2012 Nehru Cup: India lose 0-1 against Cameroon

Defending champions India suffered a lone goal defeat against Cameroon in their fourth and final round robin league match of the 2012 Nehru Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.

India coach Wim Koevermans as he had said a day earlier at the press conference made five changes to his starting line-up to give some of the fringe players playing time and rest to some of the regulars ahead of the final on Sunday, while Cameroon rested eight of their regular first eleven.

Cameroon had more of the ball throughout the game though India did have their moments. The winner for Cameroon came as early as the 2nd minute as Samuel Bitte scored with a shot into the far corner of the goal.

Cameroon could have doubled the result before the break through a penalty as Eloundou Charles was brought down by Syed Rahim Nabi according to the referee, but Ebanga Bertin tried to do a Andrea Pirlo but his chip goalwards was weak, not placed and Karanjit Singh somehow blocked the shot from going in.

The second half was a weak affair with both sides not willing to expose their strengths and having few chances amongst them. India had a last chance to equalise through a Sanju Pradhan cross which Francis Fernandes headed goalwards, but Nkessi Hosea collected the ball before the goalline.

India and Cameroon will meet again on Sunday, September 2 in the final of the 2012 Nehru Cup.


MATCH STATS

India 0-1 (0-1) Cameroon - Goals: 0-1 Bite Samuel (2')

India
16-Karanjit Singh - 2-Denzil Franco, 5-Gurwinder Singh (80' 3-Raju Gaikwad), 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi - 8-Sanju Pradhan, 20-Mehtab Hussain, 28-Jewel Raja Sheikh, 15-Clifford Miranda - 26-Francis Fernandes (83' 12-Alwyn George) - 23-Manandeep Singh (67' 24-Robin Singh)

Cameroon
Nkessi Hosea - Momaso Joseph (78' Bebey Kingue), Ebongoue Echille, Ntolla Robert. Talla Eugine - Ebanga Bertin (77' Ashu Tambe), Eloundou Charles, Bite Samuel, Ousmaila Baba - Mandjombe Soulemanou, William Bogning (82' Thierry Neoga)

Referee
...

VIDEO: Koevermans' looks forward to Cameroon challenge!

India take on Cameroon in tonight's final round robin league match at the 2012 Nehru Cup and coach Wim Koevermans looks forward to the challenge! Here is what he told XtraTime...


Here my match preview: 2012 Nehru Cup: India face Cameroon tonight & again in Sunday's final

VIDEO: "Knowledgeable" Indian football fans

The number of football fans in India is growing by the day, but many only follow international football especially the English Premier League rather then local I-League football. Here a video of English Premier League fans in India quizzed about EPL and I-League, which sadly shows their lack of local football knowledge.

The guys who produced this video did a good job by highlighting this issue & it needs to be supported!!!

2012 Nehru Cup: India face Cameroon tonight & again on Sunday

Team India go into tonight's last round robin league match against Cameroon at the 2012 Nehru Cup knowing that they will meet the Africans again in 48 hours on Sunday evening in the tournaments final. The question is if both the coaches will really play all their trump cards or keep some secrets for Sunday's final.

Surely the Africans have been the best team in the tournament which is also confirmed by India coach Wim Koevermans, "Cameroon are surely a very strong side. They are capable of playing good football and that's already on display."

"The match will be interesting. We play Cameroon twice and the final stays the more important one. The last Group League match gives us a chance to have a look more at our bench," Koevermans goes on to say.

Meanwhile Cameroon coach Emmanuel Bosso said, "We have come to India to show to you all what football in Cameroon is all about. We have mesmerised the World with our brand of football. We want India to have a feel of it too!"

That is for sure, but India will hope that that does not happen today though they'll be more worried about Sunday. The situation is actually a repeat of 2009 when India faced Syria twice within three days. The group match was lost and then India won in the final on penalties. A repeat would surely be fine with Wim Koevermans and his team though surely they would like to stay unbeaten in the tournament going into the final.

Coming to talk about India Emmanuel Bosso said, "India have some good players. The No. 6 (Lenny Rodrigues) has impressed me a lot. He can play around in the midfield and stays a potent force. Also, the Captain (Sunil Chhetri) and the goalkeeper (Subrata Pal) are key members. But we have our plans."

Surely Cameroon have their plans as will have Wim Koevermans for India. The Dutchman is considering of starting with some of his reserve bench players, giving the boys some match time and some rest to other players, but who we will only get to know before the match.

The India vs Cameroon match will kick-off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 19.00 IST and will be live on Neo Prime.

Andres Iniesta named as UEFA Best Player in Europe!

Spain and FC Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta was today chosen and then handed the 2011/12 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Iniesta won the award ahead of club team mate Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo from CF Real Madrid.

The FC Barcelona midfielder, who helped Spain defend their 2012 UEFA European Championship title this summer in Poland and Ukraine, deservingly got the award for his great performances across the season for club and country. What makes it special is that Andres Iniesta finally won an award ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who normally stand ahead of him in rankings and votings.

In a live poll of sports journalists representing each of UEFA's 53 member national associations, Andres Iniesta received 19 votes while Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both received 17 votes.

It is interesting to note that no player from 2011/12 UEFA Champions League champions Chelsea FC and beaten finalist FC Bayern Munich made it into the top three with former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba coming seventh and his club mate Petr Cech as joint eighth within the top 10.

