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

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

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

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


INDIA Women's Probables

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

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

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

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

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

VIDEO: Fan kisses Rahim Nabi & Raju Gaikwad during India Vs Palestine match

Here footage from Indiavision in which defenders Syed Rahim Nabi and Raju Eknath Gaikwad are approached and kissed by fan before the Kochi police take charge of the young man during the Palestine friendly on Wednesday.

VIDEO: All Four Palestine goals against India!

Here a video of all four goals that Palestine scored against Team India on Wednesday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. All great goals from Ashraf Nu'man and Hussam Abu Saleh which includes a penalty. It hurts, but still worth a look.



Here are the videos to the two Indian goals

- VIDEO: Clifford Miranda's opening goal for India vs Palestine

- VIDEO: Syed Rahim Nabi's goal for India vs Palestine

India suffed 2-4 defeat against Palestine

India suffered a 2-4 defeat against Palestine in the first-ever international match between the two nations at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, Kerala. Under a constant drizzle it was a match of two halves with India better in the first session, while Palestine was better then their opponents after the break.

Wim Koevermans made three changes to his starting line-up compared to friendly against Singapore in Ocrober with experienced Sandip Nandy back in the India goal for Subrata Pal after quite a while. Denzil Franco replaced Nirmal Chettri as right back, while injured Sanju Pradhan was replaced by Francis Fernandes on the right wing while his position behind captain Sunil Chhetri was taken by young and talented Alwyn George.

After chances at both ends, it was India who took the lead in the 17th minute after a Alwyn George effort was stopped by Mohammed Shbair in the Palestine goal but experienced Clifford Miranda scored with a trademark left-footer from the rebound. Palestine were not shocked and stayed in the game with Ashraf Nu'man their dangerman and it was Ashraf who equalised on the half hour mark with a nice placed shot.

India again went ahead in the 39th minute when Syed Rahim Nabi headed in a Mehtab Hossain corner. A fast-paced first session ended 2-1 in favour of India, who had more of the possession.

But Palestine had the better start into the second half as they turned things around within six minutes after the restart. First Hussam Abu Saleh fired in the equaliser in the 47th minute with a beautiful placed spot and only three minutes later Abu Saleh was brought down in the box by Nabi with A. Rowan pointing to the dreaded spot. It was Ashraf Nu'man who scored his second of the night to give Palestine their first lead in the game.

India seemed to have lost the plot as Palestine suddenly had more off the game. History then beckoned as Japanese-born Player of Indian Origin Izumi Arata was brought on in the 64th minute as the first-ever PIO to play for India.

But at the other end Palestine continued to torment India and it was once more Ashraf Nu'man in the 66th minute, who made it 2-4 for the west Asian with the striker getting his hattrick.

It remained 2-4 until the end as India never got back into the match, which was lost in the second session in which Palestine showed their real potential and class.


MATCH STATS

INDIA 2-4 (2-1) Palestine - Goal: 1-0 Clifford Miranda (17'), 1-1,2-3,2-4 Ashraf Nu'man (30',51' pen,66'), 2-1 Syed Rahim Nabi (39'), 2-2 Hussam Abu Saleh (47')

INDIA
33-Sandip Nandy; 2-Denzil Franco, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 3-Raju Eknath Gaikwad, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi; 10-Francis Fernandes (77' 17-Joaquim Abranches), 12-Mehtab Hossain, 6-Lenny Rodrigues (64' 26-Izumi Arata), 15-Clifford Miranda (85' 28-C.K. Vineeth); 9-Alwyn George (70' 23-Jewel Raja Sheikh); 11-Sunil Chhetri [C] (76' 30-Manandeep Singh)

PALESTINE
16-Mohammed Shbair; ?-Raed Fares, 3-Khaled Mahdi, 2-Abdellatif Albahdari [C] (60' 15-Nadim Bagadari), 13-Hussam Abu Saleh; 6-Mousa Abu Jazr (81' 12-Ahmed Salame), 10-Abdelhamid Abuhabib (78' 17-Abdalrahim Kabiya), 14-Ma'aly Kaware' (46' 24-Mahmood Shaikhqasem), ?-Khader Yousef; 9-Eyad Abugharqoud (89' 11-Khaled Salem), 7-Ashraf Nu'man

OFFICIALS
Referee: Armughan Rowan (Services)
Assistant Referees: Shaji Kurian (Kerala), Mohammed Kamil (Delhi)
Fourth Official: M.B. Santosh Kumar (Kerala)
Match Commissioner: J. Ravishankar (Delhi)

VIDEO: Syed Rahim Nabi's goal for India vs Palestine

Here the footage of the Syed Rahm Nabi header which resulted in a goal following a Mehtab Hossain corner for Team India in their ongoing friendly against Palestine at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, Kerala.

