Football Fans Manipur: May 2012

news

U-22 Camp kicks-off in Delhi from June 1

8:43 AM
By Football Fans Manipur
0 Comments

news

AFC 'C' Certificate Course in full swing

8:42 AM
By Football Fans Manipur
0 Comments

news

We were confident after beating Manipur: Pasha

1:56 PM
By Football Fans Manipur
0 Comments

Chennai: “Once we had beaten Manipur, easily the best team in the championship, and entered the final, we thought we had a hand on the Santosh Trophy,” said the Tamil Nadu coach Sabir Pasha. But things took a different turn on the eve of the final that Services eventually won.

“Sudden rain, half-an-hour before the contest, made a radical change to the playing conditions,” Pasha said on the unexpected difficulties that cropped up for the players in the final.

“While I will not offer this as an excuse, I must say our boys are not used to playing in slippery conditions. We were not prepared for this, whereas the opposing team had several players who are accustomed to playing in the rain in Kolkata,” he said on how Tamil Nadu failed in the final analysis.

Still, reaching the title-round for the second time after a 40-year gap, the last being in 1972-73 in Goa, the State team had done itself proud.

“I am not, for a minute, admitting that Services was a weak side, but our confidence was high after that gruelling match against Mizoram where we came back from two goals arrears to win,” he said.

That match strengthened the self-belief in the side even if the team lost two players to Red card punishment, Naveen and Murugappan.

What heartened the coach was the State team, a young side with an average age of 23, jelled so well.

“Everyone played to a plan and as a coach, I was simply overwhelmed with that,” he said.

Pasha made the players think they were playing “just another match, nothing more and nothing less” on the morning of the final. We were not looking at history. We knew we would make it if we played to our potential,” he added.

Pasha, who has been given another extension for two years as the state team coach by the TFA President, S.M. Seeni Mohaideen, said: “This team needs to be nurtured and with enough exposure.

“The boys will deliver.”

As a player, Pasha had twice seen Tamil Nadu reach the semifinals. To that extent, he had done a touch better in Odisha as a coach.

Earlier, the team members were warmly received at the airport by TFA officials, led by Mr. Mohaideen.

He said the association was working out “prize money” for each player. “I can assure you each of you will soon receive not less than Rs. 50,000 for their good show,” he said at a simple reception at the Nehru Stadium later.

Courtesy: The Hindu

news

AIFF all praise for Services and Tamil Nadu

7:43 AM
By Football Fans Manipur
0 Comments

CC Meet

Sir Churachand Singh KCSI, CBE, Memorial Football Tournament

1:49 PM
By Football Fans Manipur
0 Comments

The tournament, popularly known the C.C. Meet, a major football event of the North Eastern Region of India, has been instituted in 1950 in the loving memory of late Maharajah of Manipur, Sir Churachand Singh, KCSI, CBE, who was a great patron of sports.

The Winner’s Trophy was donated by his son, (Late) Bodhachandra Singh, His Highness, the Maharajah of Manipur. The Gold portion of the Trophy was donated by (Late) Maharajakumar Tutendra Singh, the eldest son of Maharaj Bodhchandra Singh. At its every inception, the Tournament had been organised by the Manipur Sports Association (MSA).

With the amalgamation of Manipur Sports Association and Manipur Olympic Association in 1954, the tournament came under the management of All Manipur Sports Association. All Manipur Football Association became an affiliated unit of All India Football Federation (AIFF) in 1973 and the Tournament was registered under the A.I.F.F. Since then, All Manipur Football Association had taken the reins of organising the prestigious Tournament. Upto 2004, the tournament was called All India Sir Churachand Singh KCSI, CBE, Memorial Invitation Football Tournament. KCSI stand Knight Commander Star of India and CBE theCommander of British Empire.

The present title,“ Sir Churachand Singh KCSI, CBE, Memorial Football Tournament” was coined in 2005. Till 2009, 53 editions of the tournament had been organised. 4th Bn. Assam Rifles was the first Winner of the Trophy in the year 1950 and TRAU is the last Year’s Champion.

