Mumbai leave it late to floor NorthEast in 5-goal thriller

Mumbai: Lucian Goian led from the front for Mumbai City FC as he scored a precious winner in stoppage time as the hosts won a five-goal thriller 3-2 against NorthEast United FC at the Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai.

On a night where Mumbai City had to win the match, the dramatic late winner helped the Islanders stay alive in the race for a place in the playoffs. Mumbai City have now moved to the sixth spot with 23 points from 16 matches. Should they win their remaining two matches against Delhi Dynamos and Chennaiyin FC, they can still make it to the top four.

NorthEast United have been left at the bottom of the pool with 11 points from 17 matches. 

For large spells, it looked like NorthEast would get at least a point from this game. They were down by an early goal from Achille Emana (15th minute) but Lucian Goian’s own goal brought them back in the 24th minute. Sambinha then gave NorthEast the lead in the 43rd minute, only for Everton Santos (54th minute) to draw level for Mumbai and Goian to strike at the very end in this dramatic tie. 

Needing a win to get their campaign back on track, Mumbai City started strongly and deservedly took the lead inside the first 15 minutes which they thoroughly dominated.

They took the lead through midfielder Achille Emana who carved out a goal from nothing. It was Everton Santos who had picked out his teammate on the top of the box and the burly Cameroonian, took a swift turn and then picked out the bottom right corner before a diving TP Rehenesh could get there.

Goalkeeper Rehenesh was otherwise alert for NorthEast United FC, keeping away a blazing shot from Santos early in the game and then tipping over a free-kick from Marcio Rozario.

NorthEast got the equaliser in the 24th minute. Maic Sema crossed the ball from the left for Gursimrat Singh, whose shot was travelling towards goal and Mumbai defender Lucian Goian, in an attempt to clear, steered it inside his own goal.

The visitors should have been ahead in the 41st minute but John Mosquera missed a sitter from a swift counter-attack. NorthEast, however, were not to be denied the lead two minutes later as an unmarked Sambinha came up with a low header from Lalrindika Ralte’s corner kick.

In the second session, Mumbai didn’t have to wait too long for the equaliser.

Everton Santos got the equaliser when he bundled home past two defenders from inside the box after it was headed into his path by Rafa Jorda. Mumbai then kept bombarding the goal in search of a precious winner which was eventually secured through an unlikely source.

It was the captain who redeemed himself for his earlier lapse that gave NorthEast the equaliser. Goian made a superb run to meet Raju Gaikwad’s cross and finished it with some class in the first minute of stoppage time.

ATK hurt Kerala’s chances with 2-2 draw

Kolkata: Bulgarian football legend Dimitar Berbatov scored his first goal in the Hero Indian Super League for Kerala Blasters FC but it counted for little in the end as the visitors were held 2-2 by ATK at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata, on Thursday.

Kerala Blasters twice took the lead, first through Gudjon Baldvinsson (33 minutes) and then through Dimitar Berbatov (55 minutes) but goals from Ryan Taylor (38 minutes) and Tom Thorpe (75 minutes) helped cancel the leads.

The draw helped ATK arrest their four losses in a row and secured the first point for interim coach Ashley Westwood but doesn’t help their chances of qualification. ATK now have 13 points from 14 matches and have seen their chances of qualification go up in smoke.

Kerala Blasters will also be disappointed with the point. They have temporarily displaced FC Goa from the sixth spot with 21 points compared to FC Goa’s 20, but have played three extra matches.

The clash between last year’s finalists, now struggling in this edition of the Hero ISL, started tentatively and sprang to life only towards the later half of the first 45 minutes. Kerala Blasters were the first to break the deadlock in the 33rd minute as Baldvinsson found the mark.

A good cross in the danger zone from Prasanth saw Baldvinsson jump highest and head towards goal where it hit the shoulder of ATK defender Jordi Montel and sailed past the goalkeeper.

ATK needed five minutes to get on level scores as they capitalised on a defensive lapse. Milan Singh tried to play the ball forward but it was intercepted by Taylor. He then took his time and picked his spot as the ball deflected off Lalruatthara and sailed past Kerala goalkeeper Subhashish Roy Chowdhury.

The teams were tied 1-1 at half time and Kerala once again took the lead when play resumed in the second session. It was former Manchester United forward Berbatov who gave them the lead with his first goal of the season. Jackichand Singh’s free-kick was flicked on by Nemanja Lakic-Pesic and fell to Berbatov on top of the box. The Bulgarian sharpshooter connected neatly and picked the bottom left corner of the goal for a classy finish.

