The English county of Derbyshire is to host the first football match between India and Pakistan in Britain.
The two nations will face each other in a friendly at Pride Park stadium later this year, the BBC reports.
Match organisers said the idea of the game was to promote peace between the countries and raise the profile of Asian football.
The match was originally due to take place on 3 September but has been postponed so organisers can pay tribute to three men killed in Birmingham during the recent riots.
Organisers TouchSky Sports decided to delay the game after speaking to the families of Haroon Jahan, 21, and brothers Shazad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir, aged 31.
The game is now being re-arranged for a date after the traditional Islamic mourning period
Wednesday 31 August 2011
India to seek technical assistance from Argentina
All India Football Federation (AIFF) will be meeting Argentine Football Association (AFA) officials to seek technical assistance on the sidelines of an international friendly between Argentina and Venezuela in Kolkata.
Celebrity Management Group (CMG), which is organising the match, said the AFA has shown interest in AIFF's request for a proposed meeting on the sidelines of the September 2 match, which will be the first non-India friendly to be held in the country.
'AIFF had requested us to organise a meeting with AFA. The AFA was more than interested in meeting the AIFF and discuss the possibility of a development project,' Dharamdutt Pandey, chief executive of CMG, said here Thursday.
The Argentina-Venezuela match, featuring stars like Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Javier Masceranho and Angel Di Maria, will be held at a whopping cost of Rs.220 million. The match will also be the first international assignment of newly appointed Argentine manager Alejandro Sabella. Assistant coach Julien Camino, who played for East Bengal in 1988, will also be travelling with the team.
Defending the extravagant cost of hosting the one-off international, AIFF vice-president Subrata Dutta said the match would help the federation attract more sponsors.
'Some say such friendlies will do no good to India, it is a waste of time and money. But these matches will help to create the buzz around the Indian football and attract sponsors. This match will do a world of good to Indian football,' said Dutta.
'The match has attracted the attention of the state government, which has spent Rs.60 million to renovate the Salt Lake Stadium, which will meet FIFA requirements to host the international matches,' he said.
Pandey said the renovation work at the 120,000-seater stadium would be ready three days before the match.
'The dressing rooms are being completely renovated while the VIP boxes are getting a facelift. The tunnel is also being refurbished,' he said.
Pandey denied media reports that CMG was forced to reduce ticket prices after the intervention of West Bengal sports minister Madan Mitra.
'There was no pressure on us. Mr Mitra requested us to reduce the ticket prices so that it becomes affordable for school students. We told him that it is a high profile match and it is not possible for us to sell tickets at nominal rates. But since he requested, we reduced the minimum price from Rs.1000 to Rs.700 while the maximum price is Rs.5120. The corporate boxes have been tagged for Rs.7.5 lakhs each,' said Pandey.
Celebrity Management Group (CMG), which is organising the match, said the AFA has shown interest in AIFF's request for a proposed meeting on the sidelines of the September 2 match, which will be the first non-India friendly to be held in the country.
'AIFF had requested us to organise a meeting with AFA. The AFA was more than interested in meeting the AIFF and discuss the possibility of a development project,' Dharamdutt Pandey, chief executive of CMG, said here Thursday.
The Argentina-Venezuela match, featuring stars like Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Javier Masceranho and Angel Di Maria, will be held at a whopping cost of Rs.220 million. The match will also be the first international assignment of newly appointed Argentine manager Alejandro Sabella. Assistant coach Julien Camino, who played for East Bengal in 1988, will also be travelling with the team.
Defending the extravagant cost of hosting the one-off international, AIFF vice-president Subrata Dutta said the match would help the federation attract more sponsors.
'Some say such friendlies will do no good to India, it is a waste of time and money. But these matches will help to create the buzz around the Indian football and attract sponsors. This match will do a world of good to Indian football,' said Dutta.
'The match has attracted the attention of the state government, which has spent Rs.60 million to renovate the Salt Lake Stadium, which will meet FIFA requirements to host the international matches,' he said.
Pandey said the renovation work at the 120,000-seater stadium would be ready three days before the match.