Trophies and awards :
    i)    Winner                    :     Rs. 60,000/-
                                         The Cash award is borne by the All Manipur Football Association (AMFA)
    ii)    Runners-Up            :     Rs. 25,000/-
                              The Trophy is donated by (Late) M.Y. Khan, the then                                                                       Proprietor, Imphal Talkies in memory of his father Khan Bahadur Shemsuddin
        Khan Durani.
              The Cash award of Rs. 25,000/- is borne by the AMFA.

iii) Semi-finalists : Rs. 5,000/-

iv) Quarter-Finalists : Rs. 3,000/-

v) Other matches : Rs. 1,000/-

xi) Top Scorer Award : The Trophy and Cash award introduced from 2002, is donated by

                      Nandeibam Ongbi Binapani Devi of   Thangmeiband Maisnam Leikai in the sweet memory of                       her husband Late N. Chitra Singh. Born on 1-3-36 into the family of (L) Kali Singh of
                      Thangmeiband, Yumnam Leikai, Imphal, he studied at Assam Civil Engineering Institute,
Gauhati . He served as an Executive Engineer under the Govt. of Manipur                                                   and retired on 28-02-94 from service. He took keen interest in sports and was captain of the                     college Hockey team. His team won many trophies including the “ Steel Trophy and League
                      Tournament, 1957, Guwahati”. He was an Executive member of NISA, a Manipur
                      StateFootball League Team for several years.     In short, sports   was in his blood.
                      He left this world for his heavenly abode on 15-11-02.

xii) the best referee of the C.C. Meet
Instituted in 2000, the Running Trophy along with the cash Award of Rs. 5000/-

                     are donated by the family members of (Late) Oja Benudhar Singh.
                     Oja Benudhar born in the year 1902 at Keishamthong Top Leirak, Imphal. He joined                                      the teaching profession in the year 1938 as Asst. Teacher at Bengali High School,                                          Imphal.
                     His love for Sports, theatre and contributions given by him as a Referee are                                          remarkable and is being remembered by every sports person today.
                     Oja Benudhar expired in the year 1976.

Santosh Trophy 2012

Services win Santosh Trophy 2012

8:35 AM
By Football Fans Manipur
0 Comments

Services players posing for group photograph.

CUTTACK: From a distance, the Santosh Trophy is bound to mesmerise you. It’s colossal! Hypnotised, you step near to have a better look. The pure silver, its glitter and carvings prompt you to take out your camera. You stand close and admire. Once it sinks in, you remember the names who have lifted it over the years. Goose bumps appear.

The late Sailen Manna lifted it, Sahu Mewalal, PK Banerjee, Tulasidas Balaram won it too; as did Syed Nayeemuddin, Yusuf Khan, Inder Singh, Sudhir Karmakar, Subhash Bhowmick, Parminder Singh, the late Sudip Chatterjee, the late Krishanu Dey, VP Sathyan, Basudeb Mondal, IM Vijayan, Bhaichung Bhutia amongst others. It weighs over 12 kgs.

You search around and spot a passerby, hand him the camera to you and pose for the family album -- a collector’s item no doubt which you would cherish over the years.

At the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, Services captain Gordon Zoramchhana lifted it for the first time – Services for the second time (the earlier one being in 1960-61) as they beat Tamil Nadu 3-2 to lift the 66th Santosh Trophy.

Services midfielder Sanju Subba scored the first goal – his right footer curling away from Tamil Nadu goalkeeper Akhil Soman to bulge the net. Subrata Sarkar doubled the lead in the 49th minute while VV Farhad tapped it past an onrushing Akhil for Services’ third goal in the 67th minute. Santa Kumar and M Ramesh reduced the margin for Tamil Nadu in the 82nd and the 89th minute respectively.

The 90 minutes storm and the torrential downpour prior to the kick-off made the Barabati Stadium, perhaps the most pleasant place to be under the lights.

By the time it started to drizzle midway into the first half, Services had already seized the initiative. On slippery underfoot conditions, they kept possession of the ball but not being allowed the width to penetrate into the box, they stayed content in taking snap shots from outside the box.

First, Captain Gordon Zoramchhana’s shot dipped at the last moment to bounce off the crosspiece and then in the 17th minute, ZV Horin’s shot found Tamil Nadu central defender Suman Raj on the way.

As they are wont to do, Tamil Nadu relied on counter-attacks and their first worth-mentioning move didn’t come till the 22nd minute – Jayakumar’s angular shot just going wide. Their best chance of the first half came in the 44th minute when Charles Anand Raj outjumped rival central defender Rary Raj to head Nirmal Kumar’s cross but Services goalkeeper AK Balwant thwarted it in his second attempt.

