Karnataka go down to 1-0 defeat at the hands of Manipur

 AIFF Media 

Defending champions Karnataka went down to Manipur in their third Group B game of 77^th Santosh Trophy at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, in Itanagar, on Monday, February 26, 2024.

 

Ngangbam Pacha Singh scored the only goal of the match from the penalty spot in the 50th minute.

 

This result puts a severe dent in the defending champions’ chances for qualification to the quarter-finals, as they remain at the rock bottom of Group B with just two points from three matches. While they will have their work cut out in their last two matches against Railways and Maharashtra, who are in their own battles for qualification, one win will put them right back on track.

 

While with today’s win, Manipur climbed to the top of Group B. The side from the Northeast have now collected seven points from their three games, and are three points clear atop Group B.

 

Karnataka will take on Railways on Thursday, February 29. 

Karnataka boys to face Bengal in the final round of Sub Junior Nationals

Karnataka state team will take on hosts Bengal on Thursday in their final round campaign for the Hero Sub Junior National Football Championship to be held in Kalyani, West Bengal from Nov 20 to Dec 3. 

Karnataka is placed in Group 'B' along with Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Haryana. They play their next matches on Nov 23 against Maharashtra, Nov 25 against Haryana, and Nov 27 against Arunachal Pradesh. 

State boys had a great run in the south zone qualifying round played in Bengaluru earlier in September. 

Team 

Aditya V Kalasur (Captain), Goutam Rajesh (Vice Captain), Som Kumar (GK), Prateek Kashyap, Tanish Tammanna P, Aditya Yogesh, Soumil Kalra, Darin Marcel Christopher, V V Deeveshwar, Vinith V, Arnav Sharma, Arjun A G, Rahul D, Anant Singh, Adrian Dylan Edwin, Gurveer Singh Syan, Vidwath Veerendra Shetty, Rounak Mahapatra, Chandan Biju, A Chetan Reddy 

Saravana Dharman (Manager), E Mahendra Mani (Head Coach) K Sunil Kumar (Asst. Coach)

TRAU trounce Ozone 2-0 in Second Division League

Ozone FC Bengaluru suffered their second loss in 2nd Division League final round match against  TRAU FC, Manipur, thus making it difficult to stay in contention for I-League promotion. 

With only one team in fray, Ozone got a favourable draw in this edition by playing all home games in the beginning. However, they failed to any take advantage as they managed to win only the first game, which got followed by two back-to-back losses. 

Meanwhile, TRAU registered an all-win record thus far, they are now at 9 points, and look a strong contender for #ileague promotion. TRAU took an early lead with a Yami Longvah goal, he completed a brace in 12th minute of the match. 

Ozone will now travel to Aizwal and face  Chhinga Veng Football Club on May 15.

Ozone being Second Division final round with a convincing win

Ozone Bengaluru FC  

Ozone Bengaluru FC recorded a fantastic start in the final round of Hero Second Division League today at the Bangalore Football Stadium. Playing at home against Lonestar Kashmir, they notched a 3-0 win. Sabeeth scored a brace (45’+3’, 68’) while Rinreithan Shaiza scored the third goal in 68th minute of the match.  

The game was somewhat one-sided affair with visitors focusing more on playing a defensive game. 

This years Second Division League is played in home and away format. Ozone is playing the first three games including the one played today at home. 

In another match played today, TRAU defeated Chhinga Veng 3-1. Ozone will play their next game on Sunday, May 5 against Chhinga Veng. 

73rd Santosh Trophy final round

Karnataka is in Group B along with Assam, Maharastra, Punkab, and Sikkim. Group A consist of Odisha, Goa, Delhi, Services, and Meghalaya. 

Final round games are played at Guru Nanak Stadium, ludhiana, punjab from 8th to 21st April 2019. Two matches are played each day – one in the morning, 8:30 am and the other one in the evening 4 pm.   

• 8:30 AM, 09/04/19: Karnataka 2 (Manvir Singh-30’, Nikhil Raj-90+2’) Vs Maharashtra 2 (Rohan Shukla-16’, Sanket Salokhe-54’) 
• 8:30 AM, 11/04/19: Karnataka 2 (Vignesh-66', Namgyal Bhutia-84') Vs Sikkim 0 
• 8:30 AM, 15/04/19 Karnataka 5 (Biswa Darjee-16, Naorem Roshan Singh-18, 23', Vignesh Gunashekar-25, Magesh-31') Vs Assam 1 (Bishnu Bordoloi) 
• 8:30 AM, 17/04/19 Karnataka Vs Punjab 

Bengaluru FC qualify for the final round of U18 Youth League

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC sealed qualification to the final phase of the Hero U18 Youth League with a comfortable 3-0 win over Ozone FC in their final zonal phase game at the Bangalore Football Stadium, in Bengaluru on Sunday. 

