Shreyas to lead U17 and Edwin U21 in Khelo India Youth Games

Karnataka will be participating in boys U-17 and U-21 football championship in the Khelo India Youth Games. This years edition is held at the Balewadi Sports Complex, Pune from January 9. 

The U-17 team is placed in Group A along with Mizoram, Punjab, and Uttarakhand and the U-21 in Group B along with Punjab, Goa, and Manipur. 

U-17 team 

Shreyas Ketkar (Captain), Praful Kumar Y V (VC), Vikash Sharma, Sharangthem Herojit Singh, Anish Mazumdar, Sanasam Surjitkumar Singh, Chanambam Ronald Singh, Khwairakpam Commandant Singh, Niketh N, Anto R, Uzen Chhozang, BS Mrinal Muthanna, Rahul P, Arnold Lalroutsang, Michael Pominthang Toutang, Tongbram krishnakantha Singh, Arnold Carmel Raj D, Sumit Kumar Puran

Coach - Shiva Kumar, Manager - S Shiva

• 10-01-2019: Karnataka Vs Mizoram 
• 12-01-2019: Karnataka Vs Punjab 
• 14-01-2019: Karnataka Vs Uttarakhand 

U-21 team

Edwin Rossario (Captain), Deepak Kumar K (Vice Captain), Kiran Saravanan, Pradeep R, Arun H, Vignesh V, Lethaolen Khongsai, Kevin Koshy, Praveen Prakash, Sudeer Kotikela, Lokesh M, Joel Kevyn Braganza, Johnson, Maria Nelson, Shravan Kumar U, Sachu Siby, Surya Prakash, Pavan S

Coach - C Ravi Kumar, Manager - Mohammed Imtiyaz 

• 11-01-2019: Karnataka Vs Punjab  
• 13-01-2019: Karnataka Vs Goa  
• 15-01-2019: Karnataka Vs Manipur 

  

Historic win for U-17 team as they defeat Italy

In a historic moment for Indian Football, for the first time, the Indian U-17 World Cup Squad defeated the U-17 Youth Team of Italy who have won the FIFA World Cup four times 2-0, in Arizo, Italy today (May 19, 2017). The win epitomizes the grit and determination of the Indian Colts who have been grinding together since February 2013 in Goa.                         

All India Football Federation, the governing body of Indian Football has been providing rigorous exposure trips to the U17 World Cup Squad for the last couple of years, all in an effort to field a competitive Team for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which is slated to kick-off later this year.

Strikes by Abhijit Sarkar (31’) and Rahul Praveen (80’) led the Indian U-17 World Cup Team to a massive win over the ‘Azzuri’ in a match largely dominated by the Indian Colts in terms of possession and chances created.

The Colts got off the blocks in Italy and gave the opposition a tough time early on. Komal Thatal’s 8th minute strike went whiskers past the Italian custodian as India hunted in packs for an early lead. In the 13th minute, Aniket came close to opening the goal scoring charts for India but his effort went straight down the keeper’s throat resulting in an easy save.

In the 31st minute however, the goal for the Indian Colts came when Abhijit Sarkar’s cross took a wicked deflection off the Italian defence line and ended up in the back of the opposition net to give India the lead.

After India led 1-0 at half-time, the Colts searched to extend the their lead and safeguard the result. In the 59th minute, Aniket missed a one versus one chance against the Italian goalkeeper after he rounded the opposition custodian up but failed to convert.

Rahul in the 75th minute came close to scoring when he failed to tap the ball home from handshaking distance after Aniket’s shot had earned an uncanny save by the Italian custodian.

Goal scoring chances every now and then had to bear fruits and it did for the Indian Colts in the 80th minute when Rahul scored from inside the box to double India’s lead as the scoreline read 2-0.

The full-time scoreline read the same as the Indian U-17 World Cup Team registered a historic feat in Indian Football.

Ozone enter Youth League final after thrashing Lajong 4-1

In the semifinal of the U-16 Youth League, Ozone boys beat the team from North-East, Shillong Lajong FC 4-1 and cruise to the final of U-16 Youth League. The Hosur-based academy boys will play the winner of previous edition (U-15), Minerva Punjab Football Club, who defeated other team from Bangalore, Bengaluru FC, in the second semifinal, 1-0. 

