Tag: Soccer

Bharat FC is here! The New I-league Club from Pune

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ileague, pune, football, kalyani group, Bharat fc, Soccer, stuart watkiss, Santley Rozario The Kalyani Group on Sunday launched their football club named “Bharat FC”. The Group unveiled the name and philosophy of its football cluband launched the club-crest during a press conference at the city’s JW Marriot. The unveiling of the name and the club-crest was done by AmitKalyani, Executive Director Kalyani Group, KunalAgarwal, Director Bharat FC along with Stuart Watkiss and Stanly Rozario, the head-coach and assistant coach of Bharat FC respectively.

The club crest celebrates the spirit of People’s Club featuring the iconic India Gate monument with a majestic lion striding powerfully through it and a football graphically developed to show people standing in a huddle. All of this coming together to be part of a royal shield impressively forming the club crest in striking red and blue colours.

Elaborating on the Philosophy of the team, AmitKalyani said that, “The very ethos of Bharat FC is rooted in being a People’s Club. It is India’s Club based in Pune.And this philosophy is instrumental in giving its elements to the club-crest and its baseline “Together. Forever.Triumphant.” He added that “Though we are the Puneri team, the idea of spreading the magic and joy of football all through our country was foremost on our minds. Bharat FC aims not just to be Pune’s favourite team but one that all of India can identify with and follow.”

Talking about the way forward, Amit Kalyani,added that, “We will focus on all aspects of football and going forward we will look at further enhancing the youth development and grass root programs. We are looking at bringing talent from India and abroad and adopt best practices for building a strong foundation for Bharat FC.”

Stuart Watkiss, who has been appointed as head-coach of the team, said that it was the Kalyani Group’s pursuit of excellence that drew him towards the club. “We look to promote excellence and a deep sense of commitment on the football pitch. These two values are very close to the Kalyani Group’s heart and we hope to translate the same on the pitch. Building a club from scratch, assembling a competitive team, playing attractive and effective football are our current goals and we will be going all out to achieve them,” he said.

Kunal Agarwal, Director Bharat FC, said that the chance to construct an ultra-professional football club, one able to hold its own with the best in Asia was the clinching factor behind him coming on board. “Raising the bar for football clubs in India is something that has always been a passion for me. A well-managed, professional club can offer a lot of benefits for society as a whole apart from serving as a catalyst for the growth of the standard of football in India. I believe that Bharat FC gives us the opportunity to build a family that would strive to deliver a lot more beyond football to the entire community so everyone can share the success,” he said.

Bharat FC will start its games with the I-League slated to start in January 2015. Bharat FC will be playing its home games at Balewadi stadium in Pune.

Logo Philosophy

The club-crest has iconic India Gate monument representing the knowledge, sacrifice and wisdom that has gone into making India the glorious and diverse country that it is. The India Gate is crowned by a football that has been graphically developed to show people standing in a huddle, symbolizing the unity and teamwork that will be the cornerstones of Bharat FC. The lion beneath India Gate has been integrated to symbolize the courage, grace and athleticism which will be the hallmarks of the team. All the three elements have been contained within a royal shield which signifies the resolve and steadfastness of the football club as well as the Kalyani Group.

The primary colours in the club-crest of Bharat FC are red and blue. Red signifies passion, activity and a vigorous impatience to move forward all the time. Blue epitomizes truth and loyalty, two qualities that have always been a very integral part of the Kalyani Group’s philosophy and will be important pillars in Bharat FC as well.

About Kalyani Group

The Kalyani Group, established in mid 1960s, is an Indian multi-national with high technology, engineering & manufacturing capability across critical sectors such as Engineering Steel, Automotive, Industrial, Renewable Energy, Urban Infrastructure and Specialty Chemicals. Guided by visionary leadership of Mr BN Kalyani, Group Chairman, with strong emphasis on market leadership through technology and it’s over 10,000 strong engineering global workforce, the group today is a market leader in all its respective business segments.

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

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India, Nepal, Womens, SAFF, Indianfootball, Bangladesh, Maldives, Afghanistan, Bala Devi, Manipur, South Asia, Womens Football, SoccerIndian 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 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.

 

Kerala to kick start beach football league

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Kerala, Football, beach football, professional league, Soccer,Kerala Football association along with Kochi based ESA media will organise the state’s first professional beach football league in Kozhikode in May 2015. Christened Kerala Beach League, the first of its kind league in the state will feature five teams, from Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Kannur in the first season. There will be a Men’s league and women’s league.

The logo of the tournament was unveiled in Kochi by Kerala Football Association president  K. M. A. Mather and ESA Media CEO J. B. Mathews on Friday. The league which is modeled on the Indian Super league will be feature five franchises in the first season. A team will consist of ten players with three foreigners allowed in each team. The five-a-side matches will be of 40 minutes duration.

