ISL 2016: Kerala Blasters Insult National Anthem, Trouble Foreseen

#ISL2016
#IndianSuperLeague

ISL #Franchise #KeralaBlasters could be in for trouble, with a complaint being filed against them for 'insulting' the Indian National Anthem.

The complaint, pertains to a few players in the franchise keeping their right hand over their heart during the National Anthem, as is the custom in certain countries. The report stated that had been lodged with the Kochi police after their game against #MumbaiCityFC.

Organizers instructed the franchise not only to ask the players and the player escorts to refrain from the practice, but to announce to the fans via the Public Announcement System to stand in 'attention' while the #National #Anthem is sung, even though there is no official legislation to support the same. 

The side have been warned of serious repercussions if they fail to follow the directions. The team officials were reportedly instructed about the same during the Match Commissioner's Meeting (#MCM), which is held a day before every fixture in the tournament.

Kerala Blasters beat Mumbai City FC 1-0 in the fixture in which they committed the alleged 'offence', with Michael Chopra scoring the goal in the 58th minute of the match. The franchise is co-owned by Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.

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ISL 2016: Forlan Leads Mumbai Beat ATK

#ISL2016 #Indian #Soccer #League

Star Uruguayan striker Diego #Forlan struck a late goal as Mumbai City FC snapped Atletico de Kolkata's unbeaten run with a 1-0 victory and jumped to the top spot in the Indian Super League (#ISL) in Kolkata on Tuesday.

The former Atletico Madrid and Villareal star with more than 100 caps for his country, scored the all-important goal in the 85th minute to help his side record their third win in seven matches.

With Tuesday's win at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, Mumbai jumped three places to be at the top spot of ISL table with 11 points from three wins, two losses and two draws, pushing NorthEast United (NEU) to the second position. NorthEast have 10 points from six matches.

This was Forlan's second goal in the tournament after he scored from the spot in Mumbai's 1-0 win against NorthEast at home on 7 October. For ATK, it was their first loss in six matches and they are now on third spot with nine points from two wins, three draws and one loss.

The first half was a very entertaining end-to-end contest, but neither team was successful to get the goal. Mumbai had a wonderful chance to take the lead in the 33rd minute but ATK goalkeeper Debjit Majumder made a vital save as he palmed over a ferocious shot by Sony Norde.

The home side started the second half brightly by introducing Bidyananda Singh, who whipped in some dangerous crosses in. After that, both the teams settled down and the match looked heading for a stalemate.

But then came the game-changing moment in the 85th minute when 37-year-old Forlan put in Norde's deflected shot-cum-cross into the back of the ATK net. This was Forlan's first goal from an open play.

ATK got a chance at the very end when they earned a free kick at the edge of the Mumbai box. Javier Lara took it and his powerful shot was on target but only to see Mumbai keeper Albino Gomes making a diving save.

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ISL 2016: Indian Players Need Better Facilities To Become World Class - FC Goa midfielder Jofre

#ISL2016
#IndianSoccerLeague #Season3

For Indian football to develop, the stress should be on creating an environment where players do not just enjoy the sport but are well aware of their tactical positioning, feels #Spanish #Midfielder #Jofre Mateu Gonzalez.

The #FCGoa #Footballer who robbed Atletico de Kolkata (#ATK) of a win by winning and converting a late #Penalty here on Sunday, said: "You need to have academies where children grow in a #Football environment."

"It's not only about practicing and enjoying the game, but knowing a lot about being part of a team, a lot of skills and #Tactical issues which you must know in your (playing) position," Jofre added.

"It's very good for the #League and for the country. And my mates (Indian players at FC Goa), you can see they are improving every year." Jofre, who has played over 300 games in the second division of the #Spanish #LaLiga, pointed out the importance of off-field activities like nutrition and rest, which are as important as the on-field development.

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ISL 2016 2 week Review - Points Table, Team Standings, Match Results

#ISL2016

#Indian #Soccer #League

#Chennaiyin #FC registered their first win of the Indian Super League 2016 as they defeated #FC #Goa by 2-0 margin. For Chennaiyin FC, Mehrajuddin Wadoo and Hans Mulder scored one goal each to help their side open their account on the ISL 2016  points table. 

It is going to be a long season in the #ISL. We will bring you all the updates and news on the tournament which is expected to grip the imagination of football fans for more than two months. It is fair to say that with only eight teams competing with each other, there is little confusion on who stands where. All teams have a fair idea about their opponents and can eventually set a plan accordingly.

