HSA FC ousted DMZP to enter the semi-finals at Tamchon Football Trophy

New Delhi, Oct. 31, 2011: At the quarter-finals played between defending champion of North East Tamchon Memorial Football Trophy - Delhi Mizo Zirlai Pawl (DMZP) and last year first runners up Hmar Students' Association (HSA), the HSA FC defeated the DMZP today at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi by scoring a goal in a penalty shot in the second half of the match. The match was a close call with the DMZP trying to even the score and the HSA FC vying for another goal. The HSA FC won the match by 1-0, entering the semi-finals of the tournament.

In the second quarter-finals played between the the Siamsinpawlpi (SSPP) and FC UH-NAI (Kom) at the same venue, the SSPP outplayed the UH-NAI in the field but missed many chances to score a goal. At the very last minute of the match, SSPP defender fouled a UH-NAI player in the D-Box area, and the UH-NAI were awarded a penalty. Taken advantage of the God-sent chance, the UN-NAI scored the penalty shot winning the match by 1-0.

The HSA FC and the UH-NAI will play the semi-finals on November 03, 2011 at the Dr. Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi.
READ MORE - HSA FC ousted DMZP to enter the semi-finals at Tamchon Football Trophy

East Bengal-Prayag draw, Churchill win


East Bengal-Prayag draw, Churchill win
Prayag United and East Bengal played out a 1-1 draw in Kolkata while Churchill Brothers beat Air India 2-0 in the I-League on Saturday.
East Bengal vs Prayag United
Both teams were looking for their first win of the I-League 2011-12 but Prayag United started off as the better side with a flurry of attacks from the word go. They looked dangerous on a couple of occasions in the early part of the first half. Snehashish Dutta of Prayag United also headed the ball against the post midway through the first half off a Kayne Vincent cross.
Kingfisher East Bengal, on the other hand, starting with Alan Gow and Tolgay Ozbey upfront, had their best chance of the half when Alan played a through ball to Tolgay, but his shot went straight to the goalkeeper, Abhijeet Mondol.
Prayag United's Tulunga also had a shot well saved by East Bengal goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in the first half.
Prayag United were rewarded for their attacking play early in the 2nd half when Yusuf Yakubu opened the scoring with his 121st goal in the National League/I-League. It was a well taken goal off a long ball headed to him by Arnab Mondal. Yusuf Yakubu is currently the all-time highest scorer.
East Bengal, however, attacked much more in the 2nd half as Trevor Morgan made 3 changes with Penn Orji, Baljit Singh Saini and Gurwinder Singh coming on. Alan Gow was pushed forward to play a more attacking role with Tolgay Ozbey.
Sanju Pradhan missed a goal-scoring chance off a rebound in the box but made up for it late in the match when he played a through ball to Baljit Singh Saini who had no problem in converting with a left-footed shot in the 85th minute.
With both teams getting one point each, neither were able to register their first win of the tournament and will have to wait until the next round of matches. Prayag United is currently on two points while Kingfisher East Bengal has registered just one point till now.
Churchill vs Air India
Churchill Brothers Sports Club relied on opportunistic strikes from Henri Autchouet to get the better of Air India 2-0 at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa.
Churchill Brothers dominated from start to finish but the inability of their strikers to convert the chances into goals meant they had to survive some anxious moments, most particularly towards the closing stages of the match.
Gabonese striker, Henri, scored once in each session, the last coming in the final minute of play.
Churchill was without doubt the better team and it showed in their strong start to the game. Henri and Nigerian striker, Ndubisi Opara, combined well upfront but the final touch that translates a good move into a goal was missing.
Opara had the first look at the rival goal in the eighth minute itself, but his snap shot from close range was saved on the goal line by Nepoleon Singh.
Air India goalkeeper, Pawan Kumar, was then pressed into action to stop Antun Kovacic’s grounder. Henri went close to scoring twice in quick succession and Lalrindika Ralte’s shot hit the crossbar.
The Air India citadel finally crumbled in the 24th minute when Henri picked up a ball from Ralte and picked the nearest post from an acute angle.
Air India seemed content in doing the defending but they did manage to create scares on a couple of occasions. Striker Henry Ezeh had the best chance of the match but, when picked out by Allan Das, he failed to beat Churchill goalkeeper Felix D’Souza in a one-to-one situation. Nepoleon Singh’s long ranger seemed destined for a goal until Felix managed to get his fingertips to the ball.
There was no end to Churchill’s tale of missed chances in the second session as well until Henri slipped a ball past the rival goalkeeper in the final minute of play.
With this win, Churchill have gained 6 points from two matches while Air India is languishing at the bottom of the table without a win and a point so far in the tournament.
READ MORE - East Bengal-Prayag draw, Churchill win

Churchill down Air India in 2nd round of I-League

Margao, Oct 29 (PTI)

Churchill Brothers scored a goal in each half to down Air India to register their second straight win in the second round of the I-League, played at Nehru Stadium here today.

Churchill Brothers scored through Henri Arnaud Autchouet(25) and N D Opara in the second minute of the stoppage time of the second half.

The Goan team who beat East Bengal in their opening encounter, started right in earnest with short passes from the middle followed by long overheads from the flanks putting the rival defence virtually under seige for the first half an hour and could have led by at least three goals in the first quarter of the match but for execellent saves from keeper Pawan Kumar.

They hardly felt the absence of Roberto Silva who is nursing an knee injury.
Lalrindika Ralte who worked hard on the left which earned him the Man of the Match kept Air India team under pressure with his looping crosses and was first to test keeper Pawan when he stretched him to punch the ball over the bar in the 2nd minute.

Few minutes later, Opara shot was saved on the goal line by defender Collin Abranches. Thereafter, Henri and Lalrindika Ralte shot in turn but failed to beat keeper who effected smart save.

With pressure mounting and Air India pushed on the defensive, their citadel finally fell in the 25th minute.

Ralte worked his way on the left flank and relayed the ball to Henri Arnaud Autchouet who beat the keeper with a firm left footer that found the corner of the net.

Churchill could have doubled the lead five minutes before the first half but defender Bijoy Basfore made a goal line save off a header from Antun Mathew Kovacic After the goal, Churchill failed to maintain the same momentum and Air India came out from the shell and tried couple of long rangers which lacked the direction.

After the change of ends, Air India put up a better performance and matched their rivals and nearly found the equaliser in the 47th minute but Henry Ezeh was blocked by keeper Felix.

Air India again came close to find the equaliser midway in the second half when Nepoleon Singh's 35-yard shot nearly found the net but Churchill's keeper Felix D'Souza rose high to punch the ball away to safety.