Positions four to ten were finalised after each journalist provided a list of their top five players, with the first receiving five points, the second four points and so on:

4. Andrea Pirlo (Juventus, ITALY) (90 points)
5. Xavi Hernández (FC Barcelona, SPAIN) (57 pts)
6. Iker Casillas (Real Madrid CF, SPAIN) (53 pts)
7. Didier Drogba (Chelsea FC; IVORY COAST) (31 pts)
8. Petr Cech (Chelsea FC, CZECH REPUBLIC) // Falcao (Club Atlético de Madrid, COLOMBIA) (14 pts)
10. Mesut Özil (Real Madrid CF, GERMANY) (10 pts)

North East Lajong Super Series: Lajong FC reach finals

Shillong Lajong FC beat Northeast rivals United Sikkim FC 3-0 in the third match of the North East Lajong Super Series Cup to reach the finals and will now take on A-League side Wellington Phoenix FC from New Zealand in Shillong on Saturday, September 1.

In a match-up of two I-League sides the more experienced Shillong Lajong FC got the better of United Sikkim FC through three goals from their new Nigerian striker Gbeneme Friday, who has scored all of Lajong's five goals in the series so far.

Lajong were in-charge from the start and went ahead in the 7th minute from a Gbeneme Friday strike, who doubled the lead in the 15th minute through a rebound follow a free-kick. United Sikkim had their problems with Gbeneme Friday and Lajong overall, but it stayed 2-0 for the home team at the break.

After the break United Sikkim were better in the game, but they couldn't score of their few chances while Gbeneme Friday sealed the match for Lajong FC with his third goal of the day.

The final of the series will be played between Wellington Phoenix FC and Shillong Lajong FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong on Saturday, September 1 at 15.15 IST.


North East Lajong Super Series - Fixtures

August 24: United Sikkim FC 0-3 Wellington Phoenix FC (Imphal, Manipur)
August 26: Shillong Lajong FC 2-5 Wellington Phoenix FC (Imphal, Manipur)
August 30: Shillong Lajong FC 3-0 United Sikkim FC (Shillong, Meghalaya)
September 1 - Final: Wellington Phoenix FC - Shillong Lajong FC (Shillong, Meghalaya)

Draws out for UEFA Champions League 2012/13 Group Stage

The draw for the 2012/13 UEFA Champions League group stage was carried out today at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, Monaco. And all the 32 participating clubs aim to reach the final to be played on May 2013 at Wembley Stadium in London.

The strongest of all groups is Group D containing four national champions - Real Madrid CF (Spain), Manchester City FC (England), AFC Ajax Amsterdam (Netherlands), Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

Defending champions FC Chelsea have been drawn in a weaker Group E then along with Italian champions Juventus they should move into the knockout stage past Ukrainians FC Shakhtar Donetsk and newcomers FC Nordjaelland from Denmark.

Last season finalists FC Bayern München after having had the Group of Death last term, this time around got an easier Group F in which they face Valencia CF (Spain), LOSC Lille Métropole (France) and FC BATE Borisov (Belarus).


The Groups

Group A: FC Porto (Portugal), Dinamo Kyiv (Ukraine), FC Paris Saint-Germain (France), GNK Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)

Group B: Arsenal FC (England), FC Schalke 04 (Germany), Olympiacos Piräus FC (Greece), HSC Montpellier (France)

Group C: AC Milan (Italy), FC Zenit St. Petersburg (Russia), RSC Anderlecht (Belgium), FC Malaga (Spain)

Group D: Real Madrid CF (Spain), Manchester City FC (England), AFC Ajax Amsterdam (Netherlands), Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

Group E: Chelsea FC (England), FC Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine), Juventus Torino (Italy), FC Nordjaelland (Denmark)

Group F: FC Bayern München (Germany), Valencia CF (Spain), LOSC Lille Métropole (France), FC BATE Borisov (Belarus)

Group G: FC Barcelona (Spain), SL Benfica (Portugal), Spartak Moskva (Russia), Celtic Glasgow (Scotland)

Group H: Manchester United FC (England), Sporting Braga (Portugal), Galatasaray Istanbul (Turkey), CFR Cluj (Romania)

Photos - Orissa 1st Division Football League

The Football Association of Odisha organised 1st Division Football League at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack is running since July 22. Here are photos from some of the recent matches.

Here earlier Photos - Orissa 1st Division Football League: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5

adidas and Chelsea FC train Mumbai's young footballing talent

After giving Delhi a taste of how football is played the Chelsea way, adidas, the Blues from London gave young footballers in Mumbai an unmatched experience-cum-training opportunity with the youth coaches from the UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea FC. The adidas-Chelsea FC Foundation Clinic kicked off at Priyadarshini Park, Napensea Road in Mumbai yesterday.

The foundation clinic was preceded by a month long scouting program - the adidas Predator Camp, conducted across 8 leading schools in Mumbai, including Dhirubhai Ambani School, Campion and DY Patil International. This scouting camp yielded 150 of the best footballing talent from the city. The Chelsea FC youth coaches also held a master-class training session with the respective school coaches, sharing essential training techniques to improve talent coaching and development.

Speaking about the clinic, Tushar Goculdas, Brand Director at adidas India, said, "Football is at the core of our brand's rich heritage and adidas is deeply committed towards building India's success as a footballing nation. Over the last few years we have consistently supported grassroots programs to help the development of young footballers. Mumbai is all in for the adidas-Chelsea FC Foundation Clinic and we plan to expand the program to more cities to encourage aspiring footballers from across the country."