#AtléticoDeKolkata and Chennaiyin FC have been the two winners of the tournament thus far and what will really spice up things will be a new winner and it is fair to say that it is difficult to predict. #KeralaBlasters and #FCGoa have been the two runners-up which means that we have had four different teams in the two seasons as far as the finals go. 

Team Matches Wins Losses Draws Points 
NorthEast United 4 3 1 0 9 
Mumbai City FC 3 2 0 1 7 
Atletico de Kolkata 3 1 0 2 5 
Delhi Dynamos 2 1 0 1 4 
Chennaiyin FC 3 1 1 1 4 
FC Pune City 3 1 2 0 3 
Kerala Blasters 3 0 2 1 1 
FC Goa 3 0 3 0 0

One thing is for sure, predictions are most difficult to make. It will not be different at this point either. Anything other than a win will not shape up the points table and eventually the more results we have, the better it may be.

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ISL 2016 Last Minute Goal Exposes FC Goa Brittle Defence Vs FC Pune City

#ISL2016
#Indian #Soccer #League

Fragility is fast becoming the overarching trait that defines manager #Zico's #FC #Goa.This goes back to the last season of the Indian Super League (#ISL) in which #Goa thumped #MumbaiCity #FC by a record seven-goal margin, yet also suffered two 0-4 meltdowns against #AtleticoDeKolkata and #ChennaiyinFC, in addition to throwing away a last-minute lead in the final at home.

Dying moments of that final would've replayed in the minds of the Goan supporters on Saturday night, when #FC #PuneCity's forward Momar #Ndoye breezed past #Lucio, the home team's marquee defender, and curled in a 90th-minute winner that gave goalkeeper Laxmikant #Kattimani no chance of saving. It meant another disjoint display by Goa ended in another defeat.

FC Pune City had won only once in 14 away matches heading into this fixture and that was back in 2014 during the inaugural season. The visitors carried mental baggage of their own, even with a revamped squad. However, there's a growing belief in Goa's opponents that if you can stop Zico's men from scoring, you will, sooner or later, be gifted clear-cut openings to take full advantage of.

The Brazilian manager had a familiar moan after the match — "we created many chances but we were able to convert just once"— and to a certain extent, it's hard not to sympathise with him. Two gilt-edged chances fell to Romeo Fernandes, a second-half substitute who brought with him greater attacking emphasis, but the Indian winger shot one straight at the goalkeeper and skied the other high and wide.

On the other hand, Pune profited twice from a handful of their own opportunities. Arata Izumi converted a generous rebound into an open goal, while Ndoye found himself in space and one-on-one with Lucio. All of Pune's six shots were on target and, furthermore, they were unlucky not to have at least one, if not two, penalties (though Goa should've had one of their own too).

It's a worrying trend for Zico. Opponents, who acknowledge Goa's attacking potential, are content to sit back and then wait for the right opportunities to come by (though Pune were adventurous in patches).Owing to injuries in a revamped FC Goa squad, a new-look team is taking longer to gel — which means Goa must learn how to eke out points on the tougher days or, at the very least, not throw points away.

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ISL 2016: NEUnited FC Off To A Great Start This Season With Two Wins

#ISL2016
#IndianSoccerLeague
#Season3

#NorthEast #United #FC's Indian Super League (#ISL) season has got off to a dream start with two wins from two matches. After beating #Kerala #Blasters in the inaugural match of ISL 3, NorthEast United FC beat #FC #Goa for the first time on Tuesday, and the John Abraham-owned side is already looking a side to watch out for.

NorthEast were confident going into the match against Goa, with new coach Nelo Vinganda making one change to his starting XI from the opening day's victory. Nicolas Velez was on the bench and defensive midfielder Wellington Priori replaced him.

The coach's idea was to add more steel to the midfield, with more cover for the back four. The Highlanders chose to go with only one out-and-out striker in Emiliano Alfaro. The hero of the opening match, Katsumi Yusa, started the match on the right flank with Halicharan Narzary pushed on the left side.

Contrary to the rather dull opening game, this match got off to an exciting start with some brilliant end-to-end action. Yusa is proving to be a shrewd and excellent buy for the side and once again, he created brilliant opportunities for his team. He won an early free kick and earned his team the first sniff of goal in the 12th minute.

In the 20th minute, NorthEast got their lead in a rather bizarre fashion. Goa defender Lucio won an aerial duel with Alfaro and passed the ball back to goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani who took too many touches as he was being hounded by Alfaro.

Kattimani made a pass that hit the onrushing Alfaro's knee and got deflected into the goal. It was a howler by the Goa #Goalkeeper, who just had to pass the ball to one of his teammates, or just kick it long. Instead, he got pressurised and couldn't take the correct decision. NorthEast got their goal with some luck, but credit should go to Alfaro for keeping up the pressure on the Goa keeper. Goa knit some quick passes and tried to equalise, but when in the 62nd minute, Alfaro scored NorthEast's second goal, the Highlanders were ensured three points.

