AFC Cup: East Bengal want to seal knockout spot in Malaysia

Kolkata giants East Bengal Club head to Malaysia today for their fifth AFC Cup Group H match to face Selangor FA on Tuesday, April 23. The match would be played at the Shah Alam Stadium in Selangor with kick-off at 8.45pm Malaysia local, which is 6.15pm in India.

East Bengal are top of their group with 10 points and a draw would be enough to ensure their passage to the pre-quarterfinals, but the red-and-gold are travelling to Selangor to win the match. The first-leg had been won by East Bengal through a Lalrindika Ralte long-range effort.

In another first East Bengal in their last match against Tampines Rovers became the first Indian side to score 100 goals in Asian club competitions and are two short of scoring 50 goals in the AFC Cup.

So enough things for the red-and-gold and their fans to look forward to...


EAST BENGAL CLUB

Goalkeepers
Abhijit Mondal, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Jayanta Pal

Defenders
Thokchom Naoba Singh, Uga Okpara, Gurwinder Singh, Raju Eknath Gaikwad, Saumik Dey, Robert Lalthalmuana

Midfielders
Sanju Pradhan (Captain), Mehtab Hossein, Penn Orji, Lalrindika Ralte,
Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Cavin Lobo, Ishfaq Ahmed

Strikers
Chidi Edeh, Andrew Barisic, Baljit Singh Sahni, Manandeep Singh

Officials
Trevor James Morgan (Head Coach), Atanu Bhattacharya (Goalkeeper Coach), Rajesh Basak (Physiotherapist), Manish Banerjee (Manager)

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.

VIDEO: East Bengal vs Selangor FA match analysis

Here the XtraTime match analysis of the opening Group H match between East Bengal Club and Selangor FA of Malaysia at the Saltlake Stadium yesterday. The red-and-gold won 1-0.

VIDEO - AFC Cup: East Bengal vs Selangor match highlights

Here are the match highlights of the match between East Bengal Club and Selangor FA from Malaysia, which includes Lalrindika Ralte long-range winner for the red-and-gold.

AFC Cup: East Bengal face the unknown in Selangor FA

When Kolkata giants East Bengal Club open their AFC Cup Group H campaign against Selangor FA from Malaysia at the Saltlake Stadium today, they will face the unknown as coach Trevor Morgan stated.

Both sides have a lot of respect for each other as became evident at yesterday's pre-match press conference.

"We have not come as a tourist for a holiday trip, the match is very important for us and we will be playing an attacking game with eye on three points," Selangor coach Irfan Bakti said.

He added that East Bengal is a good team with good foreigners both in defence and attack. He also said East Bengal are good in wing play with fast players in these positions. Bakti informed in Malaysian leagues two foreigners are allowed but for AFC Cup they have added to quality Slovakian players in defence and midfield to increase the strength of his side.

East Bengal have had another good local season in India so far, be it Federation Cup, I-League and Calcutta Premier Division; but over the last few years they haven't been able to perform at the Asian level and that is one thing that they would like to set straight.

East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan said he is confident that his boys will put up a good show and added compared to I-League, the AFC Cup is much tougher as higher quality teams participate in these tournaments but he is hopeful of a good show by his players.

Morgan refused divulge his first XI though there are speculations that he could field all four foreigners and that this team would carefully play the first 20 minutes and then see how the match progresses.

MUPC Under-15 India-leg: Chandigarh Football Academy champions!

The Chandigarh Football Academy are the champions of the seventh edition of the Indian-leg of the Manchester United Premier Cup Under-15 tournament. In the final they beat PIFA from Mumbai 2-0 in extra-time through two goals from Samuel Lalmuanpuia at the Sesa Football Academy ground in Sirsaim, Goa.

Chandigarh Football Academy will now go on to represent India in the Southeast Asia qualifiers in Indonesia later this month to face teams from the host nation, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore with the winner of that tournament getting a place at the global finals in Manchester this summer.