It seemed like Berbatov’s goal would be enough for Kerala Blasters but ATK hit back with the equaliser in the 74th minute after going close on a couple of occasions.

Taylor's corner was first cleared by the Kerala defence but the ball traveled back to the flank where Taylor sent in another measured cross which Thorpe did well to connect from inside a crowded goalmouth.

In the end, ATK managed to hold on to that draw and won their first point in five matches, while Kerala were left to rue a final chance in the final minute when Thorpe cleared Baldvinsson’s attempt on the goalline.

High-Flying Churchill Impose A Threat To Aizawl

GOA: Churchill Brothers surprised everyone by beating Minerva Punjab FC who were looking invincible until that point in the season have another big task to cut out as they’re now going to face defending champions Aizawl FC at the Tilak Maidan in Goa tomorrow.

The Paulo Menezes-coached side who are coming from a stalemate against Chennai City FC would be wary of the Red Machines who are looking to be the team to beat at the moment.

Aizawl have reasons to be worried as they are winless in their last five matches – counting the AFC Champions League game against Zob Ahan.

The not-so-decent run of results has seen them slump to a lowly sixth on 16 points and Churchill Brothers are only three points behind the defending champions.

Churchill Brothers are growing in confidence with each passing game and they have targeted a top half finish for the season. After the addition of players like Koffi Mechac, Kalu Ogba, Eldor Hussein and others, the Red Machines look like a different animal.

“It is my belief that if we had this whole set of foreigners from the beginning, we could have been in the top two and even heading the league table with some distance. In the initial stages of the season, we lost five matches which is 15 points. So you see the recovery we had to make from the five defeats,” Churchill Brothers coach Alfred Fernandes suggested.

Even Aizawl coach Paulo Meneses agreed that this Churchill Brothers team is not the same as the side they had beaten in the reverse fixture.

“You cannot compare this Churchill Brothers to the one that played in Aizawl with us. They have improved a lot. It will be a very tough game. We are ready to play against them but we know it will be difficult. They are a very competitive team and they are improving. It is not the same Churchill Brothers,” Menezes said.

But Alfred Fernandes is prepared to face a backlash from Aizawl after their poor run of form.

“That (backlash) is always expected, especially Aizawl being the defending champions. Being in mid-table, they will come out hard against us. Playing out a draw against bottom-placed Chennai City FC must have hurt them a lot. We have to be prepared,” Alfred Fernandes said.

Menezes feels that the points table don’t justify their performances.

“The chances that we create in every game, it was enough to be with much more points. Our problem is to score. Hopefully, we have a better chance,” he said.

But the Portuguese coach feels that taking one game at a time is the best way forward right now.

“It’s a chance, it is a game. Even if you play against East Bengal, you just get three points. Not 15 or 16 points. If you play against Churchill Brothers, you get only three points and not more. Or maybe less like one point or zero points. It is not the best chance to take three points, it is just a chance,” Meneses stated.


source: aiff

Bengaluru look to turn the tables on Chennai

Chennai:It’s the showdown between two teams that have set the pace this season in the Hero Indian Super League. Even though both Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC are comfortably settled in the top two positions in the league standing, there still will be a lot to play for when they square off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday. 

Second placed Chennaiyin FC are currently four points behind table toppers Bengaluru FC but John Gregory's men have played one game less than their southern rivals. Chennayin had defeated Bengaluru 2-1 at their home and a win tomorrow will see the Chennai team cut the lead to just one point. But, it will not be easy. Bengaluru FC come into this game with three consecutive wins under their belt. And this time, Bengaluru will look to turn the tables on Chennai.

Mindful of the task at hand, Chennaiyin FC coach John Gregory told reporters at the pre-match press conference that for him, the season actually starts now.

"For me, the season starts tomorrow. This is when you find how good you are. Everything has just been jostling for positions. It just like practice lap in Formula 1. We are second in the grid and the race actually starts tomorrow. We have five games in 17 days that will determine if we make it to the play-offs," he added.  

Talking about the team selection for tomorrow's big game, Gregory said, he has the complete squad to choose from but he'll make that decision only before the game.  "Everyone is fit and healthy for this crucial period. I'm fortunate to have a good medical staff that has taken good care of the players," he added.

