I-LEAGUE : Pune FC look to break down Mumbai FC 'tactics' .
17.01.2012 : PFA PRESS...KFC.. | www.kolkatafootball.com HOME PAGE
Pune FC faces a task of a different kind when they face off with Mumbai FC in the return-leg Maha Derby of the I-League on Wednesday. Having let off the opponents last time, the job on hand for Derrick Pereira's boys is to find a solution to get their rhythm right after their rivals constantly opted to delayed proceedings to claim a point in a goalless stalemate.
"We will need to work harder," explains the coach on the eve of this Round-15 game and adds, "We need to create chances and convert them effectively."Adding, "We dominated no doubt the last time, but this time I hope to be different with my plans," he adds.Since the last game, Mumbai FC, stationed in city, has had two wins and two consecutive losses and will be on the look out to end their point drought.
On the other hand, Pune FC goes into the game with a couple of records to set straight in home games at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex. While Pune FC has fared well at home they still seek that elusive victory over Mumbai FC.
In the three encounters at home out of six they faced-off results have ended in draws.
While the match on the morrow will be to Pune FC advantage under lights, Coach Derrick will be without his teams' top-scorer Mandjou Keita who is out of the game carrying forward a double booking. Keita's absence is huge, but the coach talks positively, "the break will be a much needed rest for him and will help him come back stronger which is what we want." With the Guinean striker on the bench, options are aplenty with Subash Singh, Arata Izumi making first choices or for that matter even Douhou Pierre in place to join Jeje Lalpekhlua upfront.
Pune FC coach adds, "In Keita's absence I am looking at others to step up and do as well." The home side goes into the game with two changes to their 18-man squad with medio Paresh Shivalkar and striker Jeh Williamson get into the squad in place of Jayashelan Prasad and Keita respectively. Apart from Keita's injury, Derrick confirmed that the team is fit with a few niggles to some players after the last match. "It's not a big worry," he added.
Currently in 5th position, Pune FC with 23 points will be looking en cash home advantage apart from taking heart from the eight-match unbeaten streak they carry ahead. A slip-up on the morrow can mean Salgaocar SC and Prayag United possibly knocking Pune FC out from the Top-5 bracket for the margin between the three is a one-point difference.
Coach Derrick opines, "Unbeaten is good, but then every match is a fresh start for it means preparation to play a hard game for results and work on the opponents strengths and weaknesses."
As opponents, Derrick felt, "the team has some good ball players and many know their roles in the situations they are in." Both teams, have engaged themselves in a close finishes in the past. In five matches both have played at all levels, Mumbai FC hold the edge winning two, while Pune FC has won one.
Head-2-Head
18/01/12 IL Mumbai FC 0-0 Pune FC
I-LEAGUE : East Bengal prove too strong for Pailan Arrows.
17.01.2012 : .KFC.. | www.kolkatafootball.com HOME PAGE
Pailan Arrows proved out to be no match for resurgent Kingfisher East Bengal, as the hosts defeated Arrows by 4-1 in the 15th round I-League clash, played at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, on Monday (January 17).
After Pen Orji had opened the scoring for East Bengal in the 27th minute, Tolgay Ozbey scored a brace in 30th & 76th minute respectively. Robert Lalthlamuana scored East Bengal's fourth goal in the 57th minute. The consolation goal for Pailan was scored by stopper-back Prathamesh Maulingkar in 60th minute.
Australian Tolgay turned out to be the difference between the two teams, as he remained a constant threat upfront along with Penn Orji. East Bengal, who began on an aggressive note put constant pressure on the Pailan defence. And it yielded results soon.
Pailan conceded the first goal in 27th minute, when Orji headed in a rebound after rival goalkeeper Naveen Kumar had denied Sanju Pradhan from close. Three minutes later, Penn passed the ball to Tolgay, who blasted in as powerful left - footer to double the score. The scoreline stayed two-nil in favour of the Red-and-gold at the interval.
Changing over, East Bengal kept up the pressure.