Churchill made a counter move and Lalrindika nearly found the net but his try from the left hit the bar and went out.

Thereafter the play was confined to midfield and Churchill who came close to scoring on couple of occasions, scored in the second minute of the  stoppage time of the second half.

Substitute Jagpreet Singh from the right sent a cross to N D Opara who beat a rival defender on the top of the box with a body feint and on the turn uncorked a left-footer that found the far end of the net.

Churchill Brothers who scored their second win now have six points from two matches while Air India who lost their second match are still to open their account.
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READ MORE - Churchill down Air India in 2nd round of I-League

Lajong edge past HAL 1-0 in I-League match

IMPHAL, Oct 29 – Mizo defender Lallchhuanmawia scored the all important goal as North East India’s only I league team Lajong FC, Shillong beat Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL), Bangalore 1-0 in the round 26 match of I -League to climb top tally, at Khuman Lampak Main stadium here today.

It was in the 71 minute of the crowd pulling I-League match, being held here for the first time in the football history, Eugeneson Lyngdoh’s flag kick was converted into a score of the match by Lallchhuanmawia who came in all of a sudden from their wing.

With today’s win, Lajong got 4 points from two matches and managed to climb up in the team tally. They got one point from their previous match wherein they draws with Pune FC (1-1).

Now Lajong will play against Sports Clube de Goa at Goa on October 31 while HAL, Bangalore against Pailan Arrows at Kolkata on November 2 next. Reacting to the day’s defeat, HAL, Bangalore’s Coach R Thyaharaj said, “We’ve certain factors. We landed here yesterday afternoon so we don’t have enough time for practice”. Team captain Nigerian Joseph Femi Adeola sharing a similar sentiment said it’s quite difficult for us to control the ball in such ground. Echoing a similar view, experienced Liberian striker John D Menyongar of Lajong speaking to media after the winning match, said “We also faced a similar situation due to the unusual playfield but managed to do it being the home ground”. On the other hand both Lajong FC coach Pryadhyum Reddy and Operation Manager Andrew Suting were well impressed with the Manipur crowd in their maiden match here which coincides with the state’s greatest festival-Ningol Chakkouba today.
READ MORE - Lajong edge past HAL 1-0 in I-League match

'Any Match In The North-East Is A Home Match For Us' - Shillong Lajong Coach Pradhyum Reddy

Ahead of a crucial I-League clash against HAL, Goal.com caught up with the head coach of Shillong Lajong...

By Debjit Lahiri
Shillong Lajong coach Pradhyum Reddy
Shillong Lajong SC website
Shillong Lajong's second season in the I-League started off in a rather competitive fashion as the boys from the North east played out an impressive goal-less draw against a fancied outfit of Pune FC in the first match-day.
Having reached the semi-finals of the Federation Cup, prior to the start of the I-League, it was quite evident that the newly promoted side are a lot more than a mere push-overs. In fact, the side boasting of some of the most exciting talents in the country, Shillong Lajong is a team to watch out for. And so it proved to be last weekend!
Reflecting back on the match, coach Pradhyum Reddy spoke to Goal.com, revealing his immense satisfaction following the draw in a tough away match in Pune.
"We were carrying injuries from the Durand Cup and had a lot of key players missing in our team. Yet we went to Pune and managed to get ourselves a point. The fact that the opponent goalkeeper was given the match of the match award, quite goes to show how our boys played. It was a very positive result for us.

Next up for the Reds is a rather tricky clash against a HAL side, that played out a disappointing loss against Chirag United Kerala in the opening match-day. Although, the match will be officially a home match for Shillong, it will be played in Manipur, instead of Lajong's regular home stadium in Meghalaya.
However, Reddy was quite confident that the home support will not be missed as he is expecting similar enthusiam for the team in Manipur as well.
"Any match in the North-east is a home match for us. Be it Manipur, Meghalaya or Mizoram. Although, the turnout might not be same as in Meghalaya but we are still expecting around 7,000 fans to be rooting for us."
"I had been following the Dempo Vs. Mumbai FC match today and I was quite disappointed with such low attendance. So, the 7,000 figure might be less for Shillong Lajong (The side generally boasts of 30,000 vociferous fans in their home stadium), it is quite BIG for Indian Football."
However, in the midst of the euphoria surrounding the team playing in the I-League, there has been certain unwanted off-field happenings relating to the team and the Goan outfit Vasco that has gone around for a while now.
Reddy was, however, least bothered about it.
"We are not bothered at all. These things never affect the players and they do not think about it."
"They are all very much focused on the job in hand for them."- he concluded.
READ MORE - 'Any Match In The North-East Is A Home Match For Us' - Shillong Lajong Coach Pradhyum Reddy

Man United hit back after City drubbing

Manchester United's Brazilian player Fabio Da Silva (C top) collides with Aldershot Town's Danny Hylton during the Carling Cup fourth round football match – AFP
Manchester United's Brazilian player Fabio Da Silva (C top) collides with Aldershot Town's Danny Hylton during the Carling Cup fourth round football match – AFP
Manchester United beat League Two Aldershot Town 3-0 in the League Cup fourth round on Tuesday to begin the road to recovery after their humiliating 6-1 defeat by Manchester City on Sunday.
Nicely-crafted first-half goals by Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen underlined the visitors' dominance and Antonio Valencia's stunning strike on 48 minutes put the result beyond any doubt.
"The laughter and the jokes have quietened down a little bit. It was a big kick in the teeth as everyone knows," former Real Madrid striker Owen told Sky Sports of how his team mates have reacted to Sunday's humbling.
"We were a little bit under pressure after the result on the weekend. Although no one here started on the weekend we had United's reputation to look after. Roll on Everton now," added Owen.
Manager Alex Ferguson was visibly relieved and will hope for a similar performance against Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.
"I think we tried to play the history books on Sunday. That's the nature of Manchester United, we try and win whether it's with 10 men or nine," said Ferguson.
Elsewhere in the League Cup, Arsenal withstood a late Bolton Wanderers onslaught to overcome their Premier League rivals 2-1.
Goals from Andrei Arshavin on 53 minutes and Park Chu-young (56) came in quick reply to Fabrice Muamba's 47th-minute opener.
In the two all-Championship (second division) matches, Cardiff saw off Burnley 1-0 and Crystal Palace beat division leaders Southampton 2-0.
In Wednesday's League Cup matches, Manchester City visit Wolverhampton Wanderers, third-placed Chelsea travel to Everton, Liverpool play away at Stoke City and Newcastle United go to Blackburn Rovers.
The quarter-final draw takes place on Saturday.
READ MORE - Man United hit back after City drubbing

HSA FC thrash Tahamzam FC

New Delhi, Oct 26 : In their second match of the 5th NE Tamchon Memorial Trophy held at Dr.Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi today, the Hmar students team – HSA FC defeated Tahamzam FC by four goals to nil.

