I-League champions, Aizawl FC, appoints Portuguese Paulo Menezes as Head Coach

Aizawl FC, Indianfootball, Football, Mizoram, Aizawl, India, Soccer, Portugal, Spain, Coach, Manger, Paulo Menezes, i-leaguePortuguese coach Paulo Menezes ​appointed as the manager of I-League champions, Aizawl FC for the 201​7/18​ season.

​Paulo was part of the coaching setup which masterminded the triumphs of the invincible Spanish National Team in the Confederations Cup, FIFA World Cup and European Championship during its golden era (2013 to 2016).

“When my representatives,  Trebol Sports Internat​ional ​informed me about this opportunity, I did not even think twice about it. ​​I have learnt about Indian football since 4 years ago and I have spoken to many people about it and how much it has grown over the years.  I want to be part of this and Aizawl FC is right at the heartbeat of this crescendo of development”.

The 39-year-old Portuguese acknowledged that Indian clubs have improved a lot during the past few years but in order to reach the pinnacle, they need to to adopt the organizational structure of a European club.

“Clubs must be receptive to the idea of developing many departments- scouting, marketing and the most important thing, a youth academy.

​I believe that in order to be the best club in the country or this region, it is a must to build a strong academy. From the junior to the senior teams, they must adopt the same game model and tactical system so that there is consistency of play throughout all levels. The assimilation of youth players to a senior level will then become a seamless process”.

As a former Vicente del Bosque’s coaching staff, it is no surprise that Paulo adopts the same football philosophy as the fearsome La Roja.

“​I will like my players to play the offensive game with a high level of ball possession so that they can create many scoring chances.  Depending on the game situation, we will vary the tempo of our attack but the main focus is on ball rentention”.

Besides plans to impose his Model of Game on the team and improve the club footballing structure, the former World Cup winner is also interested in developing the capabilities of the local players.

“I will like to help the players improve their skills- be it technically or tactically, so they can become more competitive and maintain a strong mentality before and during the game.  ​I believe I can contribute to Indian football by getting as many of the  local players into the National Team as possible.  I derive an immense sense of pride whenever I see my players put on their national colours.”

Pending his visa approval, Paulo is expected to arrive in Aizawl early next week to assume his new role.

Santosh Trophy 2017 : Final Round – Groups, Fixtures & Results

Santosh Trophy 2017, Goa, final round, March, Services, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Chandigarh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Railways, PunjabSantosh Trophy 2017 : Final Round is held Goa.

Venue:

Matches will be played at Navelim ground, Tilak Maidan and GMC Bambolim grounds in Goa.

Group A: Services, Goa, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Chandigarh
Group B: Kerala, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Railways, Punjab

 

Matches Group A :

Date Schedule Results
Mar. 12
Chandigarh vs West Bengal 0-1
Mar. 12 Meghalaya vs Goa 1-2
Mar. 14
West Bengal vs Services 1-0
Mar. 14 Chandigarh vs Meghalaya 2-1
Mar. 16
Services vs Chandigarh 1-0
Mar. 16 Goa vs West Bengal 0-0
Mar. 18 Goa vs Chandigarh 1-1
Mar. 18
Meghalaya vs Services 2-0
Mar. 20 West Bengal vs Meghalaya
Mar. 20 Services Goa

Points Table Group A :

Team MP W D L GF GA GD Points
 West Bengal 3 2  1 0 2  0 +2 7
 Goa 3 1 2 0 3 2 +1 5
 Chandigarh 4 1 1 2 3 4 -1 4
 Meghalaya 3 1 0 2 4 4 0 3
Services 3  1 0 2 1 3 -2 3

Matches Group B :

Date Schedule Results
Mar. 13 Mizoram vs Maharashtra 3-1
Mar. 13 Punjab vs Railways 2-1
Mar. 15 Railways vs Kerala 2-4
Mar. 15 Punjab vs Mizoram 0-0
Mar. 17 Kerala vs Punjab 2-2
Mar. 17
Maharashtra vs Railways 0-1
Mar. 19 Maharashtra vs Punjab
Mar. 19 Mizoram vs Kerala
Mar. 21 Railways vs Mizoram
Mar. 21 Maharashtra vs Kerala

