Cho to test youngsters in Iran friendly tie

Cho Kwang-rae, South Korea's national football team coach, on Monday released his 23-man squad for a friendly match against Iran slated for Saturday in Seoul, recruiting several new faces in the warm-up for January's Asian Cup tournament.

The national squad included half a dozen overseas-based players, including Park Ji-sung of Manchester United, Lee Chung-yong of the Bolton Wanderers, Park Chu-young of AS Monaco, and Celtic FC teammates Ki Sung-yueng and Cha Du-ri.

Suk Hyun-jun, a 19-year-old who plays for AFC Ajax in the Dutch league's top division, has been called for the first time to join the star-studded squad, along with other home-grown strikers.

Qatar to play friendly match with Iraq and Baharain

The General Secretariat of Qatar Football Association (QFA) modified the date of the friendly match between Qatar first football team and Iraq’s to be played on 08 October 2010 in Doha.

Another match was scheduled against Bahrain on September 3rd. 
These matches come in light of the preparations of the two teams for the 20th Gulf Cup in Yemen and the AFC Asian Cup 2010 in Qatar.
Source: Qatar Football Association

HAL Signs Nepal International Rohit Chand

Bangalore based I-league club, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have signed Nepal International Rohit Chand just 24 hours before International transfer window deadline. HAL signed a one year contract with Chand adding a clause of extension. 

HAL signed Rohit in a small signing program at HAL, Bangalore Division in the presence of GoalNepal.com CEO, Bikram Thapa. The amount of the deal is un-disclosed.  (Club Coach Murali handing over HAL Jersey to Rohit. Pic: GoalNepal.com)

The number of Nepalese players in Indian Club football is now reached to three. Anil Gurung signed with Shillong Lajong FC a year ago while another Nepal International moved to second division team, Mohameddan Sporting Club a month ago. 

The best defender of Nepal league was called to Bangalore, Karnataka to give a trail which was successfully completed by 19 year boy. Having played so many International matches at young age, Chand looked confident in trail and displayed excellent game to impress Club management. 

Chand is the first player in Nepal who made to National team without playing the club football. He was picked for National team after AFC U-19 Qualifiers. 

ANFA has also cleared the Chand's ITC via TMS system on Monday. 

“I'm very excited to explore my career here in India. I feel lucky to be signed by HAL. I hope that I could play well in the I-League. I am very thankful to Bikram (dai) and his company for making this deal possible", Rohit added.

The deal was made possible with the help from outstanding players agent company, Playmaker in India. The Executive Director of playmaker, Rahulsen Gupta is the man behind this deal. 

When quizzed about his knowledge of Indian football, the Nepalese international said, “India has developed a lot in football. Nepalese players want to play in the I-League because of its growing popularity.”

Having stayed in India for several years at Dehradun, Rohit is well acquainted with the Indian culture and food.
Source: Goalnepal.com

Japan name Zaccheroni as new coach

Alberto Zaccheroni

Japan on Monday ended a two-month global hunt by naming Italian Alberto Zaccheroni as their new national coach following their best-ever World Cup on foreign soil.

The former AC Milan and Juventus coach will be officially unveiled on Tuesday.

"The national coach has been finally decided," Japan Football Association (JFA) vice-president Kuniya Daini told reporters as he announced the appointment without giving details, including the length of the contract.

The association said it would hold a news conference in Tokyo on Tuesday with the 57-year-old Zaccheroni, the sixth foreigner and first Italian to manage Japan, the three-time Asian champions.

Zaccheroni, who won the 1998-99 Serie A title with AC Milan, replaces Takeshi Okada, who guided the Samurai Blue to the World Cup last-16 in South Africa but left after the tournament.

Three foreigners - Philippe Troussier, Zico and Ivica Osim - have coached Japan after Okada led Japan to a winless World Cup debut in 1998 in his first stint as national coach.

Unable to obtain a work visa in time, Zaccheroni is expected to watch from the stands for Japan's first post-World Cup international match -- against Paraguay in Yokohama on Saturday.

It was Paraguay who sent Japan packing from South Africa after a penalty shoot-out on June 30. They face Guatemala in another home friendly in Osaka three days later.

Zaccheroni, famous for his attacking style with three forwards, has been coaching Italian sides since the age of 30 and took over struggling Juventus last January on a four-month contract. The Turin side finished the season seventh.

The Italian's first major task will be the AFC Asian Cup in January in Qatar in which Japan hope to regain the title.
Source: the-afc.com

AFC President Pledges Support For Flood-hit Pakistan

AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam has pledged the confederation’s support to flood-hit Pakistan and expressed hope that the international community will continue aiding the South Asian country.

