Discussion About Indian Football

[Sabir]

India 0- 3 Iran..........now the job is tough. because the other tough team in the group is Uzbekistan. They defeated our U16 team 9-0 few days ago. We have to defeat Pakistan and Afghanistan with big margin to qualify for two available best third ranked teams.

 

[Sabir]

10-man India go down to Uzbekistan

By Nilanjan Datta,
AIFF Media Team

Uzbekistan 2 (Vladimir Kozak – 32nd, 87th)
beat
India 1 (Pronoy Halder – 60th)

TEHRAN: For a change, it didn't rain. Instead it rained attacks on the field. But at the end, such matches, whenever spoken about in the future, will unfortunately end with the age-old cliché: So Near, Yet So Far.'
A match which should have been won handsomely ends in pain for India's U-19 team – with a 1-2 defeat. Despite all the domination, fighting spirit – that too with 10-men; despite all those one-to-one misses and one hitting the upright, the slate stayed blank -- all, against a side which had six players which made it to the quarterfinals of the U-17 World Cup in Mexico.
Uzbekistan beat India 2-1 to brighten their chances of making it to the final phase with six points from two matches while India stay on three points from three matches with one match to go – against Pakistan on November 8.
Looking back, the sending off of Brandon Fernandes in the 73rd minute seemed to be the decisive moment. Brandon received his second yellow and was given marching orders. Till then, India, down by a 32nd minute goal had come back strongly to equalise in the 60th minute when a tireless Pronoy Halder headed it in. And with the Indians pressing hard, the Uzbeks stayed busy defending,
Earlier, the Indians kicked-off right from the kick-off. In the 11th minute, Sumit Passi lobbed it over an onrushing rival goalkeeper Amanok Asilbek only to find it hitting the upright. And then, six minutes later, Brandon Fernandes' free-kick from the top of the box agonisingly sailed over.
Changing over, early in the second half, Holicharan Narzary had snaked in between the two Uzbek Central defenders into the box but delayed that split second in putting it past the goalkeeper. And then, in the 72nd minute, Passi, all in the clear volleyed over a Holicharan cross from the left. Another clear change went abegging in the 85th minute when two legs in consecution fail to tap in a Malswamfela free-kick.
It was difficult to believe that India returned from the match without a point in their kitty. Walking back, it was overheard in the tunnel, "The Almighty never stays on our side." But then, you ought to convert the chances that come your way.
India U-19: Ravi Kumar; Akashdeep Singh, Bikramjit Singh, Sonu, Narayan Das; Johnnychand Singh, Sehnaj Singh (Prabir Das – 55th), Pronay Halder, Brandon Fernandes; Holicharan Narzary (C) (Malswamfela – 82nd), Sumit Passi.

:::: THE AIFF ::::

 

[Sabir]

'Within 2021, India will compete against Asia's best'

Rob Baan's appointment as the Technical Director is the most talked about subject in Indian football at the moment. In his FIRST EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW ON INDIAN FOOTBALL AFTER TAKING CHARGE, the Football Guru talks at length to :::: THE AIFF :::: about his role, plans, challenges and much more. EXCERPTS:


What made you take up the challenge of being the Technical Director of India?

I'm still too young to sit on the couch and the challenge of bringing the overall standard of Indian football to a higher level prompted me to travel to India.

Did you have any prior idea about Indian football --- at the Club or National Level?

Not really till recently when I was invited by the Qatar Football Association to make a report and watched Qatar's Olympic Qualification match against India U-23 in Doha in July.

What will be your prime task as the Technical Director of Indian football and what will be the key areas that you will look into for the development of the game -- especially at the grassroots?

We will start with establishing of the Regional Academies (for age-group 14 to 16) and Elite Centers (for age-group 16-18) where we can bring the best talents together. With our Technical Staff, we will travel around and get a first-hand impression about Indian football at all levels. After that we will focus on grassroot and organise and establish a pathway for our talents.

How different will the challenge be from your Australian experience?

