Football Special: Sunil Chhetri's Indian Diary

Sunil Chhetri needs no introduction to anybody familiar with Indian and South Asian football. He is the biggest star in the region and the striker was instrumental in India’s recent AFC Challenge Cup triumph.

The 24 year-old recently moved clubs, leaving JCT to join Kolkata giants East Bengal. He enjoyed a goalscoring debut for his new team and if his present record is anything to by, then it will be the first of many.

Always a gentleman and always ready with a smile and a signature for his fans, Sunil has agreed to provide fans in India and around the world with a weekly insight into Indian football, the I-League and the man himself.

"I am a player who works hard and really wants to improve. Whether it is in training or in a game, I like to learn things every day. I just keep working hard and look to improve.

I am inspired by David Villa. He is not big but he is such an effective striker and he makes darting runs into the area that cause such problems for defences. He may not be physically big but he is a powerful striker and I love to watch him.

Of course, I would love to play in Europe like Villa and it all depends where I get an offer from. England would certainly be fine and I have had talks but the stumbling blocks are the work permit restrictions. I have played 75% of India’s games but of course India’s ranking is outside the top 70 in the world.

The problem in India is that when you reach a certain level at an Indian club then it is easy to become stagnated. It is difficult to progress, learn and achieve new things. That is why I want to go to Europe, I want to go to a club where I can learn a lot and achieve more.

There was no problem with JCT. It was a good team and one of best organised clubs in India with good training facilities etc. I had been there for three years and it was just time for a change and that was the only reason. We had some good results and were a good team with good players. We finished second and third and were very proud of what we did.

Coming to East Bengal is very different. There is a huge fan base here and the club has so much potential. We have good players and now we have a good new coach and I am very optimistic about the season ahead.

Scoring in the first game of the season was a great way to start but we know that we have to work hard if we are going to challenge for the title. There are some good teams in India and the standard is improving but there is a long way to go.

We need to become more professional with clubs owning their own stadiums and provide better facilities in training. We need things that European clubs take for granted like swimming pools, gyms and the right diets.

But for the moment, we are focused on bouncing back from our defeat against Mumbai and get back to the top part of the table.

I hope that you will join me over the course of the season."

John Duerden

Source:Goal.com

Safa, Dempo hit with suspensions

A player each of Safa and Dempo will miss their second leg semi-final encounter on October 21.

KUALA LUMPUR: Safa FC of Lebanon and India’s Dempo SC will each have one player suspended when they clash in the second leg of the AFC Cup semi-finals.

Amer Khan of Safa FC will miss the return leg which takes place at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad on October 21, 2008, while Dempo will have to do without Miranda Clifford.

Khan picked up two cautions in previous matches against Perak FC and then Dempo in the first leg. Miranda’s yellow cards came against Home United and Safa.

The Lebanese club won the first leg on October 7 when Hamze Abboud scored the only goal of the match on 90 minutes.

Source:The AFC.com

SYR 1-1 KOR: Lee points to Pakhtakor pitch

Skipper Rim Chang-woo celebrates scoring against Syria at Pakhtakor Stadium, where the Koreans struggled with the unfamiliar pitch according to head coach Lee Kwang-jong.

TASHKENT – Korea Republic coach Lee Kwang-jong felt that his team’s lack of familiarity with the pitch at Pakhtakor Stadium helped contributed to their disappointing 1-1 draw with Syria in their final Group B match in the AFC U-16 Championship on Wednesday.

The Koreans, who had played their previous two matches at MHSK Stadium, fell behind to Mohammad Ali’s opener in the 63rd minute but Rim Chang-woo levelled with a header 10 minutes from time.

"We played our previous two matches at MHSK stadium and the players struggled tonight with the new field conditions," said Lee in the post-match press conference.

"The ground conditions didn't help us as the players needed time to adjust and they had a hard time controlling the ball.

"However, at the end things were good and we managed to score the equaliser.

"We played against a tough opponent today and they gave us a hard time. We previously played against weaker teams than Syria and that's why we scored 14 goals in two matches.

"Syria put pressure on us right from the beginning and we were held back by their players before we adjusted our formation from 4-1-4-1 in the first half to 4-4-2 and things improved for us."

Syria coach Kifork Mardakyan, who made five replacements to the team that defeated India, said that the inexperience of the new players in the game had a detrimental effect on his side.

"We had to make several changes as some of our players carried yellow cards while Mahmoud Saleh and Asaad Al Khadr had slight injuries and we preferred to rest them after securing our place in the knockout stage,” he said.