The HSA FC scored two goals in the first half.

The first goal was scored by Tluanga, and the second goal by Ramngailien.

In the second half, the HSA team was given a penalty shot.

Taking advantage of the chance, Tluanga scored another goal helping the HSA FC to lead the match by three goals to nil against their opponent.

Tluanga beautifully netted another goal before the referee blew the final whistle of the match.
READ MORE - HSA FC thrash Tahamzam FC

Player row threatens I-League kick-off

19 October 2011

Legal action threatens to derail the new Indian I-League season with second division Vasco SC filing a lawsuit days before the season opener.
Vasco SC, currently plying their trade in India's second division, have decided to take the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to court, claiming second division champions Shilliong Lajong fielded an ineligible player during their promotion campaign.
The saga could prove divisive for a league that has struggled constantly, both financially and logistically, since its inception in 2006.
The Goa based club want to be instated as second division champions at the expense of Shillong - and take their place in the I-League - following the Indian FA's acknowledgment that Shillong fielded Seikhohao Tuboi for four second division matches, despite him being registered for at least three state associations.
The Indian FA suspended Tuboi as a result but no punishment has been levelled at the club even though they clearly broke second division I-League regulations, which state: "Any team refusing to play or does not turn up for the match at the scheduled time or refuses to start or complete a match or fields an ineligible player shall be scratched from the competition."
"The match shall be forfeited and the opponents present at the venue shall be declared winners by a three-goal difference and three points shall be awarded to them."
Tuboi was also reportedly registered with the state associations of Meghalaya, West Bengal and Manipur with the Indian FA declaring, through a Player Status Committee meeting, that Tuboi was the guilty party and not the club.
Former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia openly criticised the decision believing it is not the player's sole responsibility to ensure player eligibility, but the club's.
"Tuboi is one of the greatest talents in Indian football and he has been made a scapegoat and suspended," Bhutia said.
"If action needs to be taken it must be against all the parties involved, why only the player has to suffer?"
"You mean to say that the Meghalaya Football Association or Shillong Lajong weren't aware that their player was playing for another club?"
Vasco opted for arbitration with the matter unresolved but were told by the Indian FA they had little chance of mediation.
On behalf of Vasco the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) sent out a notice to Shillong Lajong, the AIFF and the Goa Football Association (GFA), who have been summoned to appear in court on Thursday.
READ MORE - Player row threatens I-League kick-off

Barca’s talent scouting project to look for India’s Messi

New Delhi: World’s premier football club FC Barcelona today announced its foray into grassroot development of the game in India with an ambitious talent scouting project which will start early next year.
In its first sporting venture in India, the European and Spanish champion side will conduct a week-long football camp in the National Capital Region in January next year for youngsters of 6-14 years of age by FC Barcelona coaches.
The camp will be open to all interested children on first-come-first-serve basis. FC Barcelona coaches will also train Indian coaches so that the method of training and style of play of the famous club is imparted to the youngsters in the country.
“We are offering world-class training under the same successful methodology that has produced leading football stars like Pique and Victor Valdes. India is an important and strategic country for FC Barcelona given their growing interest in football,” Xevi Marce, Director of FCBEscola, the feeder school to the club’s world famous youth academy La Masia, said at a press conference.
Messi made his way to the Barcelona team after joining the youth system as a youngster. Getty Images
Messi made his way to the Barcelona team after joining the youth system as a youngster. Getty Images
“The training offers participants a chance to live and experience the FC Barcelona way for a week under the expert guidance of our coaches. For the India camps, the FCBEscola technical team of four-five coaches will travel from Spain to oversee participation and execution of the camps.
“The training camp will serve as a major stepping stone for the participants to move to higher training. It will provide youth access to highest level of football training and development,” he added.
Marce refused to make tall claims but said that depending on the response and success of the camps, an official FC Barcelona school could be set up in India, which may lead to talented players making their way to La Masia.
“We will not make tall claims. We will see the progress of the camps. We will bring 4-5 coaches from Spain for the camps and will also coach 15-20 Indian coaches every week so that they can continue the camps,” Marce said.
“The natural progression from the camps will be to set up FCBEscola, the official football school of FC Barcelona. This is the trademark after school intensive training programme that trains players year round, three times a week. It caters specifically to players aged 6-14, prepares them for the rigours of professional football and is a major feeder school to the club’s world class academy La Masia,” he said.
Asked why FC Barcelona decided to make foray in India where football profile is low and that too after other major European sides like Arsenal, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Chelsea had done the same, Marce said, “We respect the initiative of other clubs. We thought this is the moment to develop football in India so we are here.”
“We are not crazy about quick expansion and we will go step by step. We would like as many children as possible to take part in the camps. After that we will see what to do and how to expand. That will also depend on the sponsors our Indian partners can bring,” he said.
Manit Jain, a representative of the Heritage School Gurgaon, a partner in the project, said that in the first year they would aim to train 10,000 students in the NCR region and than think of expanding in other regions of the country.
“We are going step by step. Our aim is to train 10,000 students in the first year in Gurgaon and NCR. Next year, we are aiming to expand in all the other metros and the third year we will spread to all A-class cities,” Jain said.
Anu Jain, Director of Conscient Football, one of the partners and a grassroot football initiative, said that the project has a long-term vision and tournaments will be conducted after the camps.
READ MORE - Barca’s talent scouting project to look for India’s Messi

Vasco SC File A Suit Against AIFF And Shillong Lajong

The Goan side have decided to take the Indian FA to court after they claim their appeal fell on deaf ears…

19-Oct-2011 3:01:00 AM
Shillong Lajong's Tuboi(Mango Peel)
With the I-League kick-off just days away, Vasco SC have decided to take the legal route in order to bring themselves justice as they have filed a suit against the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Shillong Lajong looking to seal their berth in the I-League as second division champions.
The bone of contention being that the Indian FA acknowledged that the north eastern club had fielded an ineligible player in Seikhohao Tuboi, which Goal.com had exclusively revealed, and suspended him thereafter after he had already played four matches in the crucial final rounds of the second division I-League.
The player was apparently registered with at least three state associations, namely Meghalaya, West Bengal and Manipur, and hence as per the ruled fitted under the term ‘ineligible.’
In the Art IV of the Second Division I-League regulations, point 3 states,” Any team refusing to play or does not turn up for the match at the scheduled time or refuses to start or complete a match or fields an ineligible player shall be scratched from the competition. The match shall be forfeited and the opponents present at the venue shall be declared winners by a three (3)-goal difference and three (3) points shall be awarded to them. If the goal difference was higher at the time the match was abandoned for the team’s refusal to continue to play, that goal difference shall remain. The team may be further penalised by the AIFF Disciplinary Committee.”
The Indian FA called for a Players Status Committee meeting who declared that Tuboi was indeed the guilty party and not the club which was further ratified by the AIFF Executive Committee.