'The dressing rooms are being completely renovated while the VIP boxes are getting a facelift. The tunnel is also being refurbished,' he said.
Pandey denied media reports that CMG was forced to reduce ticket prices after the intervention of West Bengal sports minister Madan Mitra.
'There was no pressure on us. Mr Mitra requested us to reduce the ticket prices so that it becomes affordable for school students. We told him that it is a high profile match and it is not possible for us to sell tickets at nominal rates. But since he requested, we reduced the minimum price from Rs.1000 to Rs.700 while the maximum price is Rs.5120. The corporate boxes have been tagged for Rs.7.5 lakhs each,' said Pandey.
India go down to Guyana in friendly
Guyana defeated India 2-1 in an international football friendly at the National Stadium at Providence as part of the +ONE India Caribbean Tour.
According to information received here, Guyana took the lead through Vurlon Mills, while Steven Dias equalised for India before the break. Guyana scored the winner after the breather through Walter Moore.
The hard fought match Wednesday which experienced heavy rains during the first half did not stop the two teams from displaying quality contest which delighted the fans in the stadium.
Guyana took the lead in the 19th minute through Mills who headed it in after the Indian defence was caught napping.
India pushed hard and equalised when Dias curled in a free-kick in the 36th minute to leave both the teams tied 1-1 at the interval.
Changing over, Guyana combined well and the flurry of attacks kept the Indian defence busy. Their efforts eventually bore fruit in the 63rd minute when left-back Moore chipped it over Subrata Paul to make it 2-1.
India's best chance came when Guyana were reduced to 10-men after Travis Henry was given marching orders for a rough tackle on Clifford Miranda. But India could not benefit from the numerical advantage as Guyana managed to hold on to the lead.
According to information received here, Guyana took the lead through Vurlon Mills, while Steven Dias equalised for India before the break. Guyana scored the winner after the breather through Walter Moore.
The hard fought match Wednesday which experienced heavy rains during the first half did not stop the two teams from displaying quality contest which delighted the fans in the stadium.
Guyana took the lead in the 19th minute through Mills who headed it in after the Indian defence was caught napping.
India pushed hard and equalised when Dias curled in a free-kick in the 36th minute to leave both the teams tied 1-1 at the interval.
Changing over, Guyana combined well and the flurry of attacks kept the Indian defence busy. Their efforts eventually bore fruit in the 63rd minute when left-back Moore chipped it over Subrata Paul to make it 2-1.
India's best chance came when Guyana were reduced to 10-men after Travis Henry was given marching orders for a rough tackle on Clifford Miranda. But India could not benefit from the numerical advantage as Guyana managed to hold on to the lead.
Indian football legend Bhutia retires from football
Indian striker Bhaichung Bhutia announced his retirement from international football on Wednesday, ending a 16-year career with the national team for which he played a record 109 games.
The highest profile player in India, Bhutia scored 43 goals for India and was part of teams that won the Asian Fooball Confederation Challenge Cup, Nehru Cup, LG Cup and the South Asian Football Federation Championship.
“I had a fantastic 16 years of international football,” the 34-year-old Bhutia said. “I enjoyed every moment to have represented the country, to have contributed to the game.
“Winning the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008 and qualifying for the Asian Cup were the best moments of my career and I thought of retiring after playing in that tournament.”
He became the first Indian to play professional football in Europe when he signed a three-year contract with Bury FC in 1999. He also had a short stint with Malaysian football club Perak FA.
The former India captain has been struggling with a calf injury in the past year. He played only a limited role at this year’s Asian Cup and was forced to pull out of an upcoming tour of England.
Bhutia owns the club team he plays for, United Sikkim. He has also played for East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and JCT Mills.
The highest profile player in India, Bhutia scored 43 goals for India and was part of teams that won the Asian Fooball Confederation Challenge Cup, Nehru Cup, LG Cup and the South Asian Football Federation Championship.
“I had a fantastic 16 years of international football,” the 34-year-old Bhutia said. “I enjoyed every moment to have represented the country, to have contributed to the game.
