HAL gets back to losing ways

Riding on a huge away support, Shillong Lajong FC put up a spirited performance against HAL and defeated them 1-0. A long awaited win for the team from North-East that came after 5 rounds.

Midfielder, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, scored the goal in the 39^th minute of the match. Interestingly, the goal scorer has a strong Bangalore connection as he did his schooling from Bishop Cottons Boys School. Eugeneson captained Ar Hima last season and then he decided to turn out for an I-League team.

HAL could not do much with the goal, central defender Ramesh took a long time to charge, allowing Eugeneson to penetrate into the box. 

The score line could have been far worse if not for Aircraftmen keeper P Pramod’s nimbleness under the bar, he must have saved at least four goals.

With this win Shillong Lajong now have 21 points from 18 matches while HAL is languishing at the bottom of the table with 6 points from 18 matches.

Eugeneson Lyngdoh was awarded man of the match.

 

Can HAL continue the good work?

Coming from the first win in the season, bottom-placed HAL is all set take on Shillong Lajong FC, who has managed only 2 points from their last 5 rounds.

Post the win, the Aircraftmen looked far more relaxed, which also reflected in their practice session today morning at the match venue. 

Manager M Muralidharan did not reveal much about the game. However, he’ll be missing R C Prakash, out due to double booking.  Also, quite apparent that he is going with the same plan that fetched him three-points. So, that would call for some change in the playing position - left full-back Rohit Chand will go down in the central defense position, defender Biju Kumar will play in the mid-field as a defensive screen, and Deepak Prakash will partner Abdulla Hamza in the forward position.

The North-East representative, Shillong Lajong FC might not have placed in the top-half in I-League, what coach Pradhyum Reddy expects his team to be there. 

The January signings of Aussie Matthew Mayora and Sushil Singh is going to bolster the attack. Lajong, will be missing heavily on midfielder Rennedy Singh, out injured, another player signed on the January transfer window. 

Reddy felt the importance of a Bangalore team in I-league, “Wish HAL stays in I-league, they are a good team, but the result shows otherwise. They played a brilliant game against us in the home match in Manipur, we’re lucky to get 3-points in that game!” 

Shillong Lajong FC coach quips, “We’re here to get 3-points from this match, HAL can win in the rest of the matches!”

Match is slated for tomorrow, February 1, 2012, 3 pm.

BDFA 2011 B Division Team Standing

Table updated - Thursday, February 2, 2012

Total matches played - 18

State football patron Samuel Appaji no more

Samuel Appaji, IAS (retired), patron of Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) has served with distinction the KSFA, as Secretary of the board of control of Bangalore Football Stadium. 

Appaji was instrumental in getting the land on lease from BBMP for constructing the Bangalore Football Stadium. He served the KSFA with utmost integrity and fair-mindedness. 

Samuel Appaji, 9I, is survived by his wife and two daughters. 

The funeral service will be held at 3 pm, St. Mark Cathedral, M G Road. Burial will take place tomorrow, Thursday, January 18, 2012 at Hosur Road Cemetery. 

