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!!!

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...

VIDEO: Match Highlights India vs Afghanistan

India yesterday confirmed their status as the number one team in South Asia by beating Afghanistan 4-0 in the finals to win their sixth SAFF Cup title. But the match wasn't as easy as the result might sound.

Here are the match highlights

2011 SAFF Cup: India retain title against Afghanistan

Team India has defended the title of South Asian champions by winning the 2011 SAFF Cup with a 4-0 win against Afghanistan at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.

But the result does not reflect the match as India had their problems with a spirited Afghanistan, who had the better chances in the first session; but after the break India regrouped and got better and better.

Things changed for India when Afghanistan goalkeeper Hameedullah Yousufzari brought down Jeje Lalpekhlua with the Afghan captain getting his marching orders which Sunil Chhetri scored from the penalty after it took minutes for the referee to restart the game.

But after losing a man Afghanistan were no match for India as Clifford Miranda made it 2-0 in the 77th minute of a right-footer with Jeje making it three only a couple of minutes later to seal the match with three goals in nine minutes. Substitute Sushil Kumar Singh scored of a spectacular long-ranger in injury time to make it 4-0, a result too harch on the Afghans.

After a shaky start into the tournament India did find its form with especially Sunil Chhetri being instrumental with seven goals to his name with Syed Rahim Nabi also having a great tournament.


INDIA
1-Karanjit Singh; 4-Nirmal Chetri, 14-Mahesh Gawli, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi; 12-Anthony Pereira (70' 23-Steven Benedic Dias), 8-Climax Lawrence [C], 21-Rocus Lamare, 15-Clifford Miranda (20-Lalrindika Ralte); 10-Jeje Lalpekhlua, 11-Sunil Chhetri (81' 18-Sushil Kumar Singh)

2011 SAFF Cup: Afghanistan final hurdle for India

Surprise finalists Afghanistan will be the final hurdle for defending champions India in the 2011 SAFF Championship at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium tonight. And if India win, then it will be mission accomplished amongst difficult circumstances.

Once more India will depend on the good goal scoring form of Sunil Chhetri, who has scored six goals in the tournament so far and the Delhi boy will hope to win another trophy with India on home soil after two Nehru Cups and the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup.

"It is still not over as yet. We have just won a semifinal; nothing more than that. The Big Match awaits us. We are yet to win it," a realistic Chhetri said.

But aren't India the favourites in the final? Chhetri shook his head again. "I told you, we haven't won anything as yet. All the good work can go in vain in the next 90 minutes. We shouldn't be so elated," he quipped as he signed autographs after the semifinal win against he Maldives.

You walk away trying to reflect on the final. On paper, India should have it easy. But on the field, Afghanistan threaten to steal a leaf out of India's book. For a country torn by strife and where the sound of gun-shots are common even to a six-month old, this bunch of Men from Afghanistan need to be appreciated too. In fact, more.

Football stays their solace as was evident in their celebrations after reaching the final. No football pundit would have ever advocated such wild celebrations after a semifinal victory - that too after a solitary goal win in extra-time against a vastly improved Nepal. It drains out the players further, they would argue.

Far away from being at their best in their opening encounter against Afghanistan, the Indians have improved with every match. "That was a different match; this will be a different match," echoed Syed Rahim Nabi who tapped in India's opening goal against Maldives in the semifinal. "But we cannot take anything for granted."

For India the SAFF Cup win would be another south Asian trophy to their name, for Afghanistan much more is at stake then they can create football history which would surely lift the spirits back home.

Therefore Team India Coach Savio Medeira stayed cautious as ever. "We know they are dangerous. They have some very good players," he maintained.

Immediately after India had booked their ticket to the final, Sunil Chhetri's gesture to Nabi sums up the spirit in the Indian camp. As the two posed for photographers at the team bench, Chhetri, who had just received his fourth consecutive Man-of-the-match medal, wrapped the medal around Nabi’s neck. "It's a team game," stayed the sentiment. Standing near you could hear all what the players said as they congratulated each other. "Beware, we haven't won the Championship as yet."

The final will kick-off at 18.00 IST with TenAction+ showing the match live.

VIDEO: Match Highlights Maldives vs India

India played their best match of the 2011 SAFF Cup so far to reach the finals. In the end it was a 3-1 win against the Maldives. Match the video highlights of yesterdays match!

2011 SAFF Cup: Chhetri goals give India the Final!

India needed something special from Sunil Chhetri to overcome the Maldives 3-1 in the semifinals at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi to qualify for Sunday's final of the 2011 SAFF Cup.