The clinic was supervised by Steve Winnet, who is currently head coach of the Chelsea FC Boys College Academy. Steve has had been coaching for 12 years, working in different countries representing the Chelsea FC International Development Team. Before working at Chelsea FC he was a full time coach at the famous David Beckham Academy in London. Assisting Winnet at the clinic are youth coaches Sam Hubert, Gareth Davies, James Phillips, Julian Hart and Kane Cowburn.

Speaking at the clinic coach Steve Winnet said, "During the first foundation clinic conducted in New Delhi this May, we were extremely encouraged by the skill and passion showcased by the kids. We believed there was tremendous potential in other cities too and were excited to come to Mumbai. These kids are amongst the most talented and dedicated young footballers that we have coached. We believe the right training methods can really help these youngsters improve their game to world class level."

The adidas-Chelsea FC Clinic is working to take the football fever to another level in India and give young Indian footballers an 'all Blue' experience.

Samir Naik receives Goa's Dilip Sardesai award!

33 year old former Indian international wing-back Samir Subash Naik yesterday evening received the Dilip Sardesai award for Excellence in Sports at the Macquinez Palace, Entertainment Society of Goa in Panaji.

Samir Naik received on the occasion a cash award of Rs 200,000 (2 lakh), a bronze plaque of legendary India cricketer late Dilip Sardessai and an official certificate from Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

The award is a great honour for Samir Naik. He is the third footballer and Dempo SC player after team mates Mahesh Gawli and Climax Lawrence to receive the prestigious Goan state award from sports persons.

While addressing the gathering Samir said, "I am grateful to God, Goa's CM Parrikar, parents, family. I am indebted to my boss at Dempo, Mr Shrinivas V. Dempo, coach, team members and all my well wishers and friends. It was my hard work, dedication and love for football that helped me in achieving this excellence."

Samir's biggest strength was that he could play as wing-back on both sides - right and left with the ability to push forward and feed the attacking wingers and strikers.

Samir Naik who has represented India 39 times has won the 2002 LG Cup in Vietnam, the 2007 & 2009 Nehru Cup, 2008 AFC Challenge Cup and the 2011 SAFF Cup in an India shirt. In his time as Indian international Samir Naik played under Stephen Constantine, Sukhvinder Singh, Bob Houghton, Armando Colaco and Savio Medeira.

VIDEO: Brazilian boy with no feet to train at FC Barcelona

The following is one of the lovely real life stories. Football mad, but footless Brazilian kid Gabriel Muniz has been invited to FC Barcelona's Academy after impressing at a FCB summer camp in Rio de Janeiro and Gabriel will be meeting his hero Lionel Messi while in Catalunya.

A BBC report

A Daily Telegraph report

2012 Nehru Cup: Cameroon beat Maldives, seal final against India

Tournament favourites Cameroon beat the Maldives 3-1 in their penultimate round robin match to seal a place in the finals against hosts and defending champions India in the 2012 Nehru Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Cameroon are now top with seven points from three matches, while the Maldives are out of the competition with six points from their four matches.

The Africans had the better start putting the Maldives defence on the backfoot and after missing some early chances Cameroon took the lead in the 12th minute through a crisp Kingue Mpondo volley. It looked like another rout as against Nepal could be on the cards, but the Maldives are a stronger side then their south Asian counterparts. The islanders equalised in the 26th minute when wing-back Abdul Akram overlapped and played a one-two to slot home past the Cameroon goalkeeper. Camroon looked stunned for a few minutes, but then regrouped and Kingue Mpondo was again on target in the 39th minute following a corner.

With the result at 2-1 at the interval the hope was to see a close encounter, but Cameroon sealed the match in the 50th minute itself as they earned a penalty which Ebanga Bertin blasted into the Maldives goal. After awarding the penalty the referee was questioned by the Maldives player and Ashaad Ali was given marching orders for touching the referee.

Nothing much happened thereafter and the match ended 3-1 for Cameroon, which means that the Africans meet India in their final round robin match on Friday, August 31 and then again in the final on Sunday, September 2.

Wellington Phoenix beat Royal Wahingdoh 3-0 in friendly

Australian A-League side Wellington Phoenix FC from New Zealand took on local side Royal Wahingdoh FC in a friendly which Wellington won 3-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong this afternoon. Jeremy Brockie scored all three goals, his second hattrick of the Northeast tour.

After the two wins against United Sikkim FC (3-0) and Shillong Lajong FC (5-2) in the North East Lajong Super Series in Imphal, the Kiwis continued their impressive tour of India by beating Royal Wahingdoh FC 3-0 ahead of the final of the North East Lajong Super Series on Saturday, September against either United Sikkim FC or Shillong Lajong FC.

It was a tough game for the local Shillong Premier League champions, who had their chances; but Wellington were in control throughout the match.

The Kiwis got their goals through Jeremy Brockie who scored in the 29th, 47th and in the second half injury time. Brockie has now scored seven of the eight goals in the last couple of matches.

Tomorrow Shillong Lajong FC take on United Sikkim FC in the North East Lajong Super Series at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Shillong at 15.00 IST. The winner of the match will play the final of the North East Lajong Super Series against Wellington Phoenix FC on Saturday, September 1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 15.15 IST.

Bayern Munich expand Allianz Arena capacity to 71,000

German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich have with immediate effect increased the capacity of their Allianz Arena by 2,000 seats from 69,000 to 71,000 for domestic matches and from 66,000 to 68,000 for international fixtures.

The expansion has been made possible by adding a new last row of seats in the top tier of the Allianz Arena. The necessary clearances have been received by Bayern Munich from the local Munich authorities and the expansion will be valid from Sunday's first home Bundesliga fixture of the season against VfB Stuttgart.

