Seven Sisters Love Football: April 2013

Football Lovers triumph

Challenge cup

Imphal, April 29: Football Lovers Association Manipur blanked Football Veteran Welfare Association (A) by 3-0 goals in the 15th Challenge Cup Veteran Football Tournament at Mapal Kangjeibung today.

The first half went goalless. In the second half, S. Somorendro scored the opening goal in the 41st minute off a goaline cross from Azizur Rehman.

Substitute O. Kulla Singh scored a powerful volley in the 51st minute and Azizur Rehman beat the Football Veteran defence for the winning goal in the 55th minute.

In another match, FC Imphal had a goalless draw against Ibudhou Marjing Veteran Football Association to share a point each.

Seven-a-side hockey: Super Sporting Association Charangpat stormed into the semi-final, defeating Manipur Police Sports Club (B) by 5-3 goals in the 1st Y. Rashmani Memorial Invitation Men’s Seven-a-Side Hockey Tournament at Kontha Ahallup in Imphal East today.

Super Sporting Association scored a field goal from M. Bronson Singh in the 11th minute and H. Mani Singh consolidated in the 27th minute .

H. Mani Singh boosted the lead with two goals in the 34th and 38th minutes.

Manipur Police managed their opening goal through S. Rabi Singh.

But the Super Sporting Association domination continued with M. Bronson getting his team’s fifth goal. Policemen N. Babumacha and N. Purnachandra scored a goal each but it was too late to save the game.

In another quarter-final, Moral Education Intellectual Renascent Athletic Association edged out Cosmopolitan by 3-2 goals to move into the semi-final. (Asia Regional Centre) Pte Ltd

“Shillong is now the Theatre of North-East football” – Lajong general secretary Larsing Ming Interview

Lajong general secretary Larsing Ming (far right)

Rangdajied United have become the second club from Shillong (Meghalaya) to qualify for the I-League as a 3-1 win over Mohammedan Sporting on Saturday saw them win the 2013 second division and book a place in the 2013-14 I-League.
This Shillong club which was formed as Ar-Hima in 1987 will be appearing in Indian football’s top flight for the first time. It is truly a dream come true for the entire club management and their fans and local rivals Shillong Lajong are also full of praise.
Back in 2009, Lajong created history by not only becoming the first Shillong team to play in the I-League but they were also the first club from the North-East region to play in India’s premier club competition.
Lajong general secretary Larsing Ming has played a big role in the club’s rise in the Indian football ladder and he is delighted to see another Shillong club qualify.
“It’s great news for Indian football to have a club like Rangdajied United in the I-League. I think their qualification and the return of a big club like Mohammedan Sporting is very positive for our domestic game. Of course their (Rangdajied United) promotion is even greater for Shillong and the entire North-East. It certainly cements Shillong’s place as one of the rising hubs of Indian football,” Ming told Sportskeeda.
The 2012-13 I-League saw the first instances of a North-East derby as Shillong Lajong and United Sikkim clashed. United Sikkim were unfortunately relegated in their debut season but Rangdajied United’s promotion ensures next season there will be a battle not only for North-East supremacy but also to win the bragging rights of Shillong and Ming is excited by that prospect.
“I think it is very important to have more and more clubs from the North-East in the I-League as it gives a great chance to youngsters from the region to play at the very highest level. Of course the Shillong derby will be a fantastic occasion not only for the city but the whole competition and we are very much looking forward to it,” Ming added.
So can Shillong be called the new ‘Mecca’ of North-East football? Ming’s reply was, “I think Shillong can be called the Theatre of North-East football but Manipur remains the Mecca!”
Ming however stated that while the challenge to be Shillong’s best will be exciting, it is more important for his club to keep improving and maintain their status in the I-League for years to come.
“It’s great for us to have one of our local rivals in the I-League but our priority will be to remain in it and get stronger in the coming years because we have seen that even clubs like Dempo, Churchill Brothers, Salgaocar and most recently Mohammedan Sporting have failed to maintain their status in the top division. Of course first we have to be safe this season as mathematically we are not there yet,” he opined.