KFA president K.M.A Mather who unveiled the logo of the league said that Kerala Beach League is the country’s first professional beach league and is an effort to keep state’s football calendar packed with action for a major part of the year.

Bengaluru FC’s Ashley Westwood interested in national team job

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Image Courtesy : http://i-league.org

Image Courtesy : http://i-league.org

According to a report in Gulf News, Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood has expressed interest in taking up the coaching role of Indian national team. All India Football Federation has to scout for a new manager for the national team after the current coach Wim Koevermans recently stepped down.

Ashely Westwood guided Bengaluru FC to last season’s I-league title. This was a remarkable achievement since it was Bengaluru FC’s debut appearance in India’s top tier league. Previously he has donned the role of assistant coach at English clubs; Portsmouth, Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers.

“If they think I’m good enough then obviously they would have to approach the club, but I don’t really know how that works, I’m just interested in doing a good job for whoever that would be. I’ve studied the opposition throughout India and watched a lot of football and I’ve watched it for a purpose and I’m learning all the time. That’s what I want to keep doing, I want to keep learning and striving and bettering myself, said Ashley Westwood to Gulf News.

Read more : Westwood interested in vacant India job

Wim era ends as Palestine defeats India

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India, Palestine, Football, Soccer, FIFA, Friendly, October, West Bengal, Kanchenjunga, Siliguri, InternationalPalestine, the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup Champions beat India 3-2 in a friendly match that was played at the  Kanchenjunga stadium in Siliguri, on Monday evening. India were leading the match 2-1 at the half time.

India conceded as early as the 8th minute in the match. However Sunil Chhetri and Francis Fernandes scored apiece in the first half as India finished on top. The second half saw Palestine strongly coming back into the match and scoring two goals. Eventually India had to settle with a defeat in the friendly.

As yet another international friendly went by without telecast, fans were very vocal on social media about their displeasure.

Notable was also the complete silence from the ISL media team and the social media channels of ISL teams. Completely oblivious about the match, social media channels of ISL teams went about sharing totally irrelevant content. While this is not a big surprise for us, ISL which claims to take Indian football to another level omitting the national team’s friendly certainly does not bode well for the sport in India. All India Football Federation’s social media channels that used to be very active recently was also missing in action today.

This friendly against Palestine also marked the end of the Dutch coach Wim Koeverman’s stint as the national team’s manager. In the post match presentation ceremony Wim Koevermans confirmed that he is going to step down.

“This was my last match as the coach of the national team and I will not be taking up the post of AIFF’s Technical Director for private reasons,” said the Dutch coach.

Squad for Palestine friendlies announced

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India, Palestine, Football, Soccer, FIFA, Friendly, October, West Bengal, Kanchenjunga, Siliguri, InternationalWim Koevermans has announced a squad of 20 for the upcoming friendlies with AFC Challenge Cup Champions Palestine. Both the matches will take place at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri, West Bengal on October 6 and 9 respectively.

FIFA Ranks  : India – 158, Palestine : 102 [As of Sep 2014]

Palestine football team recently had a setback in their preparations for the upcoming Asian Cup when their coach Jamal Mahmoud resigned citing personal reasons.

Pritam Kotwal of Mohun Bagan is the sole debutant in the 20 member team. Lalkamal Bhowmick, the Mohun Bagan midfielder and Pune FC’s Arata Izumi will make a comeback to the national team.

Squad :

GOALKEEPERS: Subrata Paul, Karanjit Singh, Amrinder Singh.

DEFENDERS: Denzil Franco, Pritam Kotal, Arnab Mondal, Raju Gaikwad, Sandesh Jhinghan, Aiborlang Khongjee, Narayan Das.

MIDFIELDERS: Mehtab Hossain, Lenny Rodrigues, Arata Izumi, Lalkamal Bhowmick, Francis Fernandes, Clifford Miranda, Victorino Fernandes.

FORWARDS: Sunil Chhetri, Robin Singh, Balwant Singh.

STANDBYES: Shilton Paul, Arindam Bhattacharya, Rowilson Rodrigues, Gabriel Fernandes, Seminlen Doungel, Siam Hanghal, Lalrindika Ralte, Thongkhosem Haokip.

Libero Sports India finalists in Football Business Awards 2014

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Libero Sports, Football, Soccer, Football Business Awards, 2014, Business, Awards Libero Sports India Private Limited will become first ever business firm from India to get selected as a finalist for the  annual Football Business Awards.

Libero Sports, a football advisory and player representation firm from India is nominated under the Best Business Serving Football – up to £2m turnover (non professional service) category in the 2014 awards.

