omar Kurdi sneaking in between the two stoppers Souvik Ghosh and Deepak Devrani to slot it home. Suddenly it seemed, India were losing the plot and Arthur Papas, not much pleased in the momentum being lost, wanted to bring on captain Jeje Lalpekhlua, who is still not 100% fit. But before Jeje replaced Manandeep, Alwyn George made it 3-1. Receiving the ball midway into the rival half, Alwyn sneaked past three Lebanese players and placed it in the corner for his second goal of the match. Lebanon once more reduced the deficit through Abdul Fattah's tap in off a melee in the 69th minute but the very next minute Jeje announced his arrival scoring into the right corner of the inner box.

With no option left, Lebanon went all out. India stayed content in slowing down the pace for the rest of the match. Lebanon did try to press hard but it came too late. On the contrary, Dika hit the post which should have been India's fifth goal, but his room mate Jeje made it 5-2 off a counter in injury time.

The India Under-22s made a successful start under new 32-year Australian coach Arthur Papas with the team playing with more intent for a deserving victory.

In the dressing room, Manandeep couldn't hold himself back. His heart was too wet by then and tears overflowed into his eyes. His team mates consoled him. Tears of pain? Or Tears of Joy?

"I wanted to pay my respect to my Grandfather. He loved me like anything," Manandeep said. Alwyn came over put his arm around his shoulder and the duo walked towards the team bus. The rest followed.

It ended an emotional, but successful afternoon in Muscat. No tougher assignments will be waiting for the Indians in the coming days.



INDIA Under-22s

1-Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Captain); 3-Abhishek Das, 14-Souvik Ghosh, 4-Deepak Devrani, 5-Narayan Das; 7-Ganeshan (67' 34- Pronay Halder), 17-Ongnam Milan Singh, 28-Shaiju Mon Muthappan (86' 32-Tirthankar Sarkar), 8-Lalrindika Ralte; 12-Alwyn George, 35-Manandeep Singh (55' 10-Jeje Lalpekhlua)

India U-22 coach Papas: We need to strike a balance & be patient!

A heat wave greeted the India Under-22 Team for the AFC Under-22 Asian Championship qualifiers as they landed in the Omani capital Muscat today. The boys who have been preparing for over a week at the Al Wasl Campus in Dubai settled down fast as Head Coach Arthur Papas made them sweat in an afternoon practice session at the Sultan Qaboos Complex. After the training Arthur Papas spoke at length about India's new style of play, India's Group, the squad, his philosophy on Jeje Lalpehklua and a lot more.


Since the time you took over the team, what are the changes which have taken place?

There have been subtle changes in the overall playing philosophy over the course of two weeks. It's mostly based on developing a style which emphasises on ideas when we stay in possession of the ball. The idea is to be patient and wait for the correct moment for the build up or for example aim to penetrate from deep.

There are so many variables in football and it's been about guiding the decision making process of the youth players by providing them a structure to work from within.

At the same time we have had to find a balance with this style because you cannot expect to perfect the system in just over two weeks. I have had to take into consideration the current conditioning of the players. I've understood the instincts of the boys from the practice sessions and the practice matches.


Are you impressed with the fitness level of the players as you head into the Championship?

The positive part stays that we have been able to keep majority of the players away from injuries. Apart from Bikramjit Singh who unfortunately picked up a minor ankle strain in our last practice match and unluckily had to miss out, the rest stay in good shape. Obviously we can't deny that we will also miss some other very influential players who were injured prior to the camp. But the fact that we have been able to re-introduce players like Jeje Lalpekhlua and Deepak Devrani, both of whom are returning from an injury lay-offs, I stay content.

Ideally we would like to have been much more match conditioned as we head to the Championship. Our friendly matches have served as a good opportunity to keep learning about our system of play and identify players.


You have insisted upon a new style of play since you joined as Head Coach. During this short span, how much have the boys been able to adapt to the new style?

I need to praise the players as they have shown tremendous maturity during the short period we have been together. They stay open to approaching the game with an open mind and understanding the various ways it can be played. There are still many areas which need to be improved and this can only be achieved by developing together our ideas with time.

As always I approach a tournament with the intention to win but at the same time I am looking at players who I believe have attributes can develop into Senior National Team Players for India. This means that maybe a slightly older player has missed out on selection in favour of a younger player who I think with exposure to these type of tournaments can further develop and in the longer term and become a better prospect for the Indian National team.


Understandably the draw couldn't have been tougher for India. What do you expect from the tournament?

We are competing against some very good countries who have really improved their footballing level over the course of 3-4 years. It's a position we intend to reach in the future. At this stage all our focus stays towards our first game against Lebanon on June 23. This is a critical game and a good start can provide us with optimism to look at qualification.


What's the status of Jeje Lalpekhlua? How much of a role does he play in your scheme of things?

Jeje is a player I have much respect for simple for the manner he conducts himself on and off the field. He is the type of character you enjoy working with as a Coach. So far he has been slowly re-introduced into full training only since the last four days. As I had mentioned earlier, I will not be risking the long term health of Jeje or any other player. They are still young and I maintain that although the short-term success of our team would be a great achievement, it should not come at the cost of any of our talented youth players for the long-term. He has a great future ahead of him and needs the correct guidance to manage his body.


Will this be your toughest assignment so far?

Football assignments are not tough on a grand scale. They are challenging, sometimes rewarding and sometimes soul-searching. There are so many emotions involved and it engulfs your thought process to a level which is hard to be comprehended. It's an unique 24x7 job.

