Sunil Chhetri named AIFF Player of the Year 2011

Sunil Chhetri has been declared the AIFF Player of the Year after a prolific run that saw the diminutive India striker score 13 goals in 17 international appearances.

Besides his good run in the international circuit, Chhetri also shone for his club Chirag United, scoring seven times in 10 matches in the last I-league season (2010-11).

Chhetri was chosen the winner by I-League coaches who voted on a list of five players shortlisted for the award.

The criteria for selection was based on performance on the field primarily for India`s international matches and general conduct, both on and off the field.

He has also scored 11 goals in 20 Club appearances in 2011.

Chhetri was the recipient of the Arjuna Award this year and also won the Player-of-the-Tournament award in the recently concluded SAFF Championship.

Chhetri will receive a cash award of Rs 2 lakh plus a silver plaque.

"The Year started off well for me and ends in the best possible fashion. I`m elated -- at a loss of words. The award explains that I`m improving with every given day," Chhetri said.

General Secretary of the All India Football Federation, Kushal Das lauded Chhetri on his achievement.

POINTS TABLE OF I LEAGUE 2011 NOW

EAST BENGAL WIN EL CLASSICO OF INDIA

East Bengal rallied from a goal deficit to defeat leaders Dempo 2-1 and move up to third position in the I-League table after the conclusion of the ninth round encounter at Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday.

Both the teams started off with caution, but the Goan heavyweights took an 11th minute lead through an easy Clifford Miranda strike.

But the red-and-gold brigade stepped up the gas striking through Penn Orji and Tolgay Ozbey in a space of 10 minutes to bounce back in style.

In a head to head finish, Nigerian midfielder Penn after receiving the ball from the Australian forward Ozbey brought East Bengal back into the game with a 31st minute equaliser.

With the duo showing excellent co-ordination, East Bengal went ahead in the 41st minute when Ozbey received a spectacular pass from Penn before finishing with a clinical shot.

East Bengal held their 2-1 lead and dominated the second-half without giving any chance for the Armando Colaco's boys as the leaders dropped points.

With 19 points, East Bengal are now three points behind leaders Dempo who had a slender one-point lead over Goan rivals Churchill Brothers.

Man-of-the-match Mehtab Hussain was at his best and played the role of a feeder to perfection as Dempo's trump card Ranty Martins paled in comparison.

The home team almost had a third minute lead from a Reisangmi Vashum centre but Semilen Doungel could not connect the header to miss an open net early into the start.

Dempo too attacked from the left and their forward Koko Sakibo almost fired in the goal but East Bengal's Uga Okpara cleared the ball.

The Goans took the lead in the very next move when Sakibo's back pass from left flank was brilliantly utilised by Godwin Franco who set it up for Miranda for an easy goal.

Trailing 0-1, East Bengal were at their attacking best with Hussain setting up moves and it was just a matter of time for them to equalise.

Ozbey and Penn exchanged fine headers before the latter found the back of the net as Dempo defence failed to clear it.

Dempo back four found themselves all at sea when a defence splitting through pass by Penn had Ozbey up front as the Aussie forward fired in an open goal without any problems.

East Bengal missed a couple of chances in the second-half but they maintained the dominance to earn full points.

INDIAN RETAIN SAFF CUP

Defending champions India beat Afghanistan 4-0 to win their sixth SAFF Championship final at Nehru Stadium on Sunday evening.

The Afghans matched India till their captain and goalkeeper, Hameedullah Yousufzari was sent off for arguing with referee Sukhbir Singh. In the 71st minute, Jeje Lalpekhula was brought down by Faisal Safa when the Indian striker tried to reach a through ball from Syed Rahim Nabi and Singh awarded a penalty to the hosts. Yousufzari vehemently disputed the decision which led to the red card.

Sunil Chhetri converted a spot-kick after on the second attempt, after Nirmal Chetri's intrusion into the box rendered the first take void. The goal opened the floodgates as Afghanistan failed to recover from the twin setbacks of conceding a goal and losing their captain.

India pressed hard nudged ahead and two quick goals in the space of two minutes between the 78th an 80th minutes sealed it in their favour. Capitalising on Safa's absence in the left-back position, Chhetri played Clifford Miranda on the right who drilled the ball into the far side of the goal. Delhi boy Chhetri's consistency proved to be a trump card for India who managed to remain calm in the goalless first session.

Egged on by vociferous fans, Chhetri assisted Jeje Lalpekhlua for his team's third goal. The diminutive Pune FC striker found the bottom right corner to log out the Afghans who had kept the Indian defence busy in the first session. Sushil Kumar, who came in on as a substitute for Miranda in the fiinal minutes, unleashed a thunderbolt to complete the rather flattering scoreline.

However, the beginning of the match had a completely different tenor with the team from the strife-torn nation putting the hosts under considerable pressure. Haroon Fakruddin firing a shot early in the game that had goalkeeper Karanjit Singh scrambling across his goal.

Yousef Mashriqi then relayed a pass for Belal Arezou who beat central defenders Mahesh Gawli and Gourmangi Singh but Karanjit pulled off a fine save with his feet.

