SAFF – Football News India

India thrash Nepal 6-0 to become 3rd time SAFF Champions

November 21, 2014 footballnewsindia Leave a comment

Indian women’s football team put on a splendid performance to thrash Nepal 6-0 in the finals to lift the cup the third time in a succession. Bala Devi scored four goals for India in the finals.

After a relatively slow start to the match, India started their goal glut by the 26th minute through Kamala Devi. From then on the hapless Nepal team wilted under Indian dominance. In the last five minutes of the first half, Bala Devi struck twice as India lead 3-0 at halftime.

Within two minutes into the second half India scored again through Romi Devi. From then on, India scored at will till the final minutes taking the tally to half a dozen goals. Bala Devi doubled her tally to four in the match by scoring in the 51st and 92nd minute of the match.

India was in Group A of the tournament along with Bangladesh, Maldives and Afghanistan. In the group matches India defeated Maldives 8-0, Bangladesh 5-1, Afghanistan 12-0. And in the semi finals they routed Sri Lanka 5-0.

India Squad Finals :

INDIA XI: Roshni, Supriya, Radharani, Ashalata, Umapati, Indumathi, Bembem (c), Prameshwori, Mandakini, Bala, Kamala. #SAFFChampionship

— AIFF (@AiffMedia) November 21, 2014

India played 5 matches, scored 36 goals and conceded one. Baladevi who has been in terrific form had earlier told the Pakistan media that her target is to score 16 goals in the tournament. In fact she did achieve her target and 16 goals is the highest tally in a single edition of the championship, since its inception in 2010.

Video : Interview with Zohib Islam Amiri, Afghanistan captain and Mumbai FC defender

September 28, 2013 footballnewsindia Leave a comment

Watch this excellent interview with Zohib Islam Amiri, Afghanistan captain and Mumbai FC defender, where he talks about winning SAFF Championship, his opinion on Indian football, how was it to live in Afghanistan as a child and so on.

Due to credits to Firstpost.com on this excellent interview.

Also make sure you read this excellent transcript of the whole interview : Running from bombs: The stunning story of Afghan footballer Zohib Amiri

Indianfootball

Sandjar Ahmadi, Afghanistan international joins Mumbai FC

September 28, 2013 footballnewsindia Leave a comment

Image Courtesy : http://www.ndr.de/

There were reports about Mumbai FC being in talks with Sandjar Ahmadi, the Afghan international who was playing for the German side – SC Vier-und Marschlande. Yesterday it became obvious when Zohib Islam Amiri, Afghanistan captain and Mumbai FC defender put a picture of him and Sandjar on his Facebook page, taken from Mumbai.

I cross checked with Zohib and he confirmed that Sandjar Ahmadi has in fact joined the Mumbai outfit. Sandjar plays as a winger and impressed with his good performances at the recently concluded 2013 SAFF championship. He also scored two crucial goals in the championship, the solitary goal against Nepal in the semifinal that took Afghanistan to the finals and the second goal that sealed the final against India.

At 21 years, Sandjar Ahamadi is a good addition to the Mumbai FC squad and Zohib’s presence in the Mumabi FC squad would have definitely influenced his decision to join the Mumbai outfit.

Indianfootball

Alberto Colaco to join Dempo SC as General Secretary

September 15, 2013 footballnewsindia Leave a comment

Image Courtesy : TOI

Alberto Colaco, the former All India football Federation general secretary will join Dempo SC as the general secretary. The Gen. Sec post has been vacant at the club since After Armando Colaco, who was the the coach-cum-Gen. Sec at the club ended his contract after the last season.

Alberto Colaco is the only Indian to win Asian Football Confederation’s Distinguished Service Gold Star Award. There was also allegations that he himself nominated for the award.

Indianfootball

Video : India’s missed goal scoring chances in the SAFF Championship final

September 13, 2013 footballnewsindia Leave a comment

Afghanistan goal keeper’s scintillating display and out ineptness in front of goal. Here is the video evidence.

Indianfootball

Things can only get worse for Indian football

September 13, 2013 footballnewsindia Leave a comment

While our South Asian peers are making fast strides in terms of their development in football, India seems to be stuck in a time warp. This excellent article says things can only get worse for Indian football if the ruling body – AIFF doesnt address the larger picture.

Poor finishing was India’s problem says Baichung Bhutia

September 13, 2013 footballnewsindia Leave a comment

Image Courtesy : www.thehindu.com

Baichung said India played very good football in the semifinal and final of SAFF championship but poor finishing was our problem. He also stressed the need for longer preparatory camps.

Indianfootball

Kushal Das sings praise of the Indian football team

September 13, 2013 footballnewsindia Leave a comment

Image Courtesy: http://gulfnews.com/

Yesterday it was the turn of legends to go trigger happy criticizing Indian coach over the SAFF Cup debacle, AIFF Secretary is probably the lone voice who is supporting the Indian football team who lost to Afghanistan. He even went to an extent saying that in a long time, this has been the best performance from an Indian team!