This is the second such expansion at the Allianz Arena after the capacity had been increased from 66,000 to 69,000 for domestic matches, while it remained at 66,000 for international matches.

The new seats are exclusively reserved for general sale, i.e. cannot be booked as season tickets. For the first Bundesliga home fixture of the season, the clash with Stuttgart at 5.30 pm on Sunday, the additional tickets are available IMMEDIATELY from the Säbener Strasse ServiceCenter. Depending on demand, any remaining tickets may be on sale at the Arena on the day of the match. Further information follows in the course of the week.

This capacity increase was already taken into account in the club's logistics planning for the season. The Ticketing Centre has thus accepted a correspondingly higher number of advance orders for Bundesliga home matches. However, every FC Bayern league fixture at the Allianz Arena this season is already sold out and/or overbooked.

IFA update latest Calcutta Premier Division fixtures

The Indian Football Association (West Bengal) has released the revised second fixtures list for the 2012/13 season of the Calcutta Premier Division which is seeing 19 teams in action and they have been divided into two group - Group A with 10 teams, Group B with nine teams.

The second list had originally scheduled matches from Wednesday, August 29 to Friday, September 7 with all participating clubs at least once in action over that 10 day period. But then the police informed the IFA that it could not provide necessary security cover from August 29 to September 1 at the Saltlake Stadium and therefore the IFA was forced to redo the fixtures and updated them accordingly with matches announced upto September 11.


FIXTURES

Group A
East Bengal Club, Prayag United SC, Aryan Club, Army XI, Kalighat Milan Sangha, Railway FC, BNR, George Telegraph SC, Eastern Railway SC, Peerless SC

30-Aug-2012: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Peerless SC
31-Aug-2012: Aryan Club - Railway FC
03-Sep-2012: East Bengal Club - BNR RC
03-Sep-2012: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Peerless SC
06-Sep-2012: East Bengal Club - Army XI
06-Sep-2012: BNR RC - Eastern Railway SC
08-Sep-2012: Prayag United SC - George Telegraph SC
10-Sep-2012: Aryan Club - BNR RC
10-Sep-2012: Army XI - Railway FC
11-Sep-2012: Prayag United SC - Peerless SC

Group B
Mohun Bagan AC, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Bhawanipore Club, Calcutta Port Trust, Tollygunge Agragami, Police AC, Southern Samity, West Bengal Police, Kalighat Club

01-Sep-2012: Calcutta Port Trust - Tollygunge Agragami
02-Sep-2012: Mohun Bagan AC - West Bengal Police
05-Sep-2012: Police AC - Tollygunge Agragami
07-Sep-2012: Mohammedan Sporting Club - Bhawanipore Club
09-Sep-2012: Calcutta Port Trust - Southern Samity
09-Sep-2012: West Bengal Police - Kalighat Club

VIDEO: Indian Football Fathers (ARS Series)

As part of the video series of the Airtel Rising Stars they interviewed the fathers of contestants in Mumbai. The outcome was an interesting mix of ideas and reactions from the football dads...

Photos - Orissa 1st Division Football League

The Football Association of Odisha organised 1st Division Football League at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack is running since July 22. Here are photos from some of the recent matches.

Here earlier Photos - Orissa 1st Division Football League: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4

2012 Nehru Cup: Nepal hold India to goalless draw

Defending champions India were held goalless by Nepal in their third match of the 2012 Nehru Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. India started the tournament with back-to-back victories against Syria and Maldives and now have seven points from three matches, while Nepal gained their first point of the competition.

India coach Wim Koevermans made two changes to his starting line-up with injured Nirmal Chetri replaced by Denzil Franco as right wing-back, while Sanju Pradhan was replaced by the more experienced Anthony Pereira on the right wing.

Due to the continuing monsoon rains the match kicked-off 30 minutes late, but it didn't help a struggling India against a fighting and committed Nepali team. In the first session India wasn't able to recreate what it has shown against Syria and the Maldives as Nepal were the more attacking of the two sides though goal chances were a rarity at both ends.

Wim Koevermans changed from his preferred 4-4-1-1 to a more classic 4-4-2 formation bringing on tall Robin Singh for winger Clifford Miranda after the breather to try and add weight upfront.

India got more of the action after the break with Nepal tiring the longer the match lasted, but India could not really utilise this fact. India had a chance in the 53rd minute as Sunil Chhetri held on to the ball, dribbled and then Mehtab let fly with the ball going over.

Both teams continued to face problems with the difficult ground conditions and India's best chance of the match came in the 81st minute when substitute Jewel Raja broke lose from the right, but his shot just about missed the goal. The following corner also caused worry for Nepal, but their alert keeper Kiran Chemjong collected a good timed shot from Robin Singh.

Towards the end Nepal tried delay tactics to keep the draw intact, but referee Vladislav Tseytlin from Uzbekistan took no nonsense and handed out to yellow cards before giving a red card to Bikash Singh Chhetri for arguing following a free-kick given to India.

It ended goalless with Nepal happy about the result, but the first setback for India under new coach Wim Koevermans as India was never able to adopt to the difficult ground conditions and couldn't switch to a more direct approach the trying to play possession football.

India's next opponent will be Cameroon on Friday, August 31.