As India took its time to settle down and the defence felt the heat, star Afghanistan striker Arezou made a fine pass to Ahmadi who however couldn't connect on time. In yet another close shave, a through ball almost found the nippy Arezou inside the box but Gourmangi got a leg in to stave off the danger.

SAFF CHAMPIONSHIP 2011 : INDIA BEAT MALDIVES 3-1 TO REACH IN THE FINAL

Sunil Chhetri spearheaded India's march into the SAFF Championship final scoring two goals and turning the match on its head at a moment when it was just threatening to get derailed. Great players perform when the team needs them; Sunil, at least does. Back home, he surely must be thinking about a new trophy cabinet after bagging his fourth consecutive Man-of-the-Match award.

Riding on a brace from Chhetri, India defeated Maldives 3-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Besides Chhetri, Rahim Nabi had opened the account for India while Shamweel Qasim scored the consolation goal for Maldives. For Maldives, Mohamed Umair was red-carded in injury time.

Early misses sometimes spice up the match. Even before most of the spectators hadn't even dusted their chairs, despite an yawning net welcoming Jeje Lalpeklua with open hands, the highest Indian scorer of the last edition addressed his tap over the post. One remembered Maldives Coach Istvan Bela Urbanyi's statement: "The kick-off will tell us as to who's better."

12 minutes later, Jeje tried to make the ball and the net but his header was acrobatically saved by rival goalkeeper Imran Mohammed. Rahim Nabi, eventually played the mediator in making the pair meet in the 25th minute when he followed and volleyed in Clifford Miranda's free-kick.

India were playing all over the majestic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium by then. What was supposed to be "the match of the tournament," was turning out to be totally one-sided. Sunil Chhetri fell back, caught hold of the loose balls and spun webs around the rival defence.

In sharp contrast, Maldives' stalwart Ali Ashfaq limped all throughout and even went back to the dressing room midway in the first half only to come back within five minutes.

Changing over as the lights were switched on, India further tried to lit up proceedings. Clifford's miss from close proved costly as Maldives striker Shamweel Qasim blasted home a pile-driver in the 59th minute to close - a strike after which Urbanyi just couldn't control himself - crossing the fourth official's bench and almost into the Team India Technical Area to celebrate.

But the joy didn't last for long. Chhetri who was tripped inside the box by Aasd Ghani gleefully converted from the spot to put India back in the lead. Chhetri, then put jewel Raja in the clear who failed to tap into an open net immediately after coming onto the field. Perhaps, it affected Chhetri more than Jewel as in the 91st minute, he ran past the rival defence to slot it home and put it beyond doubt.

The December fog which had descended early into the Stadium on the Friday Night to witness the proceedings wasn't disappointed at all.

In an other Semifinal of the SAFF Championship, Afghanistan beat Nepal 1-0 here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Balal Arezo scored in the 101st minute of Extra time. While Nepal's, Biraj Maharjan was red carded in the 119th minute.

India and Afghanistan will play in the SAFF Championship final to be played on December 11, 2011.

Breitner is see bright future in Indian Football

Bayern Munich football legend Paul Breitner feels 162-ranked India must play regularly against top teams, not fearing embarrassing results, if it want to progress in international football.

Breitner said the world was waiting for India, the world's second most populous nation, to emerge as a footballing power.

The 60-year-old German defender, who along with Pele, Vava and Zidane has the unique achievement of scoring in two World Cup finals, said the friendly between Indian and Bayern Munich, slated for Jan 10, would be a learning experience for the hosts.

"There is huge potential for the game in India. The country can be a footballing giant if it wakes up to its potential," the former defender said on the sidelines of the Audi Football Summit Friday.

A host of Bayern stars like Philipp Lahm, Thomas Mueller, Frank Ribery, Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mario Gomez will be seen in action at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in what will be the farewell match for former India captain Baichung Bhutia.

Part of the proceeds will be donated to the victims of the deadly earthquake that struck Bhutia's home state of Sikkim. The match will be Bayern Munich's third visit to India.

Unlike former India coach Bob Houghton, who felt getting beaten by huge margins would be demoralising for Indian football, Breitner, now an adviser with the Bayern Munich board, said losing is a part of learning process.

"What is the use of playing against lowly ranked team? India will only progress if they play top teams, even if they lose by huge margins," said Breitner, who was nicknamed Der Afro for his big curly hair.

Asked if losing by a huge margin to Bayern will help India, Breitner said: "So what if they lose. They will learn several things if they play such matches. In fact every time they play big teams, India will improve technically and physically as well."

"The world's focus is on India because it has a great potential to emerge as a footballing power in the next decade. The game can become the No.1 sport in the country. Bayern Munich will extend all possible help to India for youth development," he said.

Breitner, however, warned that India should be ready for the match as there would be no lack of intensity from Bayern Munich. Last year, a veteran Bayern Munich All Star team, that also included Breitner, thrashed East Bengal 10-3.

"When a kid signs a professional contract for Bayern Munich, he has just one thing in mind - win every match. That is what we live for. All the top stars of Bayern Munich will be playing and it will be good match," he said.