AIFF Being Dragged To Court
Former Indian skipper Bhaichung Bhutia criticized the decision and questioned as to why only the player was targeted and not the state associations and the clubs involved as doing the paperwork isn’t the player’s prerogative.
“Tuboi is one of the greatest talents in Indian football and he has been made a scapegoat and suspended.
“If action needs to be taken it must be against all the parties involved, why only the player has to suffer? You mean to say that the Meghalaya Football Association or Shillong Lajong weren’t aware that their player was playing for another club?," he told Goal.com.
It is learnt that thereafter Vasco had opted for arbitration to which the Indian FA allegedly replied with an opinion of a certain high profile advocate that the Goan club didn’t stand a chance for mediation.
The Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) in Vasco sent out a notice to Shillong Lajong, the AIFF and the Goa Football Association (GFA), who are being “summoned to appear in this Court in person, or by a pleader duly Instructed, and able to answer all material questions relating to the suit, or who shall be accompanied by some person able to answer all such questions, on the day of 20th day of October, 2011 at 10.00 a.m. to answer the claim to answer the claim; and further you are hereby directed to file within 30 days from the receipt of this summons a written statement of your .defence.”
It further adds that if the concerned parties fail to turn on the said date, they would lose their right to defend their case.
“Also take notice in default of your filing an address for service on or before the date mentioned you are liable to have your defence struck off,” the letter signed by the Superintendent stated.
While the AIFF top brass stated that they would take the "appropriate measures," Shillong Lajong preferred to remain mum on the issue for now.
READ MORE - Vasco SC File A Suit Against AIFF And Shillong Lajong

East Bengal win in sudden death to lift Super Cup

NEW DELHI: Saikat Saha Roy kept his nerve at undoubtedly the most crucial moment of his life on a football turf as East Bengal prevailed over Salgaocar 5-4 in sudden death to lift the Super Cup on Tuesday.

After Irungbam Meitei's attempt hit the crosspiece, it was Roy's strike that helped East Bengal extract revenge of their loss to the same opponent in the final of the Federation Cup last month.

The match went into the tie-breaker after both teams failed to break the deadlock in regulation time.

Edeh Chidi, Ryuji Seoka, Rocus Lamare and Rahul Kumar found the net for Salgaocar in the tie-breaker, while Tolgay Ozbey, Alan Gow, Robin Singh and Sanju Pradhan did the same for East Bengal to take the match into sudden death.

Thanks to Tuesday's triumph, East Bengal became the first team to win the tournament on three occasions.

Barring the miss by Meitei, the script remained pretty much the same in sudden death, as skipper Luciano Sabrosa, Meharajuddin Wadao, Francis Fernandes and Tomba Singh scored for the Goans, while Saha along with Sushant Mathew, Khangtang Paite, Nirmal Chetri and Uga Okpara struck for the winners.

This was the third instance of a Super Cup match going into tie-breaker.

East Bengal beat JCT in 1997, before losing to Mahindra United in 2003.

While the climax turned out to be an eventful one, the time before the referee blew the final whistle to signal the end of regulation time, was far from impressive.

What was expected to provide the much-needed entertainment after a drab Durand Cup, the match instead proved to be a damp squib with both teams not being their usual self.

Salgaocar, especially, disappointed as they rarely showed the urgency needed to take a stranglehold of the match at an almost empty Ambedkar Stadium.

The sporadic moves were there, but the likes of Alan Gow and local Robin Singh from East Bengal and Salgaocar's prolific poachers Ryuji Seoka and Edeh Chidi were, for a change, found wanting when it came to finding the back of the net.

While Karim Bencherifa's Salgaocar could not create a single opening of note, East Bengal were a wee bit unlucky as rival custodian Karanjit Singh denied them twice with two acrobatic saves.

First was when he smartly blocked East Bengal's Scottish recruit, Alan Gow's power-packed freekick in the 13th minute and then, 10 minutes later, effected another brilliant save by palming away a Penn Orji attempt with his left hand.

As Orji set himself up for the shot after receiving a reverse pass from Gow, it looked like the deadlock would be broken, but Karanjit did not let that happen.

Eight minutes after the change of ends, East Bengal's Uga Okpara had a chance but his header off a Robert Lalthumuana corner went over.

After the reverse in the Federation Cup at the hands of the same opponent, the match was a chance for East Bengal to erase the painful memory and coach Trevor Morgan, in his quest to draw the first blood, replaced Orji with Ozbey, but to no avail.

There was Gow's curling freekick, which missed the target by a whisker, in the 83rd minute.
READ MORE - East Bengal win in sudden death to lift Super Cup

FA investigates Suarez comments on Evra

Liverpool: The Football Association has announced it is investigating allegations made at the end of Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Liverpool.
United's French left-back Patrice Evra has told reporters in his home country that Liverpool's Luis Suarez made continued racial slurs towards him, claims the FA are now looking into.
The FA has confirmed that referee Andre Mariner was made aware of the allegation at the end of the game before reporting the incident.
According to Darren Tulett, a Canal Plus journalist, Evra claimed the Uruguayan made comments "at least 10 times in a bid to wind me up" during the clash at Anfield.
"There are cameras, you can see him say a certain word to me at least 10 times. No place for that in 2011."
"The referee is aware of what was said."
Liverpool, meanwhile, are denying the claims, a club spokesman telling the Daily Mail: "The first we knew about these allegations was 20 minutes after the final whistle when the manager was asked to go
into the referee’s office and told about them.
"The first thing we did, as you would expect, is ask the player and he has
categorically denied using any language of that nature."
READ MORE - FA investigates Suarez comments on Evra

Franco breaks tie as Churchill Brothers win Durand Cup

NEW DELHI: It was slow and painful as the Durand Cup final trundled its way to sudden death on Saturday.

