BDFA XI lifts Don Bosco - Fr. Mcferran Trophy

Displaying a stellar performance, BDFA XI defeated local outfit Arrows FC 3-1 and won the Don Bosco - Fr. Mcferran Trophy. BDFA XI had earlier won the tourney on 2006, they were runners up on the 2008 edition.

BEML striker Stephen scored a brace in the 10th and 85th minute and MEG striker N Hamar scored the other goal in the 29th minute of the match. S Gilberd reduced the margin for Arrows FC in the 62nd minute. 

Winning this prestigious knock-out tournament, BDFA XI bagged a cash incentive of Rs.25,000/-. In the best player’s category, Chethan Kumar bagged the title of best defender and Stephen was adjudged the best attacker.
 

Special prizes for best players
 

• Best Goalkeeper - Sathish Kumar, ICF SA, Chennai
• Best defender - Chethan Kumar, BDFA XI
• Best midfielder – T Pugazhendhi, Arrows FC, Chennai
• Best attacker - Stephen, BDFA XI
• Best upcoming player - Wayne Antonio D'Silva, SAI, Chennai
• Best upcoming player - Arjun Tudu, Army Greens, Bangalore

Top Scorer: 5 goals - Samuel Jackson, Arrows FC, Chennai

HAL falters again at home

The much awaited home matches are definitely giving jitters to HAL coach Thayagraj. For the second time, the aircraftsmen failed to take the advantage of playing in front of home crowd. Dempo turned out to be a much better outfit defeating HAL 3-0.

Striker Ranty scored the first goal for Dempo in the 7th minute of the match, Beto scored the second goal at the 49th minute of the match, and finally it was Ranty Martins again in the 67th minute scoring his second and teams third  goal of the match.

Silent prayer in memory of late Dempo player Christiano Junior

 

HAL were beaten comprehensively in all departments, they midfield failed to consolidate the game, committed too many miss passes, and gave away the ball of their opponent, the striking zone lacked support and sharpness, and defense  failed to clear ball in crucial juncture that resulted goal.

Dempo outwitted HAL quite convincingly

Blame it on the ground condition, player’s availability, expectation from the spectators, or any other external factor, the team seems to have performed much better in the away matches.

Ranti scoring his 3rd and teams 2nd goal

This is definitely a worrisome factor and the management needs to work in tandem with the players to sort it out. With HAL getting 9 days before they play their next match against ONGC, they need to repair the risk areas in order to stay in contention in I-League.

HAL hoping to upset Dempo’s plans

Garden city is ready get the taste of top-class national football as the fight is on between mighty Dempo and HAL tomorrow. Dempo comes from a nightmarish last match where they were ploughed by the Airmen 4-0. HAL lost to East Bengal 1-0. Both the teams are finding an avenue to set their record straight.
 

Dempo seems to be a much stronger side with some quality foreigners and talented local players, not to forget the players who resumed club after performing their duty with the national team. Also, the team does not have any injury scare neither they will be missing any player due to suspension.

On the contrary HAL seems to be a worried lot, they definitely have issue with a quality bench strength. Players missing from any vital position have cost them dearer. With 10 away matches in last 2 months, the much travelled team in the I-league is struggling with injury, James Singh Jr., RC Prakash to name a few. 

The management failed to pick a decent bunch of players at the beginning of the season and scouting now before the second transfer window closes.

They might have done so during the qualifying and final leg of the 2nd division I-League held in April-May last year in Bangalore. While the then HAL players impressed and got recruited by the outstation teams, HAL could only recruit few players from neighboring Kerala. Perhaps, the biggest example is Durga Boro. This striker was pretty impressive when he played for Oil India in the 2nd division I-League. Churchill Brothers signed him this season and apparently he scored a goal against HAL.

The most worrisome factor definitely seems to be the ground. Dempo coach Armando Colaco has taken this in his stride quoting that they have played in much worse conditions and his team will adopt to the ground condition. However, there was enough time between the last and tomorrow’s match that could have enabled the authorities to upgrade the ground.

The pitch looked uneven with mini-holes and thick grasses laid across the ground.

With the laying of artificial grass in the Bangalore Football Stadium not gathering momentum, most likely HAL will be playing all their home matches at this venue. Should the authorities does not care about improving the condition of the ground, this will definitely be a grave concern for HAL.

BDFA XI make it to the finals of Don Bosco - Fr. Mcferran Trophy

BDFA XI beat the local team ICF SA by a goal in the first semi-final of the Don Bosco - Fr. Mcferran Trophy. Stephen, who turns out for BEML color in the local league scored the only goal of the match in the 52nd minute.
 

BDFA XI will now play the winner of the second semi final between the local teams, SAI and Arrows FC, which will be played tomorrow, Friday, January 28, 3 pm. The final will be played on Sunday, January 30.

HAL back on the winning track

What started with a bang didn’t last long, the euphoria was slowing down, and the team was literally struggling and losing steam - 7 matches without a win! Finally, the boys in green were able to break the jinx – a nice morale boosting away win against Pune FC.

Blame it on the unavailability of the key players on crunch games or proper bench strength, HAL was ending up on the losing side. However, today they got their full strength, with wily Xavier VijayKumar back on the side and fielding promising junior national player Shankar S on loan.

Pune FC started on a confident note with Keita Mandjou foraying HAL defense. Pune FC custodian Balaji made a mess of the situation in the 20th minute, however, HAL failed to capitalize the situation.