Though Chennaiyin FC have the advantage of a 2-1 win over BFC in the last game, the Bengaluru head coach Albert Roca believes that their loss to Chennai in the previous encounter will have no effect on his players when they face Chennaiyin for the second time in the season.

"I don't think it will play on our mind. Losing to Chennaiyin FC wasn't disastrous. Obviously, we want to win all games. Tomorrow, we need to be brave and try and get all three points," he said at the pre-match press conference. 

Bengaluru FC have been enjoying a great debut season in the ISL. Roca’s men have adapted to the new league with ease and are looking like title contenders. The Spanish tactician, however, feels it's too early for such claims.

"It's not finished yet. First, we have to finish all our games, perhaps we can talk a little about it and even then we also have to go through playoffs. At the moment it's a pack of six teams looking to get into top four. So the first goal is to be in top four. If we take all three points tomorrow, we'll be close," he concluded.

Neroca Poised To Pip Kerala To Grab The Pole

IMPHAL: NEROCA FC will have the golden opportunity to leapfrog current table toppers Minerva Punjab FC to reach the summit of the 2017-18 Hero I-League standings when they host Gokulam Kerala FC at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal on Sunday (February 4, 2018).

Two back-to-back losses at home last week somewhat derailed the Manipur-based side’s surge to the top after they went nine games unbeaten. Redemption in front of their home crowd will be on their minds as the incentive to go top also beckons for the men in orange.

Defender Varney Kallon addressed the media, “Yes we lost those two games but still the league seems in our favour.  We start from tomorrow, and until the end of the league, we’ll do whatever possible for us to become the champions.”

He added, “It was shocking to everyone because the past two years I played in NEROCA, I never lost any game at home. So when I lost two games at home, I was shocked but this I football.”

“Whenever you are playing a league, you don’t go out to lose but when you do, you accept it. You change your focus to your goals for the end of the season. So our dream and concentration are to get done with the five remaining games in hand. Hopefully, we will do well, get the glory and wins those games. I strongly believe that we will be champions”, he added.

Assistant coach S. Premkanda reasoned for their two home losses. He said, “Football is like life. In a match one is a winner and one is a loser. The winner tries to win the match even though football is there. We lose as a team and win as a team.”

Not having found the back of the net in the last three games from open play (goal against Churchill came via a penalty), the newly-promoted side will be in a spot of bother as goals seem to have dried up suddenly.

NEROCA play four consecutive home games starting Sunday and will be hoping for a revival of fortunes to stay up with Minerva Punjab in the title race, having already played a game more than the Warriors, who incidentally dropped points the previous night.

Gokulam Kerala, on the other hand, will be eyeing their third victim on the trot after ending their five-match losing run last month with two wins on the spin.

Head coach Bino George explained, “They (NEROCA) are at the top and we are at the bottom. For us, this match is very precious. Last two matches we played good and now the boys are eager to fight against NEROCA. For us, we want to finish mid-table and for that, we have to play a good game against NEROCA. We are working hard and we will get results hopefully.”

“Slowly and steadily, the boys are getting into the groove. My squad is very young and inexperienced. Maybe only one or two of them have featured in previous seasons of the Hero I-League and now they are getting the experience. After about playing nine matches, they have got to know what all is needed to thrive in this kind of a competition and with the knowledge, we want to work hard and get results.”

He praised the Manipur-based side, “NEROCA are a good side, they play hard. They have enough players in their squad and more or less retained the same team from last season, so they are familiar with each other and have continued the tempo. It is good for NEROCA and we respect them as an opponent.”

“But for us, we are in a different stage. We are at the bottom and we have to come up. Kerala got a Hero I-League club after seven years and we want to at least qualify for the Super Cup. We owe it to our management and the state of Kerala, which is badly needed, to sustain ourselves in the I-League and play in the Super Cup,” he concluded.

With ten points from eleven games, the Hero I-League debutants’ next four fixtures will define their season as they have Mohun Bagan, Kingfisher East Bengal and Minerva Punjab lined up after this.

NEROCA will pip Minerva by a point if they win but for Gokulam Kerala, a dream of finishing mid-table will really take shape if they manage to steal points at Imphal.

source:AIFF

Kerala look to exploit Pune’s imbalance

Pune: David James' return to Kerala Blasters FC saw a three-match unbeaten run at the start, but that was punctured by back-to-back defeats before his side recovered to get all three points against Delhi Dynamos in the Hero Indian Super League. 