But Services pressed hard and were eventually rewarded on the counter attack. Sanju Subba’s powerful right-footer from just outside the box curled away from Akhil to bulge the net in the 45th minute as Services went into the interval enjoying a one-goal cushion.

Immediately after resumption, Services doubled their lead. With the drizzle still on, Horin’s grounder came out of a diving Akhil’s palms and Subrata Sarkar tapped it in.

Two goals within 5 minutes of play (of either half) upset Tamil Nadu’s calculations. Frustrated, they tried to come out of their shell and it further helped Services. The raid of attacks earned them their 3rd goal – VV Farhad placing it in past an onrushing Akhil.

However, Tamil Nadu’s young lads didn’t give up. In the 82nd minute, substitute Santa Kumar managed to reduce the margin and then M Ramesh pulled another back in the 89th minute. But it came a bit too late.

Out of the 7 entries into the final, this was Services 2nd triumph in the Santosh Trophy. For Tamil Nadu, who were runners-up in 1972-73, the wait continues.

SANTOSH TROPHY: FROM THE HISTORY BOOK

8:33 AM
By Football Fans Manipur
0 Comments

1) The first edition of the Santosh Trophy was held in 1941. The Trophy was donated by Indian Football Association in memory of their President, the late Sir Manmatha Nath Roy Chowdhury, the Maharaja of Santosh (now in Bangladesh). The runners-up Trophy was donated by Dr S. K. Gupta, ex President of IFA in memory of his wife Kamla Gupta. The Sampangi Cup which was earlier given to the team finishing third was donated by Mysore Football Association in memory of their footballer Sampangi.

2) West Bengal holds the record of making the maximum appearances in the final 43 times - winning the trophy a record 31 times and finishing runners up 12 times. Bengal have won the trophy thrice in a row (1949-51), five years in a row (1975-79) and a maximum of six years in a row from 1993-99. Every time the tournament has been held in Kolkata, Bengal have emerged victorious (9 times).

3) Punjab have made the final 14 times having won it 8 times and finished runners-up 6 times. They have won back to back titles twice (1984-85) and (2006 and 2007-08).

4) Kerala have made 12 appearances in the final having won it 5 times and runners-up 7 times. They won back to back titles in 1991-92.

5) Goa have also made it to the final 12 times and have won it 5 times (back to back-1982-83 and 83-84) and ended runners-up 7 times.

6) Karnataka (formerly Mysore) made the final 9 times. The finished as Champions 4 times (back to back -1967-68) and runners-up, 5 times.

7) Maharashtra (formerly Bombay) have won the trophy 4 times and finished runners-up 11 times, thereby making the final 15 times.

8) Railways have made the final 8 times and ended winning it thrice and finishing runners-up, 5 times.

9) Andhra (formerly Hyderabad) have made to the final 5 times winning twice and finishing runners- up, thrice.

10) Services have reached the final 6 times winning once and finishing runners- up 5 times.

11) Delhi won the title once and finished runners-up once.

12) Tamil Nadu and Manipur have finished runners up once each.

13) Bengal holds the record of the highest victory margin in a match when they defeated Tripura 18-0 in 1974 in Jullundhar.

14) Punjab holds the record of scoring a maximum of 44 goals in one single edition which they achieved in Jullundhar in 1974.

15) Inder Singh (Punjab) holds the record of scoring a maximum of 23 goals in a single edition of the tournament by an individual which he achieved in 1974 in Jullundhur.

16) N.Pagsley (Bengal) - 7 goals vs Rajputana in 1945 (Bombay) and Inder Singh (Punjab) - 7 goals vs Gujarat in 1974 (Julundhar) jointly hold the record of scoring maximum goals by an individual in a match.

17) Punjab holds the record of the highest victory margin in the final when they defeated Bengal 6-0 in 1974 in Julundhar.

18) Mohammed Habib (Bengal) holds the record of scoring maximum 5 goals in the final by an individual when Bengal pipped Services 6-1 at Nowgong in 1969.

19) The first time the final was decided on penalties was in 1985-86 at Jabalpur when Punjab prevailed over Bengal 4-1 via tie breaker. Since then five more finals (1987-88, 1988-89, 1993-94, 2006 and 2008-09) have been decided on penalties.