"The experience of the young boys who played tonight was not good and that led to the draw.

"We controlled the majority of the game but the players didn't have enough experience to hold on to the lead.

"We gave them instructions before the game on how to deal with the dangerous free-kicks of the Koreans but they were not successful in the man-to-man marking and that's why Korea levelled the scores from a free-kick."

Source:The AFC.com

SYR 1-1 KOR: Korea top after late leveller

Goalkeeper Adb Albasit Al Sarut and Lee Jong-ho in an aerial duel during Syria's Group B clash with Korea Republic.

TASHKENT – Korea Republic secured top spot in Group B at the AFC U-16 Championship as a late equaliser by Rim Chang-woo earned them a 1-1 draw against Syria at Pakhtakor Stadium on Wednesday.

After a scoreless first half, Mohammad Ali put the Syrians ahead in the 63rd minute only to see his goal cancelled out when Rim headed home the equaliser with 10 minutes remaining.

The two teams finished the group stage tied on seven points but the vastly superior goal difference of the Koreans meant that they topped their group, setting up a quarter-final meeting with Group A runners-up and hosts Uzbekistan.

The Syrians will face Group A winners Iran in another quarter-final on Sunday.

Syria went on the offensive at the start and created their first chance after only five minutes when Mahmoud Al Maowas’s shot from outside the area went directly at the goalkeeper.

But the Koreans began to assert themselves and had their first chance in the 15th minute when Kim Dong-jin’s cross from the left was headed wide by Lee Jong-ho.

In the 25 minute, the Syrian defence failed to clear a cross from the right by Kim Jin-su which left Son Heung-Min with only the goalkeeper to beat only for the Korean player to shoot straight at Abd Albasit Al Sarut.

Al Sarut continued his heroics three minutes before half-time when he leapt to his right to stop Kim Jin-su’s powerful free-kick.

On the stroke of half-time, Mohammed Radwan Kalaa-jei’s free-kick from the left was cleared by the Korean defence and Nasouh Nkd Hle headed the ball back towards goal, where Kwon Tae-ahn dropped the ball before re-gathering in on the goal-line.

Syria nearly made the breakthrough seven minutes into the second half when Nasouh Nkd Hle found himself with only Kwon to beat but failed to bring the ball under control.

Ahmad Al Kador shot over shortly afterwards but the Syrians finally took the deserved lead three minutes after the hour when Kalaa-jei’s corner from right was turned into the net by Mohammad Ali’s powerful header.

Korea twice hit the woodwork with Nam Seung-woo’s powerful shot in the 72nd minute hitting the right post while Lee Jong-ho also saw his effort hit the frame of the goal three minutes later.

But the Koreans would not be denied in the 80th minute when Kim Jin-su’s long range free-kick was headed home by Rim.

Source:The AFC.com

UZB 2-0 BHR: Gay has mixed emotions

While happy with the 2-0 win over Bahrain Uzbekistan coach Robert Gay knows he faces an injury headache ahead of the quarter-finals.

TASHKENT – Uzbekistan coach Robert Gay was left with mixed emotions after his side’s 2-0 win over Bahrain secured their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC U-16 Championship on Wednesday.

Bobur Abdurakhmonov and Ayubhon Gapparov scored a goal in each half to steer Uzbekistan to their second group win as they joined Iran in the quarter-finals of the competition.

But loss of several key players took the shine off the victory for the Uzbekistan coach.

"We have a long injury list and things don't look promising for our match in the quarter-finals," said Gay.

"We will also miss Akramjon Bahritdinov who is suspended as he received his second yellow card in the tournament today.

"Egor Krimets is out as he wasn't feeling well just five minutes before replacing Bahritdinov, who was injured. We have three days to prepare for the quarter-finals match and hopefully things will improve.

"We had a lot of chances tonight just like we did in the previous matches. However, we couldn't score from all the chances that we had and we must work on this issue.

"We are going to watch the game between Syria and Korea Republic and we will see who we will meet in the quarter-finals. We have enough time to prepare our team for that match and hopefully things will improve."

Bahrain’s Tunisian coach Hosni Zouaoui pointed to mistakes made by his players as the reason the Uzbeks took the win.

"We conceded two easy goals as the Uzbek players were not in a good situation to score," said Zouaoui.

"Uzbekistan took the lead in a critical time and this changed our plans for the game.