BDFA B Division Fixtures and Results

Schedule

1. Friday, January 20, 2012, 2 PM: Royals 4 (Shin-17', Akash-23', 43', 45') Vs Goans 2 (DG Prabh-38', John Gilbert-44')
2. Friday, January 20, 2012, 3:30 PM: Sri Gajanana 2 (Alex-18', Madesh-60') Vs Minerva 0
3. Saturday, January 21, 2012, 2 PM: Young Muslims 1 (Hussain-24) Vs Government Press 2 (Raja-28', Vinod-48')
4. Saturday, January 21, 2012, 3:30 PM: Oriental 2 (Arun-49', 62') Vs Bangalore Kickers 7 (Rajith-14', Abhishek-28', Crispin-31', 39', 60', Sandeep-57', 66' )
5. Sunday, January 22, 2012, 8:30 AM: Sun Rising 0 Vs Jupiters 2 (Amaran-2', Harish-40')
6. Sunday, January 22, 2012, 9:45 AM: Jawahar Union 6 (Robin-13', 24', 4', Hariday-31', Wayne-52', Nirav-63') Vs BWSSB 0
7. Sunday, January 22, 2012, 2 PM: Nationals 3 (Wandrpbor-56', 69', Ali-65') Vs Goans 1 (Jhon Gilbert - 58')
8. Sunday, January 22, 2012 4:00 PM: Royals 3 (Shin-10', Akash-16', Murthy-65') Vs Sri Gajanana 2 (Jesuva-8', Saleem-44')
9. Monday, January 23, 2012, 2 PM: Oriental 1 (Emmvel Raj-69') Vs Minerva 2 (Karthick-22', Rohit-27')
10. Monday, January 23, 2012, 3:30 PM: Young Muslims 0 Vs Bangalore Kickers 1 (Abhishek-4')
11. Friday, January 27, 2012, 2 PM: Sun Rising 1 (David-27') Vs Jawahar Union 3 (Nirav-11', Justin-47', 53')
12. Friday, January 27, 2012, 3:30 PM: Government Press 1 (Raju-24') Vs Jupiters 1 (Ramesh Babu-68')
13. Monday, January 30, 2012, 2 PM: BWSSB 0 Vs Nationals 2 (Arun-10', Wandrapbor-46')
14. Monday, January 30, 2012, 3:30 PM: Sri Gajanana 5 (Saleem-2', 22', 38', 46', Josova-24') Vs Oriental 0
15. Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 2 PM: Goans 3 (Dinesh-49', Jhon Gilbert-46', 61') Vs Young Muslims 6 (Vishwajeeth-6', 12', Abhilash-33', 42', Akilash-35', 50')
16. Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 3:30 PM: Bangalore Kickers 1 (Dayananda-49') Vs Royals 2 (Akash-31', Shin-34')
17. Thursday, February 02, 2012, 2 PM: Minerva 1 (Alwin-53') Vs Jupiters 1 (Cothas-23') 
18. Thursday, February 02, 2012, 3:30 PM: Jawahar Union 3 (Robin-28', Atul-51', Nirav-69') Vs Government Press 2 (Sajithkumar-31', Raju-45')
19. Friday, February 03, 2012, 2 PM: Sri Gajanana Vs Bangalore Kickers
20. Friday, February 03, 2012, 3:30 PM: Nationals Vs Sun Rising
21. Saturday, February 04, 2012, 2 PM: Royals Vs BWSSB
22. Saturday, February 04, 2012, 3:30 PM: Goans Vs Oriental
23. Thursday, February 09, 2012, 2 PM: Nationals Vs Government Press
24. Thursday, February 09, 2012, 3:30 PM: BWSSB Vs Young Muslims
25. Sunday, February 12, 2012, 8:30 AM: Jupiters Vs Jawahar Union
26. Sunday, February 12, 2012, 9:30 AM: Sun Rising Vs Minerva
27. Sunday, February 12, 2012, 10:30 AM: Goans Vs Bangalore Kickers
28. Sunday, February 12, 2012, 1:00 PM Royals Vs Oriental
29. Sunday, February 12, 2012, 2:15 PM BWSSB Vs Sri Gajanana
30. Sunday, February 12, 2012, 3:30 PM: Nationals Vs Young Muslims
31. Monday, February 13, 2012, 2 PM: Sun Rising Vs Government Press
32. Monday, February 13, 2012, 3:30 PM: Jawahar Union Vs Minerva
33. Tuesday, February 14, 2012, 2 PM: Goans Vs Jupiters
34. Tuesday, February 14, 2012, 3:30 PM: Nationals Vs Oriental
35. Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 2 PM: BWSSB Vs Bangalore Kickers
36. Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 3:30 PM: Minerva Vs Royals
37. Thursday, February 16, 2012, 2 PM: Jawahar Union Vs Young Muslims
38. Thursday, February 16, 2012, 3:30 PM: Sun Rising Vs Sri Gajanana
39. Friday, February 17, 2012, 2 PM: Jupiters Vs Oriental
40. Friday, February 17, 2012, 3:30 PM: BWSSB Vs Government Press
41. Saturday, February 18, 2012, 2 PM: Goans Vs Sri Gajanana
42. Saturday, February 18, 2012, 3:30 PM: Nationals Vs Royals
43. Sunday, February 19, 2012, 8:30 AM: Bangalore Kickers Vs Minerva
44. Sunday, February 19, 2012, 9:30 AM: Young Muslims Vs Sun Rising
45. Sunday, February 19, 2012, 10:30 AM: Jupiters Vs BWSSB
46. Sunday, February 19, 2012, 1:00 PM Oriental Vs Jawahar Union
47. Sunday, February 19, 2012, 2:15 PM Government Press Vs Goans
48. Sunday, February 19, 2012, 3:30 PM: Sri Gajanana Vs Nationals
49. Monday, February 20, 2012, 2 PM: Royals Vs Government Press
50. Monday, February 20, 2012, 3:30 PM: Young Muslims Vs Minerva
51. Tuesday, February 21, 2012, 2 PM: Jawahar Union Vs Bangalore Kickers
52. Tuesday, February 21, 2012, 3:30 PM: Nationals Vs Jupiters
53. Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 2 PM: BWSSB Vs Goans
54. Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 3:30 PM: Sun Rising Vs Oriental
55. Thursday, February 23, 2012, 2 PM: Young Muslims Vs Sri Gajanana
56. Thursday, February 23, 2012, 3:30 PM: Government Press Vs Minerva
57. Friday, February 24, 2012, 2 PM: Royals Vs Jupiters
58. Friday, February 24, 2012, 3:30 PM: Sun Rising Vs Bangalore Kickers
59. Saturday, February 25, 2012, 2 PM: Jawahar Union Vs Nationals
60. Saturday, February 25, 2012, 3:30 PM: Goans Vs Minerva
61. Sunday, February 26, 2012, 8:30 AM: BWSSB Vs Oriental
62. Sunday, February 26, 2012, 9:30 AM: Sri Gajanana Vs Government Press
63. Sunday, February 26, 2012, 10:30 AM: Young Muslims Vs Jupiters
64. Sunday, February 26, 2012, 1:00 PM Sun Rising Vs Royals
65. Sunday, February 26, 2012, 2:15 PM Bangalore Kickers Vs Nationals
66. Sunday, February 26, 2012, 3:30 PM: Jawahar Union Vs Goans
67. Monday, February 27, 2012, 2 PM: BWSSB Vs Minerva
68. Monday, February 27, 2012, 3:30 PM: Government Press Vs Oriental
69. Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 2 PM: Young Muslims Vs Royals
70. Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 3:30 PM: Bangalore Kickers Vs Jupiters
71. Wednesday, February 29, 2012, 2 PM: Sun Rising Vs Goans
72. Wednesday, February 29, 2012, 3:30 PM: Jawahar Union Vs Sri Gajanana
73. Thursday, March 01, 2012, 2 PM: Minerva Vs Nationals
74. Thursday, March 01, 2012, 3:30 PM: Sun Rising Vs BWSSB
75. Friday, March 02, 2012, 2 PM: Government Press Vs Bangalore Kickers
76. Friday, March 02, 2012, 3:30 PM: Oriental Vs Young Muslims
77. Saturday, March 03, 2012, 2 PM: Jawahar Union Vs Royals
78. Saturday, March 03, 2012, 3:30 PM: Sri Gajanana Vs Jupiters

