A black day in Indian football - first division player collapses on the pitch, dies

A black day in Indian football - first division player collapses on the pitch, dies

Bangalore Mars striker, Venkatesh D, 23, collapsed on the football field at Bangalore Football Stadium. This unfortunate incident happened at 87th minute when his team was playing against South Western (SW) Railway in BDFA A Division league. Venkatesh’s team was leading 2-0 when he collapsed on ground. 

No ambulance was present at the stadium. Venkatesh’s teammates hired an auto rickshaw and took him to closest hospital, Hosmat Hospital, for immediate treatment. However, he was declared dead on arrival by the doctors. 

Doctors suggest a natural death at first sight. The exact cause of death can be ascertained only after the postmortem report comes out. His body was taken to Bowring Hospital for postmortem.

As if the Cristioano Junior’s incident, occurred more than seven years ago was not enough. As if Arun Kumar death, occurred less than a year ago was not enough. 

The disastrous event just exposes the pathetic state of Indian football. This was just waiting to happen. With no trained physicians, no ambulance, how can you manage competitive top division football? Simply just not possible using with a mere pain spray and ice pack! 

An absolute callousness from the part of the organizers, shame BDFA, shame KSFA. A black day in Indian football! 

Venkatesh, football in Bangalore will be poorer without you. Rest in peace, brother!

Botafogo Had a Tough time against Chirag Kerala

Brazil’s Botafogo FC scored deep in to the second half injury time to register their first win in the 116th IFA Shield 2012, at the cost of Chirag United Kerala who crashed out of the tournament after their second loss in the group stages. It was Botafogo’s Alvez Alveira who found the soul goal of the match from a pass off Jao Marcos in a match that saw Chirag getting reduced to 10 men as Vineeth CK saw the red card in the second half.

The visitors from Brazil began the match well as they produced some attempts on goal, but Chirag United’s captain on goal Sharath K managed to keep the score sheet unscathed. Alvez created the first chance fro Botafogo as he produced a shot on goal, but hit straight at the keeper.

Chirag were also on chances in the first half. David Sunday had couple of his shots saved by the Botafogo keeper Milton. Sukhwinder Singh also had a shot on target as his freekick was saved by the keeper late in the first half. The score remained 0-0 at half time.

The second half saw Chirag Kerala produce some impressive moves early on as they missed some great chances to take the lead. First, David Sunday’s header from Sajesh cross was saved by the keeper. Then, Manoj’s shot from inside the six yard box failed to find the target. Chirag were running out of luck here. That was proven when their playmaker Vineeth CK was shown his second yellow and sent off by the referee in the 61st minute.

Botafogo went on in search of that elusive goal, but they had to wait till the third minute of injury time to grab it. It was Alvez who received the ball from Jao Marcos and bulleted the shot into the Chirag goal that turned out to be a winner in the final minute of the match.

Savio Medeira confident of improved show v/s Philippines

India got off to an extremely disappointing start in AFC Challenger Cup after a hapless 2-0 loss against Tajikistan in their opening match. There were certain doubts regarding Savio Medeira’s selection of the starting XI and the final result, a 2-0 loss, confirmed those doubts. Philippines also made a losing start to their tournament losing to North Korea with an identical scoreline.

Medeira opted to start without Jewel Raja, one of the most consistent central midfielders in Indian football, instead choosing to start Adil Khan along with Rocus Lamere. While Rocus has some experience in international football, Adil just made his debut a few days back. Their inexperience showed as the match wore on as India were torn apart in center of the park. Rocus showed good work-rate but Adil gradually fizzled out after an encouraging start. Worse, there was absolutely no supply to the strikers upfront and the Blue Tigerswere over-dependent on the wings.

Indian defence has been pretty ordinary in recent matches and things didn’t improve in this game either. Raju Gaikwad still looks rusty thanks to a long injury lay-off while Gourmangi’s run of indifferent form is now starting to become a big cause of concern. Samir Naik and Nabi’s forward surges left acres of space behind, which central defence was unable to deal with as Tajik’s took advantage of the open spaces. Indian defence was all over the place in second half and will be grateful to Tajik strikers’ profligacy for a 2-0 scoreline.