20) The first time a golden goal decided the final was in 1994-95 in Madras when Bengal pipped Punjab 2-1 via Baichung Bhutia's golden strike. Since then two more finals (2000-01, 2001-02) have been decided by golden goal.

TOP 6 GOALSCORERS OF SANTOSH TROPHY:

1) Inder Singh (Punjab): 45 goals

2) Mohammed Habib (Andhra and Bengal): 34 goals

3) Shyam Thapa (Services and Bengal): 31 goals

4) P. K. Banerjee (Bengal and Railways): 28 goals

5) Surajit Sengupta (Bengal): 26 goals

5) Biswajit Bhattacharya (Bengal): 26 goals

Services enjoy an edge in Santosh Trophy final: Pasha

8:31 AM
By Football Fans Manipur
0 Comments

By Nilanjan Datta,
AIFF Media Team

CUTTACK: They may have qualified for the final of the Santosh Trophy after a gap of forty years but the Tamil Nadu players don’t seem to live in this era. Barely minutes after their hard-earned semifinal victory against Manipur, they seemed to go back to the Stone Age. If not motionless, expressionless!

Coach Sabir Pasha turned to his boys and smiled. On the Dinner table, his wards were just going through the motions.

“This is the first time they have moved out of Tamil Nadu to play. This is the first time they are getting some exposure. This is the first tournament for most of them,” Pasha quips. You look at the players once again. Heads down, eyes on the plate, the only movement was from their hand to mouth. And then, you found it hard to even spot the chewing.

Pasha prefers to run around. Arranging for the ice-bath, co-ordinating for the evening stretching session, query about water bottles reaching the players, laundry, food, and other minute details. Everything in the Tamil Nadu camp seems to be well-oiled -- everything has to be just perfect.

Though he stays more than a thousand miles away, you cannot undermine his presence in the Tamil Nadu set-up, the presence of Colm Joseph Toal, Head Coach, Youth Development. “Call me a shadow of Colm,” Pasha quips. “He has nurtured me as a coach. Before working with him, I wasn’t sure of what to do. But he has fine-tuned me,” Pasha, who has worked as an assistant to Colm for age-group National Teams, adds.

“I did speak to him after our semifinal victory. Colm said: ‘Carry on the good work.’ He will never discourage his student. Never!”

This is Tamil Nadu’s 2nd entry to the final, the earlier one being forty years back. For Services, who have been Champions in 1960/61, the last entry to final was in 2007/08.

“Services are a much better side than us,” Pasha comes back to the final. “They have prepared long for his tournament. If you pit the players of both the sides on a one-to-one basis, Services will win with ease. They surely stay the favourites,” Pasha maintains.

“You just cannot compare both the sides. We are amateurs. If we don’t stay organised against them, we will be whipped. They attack fast and come hard at you. They enjoy an edge.”

Services coach V Sajith Kumar smiles. “We will miss our goalkeeper Nanao Singh who is out for a double booking. The semifinal against Kerala has been our best match in the tournament so far,” he informs. “A final is a final. We will stick to the strategy and go all out from the start. Though Tamil Nadu looks an organised side, we intend to attack.”

Interestingly, Pasha contradicts Sajith. “Most of our boys stay unaware of what a final is. They have never reached this far,” he goes on.

Can Tamil Nadu topple the Services applecart? Pasha’s eyes stay fixed. “We need to maintain our Shape. Let us enjoy and play well,” so much reminiscent of what Colm says.

You turn to the boys again. This time they are moving – up from their tables and proceeding towards their respective rooms.

The kick-off is at 6pm and the match will be telecast live on DD Sports.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

Services: 7th entry into the final

Best Performance: Champion 1960-61

Runners-up – five times: 1954-55, 1958-59, 1966-67, 1969-70, 2007-08

Tamil Nadu: 2nd entry into the final

Best Performance: Runners-up in 1972-73

Total matches played: 6

Matches won by Services: 4

Matches won by Tamil Nadu: 2

Goals scored by Services: 14

Goals scored by Tamil Nadu: 4

First Meeting – December 14, 1975 (Kozikhode):

Services 4 (Dassan, Megh Bahadur, Subramanium, Narendran)
beat
Tamil Nadu 1 (Edwin Rose)

