Government Sports School lifts Coca Cola U-14 tourney

Government Sports School, Vidyanagar won the Coca Cola U-14 football tournament by defeating Roots Sports 1-0. In a keenly contested match, Dilp Gowda scored the only goal in the 40th minute. 

Earlier, in the semis, Government Sports School got the better of Stadium Soccer School and Roots Sports defeated Jain international School, Kanakaapura Road.  

The tournament kicked off on Sunday, August 24. In-spite of BDFA trying to reach out the maximum number schools at Taluka-level, several schools remained absent owing to examination. Finally 16 teams turned up for the tournament played in a knock-out format of 25 minutes each half. 

Keeping Sub-Junior Nationals in mind, the state football association deputed spotters. Selected players will be representing Karnataka in the u-14 nationals. 

Semi finals

• Government Sports School, Vidyanagar 3 (Srikanth-18’, Tarunkumar-32’, Brijesh M-40’) Vs Stadium Soccer School 0 
• Roots Sports 3 (Fauzil-14', 37', Rudra-23') Vs Jain International School, Kanakapura Raod 0

Final 

• Government Sports School, Vidyanagar 1 (Dilp Gowada-40’) Vs Roots Sports 0

Kalyani Group - Second I-League team from Pune

Members of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Bid Evaluation Committee met at the AIFF Headquarters in Football House on Monday (August 25, 2014) to take a call on the proposed bids for the upcoming I-League 2014/15 season onwards.

The committee accepted the bid of the Kalyani Group to participate in 2014-15 I-League which commences from January 17, 2015.

The corporate giant will be fielding their team from their base in Pune. The premier league competition of the country will now comprise of 11 teams. 

Bengaluru unleash home kit for 2014-15 season

Bengaluru FC (BFC) along with their kit partners Puma unveiled the clubs home color for the current season at the Bangalore Football Stadium. The trademark blue received a makeover and was presented by chosen fans to the following players Sunil Chhetri, Robin Singh, John Johnson, Josh Walker, Siam Hanagal, Rino Anto, and Udanta. 

This year’s version features red contrast piping along the side of the shirt, white tipping on the sleeves, and tailored button-down collar. The slim-fit style of the shirt apparently should bring a youthful look to the kit. The kit features Puma’s dry-cell technology that incorporates highly functional materials to keep the players dry by superior moisture management, which draw sweat away from skin, enabling quicker evaporation. 

Present at the launch party were Puma India Managing Director Rajiv Mehta, BFC COO, Mustafa Ghouse, Director Kunal Agarwal, Head Coach Ashley Westwood, and a host of BFC players led by captain Sunil Chhetri. 

Displaying how serious BFC is in terms of fan engagement, the home kit was unveiled with an exclusive live-feed video showcasing the fans handling over the new set of Puma jerseys to the players. Ten lucky fans were selected through a contests held by BFC over social media, they were invited to be a part of the exclusive launch. Later the winners were engaged in a football game with the players. 

Puma India MD, Rajiv Mehta said, “We’re very excited to unveil our first kits ever for a football club in India. BFC is one of the fastest growing and best managed clubs in India, we look forward to developing the football scenario in India with them.”

Speaking about the merchandise and its pricing, considering there’s a huge football following in the pockets of the city’s neighborhood like Austin Town, Murphy Town, Ulsoor, Gowthampura, Mehta said, “We’ll definitely keep that in mind. Other than the originals, will have have replicas, a stripped down version of the jersey. We’ll ensure that it reaches on the maximum fans.” 

The away and third kits will be unveiled in the coming weeks. BFC home and away replica jerseys will be available for fans to purchase at select Puma Bangalore stores from the month of October.

[PICS] Bengaluru FC home kit 2014-15

[VIDEO] India U-23 Vs Pakistan U-23 post match reactions

Pakistan U-23 - Mhuhammad Al Shamlan Mubarak



India U-23 - Wim Koevermans

[PICS] India-Pakistan friendlies

India U-23 surrender meekly to Pakistan

Scoring a goal in each half, arch rivals silenced the vocal Garden City crowd on a pleasant mid-week game at the Bangalore Football Stadium. Incheon-bound India U-23 team meekly surrendered to the Pakistan U-23 team. Pakistan skipper Kaleemullah scored the forst goal from a direct free-kick in the 38thminute while the second was added by Man of the Match Saddam Hussain in the 90th minute.