It'll be a big difference for simple reason that Australia stay far ahead of India in terms of infrastructure, facilities, organisation and vision. They have also started with a Masterplan, a Curriculum and the National Youth Development Plan. During my time at the FFA we started with the implementation of small-sided games all over the country; a structured talent identification plan and the vision of how to play and train. The FFA also did start a National Youth League and a National Women's League along with the National Coach Education Plan.

Will you be holding regular meetings with the coaches and officials of the respective I-League clubs?

I will co-ordinate mainly with the Coaches. I will also be co-ordinating with the General Secretary of the AIFF and other staff and maybe, club officials as and when necessary.

The Dutch football system is one of the very best in the world. Can you tell us what separates it from the rest and what will you be looking to implement in India?

This is hard to answer in a short time. In principle we must learn from all countries who are successful footballing Nations and implement some of their ideas. But it must lead to a typical 'Índian Style of Play.'

The biggest debate in Indian football stays as to whether we should appoint a Foreign or an Indian Coach. What's your take?

We need to have someone who suits the Indian mentality. I think that coaches of the stature of Capello, Mourinho or Guardiola are not suitable (besides financial terms) for Indian football at this time. In general I'd rather go in for a Foreign Coach who has vast knowledge about Asian Football. He needs to educate his assistants who should be taking over later.
If you look at Australia, you'll find it was Pim Verbeek who made them qualify for South Africa 2010 and after he left, German Coach Holger Osieck took over. The sole difference stays that all his assistants are now Australian Coaches, while Pim Verbeek worked with a Dutch assistant. But it's too premature for me to comment anything on the quality of Indian coaches.

How confident are you of making a significant change?

AIFF has now started a vision which will improve the rankings in the next 4 years. The focus is now on Youth Development. Within the next 10 years, boys from the age-group of 8-12 will take India to a level where India will be able to compete against Australia, Korea or Japan.

:::: THE AIFF ::::

 

[niharjhatn]

Rangers trial for Indian duo

Rangers trial for Indian duo

Rangers are set to take Indian strikers Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua on trial.


GettyImages
Sunil Chhetri is looking to win a move to Rangers
"¢ Jelavic expects title success

The pair are set to arrive in Glasgow this month and will train with the first-team squad at the club's Murray Park training complex.

Chhetri, 27, is an India international who currently plays for I-League side Mohun Bagan. Lalpekhlua, 20, also capped for the national team, is regarded as one of his country's most promising young talents.

Rangers chief operating officer Ali Russell said: "Sunil and Jeje will be assessed at Murray Park next week and will have every chance to impress the management team.

"Both players have excelled in the I-League and now have the chance to train with Rangers. The club is attracting interest globally and there is now a huge appetite across the Atlantic following the recent signings of USA captain Carlos Bocanegra and rising star Alejandro Bedoya."

Agent Yogesh Joshee, from Matchworld India, said: "Sunil and Jeje are looking forward to coming to Scotland for trial later this month. Both players are well aware Rangers is a far higher standard than they are used to and they will need to raise their game to impress but they will give their all during their trial period at Murray Park.

"Sunil has been the top player in India for the last five years while Jeje has recently burst onto the scene and both players know a lot about British football as they worked with the national team's English coach Bob Houghton."

The arrival of Chhetri and Lalpekhlua comes as Rangers seek to develop their links with India and extend the club's "global reach in the South Asian market".

Head of business development Raymond Farrelly will travel to India later this month to meet representatives from Indian League clubs.

Rangers hope the trip will help establish scouting links with the possibility of talented Asian players continuing their football development at Murray Park in the future.

Russell added: "A Rangers delegation will visit India later this month to meet with key officials from the Indian Premier League. The club already has links to India thanks to the Rangers Charity Foundation's partnership with UNICEF and there are undoubted opportunities for Rangers in the Indian market."

Rangers set to take Indian pair on trial - ESPN Soccernet

Good stuff, Sunil I think is a solid player who could definitely fill a bench role on some of these clubs.