VIDEO: Clifford Miranda's opening goal for India vs Palestine

Here the footage of the opening goal by Clifford Miranda for Team India in their ongoing friendly against Palestine at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, Kerala.

Sunil Chhetri: Transition from club to International football stays crucial

India captain Sunil Chhetri stays aware of the demands of an international friendly. A day prior to India's match against Palestine, Chhetri spoke at length to AIFF Media about the mood in the Camp, team-spirit, his assessment of Palestine, recreation of the Nehru Cup magic, the 'new faces' and much more.


How is the mood in the Camp?

It's very positive. All my colleagues who have headed straight into Kochi from the I-League aren't carrying any injuries. That's important. Injuries would have hampered our training, especially given the fact that we are going into the match after just two full sessions. But despite that, we stay optimistic.


Can the magic of Nehru Cup be recreated?

We need to have the same momentum which we had during the Nehru Cup – right form our first match against Syria to the final - which we won against Cameroon. We stuck to our plan and stood beside each other – both on and off the field. Sticking together stays the plan even now. Apart from the Palestine friendly, I'm eagerly looking forward to the camp in Pune for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers.


What's most challenging in an international friendly?

It's all about the tempo and the intensity of play. You just cannot compare an international friendly with a club match. If you look at the basics, e.g., the kms which a player has run – it's much higher. The transition from club football to an international friendly, that too within two days is very challenging indeed.


What's your assessment of Palestine as a team?

We haven't seen much of them but have watched some videos. If you look at their last Tournament, the West Asia Cup (December 2012), they had a fairly good result. They were clubbed with Oman, Kuwait and Lebanon and had some good results. But it's been two months since then. They have brought in some new faces as has Indian Coach Wim Koevermans.

You need to remember that they are ranked higher than us and it will be a tough match for us. But at the same time, we play at Home and how we react to the challenge will be crucial.


There's a quite a number of 'new faces' – how have they settled in?


It's always an ongoing process. All the 'new faces' are all very talented and have earned their place in the squad. They need to be given their space and understand the demands of the team at the same time. They are giving their best and we are going all out to make them comfortable and feel at home.

(Interview & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

VIDEO - Asianet: India & Palestine practice in Kochi

Here the report from Asianet on both Team India and Palestine practising ahead of their international friendly in Kochi on Wednesday, February 6.

VIDEO: India & Palestine practice in Kochi

Here the report from Indiavision on both Team India and Palestine practising ahead of their international friendly in Kochi on Wednesday, February 6. The report involves statements from the Palestine manager.

Help each other on the field, stresses Koevermans

"We have some new faces in the squad. All of them please step forward," Wim Koevermans pronounced in the team meeting. Sandip Nandy, Lalkamal Bhowmick, Izumi Arata, Shouvik Ghosh, C.K. Vineeth and Gurjinder Kumar Singh obeyed the orders. And then, they were asked to sing the National Anthem. They obeyed orders again, even Arata. The rest stood up from their chairs.

"You belong to the National Team. The pride and passion of representing your country is what you have to feel for yourselves," Koevermans added. "But at the same time, you need to conceive the tempo of International Football. It's played at very high intensity," Koevermans, who coached India to triumph in the 2012 Nehru Cup, added.

Every day, early morning when most, prefer to snooze under the blankets, Koevermans, has sweat all over him. On his return from the gym, he's omnipresent. He checks every minute detail, queries about rest taken by the players, their massage, niggles (if any), sips a coffee or two and then, scribbles on his notepad. In between, he walks up to his tactic board, moves his magnets and comes back to have a sip at the coffee.

"Palestine look a very competent side," he maintains during the pre-match Press Conference. "Nine of their players who had done duty in the West Asia Cup in December 2012 are in the squad. We have watched them in videos and they are a powerful side."