The strategy proved successful again in the 57th minute when Penn cleverly passed the ball to Robert Lalthlamuana, who came in out of nowhere to score the third goal. Tolgay again found the back of the Pailan’s empty net to score a brace in 76th minute.
Pailan did pull one back in the 60th minute when Prathamesh Maulingkar headed in a Prabir Das corner. The 10th round encounter between the two teams had ended in a goalless draw. With this win East Bengal moved to 30 points from 15 matches while Pailan stay on 7 points from 14 matches. ( AIFF PRESS)
MATCH LIVE COMMENTARY : SH. MITRA
17.01.2012 : East Bengal 4 - 1 Pailan Arrows (YBK - FT)
KEB : Penn 27', Tolgey 31', Robert 57', Tolgey 76'
KEB: Gurpreet, Khabra, Okpara, Gurwinder, Robert, Sanju, Penn, Mehtab(Subodh 79'), Paite, Vashum(Sushant 64'), Tolgey(Edmilson).
PAI : Naveen, Rajib, Lalrozama, Protomesh, Gurtej Sr., Probir, Gurtej Jr., Bikramjeet, Jeevan, Sabeeth, Bijendra.
EAST BENGAL WHO WON THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE LAST TIME IN 2003-04 WAS THE TABLE TOPPER OF THAT YEAR AFTER 15TH ROUND WITH 31 POINTS.
84: Penn cross, cleared.
60: GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL, Pailan scores.
HALF TIME: East Bengal 2-0. Tolgey and Penn has scored 10th and 5th goal of this I league.
45+2: Cross from Rajib, Gurpreet collects.
40: Rajib free kick, Sabeeth fails to trap the ball, cleared by Vashum.
26: Mehtab brilliant through to Penn, shot from edge of box goes sailing over the crossbar.
9: Pailan attack, cross from right, Gurpreet collects the ball.
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?
15/05/11 IL Pune FC 1-1 Mumbai FC
08/12/10 IL Mumbai FC 2-0 Pune FC
03/04/10 IL Mumbai FC 1-2 Pune FC
24/10/09 IL Pune FC 1-1 Mumbai FC
23/04/08 I2D Mumbai FC 1-0 Pune FC
PAI : Prothomesh 60'
--------------------------
MATCH STATS : FREE KICK - KEB 13:20 PAI ::: CORNER - KEB 4-4 PAI ::: SHOT ON TARGET - KEB 7:6 PAI ::: OFFSIDE - KEB 2:0 PAI
FULL TIME: East Bengal 4-1 Pailan Arrows.
90: With today's win, East Bengal will move to 1st position in the league table with 30 points from 15 matches.
88: Penn left footed shot, deflects out for corner.
87: Edmilson left footed shot blocked by Pailan defence.
86: Opara to Penn, cross, cleared.
82: Robert corner, Khabra header just goes over.
81: Edmilson came close to scoring but his left footed push saved by Naveen, corner to East Bengal.
80: Bijendra header from free kick, goes out.
79: Amidst huge cheer from crowd, Edmilson comes in as a replacement.
79: Tolgey out, Edmilson in.
79: Mehtab out, Subodh Kumar in.
79: Cross from right, Tolgey offside.
77: Mistake by Pailan goalkeeper, Tolgey put ball in empty goal.
76: GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL, Tolgey scores.
75: Rajib cross, Bijendra header straight to Gurpreet.
74: Penn move down left side, goes past defender, cross goes out of play.
73: Easy chance missed by Penn. Tolgey pass to Penn whose push saved by Naveen. Morgan rightly very disappointed in reserve bench with the way East Bengal is missing chances.
72: Bikramjit Singh in Milan out.
71: Cross from left, Gurpreet collects.
70: Brilliant play by Penn. First he initiated the move down right flank, then he got the ball, made an angular run and his left footed shot was saved by Navin. Tolgey pushed the ball inside goal but he was standing in offside position. Penn should be today's man of the match.
68: Sonju cross from right, cleared.