It has been a bit of a roller-coaster ride for the Englishman and his team's fans as they look to overhaul a two-point gap to the top four. The only issue is that the Kerala Blasters have played more games than any of the teams in contention for a place in the semifinal and will now face the daunting task of beating high-flying FC Pune City at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium, Pune, on Friday. 

Pune are themselves dreaming of the possibility to make the Hero ISL playoffs for the first time ever, and have the momentum with two wins out of two and a healthy return of just one defeat in their last six games. Ranko Popovic's side are dangerous on the counter, lethal on the finish and have the second-best defence in the league with just 12 goals conceded.

Kerala Blasters FC captain Sandesh Jhingan and head coach David James
 know that there is scope for any slip-ups now

"The defeat to FC Goa was tough and left us in a position where we had to win six games in a row so the Delhi win was very important. Confidence in the players was good and it put us one step ahead in the quest to win the remaining games," said James.

James was asked what he thought of Pune goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, who has kept four cleansheets in nine appearances, making 21 saves in the process. "He's a talented young man and there are some things which he is very good at and there are some things about him that we will look to take advantage of tomorrow," said the former England international.

He also said that star signing Dimitar Berbatov "looked fantastic in training" and did not respond to questions over other transfer targets. 

Pune City can go top of the table provisionally if they beat Kerala Blasters. The free-scoring side have Marcelo Pereira and Emiliano Alfaro in good form and it will be hard to stop them. Popovic however, while happy, is not completely satisfied with his side and demanded more.

"It's good if people are talking (about our performances) but I have always maintained that we need to balance both attack and defence to do well. So yes, we are on a good way, but we are not yet good - we are trying. In football, you have to repeat week after week that what is behind us is nice - but it's about the future now," he said.

Popovic also admitted that he doesn't like making many changes to his side. Alfaro has played all 12 games so far and the head coach said that he will only rest him if it is necessary for the player to rest. So far, that hasn't happened, so Popovic will continue fielding him. However, he said that there were some niggles and he may be forced to rotate his squad.

Kerala Blasters will hope that these changes work in their favour as they embark on yet another tough fixture.

Super Sub Jairu takes Jamshedpur to top four

Mumbai: Steve Coppell led Jamshedpur FC today consolidated their chances of qualifying for the Hero Indian Super League semi-finals as they shocked Mumbai City FC with a 2-1 win at Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai.

Jamshedpur were second best to Mumbai City for long spells, particularly in the second session. The visitors took the lead in the first half after Sanju Pradhan turned the ball into his own goal in the 37th minute. In the second session, Mumbai equalised through Everton Santos in the 79th minute. But just when it seemed like the match was heading for a draw, substitute Bikash Jairu scored with six minutes left to be played to hand Jamshedpur an important win.

Today’s victory propelled Jamshedpur to the top four for the first time in this season. The debutants now have 22 points from 14 matches and are placed fourth. However, this was Jamshedpur’s 14th match – the most by any team in the league so far.. With just four matches left to be played, not everything is in their own hands but the Steve Coppell boys will return home happy that they are still in the race. 

Mumbai City are placed sixth with 17 points from 13 matches.

Bikash Jairu was the man who made the victory possible with a late strike but the Hero of the night was Subrata Paul. The goalkeeper made several superlative saves and was responsible for keeping the visitors in the game. 

Jamshedpur started with positive intent but lacked the cutting edge infront of goal as the strikers misfired. They needed an own goal from Sanju Pradhan to surge ahead in the 37th minute. Farukh Choudhary danced his way through the middle and shot on goal. The ball lacked power and direction but to Jamshedpur’s luck, it ricocheted off defender Marcio Rozario's heel towards goal where Sanju desperately tried to clear but it was too late. 

In the second half, Mumbai City changed gears and constantly attacked. Everton Santos, Thiago Santos, Balwant Singh and even Sahil Tavora had chances to draw level. They tried as well but Subrata was unbeatable, effecting several saves. 

The goalkeeper, however, was found wanting in the 79th minute when a corner from Thiago at the near post saw Everton attack. Subrata was on hand to keep it away but his hesitant clearance hit Everton and sailed into the net. 

A draw would have been disastrous for both teams. Towards the closing stages of the match Bikash made his presence count. It was Andre Bikey who initiated the move from the right by finding Kervens Belfort all alone with the keeper but couldn’t get the better of Amrinder Singh. The rebound fell for Bikash and he made no mistake to hammer it home.