"We were planning not to concede any goals in the first half as this would force Uzbekistan to get back to their area. We wanted to make our move in the second half but this didn't happen as we conceded another easy goal.

"Our players were not in a confident mood before the game as they were a little bit afraid. I think that what we lacked today was experience as this was the key reason behind our defeat."

Source:The AFC.com

UZB 2-0 BHR: Hosts rise to the occasion

Uzbekistan midfielder Bobur Abdurakhmonov heads clear in the AFC U-16 Championship hosts 2-0 win over Bahrain.

TASHKENT – Uzbekistan scored a goal in each half to beat Bahrain 2-0 and seal their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC U16 Championship at Pakhtakor Stadium on Wednesday.

Bobur Abdurakhmonov gave the hosts the lead one minute before the break while Oyatullahon Muhiddinov doubled the home side’s lead eight minutes into the second half as Uzbekistan joined Iran as the two qualifiers from Group A in the last eight.

The Uzbeks started brightly and their first real threat came on 11 minutes when Ayubhon Gapparov sent a cross from the left which was headed over by Abdurakhmonov.

Fourteen minutes later the hosts threatened again, this time Abdumutallib Abdullaev went down the right side of the penalty area before firing off a shot from a tight angle that Bahrain goalkeeper Ahmed Abdulrasool did well to keep out.

The tempo of the game dropped until the closing minutes of the half when Uzbekistan went close again, only for Tohirjon Shamshitdinov to see his shot saved by Abdulrasool.

Abdulrasool was on hand a minute later to deny Abdullaev, but as the Uzbeks increased the pressure, Bahrain’s resilience finally broke.

With a minute remaining in the half, Abdullaev somehow managed to steer the ball into the path of Abdurakhmonov while lying on the ground and he found the back of the net with his first-time shot.

Uzbekistan continued their good work after the interval and within eight minutes of the restart they had doubled their advantage when Muhiddinov slotted the ball into the bottom left corner.

It should have been 3-0 on 61 minutes when Abdullaev sent a cross from the left to Gapparov who met the ball with a first-time volley but Abdulrasool saved with his legs.

Abdulrasool made another good save three minutes later when Abdullaev had a powerful shot from distance but the Bahraini goalkeeper pushed the ball away before his defenders cleared the danger.

Needing to win to progress, Bahrain finally went on the attack and should have scored on 69 minutes but Ali Muneer’s volley from close range was straight into the arms of Uzbekistan goalkeeper Oybek Talipov.

Bahrain continued their pressure in the remaining minutes and they nearly claimed a goal with six minutes remaining but a shot from substitute striker Ahmed Isa went wide.

Source:The AFC.com

IRN 4-1 SIN: Doustimehr challenges Iran to maintain momentum

Iran coach Ali Doustimehr believes his team is getting better with each game and wants his players to maintain this momentum.

TASHKENT – Coach Ali Doustimehr has challenged Iran to continue their progress in Sunday’s AFC U-16 Championship quarter-final after winning Group A with a 100% record following a comfortable 4-1 win over Singapore on Wednesday.

Wins over Bahrain and Uzbekistan had already secured Iran’s place in the last eight allowing Doustimehr to rest several players, but his side still delivered a professional performance to hand Singapore their third defeat in as many games.

Mehrgan Golbarg’s first half goal, a spectacular strike from Ali Darvishi, an own goal from Kenneth Chang and late tap-in from Farhad Gholizadeh wrapped up the win, while Muhammad Al-Qaasimy handed Singapore a boost with their first goal of the tournament in the closing stages.

“I have said after each game, each time we play, step-by-step, we are playing better. We must play better in the quarter-final,” said Doustimehr.

“It was not important for us and Singapore as we had already qualified with six points and Singapore could not advance to the next round. But I was pleased as we played very well and did a good job technically and were very strong.”

The only concern for Iran was an ankle injury to Golbarg, who was stretchered off just before the break following a 50-50 challenge, with Doustimehr awaiting results of an MRI scan to determine the extent of the injury.

“I can’t comment about our number six at this stage. The doctor must examine him and we will also wait for the results of the MRI scan to determine what is wrong and if we will be able to play,” added Doustimehr.

“But any team who wants to reach the World Cup must have a good squad and I have several players who can play in each position.”

Singapore’s Japanese coach Masanga Kageyama was happy with his side’s spirited display, but was also pleased to end a tournament which has been riddled with problems.

“Despite the scoreline the team played well, followed my instructions and gave 100%,” he said.