66: Sushant Mathew immediately in action, pass to Tolgey who miss the easiest chance of the match, his left footed shot goes over the crossbar.
64: Sushant Mathew in Vashum out.
62: Though East Bengal has completely dominated the match and has scored 3 goals, Pailan against run of play has got few chances though Gurpreet has denied them thrice.
60: Prothomesh header from corner, goes in. After saving 3 sure goals, Gurpreet fails to stop this header from going in.
59: Rajib Ghosh corner Bijendra head, another stunning save by Gurpreet, saves a sure goal, corner to Pailan.
58: Mehtab corner straight to Naveen.
58: Corner to East Bengal.
57: Penn brilliant pass to Robert, runs down left side and put ball inside goal past Pailan goalkeeper.
57: GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL, Robert scores.
56: Rajib got a chance to score, but he shot straight to Gurpreet, chance wasted by Pailan.
56: Ball cleared from free kick.
56: Mehtab trips Bijendra near center circle.
55: East Bengal make 2 attacks, but ball cleared from Tolgey and Penn.
54: Brilliant shot by Tolgey, just goes out.
53: Pailan attack, good tackle by Gurwinder at edge of EB box.
52: Sonju to Penn to Tolgey to Sonju, ball cleared.
51: Okpara long ball, headed out by Pailan defender.
50: Tolgey shot from inside Pailan box goes out.
48: Ball cleared.
47: Free kick to Pailan outside EB box in the right side.
46: Match starts.
45+1: Robert cross, Tolgey brilliantly chest traps the ball and makes room for himself near Pailan box, but unfortunately the ball hits his hand.
2 minutes injury time.
44: Long ranger shot by Pailan, just miss target.
42: Gurpreet saves a sure goal, Bijendra free kick nicely curled and was going inside the goal, but Gurpreet made a diving save throwing his body to the right.
42: Okpara fouls Bijendra.
40: Free kick to Pailan.
39: Cross from Rajit, Gurpreet makes a good collection coming out of charge.
36: East Bengal completely dominating, Pailan hardly making any movement.
34: Pailan attack, Gurpreet collects the ball nicely coming out of charge.
33: Tolgey has scored his 51st goal for East Bengal.
31: Penn pass to Tolgey, his left footed shot deflects off goalkeeper's body and goes in. East Bengal leading by 2-0.
31: GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL, Tolgey scores.
30: East Bengal dominating the match and has taken a lead.
29: Mehtab attempts a long ranger, deflects out.
27: Sonju goes past 1 player, plays wall pass with Tolgey. Sonju shot, partially saved by Naveen, Penn who was following from behind heads the ball inside goal.
27: GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL, Penn scores.
25: Vashum to Penn to Sonju, ball cleared.
24: Sonju fails to trap the ball, ball goes out.
23: Match resumes. Pailan attack, long pass, Gurwinder covers the ball, goal kick to East Bengal.
21: Lalrozama lying injured.
19: Ball cleared from corner.
18: Pailan attack, Gurwinder clears, corner for Pailan.
17: Soumik not playing today due to double yellow card.
15: Penn to Paite to Mehtab to Sonju, offside.
14: Tolgey's shot from inside Pailan box, blocked by defence.
13: Pailan cross from left, cleared by Okpara.
12: Brilliant pass towards Penn, tries to pass the ball to unmarked Tolgey in Pailan box, but cleared by Lalrozama.
11: Dangerous attack by Pailan. Sabeeth to Probir, angular shot from outside box, just miss target.
10: Robert pass from left, straight to Naveen.
8: Long pass towards Penn but he is offside.
7: Tolgey plays wall pass with Penn but Naveen comes out of charge to clear the ball.
7: Mehtab pass to Tolgey in left flank, but poor shot goes out.
6: East Bengal attack but Tolgey fouls Pailan defender.
5: Good clearance by Robert by sliding tackle.
4: Free kick to Pailan near the touch line in right side.
3: Penn shot from corner goes over the crossbar.
2: East Bengal attack down right flank. Sonju to Penn, earns corner.
1: Match starts.
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.