This year the Indian-leg of the Manchester United Premier Cup Under-15 tournament was held under a new format. There were state qualifiers and then a North-East-Northeast Zone qualifiers played in Jamshedpur while the South-West teams played their championship in Goa. While Chandigarh Football Academy won the Jamshedpur-leg, it was PIFA who won in Goa.

"Over the years, Nike MUPC is serving as a platform to identify young talent. This is at the core of our brand to promote the sport," Nike marketing director Avinash Pant told the media.

Former India captain Baichung Bhutia, who was present at the finals, said the tournament will continue to be a platform for young footballers to showcase their talent and also for clubs to scout young talent.

VIDEO: Team India's goals in 2011

Under the title of An Introduction to Indian Football someone has uploaded onto YouTube most of the goals that Team India scored in the 2011 calendar year. A nice video to watch and some really good goals in there as well!!!

India win five goal thriller against Malaysia

India won a five goal thriller 3-2 against Malaysia in their second International Friendly at the Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata infront of a sadly spare crowd of around only 1,500. The win followed the one-all draw on Sunday in Guwahati.

The late equaliser on Sunday had given India confidence of being able to challenge the Southeast Asian side. The Savio Medeira coached India played positive football and dominated proceedings for most of the match. In fact, the Indians could have won by a bigger margin but once more were undone by poor finishing.

Francis Fernandes made his international debut with Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, Anwar, Debabrata Roy and Jeje Lalpekhlua back in the starting line-up. The newly put-together midfield quartett of Francis Fernandes, Baldeep Singh, Rocus Lamare and Lalrindika Ralte combined well and never allowed the rivals to settle down. Baldeep was a revelation in the heart of midfield and stayed the pivot around which India's game revolved with today's captain Syed Rahim Nabi also playing an inspirational game.

All five goals came before and after the breather. Following a Nabi free-kick an alert Sunil Chhetri beat the Malaysian defence and their keeper to give India a 39th minute lead, but the lead didn't last upto the break with Mohammed Safee Sali equalising on the stroke of half-time. Just into the second session India once more took the lead through an alert Jeje Lalpekhlua while Chhetri made it 3-1 in the 53rd minute. If one thought India would cruising to a victory then they were wrong as Mohammed Safee Sali once more reduced the deficit. But it stayed 3-2 until the end for a vital victory for India ahead of the SAFF Cup.

Coach Savio Medeira was a pleased man. "The boys played their hearts out," Savio said. "It's good to end with a victory. We did make quite a few changes in the playing XI and it paid off," Savio added. "The SAFF Championship is knocking at the door and we needed to give a chance to everyone to gauge their match temperament."

"We didn't get much time to prepare for the match but the boys rose to the occasion," Savio ended.

Star striker Sunil Chhetri has a happy man after the match, "We played well. It's a special feeling when you score for your country."

Next-up for India will be Zambia on November 29 in Goa to be followed by the SAFF Cup in December.


INDIA

33-Subhasish Roy Chowdhury; 9-Syed Rahim Nabi [C], 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 5-Anwar (61' 14-Mahesh Gawli), 2-Debabrata Roy (62' 16-Samir Naik); 26-Francis Fernandes (71' 12-Anthony Pereira), 7-Baldeep Singh (78' 25-Jewel Raja Sheikh), 35-Rocus Lamare, 20-Lalrindika Ralte (90' 15-Clifford Miranda); 10-Jeje Lalpekhlua, 11-Sunil Chhetri (89' 18-Sushil Kumar Singh)

India ready for Malaysia test tonight

India face Malaysia in the second of their international friendlies tonight at the Saltlake Stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal. The first tie on Sunday in Guwahati had ended in a one-all stalemate and now both sides are looking for a win tonight.

Despite being the home to the Big-Two of Indian football - East Bengal Club & Mohun Bagan AC - where football fanaticism is no less than any other footballing centre around the world, the 'Mecca of Indian Football,' has not quite hosted an International Match involving Team India for a number of years.

Chief Coach Savio Medeira, who recently took over the reins of the team stays keen to get a win under his belt. Veteran midfielder Climax Lawrence said, "Savio has been associated with the team in various capacities and his knowledge would come in handy. He knows what the players want."

