Seven Sisters Love Football: February 2011

Shillong Lajong, Sporting Clube for Abhijit Kadam football tourney

Pune, Feb 26 : Shillong Lajong and Sporting Clube de Goa will be the new additions in the forthcoming late Abhijit Kadam Memorial football tournament, which gets underway at Bharati Vidyapeeth Education complex ground here from February 27 to March 8.

Speaking to mediapersons Vishwajit Kadam, the managing trustee said four second division I-League teams of the forthcoming season have confirmed their participation for the sixth edition of the Abhijit Kadam tournament.

He said these new teams will make the tournament a keen contest.

A total of 8 teams have been divided in two groups out of which the top two teams from each group will qualify for the knockout semifinals, he said.

Shillong Lajong and Sporting Clube de Goa, who figured in the elite I-League in 2009-10, add the star value while Guwahati Town Club, Assam and Golden Threads, Kerala complete the fancied team line-up, he said.

He said the Abhijit Kadam Memorial Foundation Club has been conducting the tournament under the aegis of the Pune District Football Association and the Western India Football Association and is recognised by the All India Football Federation.

The tournament, this year, has undergone a major change in its format with the knock-out format making way for a league-cum knock-out format. As a result, the eight teams are divided into two groups providing all teams a fair chance to qualify for the knock out stage, he said.

''We decided to change the format and also tried to maintain the balance by having good sides from across the country. There are teams that figured in the I-League in the past and teams that have battled qualification in the second division I-League as well,'' he added.

He further said we have eight teams in the tournament and would like to maintain this format in future too. The number of teams may be increased to ten, Kadam said.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals slated on March 5. The final to be played on March 8, he added. The winner will receive Rs 1,51000, while the runner-up will take home Rs one lakh. There will be prizes for the best player and best Goal keeper also with both getting richer by Rs 10,000 each, he added.

AIFF initiates steps to get rid of Houghton

New Delhi: Bob Houghton's days as chief national coach are numbered as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has sought legal opinion to terminate the Englishman's contract. The federation is using Houghton's disaparaging remarks against it during the Asian Cup in Doha to see if it can get rid of him.

Houghton had said that the federation let the national players down in a big way by not providing them proper infrastructure. A top AIFF official told IANS that the process to sack Houghton has been initiated.
"The executive committee was unhappy with Houghton's report on India's performance in the Asian Cup. The committee was also upset with his comments against the AIFF," the official said, on the condition of anonymity.
"He had no business to use the Asian Cup platform to vent his ire against the federation. The federation accepted all his demands, be it training abroad or international friendlies. He can't complain," the official added.
Houghton was appointed the chief coach in 2006 and his contract runs till 2013. Houghton's monthly salary has been increased to $30,000.
The executive committee was concerned about the national team's poor performance in the Asian Cup. The team conceded 13 goals while losing to Australia, South Korea and Bahrain to crash out of the tournament.
During the meeting it was also decided to host the biennial Nehru Cup next year as a part of the AIFF's platinum jubilee. The AIFF also decided that the players and support staff of the national women's team, which won the SAFF Championships in Dhaka, will be awarded Rs.50,000 each.
The men's SAFF Championship has been shifted from Goa to Orissa and will be held at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack in December. The committee decided to increase the prize money for the Federation Cup. Winners will now get Rs.1.5 million while runners-up will be richer by Rs.1 million. The Santosh Trophy winners will now get Rs.500,000 while runners-up will get Rs.300,000.
Source: IANS

AIFF unhappy with Houghton

NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) Executive Committee on Wednesday expressed its dissatisfaction over the National team's showing under Bob Houghton and the head coach's conduct over the past few years.

“The committee expressed its concern over the performance of the National team. It also expressed its unhappiness regarding the conduct and derogatory remarks made by Houghton,” said an AIFF release.

According to an AIFF spokesperson, the panel took exception to “the kind of statements” Houghton had been giving in the media.

“The Executive Committee has unanimously decided to seek legal opinion regarding its course of action,” the release said.

“It is about how to take disciplinary action against him after examining various clauses in the contract (with Houghton),” the spokesperson said.

The panel, presided over by AIFF President Praful Patel, also decided to allot the Santosh Trophy to Assam. The tournament will be held in April and May.

The daily allowance of the players participating in the tournament has been increased from Rs. 450 to 700 per day.

The winning team will take home Rs. 5 lakh, while the runner-up will be richer by Rs. 3 lakh. Prize money has also been increased for the Federation Cup. The champion will get Rs. 15 lakh, while the runner-up will gain Rs. 10 lakh.

