‘We’ve evolved our playing style’

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India’s Under-22 football coach Arthur Papas, who is also in charge of the All India Football Federation’s developmental side Pailan Arrows, deserves credit for the I-League team’ performance this season.

In a chat with the federation website, Papas talks about his vision for Pailan, the challenges, and his Under-22 wards Jeje Lalpekhlua, Lalrindika Ralte, Manandeep Singh and others. Excerpts:
Tell us about Pailan Arrows’ progress in the I-League so far.
The system we have put in place has a higher emphasis on performance over results — more so because of the age of my players. We have certain performance indicators which we look to meet in every training session and in every game. We are confident that if we can meet them, the results will continue to improve in the long run.
What has pleased me the most is the way we have evolved our playing style. This was something identified as crucial and full credit goes to the players because they have kept their minds open along with complete dedication and tremendous discipline, which obviously, has made my job much easier.
Arrows do not have any overseas player in their ranks. Your thoughts?
Quite simply my job is not the same as the coach at any other club. My job is based around developing and exposing talented Indian youth players aged between 18 and 21. These are critical years and that’s the reason why the Arrows were formed. The idea stays to give as much exposure to competitive football to as many players.
Video analysis has been an integral part of your coaching since the U-22 AFC Championship earlier this year. How does it benefit players?
Video analysis is a simple yet effective coaching aid that I have incorporated in all my teams throughout my career. If you ask me, I will tell you that it stays a must for me if you are a professional footballer. I find it extremely beneficial on many levels and the boys have become very receptive to this form of feedback in order to improve their performance.
Some Arrows players were also part of the India U-22 team in the AFC Championship. How do you see them mature in the I-League?
It’s another step forward for them in their football development. Otherwise the Arrows wouldn’t have participated in the I-League. You can never give an exact time as to when an individual will mature as a player. But by continually exposing them to environments that are challenging, it forces them to adapt and overcome; or else you get left behind.
READ MORE - ‘We’ve evolved our playing style’

Mizoram Premier League: Aizawl FC held to goalless draw by FC Kulikawn

The first match in the third round of the ‘Mahindra 2 Wheelers’ Mizoram Premier League was played yesterday between Aizawl FC and FC Kulikawn, which ended in a goalless draw at the Lammual ground, Aizawl The match started on an even note with the game restricted to the midfield area with not much goal mouth action. FC Kulikawn had the Lion’s share of possession in the midfield but never got a clear cut scoring chance against the defence of I-League Second Division side Aizawl FC.
Aizawl FC remain undefeated with five points from three matches and leads the table, Kulikawn has four points from the same number of matches.
FIXTURES & RESULTS
Round 1
24-Oct-2012: Chanmari FC 1-1 Luangmual FC
25-Oct-2012: Reitlang FC 1-2 Aizawl FC
26-Oct-2012: Mizoram Police FC 1-2 FC RS Annexe
27-Oct-2012: FC Kulikawn 1-2 Dinthar FC
Round 2
31-Oct-2012: Reitlang FC 1-5 Mizoram Police FC
01-Nov-2012: Luangmual FC 1-2 FC Kulikawn
02-Nov-2012: Aizawl FC 1-1 Dinthar FC
24-Nov-2012: Chanmari FC – FC RS Annexe
Round 3
07-Nov-2012: FC Kulikawn 0-0 Aizawl FC
08-Nov-2012: Dinthar FC – FC RS Annexe
09-Nov-2012: Reitlang FC – Chanmari FC
10-Nov-2012: Mizoram Police FC – Luangmual FC
READ MORE - Mizoram Premier League: Aizawl FC held to goalless draw by FC Kulikawn

Celtic shocker for Barca; United reaches last 16

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Celtic's Tony Watt (R) shoots and scores a goal during their Champions League soccer match against Barcelona at Celtic Park stadium in Glasgow, Scotland, on Nov. 7, 2012. (Reuters)