A brace from striker Akashdeep Singh (51’, 68’) and a late penalty kick conversion from midfielder Lalrintluanga Chawnglut (90’) handed the Blue Colts their seventh win of the campaign. The result took their tally to 21 points as they qualified for the final phase of the competition as Karnataka-Andhra zone toppers. FC Mangalore who finished second with 16 points will go into the qualifying phase. 

After an end-to-end game in the first half, it was Bengaluru who broke the deadlock in the 51st minute when Akashdeep’s close-range header from Robin Yadav’s freekick from the right found the back of the net. 

With the goal giving Bengaluru FC more confidence going forward, Akashdeep Singh doubled his and the Blue Colts’ tally in the 68th minute when he latched onto playmaker Lalrintluanga Chawnglut’s through ball on a counter attack and rounded off Ozone ’keeper Jeevan Kumar to slot home a left-footer, his 11th of the campaign. 

Bengaluru would have another goal late on as Lalrintluanga made it 3-0 with a calm penalty kick conversion in the 90th minute after Rahul Rajan had been fouled in the rival box by Ozone skipper Rohmingthanga.

Ozone knocked out of 2nd Division final round after playing out a 2-2 draw

AIFF Media

Ozone FC and Hindustan FC played out a 2-2 draw in their second Hero 2nd Division League final round fixture today. 

Ozone FC took an early lead through Sabeeth Sathyan (3′) only for Kushant Chauhan (5′) to equalize for Hindustan FC before Ashutosh Thapliyal (57′) put the Delhi-based side ahead, however Robert De Souza’s (82′) late goal helped Ozone FC to escape with a 2-2 draw from a dramatic match at the FSV Arena in Bengaluru. 

While the draw knocked Ozone FC out of the competition, it put Hindustan FC on top of the table provisionally with 4 points. 

The match got off to a flying start with Ozone FC quickly on the front-foot and it took them only three minutes to break down Hindustan FC’s resistance when Sabeeth Sathyan opened the scoring with a well-taken shot inside the box following a neat back-heel from Yongchan Son. 

However, Ozone FC’s joy was short lived as Hindustan FC surged forward with much precision and equalized via Kushant Chauhan’s blistering shot after a long ball from Pawan Kumar Joshi two minutes later. 

Two goals within first 10 minutes on either side of the pitch opened up the game as both sides were searching for a crucial blow. 

Nikhil Gehlot and Kushant Chauhan combined well on the left-flank for Hindustan FC while Sabeeth Sathyan was a constant threat with his darting runs in Hindustan FC’s final third. 

Nonetheless, Ozone FC grew in confidence as the game progressed with both Sabeeth Sathyan and Robert De Souza forcing a number of good saves from Hindustan FC goalkeeper Mithun Samonto. 

Despite enjoying a lot of possession in the later stages of the first-half, Ozone attackers failed to click as a unit and the supply from their midfield was often wasted. The scoreline remained one-goal-a-piece going into the breather. 

In the second-half, Hindustan FC ran circles around their opponents, and in the 51st minute, Ozone FC keeper Amit Kumar blocked a close-range shot by Kushant Chauhan to concede a corner before denying Shailesh Maurya three minutes later. 

Hindustan FC’s efforts were finally rewarded after substitute Ashutosh Thapliyal turned Chinta Chandrashekar upside down before unleashing a right-footed bullet in the 57th minute. 

The Delhi-based side almost got their third goal in the 76th minute when Shailesh Maurya and Nikhil Gehlot combined on the left flank. A quick one-two sent the former clear and the lanky winger cut past two defenders only for his powerful drive to go inches over the horizontal. 

Afterwards, both sides engaged in some end-to-end stuff. While Hindustan FC had the better chances to go further up but what followed was schoolboy errors and impatience in front of goal. 

Ozone FC, on the other hand, capitalized on a defensive error as Robert De Souza scored with eight minutes left on the clock to make it 2-2. 

The two teams then launched attacks in search of a late winning goal, but they could not score and the match ended in a stalemate. 

Ozone FC will face TRAU FC next on Wednesday (May 30, 2018) while Hindustan FC will square off against Real Kashmir later in the same day in a match what might turn out to be the title decider. 

Real Kashmir edge past Ozone in a five-goal thriller

AIFF Media

Ozone FC Bengaluru got a big jolt in their final round campaign in the 2017/18 Hero 2nd Division League when they lost to Real Kasmir FC 2-3 at the FSV Arena in Bengaluru yesterday. With the win, Real Kashmir top the standings after the conclusion of round 1.  

Real Kashmir never had it all their own way as they were made to sweat for victory by Ozone who led twice courtesy Robert De Souza (26′ - penalty) and Sabeeth Sathyan (67′) but the Kashmir outfit kept their composure and scored though Nadong Bhutia (39′), Ritwik Kumar Das (89′) and Yao Kouassi Bernard (90+5′) to bag full three points.