In a letter to the Pakistan Football Federation President Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, the AFC Chief said: “As rescue and prevention efforts continue, allow me to express profound sympathy and sincere condolences to the people of Pakistan on my behalf and that of AFC.”

“What makes this unique is the scale of the disaster and its effect throughout the country,” Bin Hammam said.

He offered commensurations and condolences on massive loss of lives and colossal damage to properties and infrastructure and assured humanitarian aid to help deal with the disaster.

“Please rest assured that we stand ready to provide all the assistance PFF may desire.”

Hammam promised to involve football’s governing body in helping Pakistan during the crisis.

“I will follow the matter with FIFA and I pledge all possible support to you.”

“The scale of the devastation caused by the current flooding in Pakistan is staggering, and the resulting needs are daunting. It is imperative that your country receives the support of the international community.” (AFC)

Photo Gallery: Football Stadiums in Japan

Niigata Stadium Big Swan
Capacity: 42,300 seats

Saitama Stadium
Capacity: 63,000 seats

Al Shabab secure first win

AFC Champions League qualifiers Al Shabab registered their first win in this year's Saudi League after Nassir Al Shamrani's injury-time penalty gave them a 2-1 win against Al Ittifaq.

Al Shabab, who lost their first two matches in the league, opened the scoring through striker Al Shamrani seven minutes in the 67th minute before Yousef Al Salem levelled for Al Ittifaq in the final minute. But Al Shamrani scored his second goal of the night in the third minute of stoppage time from the spot.

In Jeddah, Al Ahli suffered a disappointing 2-1 home defeat at the hands of lowly Al Fateh. The visitors took the lead on 28 minutes through Ahmad Abdulrahman before Oman international striker Emad Al Hosni scored the equaliser for Al Ahli on 58 minutes. However, Al Fateh's Tunisian defender Ramzy Ben Younes scored the winner for his side eight minutes later.

Riyadh giants Al Nasr were held to a 2-2 draw by lowly Al Taawon. After a scoreless first half, Al Taawon opened the scoring on 75 minutes through Bader Khamis but Al Nasr levelled the scores on 90 minutes through Saad Al Harthi, and Mohamad Al Sahlawi then put them ahead just a minute later. But Al Nasr were denied a third-straight win when Mohamad Al Rashed got an equaliser seven minutes into stoppage time, before his team-mate Amir Azmi was sent off.

In Tuesday's other game Al Hazm played out a 2-2 draw with Al Qadisiya. Al Hazm took the lead after 10 minutes through Dhiyab Majrashi before Al Qadisiya's Nigerian striker Jhon Jambo equalised on 32 minutes and then gave his side the lead on 57 minutes. But Zambian midfielder Francis Kasonde secured a point for Al Hazm.

Source: Fifa.com

JFA looking for proper replacement for Takeshi Okada

After displaying their best ever World Cup performance on foreign soil, Japan football association (JFA) has not been able to find a replacement for Takeshi Okada as a national coach. Japan will play their friendly matches without a new coach. The Samurai Blues are set to play Paraguay on September 4 and Guatemala three days later in Osaka.

JFA technical director Hiromi Hara, who has been tasked with finding a replacement for Takeshi Okada as national coach, said Monday he would fill in for the two internationals to be played at home.

Okada's contract expires at the end of this month.

The squad for the games will be announced on Friday.

Hara, 51, who coached J-League sides Urawa Reds and FC Tokyo before joining the association, returned home Monday after travelling abroad for talks with potential foreign candidates for the coaching job.

Video: A-League Newcastle Jets Vs Melbourne Heat Goals

Photo Gallery: Football Stadiums in South Korea

Daejeon World Cup Stadium
Capacity: 40,400 seats

Daegu World Cup Stadium
Capacity: 68,000 seats

ANFA receives FIFA aid for FIFA Goal Project II

FIFA, the governing body of world football, has agreed to provide financial support to upgrade the infrastructure of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA).

FIFA will provide $408,000 to the ANFA  under FIFA Goal Project-II. The fund will be used to upgrade the facilities in ANFA  Comples.

The head of FIFA Goal Project - Asia and AFC Vice President, Mani Lal Fernando and Vision Asia Development Officer, Chrysthantha Perera were present in the press conference held at ANFA complex, Satdobato.

Fernando said they were extending the support for upgrading the ANFA complex. "We are funding this amount to ANFA House," Fernando said adding, "We want our member associations being capable of providing all sort of facilities to its players. And the ANFA needs bigger house with all necessary utilities to camp the national players." 

The upgraded home will have big auditorium hall, computers, proper canteen and other utilities which are necessary, Fernando added.

