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.

2012 Asian Football Awards announced

The inaugural Asian Football Awards will be held on January 24, 2012 at London's Wembley Stadium with the support from The FA and Kick It Out. It is a partnership between Initiate Sports and Inventive Sports with the inaugural awards set to be hosted by Dharmesh Sheth from Sky Sports News.

The Asian Football Awards (AFA) have been launched to recognise the outstanding contribution to both the professional game and grassroots initiatives by individuals and groups across the UK with South Asian heritage.

A number of exceptional UK Asians and those from the South Asian diaspora will be honoured at the first ever Asian Football Awards. This high profile event is expected to attract an exceptional list of guests to gather, support and celebrate Asians in football. The awards will ensure that those working or investing in the professional game or community sport have the opportunity to receive acclaim for their achievements in developing Asians in Football.

Initial nominations include Michael Chopra (Ipswich Town), Zesh Rehman (Muang Thong Utd), Anwar Uddin (Barnet FC), Dr Zaf Iqbal (Liverpool FC), Rimla Akhtar (MWSF), Permi Jhooti (FIFA Ambassador), Lakshmi Mittal and Tony Fernandes (QPR FC).

Imran Hassan, Co-Founder Asian Football Awards, said, "We have seen positive movement within the development of Asians in the game. We feel that recognition and acknowledgement of individuals and organisations is a fundamental part of developing more individuals in the professional game. I am delighted to be involved in the Asian Football Awards and look forward to celebrating all aspects of the game from investors, players, coaches and those involved behind the scenes."

FA Equality Manager, Funke Awoderu, said, "The FA is delighted that the inaugural Asian Football Awards will be held at Wembley Stadium early next year. We are committed to football for all and look forward to welcoming the Asian football community to one of the world's most iconic stadiums for an evening that will not only celebrate success and high achievement across all areas of the game but act as an inspiration to younger generations."

Danny Lynch Head of Communications at Kick It Out, footballs equality and inclusion campaign, said "Initiatives like The Asian Football Awards encourage greater involvement from groups and individuals that have sometimes been marginalised from the game in the past. Kick It Out are proud supporters of the Asian Football Awards."

Baljit Rihal, Co-Founder Asian Football Awards, added "The first Asian Football Awards promises to be a fantastic opportunity to network with influential personnel from the football industry. We are proud to be hosting this event and are sure that Asian participation in UK football will benefit its inception."

The Asian Football Awards will recognise and honour outstanding achievements across 14 categories that include pro/semi pro players, coaches, managers investors, backroom staff and grassroots. The AFA are open to nominations for individuals with heritage from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and indeed those dedicated to increasing Asian Participation in UK football.

The 14 different categories are as follows

- Footballer of the Year
- Up and Coming Player of the Year
- Coach of the Year
- Asian Woman in Football Award
- Football Development Project of the year
- Foundation of the Year
- Behind the Scenes Award – Medical
- Behind the Scenes - Football Administration
- Investors in Football
- Grass Roots Heroes
- Football Media Award
- Asian League Team of the Year
- Inspiration Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award


An Asian Football Awards executive committee has been created which includes

- Brendon Batson MBE – Brendon Batson Consultancy
- Jonathon Mills – FA Equality Coordinator
- Kevin Coleman – Grassroots Development Officer, Kick It Out
- Zohaib Rashid – Sports Journalist and Web Editor Operation Black Vote
- Arunava Chaudhuri – Sport Journalist / TV Presenter
- Amar Singh – Deputy Editor – Goal.com


Nomination categories are open. To nominate a person, group or organisation for the Asian Football Awards or book your tickets simply visit the official website under: www.asianfootballawards.co.uk .

Could Venky's be selling Blackburn Rovers?

Just a year back the Venky's (Venkateshwara Hatcheries Group) from Pune bought English Premier League club Blacburn Rovers. Now rumours out of England are saying that the Rao family is considering to sell the club to Qatari Sheikh Tamim bin Hamed Al-Thani, who himself is scouting to buy an EPL club.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamed Al-Thani has been trying to buy his favourite team Manchester United from the American Glazer family, but he has failed in the attempt and has now switched his focus on clubs he can buy. Interestingly Blackburn Rovers, under Indian ownership, and FC Everton, recently in talks with an Indian Group, are said to be his top targets.

For Venky's and the Rao family Blackburn Rovers has meant that they have come into the public attention after being a rather unknown Indian family owned company. But their management of the Rovers has often come under criticism due to lack of football knowledge and the wrong people said to advice them. But the amount of media coverage they have received especially in India is unparalleled.

Now Sheikh Tamim bin Hamed Al-Thani has shown interest in Blackburn Rovers, but the Rao family is said to be split about what to do. Turn down the offer or accept. While Balaji Rao is said to want to continue to manage Rovers, other family members are considering to sell if a serious offer does come in.

One will have to wait and see what happens...

VIDEO: Ian Rush on Indian football

Liverpool FC legend Ian Rush was in Mumbai this week for a promotional event for his club and their sponsors in connection with Indian youngsters. He spoke to news channel NewsX, an interesting and open interview.

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)

Armando Colaco to coach Goa XI vs Zambia

The Goa Football Association has decided to name Dempo SC coach Armando Colaco as the coach of the Goa XI for the match against the Zambia national football team on November 26 at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao. This was decided at the GFA organizing committee meeting for the upcoming Golden Jubilee celebration football matches held on Friday at Dempo House.

Former India coach Armando Colaco would be assisted by Mathew D'Costa and Pascoal Pereira with Lawrence Gomes named the team manager, Venkatesh as Physio and Raju as kit boy. In total 25 players would be called for the game, 19 Goan footballers and six foreigners playing in the coastal state.

African side Zambia will be guests in Goa at the end of the month. First they play against the Goa XI as part of their Golden Jubilee celebrations, while on November 29 they play against the Indian national team at the same venue; which for India is part of their preparations for the upcoming SAFF Cup.