Mumbai, Jamshedpur lock horns with eye on play-offs

Mumbai: Mumbai City FC and Jamshedpur FC lock horns in a crucial Hero Indian Super League battle for a “prize worth winning” at the Mumbai Football Arena, on Thursday. 

Jamshedpur and Mumbai City are placed fifth and sixth respectively on the points table and know that a win for either team will boost their chances of qualification and significantly reduce the chances of the other from moving ahead. It’s a straight battle for the semi-final slot and nobody wants to leave anything to chance.

“You saw how in Jamshedpur, we had a 2-2 result. Both teams wanted to win and the same will be true tomorrow. The prize is worth winning tomorrow and both sides will be very much trying to win,” said Jamshedpur FC coach Steve Coppell.

Jamshedpur are placed fifth with 19 points from 13 matches and can displace FC Goa from their fourth spot, even though the Goan club would have played two matches less. Coppell disagreed with suggestions that it’s a do or die clash but agreed that a win can work wonders.

“I don’t think so it’s a do-or-die match for either team. We have five games left. Can you lose the game and still be part of the playoff? Yes. But it will be more difficult. There is lots to play for. It’s not quite do-or-die but almost do-or-die,” said Coppell.

Mumbai City FC managed a fantastic 4-3 victory over FC Goa in an away game with a late winner from Balwant Singh. The victory threw them a lifeline and with 17 points from 12 matches, they are still in the running for a place among the top four.

“In these kind of games, every detail will make the difference. Jamshedpur is not a team which concedes too many goals. We have to be very much accurate to convert the chances that we have. Our defence has to be very alert. In the last games, they have changed their approach. This is one of the tough matches,” said Mumbai City coach Alexandre Guimaraes. 

Mumbai City lost their last two matches at home against Kerala Blasters (0-1) and Bengaluru FC (1-3). Guimaraes is aware of the shortcomings that led to their defeats and has now taken measures to overcome those problems. 

Mumbai City missed out on the services of their injured captain Lucian Goian and Brazilian midfielder Leo Costa in the earlier match. Guimaraes will be hoping he can count on their services, particularly in a game with so much at stake.

Blasters look to keep nothing to chance

Kochi: The appointment of David James as the head coach at the turn of the year, brought a fresh resurgence to Kerala Blasters in the Hero Indian Super League. The former England goalkeeper oversaw two wins and a draw in his first three games in charge but after having suffered two consecutive defeats in their last two games against Jamshedpur FC and FC Goa, the pressure is back on the 'Yellow Army' and more so on the coach who replaced former Manchester United A team Dutch coach Rene Meulensteen. 

The Blasters are currently seventh in the league standings with 14 points from their 12 games, and desperately need a win against Delhi Dynamos when the two sides meet at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday to keep their hopes of making it to the top four places alive. 

"Obviously, it's not a position we wanted to be in at the start of the season. We have been watching games and hoping there are wins for the teams below us so that it gives us a chance to catch up with teams above us on the table.  But it's simple, we have got six games in hand, we plan to win all of them. But that still might not be enough," James told reporters at the pre-match press conference.

To strengthen their chances, Kerala Blasters have also signed Icelandic striker Gudjon Baldvinsson to replace Dutch striker Mark Sifneos, who was released from the club earlier this week. "With the loss of Mark (Sifineos) to injury, Gudjon is someone who gives a different option going forward. He is an accomplished player in Iceland," James said.

KBFC coach David James a tough task in hand

The Kerala Blasters coach also hinted that the club may sign few more players before the January transfer window closes. "With the transfer window still open, there is a chance to bring in few more players to replace some of the injured players in the current team. The work is not quite finished," he added.

For Delhi Dynamos, who have been languishing at the bottom of the ISL points table, a place in the top four may be out of reach already but they still have a lot to play for. "For us, there is not much chance of making it to the top four now," Delhi Dynamos head coach, Miguel Angel Portugal conceded at the pre-match pre-conference. But the Spanish tactician added that his side will want to win the remaining games to finish the season on a high. 

And for the game against Kerala, there will be added determination in his side after having suffered a 3:1 loss to them at home in the first leg played earlier in the month. Talking about Kerala Portugal said, "There mentality has changed with the appointment of a new coach. It's an important game for both of us." 

Bengaluru back on top with 2-1 win over NorthEast

Bengaluru:Bengaluru FC returned to the top of the Hero Indian Super League table after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over NorthEast United at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday. 