Ozone began the match with good pace and high energy levels, aggressively pressing from the front. Contrary to Ozone’s approach, Real Kashmir preferred to remain compact and dropped back.

The Real Kashmir defenders were not allowed a lot of time on the ball and were therefore forced to hoof it up field in the hoping that Bernard would be able to compete. 

However, Nadong and Bernard were not quick enough to close down and as such the Ozone centre-backs had time to pick their passes. 

With Ozone gaining momentum, Robert found some space inside the Real Kashmir box and when he was about to pull the trigger goalkeeper Sukhwinder Singh fouled him which earned a penalty for Ozone which the Brazilian dully converted to put his side ahead in the 26th minute.

It could have been 2-0 in the 33rd minute when Gunashekhar Vignesh collected a Real Kashmir clearance just over the half-way line before launching a menacing counter-attack, which Real Kashmir were fortunate to escape from after Vignesh scuffed his effort over the post.

However, Real Kashmir, against the run of play, equalized when Nadong slotted from Ifham Tariq Mir’s pass in the 39th minute to level matters before half-time.

Real Kashmir started the second-half much like they ended the first, as they enjoyed prolong periods inside the Ozone half, and Bernard won a free-kick in a promising area, which Ozone goalkeeper Abhishek Das sent wide in the 49th minute.

Nonetheless, Ozone restored their lead through Sabeeth who slotted home following a goal-mouth scramble in the 67th minute. 

Real Kashmir, however, did not lose hope and continued pressing for an equalizer in the final quarter of the game and found it through defender Ritwik Kumar Das in the 89th minute before Bernard slotted home the winner in stoppage time. 

Real Kashmir will play TRAU FC next on Sunday (May 27, 2018) before Ozone FC and Hindustan FC face off earlier on the same day.

[Second Div I-League] Ozone lose to Kerala Blasters Reserves but move to the Final round

Despite losing to Kerala Blasters Reserves by a goal in the final game of Group B, Ozone FC Bengaluru qualified to the final round. The all-important goal for the visitors was scored by Suraj Rawat. 

Ozone finished second in the group, however, owing to the rule of ISL reserve teams not eligible to play in the final round of Second Division, Ozone qualified as the next best team. FC Kerala too finished with same points, but Ozone got a better head to head record. 

Also, qualified to the final round is Real Kashmir FC from Group A and Tiddim road athletic union - TRAU from Group C. The fourth team for the final round would be the best second team from three groups, where Hindustan Football Club and FC Kerala stand a bright chance. Hindustan only need a point to qualify, their match today at Delhi against United Delhi Fc was paused due to sandstorm, the remaining minutes of the match will be played tomorrow morning.

Roots Football School kick-off U13 Youth League Final Round campaign tomorrow

Roots Football School (RFS) will be representing Garden City in the final round of U13 Youth League. For the first time AIFF is conducting a National League for this age category. 70 teams took part in the U13 Youth League for which the pre-qualifying rounds were kicked-off in October last year. 

RFS had a brilliant run in the Karnataka Zone qualifiers getting the better of heavyweights Bengaluru FC and Ozone FCB and maintaining an all-win record. 

The final round comprising of eleven teams distributed in three groups will be playing at the various venues in Kolkata. 

RFS is placed in Group C along with Chennaiyin Football Club, Sudeva Football Club, and Sports Authority of India (EZ). The matches will be played at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan Practice Ground, Salt Lake. 

Group A comprises of Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools, Minerva Punjab FC, Aizawl, and, Reliance Foundation Young Champs and Group B - Mohammedan Sporting Club, Dempo Sports Club, and Shillong Lajong Football Club. 

• 9 am, April 29, 2018: RFS 1 Vs Chennaiyin 1 
• 9 am, May 1, 2018: RFS 0 Vs SAI – EZ 5
• 9 am, May 3, 2018: RFS 1 Vs Sudeva 9

Karnataka lose to Bengal in Hero Santosh Trophy semifinal

AIFF Media 

Defending champions Bengal moved past Karnataka 2-0  at the Sailen Manna Stadium in Howrah to set-up a title clash against Kerala in the Hero Santosh Trophy 2018.

Skipper Jiten Murmu and Tirthankar Sarkar scored in the 57th and 90+2nd minute respectively for the hosts.

Bengal started as the better side but not before long, Karnataka took control of the game. Bengal Head Coach Ranjan Chowdhury deployed Jiten Murmu and Bidyashagar Singh upfront but the duo didn’t have much of an impact in the first 45 minutes.

In the 17th minute, Sukesh Leon of Karnataka hit the woodwork with a header that took Bengal’s goalkeeper, Ranajit Majumder by surprise. The young shot-stopper then followed with two great saves to keep Bengal into the game.

Meanwhile, Bengal had a close chance of their own in the 36th minute through Sumit Das, who covered a lot of ground after getting the ball from midfield but the winger could not keep his effort on target from inside the box. Five minutes later, Bengal had another opportunity but Jiten’s header went wide.