Update: AFC Challenge Cup 2010

AFC has sent its congratulations to the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) for successfully hosting the AFC Challenge Cup 2010 and DPR Korea for emerging champions for the first time.

"On behalf of the AFC President and the EXCO, I would like to congratulate Football Federation of Sri Lanka for a successful organisation of the AFC Challenge Cup 2010." AFC General Secretary Alex Soosay wrote in a letter to the FFSL CEO Chrysantha Perera.

DPR Korea won the AFC Challenge Cup to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup after beating Turkmenistan 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after a tense 1-1 draw after extra-time at Sugathadasa Stadium. 

AFC has also announced that no team will be given a direct entry into the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup Finals.

Defending champions DPR Korea, runners-up Turkmenistan and third-placed Tajikistan will now have to go through the qualifiers to punch their tickets to the Finals.

Goalkeeper Howlers Collection

Asian Champions League: Jeonbuk win despite Lee absence

Jeonbuk Motors coach Choi Kang-hee hailed his team's ACL chances after a 1-0 K-League win without star man Lee Dong-guk.

Jeonbuk, who won the 2006 AFC Champions League are set to face Saudi Arabian giants Al Shabab in the quarter-finals of this year's competition, with the first leg in South Korea on the 15th of September.

Despite the difficult nature of the tie, coach Choi Kang-hee believes the South Koreans have the talent needed to progress after he watched his side overcome FC Seoul without their suspended star player Lee Dong-guk.

"Our key player Lee Dong-guk was suspended for the match but still the players showed enough passion to win," Choi told the-afc.com.

"I think the victory will help boost the confidence of my players for the AFC Champions League."

With Lee missing it was up to foreign import Enio to open the scoring for Jeonbuk, with the Brazilian finding the net in the 27th minute. The Greens held on to their lead for the remainder of the match, with FC Seoul having Uzbek Server Djeparov sent off as they searched for an equalizer.

The victory means Jeonbuk stay second in the standings, two points behind leaders Jeju United and Choi has stated the importance of the win as they continue the search for a second K-League title.

"I expected a tough match and told the players to play like it's the final of a competition," he said.

Lee Dong-guk, who had a spell in England with Middlesbrough, has scored 5 goals in 9 appearances this season and should return for the next game against Gyeongnam.

(Based on espnstar.com)

Funny Video: Manager Dragan Stojkovic scores from the bench

Former Serbian international Dragan Stojkovic, manager of Nagoya Grampus, showed his great skill in the J-league match against Yokohama Marinos held at the Yokohama International stadium.
At the end of the game a Marinos player was injured and the goalie kicked the ball out of the line to halt the game. Stojkovic directly kicked the ball back and it found its way into the goal after a bounce. Although the audience applauded him, the referee sent him off for his kick was the "protest against referring".

Dhiraagu Dhivehi League 2010 : VB Sports maintains top form

VB Sports FC continued their top form in Dhiraagu Dhivehi League after beating All Youth Linkage (AYL) by  2-0 scoreline. Umair opened the goal scoring chart in the opening minute of the game and Abu doubled the score in the 32nd minute. 


After the match, VB’s coach Vanli said that he was happy with the result. “I am happy with the result as we have got three points from the game”

“Our game in the second half was not up to the mark as we had to substitute Huseyin.”

“Now we have to try players for new position and try for new combinations. We have to utilize the players we have in our squad”

Meanwhile, AYL’s coach Aathif (Aathi) said that the performance of the team was not bad, but lacked concentration in both the goals.

“Our performance was not bad. They scored two easy goals against us. The defenders lacked concentration at that time”


Source: maldivessoccer.net

Martyr's A Division League Best Players

Winners for the best players of the Martyr's A Division Football league season 2066-2067 has been declared.The award is sponsored by Yamaha and  each winner will receive a Yamaha FZ motorbike. Nepal Army Club is awarded the Fair Play Award, which includes a cash prize of Rs 50,000.


The Best Are:
Fair Play Award: Nepal Army Club with Rs 50,000
Best Coach: Birat Krishna Shrestha with Yamaha FZS
Best Goalkeeper: Kiran Chemzong with Yamaha FZs
Best Midfielder: Parbat Pandey with Yamaha Fzs
Best Defender: Rohit Chand with Yamaha Fzs
Best Forward: Santosh Sahukhala with Yamaha Fzs
Congratulations to all of the winners.