“Winning the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008 and qualifying for the Asian Cup were the best moments of my career and I thought of retiring after playing in that tournament.”
He became the first Indian to play professional football in Europe when he signed a three-year contract with Bury FC in 1999. He also had a short stint with Malaysian football club Perak FA.
The former India captain has been struggling with a calf injury in the past year. He played only a limited role at this year’s Asian Cup and was forced to pull out of an upcoming tour of England.
Bhutia owns the club team he plays for, United Sikkim. He has also played for East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and JCT Mills.
Tuesday 30 August 2011
Iraq appoints Zico as coach
Brazilian legend Zico has signed a one-year contract to become the new coach of 2007 Asian Cup winners Iraq.
Zico, 58, coached current Asian Cup champions Japan from 2002 to 2006 and will take charge of Iraq's 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Iraq Football Association claimed Zico will start work immediately with the team who are due to face Jordan in their opening qualifier on Friday.
Zico replaces German boss Wolfgang Sidka, who had guided the side to the quarter-finals of the recent Asian Cup, before they lost to Australia in extra-time.
The former Olympiakos, CSKA Moscow and Fenerbahce boss will lead a side grouped with China, Jordan and Singapore in the third round of qualifying through the Asian Football Confederation and has been set the task of taking Iraq to the World Cup for only the second time, having qualified in 1986.
Wolfsburg striker Ashkan Dejagah wants to play for Iran
VFL Wolfsburg striker Ashkan Dejagah has revealed his interest in playing for Iran football team.
“I’d love to play for Iran. Carlos Queiroz has said I could join Iran football team but has not invited me to the team yet. I really love Iran,” Ashkan Dejagah said.
“My parents supported me to play for Iran and I am so happy for that. I am ready to do anything to join the team,” the 25-year striker added.
Ashkan Dejagah has played for German U-21 football team. He refused to play against Israel in October 2007 for personal reasons.
Bahrain coach plays down World Cup chances
Bahrain’s English coach Peter John Taylor has tamped down media suggestions that the West Asians are favourites to advance out of their group into the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers final round.
"It's a tough group, each of our opponents are good teams," Taylor told the local media.
"I don't know how anybody can classify us amongst the favourites. Right now, the FIFA World Rankings have Iran and Qatar ahead of us, and I've also been given mixed feedback from different people around the team; some say it's an easy group, while others say it's going to be very difficult, so not even they can decide on what to expect.
"The main thing for us right now is that we focus on being the best prepared we can be. We must respect all our opposition, and hopefully we can go out and do well and try our best to qualify for the next phase."
The Englishman added: “Training been very good so far. We've had at least 10 sessions here with our players and the fitness level is now much better than when we started.”
Bahrain captain Mohamed Salmeen said the pool was very tough.
“I think our group is very hard and it will be very difficult to qualify from this group. But we are used to playing difficult matches in difficult groups and we have qualified twice for the play-offs,” said Salmeen, referring to his side’s close brush with the World Cup Finals in 2006 and 2010 when they lost in the confederation-level play-offs.
“We want to do again what we did before, and this time we want to reach the World Cup.
“Iran is one of the big teams in Asia, while Bahrain and Qatar are advancing and producing very good performance lately, while everyone should respect Indonesia who will be strong competitors,” added Salmeen.
Iran coach calls for fan support
Iran football coach Carlos Queiroz has called the fans to support the national team during the upcoming match against Indonesia for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
Iran is scheduled to play Indonesia in the third round of the competitions in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium on September 2.
“More than 80,000 Indonesian fans will come to the stadium (in Jakarta) to support their team against Iran, that’s for sure. We want 100,000 Iranian fans to come to stadium in match against Indonesia to create a positive atmosphere,” Carlos Queiroz said during the news conference.
“Match against Indonesia is our most important game since it’s our first match. At the moment, I am just concentrating on this match. Our main objective is to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. Brazil is our destination,” the Portuguese said.
Iran has been drawn in Group E of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers along with Indonesia, Qatar and Bahrain.