Source :

Bayern Munich team to play for Bhaichung's farewell match WITH INDIAN Football Team

The Indian national football team will face German giants FC Bayern Munich in a match, which has been declared as the "Baichung Bhutia Farewall Match".

The historic match is scheduled to take place on January 10th, 2012 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, India.

Legendary India skipper Baichung Bhutia announced his retirement from international football in August. The 34-year old striker had an extraordinary career with the Indian national football team and is rated as one of the best – maybe even the best – footballer the country has ever seen.

Indian football fans will be able to see a full-strength Bayern team with all the superstars like Franck Ribéry, Arjen Robben, Mario Gómez and Manuel Neuer in action against our very-own Baichung Bhutia, Subrata Pal, Sunil Chhetri, Gouramangi Singh, etc.

INDIAN V/S SRILANKA IN SAFF CUP 2011

CAFU, RONALDO, MALDINI ANY MANY MORE WILL PALY IN KOLKATA

The city of joy Kolkata continues to witness football stars of the world. In a series of dates with big names in world football, the latest additions are going to be the likes of Cafu, Ronaldo (Brazil), Samuel Eto’o, Paolo Maldini and many more.

The team that will be travelling to Kolkata will be called World Eleven and will play a match against India XI led by Baichung Bhutia. The India XI will be coached by Shyam Thapa, former international footballer. The World XI would be coached by none other than the legendary Ruud Gullit. He has represented the Dutch national team in 80s and 90s and was part of the Netherlands squad for 1990 FIFA World Cup. He also captained the Netherlands to win the Euro Championship in 1988.

SAFF CUP 2011 - INDIA V/S BHUTAN (2ND MATCH)

1997 Federation Cup 4-1 Goal Video East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan - Source : Real POWER | www.EBRP.in

ONCE UPON A TIME - I M VIJAYAN

BHAICHUNG 'S FOOTBALL ACADEMY @ SILIGURI

Indian football star Bhaichung Bhutia's football academy will be at Siliguri.

The academy looking forward to setting up a world cup facily with 3 artificial turfs. Top coaches will train carefully -chosen talented footballers.
The former India captain said getting land would not be an issue and he is now looking forward to setting up a world class facility with three artificial turfs in Siliguri.

I wish Bhichung Bhutia a very good luck.

Thanks Bhaichung !!!!!!

SAFF CUP 2011 RESULTS SOFAR

That's A Goal-An Indian-Can You Believe It? SCORED BY ASHIM BISWAS (EAST BENGAL) NOW IN Mohan Bagan

SAFF CUP 2011 - india vs afghanistan

SAFF CUP 2011 - RESULTS SOFAR

Chettri, Jeje not fit for European clubs: Robert Bann

ndian football's technical director Robert Bann feels that strikers Sunil Chettri and Jeje Lalpeklua, who are fresh from trials with Scottish giants Rangers, are not good enough for top European clubs.

The Dutchman said that the fact that Indian strikers went for trials to Glasgow means that they are not good enough for European clubs.

"Sunil and Jeje are top Indian clubs and ideally scouts should have come to India to watch them play. The fact that they travelled to Scotland shows that they are no good enough for top clubs in Europe," said Bann, a former technical director with Australia.

All India Football Federation (AIFF) secretary general Kushan Das also concurred with Bann.

"Indian players lack fitness. I don't think there is any player in the national team who is even fit for second division European club," Das told IANS.

Meanwhile contrary to Bann's views, Chettri said Indian players have the potential to play to Europen clubs.

"It is tough but I believe that Indian players have the potential to play in European league. The basics are same and Indian players and skilled. The only difference is in the training process," Chettri said.

The former Sporting Kansas City striker said that it is about the first Indian player to breakthrough and others would follow soon.

"In Japan and South Korea it happened the same as well. After Kazu Miura and Hidetoshi Nakata now Japan has several players in the European league. It is all about one Indian player and then we can several playing overseas," Chettri said.

Asked about his six-day trial with Rangers, Chettri said: "I am happy that I got a chance to go to the Rangers. We couldn't train much with the main team as they had their matches. The coach stayed a bit busy and we couldn't spend much time with him. But it was a great experience - there were quality footballers all around and it was a learning experience for me. I am a more confident player now."

The 68-year-old Bann feels that Indians still have a long way to go before realising their dreams of playing in Europe.

"Indian players have to be realistic in their approach. The youth development system is faulty. Half-educated coaches are making it worse. There is not talent spotting system and it is making things difficult in a huge country like India," he said.

Bann said India must have talent spotters, on the lines of now defunct Talent Research Development Officers in the Indian cricket board.

"Today India is one of the top cricketing countries because they spotted talents at the right age. I will propose a similar thing in my report to the AIFF. It is not possible for Colin Toal (youth development chief coach) to tap talents all over the country," he said.

Source : The Times of India

Indian Football - A tribute to the unsung heroes

GLASGOW RANGER To Monitor Indians

ALLY McCOIST says Rangers will continue to monitor Indian stars Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua after their trial with the club came to an end.

The strikers have spent the last six days working in Scotland with the SPL champions after arriving in Glasgow last Friday.