Spanish defender Juanan scored the opening goal to give BFC the lead before Marcinho equalised for the visitors from the spot. But it was BFC skipper Sunil Chhetri who scored the winner to take BFC to the top again. The victory means BFC are a point above Chennaiyin after the same number of games. The Blues have now won four of their last five matches.

Seminlen Doungel, still fresh from his hat-trick against Chennaiyin FC, tried to go for the spectacular when he went for a back-heeled effort early on. He was in the thick of the action again, but this time his high-boot led to an innocuous looking free kick for Bengaluru. Edu Garcia aimed straight for the danger area and Juanan somehow flicked it into the net to give the home side the lead. 

Sunil Chhetri of Bengaluru FC celebrates after scoring against NorthEast United FC

They almost doubled their lead but Chhetri's low effort was saved by the goalkeeper's foot and then a well-worked free kick was easily defended by NorthEast. The two chances came immediately after BFC had taken the lead and could have really hurt the visitors.

Lenny Rodriguez then set up Garcia with one of the passes of the league but the finish was very poor and didn't do justice to the precise pass. Juanan had another shy on goal with a header but this time it was just wide. 

Then Bengaluru gave away a penalty and allowed NorthEast to score completely against the run of play. It was a soft penalty where Subhasish Bose's arm struck the ball after a sliding tackle. Marcinho blasted the penalty past Gurpreet Singh.

The second half saw Garcia get another chance - but he made things difficult for himself and his attempt to curl the ball into the net went begging. Minutes later, a cross from Harmanjot Khabra eventually bounced at an odd angle for Chhetri, but he brilliantly scored at the far post - an impeccable finish. 

Doungel and Cezario were then through on goal with a fine combination but somehow didn't even hit the target. Most of the final quarter of an hour was about substitutions and a flurry of yellow cards. Until the 81st minute, when Nirmal Chhetri found John Mosquero who's header went over. NorthEast was creating half chances, but not finishing them.

They would regret that - as the whistle soon went off after the last highlight of the match - when NorthEast could only force a sharp save from Gurpreet.

Leaders Chennaiyin add to ATK’s woes

Kolkata: Change in coach brought no change in fortunes for ATK as the defending champions succumbed to Chennaiyin FC 1-2 in the Hero Indian Super League clash at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata, on Thursday.

The departure of Teddy Sheringham meant technical director Ashley Westwood was handed charge as interim chief coach. The man who took Bengaluru FC to the top of Indian football in the I-League and Federation Cup started his ISL career on a losing note, despite his team surging ahead through debutant Martin Paterson in the 44th minute.

Chennaiyin FC struck back in the second session as Mailson Alves scored his first ever goal in the ISL to bring Chennaiyin on level terms in the 51st minute and then Jeje Lalpekhlua scored his seventh goal of the season to give visitors all three points in the 64th minute.

Jeje Lalpekhlua of Chennaiyin FC celebrates after scoring the winner against ATK 
The victory took Chennaiyin FC to the top of the table, jumping two places with 23 points from 12 matches. ATK are still not out of the race but with just 12 points from 11 matches, they have left themselves with too much to do for the rest of their campaign.

ATK interim coach Ashley Westwood tried to inject freshness into the team. He left Zequinha on the bench for the first time in this campaign. That Zequinha was needed in the first half itself because Ryan Taylor was injured, and Zequinha got injured in the second session tossed up home team’s plans.

Expectedly, both teams played safe at the start and hardly took any risk. Both tried their luck from a distance and it was not until the 35th minute that any of the team had a shot on goal. It were Chennaiyin FC who tested the rival goalkeeper with attempts but Debjit Majumder didn’t have to do much when Raphael Augusto and Anirudh Thapa tried to break the deadlock.

The deadlock was broken in the 44th minute but it was ATK who got the first success, despite Chennaiyin FC doing most of the attacking. Debutant Martin Paterson scored for ATK as he headed Paterson’s cross which goalkeeper Karanjit Singh saved but the rebound struck Paterson and hurried into the goal. It was the 150th goal of the league this season.

Chennaiyin FC got their rewards in the second session. Anirudh Thapa did well to float a corner-kick into the middle and an unmarked Alves headed it past the goalkeeper into the back of the net. 

Chennaiyin’s winner came through a lucky Jeje as he benefitted most when Inigo Calderon played the ball towards the near post and goalkeeper Debjit Majumder palmed it onto Jeje

Mohun Bagan hold Aizawl in I-League tie

Aizawl: Mohun Bagan rode on a late strike by Manandeep Singh to hold defending champions Aizawl FC 1-1 in an I-League encounter here on Thursday.Aizawl remain sixth in the 10-team league table with 15 points from 10 matches.