“We needed to respect Iran as they have a very strong attacking team so we focused on defending, but unfortunately we have had so many problems and were without three important players through illness.

“Only one or two of the players in the squad have avoided problems during this tournament after players were in hospital for the first game with fever and diarrhoea.”

Source:The AFC.com

IRN 4-1 SIN: Iran cruise past Cubs

Defender Ali Darvishi (left) and midfielder Pravin Guanasagaran contest possession as Iran and Singapore clash in Tashkent.

TASHKENT –Iran eased to a comfortable 4-1 win against Singapore on Wednesday to head into the quarter-finals of the AFC U-16 Championship with a 100% record after wrapping up Group A.

With a place in the last eight already secured as group winners, Iran dominated from the off and opened the scoring in the first half through Mehrgan Golbarg’s neat close range finish.

Ali Darvishi’s spectacular second half strike, an own goal from Kenneth Chang and a late tap-in from substitute Farhad Gholizadeh wrapped up the win, while Muhammad Al Qaasimy struck Singapore’s first goal of the tournament with a late breakaway.

The only concern for Iran was an injury to Golbarg, who was carried off just before the break with a right ankle injury following a 50-50 challenge.

On a glorious day in the Uzbekistan capital, Kaveh Rezaei should have handed Iran a fifth minute lead, but after skipping clear of the Singapore defence, he saw Muhammad Syazwan produce a full length diving save.

A minute later Ali Heydari rattled the foot of Syazwan’s right hand post before blazing over from the edge of the area and seeing a similar effort helped over the crossbar by the Singapore custodian.

Iran continued to dominate as captain Aghaj Imanighareh drilled wide midway through the first half before Rezaei was denied by Syazwan from close range after pouncing on a loose ball inside the area.

Imanighareh and Mohsen Talebat both had chances before Iran finally opened the scoring 14 minutes before the break as Darvishi’s right wing free-kick was met by the onrushing Golbarg, who gave Syazwan no chance from close range.

Captain Muhammad Muhaymin produced a rare attack for Singapore shortly after, but following a swift counterattack, fired straight at Pedram Yazdani before Golbarg was stretchered off in the closing stages of the first half.

Six minutes after the break Darvishi doubled Iran’s advantage as he picked up the ball 30-yards from goal and drilled a dipping strike over a helpless Syazwan.

Iran added a third as Gholizadeh’s clever pass opened up space for Rezaei inside the area and as the striker’s scuffed shot looked to be heading wide, the ball was bundled over the line by Chang.

Singapore finished the tournament on an upbeat note as substitute Al Qaasimy rounded off a swift counterattack with nine minutes remaining before Gholizadeh tapped home Heydari’s cross at the far post to wrap up the win for dominant Iran.

Source:The AFC.com

IND 1-0 INA: Experience will benefit players, says Toal

India Technical Director Colm Toal said that the experience of participating at the AFC U-16 Championship will have a positive effect on his players.

TASHKENT – Technical Director Colm Toal believes India’s AFC U-16 Championship experience will have a positive affect on his young players as they progress through their careers after they picked up their first points in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Indonesia.

Both India and Indonesia were unable to reach the knockout phase following defeats to group winners Korea Republic and runners-up Syria, but Manandeep’s first half header ensured Toal’s side claimed third place.

“I thought it was a good game,” said the experienced and well-travelled Irishman.

“It is an international match and one we wanted to win and I am pleased that I was able to bring in five or six players to give them experience and also collecting the three points is pleasing.

“We had had two disappointing results, but going home with a win is some consolation.”

India headed into the championship after winning their qualifying group with an unbeaten record and after suffering just one defeat in 15 months following games in Germany, Saudi Arabia, USA and England.

But Toal believes the 5-2 defeat by Korea, the 3-0 defeat by Syria as well as Wednesday’s narrow win will have more of an affect on his players as they step up to under-19 level for next year’s AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers.

“You are always learning about your team and you often learn more when you lose,” he said.

“We arrived with a good record, so when you are winning on a regular basis you are not finding out a lot about your players.

“But these two defeats certainly shocked us and shook their confidence and you could see that we weren’t the team we were before we arrived. But that’s the game.

“The reason we play these games is that 16-year-old boys can get experience, whether good or bad, win or lose, it’s all something that is going to help them.”

Counterpart Mundari Karya was proud of Indonesia’s display as the side, which contained 70% of players making their debuts at this level in Uzbekistan, came close on several occasions to earning a point.