And they took part in a bounce game amongst squad members yesterday at Murray Park as the manager and his assistant Kenny McDowall took the opportunity to see them in action.

Chhetri and Lalpekhlua will now resume their careers with their clubs in the I-League but McCoist is ready to keep a close eye on how they progress.

He told The Ibrox Edition: "Sunil and Jeje did fine and showed up well in training. They showed some lovely touches and adapted to the different surroundings they experienced.

"They are away back home today but we will keep monitoring their situations and keep monitoring their performances back home.

"They will continue to play for their sides in India and it was great to have them both working with us as they are talented boys.

"It was a good experience for them and I think they certainly enjoyed it. We enjoyed having them here too.

"Kenny and I watched them playing in the match yesterday and it was a really enjoyable game. They did absolutely fine."

I League Standing After 7 Matches

Subrata Paul Out for 3 Months

Subrata Paul, who was stretchered out mid-way into the first half of Pune FC’s Federation Cup encounter against East Bengal in Kolkata after a collision with the opposition striker, will need surgery to his left knee.

Paul suffered an ACL rupture after falling, which turned out to be serious.

Shahinlal Meloly or Amrinder Singh will be replacing Paul.

“The injury is unfortunate. I want to be back as soon as possible. And believe me sitting out is not easy. I am always with the team, even when I am out due to injury. I will cheer the team from the outside and wish that all you fans join me,” a disappointed Paul said.

On Pune FC’s I-League campaign, Paul said: “Our first two matches are at home and I am expectant of we doing well in the I-league. I appeal to the fans to come out and support us and I am sure that with the support results will follow.”

Pune FC Head Operations, Chirag Tanna said: “Paul’s injury is a big blow after initially given to understand that Paul will be out for some weeks. However, medically it is much serious and involves an operation.”

Subrata is TD, Prasanta named coach for Mohan Bagan

Prasanta Banerjee

Subrata Bhattacharya

Kolkata: Former India international Subrata Bhattacharjee was on Tuesday appointed as the technical director of Mohun Bagan team while veteran midfielder Prasanta Banerjee will be the new chief coach of city soccer giants for the 2011-12 season.

Bhattacharjee has coached Bagan earlier while Banerjee holds an AFC "A" license in coaching besides being a member of the club`s technical committee, club general secretary Anjan Mitra said.

According to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) guidelines, coaches of the I-League teams have to possess AFC `A` coaching license.

Earlier, former assistant coach of Thai National team and FIFA-recognised coach Steeve Derby, who was acting as chief coach of Mohun Bagan, submitted his resignation to the club authorities after Bagan formed a three-member technical committee comprising Olympian Chuni Goswami, Prasanta Banerjee and Satyajit Chatterjee to look after the affairs of the club`s soccer team.

As a player, Subrata spent his entire career with Mohun Bagan and his first stint as the club coach was in 1995. But that lasted for only six months before he was brought back again in November l999 and continued till 2003.

During this period, Mohun Bagan won many major titles including I-league, Federation Cup, Kolkata League, IFA Shield.

Before joining as technical director, Subrata was associated with the Chirag Viva Kerala club in the same position.

Super Cup win by Super Team : East Bengal

East Bengal clinched the Super Cup thriller as they beat Goa's Salgaocar 9-8 in a penalty shoot-out at the Ambedkar Stadium on Tuesday.
Saikat Saha Roy turned out to be the hero for East Bengal as his spot kick won the game for the Kolkata side. The defender sent the Salgaocar goalkeeper Karanjit Singh wide as East Bengal became the first team to clinch the coveted Cup for the third time.

In a tense shoot-out, the pendulum swung a great deal from one side to another. Salgaocar’s Jaspal Parmar was unlucky to have his penalty saved by East Bengal keeper Gurpreet Singh at 3-3. Then Ravinder Singh failed to win it for East Bengal as he hit in the keeper’s path to take it to sudden death.

The shoot-out went on till 8-8, and then Saha Roy stepped up and sealed the deal.

The game was entertaining as both sides had chances to win it in normal time. The match started with East Bengal taking early initiative. Defender Nirmal Chettri headed a corner from Scottish import Alan Gow, wide of the target in the fifth minute. East Bengal kept on dominating the proceedings as star player Gow took a free kick from 25 yards only to be denied by Salgaocar keeper Karanjit Singh in the 13th minute.

East Bengal continued their good show in the midfield as Robert Lalthumuana and Robin Singh displayed some clever interplay, but when it came to scoring, both came a cropper.

Salgaocar had their first chance in the 28th minute as Tomba Singh and Francis Fernandes set up a chance for Chidi Edeh, but the latter miscued his shot.

East Bengal seized the match again as brilliant midfield play between Gow and Orji choked the Goan side. However, the first half ended at 0-0.

The Kolkata club dominated the second half as well. The tempo, however, slowed down and the chances were few and far between. The match went on as tiring legs resulted in sloppy tackling and a flurry of yellow cards. Saha Roy got booked for tackling Ishfaq Ahmed from behind.

