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.