Towards the end, Karnataka made two significant attempts through S. Rajesh and Sukesh, but both efforts produced nothing as the first half ended goalless.

Changing over, both teams seemed keen to make an early impression, but it was Bengal who secured the all-important opening goal in the 57th minute though Jiten. Sumit’s fierce effort was palmed away by Karnataka keeper Shaikhan CP but Jiten was at the right place at right time to slot home from the rebound.

Despite the goal, or perhaps because of it, the match continued to be played on a high tempo. Free-kicks from wide areas for Bengal continued to be an outlet towards the goal as the hosts dominated two thirds of possession in the second half.

Having missed a few half chances, Bengal went extremely close in the 74th minute when Tirthankar played a through ball to Bidyashagar but the teenage striker could not reach to the ball.

Meanwhile, Karnataka also pushed hard for a late equaliser, Shamanth Dodda joined Rajesh in the forward line but Karnataka could find no way through an imperious defence and it was Bengal who looked more likely to score.

Thereafter, Bengal continued to dominate proceedings but had to wait till additional time to get their second. Jiten with a brilliant run on the right got past his marker but was brought down on the edge of the box when he was about to pull the trigger, which earned Bengal a free-kick and Tirthankar made no mistake to put the ball into the back of the net to confirm Bengal's place in the final.

The 32-time winners, defending champions and hosts Bengal will now face 5-time champions Kerala in the ultimate battle on Sunday.

Karnataka edge out Mizoram 1-0, reach semi final

AIFF Media 

Karnataka ended their 72nd Santosh Trophy Group campaign with a 1-0 win over Mizoram to book a semifinal spot at the Mohun Bagan Ground today.

Rajesh S scored the solitary goal in the game in the 74th minute. The result meant Karnataka ended up topping the group, edging Mizoram on their superior head to head record. Mizoram too advanced to the semi-finals as the runners up from Group B.

The Southern state started off brightly with Leon Augustine, the right winger and striker Rajesh S. creating a host of opportunities, although wasteful. Mizoram goalkeeper Andrew Lalhmingliana made two good stops in the first ten minutes itself.

Mizoram’s first good chance arrived in the 13th minute when Malsawmzuala MC’s freekick could only be headed inches over the bar by Lalrammawia. A minute later, Rajesh S broke on the counter and played a diagonal ball to Augustine. The winger then found his skipper Vignesh Gunashekar outside the box but his shot too, went over.

Lalmuanzova was a menace down the right flank. Winning a corner from Lalrammawia’s pass, his flagkick was well headed forward by defender Lalmuanawma on the edge of the box. Malsawmzuala MC attempted an overhead bicycle kick which failed to pay dividends, all within twenty minutes of the game.

Karnataka custodian Shainkhan CP was forced into making a quick save from Lalmuanzova’s angled shot and Sukesh Leon tracked back to make a goal line clearance from the ensuing corner.

Rajesh S and Leon Augustine made life tough for the Mizoram backline but they held on well. Lalhmingliana appeared to be a bit slippery while collecting balls but the goalkeeper ensured that his sides did not concede any as the deadlock was yet to be broken in the first half.

Seven minutes into the second half, Mizoram got yet another opportunity from Muanzova’s corner kick. Malsawmzuala MC flicked the ball past the ‘keeper who was off his line but Shahabaaz Khan made a goal line clearance.

On the counter, Lithon Shil played a one-two with Leon Augustine on the run and the latter, who took a swipe from 19 yards saw his curling shot only nestle the top-netting.

All those chances yielded success in the 74th minute when Sukesh Leon’s flag-kick resulted in a goalmouth melee but Rajesh S, showing great presence of mind slotted the ball from close space.

Behind by a goal, frustration showed for Mizoram as the head coach Lalsangzuala Hmar was sent to the stands for arguing with the referee and then Malsawmzuala MC too went into the book for a rough tackle.

Lalromawia was brought in with four minutes left in regulation time but the midfielder, who had scored four goals in the tournament so far failed to live upto the expectations.

Both sides finished with nine points each from four games but Karnataka won the group. Mizoram face Kerala while Karnataka set up a date against hosts Bengal in the semis on March 30. 

Punjab rally to beat Karnataka 2-1

AIFF Media

Punjab rallied from a goal down to beat Karnataka 2-1 in a Group B fixture of the ongoing 72nd Santosh Trophy played at the Sailen Manna Stadium in Howrah on Monday (March 26).

Punjab began the game in an all-out attacking mode and created the first close chance as early as the 2nd minute. Amandeep Singh did well to cut in past a couple of defenders after getting the ball from midfield but his powerful drive missed the target by a whisker.

While Punjab pressed high up, Karnataka managed to take the lead against the run of the play in the 7th minute when Rajesh converted from the spot to score his third goal in as many games. The penalty was awarded to Punjab following Sunny's foul on Leon Augustine inside the penalty box.