BDFA B Division starts from Friday

BDFA B Division starts from Friday, January 20, 2012. All the matches will be played at the Bangalore Football Stadium. 

The following teams will be participating in B Division:  

1. Government Press
2. BWSSB
3. Oriental
4. Royals
5. National
6. Young Muslims
7. Bangalore Kickers
8. Jupiter
9. Sri Gajanana
10. Minerva
11. Jawahar Union
12. Goans
13. Sun Rising

Out of thirteen teams the top two teams on points will be promoted to A Division for the 2012-13 season and the bottom four teams on point will be relegated to C Division.

All the B Division matches will be played for 70 minutes duration - 35+10+35.

In case of two or more teams having secured equal number of points, the winner will be decided on the basis of number of goal difference of for and against. Even then it is equal, the team that scores more goals for of
the other team will be the winner. Still it is not decided, the winner will be decided by a toss or a lot.

Sub-Junior National Football Championship, 2011-12

South Zone fixture of the 34th Coca Cola Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy, Sub-Junior National Football Championship, 2011-12.

• Friday, 20 Jan, 2012     Tamilnadu Vs Pondicherry    
• Friday, 20 Jan, 2012     Karnataka Vs Kerala    
• Sunday, 22 Jan, 2012     Pondicherry Vs Karnataka    
• Sunday, 22 Jan, 2012     Kerala Vs Tamilnadu    
• Tuesday, 24 Jan, 2012    Pondicherry Vs Kerala    
• Tuesday, 24 Jan, 2012    Karnataka Vs Tamilnadu

Junior National Football Championship, 2011-12

The 48th Dr. B C Roy Trophy, Junior National Football Championship, 2011-12, Tier 1 & 2 will be held simultaneously at Siliguri, West Bengal and Cuttack, Orissa. The Championship will be played from January 18th to 29th 2012.