It wasn't the best of weather in the capital with winter fog making the big Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium a bit gloomy, but a better attendence then in the group stage did seem to lift the Indian spirits. Jeje Lalpekhlua had an early chances, but it was upto an inform Syed Rahim Nabi to give India a 25th minute lead following a Clifford Miranda free-kick. India continued to attack, but they didn't find the necessary second goal.

After the break India continued their attacking game, but it was the Maldives who equalised through a Shamweel Qasim shot in the 59th minute. But India were a composed lot today as Sunil Chhetri was brought down inside the box by Asad Ghani and he himself scored of the resultant penalty in the 68th minute. The match remained tense for the remainder of the game with Chhetri make India's passage to final safe with an injury time strike. It was Chhetri's sixth goal of the tournament.

For India it was an important win which gives the team the chance to defend their title on Sunday, December 11. And like in the opening game India will have to face Afghanistan, who overcame a solid Nepal in extra-time of the second semifinal.


INDIA
1-Karanjit Singh; 4-Nirmal Chetri, 14-Mahesh Gawli, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi; 12-Anthony Pereira (69' 23-Steven Benedic Dias), 8-Climax Lawrence [C] (83' 28-Jewel Raja Sheikh), 21-Rocus Lamare, 15-Clifford Miranda; 10-Jeje Lalpekhlua (90+' 18-Sushil Kumar Singh), 11-Sunil Chhetri

2011 SAFF Cup: Maldives in India's way to Finals

Defending champions India take on last time finalists Maldives in the first semifinal of the 2011 South Asian Football Federation Championships at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi today. And one can expect a high voltage affair with both sides knowing each other quite well.

Only in July 2011 the two sides last faced each other an international friendly in which the Maldives held India to a one-all draw. But today there will be a result and in the recent past India has often edged out the island nation, who have improved considerably over the last few years.

India coach Savio Medeira knows that very well and said before the game, "Maldives are a good team. They have some good players."

India go into the match with a nice dilemma to have. The youngsters in Lalrindika Ralte and Jewel Raja Sheikh are pushing for places in the starting eleven, while on the right flank Anthony Pereira and Steven Dias are hoping to get a start as are Samir Naik and Nirmal Chetri in the right back position. Savio did allow the team to play against Sri Lanka which beat Bhutan earlier, so he might continue to stick with the same eleven.

India have been far from their best, but expectations are high then anything else then winning the SAFF Cup is a disappointment and not reaching the finals would be a disaster for Indian football, then the powerhouse of South Asian football have a name and reputation to defend.

Meanwhile the Maldives Hungarian Coach Istvan Bela Urbanyi had said after his team had qualified for the semifinals, "We just don't care as to who we will be playing in the semis. We are ready for any team."

It goes as per Urbanyi's saying that his team would have to beat any opponent in the tournament to lift the trophy. He will once more depend on winger Ali Ashfaq, who had a strong game against Bangladesh.

Later on in the day in the second semifinal surprise side Afghanistan take on Nepal to find the second finalist.

The match will kick-off at 15.00 IST and will be shown live on TenAction+.

2011 SAFF Cup: The Group Stage is over

The SAFF Cup (South Asian Football Federation Championships) is being played from December 2 to 11, 2011 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. The group stage ended yesterday with the semifinals to be played tomorrow.

The tournament has had its surprises with Afghanistan topping Group A ahead of India being the biggest one so far with Bhutan a major disappointment again as they conceded 16 goals in three matches.

Group B was much more even with the Maldives topping the group ahead of Nepal, both on five points with Pakistan drawing all their matches while last hosts Bangladesh finishing a disappointing last.


2011 SAFF CUP - New Delhi

Group A: India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan

03-Dec-2011: India 1-1 Afghanistan
03-Dec-2011: Sri Lanka 3-1 Bhutan
05-Dec-2011: Sri Lanka 1-3 Afghanistan
05-Dec-2011: Bhutan 0-5 India
07-Dec-2011: Bhutan 1-8 Afghanistan
07-Dec-2011: India 3-0 Sri Lanka

Group B: Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan

02-Dec-2011: Bangladesh 0-0 Pakistan
02-Dec-2011: Maldives 1-1 Nepal
04-Dec-2011: Nepal 1-0 Bangladesh
04-Dec-2011: Pakistan 0-0 Maldives
06-Dec-2011: Pakistan 1-1 Nepal
06-Dec-2011: Maldives 3-1 Bangladesh


Semifinals
09-Dec-2011: Maldives - India (15.00 IST)
09-Dec-2011: Afghanistan - Nepal (18.00 IST)

Final
11-Dec-2011: Winner SF 1 - Winner SF 2 (18.00 IST)

VIDEO: Match Highlights India vs Sri Lanka

India beat Sri Lanka 3-0 tonight, but it wasn't enough to finish top of Group A then Afghanistan trashed Bhutan 8-1 in the day's other match. Here are the match highlights from the India vs Sri Lanka match!