Ozone scored two goals in each half - Ignatius John opened the account early in the 20th minute followed by Ajay Alex in 28th minute. Parvaj Bhuiya reduced one for SLFC in the first half. Ignatius John and Manvir Singh scored the other two goals in the later half. 

The final will be played at the same venue, Cooperage Ground, on Friday, February 10. 

50 teams to participate in U-16 Youth League

AIFF Media 

In what is a balanced representation of Teams from all over India, the second edition of the U-16 Youth League scheduled to kick-off in September 2016 will feature 50 odd Teams battling for the top honours. This comes after the grand success of the inaugural edition where 39 Teams had participated last season.

Speaking to www.the-aiff.com, Sunando Dhar, CEO, I-League indicated about growing interest amongst the Academies and the Clubs. “That’s the aspect which we are looking for,” he said. “Last season 39 Teams had competed in the Youth League but the number has jumped to 50 this season, which is more than overwhelming,” he added.

AIFF Technical Director Scott O’Donell maintained the magic mark of 50 showed the “positive intent.”

"Reaching the magic figure of 50 in the second year of the U-16 Youth League shows the positive intent among the Clubs and private Academies. They deserve due credit for their untiring effort towards building up the Teams,” he said in a chat to www.the-aiff.com.

Complementing O’Donell, Dhar further stated that “it only reflects the increasing level of the interest among the kids towards the ‘Beautiful game.’ All India Football Federation has always aimed in broad-basing the game and this shows we are on the right track.”

“Playing competitive Football is a big part of a young Player’s development. The U-16 Youth League will give the Players (and Coaches) the opportunity to test themselves against Teams from other States. The first edition of the U-15 Youth League was a huge success and it is great to see even more Teams expressing their interest,” O’Donell opined.

The inaugural edition saw Minerva Academy FC overwhelming Royal Wahingdoh FC in the high-octane final in Goa to conquer the silverware.

The League which has conceptualised as the U-15 Youth League has been rechristened to U-16 Youth League keeping the forthcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 in mind.

Perhaps the most significant aspect stays the participation of three Teams from Kashmir. After LoneStar Kashmir’s success, Jammu and Kashmir Bank and Real Kashmir have also enrolled them for the U-16 Youth League, thus making it to three Teams from the State.

“I can’t recollect three Teams from Kashmir playing in a National Tournament -- and this is U-16 Youth League. We welcome Teams from all nook and corners in the League. This League itself is in a League of its own,” Dhar commented.

Another notable feature has been the keenness to participate from Gujarat, the home State of India’s Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi. Sports Authority of Gujarat and Kahaani FC will flaunt the colours of Gujarat in the U-16 Youth League this season.

Besides, the State of Kerala has also strengthened its presence in the league as three more Teams are going to join the contingent along with Kovalam FC from God's own Country. Prodigy FA, who have passed the Academy Accreditation Test with flying colours will be joined by SEPT FA and Red Star FC. 

[NOTICE] SAI Bangalore football trials

Sports Authority of India (SAI) invites budding sports persons for admission to SAI Training Centre, Bangalore for extensive training in football (boys). Selection trial will be held at 7.30 pm, June 19-20 at SAI Training Centre, Hockey Stadium, Shanthi Nagar, Bengaluru-25.

The age range is 12-18 years old and the candidate must be a medal winner in District/State and should have represented school at National-level. 

Candidates are requested to bring the following documents in trial: 

• Original copy of Date of Birth certificate issued by the Panchayat/Municipality/Corporation 
• Sports achievements certificate 
• Class studying certificate from the institution 
• Medical Fitness certificate issued by the Medical Officer
• Passport size photograph - 2 no 
• Photocopy of the above certificates attested by a Gazetted Officer

Participants are requested to appear with proper sports kit. No travelling or dearness allowance (TA DA) would be provided by SAI. 

For further details, contact on this number - 080 22221671.