The committee decided to allot the SAFF Championship to Orissa this year. It will be played in December.

Among other decisions, the next Nehru Cup will be held as part of the AIFF Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2012 and each member of the inaugural SAFF women's championship winning Indian team will be given Rs. 50,000.

Meanwhile, the AIFF has constituted its new referees' committee. Its members are: Amit Dev (chairman), K. Sankar, J. Ravi Shankar, Gautam Kar, Anthony D'Costa, Gulab Chauhan, Pradeep Nag and Inayutalla Khan.

Assam to host Santosh Trophy

GUWAHATI, Feb 24 – Assam will host the 65th edition of Santosh Trophy Senior National Football Championship.

Informing this, Assam Football Association (AFA) secretary and vice-president of All India Football Federation (AIFF) Ankur Dutta said the decision was taken in the AIFF executive committee meeting held in New Delhi today. Dutta informed that Orissa and Tamil Nadu were trying to take the coveted tournament to their States but due to a strong case presented by AFA, the India football body finally decided to let Assam host the meet. This time the champion team will get Rs 5 lakh while the runners-up team will pocket Rs 3 lakh as prize-money, informed Dutta. The championship is likely to be held in the city here in April-May.

Dutta further informed that this year the prize-money in the Federation Cup has been enhanced to Rs 15 lakh and Rs 10 lakh to champions and runners-up teams.

India beat Myanmar 2-1 FIFA Pre-Olympic Qualifier

Pune, Feb 24 (PTI) India struck twice in the first half to register a 2-1 win over a fighting Myanmar in the first leg of the FIFA Pre-Olympic Qualifier preliminary round encounter here today. India netted through striker Jeje Lalpekhula (24th minute) and Fela (40th) minute, after Pyaye Phyo Oo raised hopes for the visitors with 34th minute strike at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex.

India began with a bang and even scored with their first attack in the opening minute.

A thrown in by defender Raju Gaekwad from the right went all the way to Jeje at the second post, bounce off his chest find the net. However, Raju's throw was fouled by the linesman and goal stood cancelled.

Eight minutes later, India midfielder Jewel Raja Sheikh sent in a cross from the right, which Nirmal Chettri nodded well but goalkeeper Kyaw Zin Htet dived to save that.

The Myanmar build-ups were slow and it took them fifteen minutes to take their first crackj on goal through midfielder Yan Aung Kyaw who was just wide off target.

Nine minutes later, India's persistence paid when Jeje scored from an indirect free kick taken by Lalrindika Ralte, who was brought down by Pyaye Phyo Oo 30-yards out.

Ralte delayed taking the free kick after the anxious Myanmar wall closed in. Ralte, already committed with his approach, had his deft chip find unmarked Jeje on the right who made no mistake finding the roof of the net.

Myanmar pressed hard in search of the equaliser. It was against the run of play that David Htan, running into free space on the right, whipped in a cross for the fast running Mai Aih Naing capatalise on the mix up between keeeper Gurpreet Sandhu and Nirmal Chettri.

As a result, Mai Aih Naing gained possession and placed home with ease. Five minutes before the breather India survived a close call. Kyi Lin's long try had India's 'keeper blocked but in doing so the ball found an unmarked Mai Aih Naing gain possession. However, a hasty try was all Naing managed.

The resultant goal-kick that India earned translated into a goal. Jeje flicked Sandhu's goalkick on to his fellow striker Malswam Fela on the left, who after moving a few yards finished with a fantastic first timer from the edge of the box to the second post.

Changing ends, India played defensively as Myanmar did well to press for the equalizer. However, the host's did well to hold out. India had a couple of close chances with Jeje failing to touch the ball from close and Myanmar's Kyi Lin attempting from close.

Two yellow cards were flashed during thematch in the first half. India's Nirmal Chettri got the first while Yan Aung Kyaw (Myanmar) got the other.

India made three changes in the second half with defender Lal Rozamma, medio Subodh Kumar and striker Jagtar Singh replacing N Mohanraj, Jibon Singh and Fela respectively. India now travel to Myanmar to play the return leg on March 9.

United pip Crawley to advance in FA Cup

Manchester: Manchester United advanced to the sixth round of the FA Cup but only after a narrow 1-0 win over minnows Crawley Town at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Wes Brown's first-half header ensured there was no upset against a team that sits 93 places below them on the league ladder in the fifth tier.

However, the 11-time FA Cup winners struggled to impose themselves and Crawley almost snatched an equalizer in stoppage time when substitute Richard Brodie's header came back off the bar.

United manager Alex Ferguson made nine changes to the team that beat Manchester City last weekend, and was unhappy with the results.