Australia preparing for World Cup qualifier against Thailand
Australia coach Holger Osieck senses a height advantage could be crucial in next week's opening World Cup qualifier against Thailand and he could be right - the Changsuek have been rocked by a defensive injury crisis that former staff coach Steve Darby admits is ripe for the Socceroos to exploit.
Osieck yesterday named a virtually full-strength squad for the match in Brisbane on September 2, but his Thai counterpart, Winfried Schaefer, has been left scratching for alternatives after losing three key defenders - Nattaporn Phanrit (retirement), Panupong Wongsa (knee) and Natthaphong Samana (nose) - while first-choice goalkeeper, Kawin Thamsatchanan (elbow), is also in doubt.
The biggest blow for Schaefer was the shock retirement from international duty of popular skipper Phanrit, who appeared in the recent play-offs against Palestine. Phanrit, capped 67 times, has been troubled by a series of head injuries and has decided to focus on his club career with Muangthong United.
The likely reshuffle will leave the visitors with just one defender, Suttinun Phukhom, over 183 centimetres tall - handing a powerful incentive to two of the Socceroos most powerful headers of the ball, Josh Kennedy and Sasa Ognenovski.
English-born Darby, a former Australian national technical director who quit as Thailand's assistant coach two months ago, can see the Socceroos making the most of it.
''If Thailand had their first-choice back line available, it would have been a different story, but with the players that are missing, there's a real opportunity there,'' he said. ''If the Socceroos have got decent set-pieces they'll score goals. The Thai boys will give everything, but I'd be amazed if they got a result now.''
Osieck, meantime, gave an inkling on his likely strategy when asked whether he was plotting an aerial bombardment. ''That is definitely a thought that struck my mind,'' he said. Osieck will be in Bangkok tonight to watch Thailand's warm-up match against Singapore.
Osieck yesterday named a largely predictable 23-man squad for both the match against the Thais at Suncorp Stadium, and the subsequent qualifier against Saudi Arabia in Dammam four days later. There is only one uncapped player (Luke DeVere) on the list, which includes all 18 players involved in the recent friendly match against Wales.
Melbourne Victory's new signing Harry Kewell has again been omitted due to fitness concerns, with his Socceroos recall pencilled in for the World Cup qualifier against Oman in Sydney in October.
Asked whether Kewell's fitness was improving, Osieck said: ''Harry is definitely healthy, that is what I know, [but] to be physically healthy and to be match fit is always a gap.''
Kewell's international career is not under a cloud, with Osieck adding: ''We don't have to discuss Harry because whenever he played, as far as I am concerned, he performed. He played a good tournament [the Asian Cup] in Qatar, he had an excellent game against Germany and, when he's ready, he's definitely first choice for the team.''
Meanwhile, skipper Lucas Neill's decision to join United Arab Emirates champions Al Jazira has not fazed Osieck, despite his doubts about the standard of club football in the area.
'''When I said I don't rate the Middle East high, it was my personal opinion,'' Osieck said. ''I never wanted to be there, to work there as a coach, that was my point. [But] for players, it's a personal decision.''
In transfer news, veteran defender Simon Storey, who has been without a club since North Queensland Fury folded at the end of last season, has joined Indian giants Mohun Bagan on a one-year contract.
Osieck yesterday named a virtually full-strength squad for the match in Brisbane on September 2, but his Thai counterpart, Winfried Schaefer, has been left scratching for alternatives after losing three key defenders - Nattaporn Phanrit (retirement), Panupong Wongsa (knee) and Natthaphong Samana (nose) - while first-choice goalkeeper, Kawin Thamsatchanan (elbow), is also in doubt.
The biggest blow for Schaefer was the shock retirement from international duty of popular skipper Phanrit, who appeared in the recent play-offs against Palestine. Phanrit, capped 67 times, has been troubled by a series of head injuries and has decided to focus on his club career with Muangthong United.
The likely reshuffle will leave the visitors with just one defender, Suttinun Phukhom, over 183 centimetres tall - handing a powerful incentive to two of the Socceroos most powerful headers of the ball, Josh Kennedy and Sasa Ognenovski.
