Indian Football Thread

Following Topics related to Indian Football will be discussed here

1) I-League
2) Indian National Team
3) Indian Federation Cup
4) Indian Durand cup
5) Regional Indian Competitions
6) Indian Football Players
7) ETC related to Indian Football

 

I-League 09/10 Standings after Round 8

1) Churchill Bros-16 Point (6 GD)
2) Dempo SC-15 Points ( 8 GD)
3) Chirag United SC-15 Points (3 GD)
4) Mahindra United-14 Points ( 8 GD)
5) Mohun Bagan-13 Points (4 GD )
6) East Bengal FC- 12 Points ( 2 GD)
7) JCT Phagwara- 10 Points ( 2 GD )
8) Mumbai FC-10 Points (0 GD)
9) Lajong SC -8 Points( -7 GD)
10) Salgaocar SC- 7 Point ( -4 GD)
11) Pune FC-6 Points ( -3 GD)
12) FC-Air-India- 5 Points ( -8 GD)
13) Sporting Club-de-Goa-4 Points( -4 GD)
14) Viva Kerala FC-4 Points ( -6 GD)

Note :- 2 Matches(Viva vs SC goa/Air India vs Salgaocar) had to be postponed due to rain

 

I-League top scorers after Round 8

1) Subair Muritala Ali (Mahindra United FC )(Nigeria)-8 Goals
1) Chidi Edeh (Mohun Bagan )(Nigeria)-8
3) Josimar da Silva Martins (Chirag United)(Brazil)-7
4) Baljit Sahni ( JCT ) -6
4) Odafe Okalie (Churchill Brothers)(Nigeria)-6
6) Sunil Chhetri(Dempo SC) -5
6) N.D. Opara (FC Air-India')(Nigeria)-5
6) Edmilson (Chirag United SC)(Brazil) -5
9) Eneke Ikenwa ( Salgaocar sc)(Nigeria)-4
9) Y Yakubu (East Bengal club)(Ghana)-4
9) Mohammed Rafi( Mahindra United)-4
9) Ranti Martins ( Dempo SC)(Nigeria)-4
9) Abel Hammond (East Bengal)(Ghana)-4

Players in Blue are Indians

 

India To bid for FIFA WC hosting

This seems to be one of the next logical steps for Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi in organising international sporting events in India.
India is hosting the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi next year, then the 2011 Formula 1 race in Noida and then New Delhi could bid for the 2020 Olympics. And a football World Cup bid seems also a topic as Mr. Kalmadi said which is similar to what FIFA president Sepp Blatter had said in April 2007 while in India.

Suresh Kalmadi, also the head of the organising committee for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, said at a press conference that the country will soon have enough world-class stadia to think about bidding and that it would be popular in the country.

And why so? Mr. Kalmadi sees football as a fast growing sports in India. And though he didn't mention it the recent success of the national team has also caught the attention of higher authorities.

But the comment stands in stark contrast to Sports Minister M.S. Gill who earlier in the week had said he doesn't think India should not bid for the 2020 Olympic Games due to the high costs involved as the country was too poor and had to focus on getting people out of poverty rather then holding high profile sports events.

But on the other side Mr. Kalmadi listing the benefits of the 2010 Commonwealth Games said that 2,5 million new jobs have been created, the economic impact of approximately 4,5 Million US Dollars in the period from 2008 to 2012, investment in sports infrastructure, building under ecological aspects, pro-active waste management, and many more.


http://www.indianfootball.com/en/news/articleId/2195

 

Re: India Squad For SAFF Cup

The squad for the India U-23 team going to the SAFF Cup was announced on Monday. Coach Sukhwinder Singh announced the final set of players heading to Dhaka, Bangladesh and five players have failed to make the final cut.

The five players who haven't made the squad are: Karanjit Singh, Subhash Singh, Lalrindrika, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and Raju.

Out of the five mentioned above, Karanjit Singh and Subhash Singh have been asked to join the senior national camp.

It was in late October that a 24 member squad was announced for the India U-23 camp and thereafter, following injuries to certain key players in the senior national team coupled with Dempo's flat refusal to release two players, three players, namely Rakesh Masih, Govin Singh and N.Mohanraj, were asked to join Bob Houghton's boys.