Some quality goals in there to watch...

2011 SAFF Cup: India beat Sri Lanka, qualify for semifinals

Defending champions India needed three second half goals to overcome a spirited Sri Lanka to qualify for the semifinals of the 2011 SAFF Cup. But the win wasn't enough to top Group A then in the day's other match Afghanistan trounced Bhutan 8-1 to finish with a better goal difference then India as both finished on seven points. Now old rivals the Maldives wait in the semifinals on Friday.

India went into the match knowing that a draw would be enough to seal qualification, while Sri Lanka needed an upset win to progress. But both teams made a slow start into the game, both taking a wait-and-watch approach. This resulted in a lot of midfield action and often meaningless long balls forward which both defences dealt easily with.

Things changed after the break as India took a 50th minute lead through an alert Jeje Lalpekhlua, who scored from a rebound after the Lankan keeper had blocked a Sunil Chhetri shot. Chhetri himself doubled the lead in the 69th minute of a nicely placed header. In the final seconds of the game Sri Lanka's Bandara Warakagoda scored an own goal following a corner to make it 3-0 on the night for India.

Finishing second in Group A India now face Group B winners the Maldives in the first semifinal on Friday, December 9. A rematch of the 2009 SAFF Cup final in Dhaka, which the India Under-23s had won on penalties.


INDIA
1-Karanjit Singh; 4-Nirmal Chetri, 14-Mahesh Gawli, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi; 12-Anthony Pereira (79' 23-Steven Benedic Dias), 8-Climax Lawrence [C], 21-Rocus Lamare (71' 28-Jewel Raja Sheikh), 15-Clifford Miranda; 10-Jeje Lalpekhlua (83' 18-Sushil Kumar Singh), 11-Sunil Chhetri

2011 SAFF Cup: A draw will do for India

The Indian national football team know that a draw in their third and final Group A match against Sri Lanka at the 2011 SAFF Cup in New Delhi will do to progress to the semifinals of the tournament. But playing for a draw is always tricky, so Savio Medeira and his men will be wise to play for a win to also try to top Group A.

India have had a difficult start into the tournament. A surprise one-all draw against Afghanistan in their opener and then a hard-earned 5-0 win against Bhutan haven't been really convincing, but at least scoring five goals against Bhutan will hopefully have given India the confidence that they need for the remainder of the tournament.

Savio Medeira is set to try and field the strongest team as per his understanding. Rested Steven Dias is set to return on the right flank for Anthony Pereira; while Samir Naik would get his right-back position back from Nirmal Chetri, if he is deemed fit to play.

Otherwise the Indians tried to re-energize yesterday as the players had little to no time to prepare for the SAFF Cup, a five day camp along with the match against Zambia. A far from ideal preparation and a lot of the players have been playing non-stop since August for Team India and their respective clubs. Fatigue is a factor, but still India is expected to reach the semifinals against a Sri Lanka, who were shocked by an improved Afghanistan in their last match.

The match kicks-off at 18.00 IST and will be live on TenAction+.

VIDEO: Match Highlights Bhutan vs India

India beat Bhutan 5-0 yesterday in their second Group A match at the 2011 SAFF Cup. Here are the video match highlights from last nights game!

2011 SAFF Cup: India trash Bhutan 5-0

Defending champions India scored a vital 5-0 win against Bhutan at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi to move to the top of Group A after Afghanistan had upset Sri Lanka with a 3-1 win.

After a jittery start both winger Clifford Miranda and striker Sunil Chhetri scored a brace after wing-back Syed Rahim Nabi had opened the scoring for India against a Bhutan side who didn't make any inroads against the Indian defence.

India were all over Bhutan in the initial stages, but the lack of finishing once more showed a major problem within the team as the long ball was often used from the back and a lack of using the flanks was also an early fault. India did score early on, but four times the assistant referee waved the flag correctly.

Then in the 29th minute Syed Rahim Nabi would score of a Clifford Miranda corner to cool down the Indian nerves. It was Clifford who added a second just before half-time on a second attempt after Sunil Chhetri had played the ball across the face of the goal.