In the 83rd minute, Gow took a free kick from 30 yards but the keeper was up to the challenge as he tipped it over the cross bar. That was the closest East Bengal's best chance in the second half. Substitutions were made as the match was heading into penalties.

Gow sent one more free kick towards the goal but it hit the wall and went to Sanju Pradhan who could only manage to find the side-netting. Salgaocar then tried to steal the match at the death but Francis Fernandes failed to reach a cross from Ryuji Seoka.

East Bengal I-League 2010-11 Best Goals!!!

Ten Sports bags I-League broadcast Rights

Ten Sports has bagged the national broadcast rights of the I-League 2011-2012 season and would telecast 'live' 75 out of 182 matches of the tournament that commences from October 22.

The deal with the sports channel was signed by IMG Reliance which is the marketing partner of the All India Football Federation, a media release said.

The matches would be telecast on 'Ten Action Plus' channel.

Speaking on the initiative, a spokesperson from IMG Reliance commented that the broadcasters shared their vision for the sport in India.

"Ten Sports shares our vision for the sport in India and we are delighted to partner with them in bringing football into the homes of fans across the nation."

"Zee and Ten have been supporters of Indian football for many years and we continue committed to our vision of enhancing and adding value to the sport," said Atul Pande, CEO of Ten Sports, owned by Zee network.

AIFF general secretary Kushal Das also expressed his satisfaction over the deal and said the channel's visibility and promotional activities on air would go a long way in enhancing the profile of 26-round I-League that runs till the end of April, 2012.

Taj Television, which operates Ten Sports, further said that it has renewed the contracts for the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League football tournaments for three years, for an undisclosed amount.

"Ten Sports has acquired the rights across all broadcast platforms which shall enable it to reach significant audiences throughout India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh," the company said.

Live and delayed broadcasts of the matches will be available on Ten Sports and Ten Action Plus, it said.

AIFF SIGNS TWO-YEAR DEAL WITH ROB BAAN

The All India Football Federation has signed a two-year deal with Mr. Rob Baan as the new Technical Director of the AlFF. Mr. Baan would stay responsible for drafting an Indian Football Masterplan. He was earlier involved in similar capacity with the Australian Football Federation.

The All India Football President Mr. Praful Patel welcomed Mr. Baan's appointment. "This is definitely the most important initiative undertaken by the AIFF jointly with FIFA and OSF for grassroot and youth development of Indian Football. I am confident that the appointment of the Technical Director along with establishing Regional and Elite Academies will go a long way in taking Indian Football to a new level."

Mr. Kushal Das, the General Secretary of the AIFF feels this is a step in the right direction. "We are very pleased with the appointment of our new Technical Director Mr. Rob Baan as part of our master agreement with Orange Sports Forum. Mr. Baan will be responsible for structuring the development plan jointly with FIFA and laying the philosophy of Indian football for the future."

"AIFF aims to establish four Regional Football Academies and one Elite Academy by 31st March 2012. These Academies will be developed with Technical Support from FIFA, Philips and PSV. Mr. Baan will work closely with AIFF/FIFA, PSV and Philips to get the best possible structure and design of the Academies to achieve optimal results as quickly as possible. We trust that over the next few years the level of our National squads will improve significantly as will our FIFA ranking."

Mr. Baan thanked the AIFF for giving him the chance to serve Indian football. "It is fantastic that AIFF has given me the chance to use my year-long expertise in India. Recent research reports have shown that football is a sport with huge potential in India. With its dazzling 1.2 billion people, rich history and culture India is a sleeping giant."

"In the next two years I will work hard together with PSV and AIFF to lay the groundwork for the future of Indian football. I see it as my job to create the right conditions based on the Dutch school but with a strong Indian signature," he maintained.

Mr. Baan will be taking over his new post from November 1, 2011.

124 Durand Cup : Churchill routed Lajong to face Prayag United in the Final

Churchill Brothers made their fifth entry into the Durand with an emphatic 4-1 win over Shillong Lajong in the semi finals here today. Twice champions (2007 & 2009) Churchill Brothers will however miss their star striker Henri Arnaud in the final. The Gabon international who has played professional football in Portugal was sent off in the 55th minute after receiving a second yellow card.

Churchill Brothers will now meet Prayag United in the final on Saturday Oct. 15 at 5.45p.m. This is the fourth time that a Bengal - Goa club will clash in the Durand final. The last occasion was in 2009 when Churchill Brothers beat Mohun Bagan 3-1 with striker Odafe scoring an extra time hat-trick.

In a fast paced exciting match Churchill Brothers forged ahead in the 25th minute. Beto took a low and quick free kick from the left to the top of the box. A lurking Dias side - footed the ball goalwards and it entered the net via a deflection off central defender Aibor Khongjee. Three minutes later the Goa team scored again. Beto sped down the left and flicked to Henri who overtook his marker and placed past an onrushing goalkeeper Lalthuammawaia.

In the 43rd minute Shillong Lajong scored the reducer. Eugenson Lygdoh's accurate corner kick was headed in by tiny Menyongar who outjumped his 6ft 3 ins marker Anjun Kovacic to head in. Cheered on by their vociferous supporters Shillong Lajong started brightly in the second half.