Points Table Group B :

Team MP W D L GF GA GD Points
Punjab  3 1 2  0 4  3 +1 5
Kerala 2 1 1  0 6 4 +2 4
Mizoram 2 1 1  0 3 1 +2 4
Railways 3 1 0 2 4 6 -2 3
Maharashtra 2 0 0 2 1 4 -3 0

Semi final :

Date Schedule Results
Mar. 23 Win. Group A vs Run. Group B
Mar. 2 Win. Group B vs Run. Group A

Final :

Date Schedule Results
Mar. 26 Win Semi 1 vs Win Semi 2

Should Aizawl FC be relegated?

Aizawl FC, North East, Football, Mizoram, Aizawl, I-league, Relegation, Gowth, development

Before Aizawl FC played their first I-league match against Mohun Bagan,  I had not seen them play ever. Against Bagan, under their Spanish coach, Manuel Retamero Fraile, they played some amazing football. Short crisp passing and movement, which is not a very usual sight in Indian football.  Even though they lost the match 3-1, they did not look like a team who were newly promoted and looked like a solid unit. Joy to watch but not efficient enough. For all that flair and style, Aizawl was not able to convert their chances. When they played at home, matches were sold out and got good support all through the league. Eventually, they fell short and is about to get the boot from I-league. But do they really deserve to be relegated?

Should have been more ambitious and pragmatic?

Aizawl played good football but they lacked a good striker to convert those chances. It was clear that they wouldn’t have escaped relegation without some quality players. But instead of recruiting some players, they went ahead and sacked their coach.

Aizawl under Manuel Retamero Fraile : L D L W L L
Aizawl under Jahar Das : D W L D L W L D L W

As evident, their fortunes did not change drastically even after they replaced their coach. Under Jahar Das, AFC did add Joel Sunday, a Nigerian striker who scored quite a few goals for them. However, I feel they should have retained their Spanish coach and should have added some more quality players to their side. If I-league players were too costly, they should have checked for some 2nd division players. Some more quality in their squad would have definitely helped their case.

Should Aizawl FC stay up?

The northeastern region in India is currently the hotbed of Indian football, especially Mizoram. They have a very promising set up in the state in terms of league and development. No wonder there are over 40 players from Mizoram playing in I-league. This was not achieved overnight. It is the fruition of a dedicated effort over the years – the results are there to show. Mizoram’s Santosh trophy win in 2014 and their victory at the National Games is a testament to that commitment. Aizawl FC’s entry into I-league after topping the 2nd division is a gradual and logical progression in Mizoram’s football journey. The question is should we have to forcefully halt that progression?

Over the last few years, we have had many clubs coming in and going out of I-league, especially from North East. If Rangdajied was thrown out, Royal Wahindoh decided to shut down their senior team after a swashbuckling appearance in I-league. And now Aizawl is on the brink of relegation. Whatever the reasons are, this is some serious injustice to clubs from the North East where football is undergoing considerable growth and is a huge market.

Resources of these clubs from North East might not match with others in the league, but what they have is sheer passion and commitment towards the sport. Take Royal Wahingdoh for example. They withdrew from I-league, but they have been a strong presence in the U-15 League, of which they were the runners-up after going down to Minerva on penalties.

If we are to reward the North East region and their football, instead of being a destructive force, stakeholders in Indian football should handhold these clubs to success. That could only lead to more aspiring clubs from North East to vie for spots in I-league and 2nd division.

The latest edition of I-league was a nine-team affair after Royal Wahindogh and Bharat FC backing out. If Aizwal is retained in the league and with another team promoted from the 2nd division, the number of teams in the I-league for the next edition could be a respectable ten.

As the data from the poll, I conducted on FNI suggests, a lot of fans are in favor of Aizawl FC staying up in the league. It’s time the voices are heard out loud and clear – let’s hope someone is taking a note.

