India-born Sunil Gulati elected into FIFA Executive Committee

53 year old Allahabad-born Sunil Gulati, who is the United States Soccer Federation president, has been elected to the FIFA Executive Committee on a four year term as a CONCACAF representative.

Indian origin Sunil Gulati won a close contest 18-17 against Mexican Football President Justino Compean in a balloting at the Congress of North and Central American and Caribbean Football (CONCACAF) in Panama City on Friday.

"The game is growing tremendously in our region both on and off the field, and I hope to do my part to continue to expand the development of the game for both CONCACAF and FIFA," Sunil Gulati said in a USSF statement.

Gulati was elected to a four-year term and will join football's 25-member ruling body at the FIFA Congress on May 30/31 in Mauritius. Gulati takes the seat of fellow American Chuck Blazer, who had held the post since 1997.

Because of his new post, Gulati had to step down from the CONCACAF Executive Committee and was replaced by Canada’s Victor Montagliani.

Sunil Gulati has been president of United States Soccer Federation since 2006.

Disha Malhotra: Delhi Girl set for US trials

India's Disha Malhotra has been invited for trials to US 3rd Division women soccer club Mississippi College Women Soccer Club, who play in the NCAA Division III All-West Region.

The 18 year old from Delhi could make history if signed by the women's team based in the US. Only last month Disha was denied the chance to create history by playing in a Delhi Soccer Association organised 'A' Division league match for men for the United Young Boys team against Veterans Club at the Ambedkar Stadium. Though there are no official rules which could have denied her taking part the present officials ensured she didn't play the game.

"I will put my best efforts to create the space in first team. This is my short term goal," said Disha, a student of Sanskriti School at Chanakyapuri, before leaving for the United States.

The 5 foot 4 inch only girl has received professional training for over a year at the Insegnare Calcio Academy in Italy, where she upgraded her techniques and footballing skills. She has played for the India Under-19 girls side and also has represented the junior sides of Delhi state in national championships.

If Disha makes it in Mississippi then she follows in the footsteps of fellow Delhiite Sunil Chhetri, who signed a professional contract in the US earlier in the year. And it is great to see Disha trying to fulfil her professional dream.

All the best for her endeavours! And I hope she succeeds.

Bob Bradley: An American to coach Aston Villa?

Would you have even considered about a decade back that an American could be in the running to coach an English Premier League side? I guess many would have said simply no. But now this could soon happen as US national coach Bob Bradley is a potential candidate to be the new Aston Villa coach, replacing Martin O'Neill who left the club in haste days before the start of the new Premier League season.

A decade back you would have a few American players in the Premier League and across European leagues, but no American owners or business executives who learned their trade in Major League Soccer. Things have changed as you have American owners at Manchester United, FC Liverpool and Aston Villa plus someone like Ivan Gazidis as Chief Executive at FC Arsenal, who learned the business at the MLS and was its deputy commissioner before he left. And now even a coach from the new world could be coming to the old world. Surely some will believe signing Bob Bradley as Aston Villa coach would be a cultural shock.

But I don't think so then in today's globalized world especially with football spreading its wings new ideas and approached might be just the right ingredient. Bradley has shown what he can do with the limited resources in the US team. The side has some quality players in Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, but also others who play lower level football or are bench players at their clubs. Years of experience as MLS coach added with his ability to get the best out of his players could be something Aston Villa is looking for in their new coach.

Talks have been held between Aston Villa's American owner Randy Lerner and representatives from Bob Bradley. Interestingly the initial approach came from Bradley, who had heard about the rumours linking him with the Villa job and he wanted to get it clarified if he was actually in the running. The communication was positive, whatever that means, and Villa cleverly haven't pushed things too quickly and are taking their time to find the right man for the job. But their 6-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United yesterday might speed-up things now.

Bradley has shown his interest and is likely to be amongst the candidates now. But one will have to wait and see if an English Premiership club owned by an American will also soon have an American manager.

PQF: Uruguay win, to meet Ghana now

The outsiders meet on the first day of the quarterfinals.

(to be updated after the second game)

Uruguay 2-1 (1-0) South Korea
Goals: 1-0,2-1 Luis Suarez (8',80'), 1-1 Chung-Yong Lee (68').

Uruguay overcame a fighting South Korea 2-1 at the Port Elizabeth Stadium to qualify for their first quarterfinals since the 1970 World Cup.

South Korea had the first chance of the day through a Chu-Young Park free kick in the 5th minute, but it hit the post before Uruguay took the lead in the 8th minute through a Luis Suarez goal. Diego Forlan on the left played the ball across the face of the goal with no defender or keeper Sung-Ryong Jung able to intercept with Suarez there to push the ball in from the far post. But South Korea couldn't play their usual running game, often static in their play not able to break down the Uruguay defence which so far hadn't conceded any goals in the tournament.