"It will be an interesting match for sure."

Jamal Mahmoud Abed Mahmoud Pass, the Palestine Coach, smiles. "India are a capable side. We are happy to be in India," he maintains. "It will be an interesting match," he complements Koevermans.

Thirty minutes later, Koevermans is back to his drawing board again. "Don't switch off during training. We were together for five weeks for the Nehru Cup. This time, you need to peak within two practice sessions. That's the challenge of an International Friendly," he urged to his players.

"Teamwork is very important. Help each other. The transition to defend stays most significant. It's not only about what you do with the ball but what you do when you don't have it," he stresses. "Defending is helping each other." The boys listen and then nod.

You see the boys sitting together and discussing it among themselves. There's Captain Sunil Chhetri, current AIFF Player-of-the-Year Syed Rahim Nabi, Mehtab Hossain, Gouramangi Singh, Clifford Miranda, amongst others.

"It's an important match for us," Gouramangi echoes. "We need to be on our toes," Subrata adds. "There isn't room for any slip-ups."

"No challenge on the ground is easy. It's up to the team to rise to the occasion; we have to. We have done it in the past. The Coach has enlightened us on a few points and we are ready," Mehtab Hossain says in one breath.

The entire squad, including Koevermans himself, stays aware of the football tradition of the State. "I've heard about I.M. Vijayan and Joe Paul Ancheri," Koevermans quips. And even as local lad C.K. Vineeth impresses all in the strenuous practice sessions, Koevermans expects a full House at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi tomorrow night.

The kick-off is at 6.30pm and the match will be telecast live on Ten Action.

(Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

PIO Izumi Arata welcomed with open arms in his new Home named Team India!

An outsider till the other day, 'Player of Indian Origin' and now an Indian passport holder Izumi Arata is presently an integral part of the Indian Senior National squad. From the moment he stepped into the National Camp in Kochi, he was welcomed with open arms by his 'colleagues', a gesture which he admits has made him 'very comfortable indeed'. In a freewheeling chat to AIFF Media, Arata spoke at length about his new 'responsibility', his 'new Home', the significance of the call-up, the National squad and much more.


What was the reaction when you stepped into the National Camp?

I was given a warm welcome by all. 'Welcome to the Team, Brother', was the general sentiment. I know everyone and have been fortunate to play with some of them in various club teams. But the National squad is something different. Right now, they are my colleagues and have made me very comfortable indeed. I thank them for that!

And it’s not just the players. I need to thank Coach and other members of the support staff for their cooperation. This is my new Home.


How is the National Team different from a club team?

Very different! It's all about the atmosphere. In a club, you will find that sometimes there isn't much communication, for example, between 19-year olds and foreign recruits and maybe, even star players. It happens all over the World.

But the National squad is where you play for a different cause. It comprises of mature footballers and the focus is something else.


Can you elaborate?

It's about the responsibility and professionalism and environment. You need to spread the right kind of message as you are representing the Nation. While in a club, allegiance of every fan stay different. But they all look up to you when you wear the National logo. When you win or lose, the entire country shares your emotions which is not the case in a club as you may always have a fan having a different emotion than you even if you win or lose, simple because he supports another club.


What was your experience in the first day of practice?

We have a recovery session as we had played the earlier day. Later, we had an interaction with local blind footballers and it was an entirely different experience. It was heartening to know they knew the names of everyone. We mingled with them and even played blindfolded. Reaching out to all stays the aim and we spread the right kind of message. There are additional duties off the pitch too. That's why the National Team is something which all players stay desperate to play for.


What do you feel about the match against Palestine?

This is an important match for us. The Coach is stressing on match videos a lot and explaining what he wants from us. Just today morning, he took me and other new joinees (Vineeth, Lalkamal, Gurjinder, Shouvik and Sandip Nandy) to the tactic board and taught us at length some integral points. We also had to sing the National Anthem during breakfast. It gives you a sense of belonging.

If I get a chance to play on 6th, I will give my best and stick to the instructions. Palestine are a tough team but we are ready.


What does this call-up mean for you?

To be honest, I have been dreaming about it right from the moment I got my Indian passport. I appreciate the call-up and thank Coach for keeping his faith on me.