K.Lalthathanga (73rd minute) had struck late in the second half to hand Aizawl the lead.

But Mohun Bagan struck back just five minutes later when their forward Akram Moghrabi was at the receiving end of an ill-timed tackle by Aizawl goalkeeper Avilash Paul inside the penalty box.

Manandeep stepped forward to blast the resultant penalty past Paul and bring Mohun Bagan back on level terms.

The result sees Mohun Bagan climb one rung to displace Shillong Lajong FC from the fourth spot in the league table. They are on 17 points from 11 matches, two points below third placed arch-rivals East Bengal.

Lajong are also on 17 points, but have been pushed down to the fifth spot as Mohun Bagan enjoy a better goal difference.


Source: News Agency

Excitement in air as ATK face Chennaiyin FC

Kolkata: ATK interim coach Ashley Westwood is confident that his team can still defend their title in the Hero Indian Super League. ATK are the most successful team in the Hero ISL winning the trophy twice in three years. 

This year, the defending champions have stuttered and are placed eighth with 12 points from 10 matches. The lacklustre showing led to the mutual parting of ways between ATK and chief coach Teddy Sheringham but Westwood believes their season is far from over.

The challenge for ATK would be to improve on their victories this season; they have won just three of their 10 matches and Westwood will have his task cut out against Chennaiyin FC at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata, on Thursday.

 
“We don’t have lot of time to instil massive difference. Hope we can inject a little bit of freshness, new faces can change things a bit,” said Westwood.

Westwood needs no introduction and remains a popular figure in Indian football due to his successful three-year stint with Bengaluru FC. Taking charge of an ISL team, although temporarily, is a new experience for him but he is ready for the challenge.

“Temporarily, I am in charge. I’ve been a head coach before, coached for four years; three years full time in India, so I don’t see any difficulty. I am confident in what I do and confident in the team. This is part and parcel of football. It's not difficult at all,” said Westwood, who confirmed that star striker Robbie Keane is unavailable for this match due to injury. 

It will be baptism by fire for Westwood in the ISL as ATK face Chennaiyin FC, who are placed second with 20 points from 11 matches and have already won more than double the matches what ATK did.

Chennaiyin FC coach John Gregory returns to take charge of the team after serving a three-match ban. The visitors lost their last match against NorthEast United FC and Gregory is hoping that there is no revival at ATK with Ashley taking charge.

“Sometimes these kind of things happen. New guy comes in and suddenly everything changes. We saw what happened at NorthEast couple of weeks ago. My good friend Avram Grant came in and they got an amazing victory against FC Goa. Sometimes it works and sometimes doesn’t. I just have to make sure it doesn’t work (for ATK),” said Gregory.

Gregory was full of praise for ATK’s achievements since the start of the season and was looking forward to the huge clash.

“To me and all my players, we look at ATK like the Manchester United of India. It’s a huge club. Obviously, they have been champions twice. We have been champions once (but) we still look up to ATK. 25 players want to play tomorrow night because it’s ATK. They are fired up. At the start of season when the fixtures come out, the first thing I did was ‘when do we play ATK’. That’s what they do in England; ‘when do we play Manchester United’,” said the Chennaiyin FC coach.

When the teams met in the first leg at home, Chennaiyin FC won 3-2 in a match that has been described by the former England midfielder and Premier League manager as “one of the most exciting game of my complete career.”

Malian forward Diabate signs for Leicester

LONDON: Malian forward Fousseni Diabate signed for Premier League side Leicester City from French Ligue 2 outfit Ajaccio on Saturday the English club announced. Diabate has made 20 appearances for Ajaccio this term.

The France-born 22-year-old has represented Mali at Under-20 and under-23 level.

"Leicester City Football Club have completed a deal to sign highly-rated attacker Fousseni Diabate from French Ligue 2 side Gazelec Ajaccio for an undisclosed fee," read the club's statement.

"The 22-year-old Mali youth international, who can play as both a central striker and on either wing, has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal at King Power Stadium."

Source: News Agency

Mumbai up against a resurgent Blasters

Mumbai: Mumbai City FC will welcome a resurgent Kerala Blasters when they take on the visitors from South at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday night. The two teams are separated by just three points at the halfway stage of Hero Indian Super League, and Kerala's new head coach David James has not yet lost a game since his return to the club. 