Last three meetings:
March 12, 1986 (Bhillai):
Tamil Nadu 1 (Ranjith)
beat
Services 0

March 24, 1988 (Quilon):

Tamil Nadu 1 (Nagesh)
beat
Services 0

June 2, 2008 (Srinagar):

Services 5 (Shahji D’Silva – hat-trick; S Raleng, Mohit Rai)
beat
Tamil Nadu 0

Santosh Trophy 2012

Manipur ends campaign for Santosh Trophy, Tamil Nadu to meet Services in Santosh Trophy final

8:46 AM
By Football Fans Manipur
0 Comments

CUTTACK: Perhaps nothing can beat the feeling of your own state staying in contention for a berth in the final of the Santosh Trophy. Incoming calls, that too from the Gulf and SMS-s, mostly International, a couple from even the South East of Asia quizzed about the progress of the second semifinal almost all throughout. After all, as they say, staying away from the field of action, gives a fan more tension.

The Tamilians on the field at the Barabati Stadium answered all the prayers as Tamil Nadu held onto a first-half lead to beat Manipur 2-0 and book a summit clash with Services in the final of the 66th Santosh Trophy. Striker A Reagan scored the first goal in the 35th minute and substitute M David sealed the fate in the 85th minute.

The final, which kicks-off at 6pm on April 28, will be telecast live on DD Sports.

For Tamil Nadu Coach Sabir Pasha, who has been an assistant to Colm Joseph Toal for age-group National Teams, the ‘Shape’ stayed an integral part. Tamil Nadu started on a cautious note and stayed willing to play the waiting game. They allowed their opponents to come to them but never opened their goalmouth. Their penchant for counters also worked wonders for them.

After a series of attacks on the rival citadel, Tamil Nadu eventually gained the lead in the 35th minute. Jayakumar’s defence-splitting pass opened up the Manipur defence and striker Reagan beat rival stopper James Singh for speed and tapped it past an onrushing rival goalkeeper Basant Singh.

Tamil Nadu who looked more purposeful in the first half, should have gained the lead much earlier. In the 20th minute, Nirmal Kumar broke free as James chased but his tap from the top of the box went wide. Nirmal had all the time to go past goalkeeper Basant Singh but he wasn’t willing to. And then, four minutes later, Jayakumar after being set in the clear by John Paul, shot straight to Basant from a hand-shaking distance.

Manipur fizzled out a bit as the game progressed in the first half. But a Govin Singh header off a corner and Boy Singh free-kick from just outside the box deserve mention.

Enjoying a one-goal cushion at the interval, Tamil Nadu went into a defensive shell in the second half. The strategy allowed the Manipuris that extra bit of space in the midfield. Manipur’s best chance went abegging in the 61st minute – Boy Singh failing to trap a centre from the left and Tamil Nadu goalkeeper Akhil Soman thwarted the danger.

That apart, there were quite a few anxious moments in the Tamil Nadu box and Manipuri striker Thoi Singh’s diving header even entered the net only to be disallowed for off-side.

Tamil Nadu sealed the fate in the 85th minute, a counter-attack doing the trick for them. Substitute M David finished it off as he slotted past Basant.

Meanwhile, piror to the kick-off, Mr. Arvind Pari, IAS and RDC, was introduced to the two teams. (Source: AIFF)

Services scrape past Kerala to enter Santosh final

8:43 AM
By Football Fans Manipur
0 Comments

By Nilanjan Datta,
AIFF Media Team
CUTTACK: The green at Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium will tempt one to walk barefoot. Add to it the cool breeze which had the flags fluttering all throughout, the Barabati stayed perhaps one of the best places to be in an evening summer. Under the lights, watching football stayed a great sight.

On the field, Services scored one in each half to beat Kerala 2-1 and advance to the final of the 66th Santosh Trophy. They await the winners between Manipur and Tamil Nadu in the final on May 28. For Services, Subrata Sarkar scored in the 5th minute and Marsook scored an own goal in the 50th minute.

For Kerala, Vineet Anthony converted from the spot in the 83rd minute.

Services surged into the lead as early as the fifth minute. Kerala stopper Marsook failed to clear a Sanju Subba cross in the box and Subrata Sarkar was agile enough to capitalise – chipping it over Kerala custodian Joby Joseph.