I know there are many who believe I am not an Indian as I don't originally hail from the country. My mom stays a Japanese while my dad is an Indian. But all of that doesn't perturb me at all. I know I am an Indian at heart and it's the end of the story.

India is a huge country and the fact that I am in the squad of 23 means a lot to me. I'm proud of the blue kits which have been handed over to me. I have earned them.


You had a valid Japanese passport. What prompted you to be an Indian citizen?

Applying for an Indian citizenship was the biggest decision in my life. There were a lot of things which went through my mind and I could have never taken this decision alone. I spoke to a lot of people to whom I am indebted in my life – my teachers, friends and my family. All of them understood and appreciated the fact that it was my life and I needed to take a decision keeping my career and future in mind.


Do you feel this will prompt more PIOs to opt to play for India?

The dual passport rule has robbed India of many a quality big players. There are a lot of PIOs playing all over the World who are eager enough to don the India Blue. If my shift makes them rethink, let it be so. If they shift over to India, it will help us a great deal for sure.

(Interview & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

VIDEO: Palestine arriving in Kochi for India friendly

Here the report from Indiavision on Palestine arriving on Sunday in Kochi for the international friendly against Team India on Wednesday, February 6. The report involves statements from the Palestine team manager.

VIDEO: Team India arriving in Kochi for Palestine friendly

Here the report from Indiavision on Team India arriving over the weekend in Kochi for the international friendly against Palestine on Wednesday, February 6. The report involves statements from Wim Koevermans and Sunil Chhetri.

India's Syed Rahim Nabi: We are raring to go!

Fifteen more members of the Indian National squad arrived in Kochi yesterday for the international friendly against Palestine scheduled to be played on Wednesday, February 6.

Those who arrived included the likes of Subrata Pal, Clifford Miranda, Mehtab Hossain, Izumi Arata, Lalkamal Bhowmick, Francis Fernandes and all other players who had played their respective I-League matches on Saturday.

However, there have been two changes to the squad of 23 – Joaquim Abranches and goalkeeper Subhasish Roychowdhury joining the squad in place of Anthony Pereira and Karanjit Singh respectively. Both Pereira and Karanjit sustained injuries during their club commitments on Saturday. Striker Sushil Kumar Singh will join the squad on early Monday morning.

All the players had a recovery cum light training session under the watchful eyes of National Coach Wim Koevermans at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the afternoon.

"The camaraderie in the National squad is what makes you feel special," current AIFF Player-of-the-Year Syed Rahim Nabi said. "Everyone looks fit and raring to go. This is a very important match for us and we need to be on our toes," Nabi added.

"We intend to have an afternoon session on Monday," Koevermans informed. "It will be a very important one."

"Most of the boys head to Kochi with added confidence. Many of my players scored in the last round of matches in the I-League. That will surely boost their confidence a lot," he maintained. For the record, debutant C.K. Vineeth scored a hat-trick for his club Prayag United while Francis Fernandes, Alwyn George and Jewel Raja also scored for the respective clubs.

"It's a dream come true for me," Vineeth uttered. "Till now, I used to stay eager to hear stories from Senior players about the National Camp. I need to pinch myself to believe I have actually made it here," he opined. "But this is just the start. Unless you work harder, I won’t be able to retain my place."

At the end of the session, the squad interacted at length with blind footballers from Kochi and even played blind-folded with them. "It is a different feeling when you have your eyes blind-folded," striker Manandeep Singh echoed. "You need to sense and feel everything by your side. It's all about telepathy," he pronounced.

The Indian team will be presenting a jersey and a ball signed by all the team members to the blind football club prior to the kick-off of the match on Wednesday. Eleven players will also walk onto the pitch with the Indian starting XI for the National Anthem.

(Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

First batch of Team India players arrive in Kochi

The first batch of the Team Indian players including head coach Wim Koevermans, captain Sunil Chhetri and current AIFF Player-of-the-Year Syed Rahim Nabi arrived in Kochi on today ahead of India's international friendly against Palestine scheduled to be played on Wednesday, February 6.

Among other players, Sandip Nandy, Lenny Rodrigues, Denzil Franco, Nirmal Chhetri and Jewel Raja Sheikh also arrived as did assistant coach Savio Medeira and the teams support staff. The remaining members of the squad will be joining the team tomorrow.