Having conceded early on, Punjab started attacking with even more intensity and their efforts paid off in the 18th minute when Jitender slotted home from close after receiving a delightful ball from Gurtej Singh to get the equaliser.

Punjab then went on to take the lead in the 26th minute as Baltej scored. Parmjit Singh got the ball near the edge of the box and after getting past a couple of defenders he played the ball to an unmarked Baltej for an easy tap in.

Karanataka tried their best for an equaliser but apart from testing Moses with a header from Rajesh in the 39th minute, they were not able to create any opportunities as the first half ended 2-1.

Changing over, Karnataka looked better of the two sides but it was Punjab skipper Sarbjit Singh who remained their nemesis with his timely clearances.

Karnataka, towards the end, went all out to grab an equaliser. Although they created numerous scoring opportunities in the final quarter but it was lack of finishing that prevented them scoring as the game ended 2-1 in Punjab’s favour.

The result threw open Group B wide open as three teams will take the field on the final day of the league phase hoping to make the semifinals. Punjab and Karnataka are level on 6 points while Goa with their 6-1 win against Odisha in the other fixture of the day have 3.

Karnataka will be looking to beat Mizoram in their final league game on March 28 in order to qualify, while Punjab need to beat Goa on the same day and they will also be looking for a favour from Mizoram.

Santosh Trophy: Karnataka edge Odisha 2-1

AIFF Media 

Karnataka beat Odisha 2-1 to knock them out of the ongoing 72^nd Santosh Trophy 2017-18 in a Group B fixture at the Rabindra Sarabar Stadium on Saturday (March 24, 2018). Leon Augustine and Rajesh S scored in the 27^th and 88^th minute respectively to help their side register a second consecutive win in the tournament. Skipper Arjun Nayak scored the only goal for Odisha in the 30^th minute.

It was a must-win game for the Eastern state in order to remain in the hunt for a semi-final spot after their 5-0 drubbing against Mizoram. They also began the match on a positive note as their first shot on target by Bikash Padhihary was kept out by Karnataka custodian Shainkhan CP in the 9^th minute.

Thereafter, Karnataka created quite a few chances in front of the Odisha goal but failed to find the back of the net. The deadlock was finally broken in the 27^th minute when winger Leon Augustine ran almost 30 yards down the middle and slotted the ball home. He went past four defenders to score a brilliant solo goal.

Odisha could have equalised at the half-hour mark when Sunil Sardar was one on one with the Karnataka custodian but he failed to convert a simple header.

Just when it seemed Karnataka would take the lead into half-time, Narendra Sahoo’s men came back into the match thanks to a goal from skipper Arjun Nayak. Kartika Bhola floated a corner inside the box which was headed in by Nayak.

After an entertaining first half, both the sides took a pragmatic approach and concentrated on solidifying their defensive organisation. Karnataka came close to score on a couple of occasions but failed to create an impact in the attacking third.

Odisha’s Arbin Lakra on the other hand missed a golden one on one opportunity to put his team in front in the 81^st minute.

Rajesh S then scored the winning goal for the Southern state in the 88^th minute. Gunashekar Vignesh entered the Odisha box from the left side and squared the ball for Rajesh. The striker pushed the ball into an empty net to seal crucial three points for his side.

Odisha are out of the semi-final race after falling to their third successive defeat. Karnataka, on the other hand, are second in the group and are very much in contention for a last-four spot.

Karnataka rout Goa 4-1

AIFF Media 

Down by a goal Karnataka displayed solidarity among themselves to demolish Goa 4-1 in a one-sided Group B encounter of the 72nd Santosh Trophy at the Sailen Manna Sports Complex in Howrah on Thursday.

At half time Goa were leading 1-0. Kapil Hoble scored in the 26th minute for Goa while Gunashekhar Vignesh equalised for the Southern state in the 54th minute before S. Rajesh's 61st minute goal along with a 69th minute own goal by Mathew Gonsalves and 89th minute strike by Leon Augustine sealed the full three points for Karnataka.

Goa coach Armando Colaco made four changes to the side that went down 1-3 to Mizoram on Tuesday, by handing starts to goalkeeper Agnelo Gomes and midfielders Joachim Abranches, Subert Pereirra and Clive Miranda, while his Karnataka counterpart P.  Muralidharan opted for the 4-4-2 formation for their tournament opener with Rajesh and Liton Shil leading the line.

Karnataka began the game in attacking mode and created the first chance in the 6th minute. Rajesh did well to cut in past a couple of defenders from the left but his powerful drive sailed inches over the horizontal.

Around the 15th minute mark, Karnataka had another chance through striker Liton but a slight delay allowed enough time to Goa defender Jessel Carneiro to clear the ball.

While Karnataka pressed high up, Goa managed to take the lead against the run of the play. Kapil capitalised on a defensive error to beat Karnataka custodian Shaikhan from Joachim Abranches' low cross in the 26th minute.