However in the 48th minute Dias, accurate free kick was headed into the corner of the net by a diving Bineesh Balan. When Henri was shown the red card in the 55th minute, Churchill Brothers became defensive and played with a lone striker. Shillong Lajong attacked relentlessly but made little impact. In the 76th minute, midfielder M.P. Zakeeer who excelled today with mobility and clever passing took a low free kick from the right and Beto darted in to prod into the net.

1997 Federation Cup 4-1 Goal Video East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan - Powered by EBRP.IN.

Click herhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gife for the Video.

Sunil Chhetri May Play In La Liga

In an interview with Ahsan Ali Syed who is the owner of La Liga side Racing Santander, Syed expressed his desire to add Indian flavor to the Spanish club. He praised Indian star forward Sunil Chhetri's performance against Bahrain in the recently concluded AFC Asia Cup 2011.

EAGARO - A TRUE STORY MUST BE WATCH

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly and veteran Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee, apart from the members of the Mohun Bagan Club were present at the premiere of the film.

Soumitra Chatterjee said, “It was pleasure to watch the movie, and it is really wonderful that the players can act so well.”

A number of players from Mohun Bagan club acted in this movie.

Directed by Arun Ray and produced by Magic Hour entertainment, the story of the film is based on pre-independence era, when the people irrespective of their caste, creed and religion came to watch the Mohun Bagan club’s victory over the dominating British clubs like Rangers and St. Xaviers.

Speaking on the film. director Arun Ray said that the movie was a result of hard work by both the players as well as the technicians.

The movie on the ‘immortal eleven’ of 1911 IFA Shield-winning Mohun Bagan team, will hit the silver screen on Jan 21.

Magic Hour Entertainment's Egaro - The Immortal XI is an upcoming Bangla movie celebrating the best of Indian soccer (football) and the July 29, 1911 historic victory of the Calcutta-based Indian team of Mohun Bagan against the British East Yorkshire Regiment, thus winning Mohun Bagan the IFA Shield for the first time ever. The film is directed by Arun Roy and produced by Anilava Chatterjee.

EGARO features music by the folk band MOKAM (Mayukh - Mainak) known for their unique and innovative sound rooted in folk and tribal music of Bengal. The lyricist of the film songs is Sumanta Choudhury.

Watch a video of and listen to producer Anilabha Chatterjee talking to Subhomoy Mukherjee, WBRi correspondent, in an informal and intimate interview online by pressing the play button above.
Subhomoy writes:

EGARO - The Immortal XI (2010) Kolkata Bengali New Movie Poster

Anilabho Chatterjee started his career as a journalist. Then he liked to cover the sports, eventually he felt in love with sports and till date, even as a producer of popular television events, he likes to do programs on sports, even the programs with celebrity sports persons.

At the same time he loves to promote the sports prodigies of Bengal villages. With that conception he has started his career in Television as producer of “Das Minute r Khel” which is a program of 10 minutes but very popular among Bengali households as the program helps needy Bengali young sport talents to come in lime light.

But his most successful program was “Dadagiri” – a reality show anchored by our very own Sourav Ganguly – the most successful captain of Indian Cricket. Dadagiri broke all the records of popularity of Indian Television and Sourav achieved the honour of best anchor last year. Due to that popularity, he is planning to start second edition of Dadagiri very soon.

At the same time he has madder another popular sports program “ Extra Time”

His another achievement is “ Ke hobe biggest fan” which is the most talked Talk Show of yester months of Bengali Television with star host Anurag Basu and his celebrity guests.

But Anilabho Chatterjee is in lime light now due to “Egaro” – the feature film he has made to celebrate 100th year of winning of IFA shield by Mohunbagan as 1st Indian club by defeating a British Team Yorkshire.

Egaro has caught the madness, dedication and patriotism of then India against ruler British through that Soccer match played by bare feet Mohunbagan with Yorkshire.

Egaro, dealing with a different kind of subject, will release very soon and we hope that Egaro should be a popular project due to the subject.

Concept & Direction: Arun Roy
Producer: Anilava Chatterjee
Director Of Photography: Gopi Bhagat
Production Designer: Indranil Ghosh
Editor:Shyamal Karmakar
Script: Dipannita Ghosh
Casting Director: Dipak Halder
Music Director: MOKAM (Mayukh Mainak)
Lyricist: Sumanta Choudhury
Background Score: Arijit Singh

INDIA LOST TO S.KOREA THEIR FINAL GAME

South Korean young gun Son Heung-min celebrates by making a heart-shape with his hands after netting the fourth goal of the game in a 4-1 win against India in the final Group C match in the Asian Cup. South Korea will meet Iran in the quarterfinals at 1:25 a.m. Sunday (KST). / Yonhap


i Dong scored twice as South Korea sealed their place in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over India.

But Korean team will rue an excess of missed chances as Australia's 1-0 victory over Bahrain condemned them to second place in Group C on goal difference to set up a last eight clash with Iran.

South Korea took the lead in the 6’ as Ji Dong gave the Koreans the lead. In the 9’ Koo Ja-Cheol gave the Koreans a 2-0 lead. India pulled one back in the 12’ as Sunil Chhetri scored from a spot-kick. Again in the 23’ Ji Dong scored his second and team’s third goal.