The crushing tedium was broken - most frightfully, at the very end - when Prayag United's Yusuf Yakubu, till then the most sure and capable of 22 very uncertain men in the middle, fluffed his final lines with a weak penalty shot that left Churchill Brothers' Denzil Franco needing to score to ensure the title was theirs. He did.

It was the final penalty shot before the affair would plunge into the freefall of sudden death, and the prospect of inflicting further boredom on themselves and the rest at the floodlit Ambedkar Stadium made Franco all the more determined to put the ball past Prayag's substitute penalty-stopper goalkeeper Sankararan. The 124th Durand title was the bonus.

It all began with much promise, though, with the lanky, loping Prayag midfielder Denson Devadas crashing a superb header off a James Singh corner against Felix D'Souza's crosspiece. Mere minutes after kick-off, it looked as if further gifts would unfold. Instead, it quickly petered down to one of the most drab affairs in recent Durand Cup memory.

Prayag seemed intent on establishing the early domination, coming out at Churchill -- who looked content to soak it in -- by not losing their shape for most part of their rivals' sporadic attacking. Josimar, the burly Prayag centre forward with the faulty first touch, had the largest share of the missed chances -- once failing to make most of a defensive lapse by Gourmangi Singh and Co. in the Chruchill's back four, early on in the encounter.

Josimar was soon joined - at the other end - by his opposite number Opara Ndubuisi who matched the Prayag front man in profligacy sweepstakes.

Over halfway into the first session, with either side failing to make any breakthrough, Yakubu took it upon himself to drop deep and help out Devadas in the playmaking, who seemed to fade away after the initial promise. And, it was Yakubu's 39th minute swerving attempt with the outside of his foot that drew the lone gasp of the half, perhaps even the game; because what followed was stifled yawns.

A Beto-less Churchill chose to sit deep and attack on the break - if any - and along the wings. But Steven Dias and the little Mizo, Jerry Zirsanga, didn't seem to have too much in their tank and soon, the contest slipped into a stalemate.

In the second half, it worsened, though Felix, under the Churchill bar, would contest the idea. He made a couple of last-ditch saves denying Josimar and Mohammad Rafique - the saves making the attempts look very good - but that was all the rest of the game could muster.

Till Franco, the Churchill midfielder, did what was simply refusing to happen for the entire duration of playing time. He settled the issue with the final penalty shot of the day. Only, it came some 120 minutes and more minutes too late.
READ MORE - Franco breaks tie as Churchill Brothers win Durand Cup

Rooney banned for three Euro 2012 matches

Nyon, Switzerland: Wayne Rooney will miss the entire group stage of the 2012 European Championships after being given a three-match ban by UEFA on Thursday for kicking a player in England's final qualifier.
UEFA's disciplinary panel announced the verdict after examining the England striker's kick at Montenegro defender Miodrag Dzudovic in a qualifying game last Friday.
UEFA's rule book calls for three-match bans in cases of assault, and the panel added two extra matches to a mandatory one-match ban for receiving a red card.
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"The striker will now be suspended from playing in his country's next three UEFA national competition matches for which he would be eligible," UEFA said in a statement.
Rooney, who did not attend the hearing, can appeal and appear in his own defence at a later date.
England's Football Association said it would study the detailed verdict from UEFA before deciding whether to appeal.
"The FA await the full reasons from the disciplinary committee, and will give full consideration to the decision internally, before deciding on any response to UEFA," it said in a statement.
The expected appeal is likely to be heard before England find out their Euro 2012 opponents on December 2 when the draw is made in Kiev, Ukraine.
Rooney and England's Football Association wrote mitigation letters to the 10-man UEFA panel, which also weighed German match referee Wolfgang Stark's report.
Stark had praised Rooney for showing no dissent after his dismissal, and England hoped UEFA would see the offence as resulting from frustration rather than malice.
England and Rooney also hoped UEFA would impose the same two-match ban it gave Russia forward Andrei Arshavin ahead of Euro 2008.
Arshavin was sent off for violent conduct in the 84th minute of a decisive qualifier against Andorra in November 2007. Russia won 1-0 to advance ahead of England.
Arshavin sat out Russia's first two matches before leading the team to the semi-finals.
READ MORE - Rooney banned for three Euro 2012 matches

Lajong shown the door by Churchill

New Delhi: A spirited Churchill Brothers put up a dominating show to rout Shillong Lajong 4-1 to make it to the finals of the 124th Durand Cup played here at the Ambedkar Stadium here. Churchill Brothers who made it to the finals of Durand Cup for the fifth time are eyeing their third Durand Cup title.

Churchill with players like Steven Dias, Bineesh Balan, Henri Arnaud and Roberto Silva in its quarters, started to put pressure on Lajong from the initial moments of the game. Churchill got a real chance to score in the eight minute of the game when their midfielder Zakeer Mundampara could not convert a neat pass from the left within the box from his striker Henri, as he was tackled by Lajong’s right winger Aibor Khongjee.

Five minutes later Roberto had a good chance to score of a free kick after he was fouled by central defender Zohmingliana Ralte, but his shot was wide off the right corner. Again in the20th minute they got a real chance of scoring when Roberto passed it to the striker Bineesh who in turn set it up for Zakeer, but he could find the target.

Churchill drew the first blood of the match in the 25th minute, when an unmarked Steven Dias’ shot of Roberto’s kick from the left went pass Lajong’s custodian Lalthuamawia Ralte via a deflection off their central defender Aibor.

Three minutes later Churchill doubled the lead after Roberto sped down to the left and passed it to Henri who dribbled past the defenders and put in past the charging Lajong’s custodian Ralte.

Lajong however pulled one back in the 43rd minute of the game when Eugenson Lygdoh’s corner kick was headed in by John Menyongar who outjumped his huge marger Antun Kovacic. The first half ended off on a rather entertaining and drew cheers from the decent crowd that was in attendance at the stadium.

After the change of ends, Churchill kept the pressure on and in the 48th minute got their third goal of the match Dias’ free kick from the right was guided in by a diving header by Bineesh Balan. Seventh minute, Churchill’s striker was sent off after he received second yellow card of the match when he kicked Aibor in the face when both of them were went for ball. The decision was rather too harsh and the Churchill players argued with the referee and demanded to revoke the decision, but no to effect.

Even after going down by one man Churchill did not stop their domination and they finally sealed the match in the 76th minute when Roberto converted a well taken free kick by Zakeer from the right.

Churchill would now face the defending champions Prayag United on Saturday who are looking very formidable and had already beaten the I-League champions Salgaoncar FC.