After the break things remained the same and India would continue to score at intervals. Winger Clifford Miranda registered his second goal in the 58th minute to make it 3-0 for India before star striker Sunil Chhetri got onto the scoresheet. Chhetri, who was till now, playing the feeder and watching others find the target found it best to add his name to the scoresheet. He scored a brace in the 69th and 84th minute – the second one had a stamp of authority as he waded past the entire defence and placed it past the rival Bhutanese goalkeeper.

India now have it in their own hands to move into the semifinals and also top their group. The final group game is against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.


INDIA
1-Karanjit Singh; 4-Nirmal Chetri, 14-Mahesh Gawli, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi; 12-Anthony Pereira, 8-Climax Lawrence [C] (65' ??-Jewel Raja Sheikh), 21-Rocus Lamare, 15-Clifford Miranda (20-Lalrindika Ralte); 10-Jeje Lalpekhlua (62' 9-Joaquim Abranches), 11-Sunil Chhetri

2011 SAFF Cup: India under pressure against Bhutan

Defending champions India are under pressure going into their second SAFF Cup Group A match against minnows Bhutan at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi later today. India suffered a surprise opening day draw against Afghanistan, while Bhutan had lost 0-3 against Sri Lanka.

And if India does not want to go into their final group match against Sri Lanka with a possible must win situation, then a win against Bhutan is a necessity. But the last time the two sides had met in the 2008 SAFF Cup semifinals in Male India had to dig deep to overcome Bhutan 2-1 in extra-time. It needed an injury time winner in extra-time from defender Gouramangi Singh to seal a win.

But last time around in 2009 in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka Bhutan were the wipping boys of the tournament having conceded 17 goals in three matches and their bad run seemed to continue on Saturday with the 3-0 defeat against Sri Lanka.


Savio Medeira had taken a conservative approach in the first game using tried-and-tested players - Mahesh Gawli, Samir Naik, Climax Lawrence - rather then risking to give the youngsters - Nirmal Chetri, Jewel Raja Sheikh, Lalrindika Ralte - a chance. This has come in for heavy criticism, then whoever the South Asian opponent an Indian team should be able to beat them.

Now Samir Naik looks a doubtful starter due to an injury with Nirmal Chetri a possible option; but one will have to see what changes, if any Savio makes to his starting eleven.

Interestingly India had also drawn their opening match against Bangladesh in the 1999 SAFF Cup held in Goa. Thereafter they went on to win the tournament. Hopefully a similarity to 2011.

But one thing is for sure. Only three points against Bhutan count for India today otherwise the SAFF Cup could be over faster then anyone would have thought...

The match kicks-off at 18.00 IST and will be live on TenAction+.

2011 SAFF Cup: India draw against Afghanistan in opener

Defending champions India were held to a 1-1 draw by minnows Afghanistan in their opening Group A match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi; while Sri Lanka won in the other Group B 3-0 against Bhutan. It leaves India under pressure of getting wins in the remainder of the group phase.

Afghanistan made an attacking start into the game putting India under pressure from the first whistle and in the 5th minute they went ahead through a Balal Arezo goal. India regrouped and only six minutes later Sunil Chhetri headed in a Steven Dias corner to level matters. Thereafter, India did get their act together putting the Afghan defence under immense pressure but with no result. Upfront, Jeje played the perfect partner for Chhetri, while Steven Dias and Clifford Miranda did float some dangerous crosses into the box. But the Afghans had their chances too as rival captain Haroon Fakhruddin, who plays for Mumbai FC in the I-League, and Mohammad Esrafil combined well to split open the Indian defence towards the fag end of the first half but failed to finish it off.

After the break India had more chances to go ahead. Twice, Chhetri and Jeje, both looking jadded from their trials with Glasgow Rangers failed to put it in from close range. The Indians pressed on from the left wing but the Afghans managed to hold fort. India Coach Savio Medeira did introduce Anthony Pereira and Lalrindika Ralte as replacements for Steven Dias and Clifford Miranda but even as the lights at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium came on, it failed to light up India's fortunes on the night. In the end India were lucky to take home a point as Karanjit Singh kept off Yousef Mashriqi's rasper in injury time, otherwise the day would have ended on a blank note for India.