For any one that don't know, Rangers are one of the top two clubs in Scotland along with Celtic, collectively known as the 'Old Firm' and are definitely above the rest of the SPL, even with the suggestion that they leave the SPL and try and join the EPL (which I think is hilarious )

Celtic definitely had a bit of a knack for picking up internationals, signing hugely successful Japanese playmaker/freekick specialist Nakamura a while back (has moved on now), and Rangers look like to be trying to find some exotic spark themselves.

Be great to see what happens! :thumb:

 

[Sabir]

Sunil has to face tough competition for his place in India's first XI in coming days. Asim Biswas is back in his old form (When he played for India as a teenager Sunil Chetry, Rahim Nabi etc were nowhere) and a number of young players are coming out from the junior teams. Keep eyes on Uttam Rai, Malswamfela, Holicharan Narzeery. But at present I would have prefered Asim-Jeje in India team with Sunil, Rabin Singh in reserve instead of worthless Baljit Saini or Sabeth.

 

[Pintu]

Sabir, have you watched the Mohun Bagan, Churchill Brothers match, Mohun Bagan won 3-0, even staunch East Bengal supporters were saying that Mohun Bagan has played extremely well.

Regards

 

[Sabir]

Sabir, have you watched the Mohun Bagan, Churchill Brothers match, Mohun Bagan won 3-0, even staunch East Bengal supporters were saying that Mohun Bagan has played extremely well.

Regards

Yes I watched (though I am an EB supporter).....I watched the match for Asim Biswas who is one of my favourite players. Unfortunately his career hapered by continuous injuries; else He has great potential. But CB was unlucky. How can one team fails to head in frame from inside of box so many times, I dont understand.

 

[Pintu]

Even my father is East Bengal supporter, but you know, one of my known person who was regular in maidan and associates himself with the club now playing in the 2nd division most probably after suffering from relegation, told that most of these players are really gem in their rising time while playing for the little known team, but their performance/s do hamper after they gets break in the big clubs such as Mohun Bagan / East Bengal etc.

Regards

 

[Pintu]

BTW, do you know , which time they show the highlights ?

Regards

 

[Sabir]

BTW, do you know , which time they show the highlights ?

Regards

The bengali channel (news time i think, actually i watch in ten sports) shows the highlight at night 10-30...if you miss the game for office...you can see the highlight.

Actually most of the players can not maintain their focus after getting so much attention and money from the big club. As an example Robin Singh got 50 lakh from EB at an age of 19. I am afraid he is also losing his focus. Many players from N-E has been lost earlier. Some become exceptions like Baichung, Sunil Chhetry, Rennedy SIngh, Mehtab Hussain, Nabi.....they are playing in big clubs from very young age but they have maintained themselves. However the case with Asim was his injury. Else he would have been a regular in India team. he played for India team in Afro-Asian games, he was hardly 19-20 then.

 

[trojan]

International friendly:
India vs Malaysia 1-1

 

[warriorextreme]

International friendly:
India vs Malaysia 1-1

any link for highlights??

 

[trojan]

any link for highlights??

no it was not telecasted

In todays friendly India defeated malaysia 3-2.

1st goal by chettri

2nd goal by jeje

3rd goal by chettri

 

[Sabir]

A fantastic win...the margin could be 6-2 easily , but Jeje wasted many scoring opportunities. Malayasan substitute GK made some good saves too , especially the shot from Sunil , flying at the second post.

India came out without Miranda and Climax (two burdens of the team) and young players proved their ability by dominating the midfield. Lalridica Ralte, in my opinion is the best footballer in the country. This 18 yrs lad will go very far.

Defence remains slopy as usual (natural if you include Debabrata , Sameer Nayek and Anwar Ali). I wonder why they forget Arnab Mondal of Prayag United who has been extra-ordinary through out the season. Gourmangi is good in arial ball but his marking is poor.

Team should bring in Robin Singh and Asim Biswas instead of Sushil Kumar and Baljit Saini ....