"We might have some players who don't understand what the FA Cup is all about. That is the biggest lesson for them," Ferguson said, while praising Crawley's performance.

"Some players came in and didn't do themselves justice. No doubt about that. But Crawley showed more desire in the second half. They made it very difficult for us."

Crawley will make over one million pounds ($1.6 million) from the tie via television rights and gate receipts from a sellout 75,000 crowd at Old Trafford.

"I am very proud of my players," Crawley manager Steve Evans said. "I've spoken to Alex and he's given me a bottle of wine to take away."

The game amply illustrated the romance of the FA Cup: Ferguson's Premier League leaders hosting a team that was seeking to become the first non-League club to reach the quarterfinals of the FA Cup since World War II.

While United's quest for a sixth triumph in the competition under Ferguson's reign started last month, Crawley's adventure started in October with a qualifying win in Wales against Newport County.

Victories over Football League clubs Swindon, Derby and Torquay have since followed but Crawley's journey ended in a gutsy defeat in front of 9,000 traveling fans, almost twice the capacity of the club's tiny Broadfield Stadium home.

United manager Ferguson must have done a double take when he saw the Crawley team sheet and seen the names Torres and Shearer staring back at him.

But instead of Spanish international Fernando and former England international Alan, it was Sergio Torres and Scott Shearer.

Crawley's veteran keeper Michel Kuipers once served in the Dutch Marine Corps but if the 36-year-old was expecting to find himself in the firing line then he was pleasantly mistaken as United struggled to stamp their authority.

Former Arsenal trainee Ben Smith set the tone for what was to come when his speculative 25-yard effort in the 11th minute narrowly sailed wide of the target.

United were not at full strength. The likes of Edwin van der Sar, Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov were not involved.

But neither was this a weak team. Wayne Rooney started on the substitutes bench before coming on at the start of the second half while Michael Carrick and John O'Shea were also on duty.

Republic of Ireland international Darron Gibson delivered the cross for Brown to head the hosts into a 28th-minute lead — their first serious threat.

Fabio da Silva failed to kill the game off after the Brazilian fullback was sent clear by Gibson. Crawley's players were expected to tire the longer the match continued, yet they seemed to get stronger.

After David Hunt had spurned one opportunity to equalise, Matt Tubbs, Crawley's leading scorer with 28 goals, sent an overhead kick from four yards (meters) narrowly over the bar.

Finally, Brodie was denied by the woodwork on a day Crawley will never forget.

Mizoram hold Bengal 1-1 in Group A tie

Ranchi, Feb 19 (PTI) An ugly incident of red card against Mizoram goalkeeper Vanlalhriata marred their group match against West Bengal which ended in a 1-1 draw in the 34th National Games at the Birsa Munda Stadium here today.

Vanlalhriata pushed Abhinaba Bag on the left side of the corner flag and then picked up arguement on being fouled, forcing the referee to flash the red card.

"It may lead to one match suspension; but the technical committee will decide about it," said a technical official.

Bengal drew the first blood when Sakar Sil, after getting a through pass, bulged the Mizoram net in the 38th munite to make it 1-0.

Mizoram restored parity when Zico Zoreushanga stabbed the leather from close eleven minutes after the breather.

Substitute Gautam Thakur and Dipindu Biswas mounted several openings but poor finishing eluded them to increase the margin.

Indian football camp for pre-Olympic qualifier begins

Pune, Feb 18 (PTI) : The Indian football team's preparatory camp for the pre-Olympic qualifier against Myanmar got underway at the National Defence Academy (NDA) ground here today.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has selected a total of 24 players for the camp from which the final 18 will handpicked after the conclusion of the camp on February 22.

India is scheduled to play Myanmar on February 23 in the first leg of the qualifiers at the Balewadi Sports Complex here while the return leg match of round one will be played at Yangon, Myanmar on March 9.

Interestingly, 19 players of the Indian side currently undergoing training at the camp are from the I-League side Indian Arrows. The other five -- Nirmal Chhetri, Robin Singh (East Bengal), Arindam Bhattacharya (Churchill Brothers), N Mohanraj (Mohun Bagan) and CS Sabeeth (Viva Kerala) -- are from other clubs.

On day one, 23 players reported for the camp barring defender Mohanraj, who is expected to join the camp on Sunday. The team will be under the supervision of coach Desmond Bulpin.

The Myanmar team is expected to arrive in Pune on February 21. The visitors will practice at the Bharati Vidyapeeth Education Complex ground in Dhankawadi.