INDIA
1-Karanjit Singh; 16-Samir Naik, 14-Mahesh Gawli, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi; 23-Steven Benedic Dias (67' ??-Anthony Pereira), 8-Climax Lawrence [C], 2?-Rocus Lamare, 15-Clifford Miranda (88' 20-Lalrindika Ralte); 10-Jeje Lalpekhlua, 11-Sunil Chhetri

2011 SAFF Cup: India squad named

India have named their 20 players squad for the 2011 SAFF Cup which starts tomorrow at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. The team will be captained by Climax Lawrence.

Coach Savio Medeira has left out Jaspal Singh Parmar, Debabrata Roy, Francis Fernandes, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Baldeep Singh and Baljit Singh Sahni from his final 20 player squad, which he hopes will retain the title won two years ago by India's Under-23 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.


INDIA

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

Defenders
Nirmal Chettri (East Bengal Club), Mahesh Gawli (Dempo SC), Samir Naik (Dempo SC), Syed Rahim Nabi (Mohun Bagan AC), Govin Moirangthem Singh (United Sikkim FC), Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Churchill Brothers SC)

Midfielders
Steven Benedic Dias (Churchill Brothers SC), Rocus Lamare (Salgaocar SC), Climax Lawrence [C] (Dempo SC), Clifford Miranda (Dempo SC), Anthony Pereira (Dempo SC), Lalrindika Ralte (Churchill Brothers SC), Jewel Raja Sheikh (Mohun Bagan AC)

Strikers
Joaquim Abranches (Dempo SC), Sunil Chhetri (Mohun Bagan AC), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Pune FC), Sushil Kumar Singh (United Sikkim FC)

VIDEO: Looking back at the 2009 SAFF Cup Final

The 2011 SAFF Cup is set to kick-off tomorrow at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi with the hosts India as the defending champions.

The organising World Sports Group will have official live streams from the SAFF Championships. Under Ustream and youtube you can watch the whole tournament live!

Here is a look back at the final of the 2009 SAFF Cup in Dhaka, Bangladesh; which the India Under-23s won against the Maldives 3-1 on penalties to win the coveted trophy.

VIDEO: Looking back at the 2009 SAFF Cup

The India Under-23s won the 2009 SAFF Cup in Bangladesh. Below is a video look back at the tournament in Dhaka.



Group A: INDIA U23 - Afghanistan


Group A: INDIA U23 - Nepal


Group A: INDIA U23 - Maldives
No video clips available

Semifinal: Bangladesh - INDIA U23


Final: INDIA U23 - Maldives

TenAction+ to broadcast 2011 SAFF Cup

The 2011 SAFF Cup will be shown by TenAction+ after the World Sports Group appointed Ten Sports as the tournaments official broadcaster. The 15 matches of the SAFF Cup (South Asian Football Federation Championships) will be played from December 2 to 11, 2011 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.

TenAction+ will be broadcasting the tournament across the eight participating nations - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Atul Pande, CEO-Ten Sports said, " We are delighted to broadcast the 2011 SAFF Championship. The championship will not only help in the development of football in the region but also in fostering goodwill among neighbouring nations. The telecast of this prestigious tournament reaffirms our commitment to grow our football and sports broadcasting business, and consolidate our position as the leading sports broadcaster."

Harish Krishnamachar, Senior vice-President & Country Head, India, World Sport Group said, "World Sport Group has worked on seven editions of the SAFF Championship and we are happy to be producing this event in India. Together, our capability and the football pedigree of Ten Sports will help us deliver a world class event."


2011 SAFF CUP - New Delhi

Group A: India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan

03-Dec-2011: India - Afghanistan (15.00 IST)
03-Dec-2011: Sri Lanka - Bhutan (18.00 IST)
05-Dec-2011: Afghanistan - Sri Lanka (15.00 IST)
05-Dec-2011: India - Bhutan (18.00 IST)
07-Dec-2011: Bhutan - Afghanistan (15.00 IST)
07-Dec-2011: India - Sri Lanka (18.00 IST)

Group B: Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan

02-Dec-2011: Bangladesh - Pakistan (15.00 IST)
02-Dec-2011: Maldives - Nepal (18.00 IST)
04-Dec-2011: Nepal - Bangladesh (15.00 IST)
04-Dec-2011: Maldives - Pakistan (18.00 IST)
06-Dec-2011: Pakistan - Nepal (15.00 IST)
06-Dec-2011: Maldives - Bangladesh (18.00 IST)


Semifinals
09-Dec-2011: Group B Winners - Group A Runners-up (15.00 IST)
09-Dec-2011: Group A Winners - Group B Runners-up (18.00 IST)

Final
11-Dec-2011: Winner SF 1 - Winner SF 2 (18.00 IST)