After the break things changed. Uruguay did have the first chance through Suarez in the 50th minute, but thereafter in the rain South Korea took control of the match in their quest for the equaliser. Referee Wolfgang Stark denied South Korea a penalty in the 64th minute when Sung-Yong Ki was brought down in the box. But only four minutes later the Asians would equalise. And it came off another dead ball situation. A Chu-Young Park free kick was not cleared properly by Mauricio Victorino with Chung-Yong Lee heading in past Fernando Muslera. South Korea looked on fire thereafter and could have taken the lead, but Uruguay came out of its passive phase and took part again in the game with chances for Suarez and Forlan. After a corner in the 80th minute the ball travelled to Suarez on the other side, who moved inwards and curled a beauty into the goal. But the match wasn't over yet with South Korea getting a last chance in the 87th minute through Dong-Gook Lee, he beat keeper Muslera but captain Diego Lugano cleared for the Celeste.


USA 1-2 (1-2) [1-1 (0-1)] Ghana [in extra time]
Goals: 0-1 Kevin Prince Boateng (5'), 1-1 Landon Donovan (62', penalty), 1-2 Asamoah Gyan (93').

Ghana remain the only African side in the tournament with an extra time 2-1 with against the USA at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

Ghana had the perfect start as they went ahead in the 5th minute. The US' Ricardo Clark lost the ball in midfield which was picked by Kevin Prince Boateng and the Ghanian midfielder went all the way with the ball before blasting it into the US net past keeper Tim Howard, who hadn't had the short corner covered. Ghana had more of the ball thereafter as the USA looked clueless on what to do to get the equaliser, but the Africans didn't push hard enough for a second goal though having chances through Boateng and Asamoah Gyan. The USA had their best chance of the half through Robbie Findley, but his shot couldn't beat Richard Kingson in the Ghana goal.

After the break the USA came to the party and started to play football looking for the equaliser while Ghana fell back under their pressure. And then the USA were awarded a penalty when Clint Dempsey was brought down by Jonathan Mensah. Landon Donovan scored of the resultant penalty in the 62nd minute to give the USA a deserving draw. And thereafter the Americans looked to be heading for a win, but the necessary goal didn't come their way. First Michael Bradley, then Jose Altidore missed good chances. It ended one-all and for the first time extra time was needed in this tournament to find a winner.

And at the start of extra time Ghana once more took an early lead. In the 93rd minute Asamoah Gyan was able to beat of the challenge from Carlos Bocanegra and Jay de Mit and shot the ball into the net over the head of Tim Howard. Once more the USA had to get an equaliser to take this game into penalties, but it wasn't to be as they looked tired towards the end and Ghana was able to defend their goal.

Group C: USA top group, England join them

In Group C still all three teams can make it into the semifinals.

(matches to kick off simultaneously)

Slovenia 0-1 (0-1) England
Goals: 0-1 Jermaine Defoe (23').

England finally showed in phases what they are capable off as they beat Slovenia 1-0 at the Port Elizabeth Stadium to move into the Round of 16, while Slovenia couldn't play what had taken them to the top of the group in earlier matches.

The first 15 minutes of the match were scrappy, but thereafter England took control of the game and took a deserving lead in the 23rd minute. After a James Milnar cross Jermaine Defoe was there to score beating Slovenian defender Marko Suler and putting the ball past Samit Handanovic. England thereafter had chances to double their lead but it remained 1-0 until the breather.

After the break England stayed in control, but they were too wasteful with their numerous chances. The best one fell for Wayne Rooney in the 58th minute, but Handanovic was able to divert his shot onto the post. But thereafter it became a more open game with Slovenia looking for their options. They had a triple chance in the 68th minute, but Milivoje Novakovic, Zlatko Dedic and Valter Birsa couldn't put the ball into the England net. Thereafter both sides looked nervous and the match became scrappy again. The Slovenians could have equalised a minute from time through Zlatko Dedic, but the English defence denied him and kept England in the tournament.


USA 1-0 (0-0) Algeria
Goals: 1-0 Landon Donovan (90+1').

The USA needed an injury time goal to beat Algeria 1-0 at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria and now go into the pre-quarterfinals as top of Group C.

Both sides had chances to make it to the pre-quarterfinals, but Algeria needed a win to keep their slim chances alive and the Africans made a quick start with striker Rafik Djebbour hitting the crossbar in the 6th minute. The USA thereafter slowly got into the game and had their first chance through Herculez Gomez and then went on to score through Clint Dempsey, but the referee Frank de Bleeckere called an offside which wasn't one. Another denied goal for the USA. Thereafter both sides had their chances, but it ended goalless after 45 minutes.

After the break the match lost pace, but the USA could have gone ahead in the 57th minute when Clint Dempsey put the ball onto the post twice. Algeria was tiring but the USA seemed unable to use this to their advantage. The match seemed to be heading for a goalless draw when the USA scored the crucial winner which kept their World Cup campaign alive. In the first minute of injury time seasoned Landon Donovan was there to pound on the lose ball in the area with Algeria keeper Rais M'Bohli beaten.

Group C: Entertaining draw, England disappoint

Group C looks wide open with chances for all sides.

(to be updated after the second game)

Slovenia 2-2 (2-0) USA
Goals: 1-0 Valter Birsa (13'), 2-0 Zlatan Ljubijankic (42'), 2-1 Landon Donovan (48'), 2-2 Michael Bradley (82').