To fill the space left by their exit, three India U-19 players - Jeje Lalpekhlua, Lalrindrika Ralte, and Subodh Kumar were summoned to the squad.

This wasn't it as Baljit Sahni suffered multiple injuries following a motorbike accident while Viva Kerala's Sabeeth has been out for a long time due to his injury. D.Ravanan and Manish Maithani, who impressed with Mahindra and Mohun Bagan respectively received their first national call-ups.

Final Squad:

Goalkeepers: Arindam Bhattacharya (Churchill Brothers), Laxmikant Kattimani (Dempo)

Defenders: Denzil Franco and D.Ravanan (Mahindra United), Nirmal Chettri (East Bengal), Naoba Singh, Rowilson Rodrigues, Robert Lalthalma (Churchill Brothers), Ravinder Singh (Air India)

Midfielders: Jagpreet Singh, Baldip Singh (JCT), Manish Maithani (Mohun Bagan) Jibon Singh (East Bengal), Jewel Raja, Joaquim Abranches (Dempo SC)

Forwards Balwant Singh (JCT), Sushil Kumar Singh (Mahindra United), Jagtar Singh (TFA), Jeje Lalpeklua (Pune FC)

http://goal.com/en-india/news/2715/india-u-23/2009/11/30/1657373/final-saff-cup-squad-announced

 

Yeah Defence looks very weak

 

No they haven't that is what all we fans are concerned of

 

Senior team is likely to play some friendlies in mid December

 

31st FEDERATION CUP FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT 2009-2010

GROUP A
1. Kingfisher East Bengal Club
2. JCT
3. Salgaocar Sports Club
4. Viva Kerala

GROUP B
1. McDowell Mohun Bagan AC
2. Mahindra United
3. Chirag United SC
4. Qualifier Group B (Assam)

GROUP C
1. Musli Power Churchill Brothers SC
2. Sporting Clube De Goa
3. Mumbai Football Club
4. Qualifier Group A (Mumbai)

GROUP D
1. Dempo Sports Club
2. Air India
3. Shillong Lajong FC
4. Pune Football Club

GROUP A SILCHAR
22.12.09 K. East Bengal C V/s Viva Kerala
22.12.09 JCT V/s Salgaocar SC
24.12.09 Viva Kerala V/s JCT
24.12.09 Salgaocar SC V/s K. East Bengal C
27.12.09 K. East Bengal C V/s JCT
27.12.09 Viva Kerala V/s Salgaocar SC

GROUP B GUWAHATI
21.12.09 M. Mohun Bagan AC V/s Qualifier Group 2
21.12.09 Mahindra United V/s Chirag |United SC
23.12.09 Chirag United SC V/s M. Mohun Bagan AC
23.12.09 Qualifier Group 2 V/s Mahindra United
26.12.09 Chirag |United SC V/s Qualifier Group 2
26.12.09 Mahindra United V/s M. Mohun Bagan AC

GROUP C SILCHAR
21.12.09 MP Churchill Brothers V/s Qualifier Group 1
21.12.09 Sporting Clube de Goa V/s Mumbai FC
23.12.09 Mumbai FC V/s MP Churchill Brothers
23.12.09 Qualifier Group 1 V/s Sporting Clube de Goa
26.12.09 Mumbai FC V/s Qualifier Group 1
26.12.09 MP Churchill Brothers V/s Sporting Clube de Goa

GROUP D GUWAHATI
22.12.09 Dempo SC V/s Pune FC
22.12.09 Air India V/s Shillong Lajong FC
24.12.09 Shillong Lajong FC V/s Dempo SC
24.12.09 Pune FC V/s Air India
27.12.09 Shillong Lajong FC V/s Pune FC
27.12.09 Dempo SC V/s Air India

SEMI FINALS
30.12.09 Winner Group C V/s Winner Group D Semi-1
31.12.09 Winner Group A V/s Winner Group B Semi-2

FINAL
03.01.10 Winner Semi 1 V/s Winner Semi 2

The kick-off time of group matches will be at 3.30 PM and 06.00 PM
The kick-off time of Semi-Finals and the Final will be at 05.00 PM

 

Re: AIFF to follow Cash rich IPL

All India Football Federation (AIFF) is thinking of unleashing an 'IPL-like revolution' in Indian soccer. AIFF sources are claiming that in coming days clubs like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal may get handed over to cash-rich franchisees, which will be in a position to rope in leading players from outside the country.