MATCH STATS

India 0-0 Nepal - Goals: none

India
1-Subrata Pal - 2-Denzil Franco, 3-Raju Gaikwad, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi - 14-Anthony Pereira, 20-Mehtab Hussain, 6-Lenny Rodrigues (77' 28-Jewel Raja Sheikh), 15-Clifford Miranda (46' 24-Robin Singh) - 26-Francis Fernandes - 11-Sunil Chhetri [C]

Nepal
16-Kiran Chemjong - 19-Sagar Thapa [C], 32-Rohit Chand, 3-Biraj Maharjan, 5-Bikash Singh Chhetri, 13-Sandip Rai - 15-Raju Tamang, 23-Jagjeet Shrestha, 17-Bhola Nath Silwal (90+2' 10-Anil Gurung) - 11-Jumanu Rai (88' 9-Santosh Sahukhala), 21-Bharat Khawas

Referee
Vladislav Tseytlin (Uzbekistan)

125th Durand Cup: Four teams qualify for Semifinals

The 125th edition of the Durand Cup, India's oldest football tournament, is being held from August 16 to September 1 at Delhi's Ambedkar Stadium. Though the top I-League clubs are giving the tournament a miss, it has so far been a chance for smaller sides to test themselves and the Durand Cup has had its surprises so far.

The Quarterfinal League stage ended today with some surprises as Air India, Assam Rifles, Sesa Football Academy and Dodsal FC qualified for the semifinals which both will be played on Thursday, August 30. There were some surprises as Air India would take on Sesa Football Academy, while Assam Rifles take on newcomers Dodsal FC.

We are still in pre-season and the rainy monsoon has left the Ambedkar Stadium pitch in a bad state. Those teams best able to cope with the situation have been the biggest gainers.

Group C saw the biggest surprise as Sesa Football Academy won the group ahead of I-League side Pune FC with PFC taking the lead in their game against the Goans in injury time, but Sesa Football Academy equalising thereafter to edge past PFC with CRPF finishing last in the group.

Air India topped Group A with four points ahead of Pailan Arrows and Delhi United, in Group B Assam Rifles got the better of I-League sides Sporting Clube de Goa and ONGC, while in Group D new boys Dodsal FC impressed with two clears wins against Army Red and Punjab Police.


FIXTURES & RESULTS

Qualifiers
Round 1
16-Aug-2012: Delhi United 2-2,7-6 Indian Navy [penalties]
16-Aug-2012: Army Green 2-0 Jammu&Kashmir Bank
17-Aug-2012: JCT Academy 2-1 Arty Centre
17-Aug-2012: Assam Rifles 4-1 Assam Service Corps
18-Aug-2012: BEG, Kirkee 0-1 Border Security Force
18-Aug-2012: Uttarakhand Police 0-6 CRPF
19-Aug-2012: Indian Air Force 0-0,3-4 Garhwal Heroes [penalties]
19-Aug-2012: Punjab Police 7-1 Subrata Academy

Round 2
20-Aug-2012: Army Green 0-2 Delhi United
20-Aug-2012: CRPF 0-0,5-3 Border Security Force [penalties]
21-Aug-2012: Assam Rifles 3-0 JCT Academy
21-Aug-2012: Garhwal Heroes 1-2 Punjab Police

Quarterfinal League
Group I
25-Aug-2012: Delhi United 2-2 Pailan Arrows
26-Aug-2012: Delhi United 0-3 Air India
28-Aug-2012: Pailan Arrows 1-1 Air India

Group II
24-Aug-2012: Sporting Club de Goa 2-3 Assam Rifles
26-Aug-2012: ONGC, Mumbai 1-1 Assam Rifles
28-Aug-2012: Sporting Club de Goa 3-1 ONGC, Mumbai

Group III
23-Aug-2012: Pune FC 0-0 CRPF
25-Aug-2012: Sesa Football Academy 3-2 CRPF
27-Aug-2012: Sesa Football Academy 1-1 Pune FC

Group IV
23-Aug-2012: Punjab Police 0-1 Army Red
25-Aug-2012: Army Red 0-3 Dodsal FC, Mumbai
27-Aug-2012: Punjab Police 0-6 Dodsal FC, Mumbai

Semifinals
30-Aug-2012: Air India - Sesa Football Academy
30-Aug-2012: Assam Rifles - Dodsal FC, Mumbai

Final
01-Sep-2012: Winner SF1 - Winner SF2

IFA announce latest Calcutta Premier Division fixtures

The Indian Football Association (West Bengal) has released the second fixtures list for the 2012/13 season of the Calcutta Premier Division which is seeing 19 teams in action and they have been divided into two group - Group A with 10 teams, Group B with nine teams.

The second list has matches scheduled from Wednesday, August 29 to Friday, September 7 with all participating clubs at least once in action over that 10 day period.

So far the Calcutta Premier Division 2012 has been about Mohun Bagan AC's walkovers against Southern Samity and Tollygunge Agragami due to the non-resolution of the Tolgay Ozbey transfer issue and their archrival East Bengal's two high scoring victories.