Starting the match without last season's top scorer Nico Velez, NorthEast still managed to score two goals and win, which is good news for the side, as it means the team would not have to rely on one player for goals. If they can have three or four players sharing the burden of getting the goals, they will find the task of crossing the league stage for the first time much easier.

What also helps is that 'Professor' Vingada has evidently tightened the screws at the back. In both the matches, NorthEast have defended obstinately. #Kerala were poor and didn't attack as much, but #Goa offered more in that department. Still the NorthEast defence managed to stand tall.

Subrata Paul is proving to be another great signing for the club. Considering the side already had the services of TP Rehnesh, it seemed odd that the management went ahead and signed another goalkeeper. Arjuna award winner Paul is massively experienced, and while his signing looked ideal for that reason, there were doubts if he would be able to perform as well as he used to when he was younger.

However, Paul has has brilliant, clearing doubts over his abiities. Ten minutes into the second half, he pulled off a blinder of a save when he thwarted a long-range effort from Trinidad Goncalves. Just a few moments later, he was brought into the act again and managed to save Mandar Rao Desai's shot from inside the box and Trinidad's follow-up as well.

With the 2-0 win, #NorthEast handed #FC #Goa what was just their fifth away loss in the history of the ISL. Granted, Kattimani's poor goalkeeping helped, but credit has to be given to NorthEast for their win.

Yusa and Paul have both shown their worth, but perhaps Vingada is the best signing for NorthEast. The coach's tactics, his managerial style and his transfer business cannot be understated. It's been a busy first week for the Highlanders, and their third match comes in just a couple of days' time. It will be their first away match as they face Mumbai City FC at the Andheri Sports Complex. It is already the best start for the side in the ISL, but if NorthEast can get another win, it will be an incredible start to the season, and their title prospects will brighten significantly.

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ISL 2016: Mumbai City FC Beat FC Pune 1-0

#ISL2016

Having seen his side start its Indian Super League (#ISL) 2016 campaign with a 1-0 win over state rivals #Pune, #Mumbai City #FC coach Alexandre Guimaraes was cautiously optimistic about their prospects this season. A Matias Defederico goal in the 69th minute helped Mumbai defeat #FC Pune City at the latter's Balewadi Stadium home.

But Guimaraes stressed on the need to improve. "We didn't get enough possession of the ball, and it was only after 20-25 minutes that we found our game and the space for our players to perform. In #Defence, we have to be much more alert and not allow counter attacks. It is now a matter of recovery, rest, eating well and making adjustments. The practice we had in Dubai has shown. But we'll need to play well throughout the #Tournament. We would have to adjust fast," he said.

Though marquee player #Diego #Forlan had a quiet outing, Guimaraes wasn't too perturbed by Forlan's no show. "I think he did what we wanted him to do. He moved the way we wanted him to move. He played like a No 9. When he moves he creates distraction and that is a situation that we profit from. Other players will find him more game-by-game, and he will be able to show his ability," Guimaraes said.

The first Maharashtra derby of the season produced a fairly even match, however, and the team that took its first chance came up triumphant. Guimaraes also spoke of the number of issues that have plagued Mumbai since the start of the tournament. "The start of a tournament is always difficult, because we have to manage different situations in hours. Just 3-4 days ago, #Sony had to go to Haiti for national team duty, while we also have the situation with Bengaluru FC (Five players from Mumbai City FC are away with the I-League side on AFC Cup duty)," he lamented.

#Guimaraes heaped praise on his players, however. "In just five days, our players have shown tremendous ability through our work and have shown discipline. They understood the way we have to play against a very good team, a very well worked team. We had to be strong in our defensive organisation and with the players we have up front. It is a matter of time. We kept working and I think the result is a good start," he said.


















The visitors were also handicapped by the non-availability of #Winger Jackichand Singh. The Manipuri international is the best Indian player in the Mumbai line-up after #Sunil #Chettri, and after appearing with the manager in the pre-match conference, was a shoe-in to play on the right wing. But according to the Costa Rican coach, Jackichand was "dealing with some leg problems" and didn't get enough practice with the team. "I decided to think about him as an energiser player from the bench. He is working hard and is doing well. The way this tournament works, everyone will have their opportunity."


Mumbai will now take on NorthEast United FC in their first home game of the season at the Andheri Sports Complex on 7 October.