India is one of the 35 countries from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), who have entered this qualification process for three allocated spots for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

The qualifiers will commence from next month and run up to March 2012.
It is for the first time that Pune will play host to a FIFA pre-Olympics qualifying encounter. The qualifier will be the fourth international fixture to be hosted by the city. Earlier, Pune hosted the Indian senior team for three international friendlies against Hong Kong, Vietnam and Yeman in October last year as part of their Asian Cup 2011 preparation.

The players shortlisted are:

Goalkeepers: Arindam Bhattacharya, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Jagroop Singh.

Defenders: Abhisek Das, R Vishal Kumar, Raju Gaekawad, Nirmal Chhetri, Inderpreet Singh, Deepak Devrani, Lalrozama Fenai, Mohanraj.

Midfielders: Subodh Kumar, Lalrindika Ralte, Jibon Singh, Shilton D'Silva, Jewel Raja Sheikh, Ongnam Milan Singh.

Strikers: Jeje Lalpekhlua, Malsawmfela, Robin Singh, CS Sabeeth, Jagtar Singh, Bikramjit Singh and Manandeeep Singh.

Key seniors left out of Challenge Cup qualifiers

New Delhi, Feb 18 : Bhaichung Bhutia and Renedy Singh were omitted from the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) list of 44 probables for the 2012 AFC. Challenge Cup qualifiers next month. More than half the side comprises players from Indian Arrows. Bhutia had announced earlier he wouldn't be fit for the qualifiers and Renedy too was injured in the Asian Cup tie against South Korea. Also omitted were defenders Deepak Mondal, Mahesh Gawali and Surkumar Singh, midfielders NP Pradeep, Climax Lawrence, Mehrajuddin Wadoo and Clifford Miranda and forwards Abhishek Yadav and Md Rafi.

Squad: Subrata Paul, Arindam Bhattacharya, GS Sandhu, Denzil Franco, Gourmangi Singh, Anwar, Mohanraj, Nirmal Chhetri, Govin Singh, SR Nabi, NS Manju, Raju Gaikwad, Steven Dias ,Joachim Abranches, Baldip Singh, Jagpreet Singh, Rakesh Masih, Jewel Raja, S D'Silva, Sunil Chhetri , SK Singh, C.S.Sabeeth, Jeje Lalpekhlua. Jagroop Singh, Ravi Kumar, Vishal Kumar, Abhishek Das, Deepak Devrani, Inderpreet Singh, Souvik Ghosh, L Fenai, P Moulingkar, AK Mall, Subodh Kumar, Milan Singh, Bikramjit Singh, L Ralte,Trithankar Sarkar, Jibon Singh, Manandeep, Robin Singh, Holicharan Narzary, Malswamfela & Jagtar Singh.

44 probables named for AFC Challenge Cup

India on Thursday named 44 probables without a host of senior players, including captain Bhaichung Bhutia and Renedy Singh, for next month's AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers.

The probables named by the AIFF have a mix of senior and India Under-23 players with more than half of them from the new I-League side Indian Arrows, floated by the national federation.

Goalkeeper Subrata Paul, defenders Gourmangi Singh and Anwar Ali, midfielders Syed Rahim Nabi and Steven Dias and striker Sunil Chhetri were the six players in the probables who also have played in the Asian Cup in Doha last month.

Young Indian Arrows goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Govin Singh, N S Manju, Rakesh Masih and Baldeep Singh are the five players who were in the 23-member India squad for the Asian Cup and also among the probables.

Besides Bhutia and Renedy, those who were in the Indian squad for the Asian Cup but not among the probables are Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, Deepak Mondal, Mahesh Gawli, Surkumar Singh, N P Pradeep, Climax Lawrence, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Clifford Miranda, Abhishek Yadav and Mohammed Rafi.

India had won the 2008 edition of the AFC Challenger Cup which gave them the right to participate in the 2011 Asian Cup. India had fielded a junior side in the 2010 edition and crashed out in the group stage.

India have been placed in Group B along with Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Chinese Taipei for the qualifiers to be held between March 20 to 31. The venue is yet to be announced.

The Probables: Subrata Paul, Arindam Bhattacharya, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Denzil Franco,Gourmangi Singh, Anwar Ali, N Mohanraj, Nirmal Chhetri, Govin Singh, Syed Rahim Nabi, N S Manju, Raju Gaikwad, Steven Dias, Joaquim Abranches, Baldip Singh, Jagpreet Singh, Rakesh Masih, Jewel Raja, Shilton D'Silva, Sunil Chhetri, Sushil Kumar Singh, C S Sabeeth, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Jagroop Singh, Ravi Kumar, Vishal Kumar, Abhishek Das, Deepak Devrani, Inderpreet Singh, Souvik Ghosh, Lalrozama Fanai, Pratamesh Moulingkar, Akshay Kumar Mall, Subodh Kumar, Milan Singh, Bikramjit Singh, Lalrindika Ralte, Trithankar Sarkar, Jibon Singh, Manandeep, Robin Singh, Holicharan Narzary, Malswamfela and Jagtar Singh.

