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)