“We are satisfied even though we lost 1-0, we were just unlucky,” he said.

“We had good passing, good penetration, and a lot shots on goal and we hit the post twice and I think we were just unlucky. Even though we lost, we are happy because we lost in the right way.”

SOurce:The AFC.com

IND 1-0 INA: India end on a high note

India (in blue) enjoyed a winning end to their AFC U-16 Championship campaign by edging Indonesia 1-0.

TASHKENT – Manandeep netted the only goal as India edged out Indonesia 1-0 to claim their first AFC U-16 Championship points in Wednesday’s Group B finale at MHSK Stadium.

Manandeep, who was making his first start of the championship, headed home just before the break to hand India the win and third place the group and leave Indonesia pointless.

With only pride to play for after both suffered defeats by quarter-final qualifiers Korea Republic and Syria in their opening games in the Uzbekistan capital, Malsawmfella fired across the face of goal and team-mate Sarkar Tirthankar headed straight at goalkeeper Wahyu Aris as India edged the opening exchanges.

Bayu Fery tested Jayanta Paul from distance at the other end before Indonesia had penalty appeals waved away on the half hour mark as Mario Vava was out-muscled by India defender Vishal Kumar inside the area following a strong run.

Nine minutes before the break Indonesia’s Adi Hendra cut in front the right and surged towards the area, but lost hit footing as he shaped to shoot and sent a rising shot sailing over the crossbar, while at the other end Malsawmfella headed over for India.

Two minutes later India broke the deadlock as Ashish Chettri’s searching ball towards the edge of the Indonesia area drew Aris off his line, but the goalkeeper was left stranded as Manandeep rose above Lestusen Manahati to send a looping header into the back of the net.

Indonesia came within a whisker of equalising six minutes after the break as half-time substitute Iman Bayhaqi picked up the ball in space outside the India area and sent a dipping half volley towards goal, but with Paul rooted to the spot, the effort clipped the outside of the upright.

Bayhaqi continued his lively start to the half two minutes later as he forced Paul to race off his line and smoother at the feet of the onrushing Indonesia striker.

Aris kept Indonesia in the contest just after the hour mark as the custodian saved low at his front post from Malsawmfella after the India striker had cut in from the right and darted towards goal.

Hendra pulled an effort wide from the edge of the area, fired into the side netting from a tight angle and struck the outside of the post as Indonesia fell short of finding an equaliser in the closing stages.

Source:The AFC.com

Yemen awarded 3-0 win against UAE

Action from the UAE-Yemen match which ended in a 1-1 draw. The match has been awarded to Yemen as the UAE fielded an ineligible player.

TASHKENT: The AFC Disciplinary Committee has awarded the AFC U-16 Championship’s Match No 8 which took place on October 5 between Yemen and the UAE and ended in a 1-1 draw, to Yemen 3-0.

This follows the fielding of an ineligible player by the UAE who were also fined USD 4000 by the AFC Disciplinary Committee.

The UAE fielded Abdullah Hadaf Al Amery, who had two cautions from the qualifying stage and consequently suspended for the match against Yemen.

The AFC Disciplinary Committee, while considering an unqualified apology by the UAE team manager, viewed the case against Article 72 combined with Article 32 of the AFC Disciplinary Code to decide on the penalty.

With the 3-0 win, Yemen’s points in Group D have increased to four and they are second in the table after leaders Japan who have six points. The UAE have no points now after the deduction. Malaysia are third with one point.

On Thursday, Yemen take on Japan while the UAE clash with Malaysia.

Source:The AFC.com

Indian and Yemeni suspended

AFC U-16 Championship

TASHKENT: Indian midfielder Ralte Lalrindika and Yemeni defender Boqshan Mohammed Ahmed Ali have each been suspended for one match because of indiscipline on the field during the AFC Under-16 Championship in Uzbekistan.

Lalrindika received a yellow card in India’s 3-0 loss in Group B to Syria on Monday. It was his second yellow card of the tournament, having been cautioned during his side’s 5-2 defeat to Korea Republic on Saturday.

According to AFC regulations, two yellow cards in the same stage means an automatic one-game suspension. As a result, he will miss India’s final group match, against Indonesia, on Wednesday.

Ali was sent off during Yemen’s Group D 1-1 draw against Malaysia on Tuesday after receiving his second booking of the match in the 68th minute.

He receives an automatic one-match suspension and will sit out Yemen’s clash against Japan on Thursday.
Source:The AFC.com