AFC Champions League: Team Dempo heads to Qatar

Panaji, Feb 17 (PTI) Dempo Sports Club has headed to Qatar for what promises to be a tough encounter against the host city''s Al Sadd Club in the AFC Champions League on February 19.
The team left for Qatar last evening. Anthony Pereira and Valeriano Rebelo who are nursing injuries have not accompanied the team.
Armando knows that it will be a difficult task to defeat their opponents, who beat Syria''s Al Ittihad 5-1 win last week.
"Definitely, it will be a tough job. Qualifying for the Asian Champions League would give me the greatest satisfaction in my career. It would be a dream come true for us.
"But the manner our boys played against Churchill Brothers in the I-League which we won 2-0 few days ago, give me hope that we can match our rivals. If we win it would be a dream come true for us," said coach Armando Colaco.
"The standard of Qatar Stars League is higher than ours but we will give a strong fight. Al Sadd is a good team with some notable players in their squad. The return of our six players who did duties for India in the Asian Cup at Qatar will further strengthen the team, their experience of having been there would certainly be of help to us," he added.
This is the second time that the Goan outfit will vie for a place in the AFC Champions League where top teams from Japan, South Korea, Iran, Iraq, and Uzbekistan are jostling for continental supremacy.
However, the Indian champions will have to play away from home in the single-leg tie to decide which team will progress for the main draw and Colaco is concerned about the AFC''s choice on one match play-off.
Colaco has written to the AFC about his suggestion that in future instead of having a play-off, it would be better if there was a home and away fixture which will give the two teams an equal opportunity to make it into the group stages of the elite competition.
"I hope it works that way (home and away) in the future and I had written on this to the AFC. No matter what happens our standard will rise when we play stronger teams. If we qualify, we shall play the top most clubs in Asia and that would certainly give a big boost to our confidence," Colaco stated.

Mizoram brighten their semifinal chances

Defending champion Jharkhand and Mizoram picked up their second successive wins to brighten their semifinal chances in the sub-junior Nation football for the Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy on Wednesday.

Jharkhand erased a goal's deficit to beat Maharashtra 2-1 at the Vidyasagar Stadium in Barasat and consolidated its position at the top of group A.

Altamash Sayed took Maharashtra ahead in the 10th minute, but Jharkhand quickly drew parity through striker Dwang Liana who found the mark in the 29th. Liana was again on target in the 84th to ensure Jharkhand's win.

In another group A match, Daniel Lalhlimpuia scored a hat-trick to help Chandigarh thrash Tamil Nadu 6-0. K. Lalramzuava, Salman Lateef and Harpal Singh were the other scorers.

Jharkhand is now on six points, with Maharashtra and Chandigarh tied on second with three points each. Having lost both its matches in the group, Tamil Nadu is out of contention.

Mizoram beat Punjab 3-1 in a group C match at Khardah. R. Laldanmawia drew first blood in the 11th before David K. Hmnizthanga struck twice in the 63rd and 86th. Punjab got its consolation goal from Kamalpreet Singh.

In same group Karnataka earned its first win beating Bihar 2-1.

Mizoram is on top with six points while Karnataka and Punajb remain in second place with three points each. Bihar has so far drawn a blank.

The results: Group A: Jharkhand 2 (Dwang Liana 2) bt Maharashtra 1 (Altamash Sayed); Chandigarh 6 (Daniel Lalhlimpuia 3, K. Lalramzuava, Salman Lateef, Harpal Singh) bt Tamil Nadu 0.

Group C: Mizoram 3 (David Hmnizthanga 2, R. Laldanmawia) bt Punjab 1 (Kamalpreet Singh); Karnataka 2 (Karthik, A.D. Kumar) bt Bihar 1 (Sashikant Chauhan).

