Robben extends FC Bayern contract until 2015

After a few days of speculation that Arjen Robben might not extend his until 2013 running contract with FC Bayern Munich, the Dutch international has just done that by signing a two year extension of his existing contract until June 2015.

Bayern Munich had signed Arjen Robben from Real Madrid in August 2009 for 24 Million Euros. So far he has scored 39 goals in 61 Bundesliga matches winning the 2010 Bundesliga title and German Cup.

"We're extremely pleased that we've extended Arjen's contract a year before its expiry by two further years until 2015," commented Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. “Arjen is a very important player for FC Bayern, and also a guarantee of the club's continuing success in the future."

The timing of the contract extension is important for the club then now everyone can focus on the two finals coming-up - first the German Cup against Borussia Dortmund on May 12 and then the UEFA Champions League final against Chelsea FC on May 19 at home.

"I've always emphasised that I feel very, very settled in Munich and at FC Bayern," commented Arjen Robben, “this is the reason I'm glad to extend my contract ahead of its expiry. FC Bayern is like a family to me. Two of my three children were born in Munich, and my family and I feel at home here. This contract extension is also the right decision for me from a sporting perspective. We have a magnificent team, and I'm certain we'll enjoy the maximum possible footballing success in the years to come."

Besides Arjen Robben other key players like Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mario Gomez had earlier extended their contracts until 2016.

66th Santosh Trophy: Assam name final squad

The Assam Football Association has named their final 20 players squad for the 66th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy which will be played from May 11 to 27 across Orissa. The selection trials were held at the Nurul Amin Stadium in Nagaon from April 20 onwards with close to 50 players taking part.

The team will be coached by Tasen Boro with midfielder Monoj Boro has been named captain of Assam, while F. Wary was named as the vice-captain.

Assam have been drawn in the preliminary round Cluster VII along with Haryana, Sikkim and Daman&Diu playing their matches on May 12 (vs Sikkim), May 14 (vs Daman&Diu) and May 16 (vs Haryana).


ASSAM

Goalkeepers
Daogah Brahma, Satish Singh, Dulu Gogoi

Defence
Hemanta Kumar Brahma, Maseswar Mushahary, Tridip Hazarika, Biplab Sonowal, Sishuram Chutia, Jyotish Basumatary, Raju Konwar

Midfielders
Monoj Boro (Captain), Sabir Ali, Nitu Narzary, F. Wary (vice-captain), Bijoy Borgohain, Mandila Rongphi

Forward
Jayanta Basumatary, Sayaram Basumatary, Khirod Das, Manas Manjit Chetia

Stand-byes
Biplab Kundu, Mintu Boro

Officials
Tasen Bora (Coach), Ramesh Phukan (Manager), D. Nita (Physio)

VIDEO: Pepsi T20 Football Kolkata ESPN episode

Pepsi India has partnered with sports channel ESPN-Star Sports, who will produce and showcase the Pepsi T20 Football tournament in a special 8-episode series. This is the third part of the series from Kolkata!







Here the link to my original article from March: Pepsi India launch Amateur T20 Football Tournament !

Under-20 I-League: Final Round from May 6

The Final Round of the Under-20 I-League will be played from May 6 to 19 in Kalyani, West Bengal with the six teams who qualified from the preliminary phase, which was played across three different venues – Kalyani, Mumbai and Goa. From Group A Prayag United and Shillong Lajong FC, from Group B Pune FC and Mumbai FC, while from Group C Churchill Brothers SC and Dempo SC qualified for the final phase.

Here the fixtures and results from the preliminary round: Under-20 I-League: Six Teams qualify for Final Round!


FIXTURES

06-May-2012: Shillong Lajong FC - Mumbai FC
06-May-2012: Churchill Brothers SC - Pune FC
07-May-2012: Prayag United SC - Dempo SC

09-May-2012: Churchill Brothers SC - Shillong Lajong FC
09-May-2012: Mumbai FC - Pune FC
10-May-2012: Pune FC - Dempo SC

12-May-2012: Shillong Lajong FC - Prayag United SC
12-May-2012: Dempo SC - Churchill Brothers SC
13-May-2012: Pune FC - Mumbai FC

15-May-2012: Pune FC - Shillong Lajong FC
15-May-2012: Dempo SC - Mumbai FC
16-May-2012: Prayag United SC - Churchill Brothers SC

18-May-2012: Shillong Lajong FC - Dempo SC
18-May-2012: Pune FC - Prayag United SC
19-May-2012: Mumbai FC - Churchill Brothers SC

VIDEO: Ball Girl enables Botafogo goal

Ball Boys, more often then Girls, are there in football to get the ball back into play. In Brazil ball girl Fernanda Maia's quick return of the ball set-up a goal for Botafogo on Sunday in the Campeonato Carioca final and since then she has sprung to fame in Brazil. That Fernanda is good looking has surely helped her newly found popularity and now she wants to be a ball girl at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Jose Barreto to leave Mohun Bagan this summer

35 year old Brazilian Jose Marcio Ramirez Barreto at a press conference in Kolkata today announced that he would be leaving the green-and-maroon at the end of the season 13 years after first playing for the Kolkata giants.

"It's time for me to leave the club. You never plan this day but it has to happen some day. It was a real pleasure for me in donning the green and maroon jersey with pride for so many years," said an emotional Barreto infront of the media at the clubs Maidan tent.

Barreto has scored more then 200 goals for Mohun Bagan in 11 years at the club, the only players to achieve this at one club in India. Barreto had first joined Mohun Bagan in 1999 from Grêmio Porto Alegre and had five successful years before leaving the club to play a season each for Penang FA (Malaysia) and Mahindra United before rejoining the green-and-maroon in 2006 for a second six year spell.

"I am guided by my emotions, maybe some are correct and some are wrong. But that's the way of life. I have no regrets as I have always given 100 per cent to my favourite team. You cannot correct the mistakes now, it's past," Barreto said speaking about his decision why he is leave the club due to numerous injuries in the recent past.

"I think, I have it in me to continue playing for some more time, but have not decided on the club I will play for. And, of course I will continue to stay in Calcutta which has taught me a lot," said Barreto who is said to be speaking with Bhowanipore Club about a player-cum-coaching role.

As a mark of respect for what he has done for Mohun Bagan Athletic Club, the club has decided to treat the final I-League match against Pune FC on May 6 as Barreto's farewell match and has lined-up celebrations for Barreto's final game.

Jose Barreto with his family, would be driven around the Salt Lake stadium in an open jeep and felicitated by West Bengal sports minister Madan Mitra. The club was also contemplating preserving his no. 10 jersey at the tent.

With Barreto a gentleman footballer is set to leave the top tier in Indian football, who has given more then 100% for his club over the years. It has always been a pleasure to interact with him, talk football and other things.

Wish you all the best my friend!

Delhi SA to organise Under-16 tournament in Capital

The Delhi Soccer Association is set to organise an Under-16 football tournament for Football Academies based in the National Capital Region (meaning Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida and other satellite cities/towns around the capital) from May 7 onwards at the Thyagraj Sports Complex on Lodhi Road in New Delhi.

Players born on or after January 1, 1997 shall be eligible to represent their respective Football Academies in the tournament.

Football Academies based in the NCR Region interested in taking part in the Under-16 boys tournament should contact the Delhi Soccer Association at their offices at the Dr. Ambedkar Stadium, Delhi Gate in New Delhi from 16.00 to 20.00 IST over the coming days.