In the second half South Korea scored another goal in the 81’ as Son Heung scored. South Koreans could have scored another five to six goals, but a wonderful performance by Subrata Paul and by the Indian defenders denied South Korea to score more goals.

In the closing stage Sunil Chhetri got a wonderful chanced but South Korean Goal Keeper Jung’s double save did not do any damage to the scoresheet.

Best Performer for India : Subrata Paul.

India Lost To Baharin 5-2

India produced a dominant performance in the second half but went down fighting 2-5 against Bahrain in their second group match of the Asian Cup football tournament here today.


India, who lost to Australia 0-4 in their first match, trailed 1-4 at the breather but came back strongly in the second half. to show that they are no pushovers though there is 51 places difference in the FIFA rankings between the two teams with Bahrain at 93rd.

With this loss, India expectedly were eliminated from the competition though they have one more match -- against South Korea on January 18.

Bahrain striker Ismaeel Abdul Latif scored the tournament’s first hat-trict, finding the target four times inthe 16th, 19th, 35th and 77th minutes after his team-mate Faouzi Aaish had opened the account for his side in the eighth minute.

For India, Gouramangi Singh and Sunil Chhetri scored in the ninth and 51st minutes in the Group C match at the Al Sadd Stadium here.

In a fast-paced match, India tried to match their more fancied rivals, who missed out the bus for 2010 world Cup inplay-off, but a goal-keeper miss judgment and constant pressure from their opponents saw them wilt and trail 1-4 at half time.

Strikers Chhetri and Abhishek Yadav, who started in place of Mohammed Rafi today, troubled the opposition defence many times.

Sunil Chetri, in particular, was in the thick of things missed on a couple of chances. But not a good day for him.

Indian badly need well built striker. Why India not gave citizenship to Odafa, Tolgey, Okpara, Pen, Beto. Every team has foreign flavor. Why not India?

India scored one goal through Chhetri in the second half, but they failed to use the opportunity of one-man advantage from the 62nd minute onwards and score more.

Bahrain''s first goal scorer Faouzi Aatish was sent off by Malaysian referee Mohammed Abdul Razaq after he was booked forthe second time in the match for diving without any foul.

Instead, India conceded a goal against the run of play to widen the margin of loss.

With this win, Bahrain, who lost to South Korea 1-2 in their opening match, stayed in contention for a quarter final berth. Ranked seventh in Asia, Bahrain play Australia on January 18.

The Indian defence of Gouramangi Singh, Anwar, SurkumarSingh and Syed Rahim Nabi were troubled by the fast Bahraini strike duo of John Jaycee and Abdul Latif several times in the first half. .

Best Performer for India: Subrata Paul and Gourmangi

Gourmangi singh has been awarded AIFF Footballer of the year 2010 ..

The All India Football Federation (AIFF), on Tuesday, named Churchill Brothers’ Gourmangi Singh the 2010 Player of the Year.

The central defender, who is currently with the India team in Doha for the Asian Cup, was selected after consultations with the national coach Bob Houghton and the technical committee, said a press release from the AIFF.

The Manipur boy, who started his career as a defensive midfielder and was struggling to find a regular place in Sporting Clube de Goa, came on his own after he joined Churchill in 2007.

While the then Churchill coach Karim Bencherifa’s insistence to play Gourmangi as a stopper back brought a huge change in his career, Houghton also included him in his pre-Olympic and national squads. Since then, Gourmangi has been playing with great consistency.

Asian Cup: India 0 Australia 4

Tim Cahill

Australia crushed India 4-0 to get their Asian Cup campaign Monday with Everton star Tim Cahill collecting two goals.

Played at an Al-Sadd Stadium packed with noisy expatriate Indians, Indian team ranked 142 in the world. The lowest ranked team in this tournament. But Indian team played well without Bhaichung Bhutia.

They comfortably delivered with the dangerous Cahill, playing up front as the lone striker, a constant threat.

He got the opener in the 11th minute before former Liverpool man Harry Kewell made it 2-0 14 minutes later.

Brett Holman added a third on the stroke of half-time before Cahill completed the demolition in the second period.

In breezy conditions, both sides began slowly with Australia getting the first sniff of goal on nine minutes when Holman looped the ball in to Blackburn's Brett Emerton, who fired straight at the goalkeeper Subrata Paul.Subrata was brillient. So saved at least 3-4 goals.

Emerton looked suspiciously offside when he was put through on the right but the flag stayed down and he sent a low cross into the six-yard box, where Cahill was lurking to bury the ball in the back of the net.

Rank outsiders India, in the tournament for the first time in 27 years, were out of their depth but got a look at goal when captain Climax Lawrence's shot from 25 yards drifted well wide of the post soon after.

Australia should have been 2-0 up on 20 minutes when Cahill headed home but he was adjudged offside by UAE referee Ali Al Badwawi. Replays suggested the goal should have stood.

They made amends just minutes later when Luke Wilkshire found Kewell in space just outside the penalty area and the Galatasaray midfielder clinically drilled the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.