Football Business Awards instituted in 2012 is an annual networking and recognition platform involving various partners operating across the globe. The 2014 panel of judges include Kevin Keegan OBE (Former Player and Manager. Football Broadcaster) Alistair Mackintosh
(CEO, Fulham FC), Kenny MacLeod (Commercial Director, Scottish FA) among others.

This is a massive achievement for Libero Sports which was formed in 2010. It has grown considerably by involving in strategic consulting and other areas related to football in India and abroad.

Indian Football team may miss out on Asian Games 2014

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Asian Games, Football, India, Indianfootball, team, south koreaReports are surfacing that the Indian football team may miss out on participating in the upcoming Incheon Asian games 2014. With Indian Olympic Association submitting a bumper list of 900 people including athletes and officials, to the sports ministry for approval for travelling to the Sept. 19-Oct. 4 Games in the South Korean city of Incheon, sports ministry would be forced to prune the list.  

Lacklustre performance against Pakistan in the recently friendlies have also not helped the team’s chances. SAI director Jiji Thomson was in attendance at the Bangalore stadium when the Indian team comprising  mainly under-23 players took on the Pakistan team.  

Jiji Thomoson was quoted in Times of India saying  :

“I am a football fan and I was present at the match. I can only say that the performance was very disappointing,”

If the team is not cleared by the ministry, All India Football Federation would be forced to pay from their pockets to send the team for Asian games 2014. In an article in The Telegraph a senior official is quoted that the government will not bear the cost of the men’s and women’s football teams in the Asian Games 2014.

“A final decision would only be taken after a week, but there is every chance the government would not bear the cost of the men’s and women’s football teams in the Asian Games. Of course, the AIFF (All India Football Federation) can send the team on their own,” 

However this is not the first time that the football team is being forced out of Asian Games by government. In 1990 and 1994 the government had stopped the football team from going for the Asian Games.

Pakistan defeats India – How it panned out on Twitter

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Pakistan football team put up a great show in Bangalore to defeat a shambolic Indian side. India did not have an answer for the two goals Pakistan scored and looked totally lost in most parts of the match.

We went about doing this match review a bit differently. Here we took a look how the match was played out on twitter.


 

World’s Tallest Footballer Kristof Van Hout to Play for Delhi Dynamos

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Delhi Dynamos FC today announced the signing of Belgian Kristof Van Hout for the inaugural season of the Hero Indian Super League. An accomplished goalkeeper, Van Hout played for Belgian powerhouse Kristof Van Hout, Delhi Dynamos, Football, Indian Super League, ISL, IMG, Reliance, Racing Genk, Belgium last season.

With the signing of Van Hout, the New Delhi based club has made a fine addition to one of the most vital positions in football. At 6ft10 (2.08m), he also has the distinction of being the tallest professional football player in the world, making him an imposing figure at the goalpost. At the age of 27, he is at the peak of his footballing prowess and will have plenty to offer to the club.

Van Hout burst on to the scene in 2008, becoming the hero of Kortrijk after saving three penalties in the shootout against league champions Standard Liege to help his team progress to the Quarterfinals. This earned him a transfer to none other than Standard Liege itself, with whom he won the Belgian Cup in 2010-11. Van Hout was on the bench for Liege’s matches in the Champions League, including two games against Premier League giants Arsenal.

In 2012, Van Hout made the move to another Belgian superclub, Racing Genk, one year after the club sold prodigious talent Thibaut Courtois to Chelsea. That season, Van Hout led Genk to a 3rd place finish in the Pro League, earning them a place in the Europa League. He also won his second Belgian Cup.

Van Hout will arrive in Delhi fully fit and raring to go. He featured in the Europa League for Genk as recently as February 27 of this year, playing the full 90 minutes against Russian club, Anzhi Makhachkala.

Commenting on his inclusion in the Delhi squad, Van Hout said, “I am eagerly looking forward to playing in India, which has a sizeable fan following for the game of football. I am confident that it will be an enjoyable and fruitful experience to play in Indian conditions.”

On Van Hout joining the team, Delhi Dynamos FC Coach Harm van Veldhoven said, “Van Hout is a seasoned player, who has contributed immensely to his teams in the past due to his fine goalkeeping skills. We are sure that he will display the same alacrity and judgement when defending Delhi Dynamos’ goalpost. His height is a big advantage, especially in close games that go down to penalty shootouts.”

Kristof Van Hout has added to the already impressive line up of international talent assembled at the Delhi Dynamos under the guidance of fellow countryman Harm van Veldhoven. The club has signed prolific strikers Mads Junker and Morten Skoubo, as well as experienced Belgian defender Wim Raymaekers following their strategic tie up with Feyenoord Rotterdam.

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