Indial Football League to start from November

I-League 2010-2011 will start after the Asian Games in November. A total of fourteen teams will be competing for the I-league, the top tier football league in the country. Each team will play a total number of twenty six matches on home and away basis.
Last season, Dempo SC won the title with a total of 54 points while Churchill Brothers finished second with 43 points. The Federation Cup and all the A-Category tournament will be held before the start of I-league.
The fourteen teams playing in I-league this season are:
Dempo SC,Churchill Brothers,Pune FC, Mohun Bagan, Chirag United, Salgaocar SC, Kingfisher East Bengal, JCT Phagwara, Air India, Viva Kerala , Mumbai FC , ONGC , HAL and India U-19 Development Team, who will replace Mahindra United.
This season, All India Football Federation (AIFF) has decided to allow clubs to register four foreign players and only three to play in the playing eleven across all tournaments including the I-League (Division One and Two), Federation Cup, All India Tournaments and the Local Leagues.

Singapore defeated by China in shootout

Singapore national coach Radojko Avramovic was pleased with the manner his charges coped with a litany of injuries in their National Day Challenge clash with China.

The match finished 1-1 at the end of regulation time, before China prevailed in the penalty shootout by a 4-3 margin.

Despite the defeat, the Lions had a competent outing considering they were unable to field a full-strength side, with Lionel Lewis, Fahrudin Mustafic, Shi Jiayi and team captain Indra Sahdan Daud among the most notable absentees.

The remaining players stepped up to the plate as they held off a zealous China outfit, leaving Avramovic happy with what their attitude towards the clash.

“We were a little handicapped for this game because we could not put all our best players into it,” he told the media in the post-match press conference.

“Because of the many injuries we had, this was not the team that we really wanted to play. But we must always try to cope with what we have, and that is actually what we’ve done.;
Courtesy: S. League

AFC Asian Cup 2011 Schedule

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 Schedule

Information: Asian Cup 2011

QUALIFYING FORMAT

Sixteen teams will contest the final rounds of the AFC Asian Cup 2011, which will be hosted by Qatar.

The final competition will see 10 countries becoming eligible through a qualifying competition which runs through January 2009 to March 2010.

Five teams (3+2) and hosts Qatar (1) have a direct bye to the tournament proper.
AFC Asian Cup 2007: The three teams which have qualified directly for 2011 by virtue of their results in the 2007 edition are champions Iraq, runners-up Saudi Arabia and third-placed Korea Republic.

AFC Challenge Cup 2008 and 2010: India, winners of the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008, and the champions of the 2010 edition of the same competition also have berths reserved for them in the Finals.

FIFA 2010 South Africa: Best Goals

Bangladesh clinch first position in SA games

Bangladesh clinched the coveted football gold medal of the SA Games after long 11 years with a facile 4-0 victory over Afghanistan in the final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Monday. Atiqur Rahman Mishu, Enamul Huq, Abdul Baten Komol and Towhidul Alam Sabuj scored the goals for the champions who dominated whole 90 minutes of the final and presented the hosts with the 18th gold medal of the meet. Bangladesh footballers produced excellent teamwork and maintained the same rhythm throughout the game. Afghanistan had very little space to show their abilities and their in-form forward Belal Arezou, who scored nine goals in the tournament, failed to inspire his team.
Bangladesh went in front in the 18th minute through midfielder Mishu. Defender Nasir produced another of his dazzling footwork to dribble past two Afghan defenders and finding no way to halt Nasir an Afghan defender brought him down just outside the penalty box. Waly Faisal curled the resulting free-kick and Mishu headed the ball into the right hand post of Afghan keeper Bashir Ahmad.
Bangladesh continued to probe the opposition defence. Forward Enamul’s a fierce side-volley from the middle of the box in the 24th minute whistled past the side post.
The thirst for the title kept the Bangladesh players on their toes and they doubled the lead in the 33rd minute. Left-winger Shakil controlled an Enamul cross and gave a neat cross for Enamul to head it home.

Manang Marsyangdi Club signs Shaukhala

Santosh Shaukhala
against Srilanka

Striker Santosh Shaukhala has become the highest paid footballer in Nepalese football after his transfer to Manang Marsyangdi Club (MMC) has been finalized. He has registered in All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), the official football association of Nepal, on behalf of his new club. He was the highest scorer of Martyr's A Division League football last season with a total of 19 goals for his old club Nabil Three Stars.
Shaukhala will recieve a monthly salary of Rs. 50,000 per month, which is the highest amount a footballer is paid in Nepal. After signing the contract with MMC, he said about leaving his previous club NTSC "I left the club because I could only see my effort and I can not single handedly take the club to win any championships. Now, many have left TSC and remaining players are also planning to leave."
Along with Shaukhala, Bijay Gurung, Sandip Rai, Anjan K.C also left TSC to join MMC. Similarly, Rohit Chand and Naresh K.C left Machhindra Football Club, Deepak Bhusal and Nirajan Khadka left Friends Club, Sujal Shrestha and Nabin Maharjan left Sankata Footbal Club to go in with MMC.