India did have their chances in the first-half but a Team will always go back punished if chances are not converted when you have them. And in International Football, you don’t get them aplenty.

In the first half, inspirational Captain Sunil Chhetri was omnipresent. He was always there for support in the midfield, holding on to the ball that extra moment for his Teammates to recover and get into shape.

On two Occasions in the first half, he was the man who made the difference though it didn’t break the deadlock.

In the first instance, Chhetri, turned 360 degrees on to his left and as his marker slipped, his dipping long-ranger was fisted over by acrobatic Pakistan Goalkeeper Muzammil Hussain.

If that was the attempt, he turned provider for debutant Haokip Thonhkosiem in the 37th minute. He twirled in between his Sher Mumammad and Muhammad Bilal and set it up for Haokip. All in the clear, Haokip entered the box but his attempt was saved by Hussian. But even off the rebound, Francis Fernandes was unable to finish it off.

It was miss to repent as off the very next attack, Pakistan took the lead. Lalrindika Ralte, who with Milan Singh was regulating the midfield till then, brought down rival Captain Kaleemullah outside the box; and off the resultant free-kick, Kaleemullah bent it past Indian Goalkeeper Amrinder Singh.

Changing over, India looked ordinary. Despite trailing by a goal, there wasn’t any momentum nor urgency as Pakistan sealed the fate in the 90th minute through Saddam. In fact, had Saddam not muffed up a similar opportunity in the 80th minute where he failed to slot it past Amrinder, the scoreline would been more humiliating.

The buildup which stays the hallmark in the practice sessions was nowhere to be seen. There wasn’t much thrust, leave aside chances. The surrender was just meek. Hardly was a ball won in the midfield and a series of miss passes made it difficult to build an attack and restore parity. The performance was below par, lacklustre and disappointing.

National Coach Wim Koevermans did try a number of substitutions in the second half but it didn’t yield any result.

INDIA: Amrinder Singh; Pritam Kotal, Joyner Monte Lourenco, Sandesh Jhingan, Narayan Das; Milan Singh (D Ganesh – 76th), Lalrindika Ralte (Siam Hangal – 46th); Francis Fernandes (Seiminlen Doungel – 46th), Sunil Chhetri (Captain), Mandar Rao Desai (Clifton Dias – 67th), Haokip Thonhkosiem. 

Koevermans looking for a win

AIFF Media 

A couple of days in between and the two teams gear up once again for the second big clash. After all its India versus Pakistan and it doesn't happen every alternate day. 

Pakistan Coach Muhammad Shamlan Al-Mubarak, in the official post-match interaction after the first match had categorically mentioned that “Pakistan are confident of beating India.” 

“After the first match we have more idea about India and how they play. We feel we can script a positive result in the second match,” he maintained.
Keen to curve out a result in their favor, Pakistan had two Training Sessions in the day, one hour each both in the morning and the afternoon, while the Indian Team had an hour-long Session in the afternoon. 

“We intend to improve in our style of play in the next game,” Koevermans further informed. “The manner in which we react and behave when we have the ball and when we don’t have the ball will be significant and help us develop for the future.” 

“There has been a huge improvement in our game from day one when we all assembled in Bangalore. We had to bring the Team tactically to one platform. But at the same, there are a few things which we can do better from our first match against Koevermans Pakistan. We need to make sure that we do it better,” he opined. 

Referring to a question as to whether India are over dependent on Sunil Chhetri, uttered: “There’s no denying he scores but at the same time there are others who gets into scoring opportunities. We are paying special attention to the aspect of finishing. That’s an area of improvement for sure. Games are the test which helps us define ourselves,” he concluded. 

 “I came to know later that there were six Players who made their debut for India in the last match. It’s such a proud moment for them. I didn’t realize it but that’s never the way I select my Team. If the six played, they played because they deserved it. I’m so happy for the boys,” tells Koevermans. “It’s a match they will never forget. In fact, no Player ever forgets his first International Match. And they played in such a wonderful atmosphere. It was a full Stadium, live on National Television and it was against Pakistan,” he adds. 

“We look forward to having a full House on the morrow. And we are looking for a win.” 

Ticket sales have been brisk especially with India’s victory in the first-match. The response online has also been very positive. 

“I expect Pakistan to be competitive once again. And hopefully we get to play with 11 men for the full 90 minutes. We aim to carry on the momentum and expect for a good match,” he states. 

