The Frenchman was utterly disappointed following his team’s 1-1 draw against Kerala Blasters on Thursday that deprived Mumbai City FC of a semi-final spot in the league. “The way we played, we don’t deserve to be in the semis. We can’t blame anybody. We lacked the desire to win,” a dejected Anelka was quoted as telling a post-match press conference.

The former Arsenal striker had high-flying hopes for boosting MCFC’s stature in the ISL during his 2-year stint with the club but unfortunately for him, this dream might take more than an elite Marquee player who’s being doled out huge sums of money every season from the club to escalate Mumbai City’s footballing repertoire. It only goes to goes to show the frailties of Soccer contracts and the kind of impact results can have in influencing a major player’s loyalty commitments to a club in the long run esp. when the current campaign ends with a blow.

Alas! Anelka’s personal career history holds testament to the fact that the solid forward doesn’t like staying in one place for too long.

As for Mumbai City FC, their fate hangs in the balance as they seek another Marquee prospect in their bid to outclass all competition on their road to ISL glory.

The post ‘NOT AS MARQUEE AS MCFC DESIRES’ – Nicolas Anelka is on the move once more as his season with Mumbai City FC draws to a close. appeared first on Football Counter.

Will soon be available at Café Coffee Day outlets, The Mobile Store, Videocon outlets and at ticketing booths at PJN Stadium, Goa

FC Goa will take on Chennaiyans FC at its opening match on 15th October 2014 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Goa

Panaji, 8 Oct 2014: FC Goa fans will now be able to get their hands on tickets to the much awaited opening game between FC Goa and Chennaiyans FC to be held at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa on October 15, 2014.

FC Goa has partnered with online ticketing portal BookMyShow.com for ticket sales. Tickets to the opening match as well as other home matches are now live on http://in.bookmyshow.com/go/?ref=islmainsite_fc_goa_2014&url=http://in.bookmyshow.com/sport/indian-super-league/fc-goa/

The Hero Indian Super League, India’s unrivalled football championship is scheduled to kick off on 12th October 2014. FC Goa will play its first match against Chennaiyans FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa on October 15, 2014.

Tickets are priced at Rs 100 (North and South Stand), Rs 200 (East Stand) and Rs 300 (West Stand). Tickets at corporate boxes will be available at Rs 2500. Season Passes for home matches are also available. For every six home matches you buy, you would get one free.

In addition to Book My Show, tickets can also be bought from a number of venues across the state, including Cafe Coffee Day outlets, The Mobile Shop stores and select Videocon outlets. Ticketing booths are being set up at the PJN Stadium Fatorda, FC Goa’s home ground from where tickets will be available from 9th October onwards.

Sports aficionados can buy tickets for FC Goa matches at Cafe Coffee Day outlets starting from 10th October at outlets located at, Bambolim (Kenkre Centre, NH 17); Colva (inside Silver Sand Resort, Colva Beach Road); Margao (inside Vasant Arcade, Comba); Margao (inside HPCL Kundre Service Station, Padre Miranda Road); Panjim (Arthur Viegas Building, next to Hotel Law Capital); Porvorim (143, NH 17, Porvorim, Bardez); Calangute (Inside Sunshine Beach Resort, Baga and Inside Vanessa Theatre Shopping Complex); Candolim (Fort Aguada Road), Mapusa (Feira Alta, Bardez, Near Mapusa Court Circle) and Palolem (inside Hotel Rishi Exotica, Palolem Beach Road).

Tickets will also be available at The Mobile Store outlets located at Bardez (Shop no 19&20, below hotel Orionnova, Cidade complex, opp Dominos, Porvorim,Bardez – 403521); Vasco (Shop no. 9, ground floor, “Hotel Gladstone”Opposite Civil Court, Vasco Da Gama Goa, Vasco – 403802) and Panjim (Shop no 2, Ground Floor, Navelkar Trade Center, M.G road, Panjim – 403001).

