Christy Davis took the deciding spot-kick in sudden death which saw the Gaurs through as DamaitphangLyngdoh missed for BFC,after both teams were tied 4-4 after the first five stipulated spot-kicks. For Goa, the scorers in the shoot-out were AibanbhaDohling, Sanson Pereira, Leander D’Cunha, Edu Bedia, Papuia and MakanChothe, besides Christy. For BFC the ones to score were Muirang, Ajay Chhetri, Parag Satish, NamgyalBhutia, Ajith Kumar and BekeyOram. The one’s to miss out were Redeem Tlang for Goa and Akashdeep Singh and Lyngdoh for Benagluru.

In regulation time Devendra Murgaokar and Redeem Tlang had scored in each half for the Gaurs while Siva Sakti got both goals for BFC.

Goa gaffer Juan Ferrando went into the game with a five-man back line, probably insurance for the fact that he was missing key players like Brandon Fernandez, Glan Martins and Sertion Fernandez, all now on India duty. Naushad Moosa, the BFC coach was the more enterprising, opting for a three-man forward line and going in without a central mid-fielder.

It was yet another goal in the first minute for the second semi-final running. Siva Sakthi took BFC to a flying start, thanks to a shocker by Goa keeper Navin Kumar. Goa bounced back almost immediately. A smartly taken training-ground short corner which Nemil put in the path of Devendra Murgaokar who deflected it past Lara in the BFC goal. This was Murgaokar’s fifth of the tournament and his stature continues to rise with every passing game.

Thereafter it was all Goa in the half and the Gaurs should have taken an unassaible lead but for the wastefulness from the likes of Edu Bedia and Nemil in front of the goal. The half ended even-stevens.

Goa had the upper-hand in the second half as well and finally Redeem Tlang, who had just come in as part of a triple change by Coach Juan Ferrando, put them ahead. He would owe it all to Spanish playmaker Alberto Noguera Ripoll as his piercing run at the BFC defence found him in space and the former Shillong Lajong man made no mistake with a scorching left-footer which whizzed past Lara.

BFC to their credit kept moving forward and found reward 11 minutes later when a move from the right flank by Namgyal Bhutia and his subsequent cross saw Siva Sakti leaping above the Goan defence for his second of the game.

FC Goa’s Murgaokar and Mohameddan’s Marcus Joseph are now the top goal scorers with one game to go.

FC Goa’s captain Eduardo BediaPelaez was adjudged the Man of the Match.

FC Goa -2

Devendra Murgaokar 8’

Redeem Tlang 72’

Bengaluru FC-2

Siva Sakti 1’ 83’

FC Goa Win 7-6 on penalties

For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football

Also Read: Mumbai City FC confirm signing of goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football

The post FC Goa edge out Bengaluru FC to reach Durand finals in sudden death appeared first on Football Counter.

After reaching the team hotel, players, coaches, and the management staff underwent RTPCR tests in adherence to the COVID related guidelines. The team will undergo a quarantine period for five days before they resume training on 2nd October.

Before they arrived in Bangalore, the team was preparing in Hyderabad. Kenkre FC played two friendlies where the team faced ISL-based Hyderabad FC and a residential club named GMRC. The game against Hyderabad FC concluded in a 1-4 loss, where team Hyderabad fielded with four foreigners. The second game saw Kenkre outclass GMRC with a comprehensive 9-2 total.

“We lacked competitive football in Mumbai due to COVID. Hence, we travelled to Hyderabad for a brief pre-season. As we enter the bubble in Bangalore, things are going to get difficult. We were training at high intensity in the past few weeks. However, our management is providing us with all the requisites here in Bangalore. At the moment, players cannot meet each other due to the quarantine. We are interacting through zoom calls,” quotes Siddharth Colaco, a senior Kenkre FC player.

“The main focus of the team has been to progress on our plan. We need to maintain and uplift our fitness and mental health. It is a continuous process from the start. We will have three days before the first game, and we shall leave no stones unturned,” informed Siddharth.

Kenkre FC is placed in Group-B alongside Corbett FC, Kerala United, ARA FC, and Delhi FC. The team will start their campaign on 5th October against Kerala United at 12:30 IST in the Bangalore Football Stadium.

For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football

Also Read: Mumbai City FC confirm signing of goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football

The post Kenkre FC reach Bangalore ahead of I-League Qualifiers appeared first on Football Counter.