English-born Darby, a former Australian national technical director who quit as Thailand's assistant coach two months ago, can see the Socceroos making the most of it.
''If Thailand had their first-choice back line available, it would have been a different story, but with the players that are missing, there's a real opportunity there,'' he said. ''If the Socceroos have got decent set-pieces they'll score goals. The Thai boys will give everything, but I'd be amazed if they got a result now.''
Osieck, meantime, gave an inkling on his likely strategy when asked whether he was plotting an aerial bombardment. ''That is definitely a thought that struck my mind,'' he said. Osieck will be in Bangkok tonight to watch Thailand's warm-up match against Singapore.
Osieck yesterday named a largely predictable 23-man squad for both the match against the Thais at Suncorp Stadium, and the subsequent qualifier against Saudi Arabia in Dammam four days later. There is only one uncapped player (Luke DeVere) on the list, which includes all 18 players involved in the recent friendly match against Wales.
Melbourne Victory's new signing Harry Kewell has again been omitted due to fitness concerns, with his Socceroos recall pencilled in for the World Cup qualifier against Oman in Sydney in October.
Asked whether Kewell's fitness was improving, Osieck said: ''Harry is definitely healthy, that is what I know, [but] to be physically healthy and to be match fit is always a gap.''
Kewell's international career is not under a cloud, with Osieck adding: ''We don't have to discuss Harry because whenever he played, as far as I am concerned, he performed. He played a good tournament [the Asian Cup] in Qatar, he had an excellent game against Germany and, when he's ready, he's definitely first choice for the team.''
Meanwhile, skipper Lucas Neill's decision to join United Arab Emirates champions Al Jazira has not fazed Osieck, despite his doubts about the standard of club football in the area.
'''When I said I don't rate the Middle East high, it was my personal opinion,'' Osieck said. ''I never wanted to be there, to work there as a coach, that was my point. [But] for players, it's a personal decision.''
In transfer news, veteran defender Simon Storey, who has been without a club since North Queensland Fury folded at the end of last season, has joined Indian giants Mohun Bagan on a one-year contract.
Diego Maradona gets winning start Al Wasl coach
Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona had a winning start as Al Wasl coach on Sunday, seeing his team score two late goals for a 3-1 win over 10-man Ittihad Kalba in a pre-season friendly.
Maradona’s new team looked set to settle for a draw after Yaser Salem’s own goal in the 28th minute had cancelled out Manuel Olivera’s 21st-minute header.
But Mohammed Jamal and Hassan Yousef scored in the last five minutes to give the former Argentina great a win on his debut.
Al Wasl had been on the attack for most of the second half after Ittihad Kalba’s Sultan Seif was sent off before the break for a clumsy challenge on Edson Puch.
Puch went close with two free- kicks either side of the interval before Tariq Hassan inadvertently rattled the woodwork with a speculative cross.
But Mohammed Jamal and Hassan Yousef scored in the last five minutes to give the former Argentina great a win on his debut.
Al Wasl had been on the attack for most of the second half after Ittihad Kalba’s Sultan Seif was sent off before the break for a clumsy challenge on Edson Puch.
Puch went close with two free- kicks either side of the interval before Tariq Hassan inadvertently rattled the woodwork with a speculative cross.
Qatar appoints Paulo Autuori as new coach
Qatar have named Brazilian Paulo Autuori as the new coach of the Gulf nation’s Olympic football team.
The statement yesterday by the Qatar Football Association is the latest bid by Qatar to boost their world football credentials after winning the rights to host the 2022 World Cup. Qatar also plans to bid for the 2020 Olympics.
The first test for the 55-year-old Autuori will be next month in Asian qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympics. Qatar’s group includes Asian giants South Korea and regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Autuori has led Qatar’s Al Rayyan club since 2009.
The first test for the 55-year-old Autuori will be next month in Asian qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympics. Qatar’s group includes Asian giants South Korea and regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Autuori has led Qatar’s Al Rayyan club since 2009.
Sunday 14 August 2011
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