Churchill’s coach Manuel Coach was very happy with the win and felt his team a very good job. “It is a fantastic win and our counter attacking was excellent. It was good to score so many goals as it kept the crowd interested throughout the match,” added Manuel

Lajong’s coach Pradhyum Reddy admitted that Churchill were the better team of the night and played some well coordinated football. “Lajong played very well and by all means emerged as the better team of the night. Churchill took full advantage of the flaws that were exhibited by our defenders. Churchill scored three goals off set pieces and apart from these goals, on field both the teams were same,” said Reddy.
READ MORE - Lajong shown the door by Churchill

Pune FC, Churchill enter Durand Cup semis

Pune FC have written history again. This time it is for making it to their first major national tournament semi-finals.
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On Monday, Pune FC, needing a win against Air-India to log the historic moment, did just that and entered the last four stage of the 124th Durand Cup at the Ambedkar stadium, in New Delhi.

Goals by substitutes Paresh Shivalkar (74th minute) and Rollingson Hyungyo (84th) helped them score a 2-1 victory and etch another landmark since their existence in 2007. They rallied from a goal down-situation, when their own player Sandesh Gadkari self destructed by nodded home from a corner-kick in the eighth minute of play.

The victory was a major achievement for Pune FC who fell short in a similar situation in the IFA Shield 2010-11 season -- the only difference then was they needed a point to qualify from the last match against Shillong Lajong but ended up losing.

Incidentally, for Pune FC a semi-final berth in the third oldest tournament of the world comes in its third attempt after exiting in the qualifying stage in 2008 and failing to make it past the group stage after finishing second last year.

The win helped Pune FC top Group-3 unbeaten with four points. They now run into defending champions Prayag United (formerly Chirag United SC) on Friday.

Churchill down Mohd Sporting for place in semis

Former champions Churchill Brothers beat 10-man Mohammedan Sporting 2-0, on Monday, to advance to the semi-finals.

Churchill scored through Roberto Mendis Silva (9th, penalty) and Lalrindika Ralte (88th) in their last Group IV league match at Ambedkar Stadium.

The Goan side topped the three-team group with six points from two wins and they now play Shillong Lajong in the second semis on Wednesday.
READ MORE - Pune FC, Churchill enter Durand Cup semis

Giggs, Lampard, Del Piero: Why football needs its old guard

Gautam Viswanathan
Giggs, Lampard, Del Piero: Why football needs its old guard
Manchester United's Scholes and Giggs celebrate scoring during Scholes' testimonial soccer match against New York Cosmos in Manchester. Reuters
On the 6 March 2011, Ryan Giggs became Manchester United’s most capped player ever, surpassing club legend Bobby Charlton’s record of 607 appearances. In May of the same year, Liverpool Centre-back Jamie Carragher made his 666th appearance in a Liverpool shirt, putting him second in line for the most number of first team appearances for the Merseyside Club, only behind Ian Callaghan, who played a staggering 857 times for the Reds.
On October 2, Frank Lampard’s hat trick at the Reebok Stadium against Bolton Wanderers meant he had marked his 350th appearance for Chelsea with more than a flourish. And while Lampard was cracking open the champagne on reaching this milestone, Alessandro Nesta, on his 568th competitive appearance, was marshalling AC Milan’s defence in a crunch match at the Juventus Arena against a team which boasted of veterans Alessandro Del Piero, Luca Toni, Gianluigi Buffon and Nesta’s former Milanese colleague Andrea Pirlo.
And on the 16th of this month, Francesco Totti, who has been capped 617 times for AS Roma and is currently the highest active goalscorer in Serie A, will pit his wits against his German counterpart in Miroslav Klose, who has featured more than 400 times for various clubs throughout his career, when Lazio meet Roma in what promises to be a thrilling game.
While these numbers sound impressive, there are several reasons as to why these footballers have been able to amass a whopping number of caps. Read on, and you will know why:
1) They get the job done
Time and time again, these footballers are called upon when their teams are in need of a breakthrough which their colleagues are unable to find. They know how to create that special pass, spot a run with their eagle-eyed vision, and turn a game on its head with one moment of magic. Remember Henrik Larsson who put Barcelona level and then played a hand in creating Juliano Belletti’s goal in the 2006 Champions League Final against Arsenal? How many times have Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Thierry Henry bailed Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal out of sticky situations?

