I think there is a huge potential in India for football : Gary Neville.
16.01.2012 : .KFC.. | www.kolkatafootball.com HOME PAGE
In an interview with news Channel CNN-IBN live, Ex-Manchester United captain, England's most capped right back Gary Neville revealed his expression about the Indian football. The Ex- Manchester United defendercame to Mumbai as part of the promotional tour for the Manchester United cafe at Palladium, Mumbai.
He says in the interview that "I think there is a huge potential in India for football. Like all other developing countries, India will also progress in football where Cricket is the no 1 sport". He also added that with good facilities, good coaching, young stars of India will shine like South Koreans.
In 20-30 years ago South Korea is not a good team for football, but now it is a very good team. During his visit in India he also told he won't come out of retirement like Paul Scholes. He is very happy with his carrier and he now likes to watch football.
Meanwhile England interim coach Stuart Lancaster has asked him to give a motivational talk to his squad during their training camp in Leeds in preparation for their Six Nations campaign.
He also Plans for a 10-storied, 139-room hotel and supporter's club to be built next to Manchester United's football ground, Old Trafford. In his column The Mail on Sunday, he also told Tottenham can still challenge both Manchester side for the Premier League title this season after their frustrating 1-1 draw against Wolves.
I-LEAGUE : Dates of Some matches of I-League may be changed ..
16.01.2012 : .KFC.. | www.kolkatafootball.com HOME PAGE
Old Date (News Date) : Round No:: Team VS Team
31/03/2012 (30.3.02012): Round 22:: East Bengal VS Mumbai FC
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.
16.01.2012 : AIFF RELEASE...KFC.. | www.kolkatafootball.com HOME PAGE
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?
05/04/2012 (18.04.2012): Round 23:: Pune FC VS Salgaocar
04/01/2012 (19.04.2012): Round 13:: Pailan Arrows VS Churchill Bros
05/04/2012 (20.04.2012): Round 23:: Dempo SC VS East Bengal
10/04/2012 (20.04.2012): Round 24:: Salgaocar VS Chirag Kerala
11/04/2012 (30.04.2012): Round 24:: East Bengal VS Sporting Goa
Round 16 match between chirag United Kerala vs Pailan Arrows scheduled match yet to be announced.
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.
