THE BEAUTIFUL GAME : WOTLD FOOTBALL NEWS MAGNET...
16.01.2012 : MRINAL KANTI NATH...KFC.. | www.kolkatafootball.com HOME PAGE
Bayer Leverkusen director of sport Rudi Voller fears the Bundesliga will be dominated by Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund for years to come and believes his side's best hope is to finish third.
Bolton accepted an offer from Chelsea for the 26-year-old England defender Gary Cahill before the transfer window opened. His move to Chelsea has completed today.
Al Wasl coach legend Diego Maradona has been released from hospital after being admitted for complications with his
kidney stones over the weekend.
Diego Milito's second-half goal secured a good 1-0 win for Inter Milan in the Derby against arch-rivals AC Milan
to move top of Serie A and boost their own title hopes.
Jamie Carragher insists he is not thinking about retirement despite finding first-team opportunities at Liverpool harder to come by in recent times.
Roberto Mancini believes Barcelona are the only club in the world capable of dealing with Manchester City's lengthy absentee list. Mario Balotelli, David Silva and Vincent Kompany missed City's League Cup semi-final first-leg defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday, while Kolo and Yaya Toure are away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Barcelona kept alive their title defence as Alexis Sanchez and Lionel Messi scored crucial late goals to win 4-2 after Real Betis had come back from two goals down.
With the likes of Egypt, Cameroon and Nigeria missing out on the competition, Ghana and Ivory Coast are the favourites to win a Africa Cup of Nations crown.
Thierry Henry's return to Arsenal turned sour on Sunday when he was involved in a heated exchange with a fan following his side's stunning 3-2 defeat to Swansea.
Inter Milan president Massimi Moratti has confirmed that they have made a 25 million euro bid for Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez.
Chelsea have accepted an offer from Queens Park Rangers within 24 hours after Gary Cahill left for London to undergo a medial.
Jeje and Joaquim are exceptional strikers : Ranti.
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Ranti Martins Soleye has been synonymous with goals from the time he has played in India. The Dempo striker stays at the top of the goalscorer's list with 15 goals (after 14 rounds) and aims to finish at the top at the end of the season. In a free-wheeling interview with www.the-aiff.com, Ranti spoke at length about his performance, his life in India and his rivalry with his country mate and Mohun Bagan’s talismanic striker Odefe Okolie. Excerpts:
How much satisfying is it to score goals?
It feels great and obviously feels good when you score goals. The support from my family and teammates help me focus on the field. My goals have so far helped my team stay at the top of the I-League. I feel, the situation stays the same till the end.
You have spearheaded Dempo's attack since 2004. Describe your experience with the Goan giants.
It's been a learning curve for me. It's also an honour to play for such a prestigious Club. Dempo have always had a handful of players who regularly play for the Indian National Team, from whom you get to learn a lot. I have no complaints so far.
What is the secret behind Ranti the goal machine?
Hard work and dedication stay the most important. Besides, the support of my management, teammates and family can never be undermined.
Where do you see Indian football heading towards?
The quality of play has certainly improved in the last decade. I feel attention needs to be paid towards building of infrastructure, as well as grooming and support the young talent. There is lot of talent in India - all one needs to do is to identify them and provide them the right platform.
Foreign Strikers have hogged the limelight in the I-League for some years now. Are Indian strikers not good enough?
There's not much difference between Indian and foreign strikers. Look at Jeje Lalpekhlua and Joaquim Abranches – they are exceptional - good as any foreign recruit. The sole difference stays that we (foreigners) start football at very young age - by 11-12. Besides, the infrastructure foreign recruits practice at that age helps groom them as a player. I’d only say Indian strikers need to be a bit more positive.
What about your rivalry with Odafe Okolie?
Odafa is an exceptional talent. He inspires and challenges me to work harder. Both of us are different kind of players but he is my compatriot and we hail from the same country. Our objectives stay the same - score goals and help our respective teams win. We are good pals - there’s no rivalry.
What's your take on Dempo's I-League campaign?
Though the last few rounds have been difficult for us, we are on the right track for sure. We would have some more recruits joining us soon which would make us stronger.
I-LEAGUE PREVIEW : East Bengal want to come back to winning ways.
