Karnataka lose to Kerala in final, bags silver in Khelo India

Two goals in a gap of 12 minutes in the later part of first half sealed the gold medal for Kerala in the final of the Khelo India Youth Games played at Emerald Heights School, Indore, Madhya Pradesh today morning. 

Sreeraj CP for Kerala opened the account for his team in the 31st minute of the game and Kiran K scored in 43rd minute. The strikers for Karnataka, who gave team the lead in almost every game failed to score in the final game. time 

Karnataka despite having an impressive outing ends up being the second best in this 8-team tournament. 

Former HAL players Rajabaliev Nurlan and Kanatbek Mamatov visit Bangalore with Kyrgyz National football team

If you are from the era of HAL-ITI rivalry and followed Bangalore football, then you should remember names like Rajabaliev Nurlan, Kanatbek Mamatov, Ruslan Sydvov, and Daniar, players from Kyrgyzstan who plied their trade for HAL. They played the then National Football League (NFL), erstwhile I-League in Green colors in 2001-02 season. 

Kanatbek and Nurlan are visiting the Garden City when India take on Kyrgyzstan tomorrow 8 pm for AFC Asian Cup Qualifier at Sree Kanterava Stadium. They are serving the Football Federation of the Kyrgyz Republic (FFKR) as the Vice President and Head of the Players Transfer Committee respectively. 

Speaking to GCSStars.com, Kanatbek, a dependable central midfielder back then was on a trip down memory lane. He remembers Coach Krishnaji Rao, wanted to meet him, however, saddened after hearing that Krishnaji not in the best of health, and confined at home. 

Kanatbek fondly recall the good time he spent his teammates at HAL - Gumpe Rime, Sunil, Kiran, Xavier Vijay Kumar, late Dayanand, so on. 

It was the season of 2000-01, HAL was playing the NFL qualifiers when Kanatbek Mamatov, a student pursuing Master’s Degree in Environment from the Bangalore University joined HAL, and helped them to qualify for to the top league for the first time. 

“After qualifying for National League my coach asked me to get some players from Kyrgyzstan”, reveals Kanatbek. Next season he got the rest of the gang from his homeland.

“We had a great start to the League, playing for the first time in NFL, we defeated East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar. After the first leg, we’re sitting comfortably at top half of the points table”, adds Rajabaliev Nurlan, who scored 7 of the goals for HAL, he was the 6th top scorer in that edition. 

The Kyrgyz hold utmost respect for Krishnaji Rao, was later replaced by Chandru, and results started dwindling. HAL finished the season in 8th spot in a 12-team league. Also, Rajabaliev’s injury affected HAL in the league. 

“We could have fared much better had Krishnaji coached us for the entire season”, expressed both of them. 

They did not pursue football as a career, must have played for more seasons, and then settled in other profession. It was only later they felt the urge to give back to the game and joined football administration. The other Kyrgyz, Ruslan Sydvov, is the coach of country’s top Futsal team. 

Nostalgia has gripped them as they spent time at their favorite HAL Sports Complex exploring fond memories of playing days. Meanwhile Rajabaliev is desperately looking for video grabs of his goals. 

Bengaluru FC defeat Students Union 2-0

Bengaluru FC Media 

A first half brace from striker Pawan Srinivas was enough as a very young Bengaluru FC side secured a 2-0 victory over Students Union FC in the BDFA Super Division at the Bangalore Football Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Monday. Not a single first team player was part of the Blues’ side, who are undefeated in the Division, as U19s coach Louis Nickson took charge at the touchline with a side comprising just academy players, overseen by Head of Youth Development Matthew Holland.

The Blues started from the word go with Rishabh Agarwal and Pradeep Ramesh pulling the strings in midfield as full-backs Niraad Bose and Prashanth Kalinga provided width down the flanks. It didn’t take long for Bengaluru to score with Pawan tapping home from inside the box after Kalinga’s inch-perfect cross from the right flank in the very first minute.

Students Union attempted to restore parity but it wasn’t to be as the Blues piled the pressure, eager to double their lead. The second goal came in the 23rd minute when Rushi Anto was brought down for a free-kick at the edge of the Students Union box after some neat interplay by the Blues in midfield. Rishabh’s perfectly executed set piece was nodded home by Pawan as he grabbed his second goal of the game.

Into the second half and holding a 2-0 advantage, the Blues kept the pressure on the Union defence with Rushi and Pradeep combining well in midfield. Students Union had a rare chance when striker Stephen found himself at the end of a cross from Madan but his header was inches wide of Srijit in the BFC goal.

The Blues best chance of the second half came when a cross from Shelton Paul late in the second half found Blues’ substitute striker Gopan, who peeled free of the Union defence, but his shot was miscued as the referee blew the whistle on an impressive performance from the young Blues.

“The boys performed really well today to get the three points as Students Union are a very good side. We’re looking to keep this performance in mind as we go forward in the Division and the aim is to keep another clean sheet and put on another positive performance when we take on Ozone FC next week,” said U19s coach Louis Nickson following the game.

The Blues’ next BDFA Super Division tie will see them face Ozone FC on the 12th of January. 

Xavier to lead Karnataka in Santosh Trophy qualifiers

Ekalavya awardee and HAL legend Xavier Vijaykumar will lead the state team for the 69th Santosh Trophy south zone qualifiers. Assisting Xavier will be former junior international Chethan Kumar. Matches will be played at the MDSC Stadium, Manjeri, Malappuram, Kerala. 

Karnataka is placed in Group A along with host Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. The other group comprises of Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, and Services.  