The goal appeared to be the wakeup call for Karnataka, as they began attacking with intensity through Vignesh and Rajesh but some desperate defending by Goa saw the first half ended 1-0. 

The second half started with Karnataka having greater possession and looked more threatening going forward, thanks to crisp passing, good off-the-ball movement and dazzling individual skills. Karanataka found the equalizer through skipper Vignesh, who slotted from Sukesh Leon's pass in the 54th minute.

The goal inspired Karnataka to get even more offensive in their approach and they took the lead in the 61st minute when Rajesh found the back of the net from Liton's pass, which was complimented by some lazy defending by Goa.

Goa though created some chances but failed to equalize, as they failed to stick to their passing game policy. The players seemed to be more keen on playing direct football sending long balls from the centre-line.

Karnataka's third goal came in form of own goal in the 69th minute when experienced Mathew Gonsalves slotted in his own net while trying to clear Sukesh's cross. 

Thereafter, Goa went all out to grab some late goals but all their efforts were undone by an 89th minute strike from young Leon Augustine. The Bengaluru FC reserves winger got the ball from midfield and ran past a couple of defenders to slot a brilliant volley home.

Karnataka will face Odisha next on March 24 at Rabindra Sarobar Stadium while Goa will face the same opponents on March 26 at Mohun Began Ground. 

Karnataka to start their Santosh Trophy final round tomorrow

Karnataka will take on Goa tomorrow in the final round of the 72nd Santosh Trophy senior national football championship. The final round is played at Kolkata from March 19 to April 1. 

Karnataka is in Group B along with Mizoram, Goa, Odisha, and Punjab. Goa has already played their first match yesterday, which they lost against Mizoram. 

Team 

Vignesh G (Captain) (Ozone), Sunil Kumar M (Vice Captain) (Student Union), Shain Khan CP (Bengaluru), Shafeel PP (Bangalore Independents), Ramesh B (Bangalore Eagles), Shashi Kumar V (Students Union), Keith Raymond Stephen (South United), Leon Augustine (Bengaluru FC), Solaimalai (South United), Shamanth (Student Union), Edwin Rosario (Bangalore Independents), Liton Shil (MEG), Rajesh S (RWF), Amoes (Student Union), Shahabaaz (Bengaluru FC), Shaik Muzeeb (MEG), Sudharshan Lokur (Belgaum District), Abhishek Ramesh (Bangalore Independents), Sukesh Leon (MEG), Subhash R (South United), Shreyas, Akshay

P Muralidharan - Chief Coach, M Kumar - Manager, Shyam Shahi - Goal Keeping Coach

Santosh Trophy finals in Kolkata, Karnataka start their campaign on March 22 against Goa

Defending champions West Bengal will take on Manipur on the opening day as the 72nd edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy kicks-off in Kolkata on March 19, 2018. 

Ten teams who qualified from the preliminary stages have been divided into two groups of five teams each with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals which are to be played on March 30, 2018. The final is slated for April 1, 2018.


Groupings 

Group A: West Bengal, Chandigarh, Manipur, Kerala, Maharashtra
Group B: Goa, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Karnataka


Fixtures 

GROUP B

• 20/03/2018 – Odisha 1 vs Punjab 2 
• 20/03/2018 – Mizoram 3 vs Goa 1
• 22/03/2018 – Karnataka 4 (Vignesh Gunashekar, Rajesh S, Mathew Gonsalves (own goal), Leon Agustine) vs Goa 1 (Kapil Hoble)
• 22/03/2018 – Odisha 0 vs Mizoram 0
• 24/03/2018 – Punjab 1 vs Mizoram 2 
• 24/03/2018 – Karnataka 2 (Rajesh S, Leon Augustine) vs Odisha 1 
• 26/03/2018 – Goa vs Odisha
• 26/03/2018 – Punjab vs Karnataka
• 28/03/2018 – Mizoram vs Karnataka
• 28/03/2018 – Goa vs Punjab

GROUP A

• 19/03/2018 – Chandigarh 1 vs Kerala 5 
• 19/03/2018 – Manipur 0 vs Bengal 3
• 21/03/2018 – Maharashtra 1 vs Bengal 5
• 21/03/2018 – Chandigarh 1 vs Manipur 1
• 23/03/2018 – Kerala vs Manipur
• 23/03/2018 – Maharashtra vs Chandigarh
• 25/03/2018 – Bengal vs Chandigarh
• 25/03/2018 – Kerala vs Maharashtra
• 27/03/2018 – Manipur vs Maharashtra
• 27/03/2018 – Bengal vs Kerala

SF

• 30/03/2018 – Winner Group A vs Runners-Up Group B
• 30/03/2018 – Winner Group B vs Runners-Up Group A

FINAL 

• 01/04/2018 – Winner Semi-Final 1 vs Winner Semi-Final 2

Hero I-League poised for the grand finale at Kanteerava Stadium

Both teams met at the inaugural I-League match of the previous season, this time in the concluding match, that too in title decider. Down to the wire stuff, Hero I-League can’t get better than this!