The ideal team should be (including injured players who were not present today) in 3-5-2 formation

Subrata- Arnab-Rju Gaikowad-Gourmangi-Sanju Pradhan- Mehtab- Nabi-Lalkamal-Lalrindica-Robin-Sunil

reserves- Karanjit-Mahesh-Robert-Surkumar-Lamre-Shilton-Jewel-Jeje-Asim Biswas

 

[trojan]

i dont think robin is better than jeje . his performance in i league is not satisfactory while jeje is scoring regular goals for pune fc ,though he missed a few yesterday.might been hv his bad day .

robin needs to make his place in under 23 team first.

im afraid this stupid coach will again bring in old horses for zambia game and saff cup as he said he was experimenting and rotating the squad.

 

[Sabir]

i dont think robin is better than jeje . his performance in i league is not satisfactory while jeje is scoring regular goals for pune fc ,though he missed a few yesterday.might been hv his bad day .

robin needs to make his place in under 23 team first.

im afraid this stupid coach will again bring in old horses for zambia game and saff cup as he said he was experimenting and rotating the squad.

Players like Sunil or jeje draw attention because they are agile and remain active even if they dont score. On the other hand Robin prefers waiting in up front. he is tall; has good spot jump and heading; good shooter too. He is a good passer. Negative thing is that his right foot doesnt work which make it easier for defender to cover him; and he becomes inactive if not constantly supplied by midfield. He can surely be in India team even if not in first XI; because Sabeth,Baljit or Susil Kumar do not fit in first XI of any top club ;forget national team.

Robin played for India U23 against Myanmar but later he is not included against Qatar due to injury. But he should concentrate on football leaving his behemian life style.

I am very happy to see Asim Biswas is coming back in form. He can still play for India.

I got surprised when they call Anwar Ali instead of Arnab Mondal who is playing so well for Prayag United.

If we have to do well, we need to get rid of Climax, Miranda, Anwar ,Sameer Nayik and Debabrata. They are just burdens. I do not like Anthiny perera yesterday. Whenever he gets ball turns his face to own goal even if there is clear space to run. Sanju Pradhan is another player should be included in the team.

 

[Eiffe]

Congrats. good win over Malaysia.:thumb:

 

[Sabir]

Mohun Bagan defeated East Bengal 1-0 yeterday in first derby of the season. Odafa scored from a controversial penulty in 21st minute. However East Bengal dominated the game and Mohun Bagan goal Keeper had a busy day. On the other hand EB 's young GK Gurpreet had to dive only once in the whole match during to penulty. East Bengal surely missed their star players like striker Tolgay, midfielder Mehtab Husain and defender Raju Gaikowad who are considered best in the country in their respective positions. The match was not that good to watch; tension to play in front of a large crowd, stubborn determination not to give the opponent an inch actually lead to a clumsy play.

 

[Sabir]

India trashed by Zambia 0-5 yesterday. India played without jeje and Sunil who went to Scotland for a trial. Absence of these regular players and that of Mehtab, Raju Gaikowad (Subrata paul too) was felt every minute during the match. Most of the football fans are blaming poor and biased team selection where 16 out 26 players are from Goa. Climax, Miranda, Debabrata, Sameer Nayek etc are being tolerated after continuous poor performance where Sanju Pradhan, Arnab Mondal , Vasum, Robin Singh are not getting calls. Surprisingly there are many players in India team who dont even get chance in their club teams.

 

[Defcon 1]

India trashed by Zambia 0-5 yesterday. India played without jeje and Sunil who went to Scotland for a trial. Absence of these regular players and that of Mehtab, Raju Gaikowad (Subrata paul too) was felt every minute during the match. Most of the football fans are blaming poor and biased team selection where 16 out 26 players are from Goa. Climax, Miranda, Debabrata, Sameer Nayek etc are being tolerated after continuous poor performance where Sanju Pradhan, Arnab Mondal , Vasum, Robin Singh are not getting calls. Surprisingly there are many players in India team who dont even get chance in their club teams.

blame it on the new indian football coach......God knows who told him to make a team on the lines of Dempo