Karnataka have been placed in Tier 1. The winner from each tiers will make to the Championship round.

Matches:

• Thursday, 19 Jan, 2012: Karnataka 2 Vs Assam 0
• Saturday, 21 Jan, 2012: Vs Delhi
• Monday 23 Jan, 2012: Vs Manipur

I-league Division 2 qualifiers

The only Bangalore connection in I-League other than HAL, BEML, is all set to take part in the qualifiers of I-league Division 2.

The latest is that the public sector team has been rebranded as KGF Academy - keeping aligned with the AFC guidelines, they’ve dropped their company name. Certainly a positive step in long run and KGF Academy is the first public sector enterprise to achieve this feat.

KGF Academy (erstwhile BEML) had a disappointing outing in the local league last season. They came in 6^th position in a 12-team Super Division League. However, since then, the team is under the tutelage of former star striker, Raman Vijayan. The AFC coaching license B holder, Raman, is trying to build this new team with the promising players. He has retained only 6 players from last season.

KGF academy is placed in Group C along with Mohammedan Sporting, Vasco, Golden Threads, Luangmual FC, Simla Youngs, Langsing FC, and PIFA Colaba.

All the matches in the group leg will be played in Delhi.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the final round. The final round will be played in one of the two venues – Siliguri and Gangtok. After relegating from I-League Division 1, ONGC have been directly seeded into the final round.

• Round 1: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 KGF Academy 1 (Stephen–36') Vs Mohammedan Sporting, Kolkata 4 (Stanley Cyprian–30', Sankar Sil–34', Surabuddin Mullick–54', Alfred K Jaryan–57')
  
• Round 2: Saturday, February 4, 2012 KGF Academy Vs Simla Youngs, New Delhi ()
• Round 3: Tuesday, February 7, 2012 KGF Academy Vs Vasco, Goa
• Round 4: Friday, February 10, 2012 KGF Academy Vs Langsing Sports Club, Meghalaya
• Round 5: Monday, February 13, 2012 KGF Academy Vs Golden Threads, Kerala
  
• Round 6: Thursday, February 16, 2012 KGF Academy Vs PIFA Colaba, Mumbai
  
• Round 7: Sunday, February 19, 2012 KGF Academy Vs Luangmual, Mizoram

Help - looking for an Indian striker

That Alexander Sudovich is gone, just like a goner, HAL has a vacant spot. 

Neither HAL has utilized much of his service, nor could Alexander display much when he was seen for few minutes at the Ban galore Football Stadium. Creating much embarrassment, the highest paid player of Aircraftmen was barely seen playing. 

Shame on the team management! 

The latest however is that the Serbian has been released from the team. That does not mean that HAL will get a replacement of Sudovich in a foreigner (and one doubt team management would be really interested to get one).

The replacement was only possible on medical ground, that too after medically checked by an AIFF appointed doctor. Sudovich was out sick last month due to chicken pox. 

HAL is desperately looking for an Indian striker will pair (or interchange) excessively used Hamza!

A point from Kolkata

HAL held Prayag United to a goalless draw at the Yuba Bharati Krinangan today evening. In a match that lacked any bite only HAL missed a couple of scoring opportunities in Malemn and Vinoth Kumar. 

For Prayag, Josimar Da Silva Martins and Yusif Yakubu came close both once each in the first half, but failed to provide any breakthrough in the second half as both teams had to settle for a 0-0 draw.

Only a point in an away match, but HAL can take lot of positives from today’s match. HAL will go home the happier of the two sides. Prayag United Coach Sanjoy Sen, will be disappointed that his team could not capitalize on an easier opponent at home. 

The draw means HAL picked up only their 3rd draw of the current I-League campaign to take them to 3 points from 14 matches and they remain at the rock bottom on the table. Prayag United SC have 22 points from 14 matches.

Denson Devdas of Prayag United was adjudged man of the match.

A point after 10 rounds, finally!

11th placed Sporting Clube de Goa played a 2-2 draw against bottom placed HAL at the final round of the first leg of I-league.

Is it the different home color in classic diagonal white line or the return of Rohit Chand that helped HAL to collect a point in Round 13 and that came only after a draw they played against Pailan Arrows in Round 3.

In all fairness folks, I’ve have stopped counting all the footballing reasons for HAL’s losses! For sure they played the 2nd half first, and I see that to be a good reason for this result.