Both the teams have played 28 matches so far with India winning 10 and Malaysia, 11. Seven matches, including the Guwahati match, have ended in a draw.

Savio is unlikely to start with the same playing XI as he did in the last match. "We have decided to give every player a fair chance. There's a reason why they are here. The SAFF Championship is round the corner and we need to plan and try out players accordingly," Savio stressed.

"Playing in Kolkata would is an added pressure as the expectations would be high. But at the same time, we need to cash in on the home support."

Savio is likely to give Rocus Lamare a chance in the heart of midfield, while Baljit Singh Sahni could get a look in on the wings with Anwar a candidate to make a comeback at the heart of defence.

The kick-off is slated for 6.30pm and DD Sports will be broadcasting the match live.

Team India arrive in Kolkata for second Friendly vs Malaysia

Sunday night ended well for Team India with seasoned Syed Rahim Nabi getting a late equaliser against Malaysia in the first of two international friendlies against the Southeast Asian nation. Yesterday the Indian national football team left Guwahati and arrived in the 'City of Joy' ahead of their second match against Malaysia on Wednesday, November 16.

The mood in the Indian camp is positive and the players are determined to win the upcoming tie especially with the match being played in the football crazy city of Kolkata, but it isn't clear what kind of support the Bhangra Boys will get in the Eastern Metropolis.

India's Sunday night Hero Syed Rahim Nabi, who scored the late equaliser off a header, said, "It's always a matter of pride when you play for your country and I am happy that I helped my side to equalise against Malaysia. Though we would have really liked to win the match in front of our home crowd."

"We will give our hundred per cent to win the match in Kolkata, as this is my home town also we will not let our supporters down. I also request all our supporters to come out in huge numbers to be behind us," Nabi added. Hopefully the Kolkata crowds will listen and come out in numbers as has been recently the case in Delhi and Guwahati.

India had yesterday an evening relaxing session in their hotel pool after their arrival from Guwahati. Their first and only training session would be held later today at the Saltlake Stadium with the match against Malaysia on tomorrow evening.

Nabi late goal helps India to draw Malaysia

A late goal from wing-back Syed Rahim Nabi helped India hold Malaysia to a one-all draw in the first of their two international friendlies. The match at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Assam witnessed close to 20,000 people watching the match action.

India played a 4-4-2 formation under Savio Medeira as under his predecessors. The big surprise was that Jeje Lalpekhlua was on the bench with Joaquim Abranches starting for him along with Sunil Chhetri, while Jaspal Parmar made his debut as right back for the injured Samir Naik. The other players were expected in the starting eleven like Karanjit Singh and young Jewel Raja with Subrata Pal and Mehtab Hussain injured.

India had a better start into the game, but they were made to pay due to the lack of finishing. The best chance came in the 17th minute when striker Sunil Chhetri came very close to scoring but he missed back of the net. But in the last quarter of the first session the Malaysians had more of the action and put pressure on the Indian defence, which ultimately gave them the lead in in 42nd minute when Mohammed Rahim Safiq dogged past India goalkeeper Karanjit Singh.

The second half continued with the same intensity with both the teams making continuous attempts at the rival goals. But the Indian players seem determined not to lose in front of their vociferous supporters in Guwahati. Five minutes from time Syed Rahim Nabi stunned the visitors, when he headed home a much awaited equaliser from a perfect corner kick by substitute Anthony Pereira with made the home fans a happy lot.

Praising his players new Chief Coach Savio Medeira said, "the Boys played very well and all their hard work paid off, though there is lot of scope for improvement like keeping ball possession and not to make unnecessary fouls."

"We will definitely try to play better in our next game in Kolkata and hopefully will get better results," Savio added.

India next play Malaysia in the second international friendly on Wednesday, November 16 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.