McDowels Mohun Bagan seems to be undeterred with what they have achieved so far. Per Coach Sanjoy Sen, “Past performance does not matter us, this is a new game. Though we need just one point against BFC’s three, it is always uncertain if you play for a draw, and let me tell you that we are looking for 3 full points.”

Bengaluru FC must have been the most successful team in past few seasons – two most important titles – I-League in the debut year, followed by Federation Cup this season. They are just a victory away from taking home the Hero I-League.

Gaffers view was straight as usual, “If you win the match that would suggest you deserve to win Hero I-League!” 

He threw down the gauntlet to Bagan citing their dismal away form. “There’s no pressure whatsoever. We’ve had a really successful season. We already have two trophies in the cabinet in the Federation Cup and the I-League and are playing at home where we are really strong. We’ve lost just one game at home while Bagan have won just two games away from home. The pressure is surely on them because we are the form side and they seem to be having a dismal run,” said Westwood while addressing a rather packed press conference on Saturday.

Sanjoy Sen have sweet memories of the Garden City, he helped Mohammedan Sporting qualify for the I-League a couple of seasons back. However, the assistant coach of the former U-19 India National team feels coaching an I-League team and a Second Division champion team are entirely different affair.

He took charge of the team during Hero Federation Cup, in spite of playing good football Bagan failed to bring positive result. But felt the team had every potential to be the title contender.

“It is all about mental pressure, we don’t have any sort of pressure. We have toiled hard to reach at this position, and should not look back henceforth”, said coach.

Coming up to the Hero I-League this far is exciting for Mohun Bagan – both for the players and well as supporters, who come is big numbers even in away matches. Sen signs off, “If we can do something for them that would be the greatest achievement for us.” 

Mahindra Youth Football Challenge 2011-12 Finals

The best under-14 football players from the champion school teams of six cities (Bangalore, Delhi, Goa, Kerala, Kolkata, and Mumbai) will display their skills during the final leg of the Mahindra Youth Football Challenge 2011-2012. This edition will be played on the artificial turf of the Bangalore Football Stadium from April 19 to 24, under the aegis of the Bangalore District Football Association (BDFA).

The foremost football playing school teams from the country's most football-passionate cities are participating in this tournament that will decide the Champion School of the Mahindra Youth Football Challenge. The winning schools were identified through the Intra-City tournaments conducted in the six cities, involving the top schools from each city and touching a total of 250 schools.

Last year's star performer - Mani Maran

The following six schools will participate in the Mahindra Youth Football Challenge Finals: 

• St. Aloysius High School, Bangalore 
• CRPF School, Delhi 
• St. Britto's High School, Goa 
• MSP HSS, Kerala 
• Pandua High School, Kolkata 
• Don Bosco High School, Mumbai

Competition in the final leg will be much more intense! Six champion school teams will play each other in a league format to determine the top two, who will then play the final on April 24, 2012 at the Bangalore Football Stadium.

A four-day coaching clinic, from April 15 to 18 was conducted for the players from the six schools by the following coaches from Celtic Football Club Academy:

• Mark Reid - Youth Academy Coach/Senior Football Development Officer)
• Jose Romero – Centre of Excellence coach
• Mark Tobin - Centre of Excellence coach
• Tom McKay - Development Centre Goalkeeping coach

Celtic FC Youth Academy coaches (L to R) - Mark Tobin, Jose Romero, Mark Reid, and Tom McKay

 These coaches were present at the four-day clinic to train the coaches and players of each of the six teams on individual skills, techniques, and tactical aspects of the game.

The Mahindra Youth Football Challenge is the Mahindra Group's commitment to promote football at the grassroots level. The company has partnered with Scottish football giants, Celtic Football Club, who will take on the responsibility of training and developing young talent identified through this initiative. Also, as part of the initiative, Celtic Football Club will be giving replica T-shirts to the members of all the teams participating in the tournament.

Mark Reid with a player of St. Alloysius HS, Bangalore

Mufaddal Choonia, Deputy G M, Corporate Strategy, Mahindra Group, had this to say, "The Mahindra Youth Football Challenge has grown tremendously in the last two years to become the biggest U-14 football tournament in the country. We are humbled by the enthusiastic response the tournament has received from across the country. I wish the six city champion schools all the very best in the Inter-City Challenge of the Mahindra Youth Football Challenge and urge them to strive hard to bring glory to their respective schools."

"Celtic Football Club is honored and pleased at this opportunity to coach the best under-14 footballing talent from six major cities. Our coaches will work hard to try and impart the maximum amount of football knowledge to the coaches and players of the six teams in the coaching clinic. We also hope to identify the best talent, who will get a chance to travel and train with Celtic Football Club," said Peter Lawwell, Chief Executive of Celtic Football Club.