By : Amoy Ghoshal

Source: sportskeeda.com

Ralte breaks the deadlock, EB reach pre-quarters

East Bengal stormed into the pre-quarterfinals of AFC Cup after their 2-1 win over Singapore giants Tampines Rovers in a Group H league match on Tuesday.
The Federation Cup champions led 1-0 at half-time with Chidi Edeh's 23rd minute strike on a hot and muggy afternoon at the Yubabharati Krirangan. The Singapore league leaders found the equaliser through Shaiful Esah in the 69th minute.
But East Bengal had the last laugh when Lalrindika Ralte fired in the winner in the 87th minute. The red-and-gold brigade remained on top position in Group H with 10 points from four matches to almost seal their last 16 knock-out berth. This was East Bengal's second successive win against the defending S-League champions after their 4-2 win in Singapore last week.
Churchill eye away win
Singapore: Churchill Brothers would look to seal their first away win when they take on Warriors FC in a crucial AFC Cup group match on Wednesday. The side has been bolstered by the return of their star striker Sunil Chhetri, who was granted a visa at the last minute after Sports Authority of India asked Ministry of External Affairs to intervene.
A win for Churchill against their opponents, whom they had beaten 3-0 in the home leg in Pune on April 2, would keep them in the hunt for a pre-quarterfinal berth. Churchill are third in the group with four points from three matches.
Chhetri and Arezou are expected to reach early on the match day and they will be available for the Group E match, but the team management will have to take a call on whether the duo would be played or not since they will miss the team practice.
"I will have to take a decision if they can start the match since they might be experiencing jet lag. We have some important matches coming up in our domestic league and to be honest we have not played a full strength squad in any of our AFC Cup matches since our first target is to win I-League," said Technical Director, Subhash Bhowmick, at the pre-match press conference.
"Chhetri will not want to sit on bench, so I will most probably rest Arezou. But I do hope to rest Chhetri and get him ready for our game against Dempo," he said.
"The boys are proud to represent their country in such a prestigious continental tournament but we have to maintain a balance so as to not hamper our chances of winning the I-League. I am satisfied with our performance in AFC Cup so far with four points from three matches," he added.

Ralte breaks the deadlock, EB reach pre-quarters

East Bengal stormed into the pre-quarterfinals of AFC Cup after their 2-1 win over Singapore giants Tampines Rovers in a Group H league match on Tuesday.

The Federation Cup champions led 1-0 at half-time with Chidi Edeh's 23rd minute strike on a hot and muggy afternoon at the Yubabharati Krirangan. The Singapore league leaders found the equaliser through Shaiful Esah in the 69th minute.

But East Bengal had the last laugh when Lalrindika Ralte fired in the winner in the 87th minute. The red-and-gold brigade remained on top position in Group H with 10 points from four matches to almost seal their last 16 knock-out berth. This was East Bengal's second successive win against the defending S-League champions after their 4-2 win in Singapore last week.

Churchill eye away win

Singapore: Churchill Brothers would look to seal their first away win when they take on Warriors FC in a crucial AFC Cup group match on Wednesday. The side has been bolstered by the return of their star striker Sunil Chhetri, who was granted a visa at the last minute after Sports Authority of India asked Ministry of External Affairs to intervene.

A win for Churchill against their opponents, whom they had beaten 3-0 in the home leg in Pune on April 2, would keep them in the hunt for a pre-quarterfinal berth. Churchill are third in the group with four points from three matches.

Chhetri and Arezou are expected to reach early on the match day and they will be available for the Group E match, but the team management will have to take a call on whether the duo would be played or not since they will miss the team practice.

"I will have to take a decision if they can start the match since they might be experiencing jet lag. We have some important matches coming up in our domestic league and to be honest we have not played a full strength squad in any of our AFC Cup matches since our first target is to win I-League," said Technical Director, Subhash Bhowmick, at the pre-match press conference.

"Chhetri will not want to sit on bench, so I will most probably rest Arezou. But I do hope to rest Chhetri and get him ready for our game against Dempo," he said.

"The boys are proud to represent their country in such a prestigious continental tournament but we have to maintain a balance so as to not hamper our chances of winning the I-League. I am satisfied with our performance in AFC Cup so far with four points from three matches," he added.