As a matter of continuity, striker Hamza carried on his form, my match note says:

• 19’ good cross from Vinoth from the right flank for Hamza, the later attempts a meek backhead.
• 31’ Unbelievable miss by Hamza! From left flank, Malemn backheals to Rohit, cuts through the penalty box, and sets up an excellent cross. Hamza's header goes out.
• 40’ Hamza is all alone inside the penalty box, fumbles bigtime, he had no clue whatsoever. 

I’ve few more on my note, but hey, football is not about an individual player.

Young medio Anthony D’Souza gave a lead to the Flaming Oranje in the 33rd minute of the match. RC Prakash quickly restored parity for the host from a defensive lapse in 38th minute.

HAL made several forays from the flanks, however, the strikers could not take the aerial advantage, they could not convert to goal from the deft crosses. 

After changing ends, HAL looked more determined, they took the lead in the 50th minute from a beautiful 25-yard long range from Gautam Debnath. 

Accurate long ranger from Gautam Debnath

53rd minute and It was again the talented Anthony D’Souza who leveled for the Goan team. Antony was given enough free space by HAL defense, he nicely dribbled past a couple of defenders, and  scored a brace for his club.

Sporting coach Ekendra Singh appeared unhappy due to the match result, he thought his team deserved to win this match. 

Anthony D’Souza was declared the man of the match.

Can HAL overturn the second-half script?

The script has been always perfect for the Aircraftmen till the first half - they put up a brilliant show, and dominate proceedings. Come second half, they concede an early goal, and everything goes haywire. From the close quarters, it is nothing but a known chronic illness! 

The start was ideal for the Flaming Oranje after getting promoted to the top tier of I-League – unbeaten till Round 6. Then came the sudden slump – one point from the next 6 outings. The 12th round, a 5-goal humiliation in the hands of Dempo SC! 

Sporting Clube de Goa (SCG) would definitely like to turn the table on, and why not as they have an ideal opponent in HAL, who could only manage a draw in 12 rounds played so far. 

Rohit Chand, the star performer of last season, makes a comeback for HAL. He will be filling the Asian player quota that was left vacant till now. Rohit’s return would definitely bolster HAL defense, which has been conceded a walloping 33-goals so far. Another defender, Nigerian Femi Joseph Adeola looks to be doubtful starter for tomorrow’s campaign. He has been injured and kept out for last few matches.

HAL manager Muralidharan seems to be aware of his opponents descend. In his cautious approach, he too is looking for a win, “We’ve to get it straight this time, we will be playing in 4-4-2 combination.”

SCG coach, Soibam Ekendra Singh feels his team has been weakened with the absence of key players Rojen Singh and Bisheshwor Singh. Also, several of his available players are not fully fit or on recovery mode. Bangalore connection and TFA product Niroshan Mani will be in contention against HAL.

Singh quips, “We’ll start with 4-4-2 combination and then might change the game plan according to the situation. It would be a difficult task for us alright!” 

Match is slated for tomorrow, January 4, 2012, 3 pm.

Football is not a 45 minutes game

If only the Aircraftmen would have realized that football is not a 45 minutes game and game does not get over in first half, then they could’ve easily avoided relegation.

If only the Aircraftmen would have realized that the importance of missing a scoring chance, then they could’ve easily avoided relegation.

Dempo defeated HAL 3-0 at the Bangalore Football Stadium today and  continued their dominance in I-League. Dempo maintain their lead in the points table with 27 points, followed closely by Churchill Brothers with 26 points. 

Playing on the Bangalore Football Stadium artificial turf for the first time, Dempo started tentatively. They had some early exchanges, however, HAL were seen to be making maximum purchase in their known front. They could have easily gone ahead in the 11th minute, only if striker Abdulla Hamza not missed an easy opportunity. 

None from HAL’s striking force could do justice from the deft crosses that came from the right wing. 

Dempo took the lead in the 55th minute by a penalty. Central defender, Biju Kumar committed a handball from a perfect kick from the top-right of the penalty box – that had goal written on it. Referee Pratap Singh out rightly awarded a penalty to Dempo and booked the offender.  Ranty made the score tally 1-0. 

Next goal came after 12 minutes. Antony Pereira’s free-kick was commendably saved by HAL keeper P Pramod. However, no one from the defense came for clearance, Ranty Martins latched on the ball that ricocheted to him, and took his goal tally to 13. 

The third goal came in the added time, when Climax Lawrence getting behind HAL defense and looped the ball accurate to the goal.