The inquiry revealed that the bank guarantee so received was not genuine and that the bank guarantee was never officially issued by the bank named therein.The bank guarantee was one of the mandatory requirements to be eligible to participate in the League, which was to be submitted within a specified timeline. The said timeline now stands elapsed and the mandatory requirement has not been fulfilled by the said club. In light of the same Hyderya’s participation in the League stands withdrawn with immediate effect.

Furthermore, the AIFF reserves its rights to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the club.

The AIFF will not be making any further statement on this matter.

The post AIFF Statement appeared first on Football Counter.

Mumbai City FC are delighted to announce the arrival of goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz. The 21-year-old joins the defending ISL champions on a three-year contract until May 2024.

A product of AIFF Elite Academy, Nawaz secured a move to FC Goa in 2018, where he featured for the club’s reserve team in the I-League 2nd Division and was later handed his first team debut during the 2018-19 campaign.

Having played an instrumental role in the FC Goa’s successful campaigns in 2018-19 and 2019-20, winning the Super Cup and the League Winners’ Shield, the 21-year-old custodian became a pivotal member of Gaurs’ set up. He recorded as many as nine clean sheets in 33 appearances in his first two seasons with the Goan side.

The Manipur-born player, who represented India at the 2016 BRICS U-17 tournament, made 10 appearances for FC Goa in the 2020-21 season in their run to the semifinals.

Mohammad Nawaz said:

“I would like to thank Mumbai City FC for showing faith in me and giving me the opportunity to play at a club that wants to win games and win trophies. I had a chance to speak to many of my friends who are now my teammates and they spoke highly of the great culture at the club. I’m looking forward to getting started on this exciting journey with my new family and achieve great things along the way.”

For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football

Also Read: Why Kenkre’s I league 2nd division participation is crucial for Maharashtra football

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football

The post Mumbai City FC confirm signing of goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz appeared first on Football Counter.

Head coach Bino George knows a thing or two about how to bring the best out of the young footballers, and will be looking to help the club reach its objective in the Hero I-League Qualifiers.

“We have a young squad including the foreigners. Everyone is striving to prove themselves. I’m sure the boys will give their best on the field. Our objective is nothing less than to qualify to the Hero I-League. We are hopeful that we will be able to double Kerala’s representation in the competition,” Bino George said.

The seasoned football mastermind, who was closely involved with Gokulam Kerala FC in different capacities over time, tasted success in terms of Hero I-League as well as Hero Indian Women’s League last season.

After the United World Football Group took over, the club switched its base to Malappuram from Kozhikode. Besides Kerala United, the group owns some renowned clubs across the world like Sheffield United FC (England), Beerschot VA (Belgium), La Berrichonne de Châteauroux (France) and Al Hilal United (Dubai, UAE).

The United World Academy is a worldwide established academy and currently is working on establishing academies all across India in the coming future. The club’s motive is to raise the bar in terms of the quality of grassroots and youth development.

Arjun Jayaraj will don the captain’s armband during the qualifiers. The youngster has brought in the experience of representing their arch-rivals in the Hero I-League for two seasons (2017-19) along with him. Besides the nippy midfielder, Hrishi Dath, Shafeer, Salman and the Brazilian defender Gabriel Lima, the club is hoping to get over the line in order to collect the ticket to Hero I-League 2021-22.

“We’ve been preparing well during the pre-season. We know our objective and we’re committed to our goal. We played a few matches, especially, against Kerala Blasters and the results were quite encouraging. My target is to give my best, motivate my team and play in the Hero I-league together,” Jayaraj sounded focused and confident.

The post ‘Hopeful’ Kerala United look to double Kerala’s representation in Hero I-League 27 September 2021 appeared first on Football Counter.

Kolkata, September 27, 2021:  Century old local favourites Mohammedan Sporting (MDSP), overcame FC Bengaluru United (FCBU) 4-2 in the semi-finals of the 130th Durand Cup on Monday, September 27, 2021 at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK), to make their sixth finals of the iconic tournament. Goals from Marcus Joseph, Faisal Ali, Brandon Vanlalremdika and Nikola Stojanovic made sure the Black Panthers quest for a third Durand title remained on course, despite a shock start to the game which saw FCBU talisman Pedro Manzi give his side the lead as early as 22 seconds into the game.

The score line in the end was a bit flattering for MDSP with United ending the game with 10-men and after tying 2-2 in regulation time. Sporting scored in each half of extra-time to get the result, the close to 25000 local fans gathered at the stadium wanted.