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ISL 2016 : Lloyd Electronics Are Official Sponsors For Chennaiyin FC

#Indian #Soccer #League
#ISL2016 Season 3



Defending champions #Chennaiyin #FC will start its journey from 2nd October against #AtleticoDeKolkata in Kolkata followed by its first home game on 6th October against #DelhiDynamos.

Chennaiyin FC has announced 'Lloyd' Electronics as its associate sponsor for the third season of the Indian Super League. The event took place at the Hotel Radisson Blue Chennai, which was marked by the presence of players like Manuele Blasi, Dhanpal Ganesh, Jayesh Rane, Macpherlin Dudu Omagbemi, Eder Montiero Fernandes and Jeje Lalpekhlua.

On being asked about pre-season training, Blasi said, "We are not focusing much on the technical aspects of the game and have only one thing in mind and that is to start fresh, not think of ourselves as #Champions".

Congratulating the team and wishing it well for the tournament, Director of Lloyd Nipun Singhal said, " We wish Chennaiyin FC all the luck and expect them to continue their unabated winning streak this year as well."

At the event, Vita Dani, co-owner of Chennaiyin FC also expressed her views saying, "We are delighted to have Lloyd on-board with us as one of our honorable associate sponsors. We are looking forward to a long and successful association".

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ISL 2016 : All Teams Are Ready To Set The Ball Rolling

Indian Soccer League

#ISL2016

Probably one of the most awaited tournaments in the country, the Indian Super league is coming back for its third season which gets underway on October 1st, 2016. The kick-off begins with a face-off between North East United and Kerala Blasters in the opening match of the season at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. 

The tournament, which is no less than a festival in the country infested with mad football fanatics, features the best footballer in the country along with some really heavy names from International football which also is the reason for the enormous amount of footfall in stadiums during the ISL season throughout the subcontinent.

The first season of the tournament saw a Luis Garcia spearheaded Atletico de Kolkata grab the inaugural title while the second season was won by Chennaiyin FC courtesy stellar performances from a brilliant Steven Mendoza.

The ISL, in a statement, mentioned that all the marquee players "must be contracted under a legally binding player contract by August 20, 2016 in order to assist with the marketing of the relevant club, the league and the ISL." Barring a couple of clubs, all clubs have named their marquee players within the said date.

Uruguay football legend Diego Forlan and Northern Ireland veteran Aaron Hughes are the new  names in the list of marquee players for the upcoming season and will join the existing list of Marquee players for the ISL 2016 season.

Top Star Players For All Teams At #ISL2016:

Atletico de Kolkata- Helder Postiga

Kerala Blasters- Aaron Hughes

Mumbai City F.C- Diego Forlan

FC Goa- Lucio da Silva

Chennaiyin FC- John Arne Riise

FC Pune City- Eidur Gudjohnsen

Delhi Dynamos- Florent Malouda

Northeast United FC-  Didier Zokora

Head Coaches

Atletico de Kolkata- Jose Molina

Kerala Blasters- Steve Coppell

Mumbai City F.C- Alexandre Henrique Borges Guimarães

FC Goa- Zico

Chennaiyin FC- Marco Materazzi

FC Pune City- Antonio Habas

Delhi Dynamos- Gianluca Zambrotta

Northeast United FC- Nelo Vingada

Club news Atletico De Kolkata

Come on India, #LetsFootball

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ISL 2016: Delhi Dynamos Gear Up And Sign Brazilian Emerson Gomes

#IndianSoccerLeague2016
#ISL2016

#DelhiDynamos #FC on Thursday signed #Brazilian midfielder #EmersonGomes de Moura for the upcoming third season of the Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament.

The 28-year-old joins #Dynamos from Brazilian club #America #FC. He has joined the Dynamos squad in Sweden where they are undergoing their pre-season training. They will play three friendly matches in Sweden.

"It is a great opportunity for me to play in a fast growing league, and for that I would like to thank the Delhi Dynamos management for extending this offer to me. People talk a lot about #ISL back in #Brazil, as many big Brazilian players like #RobertoCarlos and others have featured in the previous two seasons. It is a new experience for me, and I am looking forward to this challenge." Moura said in the release.

Head coach #GianlucaZambrotta was pleased with the signing and feels the new acquisition adds to the strength of Delhi Dynamos's #Midfield this season.

"His addition to the side will strengthen the team's midfield. He has played for different clubs across Brazil and I believe the experience that he has gained over the years will be of immense help to the team." Zambrotta said.

"We welcome Gomes to the Delhi Dynamos F.C. family. He is our third Brazilian signing this year and we are really happy to have him on board with the Lions," the club's Chief Technical Officer Vishnu Madhu said.

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