However, I can't say this is tough when I compare my life to some of the hardships that are a part of everyday life, e.g. seeing people begging on the streets, homeless and with no money. All that, I consider is tougher. I try my best to keep perspective at all times. I can promise I will give my utmost to help Indian football develop to a level much higher than its current state.

Jeje Lalpekhlua to captain India Under-22s

Pune FC's Jeje Lalpekhlua will lead India in the AFC Under-22 Asian Championship qualifiers to be played in Muscat from June 23. Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has been named his deputy. The Indian squad which has been preparing at the Al Wasl Training Ground in Dubai leaves for Muscat on Thursday, June 21 morning for the qualifiers.

The final 23 players were also named for the qualifiers with Ramandeep Singh (Air India), Chingkhei Meetei Yumnam (Tata Football Academy), David Lalbiakzara (Pune FC), Bikramjit Singh Sr. (Pailan Arrows) and Rajinder Kumar (Pailan Arrows) being left out of the final squad.

"It is a huge honour for me to lead my country," Jeje said on the appointment. "We have been training under Head Coach Arthur Papas since the first week of June and he has been a pillar of support to all of us," Jeje added.

India who have been clubbed with hosts Oman, Lebanon, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Turkmenistan in Group A of the qualifiers. India open their campaign against Lebanon on June 23.

Meanwhile, the India U-22s defeated DNATA Club 4-1 in their second friendly match yesterday. After a barren first half, Lalrindika Ralte scored a brace for India while Shyjumon and striker Manandeep Singh scored one apiece.


INDIA U-22 Team

Goalkeepers
Soram Poirei Angamba (Shillong Lajong FC), Ravi Kumar (Pailan Arrows), Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (East Bengal Club)

Defenders
Abhishek Das (East Bengal Club), Narayan Das (Tata Football Academy), Deepak Devrani (Pailan Arrows), Souvik Ghosh (Pailan Arrows), Pritam Kotal (Pailan Arrows), Vishal Kumar (Pailan Arrows), Prathmesh Maulingkar (Pailan Arrows)

Midfielders
Romeo Fernandes (Dempo SC), Ganeshan (Pune FC), Pronoy Haldar (Pailan Arrows), Shyjumon (Chirag United Kerala), Deepak Prakash (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited), Lalrindika Ralte (Churchill Brothers SC), Tirthankar Sarkar (Pailan Arrows), Ongnam Milan Singh (Pailan Arrows), Simranjit Singh (Tata Football Academy)

Forwards
Alwin George (Pailan Arrows), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Pune FC, Captain), Holicharan Narzary (Pailan Arrows), Manandeep Singh (Air India)

Officials
Arthur Papas (Head Coach)

AFC U-22 Asian Cup Qualifiers: Indian Group fixtures out

The qualifiers for the inaugural AFC Under-22 Asian Cup will be held in June/July 2012 with the tournament proper to be played in 2013. India have been drawn in a tough Group A along with the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Oman, Turkmenistan and Lebanon. The Group A matches will be played at the Royal Oman Police Stadium and the Al Seeb Sports Stadium in Muscat, Oman.

In total 41 Member Associations have entered the fray to grab 15 spots in the final competition to be played in 2013. The teams were divided into six groups of six teams each and one group of five. They will play one-round league format and the top two teams will qualify for the tournament proper along with the best third-placed team in all the groups. The hosts of the AFC Under-22 Asian Cup Finals will get a direct berth.


GROUP A FIXTURES
United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Oman, India, Turkmenistan, Lebanon

23-Jun-2012: Oman - United Arab Emirates
23-Jun-2012: India - Lebanon
23-Jun-2012: Iraq - Turkmenistan
25-Jun-2012: United Arab Emirates - Turkmenistan
25-Jun-2012: Iraq - India
25-Jun-2012: Oman - Lebanon
28-Jun-2012: Turkmenistan - Oman
28-Jun-2012: Lebanon - Iraq
28-Jun-2012: United Arab Emirates - India
30-Jun-2012: India - Turkmenistan
30-Jun-2012: Lebanon - United Arab Emirates
30-Jun-2012: Iraq - Oman
03-Jul-2012: Turkmenistan - Lebanon
03-Jul-2012: Oman - India
03-Jul-2012: United Arab Emirates - Iraq


THE OTHER GROUPS

Group B: Saudi Arabia, Syria, Pakistan, Palestine, Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka
Group C: Bahrain, Iran, Tajikistan, Qatar, Kuwait, Maldives
Group D: Uzbekistan, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nepal
Group E: Australia, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Macau, Timor Leste
Group F: North Korea, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Laos, Cambodia
Group G: South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Chinese Taipei, Philippines

VIDEO: Scandalous UAE backheel penalty

The United Arab Emirates prepared for their 2014 FIFA World Cup - Asian Round 2 home-and-away tie against India with a friendly against Lebanon yesterday. The UAE trashed Lebanon 7-2, but the talk of the game was the backheel penalty taken by the UAE winger Thiyab Awana which infuriated the Lebanese. Even his own coach was embarrassed by such an action that Srecko Katanec took off Awana after the penalty.

Afterwards Katanec talked about respect for your opponent and that is what football is all about, but Awana is not only being criticized as some found his penalty 'cool' and 'awesome'.

What do you think? What's your opinion on the backheel penalty?

Here the video of the UAE penalty