Chhetri, Nabi, Jewel and Nirmal Chhetri were even part of a limbering session at the majestic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the late afternoon.

"It's a wonderful feeling for any Coach to see his boys assembling again. They head into Kochi straight from the I-League and we intend to make use of the next few days ahead of our match against Palestine," Koevermans said.

Chhetri who landed in New Delhi on Friday afternoon from Portugal looked fresh despite having travelled 'almost half of the World' in the last 24 hours.

"I'm back in my country and this time I'm in 'God’s Own Country'," he smiled as he referred to Kerala. "The State has a huge fan following for the sport and has produced so many wonderful players over the years." he uttered. "I expect a huge football loving crowd cheering us against Palestine on the 6th."

"It's exciting to meet my teammates once again. Obviously we cross our paths in the I-League every week but the National Camp is above everything," Nabi maintained. "Expectations run high after our Nehru Cup triumph and we are looking forward for the match against Palestine," he added. "And you only get to meet Sunil in the National Camp," he joked as everyone burst into a hearty laugh.

"I've heard about the football tradition of Kerala," Koevermans uttered. "I've been told about the football exploits of the 'Black Pearl' I.M. Vijayan, and Joe Paul Ancheri," he informed.

Goalkeeper Sandip Nandy, who has been summoned for the Friendly said 'the call has served as the biggest motivation for him'.

"This is perhaps the biggest motivation a player can ever ask for. I had been working hard and will be working harder from now on. I had never lost my self belief and it's heartening that good performances are being rewarded. I need to thank Koevermans for that," Sandip opined.

The practice session tomorrow will kick-off at 5pm at the Nehru Stadium.

(Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

TenAction to show India vs Palestine Live!

The All India Football Federation and their marketing partners IMG-Reliance have finalised in TenAction a broadcaster for the India vs Palestine international friendly on Wednesday, February 6 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.

Sport channel TenAction will telecast the India vs Palestine friendly from 6.25pm onwards in what the Indian football fans hope will be a memorable night in Kochi, where international football returns after many, many years...

A. Rowan to officiate in India vs Palestine friendly!

The All India Football Federation has selected Services referee Armughan Rowan to officiate in the international friendly between India and Palestine on Wednesday, February 6 at the Nehru Stadium in Kochi, Kerala.

Armughan Rowan would be assisted by Shaji Kurian from Kerala and Delhi's Mohammed Kamil on the touch lines, while M.B. Santosh Kumar of Kerala would be the fourth official for the match.

Delhi's J. Ravishankar has been named as the Match Commissioner for the game.

Wim Koevermans names 23 players squad for Palestine friendly in Kochi

Team India coach Wim Koevermans has named his 23 players squad for the international friendly against Palestine on Wednesday, February 6 to be played at the Nehru Stadium in Kochi.

Koevermans, under whom India had won the 2012 Nehru Cup, maintained it's a very important match for India. "We need to assess ourselves. We need more such matches," Wim told Aiff Media.

Captain Sunil Chhetri, who plays for Sporting Clube de Portugal 'B', added, "Unless you play International Friendlies you cannot gauge where you stand. We stay grateful to AIFF for arranging the match."

"The passion for the sport in the Kerala stays unparallel and we expect a full house cheering for us against Palestine," Sunil further stated.

Koevermans has been travelling across India to watch as many I-League matches as possible to name his squad for the friendly. Interestingly seasoned Sandip Nandy makes a comeback in the squad as does Lalkamal Bhowmick, while 'Player of Indian origin' Izumi Arata gets his first call-up as does winger C.K. Vineeth.

Meanwhile Koevermans has named 14 stand-byes in-case any of his 20 players called-up get injured and can be replaced ahead of the friendly.

The squad will assemble in Kochi on Sunday, February 3 ahead of the match after their I-League engagements.