MDSP gaffer Andrey Chernyshov went in with his trusted eleven and 4-4-2 formation in front of vociferous local support from the stands. Richard Hood the FCBU coach, started with a similar formation but with a first start of the tournament to Anup Theres Raj at left back. Sanju Pradhan also started on the bench.

It could not have begun better for United with a move down the right flank involving Yumnam Gopi Singh straight after kick-off finding Manzi in space on top of the box. He was given a second bite of the cherry by the Sporting defence and made no mistake with a booming drive giving keeper Zothanmawia no chance.

The Panthers were stung and responded with ferocity. Milan Singh had the first good shot at goal but it was the inimitable Trinidadian Marcus who was destined to equalize for Sporting.

It was another one from the left of the box cutting across the keeper with his left foot. A trademark now almost. It was his fifth in this edition’s Durand putting him in running for the golden boot of the tournament for the second year running.

The Mohammedan attack line led by Serbian Nikola Stojanovic and ably supported by the likes of AzharuddinMallik, Sk. Faiaz, Faisal and Marcus were displaying some slick football and stitched together quite a few attractive moves.

From one such move, Marcus found Faisal in the clear inside the box on the left and the youngster came up with a clinical finish, beating Kunzang Bhutia for the second time in the game.

The second-half began as the first had ended with MDSP looking to take most of the initiatives. Quite against the run of play then, Kingshuk Debnath, a local boy, got Bengaluru back in the game, slotting home from a melee off a corner.

However with minute into added time, Manzi was shown red after a second bookable offence forcing Hood into bring in team fitness coach cum player Chelston Pinto to help his team fight through 30 minutes of extra time.

The change which made all the difference though was the one made by Chernyshov in the 83rd minute when he had brought on the pacy Brandon Vanlalremdika to replace Sk. Faiaz on the right.

The diminutive winger peppered the 10-man United defence in the second half with Stojanovic providing him ample support and supply.

In one such move in the dying stages of the first 15 minutes of extra-time, the Serbian found him in the clear inside the box. The Mizo had quite a bit to do with two defenders challenging him. He shrugged them off with two deft body feints, first inside then outside and unleashed a grounder with pin-point accuracy to beat Bhutia.

The final goal of the contest was fittingly scored by Stojanovic who blasted a penalty past Bhutia in the 110th minute of the game for a resounding score line for the local team.

Marcus Joseph was adjudged the Man of the Match.

Mohammedan Sporting -4

(Marcus Joseph 9’

Faisal Ali 38’ 

Brandon Vanlalremdika 102’ 

Nikola Stojanovic 110’ P)

FC Bengaluru United -2

(Pedro Manzi 1’

Kingshuk Debnath78’)

The post Mohammedan Sporting enter sixth Durand final beating FC Bengaluru United in a hard-fought first semi-final appeared first on Football Counter.

Bengaluru  FC advance to the semi-finals!

Kolkata, September 25, 2021: Bengaluru FC (BFC) came from behind yet again to register a 3-2 win against Army Green in the final quarter-final encounter of the 130^th Durand Cup, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) on Saturday afternoon. They now come up against FC Goa in the second semi-final scheduled for Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at the same venue.

Wungngayam Muirang, Leon Augustine and Namgyal Bhutia got on the score-sheet for BFC while Lallawmkima and Vibin T V scored for the Greens, both incidentally via penalties.

Army Green created pressure early on and were rewarded for that as well as well as Lallawmkima scored from the spot in the 9^th minute to the give the regimental side a lead.

However, the Naushad Moosa coached BFC did not take long to bounce back as Muirang scored the equalizer in the 20^th minute, courtesy a magical free kick that curled into the back of the net, giving Green’s keeper Sarath no chance whatsoever.

BFC played an attacking game post that and created quite a few chances but failed to convert any of them in the first half.

However, they did not take long to go ahead in the second as Leon Augustine scored the second for his team just minutes into the second half.

Namgyal Bhutia then scored the third just before the three-quarter hour mark to give the Blues a comfortable two goal cushion.

Dip Majumdar and Deepak Singh did create their chances and put pressure on the Bengaluru goal but the Blues defence did well to keep the lead intact.

In the last few minutes, Army Green pulled one back, through another spot-kick but it was all over by then.

Wungngayam Muirang was adjudged the Man of the Match for his excellent overall returns in the game including the goal scored.

Bengaluru FC – 3 (Wungngayam Muirang 20’ ,Leon Augustine 47’,NamgyalBhutia 74’)

                                    Vs

Army Green Football Team – 2 (Lallawmkima PC 9’,Vibin T V 89’ )

The post Bengaluru FC overcome gritty Army Green to enter Durand semis appeared first on Football Counter.