Women's football resumes in National Games

Jamshedpur, Feb 17 (PTI) After a day''s suspension, women''s football resumed at the 34th National Games with defending champion Orissa beating Haryana 6-0 and Manipur spanking Tripura 24-0 in their respective matches at the 34th National Games at the JRD Tata Sports Complex here today.
The action was suspended yesterday due to Tripura sending a team which was not affiliated to the All India Football Federation (AIFF). But the AIFF relented and gave Tripura the go ahead for matches to resume in the event.
In a Group ''B'' match played between two northeastern states, Manipur humiliated Tripura 24-0.
Manipur surged ahead through a second minute goal by P H Beena Devi, who emerged the highest scorer for the team with six goals, while S Reena Roy struck five times followed by Mandakini (5).
A Asha Rani Devi struck a hat-trick, among other scorers.
In a Group ''A'' match, reigning champions Orissa continued their winning spree defeating Haryana 6-0 at the JRD Tata Sports complex in the first session today.
Forward Sasmita Malik put the Orissa team ahead just seven minutes into the match and struck five more goals (47th, 51st, 77th and 81st minutes) after the breather as Haryana hardly made any move.
Thunki Munda (10 mts goal) was the other player to contribute in Orissa''s win.
This was Orissa''s second win after it trounced Tamil Nadu 3-1 while Haryana lost had earlier host 2-4 to Jharkhand on the inaugural day of the Games.
Orissa, which played two matches so far, accumulated six points to lead the table while Jharkhand has three points from one tie.

UEFA to investigate Gattuso headbutt

AC-Milan-Tottenham-Hotspur-Gennaro-Gattuso-Joe-Jordan-Champions-League cropped

AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso could face a lengthy ban after UEFA today announced it has opened disciplinary proceedings following his clash with Tottenham coach Joe Jordan.

Gattuso headbutted Jordan after the fiery Champions League match between the two sides at the San Siro. The game finished 1-0 to the Premier League side thanks to a Peter Crouch goal in the 80th minute.

UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body will meet next Monday to discuss the case.

Tottenham's victory in the last-16 encounter was overshadowed by Gattuso's antics, with the former Rangers midfielder involved in several incidents.

Gattuso clashed with Crouch during the match and also squared up to Jordan and pushed him in the face on the touchline during a frenetic second half.

His headbutt on Jordan after the final whistle sparked angry scenes, with several players from both sides involved in the ensuing melee.

Gattuso later apologised for his actions, saying: "I lost control. There is no excuse for what I did. I take my responsibilities for that.

"I was nervous. I didn't want to argue with players and I did it with him, but I was wrong to do what I have done."

The ill-tempered encounter was also marred by Matthieu Flamini's ugly two-footed challenge on Vedran Corluka which left the Spurs full-back with an ankle injury.

The former Arsenal player was booked at the time, however, and is therefore unlikely to face any further punishment.

Manipur thrashes Tripura in Nat'l Games women's football

Jamshedpur, Feb 15 (PTI) A day after being suspended, women's football matches kicked off at the 34th National Games with Manipur humiliating Tripura 24-0 in a Group "B" match at the JRD Tata Sports complex here today.

Tripura, who got a last moment entry into the Games, was no match for last edition's runner's up Manipur, who dominated the proceedings during the entire 80 minutes' play.

Manipur surged ahead through P H Beena Devi''s second minute goal into the match.

Altogether Beena Devi and S Reenaroy Devi scored six goal each while Mandakini Devi scored a hat-trick among other scorers.

Earlier, the women's football matches, which were suspended over the entry of Tripura team, resumed today after the All India Football Federation (AIFF) gave a green to Tripura's entry "in the larger interest of sports".

Tripura footballers to play after scuffle, matches resume tomorrow

Jamshedpur, Feb 15 : The controversial 34th National games today mired in one more controversy when all the women football matches were suspended on the issue of entry of Tripura team, however, it was later included and the competition will resume from tomorrow The games which were postponed twice earlier over infrastructural aspect, today witnessed a conflict between the two top sports authorities of the country, the Games Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC) and AIFF, the football apex body of the country.

Games Coordination Committee Convener Capt Amitabh said the GTCC is supporting the participation of the Tripura team while AIFF objected strongly on it on the grounds that it is not affiliated by them and threatened to back out of the games.

This resulted in the suspension of all the three games today at JRD Tata stadium disappointing hundreds of spectators including school children.

However, Cap Amitabh told UNI that a consent has been made on to include the Tripura team and start the competition from tomorrow after talks with AIFF general secretary Kushal Gupta.

He said that the meeting between the games director Ghulam Rabbani and deputy Commissioner was also affirmative.

In the Women football competition , Jharkhand, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Haryana were in the Pool 'A' while the controversy was to include Tripura team in the Pool 'B' which also include Manipur, Bengal and Assam.

However, The team has been pooled in pool 'B' and the Women football. Semi final and Final of the competition are scheduled on February 17 and 18.

Good start for Mizoram in Mir Iqbal football

Kolkata, Feb 15 : Mizoram aced out Chandigarh and Karnataka in an identical margin 3-1 on the opening day of the 33rd AIFF U-16 Mir Iqbal Hossain Trophy finals began here.