FC Goa has already triggered a whirlwind of interest when it signed on a genuine Brazilian legend and three-time World Cupper Arthur Antunes Coimbra fondly known as Zico as its marquee coach. Zico has begun putting the FC Goa lads through the motions at team training sessions and is gearing for the first season of the ISL.

The post Tickets to FC Goa’s opening match go live appeared first on Football Counter.

“I would love to go and see the Taj Mahal someday soon, after the league. India is a big country and I hope to see more of it,” Bengelloun says.

For now, when he is not being put through the practice drills, physio and workouts at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco, where team FC Goa trains, Bengelloun is content with Goan hospitality and showering from an elephant’s trunk!

“Goa is a beautiful place and I appreciate every moment here. We had the day off last week and I visited a spice farm with some of the team mates. It was wonderful. We had an elephant ride and a shower with the elephant. I absolutely feel in love with the beautiful animal. Coming from Paris, I’ve never been able to appreciate and enjoy nature like I’m doing in Goa. On my days off I’d like to see a little more of this beautiful state of Goa. I love discovering new places and would love to visit some more places if I can,” said Bengelloun thrilled at his off-day outing.

Bengelloun is a product of the academy run by popular French club Paris Saint-Germain, from where he played in various clubs across Switzerland, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, along with his native country France.
The last club he played for, Mulhouse, was home to Arsene Wenger and Raymond Domenech as players.

Speaking about his current FC Goa stint, Bengelloun said: “It’s been a great experience so far. The players are excellent and we have gelled together well. I’m surprised by the footballing talent here in Goa and India. The field is good and the training has been coming along well. Everything has been fantastic. I feel wonderful to be part of FC Goa.”

About Zico, the clubs marquee coach, Bengelloun claimed it’s an “absolute pleasure” working with the Brazilian legend, who conducts practice sessions twice everyday.

“He’s been an amazing player himself. And he’s an excellent coach, having coached teams across the country. He has tremendous experience and we are lucky to be training under a coach of his stature. The week is busy with training and we are gearing up for the league matches” said Bengelloun, at the end of yet another grueling training session.

The post European journeyman is in awe of Goa, wants to see the Taj appeared first on Football Counter.

Team FC Goa introduces its marquee coach Zico and marquee player Robert Pires

The Adidas team kit unveiled at the ceremony

Mumbai 23 September 2014: The good, healthy buzz about FC Goa just got even better.
FC Goa today introduced its marquee coach, Zico and marquee player Robert Pires at a well-attended ceremony at the Palladium Hotel in Mumbai. Present at the ceremony were Mrs. Nita Ambani, Founding Chairperson, Football Sports Development and Mr. Praful Patel, President, AIFF along with the owners  Mr. Venugopal N Dhoot, Mr. Dattaraj V. Salgaocar and Mr. Shrinivas V. Dempo. FC Goa’s first ‘friend’ actor Varun Dhawan was also present.

The Indian Super League club has already triggered a whirlwind of interest when it signed on a genuine Brazilian legend and three-time World Cupper Arthur Antunes Coimbra fondly known as Zico as its marquee coach. Zico has begun putting the FC Goa lads through the motions at team training sessions and is gearing for the first season of the ISL.

Virat Kohli-Co-owner of FC Goa, Varun Dhavan-FC Goa’s First Friend, Zico- Coach and Robert Pires Marquee Player

Former French international and Arsenal star Robert Pires, FC Goa’s marquee player was formally unveiled to the audience at the ceremony. Very few football aficionados would need an introduction to the star, who has been a part of the World Cup and Euro Cup winning squads for France and has won several club triumphs for Arsenal.

The Adidas team kit was also unveiled at the ceremony. Talking about the team kit, Tushar Goculdas, Brand Director, adidas India said, “adidas is the number one football brand in the world and we are excited to partner with FC Goa, the team representing one of the most passionate centres of football in India. The team is supported by a strong backbone, with owners having great footballing heritage, Virat- a world class athlete and passionate football fan and Zico, one of the greatest artists of the beautiful game. We are even more excited to unveil the team kit today, which has been created by our global design team and beautifully captures the essence of Goa. The team jersey will be available to FC Goa fans to buy in a few weeks.”