Stung, Kerala tried to regroup. But they weren’t allowed the space in the midfield to manoeuvre as the nippy Services recovered faster than their rivals. Upfront Kerala striker R Kannan with his deft touches and positional sense did catch the rivals unaware a couple of times, but he didn’t get much support.

Maybe that prompted Kannan to go solo. In the 19th minute, his ambitious over-head kick sailed over and then in the 34th minute his long-ranger was fisted over by Services goalkeeper Nanao Singh.

For Services, Captain Gordon Zoramchhana who preferred to fall down and operate from the deep, played the pivotal role. He often fed Santu Subba, who broke through quite a few times down the right. The goal apart, Services’ best chance came in the 36th minute when Subrata failed to beat Joby from close after being set in the clear by a Horin through pass.

Five minutes later Kerala striker Usman missed an easier one. Off a corner, Kannan soared above all to head it to an unmarked Usman who blasted wide even as Nanao stayed out of position.

Changing over, Services doubled the lead almost immediately -- in the 50th minute. A harmless PS Sumes cross was back-headed into his own net by Kerala defender Marsook.

But Kerala didn’t give up. In the 55th minute, Kannan broke down the right and his low centre needed a tap from Usman; but the latter failed. Kerala did attack relentlessly as Kannan wrecked havoc in the Services box for most part of the second half. But even he failed to reduce the margin when he blasted out from inside the box in the 70th minute.

Nanao’s reflexes further denied Kerala within a span of two minutes. First in the 75th minute, he denied Shibin Lal’s first-timer and then in the 77th minute, he palmed away Usman’s tap to frustrate Kerala.

However, Nanao stayed of pulling down Usman in the 83rd minute in the box – substitute Vineet Anthony converting from the spot.

Inspired, Kerala went all out. But Services survived some anxious moments and managed to hold on.

Prior to the kick-off, Chief Guest Mr. Sanjib Marik, IPS, Additional DG, Orissa Police was introduced to both the teams.

Santosh Trophy 2012

Manipur challenge for Tamil Nadu’s young lot

8:41 AM
By Football Fans Manipur
0 Comments

By Nilanjan Datta,
AIFF Media Team

CUTTACK: The beauty of the country stays its vastness. Different states, different terrains, different cultures, different language, different food habits; and weather too. And we still have spoken about the distance between them.

A Train journey from Manipur’s capital City Imphal to Tamil Nadu’s Capital City Chennai will take you almost three days. First of all, there are no direct trains. From Imphal, one needs to travel to Guwahati by Road and from there to Kolkata and then to Chennai. And if you travel by air, it will take you over 7 hours.

Surely, the vastness of the country also stays a pain.

For a state which has been the nursery of Indian football for the last decade, Manipur, who are still to have an I-League Club from the State look up to the Santosh Trophy to make a mark. “When you look around, you will see footballers all over – on the streets, on the fields, on the grounds. The Ball stays an inseparable part of our lives,” Premakanta Singh, Manipur’s Assistant Coach, a former Senior Women’s National Team Coach says in one breath.

“To break into an I-League Club, you need the exposure. Santosh Trophy stays the platform for us,” he quips.

Kiron Khongshai, Gunabir Singh, Rennedy Singh, Tomba Singh, Gourmangi Singh – the list of Manipur players stay endless. It seems to be in the blood not only of the Manipuris but of the entire North-East region. After all, the first National Team Captain of Independent India Dr. T Aao also hails from the region, Nagaland.

“We know they will be nippy and come hard at us,” Former India International, Syed Sabir Pasha, presently the Tamil Nadu Coach, maintains. “The average age of our side stays 24 and for 85 percent of our boys, this is their first major Championship,” he informs.

“It’s futile to expect a boy to stick to state team when they have offers from I-League teams. Sadly, we don’t have any I-League team from our state. So the Santosh Trophy stays of utter importance to us,” Pasha, who also works as the assistant Coach to Colm Joseph Toal, adds.

Speak to Pasha and his eyes lit up about his association with the Santosh Trophy as a Player. “During our days (in the 90s), it was different. Santosh trophy was all about glamour. West Bengal were the toughest to beat. They had almost the entire India XI line-up playing for them,” he goes nostalgic.

"Nowadays, the concept is different as the tournament is all about development and for us; it stays our I-League.”