In Group A, Jharkhand thrashed Chandigarh 3-1 at Barasat Stadium, and Mizoram in a fine display of soccer defeated Karnataka 3-1 in Group C at Khardah Stadium.

The Coca-Cola Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy is a national-level tournament. It is being organised under the aegis of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) which is a grassroot level championship.

Altogether 16 states have been qualified for the finals.

The Group league matches will be held from February 14 to 19, while two Semi-finals will be held on February 21. The final will be played on February 24.

The participating 16 teams in final round, including defending champions Jharkhand, are devided into four groups with four team in each.

Group A : Jharkhand, Tamilnadu, Chandigarh, Maharashtra Group B : Goa, Orissa, Tripura, Kerala Group C : Karnataka, Punjab, Mizoram, Bihar Group D : Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam

Brazilian Ronaldo hangs up his boots

Sao Paulo: Ronaldo says he is retiring from football because he can't stay fit anymore, ending a stellar 18-year career in which won two World Cup titles with Brazil and thrived with some of Europe's top clubs.

The 34-year-old Ronaldo, who holds the World Cup scoring record, said Monday that a string of injuries in the past two years have kept him from performing at a high level with Brazilian club Corinthians.

"The pain made me anticipate the end of my career," he said.

Football: Brazilian Ronaldo hangs up his boots

Ronaldo also said that he found out four years ago that he had hypothyroidism, a condition that made it difficult for him to lose weight and stay in shape.

"It's very hard to leave something that made me so happy," Ronaldo said with tearstained cheeks. "Mentally I wanted to continue, but I have to acknowledge that I lost (the fight) to my body."

With his uncanny sprints toward goal and an incredibly accurate finishing touch, he captivated fans everywhere he played, including Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan.

All despite having to comeback from three serious knee injuries that threatened to end his career earlier than expected.

"My career was beautiful, was wonderful," he said. "I've had many defeats but infinite victories."

Ronaldo's contract with Corinthians was expected to end at the end of the year, but his physical condition kept deteriorating. Visibly out of shape, he was not able to perform well and fans were jeering him after every missed play.

The announcement came just days after he was heavily criticized by Corinthians fans for the team's elimination from the Copa Libertadores, Latin America's most important competition and the only major tournament the popular Brazilian club has yet to win.

Supporters damaged players' cars and threw rocks at the team's bus to protest, but Ronaldo said he only wanted to thank Corinthians fans for their support.

"I've never seen fans with so much passion," he said, his voice cracking.

Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldo to retire

Sao Paulo, Feb 14 (AFP) Brazilian football legend Ronaldo, who helped his country to two World Cup trophies and is still the tournament's top scorer, is to retire, Brazilian media reported.

"I can't take any more," the 34-year-old star told the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper.

"I wanted to continue, but I can't do it any more. I think of an action, but I can't do it the way I want to. It's time.

"It's the body that's hurting me," he told Globo television. "The head wants to go on, but the body can't take any more."

Ronaldo had already spoken in terms of retiring at the end of the year.

But a succession of injuries and the elimination of his club, Corinthians, from the Copa Libertadores, South America's most prestigious club tournament, appears to have pushed the date forward.

Young Arrows hold Chirag to goalless draw

Gurgaon, February 12 :

The home record stayed intact for coach Desmond Bulpin's Indian Arrows after a lacklustre 0-0 draw against Chirag United at the Tau Devi Lal stadium. The first half was largely concentrated in midfield with both sides refusing to relinquish possession. The tested Arrows midfield combination of
Lalrin Dika Ralte, Jewel Raja, Shilton D'Silva and Jibon Singh managed to break into the opposition third with alacrity.

However, Chirag centre-backs Chika Wali and Arnab Mondal thwarted the long balls from midfield with ease. Arrows' strikers Jeje Lalpekhlua and Malsawm Fela found themselves with the ball in the box on a number of occasions but failed to break the deadlock against the side that had beaten them 1-2 in Kolkata.

At the stroke of halftime, the Arrows were handed a golden chance from a Jibon strike from outside the box that was blocked by Chirag custodian Somnath Khara but Fela failed to nick it home on the rebound.

"We missed too many chances in the first half, seven I think. The finishing has been a problem and that particular chance should've been converted," said Bulpin.

Chhetri goes purple
India striker Sunil Chhetri is set to play for Chirag United after being released by MLS side Kansas City wizards. Chhetri, only the second player in the post-Independence era to have plied his trade for a foreign club, and South Korean midfielder Choi Young Il are Chirag United's newest recruits before the I-League transfer window closed Thursday. Chhetri is set to play in the 15th round match against Salgaocar.