The big highlight at the event was the formal announcement of Virat Kohli, one of India’s finest contemporary cricketers, as the brand ambassador and co-owner of FC Goa. Kohli brings with him dynamism, grit and an unbridled energy, which are the elements that form the core of FC Goa.

Said Virat Kohli of his involvement in team FC Goa, “”FC Goa is going to be very competitive in the upcoming ISL. And the expertise and experience of stalwarts like Zico and Pires will further strengthen the already strong DNA that the team possesses, thanks to the Salgaocar, Dempo and Videcon  Groups’ involvement. I am very excited to be a part of this franchise in what definitely looks like a breakthrough for Football as a Sport in India”

Said Zico of his move to India, “There is a huge responsibility placed on my shoulders and I will do justice to it. I know expectations are high. I am motivated to take on this role of coach to FC Goa. Thank you for a wonderful welcome to India.”

Added Frenchman Robert Pires “I’m excited to play for FC Goa at the inaugural season of the ISL. I look forward to my time in Goa and India and to contribute positively to the development of football in the country.”

Mr. Venugopal N. Doot, Chairman of the Board, Videocon Industries, agreed saying, “These are exciting times for me and my partners Dattaraj Salgaocar and Shrinivas Dempo, who have shared a common dream – to make a valuable contribution to Indian football and elevate the standards of the sport in the country”.

Mr. Shrinivas Dempo Chairman and Managing Director of Dempo Group of Companies, said “The enthusiasm and interest in the sport is what drives us to invest in it. Football has always come before everything else. We are now looking forward to elevating the sport of football to a whole new level. ISL has provided us with the unique opportunity to create this change and infuse fresh enthusiasm into the sport.”

Added Mr. Dattaraj V. Salgaocar Managing Director of V M Salgaocar and Company, “ We have supported football for over five decades. The arrival and support of these two global football icons on the Indian footballing turf, marks the beginning of a glittering era for the ‘Beautiful Game’ in India.  The team embodies the spirit of Joga Bonito, playing the beautiful game the way it should be played – with pace, power and passion. That’s what team FC Goa will bring to the ISL”?

Said Varun Dhawan, “The moment I got to know about the ISL I wanted to be a part of it. I love football and it’s wonderful to see so much talent and enthusiasm around the sport”.
FC Goa will kick off the first game of the Indian Super League against Chennaiyin FC  at home on October 16. Other teams in the Indian Super League include Kerala Blasters, Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City FC, FC Pune City, Delhi Dynamos, Atletico de Kolkata and North East United.

The FC Goa Squad: Laxmikant Kattimani, Debabrata Roy, Gabriel Fernandes, Clifford Miranda, Shaikh Jewel Raja, Alwyn George, Narayan Das, Prabir Das, Mandar Rao Dessai, Romeo Fernandes, Peter Carvalho, Holicharan Narzary, PronayHalder, Rowilson Rodrigues, Miguel Pereira Herlien, MiroslavSlepicka, Youness Bengelloun, Bruno Pinheiro, Edgar Marcelino, Gregory Arnoli, Jan Seda and Robert Pires.

About FC Goa: Launched on August 26, 2014, FC Goa is Goa’s premier football club competing in the Hero Indian Super League, India’s top tier football league. Owned by Mr Venugopal Dhoot, Mr Dattaraj Salgaocar, Mr Shrinivas Dempo and Mr. Virat Kohli, it has its home ground at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, South Goa.

About the Indian Super League: The Hero Indian Super League (ISL) tournament is organized under the aegis of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). It is currently contested by eight teams from across India, played on a league basis (home and away games). The top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals and the winners of the double leg semi-finals will play in the finals. There will be 56 league matches and five knock-out matches held between October 13 and December 20, 2014.

Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/fcgoaofficial  
Twitter: @fcgoaofficial 

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