LONDON: Barcelona wasted their first chance to reach the Champions League last 16 after a surprise defeat by Celtic but Manchester United edged through and six-goal Bayern Munich rocketed closer to progression on Wednesday night.
Favorites Barca lost 2-1 in Glasgow after Victor Wanyama and Tony Watt struck in a famous win for the modest Scottish champions, who exposed the continued defensive frailties of the slick passing Catalans with non-stop energy and physicality.
Lionel Messi pulled one back late on but the point that would have put the Group G leaders through was not forthcoming even if they still lead Celtic by two points and Benfica, 2-0 winners over Spartak Moscow, by five with two to play.
“It’s right up there, one of the proudest moments of my career. This is monumental,” Celtic manager Neil Lennon told reporters. His side had also led at the Nou Camp before a late 2-1 loss last month.
“We wanted to do ourselves justice and we surpassed that. We’ve beaten the best club in the world. It was a stiff examination and we came through it with flying colors.” United came from behind to win 3-1 at Braga after a Robin van Persie strike, Wayne Rooney’s penalty and Javier Hernandez’s scrappy goal in the final 10 minutes sealed a knockout stage berth as group winners following a painful early exit last term.
A powercut after Alan’s opening penalty for the Portuguese hosts had held up the Group H game for around 10 minutes in the second half but United roared back.
Galatasaray’s 3-1 win in Cluj left second spot wide open.
Shakhtar Donetsk could have gone through with a win in Group E but lost 3-2 at stuttering holders Chelsea, who netted in injury time through Victor Moses’s header from a corner to spark wild scenes at Stamford Bridge.
“We deserved to win the game today, particularly in the second half where we dominated. I only played 10 minutes but it was good to get the winning goal,” forward Moses said.
Brazilian Willian, who reports have linked with the Londoners after he helped the Ukrainians win 23 out of their last 23 domestic league games, had equalized twice with neat finishes after well-worked moves from the 2009 UEFA Cup winners.
They had shot themselves in the foot early on when goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov’s clearance cannoned into the goal off Fernando Torres and the keeper’s clearing header was wonderfully sent into the net from distance by Oscar to make it 2-1.
Juventus powered to 4-0 home victory over Denmark’s Nordsjaelland, avenging the 1-1 draw at the minnows two weeks’ ago, but the Turin side stay third on six points with the Ukraine and English sides on seven.
Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro bagged a 15-minute first-half hat-trick to help hosts Bayern batter Lille 6-1 and top Group F with nine points alongside Valencia, 4-2 victors at home to BATE Borisov thanks to Sofiane Feghouli’s brace.
Bundesliga leaders Bayern, beaten by Chelsea in last season’s final, were 5-0 up at halftime against the hapless Ligue 1 outfit after Bastian Schweinsteiger and Arjen Robben had also hit the net.
Toni Kroos made it six in the second period after Salomon Kalou’s meaningless effort for Lille.
Despite the heroics from Pizarro, only playing after Bayern’s top scorer Mario Mandzukic was ruled out with a cold, the Champions League night belonged to plucky Celtic after another exciting burst of top-class matches.
Celtic have long been pilloried for the weakness of the Scottish league they dominate, made worse this season by the demotion of long-time rivals Rangers due to financial problems.
The lack of competitiveness domestically had hit Celtic’s recent European campaigns but the 1967 winners are in with a shout of a rare last 16 spot despite having only 16.4 percent possession against a Barca side who lost in the group stage for the first time since 2009.
Barca, going for a fifth title, have recently had to field questions about their lack of options at the back and lack of willingness to buy center halves and looked shaky despite the return of Gerard Pique off the bench.
Wanyama headed in at the far post from a corner on 21 minutes amid slack marking and 18-year-old substitute Watt could not believe his luck seven minutes from time when Xavi missed a long punt up field and the youngster finished off with aplomb.
Messi, who had earlier rattled the woodwork, then made for a nervous finish in stoppage time but Celtic Park soon erupted with joy as the whistle blew to crown a remarkable triumph.
READ MORE - Celtic shocker for Barca; United reaches last 16

Mizoram Premier League: FC Kulikawn upset Luangmual FC

FC Kulikawn defeated Luangmual FC 2-1 in an evenly contested match of the inaugural ‘Mahindra 2 Wheelers’ Mizoram Premier League match today.FC Kulikawn drew the first blood in the 34th minute as B. Zoramthara’s shot was deflected into his own net by a Luangmual FC defender. FCK’s Nigerian recruit K. Kingsley doubled the advantage by a well taken goal in the 42nd minute, but 2nd Division I League team Luangmual FC reduced the deficit in the 58th minute by an impressive youngster Lalmuankima, however, they wasted lots of chances towards the end and could not equalise.
FC Kulikawn has three points from two matches, while Luangmual FC has a point from two outings. Rohmingthanga of FC Kulikawn was declared the man of the match, the former Shillong Lajong FC midfielder received a cash award of Rs 1,000.
FIXTURES & RESULTS
Round 1
24-Oct-2012: Chanmari FC 1-1 Luangmual FC
25-Oct-2012: Reitlang FC 1-2 Aizawl FC
26-Oct-2012: Mizoram Police FC 1-2 FC RS Annexe
27-Oct-2012: FC Kulikawn 1-2 Dinthar FC
Round 2
31-Oct-2012: Reitlang FC 1-5 Mizoram Police FC
01-Nov-2012: Luangmual FC 1-2 FC Kulikawn
02-Nov-2012: Aizawl FC – Dinthar FC
03-Nov-2012: Chanmari FC – FC RS Annexe
READ MORE - Mizoram Premier League: FC Kulikawn upset Luangmual FC

Manipur Women cops win league

Women’s football Manipur Police Sports Club with the winner’s trophy in Imphal West on Thursday. 

Imphal, Nov 2 :
Manipur Police Sports Club won the 9th Laishram Sunitabala Memorial Senior Women’s Football League despite going down 1-2 to Krypsa Naoremthong in their last match at Malom today.
The police team won the league by virtue of winning the earlier two league games.
There were only two teams and three matches played in the tournament organised by Imphal West District Football Association.
In the first and second league games, the women’s police team had won by 3-1 and 1-0 margins respectively.
Krypsa Naoremthong put up an impressive performance in the third game and stopped their opponent from getting a hattrick of wins.
O. Roshini of Naorem-thong drew first blood by scoring the first goal in the 11th minute. Her teammate, Th. Keinakumari, increased the tally in the 52nd minute. For the police team, the lone goal came from the boot of O. Bembam in the 54th minute.
The referee showed two yellow cards to W. Linthoinganbi of Naoremthong in the 62nd minute and Ph. Momota of the police team in the 67th minute. The victory came as a morale booster for the club after the chairman, who is also the director-general of police, had disbanded the men’s team accusing them of indulging in matchfixing.
The move had come after the men’s team lost to Southern Sporting Union 1-9 in the last match of Manipur State League on October 23.
Sepak takraw: The Assam Sepak Takraw Association is organising the inter-district sepak takraw championship at the Karbi Anglong Sports Association ground in Diphu on November 10 and 11. The Assam team for the 23rd senisor nationals, to be held in Hyderabad, will be named from the meet.
READ MORE - Manipur Women cops win league