The AIFF, taking a cue from the Indian cricket board, is pondering a proposal to introduce a tournament involving the biggest names in business and entertainment. Newly-elected AIFF president Praful Patel has shown interest in the project and the Football House in New Delhi is busy preparing a blueprint.

"We had preliminary discussions with a few leading businessmen in the country and the project seems to have appealed to them. Talks are also on for a media deal with a television company interested in broadcasting the event. But we don't want to jump the gun and are keeping several options open," the official added.

Although the AIFF has not set a deadline for the project, Patel, it is learnt, is in touch with UB Group chairman Vijay Mallya and Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani, who own two franchisees in the IPL - Royal Challengers and Mumbai Indians, respectively.

Salman Khan, who was unveiled as the brand ambassador of Indian football during the Nehru Cup in August, can play a key role in the project, it is thought. AIFF mandarins have been on overdrive after the IPL caught the eye of both FIFA and its Asian counterpart, AFC, which are encouraging the Indian officials to set in motion a similar project in the country.

According to AIFF insiders, three 'models' are being discussed to brand the game uniquely in this cricket-crazy nation. First, the federation can take a leaf directly out of the BCCI's book and set up a separate league. The second idea is to get celebrities from different walks of life associated with top I-League clubs by sponsoring them.

However, given the staggering amount of money such a project will involve, the AIFF is also keeping a third option open - which would see the existing I-League structure getting a brand-specific facelift, whereby the country's premier club tournament could be managed by a separate entity other than the AIFF, as per the AFC's Pro-League guidelines.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...leaf-out-of-IPLs-book/articleshow/5289577.cms

 

Re: India U-23 Squad profiles


Name:-Arindam Battcharya
Club:-Churchill brothers SC
Age:-19
Pos:-Goalkeeper



Name:-Dhanaraj Ravanan
Club:-Mahindra United
Age:-22
Pos:-DC/DR



Name:- Sushil Kumar Singh
Club: Mahindra United
Age:-20
Pos:-FW

 

Name:-Naoba Singh
Club:-Churchill Brothers SC
Age:-21
Pos:- DR/MR



Name:- Jaoquim Abranches
Club:- Dempo SC
Age:-24
Pos:-AMR/FW



Name:-Jagpreet Singh
Club :- Jct FC
Age:-21
Pos:-MC/AM

 

Name:-Rowlison Rodrigues
Club:-Churchill Brothers SC
Age:-22
Pos:-DC



Name:- Baldeep Singh Jr
Club:- Jct FC
Age:- 22
Pos:-MC/ML



Name:- Balwant singh
Club:- Jct FC
Age:-22
Pos:- FC

 

Name:-Robert Lalthampuana
Club:-Churchill Brothers SC
Age:-21
Pos:-DL




Name:-Denzil Franco
Club:- Mahindra United
Age:-23
Pos:-DC



Name:- Jeje Lalpekhula
Club:- Pune FC
Age:-17
Pos:- FC/FW

 

Name:-Nirmal Chhetri
Club:- East Bengal FC
Age:- 18
Pos:-DR



Name:- Manish Mathani
Club:Mohun Bagan AC
Age:-22
Pos:-MC





Name:- Ravinder Singh
Club:- Air India
Age:-18
Pos:-DL/ML

 

Re: SAFF Cup 2009,India vs Nepal preview

The performance of the Indian Under-23 team against Afghanistan won't impress too many people as the physical strength of the Afghans often proved to be too much for the Indian boys. The Indians created very few chances and looked more likely to concede a goal. But still the youngsters managed to grab a win which would surely give them a lot of confidence because a draw against a team ranked 192 in the world wouldn’t have been the ideal start.

However there needs to be improvement in all departments and they do need to beat Nepal or else they might find themselves requiring a win in the last group game against Maldives. Goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya produced some very important saves against Afghanistan and like Subrata Paul in the senior setup, he has to be in top form for the Under-23 side throughout the tournament. Pune FC’s Jeje Lalpekhlua deserves a start after his wonderful winning goal in the last game but midfielder Jagpreet Singh is likely to miss out after coming off injured in the first half against the Afghans and Mohun Bagan's Manish Maithani should be the replacement.