If midfield and defence didn’t hold up the forward line was dismal as well. Tajikistan defence was expected to be stubborn, being one of the two teams (with North Korea) to have not conceded a goal in the qualification round. India created just two chances in the match. Sushil Singh, who rarely performs well but astonishingly gets selected all the time, dropped deeper in an effort to link up with retreating midfield but failed to make an impact. Sunil Chhetri’s main contribution in the match was setting up a chance for Anthony Perreira. Jeje Lalpekhlua, who scored 4 of the 7 goals India scored in qualifiers is clearly being missed.

Despite a discouraging performance in first match Savio Medeira is unlikely to make sweeping changes across the board before the do or die clash with Philippines. Two of the most likely changes in starting XI can be Jewel Raja in place of Adil Khan and Joachim Abranches instead of Sushil. Abranches found himself in a goal scoring position minutes after coming on against Tajikistan, something Sushil could not manage in 81 minutes of football. Despite the loss in first match Blue Tigers are still not out of the hunt for a place in semi-finals. If they do not defeat Philippines, AFC Challenge Cup 2012 will be more or less over Savio Medeira’s team.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Karanjit(GK); Naik, Gaikwad, Gourmangi, Nabi; Anthony, Jewel, Rocus, Francis; Abranches, Chhetri

Bayern Munich win Bhutia's Last match in Indian Colour by 4-0

Bhaichung Bhutia's farewell match ended in an expected defeat, but the Indian legend was given a rousing farewell by the crowd, even as German giants Bayern Munich outclassed India 4-0 in an exhibition tie at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday.

Thomas Muller scored a brace, while Mario Gomez along with Bastian Schweinsteiger netted a goal each, as the Bavarians demonstrated their superiority without having to break a sweat.

However, after conceding four goals in the first half, the Indians gave a much better account of themselves in the second period by denying the German side any further success, although Bayern also eased off after several first-team players were substituted.

Coach Jupp Heynckes made several changes at the break, substituting Arjen Robben, Philipp Lahm, Rafinha and Muller, though Franck Ribery came off the bench.

Earlier, the German side started with most of their first eleven, except for Ribery, and toyed with the Indians, attacking almost at will.

It was no surprise then that Bayern opened the scoring as early as the 14th minute through Gomez, who tapped in a Robben pass past Indian goalkeeper Karanjit Singh.

Muller then scored two in the space of nine minutes, first nodding home without any challenge near the far post off a cross from the right by Robben in the 29th minute, before slotting home again from an assist by Toni Kroos in the 37th minute.

With all the action taking place in their half, Indian forays forward were few and far between, with all emphasis on defending and trying to contain the dominant Bayern stars. Bhaichung made an ambitious attempt from 30 yards out, but the ball sailed into the crowd.

However, the quality of their opponents shone through and it was Schweinsteiger's turn to join the act with a beauty in the 43rd minute.

The margin of defeat could have been much heavier had it not been for substitute goalkeeper Subhasish Roychowdhury's brilliant saves in the second half.

Around 35,000 crowd watched the match at the floodlit stadium but the national team, led for the last time by Bhutia, were no match for the highly-fancied Bayern side, who had overwhelming ball possession and did most of the attacking. The hosts never managed to trouble German 'keeper Manuel Neuer.

In fact, the home side's only real shot on target came in the 82nd minute when Bhaichung released the onrushing Jewel Raja, whose shot went straight into the hands of Neuer.

However, the fans were not bothered by the scoreline, instead relishing a chance to experience top-class European football first-hand. At the same time, every tackle or stop by an Indian defender and of course, every touch by Bhaichung was wildly cheered.

Bhutia, who has been Indian football's posterboy for 16 years since he made his international debut in 1995, played for 85 minutes before being replaced by CS Sabeeth, and the striker, who announced his retirement last year, was given a standing ovation by the crowd.