Gallery: AFC Champions League 2010

Zobahan's Esmail Fahradi celebrates after his teammate
Igor Castro scored against Mes Kerman

Karim Bagheri of Zob Ahan, in 1-0 win over Sepahan 

Colombian midfielder Mauricio Molina celebrates
after scoring hat-trick for his club Seongnam.

Kang Seung-jo, celebrates after scoring Jeonbuk's
winner with his teammate.

ANFA unveils National League plan

 All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) on Monday endorsed an ambitious plan to revamp the top-level domestic football structure.

The plan includes intruducing a new National League with three divisions apart from the existing three divisions of the Martyrs Memorial League along with regulations for players´ registration and transfer. 
ANFA also published the annual calendar including the new events and the Women´s League, the Junior Football Tournament and Veteran Football Tournament.

According to ANFA President Ganesh Thapa, all member districts except three of the Kathmandu Valley will be divided into three divisions. Each district will have a club league and the winners of the district league play the inter-district league of their own division.

Top two teams from each division will quality for the National League of the respective divisions. "Two teams from outside the Valley will join respective divisions of the national league," Thapa said.

ANFA announces Annual Calendar for new Fiscal Year.

All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), the governing football association of Nepal, has announced its Annual Calendar for the fiscal year 2067/2068.


S.N Tournament's Name
1 Best Player Of The League Prize Distribution Ceremony - 15th, September 2010
2 A Division Knock-Out Football Tournament- Sep 20- October 6, 2010
3 National Referee Training Course - Sep 24- Oct 4 2010
4 Rupak Memorial Best Football Player Prize - 26th, September 2010
5 Tillotamma Gold Cup, Butwol - 22nd, October - 1 November, 2010
6 Nepal Bank Junior U-14 Football Tournament - 24th, Oct- 2, November 2010
7 ANFA General Assembly - 30th, October, 2010
8 FIFA/Ma Assesor/ Elite Refree Course - 11-16, November, 2010
9 Inter District Development Chairman Junior Cup - 17th Nov - 4 December, 2010
10 12th National Womens Football 17 Nov - 8 Dec 2010
11 Regional Referee Training Course, Western Region 24 Nov - 4 Dec 2010
12 Hissan Cup Football Tournament 27 Nov -
13 British Gurkha Cup 1 - 12, Dec 2010
14 Regional Referee Training Course, Central Region 25 Dec- 4 Jan 2011
15 A Division Womens League Football 28 Dec- Jan 6, 2011

Nepal Police Club Lifts A Division League in Nepal

Nepal Police Club (NPC) celebrate after winning
Martyr's Memorial 'A' Division League title

Nepal police Club clinched their back-to-back Martyrs Memorial San Miguel A Division League title with a 2-1 win over New Road Team (NRT). The club also created a history in Nepali football by wining the trophy remaining undefeated in the league. Three Star needed a win to secure the second place with a win over Friends Club.
NPC, coach Birat Krishna Shrestha, after guiding his team to defend the championship, said it was a glorious moment for him. “I am very much satisfied with the way my boys performed throughout the league. When the league had started we had lot of problems — injury woes, out-of-form players — but we played like a team and got the result,” said the elated coach.
Top eight teams received cash prizes including the winner’s cheque of Rs two million. Best four players and a coach also received Yamaha FZS motorcycles. However, the best player of the league was not declared. The best player will win a Mero City flat worth Rs 2.5 million. Previous winners of the award — Upendra Man Singh and Hari Khadka — received Toyota Yaris car.

Nepali Chelsea FC Fan Club Officially Recognized

Chelsea FC Fans From Nepal, the supporters club of EPL side in Nepal, are now officially recognised by the Government of Nepal as the official suppOrters' club of Chelsea.

The 'Chelsea FC Fans from Nepal' has been officially registered as a non-profit organization in the Government of Nepal with the objective of Youth and Sports Development. 

In this regard, all legal procedures and formalities have been successfully accomplished in accordance to the Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2063 B.S. 

"It’s just a beginning but we assure that we will be trying our best to contribute for the development of football in Nepal via social initiative and various programs", Chelsea Fans official told GoalNepal.com. 

Chelsea Nepal officials also provided their vote of thanks to Bikram Thapa-CEO (GoalNepal.com) and Sanjeev Shilpakar (sports commentator, TV presenter,) for their tremendous support and best wishes.