FIXTURES

Group A
East Bengal Club, Prayag United SC, Aryan Club, Army XI, Kalighat Milan Sangha, Railway FC, BNR, George Telegraph SC, Eastern Railway SC, Peerless SC

30-Aug-2012: East Bengal Club - BNR RC
30-Aug-2012: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Peerless SC
31-Aug-2012: Prayag United SC - George Telegraph SC
31-Aug-2012: Aryan Club - Railway FC
03-Sep-2012: East Bengal Club - Army XI
03-Sep-2012: BNR RC - Eastern Railway SC
06-Sep-2012: Prayag United SC - Peerless SC
06-Sep-2012: Aryan Club - BNR RC
06-Sep-2012: Army XI - Railway FC
06-Sep-2012: Kalighat Milan Sangha - Eastern Railway SC

Group B
Mohun Bagan AC, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Bhawanipore Club, Calcutta Port Trust, Tollygunge Agragami, Police AC, Southern Samity, West Bengal Police, Kalighat Club

29-Aug-2012: Mohun Bagan AC - West Bengal Police
01-Sep-2012: Mohammedan Sporting Club - Bhawanipore Club
01-Sep-2012: Calcutta Port Trust - Tollygunge Agragami
02-Sep-2012: Mohun Bagan AC - Kalighat Club
04-Sep-2012: Tollygunge Agragami - Police AC
07-Sep-2012: Mohammedan Sporting Club - Police AC
07-Sep-2012: Calcutta Port Trust - Southern Samity
07-Sep-2012: West Bengal Police - Kalighat Club

VIDEO: Andres Iniesta in a New Nike ad

Andres Iniesta of Spain and FC Barcelona is one of the best footballers, but often underrated compared to his Barca team mate Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. In a new Nike ad for the new football shoe CTR 360 III Maestro, Iniesta is a puppet on strings and plays exceptional football. A lovely idea for an ad!

2012 Nehru Cup: India looking to seal place in final

Team India go into tonight's Nehru Cup match knowing that a victory against Nepal would seal their passage to their third straight final in the competition. Two wins from two matches, India has impressed so far.

Wilhelmus Jacobus Koevermans, better known as Wim Koevermans, has had a strong, positive effect on his new wards, who in only 17 days of pre-tournament practice plus those days in-between matches have made the transition from direct to passing football, which the Dutch coach finds very encouraging though more work needs to be done in training.

Koevermans' team has been labelled 'New India' for their new found style of play, but the team is not willing to let complacency step in. "There's no point in thinking about future matches. We face Nepal in the next match and a win will take us to the final. It's perhaps, the most important match for us," said an inform Syed Rahim Nabi.

"This Indian side is a stronger one that played in the AFC Challenge Cup in Kathmandu earlier this year. There are many young players in the side and they are physically strong. The players look to be sharper. Upfront, Sunil Chhetri also looks more aggressive," Nepal coach Krishna Thapa observed.

"The level of their performance is going up with every match. Against Maldives, India were too good. But that doesn't mean Nepal can't beat India. In fact, both the teams are of the same standard," he quips further though that has to questioned after the two teams performances in the tournament so far.

'Adjustments' Koevermans stresses in the Team Meeting. "You need to flexible on the field. We have tried various systems so far. You always need to make those adjustments. I will always keep on asking it from you," he goes on. The boys listen. "You need to dominate and redominate."

Against Maldives, finding the 'spare man' in the midfield stayed the priority. Winning the 'second ball' also stayed the priority as did 'pressing'. One sole formation stays taboo for the entire 90 minutes, we all know by now. And so far Koevermans isn't asking too much of his wards.

Captain Sunil Chhetri has turned himself into the Pied Piper of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Hard to keep pace with him when he walks, there's always a horde of fans following him almost everywhere. Seven matches on the trot he has been declared the Man-of-the-Match (five in 2011 SAFF Cup, 5 at 2012 Nehru Cup) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, a new record of sorts.

You can't just blame the world record holder if he carries a piece of the Stadium grass with him as his lucky charm or have put another piece on the trophy cabinet back home.

"I just give my best. That's my duty and I just can't shy away from it," Chhetri utters.

But it just isn't all about goals. Ask Robin Singh. The debutant came close to putting it past the line against the Maldives, but he isn't miffed. "It was my dream to play for India. If I carry out the instructions and improve, I will get more chances. The more the chances, the more will I get the opportunities to score," Robin says. "Chhetri has been exceptional. It's nice to play alongside him."

"Coach, don't you think you are already in the Final?" Koevermans was asked by a journalist the other day in the post-match press conference. The wit and humour, besides his height which separates him from the rest, Koevermans' reflexes were sharp. "You say it, I don't," he smiled as everyone in the room laughed. "Don't quote me. I haven't said it. No, we are not yet in the final," he maintained.

'Step by step, match by match,' stays the mantra of 'New India' and the next step can be taken against Nepal.

The India vs Nepal match will kick-off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 19.00 IST and will be live on Neo Prime.

2012 Nehru Cup: Maldives score an upset against Syria

The Maldives scored a historic 2-1 victory against Syria, the islanders first-ever victory against an Arabian nation, in the 2012 Nehru Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. With the win the Maldives move to six points from three matches and now have a real chance to reach the finals; while Syria, the 2007 and 2009 finalists, are out with only a point to their name so far.

The match had to kick-off late due to continuing monsoon rains in the capital and it did hamper the two sides in the match. Surprisingly Syria adjusted better to the ground conditions while the Maldives needed some time then passing football was simply not possible, so both teams had to rely on aerial balls.

After a goalless first session the match came to life after the breather. Syria attacked a defensive Maldives, but the islanders took the lead through their striker Ali Ashfaq's header in the 59th minute. Syria now went all out into attack, but Maldives goalkeeper Mohamed Imran was often in the way or the strikers could not finish the attacks. In the 81st minute Syria did equalise through an acrobatic bicycle kick from Alaa Al Shbli, who was in an offside position but the ball came off a Maldives defender so the goal was legitimate and allowed.

With Syria equalising and continuing to put pressure on the Maldives defence it seemed only a matter of time when they would score the winner, but towards the end the match opened-up and the Maldives would score the winner of a counter-attack late in injury time when Ahmed Rasheed pushed the ball into an empty net from a Ali Ashfaq square pass.

