Ozone crash out of I-League second division

Playing a woeful game of catch up, Ozone faltered again at home in the hand of Fateh Hyderabad AFC. The visitors scored two quick goals in the first half, owing to some poor defending from Ozone backs. 

In a match where both teams needed to win to retain chance to qualify to the next stage, Fateh took the lead in the third minute from a goal from Nima Tamang. They struck again in the 23rd minute from a cross from Bangalore boy Manoj Swamy Kannan which Bonison Singh made no mistake. 

Anto Xavier reduced the margin for Ozone in the 40th minute. 

With the inclusion of Satish Kumar and Vignesh G in the fisrt half, Ozone tried come back to the game. However, they failed to crack Fateh defense. 

With 7 points and an away game in hand, Ozone are out of I-League Second Division. They currently stands at 3rd position in Group C after Fateh Hyderabad AFC and Kenkre FC. 

Ozone FC hammer Pride Sports

Displaying a much better game, Ozone FC Bengaluru thrashed Pride Sports FC 3-0. All the goals were scored in the first half, with former junior India international Anto Xavier scoring a brace and Vignesh scoring the other one. 

The fight was between the unknown team from Jabalpur, and Ozone FC, both teams were out to make amends of their earlier result, which they lost to Al Fateh and Kenkre respectively. 

Ozone proved to be a much better team today, they overpowered their opponent in all departments. Pride Sports, demoralized after conceding three goals in a span of just seven minutes, could not find their feet. They came back in the second half as a better team, did not concede any goal, and came closed to score in few occasions. 

Ozone coach, Bert Zuurman looked content with today’s win, however, felt him team has the potential to perform much better. Ozone went to the field today sans their foreigners – Chika Wali, unwell and Cornell Glenn, seemingly out of the season with an injury that incurred while playing for Trinidad & Tobago. 

Paulo Pedro, the coach from Portugal coaching Pride Sports, was visibly upset on the loss. Felt his team gave a better performance in the latter half. Pride was further weakened by the absence of two foreigners, who could not play owing to transfer clearance. 

Ozone have two away matches in coming days, they play Fateh Hyderabad next week and Pride Sports the week after. 

Anto Xavier signs for Sporting Clube de Goa

After representing country thru the junior ranks, this Austin Town boy is ready for the big stage - Anto Xavier will be seen in Flaming Orange colors in the coming season! Few weeks back, Anto signed a three-year contract with the Goan I-League team Sporting Clube de Goa. 

Primarily a left-half midfielder, Anto has represented India in several age groups - U-16 team in South Africa tour, U-19 tours, and Asian Cup. 

He started with Southern Blues, a B Division team in the BDFA League. He was playing in the Super Division for ADE in the 2012-13 season when he was seriously injured from a terrible challenge against South United. Anto broke his shinbone, got operated, and was out for the rest of the season. 

Anto made a strong comeback this season with A Division team, Students Union at the Kumar Memorial Trophy. Also, he was a part of the Karnataka team in the Santosh Trophy, where he scored a goal. 

Anto brace helps Karnataka thrash Andhra 5-2

After conceding an early goal via penalty, Karnataka responded aggressively by pumping 5 goals against Andhra, and registered their second straight won in Santosh Trophy South Zone leg played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai. 

Junior India International Anto Xavier look to be in prime form scoring brace in both matches. 

Karnataka’s might will be tested in the coming two matches against Tamil Nadu and Kerala, they play their next match against Tamil Nadu on Saturday, February 1.

Bangalore Football Season 2013-14: Observations

• 8/12/2013 In the final of the Puttaiah Memorial today between MEG and HAL, with a goal down, HAL got a chance to come back to the game during injury time. MEG’s Suman handled the ball inside the penalty box from Xavier Vijaykymar’s shot. Referee promptly awarded a penalty to the Aircraftsmen. But HAL old-warhorse, J Murali’s shot hit the post and ricocheted to the field, which was then cleared by an MEG defender. Lucky MEG! 
• 2/12/2013 U-19 international Anto Xavier is in magnificent form, scored a hat trick against LRDE today. Pity that he could not take his team Students Union to final. SAI needed only a point to qualify for the finals, they defeated Independents 2-0 today. 
• 29/11/2013 DYES (from Group A) entered the finals of ‘A Division’ Prasanna Kumar Memorial Trophy. From Group B, SAI only need a point to reach the finals, they play their final group game on December 2. 
• 27/11/2013 MEG and HAL reach final of Puttaiah Memorial. The last group match for HAL is against BEML, who have pulled out of the tournament. 
• 26/11/2013 It's raining goals in the Puttaiah Memorial tourney, Hamza is firing all cylinders! 4 goals against RWF today, wow, that's quite a number!  
• 21/11/2013 The match between HAL and ADE marked the comeback of HAL legend India international namma-Xavier Vijay Kumar, he combined well with RC Prakash. 
  Any idea how many spectators were their to welcome their hero? More than 3000, well that's impressive! 
  And yes, guys, who kept the goal for ADE? Former ITI custodian Mark Maskerhnas! 
• 21/11/2013 Sehlenmang Dimngel, mark this name guys, his strike rate is 100% - 3 goals from as many matches!  
   
• 20/11/2013 What is wrong with a public sector team like KGF Academy – BEML? With limited resources, they have put up a decent show in I-League Second Division last season’s (http://www.gcsstars.com/2013/02/i-league-2-division-fixture-south.html), and now they've withdrawn from Puttaiah Memorial Trophy. That’s definitely a bad sign for #BangaloreFootball. 

• 20/11/2013 One the positive side, I see U-19 international Anto Xavier coming back to the game after a long injury-layoff. He’s playing for A Div team Students Union in the ongoing Prasanna Kumar Memorial Trophy and scored 2 goals from 3 matches. Let us all wish him luck and hope he continues his good form. 

Anto suffers shinbone fracture, out for three months

India junior international and ADE striker Anto Xavier was seriously injured today owing to a horrible challenge from South United defender Barun Oraon. Referee straightaway gave a marching order to Barun. 

Anto was immediately rushed to HOSMAT hospital for treatment.
 
X-Ray confirmed shinbone fracture, Anto will undergo a surgery on Tuesday. Anto has represented India in several age groups, U-16 team during South Africa tour, U-19 tours, Asian Cup.
 
He was all set to join the Indian junior team camp in Goa next month, now he’s out of action for three months.