"It's been a wonderful two-year journey for Procam International, who are indeed fortunate to be promoting a venture that involves the Mahindra Group and Celtic Football Club, both giants in their respective fields. What gives us even more pleasure is the fact that the ultimate beneficiaries of this venture are young football players. Procam International will continually strive to improve the experience of each under-14 player participating in this unique venture," said P N Sankaran of Procam International.


Prizes galore
The Champion school will receive the Mahindra Youth Football Challenge Trophy and prize money of Rs 50,000, while the runner-up school will also receive a trophy and prize money of Rs 30,000. 

Besides this, the 'Star Performer' of each match will also receive a trophy, while there will be prizes for the 'Best Goalkeeper', 'Best Midfielder', 'Best Striker' and 'Best Defender' of the tournament. All the six teams will be provided with NIKE football kits.


Opportunity to train with the best

Based of their performances in the final leg, 22 players will be selected for another intense four-day coaching clinic to be held from April 25 to 28, and conducted by the above mentioned coaches. From these 22 players, the best players will be picked to travel to Scotland and undergo a ten days training stint at the Celtic Football Club Academy. The names of these players will be announced at the conclusion of the final camp on April 28.

Bishal Harizan and Jayanta Mondal from Kolkata and Mani Maran R. from Bangalore, had emerged the best three footballers from the first season of the Mahindra youth Football Challenge. These three players were picked after the final leg last year and got an opportunity to avail of a ten day intensive coaching camp in Glasgow with the Celtic Football Club.

They got an opportunity to watch a Scottish Premier League game at Celtic Park, involving Celtic FC and Motherwell FC and another at Ibrox Stadium featuring Celtic FC vs Glasgow Rangers. Their training there involved individual technique training, multiple sessions of Sports Science Testing, learning the right warm up techniques with the under-19 team, and daily coaching sessions with the Celtic Under-15 team. Bangalore's Mani Maran was then selected to represent the Celtic FC Under-16 team to play against the Monash Football Club from Melbourne, Australia, capping a successful and satisfying experience for the three lads.

Brother duo strikes for HAL

HAL inched closer towards gaining a spot in next season’s I-League division 1. Today, playing against newbie NISA, Manipur at the Bangalore Football Stadium, they defeated 2-1. Brothers Karthigeyan and Satish Kumar jr scored for HAL and Thomas Singh scored the only goal for NISA. They now only need a draw to qualify for the I-League division 1.

HAL could not field their 2 foreigners, striker Fredrick and defender Femi was kept out of the match due to double booking. Fredrick’s absent meant Xavier coming in the forward position and Srikanth playing in deep-defense.

1st half failed to bring good game. With the field relatively heavy due to rains in last couple of days, HAL struggled to control the game. Defense looked feeble today with NISA penetrating several times.

After changing ends, HAL looked more organized. They made a skillful attack in the 1st minute. 3 minutes later, Karthigeyan’s powerful long ranger from a Jotin Singh pass went past the NISA keeper. HAL looked a much better team in this period.

Wily Xavier tore NISA’s defense in the 64th minute, however, keeper Premkumar Singh displayed good reflex and saved a sure goal. It was Xavier again, who missed the easiest chance of the day in the 73rd minute – alert Murali taps the ball from a defensive miss pass and gives it to Jotin on the left, Jotin on entering inside the penalty box passes to Xavier, the later dribbles one defender and finds the keeper, rather than placing to the far post, he takes an easy shot to the keeper.

This miss proved costly for HAL as the Manipuri team scored the equalizer in the next minute. NISA continued attacking after the equalizer, but caught repeatedly. Poor finishing prevented them from causing anymore damage to HAL.

In the 87th minute, Satish Kumar jr, who had a reasonably good tournament had an off-day as he displayed poor finishing and missed several scoring chances today. However, he did for his team when it matter the most. Coming from the right side, Satish dribbles few defenders, and takes a diagonal shot that goes beyond the reach of the keeper.

It was a big relief for the HAL supporters, who again turned in good numbers today.

Vasco still in contention

The Goan team amassed full points by bludgeoning Oil India 4-0. Striker Koko Sakibo scored the 2nd hat trick of the final round. With this win the Goan team stays in contention for qualifying in I-League division 1. They still need to win their final round match and hope that the top two teams HAL and ONGC waste points in their coming matches.

Result:

• HAL 2 (Karthigeyan-49' and Satish Kumar jr-87') NISA 1 (Thomas Singh-74')
• Vasco 4 (Koko Sakibo-30', 74', and 83' and Joel Sequiera-58') vs Oil India 0

Next Match - May 21(Round 6):

• Mohammedan Sporting Club versus Malabar United, 2 pm
• ONGC versus Sesa Football Academy, 4 pm