Slovenia held the USA to an entertaining two-all draw at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. The first half belonged to the Slovenians, while the second session was most of the time USA.

Slovenia started off where they left off against Algeria and shocked the USA when a beautiful Valter Birsa left footer went into the USA goal with keeper Tim Howard not able to react. The team from the Balkans continued to control the match and doubled their lead in the 42nd minute when Milivoje Novakovic found his strike partner Zlatan Ljubijankic, who placed the ball past Tim Howard. It looked like the Slovenians were on their way to the knockout stages. After going two goals down the Americans finally woke-up and started to pressure the Slovenian goal before the break, but they didn't get the desired result.

After the breather the USA continued to push forward and Landon Donovan reduced the deficit in the 48th minute when he got past Bostjan Cesar and hammered the ball past keeper Samir Handanovic into the Slovenian goal in the 48th minute. Thereafter it was end to end football as the USA were looking for the equaliser, while Slovenia were looking to seal the match. The USA increased the pressure towards the end of the game and get a deserving equaliser in the 82nd minute when Michael Bradley scored past Handanovic off a Josie Altidore pass. And then came the climax in the 85th minute. The USA score a goal through Maurice Edu, but referee Koman Coulibaly from Mali calls a foul on a Slovenian defender. But there wasn't any foul anywhere near the ball, the USA are denied a genuine comeback win. On The other side Slovenia have two late chances through Novakovic and Radosavljevic, but it remains two-all.


England 0-0 Algeria
Goals: none.

England were held to a goalless draw by a fighting Algeria at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town. The big topic before this game where the goalkeepers as both the English and Algerian keepers had gifted goals to opponents due to blunders. And both coaches decided to change their keepers, which we now know was a wise decision.

England were nowhere their best in the first half against Algeria. And the North African surprised the English with their free flowing and attacking game. Algeria weren't as defensive and scarred as they looked the other day against Slovenia. And England seemed to have no real self-belief in their capabilities.

Algeria were the better side for the first half hour, but they didn't really threaten the England goal, while the Three Lions had their first real chance in the 30th minute through a Steven Gerrard shot which the Algerian keeper Rais MBohli cleared like a chance from Frank Lampard a few minutes later.

Things didn't change after the break as Algeria kept on fighting and clearing often before England could get a chance goalwards, while England often continued to lose the ball in their build-ups. Surprisingly Wayne Rooney was the biggest culprit often giving the ball away against Algerians who were alert in their defensive game. But after the 70th minute England had more of the game as Algeria seemed to be tiring still they didn't create chances which could have won them the match.

Group C: US hold England

In the Group C opener England drew the USA one-all.

(to be updated after the second game)

England 1-1 (1-1) USA
Goals: 1-0 Steven Gerrard (4'), 1-1 Clint Dempsey (40').

A disappointing England were held to a one-all draw by a spirited USA in their opening Group C match in Rustenburg. After this match Fabio Capello will have to do some soul searching as in this form England surely aren't amongst the favourites, while the USA could become a real threat to other sides if they use their chances better.

England took an early 4th minute lead as captain Steven Gerrard scored a class goal when the US defence opened up due to a Emile Heskey pass. If you thought that it would be an easy passage for England thereafter one would have been disappointed as the US had their moments in the game. An old English tradition came to the forefront in the 40th minute when Robert Green couldn't collect a weak shot from Clint Dempsey and allowed it to cross the line. It remained one-all at the breather and Fabio Capello made some necessary changes to strengthen his team, but it didn't bring the desired results. Everton keeper Tim Howard had an outstanding game tonight always taking care of the few England chances, while the US could have taken the match away from England in the second half when Josie Altidore broke free on the left beating Jamie Carragher, taking a shot on goal with Robert Green getting his hand to the ball which hit the post and went wide. Wayne Rooney had a rather quiet game as the striker didn't get the necessary support from the midfield.


Algeria 0-1 (0-0) Slovenia
Goals: 0-1 Robert Koren (78')

Slovenia overcame ten men Algeria 1-0 to register their first ever win in a World Cup in their Group C opener at Polokwane.

The match between Algeria and Slovenia was the weakest match in this World Cup so far. The two sides seen as underdogs against England and the USA in their group and they proved it in the match. Slovenia with the three points have a chance of moving on, but it will be difficult from this group.

Both teams had few chances in a match in which they both wanted to ensure safety at the back first rather then go out for a win. Algeria had the first chance of the match in the 4th minute through a Belhadj freekick. Slovenia had their first chance in the 43rd minute when Birsa's shot was cleared by Fawzi Chaouchi.

Things didn't change much after the break. But it did get a little more interesting towards the end of the match. Algeria were reduced to ten men in the 73rd minute when substitute Ghezzal handled the ball in the area his second offence and off he had to go with a second yellow card. The match seemed heading for an unimaginative draw, when a rather weak shot from captain Robert Koren was let in by the Algerian keeper Fawzi Chaouchi in the 78th minute. And thereafter Algeria didn't seem capable of getting the equaliser, while Slovenia was happy with the win.