4 minutes later, HAL scored the only goal of the match much to the disbelief of the crowd. Xavier VijayKumar rolled the ball for Shankar S, which the later passed to Murali J. Murali put the cross for Hamza, which the Nigerian recruit made no mistake in heading to the goal.

HAL showed urgency and were calling the shots in the rest of the first-half. Murali played the game of his life and was in absolute control of the midfield. Perhaps this was something that was apparently missing in the PuneFC game.

Second half saw a defiant HAL packing the midfield. Hamza was brought down in the middle with RC Prakash playing as a lone striker. Xavier Vijaykumar was supporting RC from the right flank.

PuneFC made several attack in the second half, yet they failed to open the goalmouth.

Xavier today was seen playing in his favorite position in the right-flank, he created several chances, and missed couple of sitters. He was adjudged the man of the match.

This victory will definitely help HAL to put a brave show against chart-leaders East Bengal, whom they play on January 22 at Kolkata. However, HAL will be missing the service of J Murali and Shrikant due to double booking.

BDFA XI qualify for semi final of Don Bosco - Fr. Mcferran Trophy

After playing a goalless draw against Southern Railway SA, Chennai, in the regulation time, BDFA XI routed the Chennai team 4-2 in penalty shoot-out. Rakesh Babu, Hayath Khalandar, Chethan Kumar, and Prakash scored for BDFA XI and Riju and John Arulraj scored for the loosing team.

With this win, the winner of the 2006 edition reached the semi final of this biennial knock-out tournament. 

BDFA XI will play their semifinal match on Thursday, January 27, 3.45 pm. In other first-round match, another Bangalore team, Army Greens will play against State Bank of India S&RC, Chennai tomorrow, January 19, 3.45 pm.

Don Bosco - Fr. Mcferran Trophy 2011: BDFA XI overcomes the challenge of Brothers Club

Playing their initial match against Brothers Club, Kannur, BDFA XI defeated the Kerala club 2-1. BEML player Dada Khalandar scored the first goal in the 9th minute of the match. Later, in the 21st minute, KSP defender PradeepKumar BV increased the margin. Brothers Club defeated the margin in the 83rd minute of the match.

In the quarterfinal match, BDFA XI now plays against Southern Railway SA, Chennai tomorrow, Tuesday, January 18, 3.45 pm. In the first match played yesterday, Southern Railway defeated Tiruvallur DFA XI 3-1.

BDFA XI to participate in the Don Bosco - Fr. Mcferran Trophy

The BDFA XI comprising of players from Super division, A division, under-19, and under-21 team will participate in the Don Bosco - Fr. Mcferran Trophy 2011 to be held in Chennai. 

16 teams have entered in this biennial tournament and it will be played on a knock-out format. BDFA XI plays their first match on Monday, January 17 against Brothers Club, Kannur.
 

BDFA XI has won the Don Bosco - Fr. Mcferran Trophy on the 2006 and they were runners up on the 2008 edition.
 

BDFA XI team:

 
Nagendra (KSP), Ravindran (Postal), Rakesh Babu, Vinod Kumar, Avinash, Hayath Khalandar, Stephen, Tiken Singh, Karthigayen (all BEML), B V Pradeep (KSP), C S Pradeep Kumar (Captain, KSP), Mohan R (BEL), B Prakash (Postal), Kiran Kumar (Bangalore Mars), Chethan Kumar (Postal), Vinod (RWF)
 

Coach - Devvo and Manager Malle Gowda

HAL faces another defeat

HAL started their home campaign in a dull note as Karim Bencherifa-coached Salgaonkar convincingly beat them 1-0. Ghanaian striker Yusif Yakubu’s shot hit the post several times and the scoreline might not depict the true essence of the game. This was the third consecutive defeat for the aircraftsmen.

Yakubu trying to squeeze past HAL defense

Decent crowd came out on a busy weekday at the Kanteerava Stadium to cheer their team. This stadium was hosting a top-level football match after several seasons. However, much to crowds disappointment, Salgaonkar took the lead in the 11 minute of the game from Brazilian stopper back Luciano Sabrosa header from a Ryuji Sueoka corner.

Salgaonkar dominated the rest of the first half by displaying total control on the midfield and some tight defending.

HAL’s striking ability was marred by the absence of Xavier VijayKumar, who is virtually out for the next three weeks. The striking partnership of Hamza and Meikinlung didn’t pose any real threat to the Salgaonkar defense.

Second-half saw a better HAL, with the midfielders trying to play possession game. They provided aerial ball to the strikers, however, the later failed the crack opponent’s defense.

Femi challenges Sueka, Yakubu looks to collect the ball

Salgaonkar missed a penalty in the 70th minute of the match and failed to score their second goal. Sueka was brought down by the keeper inside the penalty box. Yakubu’s penalty kick was saved by the keeper.

Sueka takes a powerful shot

HAL kept pressurizing Salgaonkar in the last few minutes of the match, however, some wayward dead ball shots didn’t help them to get back in the game.

In the post-match press conference, Salgaonkar coach Karim Bencherifa highlighted the importance of getting full-points from an away game. Also, praised his players for pulling out this match on a difficult ground which was full of uneven bounce.

Muralidharan, HAL manager expressed his distress with the unavailability of top players. Team will play 19 more matches, he is confident of HAL coming back from behind.

Next match:

• Round VIII: Sunday, January 9, 2011 Vs Air India

* Picture courtesy: Paul Dharamraj