Santosh Trophy 2016 : Final Round – Groups & Fixtures

Santosh Trophy, 2016, Nagpur, final round, February, West Bengal, Railways, Services, Assam, Mizoram, Goa, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Jammu & KashmirSantosh Trophy 2016 : Final Round will be held Nagpur. Two teams qualified from the zonal qualifiers are grouped into two groups.

Venue:

Matches will be played at South East Central Ralway ground in Motibagh and Nagpur University ground

Group A: Services, Mizoram, Jammu & Kashmir, Railways, Maharashtra
Group B: Punjab, Tamilnadu, West Bengal, Assam Goa

 

Matches Group A :

Date Schedule Results
Feb. 29 Mizroam vs Railways 1-1
Feb. 29 J & K vs Maharashtra 1-3
Mar. 02
Services vs J & K 1-0
Mar. 02 Maharashtra vs Railways 3-0
Mar. 04
Mizoram vs Maharashtra 0-1
Mar. 04 Railways vs Services 0-2
Mar. 06 Maharashtra vs Services 0-1
Mar. 06
J & K vs Mizroam  1-4
Mar. 08 Railways vs J & K  1-2
Mar. 08 Services Mizroam  1-

Points Table Group A :

Team MP W D L GF GA GD Points
Maharashtra 4 3 0 1 7 2 5 9
Services 4 3 0 0 5 2 3 9
Mizoram 4 2 1 1 7 4 3 7
J & K 4 1 0 3 4 9 -5 3
Railways 4 1 0 3 4 9 -5 1

Matches Group B :

Date Schedule Results
Mar. 01 Tamil Nadu vs Assam 3-0
Mar. 01 West Bengal vs Goa 1-3
Mar. 03 Punjab vs West Bengal 0-1
Mar. 03 Goa vs Assam 1-0
Mar. 05 Tamil Nadu vs Goa 0-0
Mar. 05
Assam vs Punjab 0-2
Mar. 07 Goa vs Punjab 1-0
Mar. 07 West Bengal vs Tamil Nadu  0-1
Mar. 09 Assam vs West Bengal 1-5
Mar. 09 Punjab vs Tamil Nadu 0-5

Points Table Group B :

Team MP W D L GF GA GD Points
Tamil Nadu 4 3 1 0 7 0 7 10
Goa 4 3 1 0 5 1 4 10
Bengal 4 2 0 2 7 5 2 6
Punjab 4 1 0 3 2 7 -5 3
Assam 4 0 0 4 1 9 -8 0

Semi final :

Date Schedule Results
Mar. 11 Tamil Nadu vs Maharashtra  0-1
Mar. 11 Services vs Goa 1-0 (ET)

Final :

Date Schedule Results
Mar. 13 Maharashtra vs Services 2-1

Mizoram Announce Santosh Trophy 2014-15 Squad

Mizoram, Football, Association, MFA, Soccer, Santosh Trophy, Assam, 2014, 2015Mizoram announced their 20 players squad for the 69th National Football Championships for the Santosh Trophy. The north-east zone matches will be played in Morigaon, Assam.

The seven states of North east India have been divided into two groups. Group A is consists of Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh while Group B consists of three states – Mizoram, Meghalaya and Tripura.

Team :

Gks : Lalawmpuia, Malsawmtluanga

Defs: Ronald Zothanzama, Zothanpuia, Lalrinchhana, Lalrinzuala Khiangte, Lalruatthara , C Lalrosanga

Mid: Samson Ramengmawia, Ricky Lallawmawma, Lalruatdika, Lalbiakhlua, H. Lalmuankima, Johny Lalfakzuala, Laldingngheta

Fwds :  Lalruatfela Zote, Joseph Lalnunpuia, F. Lalrinpuia, Malsawmfela, Lalrinfela

Officials :
H. Vanltlathlanga (Coach), H.C. Zarzoliana (Assistant Coach), Lalbiakzuala (Manager)

Glittering function marks Mizoram Premier League’s third season return

Mizoram Premier League, Football, Mizoram, League, Chanmari West FC, Dinthar FC, Reitlang FC, Bethlehem Vengthlang FC, Aizawl FC, Chanmari FC, Mizoram Police FC, Lunglei FC, North East, Soccer, MPL The 16th of September brought with it the much awaited kicking off ceremony of Mizoram premier league Season 3 with the President of Mizoram Football Association Mr. Lalthanzara doing the honours. Attendants of this ceremony were serenaded with songs by two local artists TBC-a and Feli Fanai while K.Vanlalruata hosted the ceremony.