With Fulham's Mark Schwarzer having nothing to do in the Australian goal, a third goal almost came on the half-hour with Cahill in the thick of the action again.

India were struggling to contain him and he went close once again when he chested down a long ball and half-volleyed it just over the bar.

The third goal was inevitable and it came just before half-time when Holman got his head on the end of an Emerton cross after some good build-up work.

Australia began the second-half in total control and Cahill got his second in the 65th minute when he out-jumped four defenders to meet a Wilkshire cross and angle his header past the goalkeeper.

Vocal to the point of fanatical at any foray into their side’s attacking half, India’s supporters almost had a consolation goal to celebrate when star striker Sunil Chhetri beat the off-side trap to run onto a ball inside the area in the 84th minute.

India, with Englishman Bob Houghton in charge, now have their work cut out with Group C clashes against mighty South Korea and a very capable Bahrain still awaiting them.

Australia face the Koreans on January 14 in a match that could determine who finishes top of the group.

Indian Star performer of the day was Syed Nabi and Subrata Paul. Any way Indian are played bravely i can say. Sunil Chetri

Bhaichung ruled out of Asian Cup

India skipper and striker Bhaichung Bhutia has been ruled out of the AFC Asian Cup because of a calf muscle injury.

Bhutia, has been injured for some months.

As a result of Bhutia's absence, Sushil Kumar singh may get chance to start with Sunil chettri in upfront in the first match against Australia on 10th in absence of Baichung Bhutia.

Climax Lawrance may be the proposed Captain of the Team. Baichung may be present as an official of Indian team.

INDIA'S SUCCESS IN INTERNATIONAL SOCCER

YEAR TOURNAMENT POSITION

1951 Asian Games WINNER
1952 Quadrangular Cup WINNER
1953 Quadrangular Cup WINNER
1954 Quadrangular Cup WINNER
1954 Olynpic Tournament 4th Position
1955 Quadrangular Cup WINNER
1959 Mardeka Cup Runners
1962 Asian Games WINNER
1964 Asia Cup Runners
1964 Mardeka Cup Runners
1965 Mardeka Cup 3rd Position
1966 Mardeka Cup 3rd Position
1970 Mardeka Cup 3rd Position
1970 Asian Games 3rd Position
1971 Pesta Sukan Cup Joint Winners
1974 Asian Youth Football Joint Winners
1985 SAF GAMES WINNER
1987 SAF GAMES WINNER
1993 SAF GAMES Runners
1993 SAF Cup WINNER
1995 SAF GAMES WINNER
1997 SAF Football WINNER
1999 SAF Football WINNER
2002 L G Cup WINNER
2003 Afro-Asian Games Runners
2005 SAF Football WINNER
2007 Nehru Cup WINNER
2008 SAF Football Runners
2008 AFC Challengers Cup WINNER
2009 Nehru Cup WINNER
2010 SAF Football WINNER

** India reached in the Semi-final of 1956 Melbourne Olympic

India Football: Our chance at Doha against Asian giants ?

Watching World Cup is always a great feeling. Now that the month-long football’s showpiece event is over, I am back to the basics: Indian football.

As Indian team face a real test of strength (at the Asian Cup next year at Doha), the federation have released couple of international assignments for the team. The team is currently based in Portugal and are going through the grinds. But some have already raised queries and doubts about Indian team composition. Most of the senior players are over the hills. Some are nurshing injuries. And some don’t even deserve a place in the squad. Yet, we are spending crores on tours which I’m sure would fetch little or nothing for Bob Houghton and India. In my earlier article on Korea and Indian football, I had talked about the youth development. So, why didn’t the Federation spend some on the grassroot projects and the rest on tours, I wonder.

During the World Cup, lot of people wanted to know why we don’t qualify. Why we don’t make a good team? I was a bit flummoxed. Because I never knew that Indian football team has so many followers. Everybody were awestruck when they were told that India would be playing in Asia’s biggest and top event in January next year. But it’s going to be harsh a reality for India which surprisingly hasn’t seen any change in the team composition.

I still fail to understand why coach Bob Houghton has to stick with the same players. Why he has failed to bring in new faces during the last four years? At one end, he has been talking about being ‘fair’ when it comes to contract dispute. His recent spat with the Federation almost brought India’s Asian Cup preparation to a dead halt. But aren’t we giving him too much power in team selection? Let’s not just sit back and discuss what we did in last summer (Nehru Cup win). Australia, South Korea, and even Bahrain will prove quite a handful for our veteran warhorses.

There are players in this current Indian squad who don’t even deserve a place. I don’t want to name them. But Bob wants them in his scheme of planning because he he hasn’t found a replacement for them. Quite strange though because a youth development programme under Colin Toal already exists. So I guess he hasn’t been able to develop a sync with the youth development programme.

This has been a perennial problem with the foreign coaches. These gentlemen think they are the best. I’m sure some are really good. But the Federation always lack in confidence when it comes to dealing with these foreign trainers. I don’t know who’s answerable to whom. We don’t even know who does Bob report to. Who reviews his work? Who oversees the grassroot programme?