MATCH STATS

INDIA 1-1 (0-1) Malaysia - Goals: 0-1 Mohammed Rahim Safiq (42'), 1-1 Syed Rahim Nabi (89')

INDIA
1-Karanjit Singh; 28-Jaspal Singh Parmar, 14-Mahesh Gawli [C], 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 9Syed Rahim Nabi; 23-Steven Benedic Dias (55' ??-Anthony Pereira), 25-Jewel Raja Sheikh, 8-Climax Lawrence (67' ??-Mehrajuddin Wadoo), 15-Clifford Miranda (63' 20-Lalrindika Ralte); 11-Sunil Chhetri (83' 18-Sushil Kumar Singh), 29-Joaquim Abranches (60' 10-Jeje Lalpekhlua)

Malaysia
Mohammed Farizal Marlias; Mohammed Norhafiz Zamani Misbah [C] (Mohammed Faizal), Mohammed Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak, Mohammed Rahim Safiq (Umar Bunyamin), Abdul Hadi Yahaya, Mohammed Azmi Muslim, Amar Rohidan, Mohammed Khyril Muhymeen (Abu Bakar), S. Kunanlan, Mazlizam Mohamad, Shahurain Abu Samah

Referee
Pratap Singh (India)

India ready for Malaysian challenge

The Indian national football team host Malaysia in the first of two international friendlies tomorrow at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Assam. It will be the first-ever match in Guwahati and maybe even the Northeast if my information is correct. The closest the national team has come to the football crazy Northeast is Siliguri, when the 1988 Nehru Cup was played there.

India had their first training session in the morning under the watchful eyes of newly appointed Head Coach Savio Medeira. The boys who arrived here last evening from their respective I-League clubs, look fresh and ready for the Malaysian challenge.

The visiting team who are currently ranked 151 in the FIFA World Ranking and 27th in Asia, go into the match with an edge against the 160th ranked Indians.

Nevertheless, Savio Medeira seemed unfazed by the higher ranking of their rivals. "We are confident and unperturbed by Malaysia's ranking. We are a young and developing team with a lot of confidence. We have quality players in Jeje Lalpekhlua, Sunil Chhetri, Jewel Raja and many more who can take on any team on any given day," he said.

"We got to have belief in ourselves," Savio added and this is something he will have learned from former coach Bob Houghton while working under him.

"Malaysia are a capable side. The exuberance of youth stands out. This match will surely be a very good challenge for us," Savio maintained. "They have been playing very well in the recent past under Coach Datuk K. Rajagopal. We need to be careful."

India star striker Sunil Chhetri supported his Coach. "Malaysia are a very nippy side. We had played against them in the Afro-Asian games in Hyderabad where we drew with them. We can't be complacent,” Chhetri said.

The Kick-off is slated for 17:45 IST. The Governor of Assam Janaki Ballabh Patnaik and the Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi would be the Guest of Honour.

Team India arrive in Guwahati for Friendly

The Indian national football team arrived in Guwahati yesterday ahead of their international friendly against Malaysia on Sunday, November 13 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium.

The newly appointed Chief Coach Savio Medeira said, "Though the boys have arrived at a very short notice but they all are raring to go and are looking forward to play the match against Malaysia."

"Though they (Malaysia) are higher ranked, but ranking doesn't make any difference to us, we will play to our potential and would be playing nothing less than a win," an optimistic Savio added.

"It is good for us that we are getting to play matches against stronger sides, which I think would be beneficial for us in the preparations for the upcoming SAFF Cup. It will prove out to be an add-on experience for us," youngster Jewel Raja Sheikh said.

India will have their only practice session ahead of the match tomorrow, while the two teams will meet again on November 16 in Kolkata at the Saltlake Stadium.

The match on Sunday is set to kick-off at 17.30 IST. If there will be any TV coverage is unknown at the moment.