The winner lead to a lot of discussions on the sidelines with Syria alleging the match was finished and over by then but the Maldives coach Istvan Urbanyi was sent off for dissent as he unnecessarily got involved in the sideline discussions.

Gouramangi Singh: This is a phase of emotional transition for me!

Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh has stayed the bedrock of Indian defence since 2007. The 2010 AIFF Player-of-the-Year has been part of two Nehru Cup triumphs besides being a member of the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup winning squad. In a freewheeling interview with AIFF Media, Gouramangi speaks at length about the 'New India' under Wim Koevermans, his partnership with Raju Gaikwad, Sunil Chhetri's purple patch, old pal Subrata Pal and his transition into a Senior Pro...


With two wins on the trot the team spirit must surely be on a high.

The three points against Syria were very important for us. A win in the first match of any Tournament is always a morale booster. We combined well against Maldives but we cannot afford to bask in its glory. The focus has already shifted to our next match against Nepal. We are not thinking too far ahead.


How do you define the new team?

It is very early to comment on that. We are just two matches old under a philosophy and system brought in by our (new) coach Wim Koevermans. It has been just three weeks that we have been together. But I feel we have shown glimpses of what we are trying to do. This is a 'New India' for sure. The little success we have got so far is because every member of the team is giving his best for the cause. It's pertinent that we recognise the contributions of the coaching staff, the support staff and the fans.


What's been your assessment of the new Coach?

He is a very positive man. He has received a warm welcome from the players and is trying to instil a new philosophy into the team. We are learning a lot under him. This is the beginning of a new era. There are better days to come and this unit has it in them to go the distance.


Who has been the stand out performers for you so far?

For a moment, let's leave aside the seniors – Sunil Chhetri, Syed Rahim Nabi, Mehtab Hossain, Subrata Pal and myself - we have been talked about a lot. I feel it's time to focus on someone like Francis Fernandes or a Lenny Rodrigues. They are playing so well. Take Francis's cross to Sunil for example. It was top class – wasn't it? Robin Singh complemented Sunil very well after he was brought in. It's time these youngsters hog the limelight.

This phase is an emotional transition for someone like me – as I am no more a junior but have all of a sudden become a senior player, that too at 26. The responsibility obviously, has increased.


Sunil Chhetri is in tremendous form. If you were to stop him, what would you have done?

(Gourmangi busts into laughter)… Sunil has been in exceptional form and has been scoring at those important phases. That's what we need from him. He is a great guy to have you in your side. He can lift up the spirits very fast. We share a great rapport. Talking of stopping him (laughs again)… well our rivals would be listening, so why should I reveal (laughs again). Let the other teams think about him.


You also share a great camaraderie with Subrata Pal since the TFA days. How much does he add confidence to the team?

His consistency is laudable. He is a very energetic goalkeeper and anticipation is very good. He is my best mate and we are sharing the same room. The team depends on him and he never lets us down. I'm looking forward to playing with him together for Prayag United when the clubs season unfolds.


You have played with different partners in the central defence for the Indian Team. What is special about your understanding Raju Gaikwad.

He is one of the best centre-backs who have come up the ranks. After Mahesh (Gawli), he is the pick of the lot. He echoes a lot of confidence in defence and leads the pack of a very talented new generation which will rule Indian football in the next decade. Mahesh Gawli has always stayed my idol as a stopper back and I grew up watching him. I miss him very much as much I miss Baichung Bhutia and others.


How much has Gouramangi Singh matured over the years?

Football stays my life. I have always wanted to play football and I'm happy I'm able to chase my dream. I play with passion and chase my dream. There's still so much to learn...

(Written by Debayan Mukherjee, AIFF Media Team)

Mehtab Hossain: It's our responsibility to meet Coach's demands!

For Mehtab Hossain, it is a challenge of sorts. A central defensive midfielder by trade, he has the responsibility to initiate the passing game that Team India Coach wim Koevermans wants the team to do. In a candid interview with AIFF Media the 28-year speaks about the new style, the team mantra, how the team is adapting to it, the next match against Nepal and much more...


How far has the team been able to adapt to the 'passing style'?

We are working very hard as this is a new style of playing for us. The boys are working assiduously in keeping the ball on the ground. We were used to playing one or two passes among ourselves and they play a long ball to the strikers. But that is a thing of the past.


Does the new philosophy suit Indian players better?

The Coach has always maintained that. We are professional players and have to play in any given system or formation. It is our responsibility to meet his demands by giving our best on the field.


What are the players thinking at the moment?

Our mantra is to forget the past and not take any opponent lightly. The two victories are a thing of the past now and we are concentrating on the Nepal match. Our coach insists to take one match at a time and not bask in the glory of previous laurels.


What's your assessment of Nepal as an opponent?

Nepal are very quick. They play short passes and build up fast. I watched them play against Maldives. Though they lost, they fought really well. It was a close match.


What's your impression of the young brigade in the team?

I don't need to certify them as say they are a talented bunch! They indeed are. From Francis to Lenny to Alwyn to Raju to Jewel to the others – they have come a long path. We shouldn't forget they are here as they deserve it. It's an encouraging sign – the pipeline is full and delivering.

(Written by Debayan Mukherjee, AIFF Media Team)

rs1.tv VIDEO: FC Remscheid lose opening league game

After the derby victory in the Cup on Tuesday ( rs1.tv VIDEO: FC Remscheid win derby against Wuppertaler SV ) the league started for FC Remscheid yesterday with a match away to TuSpo Richrath in the Landesliga (German sixth division). And has become tradition over the last few years, FC Remscheid lost their opener and this time an embarrassing 0-3 loss.