“This will be our 7th Match in preparation to the Incheon Asian Games. In Czech Republic we played against strong Senior Club sides and this time we are playing an U-23 National side who are also preparing for the Asian Games. We hope for it to turn out good,” he pronounces. 

For the record, Striker Robin Singh who was given marching orders for receiving his second Yellow Card in the previous match will be missing the match.

India-Pakistan friendlies: Matchday pics

Pic courtesy: AIFF Media

Mandar, Joyner relish their debut for India

AIFF Media 

The Indian U-23 National Team had a recovery session at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Monday morning (August 18). The boys went through a limbering session under the watchful eyes of National Coach Wim Koevermans. 

All eyes stayed glued to the debutants who anchored India to a solitary goal victory over Pakistan the previous day. Sunday (August 17) was historical in the sense as six Players -- Amrinder Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Joyner Monte Lourenco, Shankar Sampangirag, Mandar Rao Desai and Seiminlen Doungel -- made their debuts for India. 

“To be honest, I wasn’t nervous at all,” Mandar said at the Official Media Interaction prior to the Practice Session. “But I can say I was very excited. My Seniors in the Team made me more confident and I tried to give my best,” he said. 

Joyner, who was a figure of composure all throughout in the defence added: “I was eagerly waiting for my debut in the National Team. In fact, that stays the aim for all Players. It’s so satisfying. I wanted to play and need to thank my Coach for finding me capable enough to do the job.”

Were you nervous? 

“It was a good experience. I called up my dad who stays in UK. He congratulated me,” he quipped. “But I don’t have any plans of moving out of my Country and settling in UK. I am doing best what I can do – playing Football,” Joyner maintained. 

“The gesture of the Team floored us all. On Sunday evening, post dinner the entire Team arranged for a cake-cutting ceremony for all the debutants of the Match. That was such a nice gesture, so unexpected. We need to thank them all.” 

“Coach (Wim Koevermans) used to say that International Football is played at a much higher intensity than domestic-level Football. He was so right,” Mandar pronounced. “It’s too early to say but I am a much more confident Player at the moment.” 

“Adjusting into the National Team’s Practice Sessions wasn’t tough,” Mandar further informed. “Even in our Club, we follow the same style of play. So in that sense, it wasn’t all Latin for me.” 

Joyner stated that Wim’s tips in the National Team Camp is helping him mature faster. “The all round discipline, both on and off the field is a learning curve. The tips which we get from the Coach also help in my Play -- in fact, to be precise, we all are learning,” he stated. 

“The Senior Players have had a huge influence on everyone. Right from Day one, they have goner that extra step to make us comfortable. They mixed with us so easily making us feel a part of the Family. They always remind us to maintain our calm,” Joyner went on. 

“We are improving on all aspects and will continue to do so under Wim-Sir’s Coaching. The Tour to Czech Republic was so helpful. We are all eagerly waiting for the Incehon Asian Games.” 

The Indian contingent leave for China on August 24 for another 15-day exposure Tour from where they proceed directly to Incheon. 

India-Pakistan football friendlies coming up on Sunday and Wednesday

Two international friendly matches between India and Pakistan are lined up on Sunday, August 17 and Wednesday, 20. 

Both matches are organized by the AIFF through JSW Bengaluru FC. Matches will commence at.3.30 pm, at the Bangalore Football Stadium. 

Life members of the Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) will be permitted to witness the match on presenting their life membership identity card issued by the KSFA at the entry gate. 

[Notice] Participation of Teams in U-19 I-League

AIFF Media 

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) informs that apart from the I-League and Second Division League teams, Clubs and Academies interested to play in the upcoming U-19 I-League are allowed to participate. 

The primary reason for incorporating such teams in the competition is to increase the participation of the youth of India into the AIFF’s mainstream youth tournament – the U-19 I-League. 

The competition will act as the primary pool from which young talents are chosen for the I-League and Second Division Clubs. 

In order to compete in the U-19 I-League, the teams need to get their youth system accredited through the AIFF Academy’s certification programme, which aims to set a standard of Youth Development in the country through a certification. 

The Brochure and Application form for Certification can be downloaded at https://www.the-aiff.com/jd-resources-downloads.htm.  

A minimum rating of two stars is applicable for such clubs/academies to qualify for the U-19 I-League.