Nepal were outstanding against Maldives and would probably be wondering what more they needed to do, to beat the champions. The young Nepalese players showed that along with talent they also have mental strength as they came back from a goal down.

Strikers Anil Gurung and Jumanu Rai were the most impressive as they troubled the Maldives defence all game. Jumanu was unfortunate just to score one while Anil was desperately unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. Nepal will have closely watched India’s game so they would be looking to play to their strength by attacking the Indian defence from the very start. They do lack the physical strength which troubled India in the first game but their pace can be the difference.

Sukhwinder Singh’s team played in the same way as the senior team normally do – a very direct way, with long balls and crosses often being played up to the strikers. But there was hardly any wing play so both Joaquim Abranches and Jibon Singh have to perform much better and captain Sushil Kumar has to be more lively and clinical in front of goal.

The game against Nepal will provide a much more different and difficult test for the India Under-23 side and we will get to know more about them after the match. But another scrappy win would also be very much welcome even if the performance is not up to the mark as it would confirm India's place in the last four.

 

AIFF appoint Sunando Dhar as I-League CEO

The All India Football Federation held its Emergency Committee meeting here in Kolkata on Sunday the 29th of November 2009.

AIFF President Mr Praful Patel presided over the meeting attended by the General Secretary and other important Office bearers of the All India Football Federation. As Mr.Praful Patel visited Kolkata for the first time after being appointed as the President of AIFF, he invited over the Club officials of the two Kolkata giants namely East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.

During the meeting both the Kolkata Clubs pointed out that it is becoming extremely difficult for the clubs to maintain two sets of team as the clubs are not informed in advance about the release of players for National camps.

East Bengal Official Mr.Kalyan Majumdar proposed that the AIFF should take over the expenses of the Footballers playing in National team and also they should be informed about the players to be released well in advance. The AIFF President declared in the meeting that a list of players for the next national camp will be released in January and the clubs will have to release them in June 2010 as a part of GOAL 2011 Project for the Asia Cup.

Mohun Bagan official Mr Anjan Mitra expressed that there is a wrong conception in the mind of national Coach Mr Bob Houghton about football in Bengal. To get away with that misunderstanding Mr Mitra proposed the AIFF to have a National Camp in Kolkata and also invited Mr Houghton to have a look at the facilities in Kolkata clubs like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.

In a big announcement, Mr Praful Patel officially declared that Mr.Sunando Dhar has been appointed as the new CEO of the I-League and he will join from the month of January. Apart from that Mr Patel also formed a new I-League Development committee to improve the standard of country’s premier football event. Mr Alberto Colaco will be the Chairman and will be assisted by IFA (WB) General Secretary Mr Utpal Ganguly as the Deputy Chairman.

Speaking about his appointment Mr Ganguly said, “I am really honoured to be given a chance to work at an All India level. I will try my best to perform my duties as assigned.”

It was also learnt that Mr Alberto Colaco has recently attended a Conference of AFC in Kuala Lumpur where AFC has created a special 10 Nation Ad-hoc Committee to implement special development program and India is one of the 10 members in that committee. AFC has also selected India to implement the system of Online Players Transfers system which is very prevalent in the European region.

Speaking to Goal.com AIFF Vice President Mr Subrata Dutta said, "AFC has chosen India to implement the Online Transfer system. We have already responded positively and we are willing to start off the project from the 2010 -2011 season itself.”

AIFF also announced that it will host its U-19 National Team camp under Mr Colin Toal in Kalyani, West Bengal in the month of January for preparations of the SAFF Games. Meanwhile the Indian Women’s team will have its camp in Goa where a Coach from United States will be coaching the team. AIFF is also planning to have 4 training centers of its own in various cities by 2012.

 

National Team :-

Iraq friendly in cancelled........so they are searching for other alternatives..........but i doubt they would find any in this month as all the teams are busy.........even finance is a big problem for AIFF,they have recently borrowed RS 25 crores from cricket federation for Asia cup prepration,many sponsors are yet to pay dues

I-League :-

AIFF is looking to transform I-League by making it a separate entity,it is preparing to start football league similar to IPL(20-20 Cricket league) and has already approached few corporates who have agreed with the idea