Assam Rifles retain premier league title

GUWAHATI, Feb 12 – It is for the third consecutive year that the Assam Rifles soccer team has won the Airtel State Premier League Football Championship.

In the keenly contested final at the Nehru Stadium here today, the Riflemen edged past Oil India Football Club 2-1.

L Santa Singh put Assam Rifles ahead in the 23rd minute with a long ranger while L Kima enhanced the margin in the 59th minute with a sharp header.

For OIL, HL Ruata fired the reducer in the 89th minute.

Both the teams were in positive mood from the initial stage. They tried to build moves using their armouries. OIL frontliners Emanual Okoro, Egware Charles and F Wary used their best possible skills to beat the Rifles defence throughout the course. But their final passes were too poor and could not penetrate the watertight Assam Rifles defence.

On the other hand, Rifles attackers – Ajit Kumar Singh, L Haokip and L Kima – kept the OIL defenders busy most of the time.

L Santa Singh’s goal was a brilliant one as his 35-yard pile drive beautifully sailed into the goal deceiving OIL custodian Jitu Chetri. Rifles’ second goal was a result of team effort. Substitute Akum Ao sent the floater from the left flank aiming unmarked Kima who did not miss to head home from a close range.

Ruata’s goal was also eye-catching as he hardly gave any scope to Rifles goalkeeper Lokeswar Singh to save his drive almost from centre circle. But it was too late for OIL as three minute extended time started after his goal.

In the prize-distribution ceremony, MLA Robin Bordoloi was present as chief guest. Assam Football Association president Hemendra Nath Brahma, secretary Ankur Dutta, top Airtel officials Jeorje Mathen, Tridip Sarma, Director General of Sports Authority of Assam, Pradip Hazarika were also present in the function.

The winning team got Rs 1 lakh while the runners-up team walked away with Rs 50,000 as prize-money.

Bhutia's team to play in I-League second division

NEW DELHI: Indian captain Baichung Bhutia's team United Sikkim FC and last season's I-League first division demotes Sporting Clube-de-Goa and Shillong Lajong FC will be among the 21 teams participating in the second division preliminary round matches next month.

Five teams from Kerala and four from Meghalaya including Shillong Lajong FC, who were relegated from the first division last year, will feature in the league.

Mohammedan Sporting, Southern Samity and Techno Aryan are the three sides from West Bengal. Goa has two other teams, apart from relegated Sporting Clube-de-Goa.

Sikkim also has another team in Denzong Boys while Manipur and Assam will be represented by NISA and Gauhati Town Club respectively.

Bhutia is unlikely to play for United Sikkim FC as he is yet to fully recover from his hamstring injury, which he suffered last year, but his national teammate Renedy Singh has confirmed playing for the side.

Indian team goal-keeping coach Marcus Pacheco is likely to be roped in as coach of the side, which will be based at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok.

The preliminary round matches will start from the middle of next month. The exact date and venues will be confirmed later. The final round will be held at Shillong, Meghalaya.

The top two teams from the second division will be promoted to the I-League first division for 2011-12 season.

The Teams:

Royal Wahingdoh (Meghalaya), Lansing Sports Club (Meghalaya), Ar-Hima Football Club (Meghalaya), Shillong Lajong FC (Meghalaya), PIFA (Maharashtra), Kenkre Football Association (Maharashtra), Southern Samity (West Bengal), Techno Aryan (West Bengal), Mohammedan Sporting (West Bengal), Gauhati Town Club (Assam), Vasco Sports Club (Goa), Sporting Clube-de Goa (Goa), Sesa Football Academy (Goa), Jasco FC (Kerala), Chandni FC (Kerala), Eagles FC, Cochin (Kerala), Golden Threads (Kerala), Malabar United (Kerala), United Sikkim FC (Sikkim), Denzong Boys (Sikkim) and NISA (Manipur).

Messi to compete with Iniesta for Laureus award

Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta find themselves competing against each other along with four other top sporting icons, including Rafael Nadal, for the 'World Sportsman of the Year' trophy at the prestigious Laureus Awards to be announced in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
The club-mates along with American basketball star Kobe Bryant make for three nominees from team sports -- the first time ever for the awards.
Argentine forward Messi struggled for goals at last year's World Cup but has been in red-hot form for Barcelona and managed to pip Iniesta, the inspiring Spanish mid-fielder who was instrumental in clinching his team its maiden World Cup title, for the FIFA World Footballer of the Year honour.
Image: Lionel Messi