“None of the four semifinalists in the tournament boast of an I-League club (Chirag Kerala have already been relegated). This proves there is talent all over. Give them the platform and they will entertain you,” he ponders.

The kick-off is at 6.30pm (May 26, 2012).

FROM THE HISTORY BOOK:

Manipur's best performance: Champion in 2001/02

Tamil Nadu's best performance: Runners-up in 1972/73

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

Total Matches: 3

Matches won by Manipur: 1

Matches won by Tamil Nadu: 1

Drawn matches: 1

Goals scored by Manipur: 5

Goals scored by Tamil Nadu: 6

FIRST MEETING:

October 30, 2012 (Imphal):

Manipur 2 (Uttam Singh, Tikken Singh)

drew with

Tamil Nadu (Kulothungan, Kumaraveli)

Last two meetings:

June 6, 2009 (Chennai):

Tamil Nadu 3 (Muthu – hat-trick)

beat

Manipur 1 (Bijen Singh)

May 17, 2011 (Guwahati):

Manipur 2 (Nilakumar Singh, Nabachandra Singh)

beat

Tamil Nadu 1 (Ramesh).

India U-16 boys go down fighting to USA U-17 Team

8:56 AM
By Football Fans Manipur
0 Comments

Services take on Kerala in first Santosh semifinal

8:51 AM
By Football Fans Manipur
0 Comments

By Nilanjan Datta,
AIFF Media Team

CUTTACK: The heat wave hits you the moment you step out. You get pierced by hot needles all over. You look around and find women of all ages, faces covered, to protect themselves from the heat. Males obviously don’t have that luxury. A few kilometers away, the Mahanadi, more pebbled than wet, too seems to be bearing the brunt of the summer.

The evenings, however, stay pleasant. A cool breeze blows across and the towers lit up. Even as the cycle of the seasons can’t help us prevent summer from invading our lives, organisers certainly can plan better -- as they have here for the 66th Santosh Trophy. Matches are being played under the lights, the kick-off slated as late till 6.30pm.

West Bengal and Santosh Trophy have been synonyms over the years. But in the 66th edition, West Bengal would have to be content on watching from the sidelines as Kerala, Services, Manipur and Tamil Nadu would be battling it out for the top honours – all at Barabati Stadium which till the other day, hosted SRK’s Kolkata Knight Riders.

In the former capital of Odisha, the Dahi Sharbats for a moment prompt you to believe not all is bad about summers. You look further, and you find football – the two teams gearing up for a slot in the final of the historic tournament.

Both Services and Kerala have come with a mission. For most of the talented Services footballers who don’t splurge out to play club football in the I-League, the Santosh stays the platform to make a mark. They have been consistent over the years, one has to admit.

“We will play attacking football. That has been our style and we will stick to it,” commented V Sajith Kumar, the Services Coach. “We will stick to the same combination which played in our last match,” he said.

The vastness of the country and commitment to one’s service often pits an individual planning the downfall of his own home state. Sajith, himself a Keralite, laughs it off. In fact, it isn’t him alone. Services also boast of four footballers from Kerala in their first XI.

Kerala Coach MN Jacob stays a bit cautious. “We are confident but not over confident. In such a match, there’s no room for complacency,” Jacob maintained. “The flanks stay an important proposition in our plans,” he added.

“It’s hard to play consecutive matches but the positive it’s helped us to sort out the perfect combination. We’ve no complaints.”

The history book points out Services enjoying an edge against Kerala. Stay certain, Services are not banking on history and Kerala stay desperate to turn tables around. The Historic Barabati Stadium awaits the kick-off at 6.30pm (May 25, 2012).

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Total Matches: 10

Matches won by Services: 4

Matches won by Kerala: 2

Drawn: 4

Goals scored by Services: 14

Goals scored by Kerala: 7

FIRST MEETING:

February 6, 1958 (Hyderabad):

Services 1 (Janardhan) beat Kerala 0

LAST THREE MEETINGS:

November 1, 2002 (Imphal):

Kerala 3 (Asif Saheer – brace; Ajayan)
beat
Services 2 (Johnny Gangmei, Preetam Bahadur).