INDIA

Goalkeepers
Sandip Nandy (Churchill Brothers SC), Subrata Pal (Prayag United SC), Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar FC)

Defenders
Nirmal Chettri (Mohun Bagan AC), Raju Eknath Gaikwad (East Bengal Club), Denzil Franco (Churchill Brothers SC), Souvik Ghosh (Pailan Arrows), Syed Rahim Nabi (Mohun Bagan AC), Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Prayag United SC), Gurjinder Kumar Singh (Pune FC)

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

Forwards
Sunil Chhetri (Sporting Clube de Portugal 'B'), Manandeep Singh (East Bengal Club), Sushil Kumar Singh (Shillong Lajong FC)

Stand-Byes
Subhasish Roy Chowdhury (Dempo SC), L. Dhanachandra Singh (Prayag United SC), Sandesh Jhingan (United Sikkim FC), Arnab Mondal (East Bengal Club), Gurwinder Singh (East Bengal Club), Shylo Malswam Tulunga (Prayag United SC), Rocus Lamare (Salgaocar FC), Lalrindika Ralte (East Bengal Club), Peter Carvalho (Dempo SC), W. Tomba Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Asif K. (Prayag United SC), Joaquim Abranches (Dempo SC), Robin Singh (East Bengal Club), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Pune FC),

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

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: A look back & the stats

The 2012 AFC Challenge Cup was held in Kathmandu, Nepal from March 8 to 19, 2012. Defending champions North Korea once more won the title by beating Turkmenistan again in the final like in 2010. The final victory qualifies North Korea for the next 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia.

The 12 day tournament saw eight teams in action with the matches not always going as per script, but in the end the overwhelming favourites North Korea won the AFC Challenge Cup title for a second time.

For Team India the 2012 edition of the AFC Challenge Cup was a complete disaster. Three matches - no goals, eight conceded, no points. The simple stats speak a clear language about a very poor outing.


FIXTURES & RESULTS

Group A
Maldives, Nepal, Palestine, Turkmenistan

08-Mar-2012: Turkmenistan 3-1 Maldives
08-Mar-2012: Nepal 0-2 Palestine
10-Mar-2012: Palestine 0-0 Turkmenistan
10-Mar-2012: Maldives 1-0 Nepal
12-Mar-2012: Nepal 0-3 Turkmenistan
12-Mar-2012: Maldives 0-2 Palestine

Group B
India, North Korea, Philippines, Tajikistan

09-Mar-2012: North Korea 2-0 Philippines
09-Mar-2012: India 0-2 Tajikistan
11-Mar-2012: Tajikistan 0-2 North Korea
11-Mar-2012: Philippines 2-0 India
13-Mar-2012: North Korea 4-0 India
13-Mar-2012: Tajikistan 1-2 Philippines

Semifinals
16-Mar-2012: Turkmenistan 2-1 Philippines
16-Mar-2012: North Korea 2-0 Palestine

3rd Place Playoff
19-Mar-2012: Philippines 4-3 Palestine

Final
19-Mar-2012: Turkmenistan 1-2 North Korea

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: North Korea & Turkmenistan reach final

The two semifinals at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup were played today at the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu. In the first semifinal Group A winners Turkmenistan took on surprise entrants the Philippines, while in the second semifinal defending champions North Korea took on Palestine.

Group B

Turkmenistan 2-1 (0-1) Philippines
Turkmenistan overcame a fighting Philippines to reach the finals of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup at the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu. The Central Asian side won 2-1 and will now try to improve on their runners-up finish in 2010. The Philippines looked more dangerous at the start and took a deserving 25th minute lead when Phil Younghusband headed home Mulders' cross, his fourth of the campaign. But things would change in the second session with Arslanmyrat Amanov equalising for Turkmenistan in the 79th minute and things got worse for the Philippines when Guvanch Abylov robbed fellow substitute Roel Gener the ball and set-up Gahryman Chonkayev who scored the winner with four minutes left to play. The Philippines disappointment was compounded in stoppage-time when keeper Neil Etheridge was red carded for an off the ball incident involving goal scorer Chonkayev.

North Korea 2-0 (1-0) Palestine
Defending champions North Korea have reached the final again with a 2-0 win against Palestine at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup semifinal at the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu. North Korea put pressure on Palestine, but only in the 42nd minute they made the breakthrough with Kwang-Ryong Pak firing the ball into the Palestine net after an earlier shot had bounced back off the underside of the crossbar. The East Asians kept the pressure on the West Asians with the second goal coming in the 69th minute once more through Kwang-Ryong Pak who capitalised on the poor Palestinian defending, skipped past Saleh with ease and side-footed the ball into the empty net to cap a comfortable win. It was enough as North Korea won the match 2-0.