16.01.2012 : AIFF RELEASE...KFC.. | www.kolkatafootball.com HOME PAGE
Not everything stays perfect for Pailan Arrows at the moment. Currently ranked 2nd from the bottom of the table, the Arrows take on strong contenders Kingfisher East Bengal at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday (January 17). East Bengal are presently on 27 points from 14 matches while Pailan stay on 7 points from 13 matches.
However, East Bengal are not in the best of form. Having drawn the previous match against Pune FC, the Red-and-Gold desperately need a win against Pailan. The last time the two teams met, the match ended in a goalless draw.
East Bengan's Coach Trevor Morgan said: "It is tough for any team to break down an opponent who prefers to play defensively. In our previous encounter Pailan looked like they would be satisfied with a point and they achieved it at the end." In response, however, Sukhwinder Singh, the Technical Director of Pailan Arrows said: 'In our previous encounter against East Bengal, we were under pressure and hence, couldn't attack. We did not go in with a defensive mindset and even on Tuesday, we intend to play attacking football."
When asked about his team's inability to get a victory till now in the League, he added: "We are playing well as a team but are looking for that one moment of extraordinary brilliance which will win us our first match." Luckily for Pailan, they don't have any injury worries at all. East Bengal on the other hand will be without Nirmal Chhetri who is injured. Saumik Dey will also sit out due to a suspension. They are likely to be replaced by Harmanjot Khabra and Robert Lalthalamuana respectively.
Morgan wasn't willing to read much into their last match against Pune FC which ended goalless. "We have created chances but haven't been able to convert them against Pune FC. I'm not worried at all," he quipped. Meanwhile, Edmilson who replaced Alan Gow is unlikely to get a start against Pailan as Morgan intends to give him some time to settle down. The kick-off is slated for 2pm.
THE BEAUTIFUL GAME : THE WORLD FOOTBALL NEWS MAGNET.
15.01.2012 : MRINAL KANTI NATH...KFC.. | www.kolkatafootball.com HOME PAGE
FC Barcelona was declared the world's best football club by the International Institute for Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).
Manchester United defender Patrice Evra expects his side to win the Premier League this season, and points to the
Red Devils' strength in depth as a decisive quality.
Kolkata's I league 2nd division club MOHAMEDDAN SPORTING won KALINGA Cup after beating VASCO 2-1 in the final yesterday.
31 year old striker Edmilson Marques Pardal has signed for East Bengal for the ongoing I League and upcoming AFC Cup.
The Brazilian striker who played for the red & golds in the 2007-09 seasons will wear no 10 jersey. He will replace the position of Gow.
Accoring to source FC BARCELONA may be coming to INDIA in May/June this year to play a friendly match against an I league club. Khastirya Sports Management, the Organisers have revealed that FC BARCELONA have shown full interest of touring in INDIA this year.
Everton manager David Moyes has praised on-loan Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan for making an instant contribution on his return to the Merseysiders.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has dismissed suggestions that he would consider taking Fernando Torres in exchange for Luka Modric.
Chelsea duo Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba both scored as Ivory Coast beat Tunisia in an African Nations Cup warm-up game in Abu Dhabi.
Julio Grondona, president of the Argentine Football Association, expressed his desire to have Pep Guardiola (of FC Barcelona) as coach of the country,s national team.
FC Barcelona's full back Maxwell will be joining Paris-Saint Germain. The two clubs have reached a preliminary agreement and the player is on his way to Paris to finalize the transfer. The 30-year-old Brazilian has only made 12 appearances this Liga season and was looking to be moved in order to get more playing time.
Bayern Tour: Pune FC's Rushabh, Rohan in Indian team .
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Pune FC youth programme players striker Rushabh Dhere and goalkeeper Rohan Fasge earned a dream selection to be part of the Indian representation at the FC Bayern Youth Cup U16 Six-A-Side tournament scheduled at Munich this May. The opportunity is a dream for the Pune FC duo, who along with 8 others selected, as they will get to play on the same pitch the Champions League finals at Allianz Arena, Munich is scheduled be held.
Both Rushabh and Rohan emerged the best 10 from India from among 500 aspirants and in the process became the first from the city to add glory to Pune's football culture, which has grown manifold since the inception of Pune FC team and their success in the country's top-tier I-League championship. Pune FC were represented by three players - Atman Mehta being the third - at the final selection rounds in New Delhi when the Bundesliga giants visited the capital to play an exhibition match against India.