Mizoram Premier League, Football, Mizoram, League, Chanmari West FC, Dinthar FC, Reitlang FC, Bethlehem Vengthlang FC, Aizawl FC, Chanmari FC, Mizoram Police FC, Lunglei FC, North East, Soccer, MPL The Captains of each club partook in oath-taking led by Mr. PC Vanlalhruaia, Senior Advisor of the MFA and Chairman of Mizoram Premier League Board. Everybody’s attention then turned to the beautiful Mizo models who walked on stage sporting the jerseys of the different clubs.

Mizoram Premier League, Football, Mizoram, League, Chanmari West FC, Dinthar FC, Reitlang FC, Bethlehem Vengthlang FC, Aizawl FC, Chanmari FC, Mizoram Police FC, Lunglei FC, North East, Soccer, MPL Mr. Lalthanzara also spoke about the progress of football in Mizoram, and highlighted the recent achievements of Mizoram Football Team. He also mentioned that the MFA is at present taking many measures to ensure the success of Coca Cola Under 14 tournament, and also talked of the great rapport shared by the MFA with the Assam Rifles, who are the authority over AR Lammual where Mizoram premier league matches are being played.

MPL will kick off on September 18. The following eight clubs will be participating in the League which will be sponsored by local businesses Samsung 3:16 Plan Solution, Nivia and NetSurf. :-

  • Chanmari West FC
  • Dinthar FC
  • Reitlang FC
  • Bethlehem Vengthlang FC
  • Aizawl FC
  • Chanmari FC
  • Mizoram Police FC
  •  Lunglei FC

Content and Picture Source :  http://www.inkhel.com/index.php/football/tualchhung/item/8237-mpl-returns-for-its-third-season-with-a-spectacular-kick-off

Santosh Trophy Final Round Fixtures and Results

Santosh Trophy, Football, South Zone, North-East Zone, East Zone, West Zone, North ZoneThe zonal preliminary rounds of Santosh Trophy 2014 concluded on 4th February and ten teams from different zones qualified for the final round to be held in Siliguri starting from 24th February. See the results from the Zonal Qualification Round here.

Ten teams that qualified are divided in two groups – A & B

Group A :

Uttarakhand, Mizoram, Kerala, Services, Maharashtra

Group B :

Railways, West Bengal, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Goa

Group A Fixtures :

Date : 24th February

 

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Date : 26th February

 

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Date : 28th February

 

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Date : 02nd March

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Date : 04th March

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Group B Fixtures :

Date : 25th Feb

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Date : 27th Feb

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Date : 01st Mar

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Date : 03rd Mar

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Date : 05th Mar

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Manipur Announce Squad for Santosh Trophy

Manipur, football, Indianfootball, North EastAll Manipur Football Association (AMFA) has announced the squad for Santosh trophy.

Selected players are L Premkumar Singh (LANGSNING), T Khongsai (NEROCA), Ch Kumar Singh (TRAU), Thangthang Kom (SSB), Y Krishnakumar (CRPF), Th Itomba Singh (NISA), Daniel L Hmar (TRAU), A Herojit Singh (Trugpu), Md Sohail Shah (NEROCA), Thang Kuki (AR), Md Shidur Rehman (SSU), L Gouro Singh (NEROCA), MD Imran Khan (SSU), Md Riyas Khan (SSU), N Sushil Meetei (NEROCA), Christopher Kamei (NISA), Kh Naoton Singh (ZFC), Th Premkumar (TRAU), L Sanatomba (NISA), Kh Satish (NEROCA).

Manipur will take part in the zonals of 68th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy (NE zone) to be held at Aizawl, Mizoram.