Mumbai City are also in a rich vein of form - unbeaten in three games with two of those being victories. But their head coach Alexandre Guimarães believes that its a different side they'll be facing when compared to team which drew 1-1 against them in early December this season.

"A new coach shakes up everyone - those being left on the bench, those starting, everyone. They have won a very important game away and it has made them alive and that is a warning for us that we cannot give them any chances. They also have a new foreign player who gives them something different. This is a team which will travel energised," he said, referring to new signing Keziron Kuzito, who has made a good start to life in Indian football.

That said, Guimarães was confident of his side's ability and said that half of their season's mission was complete.

"Our first goal of the season was to finish close to the playoff spots at the halfway stage and I think we've accomplished that. This has put us in a good situation to continue to compete and we hope that we can make the most from run of home games now. I am very confident that we have the resources and the players to fight till the end and be in the top four - that is for sure," he said.

He added that he was curious to see how his side will penetrate the organised defence line of the Blasters. As for the Blasters, their head coach David James said that Mumbai were at a slight advantage with the extra rest they have had - and that meant for work for the physios to get his side ready for games in quick succession. He also said that Mumbai City will present a very different challenge compared to Delhi Dynamos, who Kerala beat 3-1 in their previous game.

"It was important that we were disciplined and showed no fear. We had to get the result, especially given the results around us. And that is what we have to do tomorrow. Mumbai have a different style of play compared to Delhi - we have to adapt ourselves to that style. Fortunately we have a good coaching staff and have had the opportunity to prepare. As much as the win was enjoyable against Delhi, this is about another away game and we still have to do some things right which we were not able to," he said.

Considering the nationwide support Blasters receive, James and company will certainly feel at home at the Mumbai Football Arena creating a good atmosphere for football, and will look to ride on it to turn their season around.

Zequinha provides hope for ATK as NorthEast United suffer

Guwahati: ATK held their nerves to defeat NorthEast United FC 1-0 in a vital away victory in the Hero Indian Super League clash at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati, on Friday.

The victory lifts them to sixth place after nine matches and suddenly gives them hope, and takes some wind off the sails of NorthEast United FC, who had beaten FC Goa in their previous encounter.

Zequinha was the star of the show, striking in the 73rd minute to give his side the lead and the winner. He had been threatening for a while before the ball graciously fell to him after a period of pressure from ATK. The Portuguese hammered in a volley into the far corner, his connection too sweet to not find the back of the net. 

Z equinha celebrates after scoZring against NorthEast United FC

If the first half was a slow affair, the second one started with a bang. Danilo Lopes made easy work of Jordi Montel before taking a stinging shot from outside the box. Debjit Majumder was equal to the task though, making a breath-taking fingertip save to deny the hosts. Montel made his presence felt at the other end though, when his header was a whisker wide. He then released Zequinha on the left to cross for Robin Singh but Sambinha was in the way to stop the Indian striker from scoring. 

Lopes wasn't done making Montel look like a bad defender. He was at the end of a Nirmal Chhetri long ball and Montel allowed the attacker to run in behind. His first time effort was as audacious as it was close to going in the back of the net. 

Zequinha and Lopes were ruling the second half. As the game went into end-to-end mode, the former cut in, like he so often does, and forced a fine save from TP Rehenesh. It was becoming inexplicable how the match was still goalless when Zequinha struck to break the deadlock. 

The opening exchanges saw a well-drilled NorthEast keep possession even though it was meaningless, attempting to draw out ATK rather than take the attacking initiative. 

It was only after Malemngamba Meitei started showing his ability to run with the ball and deliver that NorthEast grew in confidence going forward. First, he produced a fine run before being halted, and was at it again with a good delivery which ATK had to be alert to clear. Debjit Majumder's howler almost cost ATK when the goalkeeper needlessly came out for a ball which Tom Thorpe was seeing off - got into a mess with his teammate - before Thorpe cleared away. 

ATK broke forward in the 24th minute through Zequinha's neat run and shot which sailed just over the crossbar. Meitei then threatened again for NorthEast and this time his delivery found Sambinha, whose header was woefully directed wide. Then, within the space of seven chaotic minutes for NorthEast, ATK produced two lovely chances. Jayesh Rane's shot was blocked after an exquisite through ball from Ryan Taylor and then at the stroke of half time, Zequinha blasted it over again when he had the time and space to pick his spot. However, he would eventually deliver to put ATK out of their misery.