Here my video report for rs1.tv in German

Airtel Rising Stars - Kozhikode: Lazim, Afdal, Shafi and P. Fihas selected!

Lazim Ali (Malappuram), V.K. Afdal (Malappuram), C.V. Muhammed Shafi (Wayanad) and P. Fihas (Kozhikode) were adjudged as the three 'Airtel Rising Stars' plus goalkeeper at the Kozhikode two day talent hunt that concluded yesterday at the Municipal Corporation Stadium. The players were selected on criteria based on the aspects mentioned in the Manchester United Scouting Guidelines.

The experienced and watchful eyes of the coaches judged the players on their performance, taking into consideration their physical and mental strengths, expertise in position, and technical acumen. Based on their expertise in the city camp Lazim Ali, V.K. Afdal, C.V. Muhammed Shafi and P. Fihas were selected. The three footballers plus goalkeeper from Kozhikode will join players from 15 other centres to participate in the six-day final selection trial, scheduled to take place in Bangalore from September 10.

In total 950 children took part with 80 boys shortlisted from Day one with the list cut down to 34 and from there the final three field players were chosen. Those who failed to make it to the camp will get another opportunity to make their 'Airtel Rising Stars' dream come true next season. They will also receive Manchester United certificates, signed by none other than Sir Alex Fergusson.

Launched in association with Manchester United, 'Airtel Rising Stars' is a rigorous scouting program that will cover 16 cities across India and will choose 12 talented footballers who get the chance-of-a-lifetime to attend a week long training camp with Manchester United in Old Trafford, England.

The three best players from Kozhikode will join 45 other players, who will be divided into four teams of 12 each and will be tested on all parameters (including physical attributes, individual skills, match situations and their performances in actual matches) before the 12 best players are chosen to travel to Manchester United for a week and to train alongside the Manchester United Academy team.

VIDEO - IBN: American changes tribal lives with football

An inspiring CNN-IBN feature about Franz Gastler, who is no professional footballer but he is trying to change lives of tribals through football. Born and brought up in Edina, Minnesota, he studied at Boston University and Harvard Law School before he found his true calling, at least 13,000 km away from home, in a small village in North India.

Photos: North East Lajong Super Series from Imphal

Yesterday A-League side Wellington Phoenix FC from New Zealand played against Shillong Lajong FC in their second North East Lajong Super Series Cup match at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal, Manipur. The Kiwis won 5-2 and here some photos from the match venue.

Here the link to the match report: North East Lajong Super Series: Wellington Phoenix win 5-2 vs Lajong FC .

North East Lajong Super Series: Wellington win 5-2 vs Lajong

A-League side Wellington Phoenix FC from New Zealand won 5-2 in their second North East Lajong Super Series Cup match against Shillong Lajong FC at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal, Manipur this afternoon. With this win Wellington have reached the final on September 1 with Shillong Lajong FC and United Sikkim FC to play for the other spot in the final of the three team series.

The Kiwis were once more the better side on display and by half-time they were 2-0 up through two goals from Jeremy Brockie in the 15th and 41st minute. Brockie completed his hattrick in the 62nd minute with his third of the day, but thereafter Wellington slowed things down and allowed Shillong Lajong FC back into the match with two goals from new Nigerian striker Gbeneme Friday in the 74th and 84th minute.

The match was heading for an interesting finale, but Wellington Phoenix sealed their victory by scoring two more goals, Jeremy Brockie's fourth of the day in the 88th minute and Tom Biss with the final goal in the fourth minute of injury time.

The match ended 5-2 for Wellington Phoenix FC, but Shillong Lajong FC never gave-up and it was an enjoyable match for the numerous fans who had come to the venue.

The next match of the series will be between Shillong Lajong FC and United Sikkim FC in Shillong, the first Northeast derby between these two sides as I-League clubs.


North East Lajong Super Series - Fixtures

August 24: United Sikkim FC 0-3 Wellington Phoenix FC (Imphal, Manipur)
August 26: Shillong Lajong FC 2-5 Wellington Phoenix FC (Imphal, Manipur)
August 30: Shillong Lajong FC - United Sikkim FC (Shillong, Meghalaya)
September 1 - Final: Wellington Phoenix FC - SLFC/USFC (Shillong, Meghalaya)

2012 Nehru Cup: Cameroon trash Nepal 5-0

African side Cameroon scored a convincing 5-0 victory against Nepal in their second 2012 Nehru Cup match this evening at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. With this win Cameroon are back in contention for a place in the finals after their opening day draw against Syria.

Two goals each from Kologny Vigny Merime (12th, 60th) and Ebanga Bertin (41st, 65th) plus one from Momaso Joseph (76th) was enough to win the match for the Indomitable Lions, while Nepal look to be out of the tournament.

Cameroon build early pressure on Nepal and took a 12th minute lead through a Kologny Vigny Merime header and they doubled their lead in the 41st minute through a tap in from Ebanga Bertin. It remained 2-0 at the breather.

It continued to be Cameroon all the way too after the break and they would go on to add three more goals to their tally. First Kologny Vigny Merime scored his second of the night on the hour mark, while only five minutes later Ebanga Bertin achieved the same. Four goals down Nepal were already beaten and Mosamo Joseph would add a fifth in the 76th minute to complete the rout.

Cameroon's 5-0 was the biggest victory of the tournament so far and with four points to their name they are now second in the table behind India.