                           Vs

Delhi FC – 1 (Nikhil Mali 82’)

Kalyani, September 24, 2021: FC Goa continued their brilliant run and played a dominant brand of football throughout the 90 minutes to defeat Delhi FC 5-1 in the 130^th Durand Cup quarter finals at the Kalyani stadium on Friday. Goals from Devendra Murgaokar, Muhammed Nemil and Brandon Fernandez in the first half and Leander D’Cunha and RomarioJesuraj in the second, meant despite Delhi getting one back from Nikhil Mali, the Gaurs will take their place in the second semi-final on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at the Vivekananda Yuba BharatiKrirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata.

They await the winners of the fourth and final quarter-final game between fellow ISL side Bengaluru FC and Army Green on Saturday, also scheduled at the VYBK.

Delhi FC started well in the first quarter creating quite a few opportunities for themselves. Anwar Ali and Willis Deon Plaza had their chances at scoring but failed to convert each time.

It was all FC Goapost that. In the 15^th minute, Devendra Murgaokar scored the first goal and his fourth of the tournament to put the Gaurs ahead. Muhammed Nemil scored another three minutes later.

Delhi FC had chances in the remaining part of the first half but it was good work from Goa’s defence that kept them at bay.

Brandon Fernandesthen lobbed a curler from the left flank over Delhi keeper Lovepreet in added time, to give Goa a big cushion of 3 goals at half time.

Delhi FC looked like they came with a plan in the second half and showed some resilience initially but luck was not smiling at them on the day. They did pull one back in the 82^nd minuteas Nikhil Mali scored a smart goal after an even smarter Willis Plaza dummy inside the Goa box, spoiling the clean-sheet of Dheeraj under the Gaur’s bar.

It took Goa just a couple of minutes to regain the three goal cushion as Leander D’ Cunha scored from an overhead kick which did not quite catch his foot where he would have liked it to.

Alexander RomarioJesuraj scored the fifth and final goal in injury time to seal the deal for FC Goa.

Leander D’ Cunha was adjudged the Man of the Match for his match winning performance in today’s quarter-final encounter.

The post FC Goa storm through to Durand Cup semi finals appeared first on Football Counter.

The Army Red sqaud decided to withdraw fro the tournament as a result and FCBU receive a bye into the Semi-finals.

All decisions have been taken, keeping in mind the health and safety of players and officials primarily and the continuity and success of the tournament.

About Durand Cup
 

A symbol of India’s football history and culture, the Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest and the world’s third oldest football tournament, held between 16 top Indian football clubs across divisions. Organized by the Indian Armed Forces, the Durand Cup has been the breeding ground for India’s best footballing talent, over the years.

The inaugural edition happened in Shimla in 1888, when it started off as an Army Cup, open only to the British Indian Army troops in India, but soon opened up to civilian teams. Named after its founder, Sir Mortimer Durand, Foreign Secretary of British India from 1884 to 1894, the iconic tournament reached its 130th edition in 2021. Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have been the most successful teams, winning the tournament 16 times each.

The post Quarter final game between Army Red and FC Bengaluru United of the 130th Durand Cup called off appeared first on Football Counter.

The decision has been taken given the incessent rain in the city of Kolkata over the last few days, leaving the conditions at the Mohun Bagan ground unplayable.

All decisions have been taken, keeping in mind the health and safety of players and officials primarily and the continuity and success of the tournament.

Revised Quarter Schedule:

Quarter Final 1: 23rd Sept – Mohammedan SC vs Gokulam FC-VYBK

Quarter Final 3: 24th Sept- FC Goa vs Delhi FC- Kalyani

Quarter Final 4: 25th Sept – Bengaluru FC vs Army Green-VYBK

About Durand Cup
 

A symbol of India’s football history and culture, the Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest and the world’s third oldest football tournament, held between 16 top Indian football clubs across divisions. Organized by the Indian Armed Forces, the Durand Cup has been the breeding ground for India’s best footballing talent, over the years.

The inaugural edition happened in Shimla in 1888, when it started off as an Army Cup, open only to the British Indian Army troops in India, but soon opened up to civilian teams. Named after its founder, Sir Mortimer Durand, Foreign Secretary of British India from 1884 to 1894, the iconic tournament reached its 130th edition in 2021. Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have been the most successful teams, winning the tournament 16 times each.

The post Quarter final game between FC Goa and Delhi FC of 130th Durand Cup moved to Kalyani appeared first on Football Counter.