While Pune FC expects the selection should inspire others to take up the sport and excel, the duo's nod for this big moment comes after both went though Pune FC's programme since the past couple of years. Rushabh's selection comes after the close association of the club and Krida Prabodhini, the residential school at the Balewadi Sports Complex. Both having been working closely ever since Pune FC made Mhalunge-Balewadi Sports Complex ground their home base.
Goalkeeper Rohan Fasge
Importantly, it is also a matter of great pride that the Pune FC duo are among the five Maharashtra players in the Indian team, which itself is proof that talent exists among the young generation and the need of the hour is right grooming. Rohan is a tenth grader from New English School, Tilak Road and a find during the Under-15 trials that Pune FC opens up to Pune players. Pune FC Head Operations, Chirag Tanna added, "With the selection of Rushabh, the efforts of Pune FC and Krida Prabhodhini has paid off well and Rohan's inclusion also proves that local talent exists. Moreover, it is a dream-come-true for these kids."
The final phase of selection at New Delhi was done by FC Bayern Munich coaches Harald Cerny and Sebastian Dremmler for this years FC Bayern Youth Cup in Munich. Dhere and Fasge came through a field of over 500 aspiring U-16 players during the Mumbai leg of selection process held in December 2011. Both were among a group of 18 finalists selected from the Mumbai leg and then joined 15 of their counterparts from Delhi during a weeklong training camp before playing the FC Bayern Youth Cup (India) Finals at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Throughout the training camp and the finals, both Dhere and Fasge impressed the FC Bayern coaches enough to be selected in the final 10 players. Pune FC Head Youth Development, Ranjan Chowdhary added, "We whole heartedly congratulate Krida Prabhodhini for their support and likewise New English School for this joint success that could not of been achieved individually,"
"Players from all over the world go to Europe nowadays, so why shouldn't we Indians go there and show our talent," he added. "We are deeply passionate and committed towards building Pune's success as a footballing city. Over the last few years we have consistently supported grassroots programs that help the development of young footballers. Krida Prabhodhini has been a strong partner in many of our initiatives," added Tanna.
Tanna explained, "Pune FC's participation in the Bayern Munich event, we hope, is one of the many opportunities we expect and will provide to our youth programme players as and when they happen. Our aim is to discover the best talent locally and help city football grow."
AIFF Coaching Workshop concludes in Delhi .
15.01.2012 : AIFF RELEASE...KFC.. | www.kolkatafootball.com HOME PAGE
A three-day Coaching Workshop cum Clinic conducted by Rob Baan and Scott O'Donell concluded in New Delhi on Sunday (January 15). The Workshop was attended by 16 Coaches from all over the country.
The Workshop which had separate practical and theoretical sessions came in for high praise from all the participants. Former Indian Captain and stopper-back Tarun Dey felt the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is on the right track.
"It's essential to scout youngsters at the right age and the AIFF is doing a laudable job," he said. "Both Rob and Scott come with a lot of experience. The Workshop was of great help and the value addition has certainly made me a better coach," he added.
The Practical Sessions were held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium while the theoretical sessions stressed on Talent Scouting and Trends in Modern Football. Baan also highlighted the philosophies of the AIFF Academies.
Godfrey Pereira, who was the last among the coaches to have a practical session, felt the concept of the "AIFF Regional Academies was very much the need of the hour."
"The Academies need whole-hearted support and there shouldn't be any interference in the Curriculum from anyone," he maintained. "I thank the AIFF for taking such an initiative."
Naushad Moosa said: "The Workshop was an education in itself. Rob and Scott stressed on game related situations. It was a pity it ended in three-days itself. I only wished it continued for some more days," he quipped.
List of participants: Tarun Dey, Gautam Ghosh , Sankarlal Chakraborty, Prasanta Chakraborty, Tarun Roy, Ananta Ghosh, Godfrey Pereira, Naushad Moosa. Yusuf Ansari, Aqueel Ansari, Francis Ignatius, Sham Saran Shahi, Hillal Parray , Sajid Yousuf Dar, Arshad Hussain, Kundan Chandra, Ravi Babu and John Kenneth Raj.