Team

• GoalKeeper: SMD Razak (RBI), MP Thomas (Dharwad)
• Defender: KB Nikhil Das (CIL), Prem Kumar (Income Tax), BV Chetan Kumar (Vice-Captain - Income Tax), Vivekananda (CIL), R Viiay (CIL)
• Midfielder: Xavier Vijay Kumar (Captain - Students Union), Prakash B (CIL), R Manivannan (South United), M Lokesh (Income Tax), P A Anup Theres Raj (Student Union), M Sunil Kumar (South United), Deepan P (Students Union), Shahzad KI (Mangalore)
• Forward: K Gopi (Student Union), K Kaviarasan (ADE), P Pradeep Kumar (CIL), V Vinoth Kumar (RBI), Vinu K Vargese (Mangalore) 
  Coach: JL Andrew GK coach: Shyam Shahi Manager: ST Bhoopal Chief de mission: SA Basheer

[PIC] HAL team for 2013-14 season

Presenting HAL football team for 2013-14 season...

The Savior Speaks

Before you actually start reading this piece, here’s something that I would like to let you know - this interview is spanned across a year, in fact a year and few days (or a month)!

First part, May 2010 – just after helping HAL to re-enter in the I-league.
 
Second part, June 3, 2011 – just after helping HAL to surface again in the I-league, saving HAL from certain relegation and reiterating the “Xavier the savior” faith.

For some reason the first part could not see the light of the day.

GCSS: Let’s take us thru your formative days.
Xavier: I Hail from KGF and a product of SAI, Bangalore. I joined SAI after completing my 2nd PUC. Also, represented state in all under aged national tournaments.
After graduating from SAI,  I Joined HAL in 97-98 season for one year contract. They were making a formidable team that year. Next year, HAL offered me a job. Also, they gave job to a host of talented local players, Murali J, Sunil Dayanand, Anto Vinod, Paramesh.
Flourished under Krishnaji Rao’s coaching in HAL.
In 2001, I was selected in the Indian camp for Pakistan tour, unfortunately the tour cancelled due to 9/11. Got injured after that, spent a very disappointing 2002 season, but didn’t give up.
In 2002, Karnataka Olympic Association awarded the best sportsman of the year.
In 2004-05, got selected in the Indian camp under Nayeem’s coaching. Got in the team in last minute as a stand by . I was in the Indian  camp again in 2005-06, against Japan.
Got to play under Ismail Akhmedov’s coaching in the AFC challenger in 2006, I was named as the vice-captain for India.

Xavier the savior in another move against ONGC

GCSS: Most of the Bangalore players go out and earn a name for themselves and the city. That is not in your case, what’s the main reason?
Xavier: Preferred job security over anything else. Got offers from all the top clubs, but I’ve gleefully rejected them. I’ve had no regrets in doing so.

GCSS: You view on the football played in Bangalore?
Xavier: Corporates need to look at the game, need someone in the likes of Vijay Mallya to lift the game in the city.

Against Mumbai FC

GCSS: Tell us something about your team?
Xavier: There’s not enough budget to make a good team. Lack of formidable, quality bench strength. There is no recruitment happening, also, the team needs a professional coach.
Current coach not open to suggestions. I’ve stopped  suggesting after I stepped down from captaincy.

Against Viva Kerala

A year later, June 2011

You love him or you hate him, home grown Xavier is the resolution for HAL. Yet again, Xavier played his heart-out and ensured that national football will stay in Bangalore for another season.

GCSS: So Xavier, here we meet again, what’s the difference?

Xavier: First of all, I’m happy  to be in I-league. The most savored 2 goals against Dempo, though nothing to boast about as it was a team effort, everyone  gave their best, and the seniors played their role.
On the match day, checked the details, if we win, we'll avoid relegation. That motivated us!

While we were entering the stadium, locals taunted on the number of goals Dempo would score. That again motivated me, told the team that no one is superior, we will fight till the end.
Also, don’t think management expected us to make a comeback. I for once, thought that it’s all over, I’ve played the last match (against East Bengal), and won’t be able to play in the beautiful turf of Bangalore Football Stadium for the next season. However, kudos to the team, we held on (to the last moment). It’s a dream come true.

Gets past Air India defense

GCSS: What was the most appalling moment?
Xavier: Several - bench strength, series of injuries (Shankar, James Singh Jr.), players leaving in the mid-season(Vijesh Kumar), plus the unfortunate death of Arun Kumar.
As a captain I used to always demand the required things from the management, always fought for the players. However, off late, I’ve kept myself less involved in such day to day affairs.

GCSS: What is missing here?
Xavier: Though we’ve our own ground, gymnasium, and swimming pool. Infra-wise, there are several  things need to be done.
We pay very less money, need for better grant with improved facilities. Players should feel secure here. Not to forget making the football team as a separate commercial entity.
The onus is on the management, we give all out for the game, and we can at least expect something in return.

GCSS: Are you satisfied with the standard of coaching in HAL?
Xavier: Guess, every coach has its own set of favorites, and relies on them heavily. Often found our coaches lacked match reading sense. We were not playing up to our potentials from round 12 and continued the bad patch till round 20. Many a times regular players struggled, we could have tried out our reserves.

 
After turning out fruitful 14 footballing seasons with HAL’s green and white colors, Xavier is contemplating a move in this season.  Perhaps for greener pasture, in a professionally managed club.

GCSS: What’s the buzz all about, we all would like to know?
Xavier: I’ve been resisting offers from most of the top I-league clubs for some time. I still have some good football left in me, would like venture out. If the offer is good, then why not? 

I might lose my HAL job in the deal, but I’m ready to take that risk.
 

Is the prodigal son, prolific footballer Xavier VijayKumar leaving Bangalore?
Guess all the garden city football lovers would hate to see that happen. But as a true professional, one has to take such decision, albeit difficult and emotional.