INDIA

Goalkeepers
Subhashish Roy Chowdhury (Dempo SC), Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (East Bengal Club), Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar SC)

Defenders
Anwar (Mohun Bagan AC), Raju Eknath Gaikwad (East Bengal Club), Mahesh Gawli (Dempo SC), Sameer Subash Naik (Dempo SC), Debabrata Roy (Dempo SC), Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Jaspal Singh Parmar (Salgaocar SC)

Midfielders
Steven Benedic Dias (Churchill Brothers SC), Francis Fernandes (Salgaocar SC), Mehtab Hossain (East Bengal Club), Rocus Lamare (Salgaocar SC), Climax Lawrence (Dempo SC), Clifford Rayes Miranda (Dempo SC), Syed Rahim Nabi (Mohun Bagan AC), Anthony Pereira (Dempo SC), Jewel Raja Sheikh (Mohun Bagan AC), Lalrindika Ralte (Churchill Brothers SC), Baldeep Singh (Pune FC), Mehrajuddin Wadoo (Salgaocar SC)

Forwards
Joaquim Abranches (Dempo SC), Sunil Chhetri (Mohun Bagan AC), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Pune FC), Baljit Singh Sahni (East Bengal Club), Chongtham Sushil Kumar Singh (United Sikkim FC)

Officials
Savio Medeira (Chief Coach), Antonio Marcus Pacheco (Assistant & Goalkeeping Coach), Mandar Tamhane (Manager), Sandeep Kumar (Doctor), Liaqat Ali (Masseur)

Team India: Savio Medeira new coach, 27 Probables named

The All India Football Federation has now officially appointed former assistant coach Savio Medeira as the Head Coach of the Indian national football team until May 2012.

Talking about the appointment AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das said, "Savio has the experience of working with the National Team for three-and-a-half-years. His experience will serve us good."

A delighted Savio Medeira said, "It's a big honour to be appointed the Head Coach of my country. It's a huge responsibility and I'm looking forward to it. It's a new challenge for me."

When asked about the upcoming double header against Malaysia, Savio said, "There is not enough time for the team to prepare. I hope the players would rise to the occasion."

The two matches against the southeast Asian nation are slated to be played in Guwahati (November 13) and Kolkata (November 16).

For the two friendlies 27 probables have been called-up, so new head coach Savio Medeira can have a look at the players ahead of the SAFF Cup. While Subrata Pal is out due to an injury players like Anwar and Mehrajuddin Wadoo return to Team India besides Francis Fernandes getting his first call-up.


INDIA

Goalkeepers
Subhashish Roy Chowdhury (Dempo SC), Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (East Bengal Club), Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar SC)

Defenders
Anwar (Mohun Bagan AC), Raju Eknath Gaikwad (East Bengal Club), Mahesh Gawli (Dempo SC), Sameer Subash Naik (Dempo SC), Debabrata Roy (Dempo SC), Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Jaspal Singh Parmar (Salgaocar SC)

Midfielders
Steven Benedic Dias (Churchill Brothers SC), Francis Fernandes (Salgaocar SC), Mehtab Hossain (East Bengal Club), Rocus Lamare (Salgaocar SC), Climax Lawrence (Dempo SC), Clifford Rayes Miranda (Dempo SC), Syed Rahim Nabi (Mohun Bagan AC), Anthony Pereira (Dempo SC), Jewel Raja Sheikh (Mohun Bagan AC), Lalrindika Ralte (Churchill Brothers SC), Baldeep Singh (Pune FC), Mehrajuddin Wadoo (Salgaocar SC)

Forwards
Joaquim Abranches (Dempo SC), Sunil Chhetri (Mohun Bagan AC), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Pune FC), Baljit Singh Sahni (East Bengal Club), Chongtham Sushil Kumar Singh (United Sikkim FC)

Officials
Savio Medeira (Chief Coach), Antonio Marcus Pacheco (Assistant & Goalkeeping Coach), Mandar Tamhane (Manager), Sandeep Kumar (Doctor), Liaqat Ali (Masseur)

India to play Malaysia in two November friendlies

As preparations for the 2011 SAFF Cup (South Asian Football Federation Championships) to be played in New Delhi in December 2011, the All India Football Federation has announced two international friendlies in November against Southeast Asian side Malaysia. The two matches will be played on November 13 and 16, which are around FIFA match days.

The first game will be played at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium, Sarusajai in the Assamese capital Guwahati on Sunday, November 13; while the second game will be held at the Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata on Wednesday, November 16.

Another match, which hasn't been confirmed so far, could take place in the second half of November against African side Zambia in Goa; while a game against South Africa is set to be played in early-January 2012.