October 28, 2004 (Delhi):

Kerala 2 (Abdul Noushad, Nousdah Pari)
beat
Services 0

June 7, 2008 (Srinagar):

Services 3 (S Raleng – hat-trick)

beat

Kerala 0

HIGHEST MARGIN OF VICTORY:

October 22, 1959 (Nowgong):

Services 4 (Puran Bahadur – brace; Kaziponi, Moloy Lahiri)
beat
Kerala 0

Santosh Trophy 2012

Manipur to play TN in semis; Services take on Kerala

9:02 AM
By Football Fans Manipur
0 Comments

Santosh Trophy 2012

Santosh Trophy 2012: Semifinal line-up

8:59 AM
By Football Fans Manipur
0 Comments

Santosh Trophy 2012: Final Team Standings in Quarter Final Leagues

8:52 AM
By Football Fans Manipur
0 Comments

India end AFC U-14 campaign on a high

8:41 AM
By Football Fans Manipur
0 Comments

Santosh Trophy 2012

Manipur enters semifinal

9:00 AM
By Football Fans Manipur
0 Comments

Imphal: Manipur, last year's runners-up, made its entry in the last four stage of 66th Santosh Trophy after 2-2 draw with favorite Goa in their last Group-A encounter of quarter finals. Kerala entered semifinals from after defeating Maharastra by 3-1 to top Group A Quarterfinal round.

Kh. Thoi Singh, striker Sikkim United, made Manipur ahead in 19th minute of the first session, but G. Fernandes leveled the margin in the 26th minute. Prateesh Sirodakar added one in the injury time of the first half.

In the second session, thefront liners of Manipur made a hard effort to equalize the scoreline as the match would be ateast draw for Manipur to book semi final berth. M. Govin Singh's late goal in 70th minute of the match got the place for last four.

Manipur became champion of Group-B by virtue of Goal Difference & qualified for the Semi Final. Manipur will meet winner team from Goroup D on May 26.

Kerala defeated Maharashtra to top Group A Quarterfinal round and advance to the semifinal of the 66th Santosh Trophy at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Tuesday . Maharashtra who had won their first two matches needed a draw to make it to the last four took the lead in the 8th minute – Kailash Patil converting from the spot.

But Kerala hit back soon as Sujit equalised in the 17th minute. In the second half, Kannan scored a brace to seal the issue for Kerala. He scored his first in the 72nd minute and then put it beyond Maharashtra’s reach scoring his team’s third goal in the 81st minute.

Kerala finished on 7 points from three matches while Maharashtra ended on 6 points.

Meanwhile, defending champions West Bengal who had earlier bowed out of the tournament defeated Punjab 2-1 in their last Group League match. After Gurmeet Singh put Punjab in the lead in the 16th minute, Mohd. Mukhtar and Tapan Maity scored one apiece for West Bengal in the 17th and the 87th minute.

West Bengal finished on four points from 3 matches while Punjab couldn’t open their account.

In an inconsequential match of the Group, Meghalaya beat Uttar Pradesh 3-0. Ronnie scored the first goal for Meghalaya in the 7th minute while Bansharai doubled the score in the 18th minute. Timmy Ryngkhlem scored the third goal in the 82nd minute.

Meghalaya finished on three points from three matches while Uttar Pradesh lost all their matches.

Pages

25-May-2012: Kerala Vs Services

25-May-2012: Manipur Vs Tamil Nadu

Group-A

Group-B

Group-C

Services, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Haryana (Cluster-VII winner)

Group-D

* P-Play, W-Win, L-Lost, GF- Goal For, GA- Goal Against

Group-A

Group-B

Group-C

Services, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Haryana (Cluster-VII winner)

Group-D

* P-Play, W-Win, L-Lost, GF- Goal For, GA- Goal Against

Group-A

Group-B

Group-C

Services, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Haryana (Cluster-VII winner)

Group-D

* P-Play, W-Win, L-Lost, GF- Goal For, GA- Goal Against

Group-B

Group-C

Services, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Haryana (Cluster-VII winner)

Group-D

* P-Play, W-Win, L-Lost, GF- Goal For, GA- Goal Against

Group-A

Group-B

Group-C

Services, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Haryana (Cluster-VII winner)

Group-D

* P-Play, W-Win, L-Lost, GF- Goal For, GA- Goal Against

Popular Posts

Find us on Facebook

Pinterest

recent posts

Blog Archive

Instagram

Follow me

Socialize!