Chelsea's Frank Lampard walks off with the match ball after their English Premier League soccer match against Bolton Wanderers in Bolton. Reuters
The perfect example to illustrate this would be when Manchester United took on Portuguese side SL Benfica at the Estadio da Luz – by no means an easy place to get a result – in a Champions League game on the 14th of September, and were trailing 1-0 to Oscar Cardozo’s first-half strike. United were struggling to get past the hosts who were defending staunchly, until the ball was played into the path of Ryan Giggs.
The Welsh wizard cut inside from the right and fired a 20-yard piledriver into the Benfica net in the 42nd minute to put United on terms and come away with a share of the spoils. In doing so, Giggs broke his own record as the oldest goalscorer in the Champions League, and it also meant he’d scored in sixteen consecutive seasons of the Champions League, moving one ahead of fellow veteran Raul.
Time and time again we’ve seen the likes of Jamie Carragher, John Terry, Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini and Carles Puyol weather wave after wave of attack. Scoring a goal from twenty yards out brings with it a thrill like no other, but these defensive stalwarts always see their team through when it comes to the business end of the game. A title winning team is always built on a solid defence, and veterans like these are what tip the scales in their team’s favour.
2) They’ve been there, and they’ve done that
Old Warhorses such as Carragher, Totti and Co. have been playing top flight footballs for decades, and have amassed huge amounts of experience which has enhanced their ability to read the game. Players of the ilk of Lampard, Gerrard and Klose have the can do in seconds what others would be able to do in minutes, while playmakers such as Xavi Hernandez and the recently retired Paul Scholes can do in inches what less experienced players would do in yards. The vast experience these veterans have gained over the years means their game is of the highest standards and has been refined time and time again to make them the best at what they do.
The reason AC Milan were able to clinch the Scudetto last season was due to the presence of Alessandro Nesta at the heart of their defence. Nesta was an integral cog in a Rossoneri defence that conceded just 24 goals in 38 top flight games and formed what turned out to be the meanest defence in Italy. The ability of a defender to perceive weaknesses in an attacker’s style of play where none are overtly visible may be the difference between a title winning side and an also-ran that despite providing competition for much of the season lacks that cutting edge that only an experienced player can provide.
3) They inspire those around them
Due to the age factor, someone like Totti, Del Piero or Giggs isn’t going to play week in week out. When they do play, however, they bring that extra something to the team that makes those around them play better than they do when these warhorses aren’t playing alongside them. This presence may be the difference between restoring the flagging morale of a side and rejuvenating them, providing them with belief and self-confidence, and imploding, throwing away a vital win in the process and getting run over by the opposition.
The reason these players improve the performances of those around them is because these individuals, over time, have become natural leaders, and that is why other players gravitate around them. This phenomenon is evident in any football team. At United, where Gary Neville marshalled United’s defence through leading by example, where play was directed through Giggs and the recently retired Paul Scholes.
At Juventus and Roma, where Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti play in the trequartista or playmaker position, just behind the main strikers, where play is directed through them and inspiring those around them to deliver more than a hundred per cent with their performances. Gerrard and Carragher inspire those around them at Liverpool, Thierry Henry and Dennis Berkgamp used to wow not just audiences but their teammates as well with the quality of their performances at Arsenal, and despite Frank Lampard’s recent exclusion from the starting eleven at Chelsea, his teammates always give a hundred and ten percent when he’s on the pitch.
But the best example to highlight the above would be with the case of the French national team in 2004. France had been knocked out by eventual winners Greece in the quarter finals of Euro 2004, and stalwarts Zinedine Zidane and Lilian Thuram had decided to call it quits on the international scene. Then Coach Raymond Domenech persuaded them to return to the fold for one last hurrah to help them qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, halfway through their qualifying rounds which Les Bleus were making heavy work of. The return of these two legends of the game inspired the rest of the team to perform and France ultimately qualified for the World Cup as Group Winners.
4) Their loyalty to the Club and Manager
In the modern day world of football where players swap clubs on the basis of the number of zeroes in their payment cheques, finding players who are loyal to the Club are rare. Yet, these players have developed an emotional and psychological bond to the Club, giving their all for the Club which has invested so much in these players.
Fergie’s fledglings felt that bond with United, and so did Gerrard and Carragher with Liverpool. Despite the constant rustle of paper notes from cash-rich Real Madrid, and in the current scenario, Manchester City, these players did not sell themselves out for a bigger bank balance. These players understand that they owe it all to not just the Club, but the manager, who has guided them through every stage of their development, and the fans, who’ve come to love and adore their heroes. Ricardo Carvalho may have swapped smoky London for sunny Real Madrid, but his loyalty to Jose Mourinho was unquestionable.
Tony Adams, who was at Arsenal, stated many times during his playing career that it was his chronic drinking problem. Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have been courted many times in the past by Real Madrid, but to them, the loyalty for the Spion Kop and the Shed will always be put before the lure of the Santiago Bernabeu.

Juventus' Alessandro Del Piero celebrates after scoring against Brescia in their Italian Serie A soccer match at Olympic stadium in Turin. Reuters
Footballers are paid thousands every week. Tottenham Hotspur’s Benoit Assou-Ekotto was very succinct about it saying, “If I play football with my friends back in France, I can love football,” he says. “But if I come to England, where I knew nobody and I didn’t speak English. Why did I come here? For a job. A career is only 10, 15 years. It’s only a job. Yes, it’s a good, good job and I don’t say that I hate football but it’s not my passion. Is there one player in the world who signs for a club and says, Oh, I love your shirt?’ Your shirt is red. I love it. He doesn’t care.”
Despite what Assou-Ekotto might have said, players such as Giggs, Buffon and Gerrard value what their shirts represent. To them, the name on the front of the shirt is more important than the name at the back, and that underlines their loyalty to the club.
5) Their dedication and love for the beautiful game
There is no doubt that these players have talent. But to prolong their careers for so long means they’ve had to sacrifice a lot along the way.
Ryan Giggs once said in an interview “Nothing could have prepared me for the limelight I was thrust into at 17. I was in newspapers, magazines, on TV, and everyone in the street knew me. It was strange for me and I dealt with it by trying not to create a fuss. I’ve just tried to keep it that way ever since. The high-profile relationship I had with the TV presenter Dani Behr was the turning point for me”, said Giggs. “Before I knew it, we were being photographed outside my house and cameramen followed us everywhere. It was very uncomfortable. At that point I decided the celebrity lifestyle wasn’t for me. Around that time I felt my commercial work was affecting my work, too. I thought, no, football is my bread and butter. It has to, and always will, come first.”
It’s easy to retire after plying your trade for a few years and fall back on your wealth, but these players go beyond that. It is their love for the game that makes them play the way they do, and their love for the game that has made them the footballers they are today, and continues to inspire people around the world.
What makes these players special is the passion with which they play the game week in week out, their innate loyalty towards a Club where they’ve spent the majority of their adult lives, growing up as people, and their love for the sport of football which can be seen every time they take to the football pitch. These players are a special breed, one of the highest class of sportsman to have graced the beautiful game.
READ MORE - Giggs, Lampard, Del Piero: Why football needs its old guard

Man City plan January exit for Tevez

Manchester: Manchester City are planning an exit route for their former captain Carlos Tevez following his refusal to leave the substitutes' bench in the Champions League game in Munich which Bayern won 2-0.
Tevez seemingly has no future at Manchester City following his recent suspension, and it is believed the club will be looking to sell the 27-year-old in January - but will insist on a sell-on fee as they look likely to make a loss on the costly Argentine, according to The Daily Mail.
Tevez's advisor Kia Joorabchian dismissed the claims that the player had refused to play – putting it down to poor translation.
"If you don't have a very professional interpreter you have a problem," said Joorabchian.
"I speak Spanish and English and both of the questions were interpreted incorrectly and both the answers were interpreted incorrectly.
"One of the biggest problems is that in a situation right after a game questions are asked and things are taken out of context."
Where Tevez's future lies remains unclear after Brazilian giants Corinthians, who saw a bid rejected during the summer, said they no longer have any plans to try and sign the player.
However, Roberto Mancini has made it clear that as long as he is Manchester City's manager, Tevez will have to pursue his career away from the Etihad Stadium.
READ MORE - Man City plan January exit for Tevez

Pune FC takes on Blackburn Rovers today


Pune: Close on the heels of the Lionel Messi-led Argentine side's match in Kolkata, English Premier League club Blackburn Rovers will make a maiden appearance in their owner Venkys' backyard as they take on local side Pune FC in an exhibition match here on Friday.
Puneites are in for a treat as the likes of New Zealand and Blackburn skipper Ryan Nelsen, former England international David Dunn, former Spanish international Michael Salgado and Nigerian striker Ayegbeni Yakubu will showcase their skills against Izumi Arata and co at the Shiv Chatrapati stadium at Balewadi on Friday.
The match though not as high-profile as the one between Argentina and Venezuela at the Salt Lake stadium last month, will nevertheless be important for both the teams.
The visitors are having a torrid time of late as they are languishing in the relegation zone in the English Premier League, having won just one match of their first seven ties.
This has ruffled the fans as the team had barely managed to save itself from relegation last season, and calls for removal of chief coach Steve Kean have only gained momentum.
Though a win here may not silence their vexed supporters, anything less than it will give the voices a new reason to dissent.
Meanwhile, for Pune FC, who begin as underdogs, the match is a great opportunity to show that irrespective of its failure to reach the knockout stages of the recently concluded Federation Cup, its steady improvement since promotion to the I-league, including a third place finish last year, was not a fluke.
While a victory would surely surprise the team itself, a spirited performance against a technically superior side will give the hosts great confidence ahead of the new I-League season commencing later this month.
Veteran India player and Pune FC midfielder Shanmugam Venkatesh will lead his team in the absence of regular skipper and goalkeeper Subrata Paul, who along with striker Mandjou Keita is out of tomorrow's game due to injuries.
"We are ready for history and to unfold a good game for our fans who will be turning out in numbers for the game. Our fans know us and on their behalf we need to keep our reputation by playing well which will be our mission in the game," he said.
"The result does not matter. Everybody is aware of Blackburn's credentials. For Pune FC, fans matter," they said.
Pune FC coach Derrick Pereira too echoed Venkatesh's views.
"It is a huge game no doubt but above all it presents a very great opportunity for us to learn. I have been telling all that they have to just enjoy the game and put up a good show for our fans," he said.
"Yes the spirit of the team is good and the players are looking forward to the game tomorrow. We have one of the most passionate fans in the country and we want to put up a good show for them," he added.
About the absence of Subrata Paul and striker Mandjou Keita due to injury, he said, "As a coach you will always want to have the entire squad at your disposal. Subrata and Keita are key players for us, but this provides an opportunity for the younger players to step up. I look forward to the youngsters stepping up and giving a good account of themselves."
READ MORE - Pune FC takes on Blackburn Rovers today

Tevez to learn his fate in next 48 hours

Manchester: Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez will learn of his fate in the next 48 hours following his showdown talks with the club, and has been given permission to travel home to Argentina to serve his suspension, according to reports.
The 27-year-old man was questioned on Monday by City officials over allegations that the player refused to come on as a substitute in the loss against Bayern Munich last week, and the focus will now shift towards manager Roberto Mancini’s view of events in Germany.
It is understood that Tevez did not alter his original claim that rather than refusing to play as a substitute, he instead ignored instructions from Mancini to resume his warm-up.
With members of the club's coaching staff as well as team-mates being interviewed as part of the process, City are looking to draw a line under the episode and officials are hoping to bring the investigation to a conclusion no later than Thursday.
Tevez's future has been hanging in the balance since handing in a transfer request halfway through last season and has struggled to earn himself a place in the team during the current campaign, with the likes of Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko having moved about him in the Etihad Stadium pecking order.
READ MORE - Tevez to learn his fate in next 48 hours

Soccer Player Passes To Himself For Stunning Bicycle Kick Goal

Eren Derdiyok Goal: Bicycle Kick Score For Bayer Leverkusen Striker Against VfL Wolfsburg 

As a rule, goals scored from bicycle kicks are highlights. Even those bicycle kick goals that aren't match winners like Julio Baptista's injury-time stunner for Malaga or Wayne Rooney's amazing effort in a Manchester derby still rack up views on YouTube years after they bulge the net.
The overwhelming majority of those strikes come when a player leaps and contorts his body to connect with a pass from a teammate that is too high, or behind, to be dealt with in a straightforward manner.
But this was not the case when Bayer Leverkusen striker Eren Derdiyok latched onto a long pass as he made a run into the Wolfsburg penalty area. Derdiyok's run bisected the defense and he reached out with his left leg to control the ball as it came in about waist high and a stride ahead of him. With his second touch, the Swiss national flicked the ball straight up into the air with his right foot. The pair of green-clad defensemen rushed past him, expecting that he'd continue bearing down on the net. Derdiyok then elevated for a picturesque right-footed bicycle kick that arced over the frozen goalkeeper and into the far corner of the net. The strike broke a 1-1 tie in the match. Leverkusen would go on to win 3-1.
Having conjured this goal with a pass to himself, perhaps Derdiyok has created a new variation on the bicycle kick. Perhaps it's a "unicycle" kick?

 

READ MORE - Soccer Player Passes To Himself For Stunning Bicycle Kick Goal

Baichung plays exhibition match in Kohima

Football lovers and fans of Bhaichung Bhutia had crowded the gallery of Kohima Local Ground yesterday to witness the exhibition match between United Sikkim Football Club and Life Sports Football Club, presented by YouthNet and organized by the Synergy Group. In the match the United Sikkim FC won the match by 2-0 against Life Sports FC with the first goal scored by Shansha Ansari in the 12th minute and the second goal by M D Lepcha in the 68th minute respectively. The Life Sports FC boys failed to score a goal despite several attempts made by them including missing a penalty. However, Haolengou Kipgen of Life Sports was declared Man of the Match in the exhibition match. The match also featured Renedy Singh, who is the Vice Captain of the Indian National Football Team. Earlier, declaring the match open, MLA and Chairman Nagaland Village and Khadi Industry Board Nicky Kire thanked the Sikkim United FC for coming and said it is not only the exhibition match but further invited them to come and participate in other tournaments organized in the state in the near future. The MLA also lauded the organizers for taking the initiative to hold the exhibition match. The Director General of Police of Nagaland K Kire was among those present. The initiative of social networking site Facebook groups - The Naga Blog and Nagaland Open Online Barter or Sell (NOOBS), to garner funds towards Sikkim Earthquake Relief generated a huge response in a short span of time. Contributions nearly a thousand individuals, including some groups, poured in at designated points in Kohima, Dimapur, Wokha and Mokokchung. Donations were also wired through banks from Nagas outside the State. The fund drive which began on September 26 and ended on September 30 managed to generate an impressive amount of Rs 1,59,455. The people behind the fund drive said donations came from individuals, schools, offices, groups and even a football club with touching messages on paper and envelopes for victims of the devastating Sikkim earthquake which claimed many lives, injured scores of people and rendered hundreds homeless. The Cheque of the relief fund and messages from contributors were handed over to soccer star Bhaichung Bhutia and P Renedy Singh.
READ MORE - Baichung plays exhibition match in Kohima