For Round-8 Previews and Predictions Click HERE
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East Bengal
v
Pune FC
Kolkata, 08/01/2011 – 1:45 PM IST
East Bengal 1-0 Pune FC [Full Time]
Team News:
East Bengal : Sandip, Naoba, Gurwinder, Okpara, Soumik, Sushanth, Mehtab, Sanju, Penn, Tolgay, Robin
Pune FC : Balaji, Tabia, Caitano, Selwin, Ajayan, Sunil, Tamba, Prasad, Lester, Izumi, Edmar
1′: The match is on. East Bengal, the table toppers, take on Pune FC, currently placed at the 7th place.
3′: East Bengal is in an attacking mode. Toly-Roly combo is back for the Red-&-Golds upfront.
5′: No break-through yet. But East Bengal is looking dangerous while attacking. As many as 6 Red-&-Gold shirts can be seen hovering around the Pune box.
6′: Close ! Penn misses an one-on-one opportunity.
8′: It remains goal-less. East Bengal completely dominating the ball possession.
11′: Pune makes their first attack. However Gurwinder with a timely tackle on Izumi. Danger cleared.
15′: Mehtab combines well with Penn to feed Tolgay at the edge of the box. Tolgay hits it wide.
19′: No goals yet in the match. East Bengal is displaying beautiful one touch passing football, but Pune FC is defending resolutely and going in for occasional counter attacks.
21′: Sanju to Robin, Robin passes to Penn, the Nigerian shoots but the ball goes wide.
24′: Pune makes another venture down the left wing. Sunil sends in a cross to Arata Izumi, but the Japanese fumbles and Okpara clears the ball.
28′: The Red-&-Golds enjoying lion’s share of possession. Especially Mehtab is playing really well to keep the reigns of midfield. But East Bengal is unable to create anything of note in last 10 minutes or so, after Penn missed that golden opportunity.
30′: We are in to the half hour mark. The match still remains goal-less.
33′: It’s getting a little frustrating for East Bengal. They are dominating the proceedings here, but are not being able to breach the PFC defense line.
38′: Robin !!! That was close. The young striker receives a ball from overlapping Naoba on the right side of the box, but his intended pass for an unmarked Tolgay is brilliantly intercepted by Selwyn.
42′: We are in to the fag end of the first half. East Bengal is doing everything right, but unable to create that final ball. 3 minutes to go for the lemon break.
45′: Assistant referee waves 2 minutes of injury time.
HT: It’s half time here at YBK. The score-line still remains goalless despite of East Bengal dominating the entire half. Penn Orji missed the easiest chance of the match in the 6th min when he fired his shot straight at PFC goalkeeper Balaji. Join back for the second half updates.
46′: Second half gets underway. It will be interesting to see what tactics Morgan deploys here to get an elusive goal.
49′: The second half begins exactly where the first half ended. East Bengal on the attack and PFC producing a solid defensive display.
52′: Time for a substitution? Biswarup was impressive in the Mumbai trip. Will Morgan bring him in for an out-of-color Robin? Pune is looking a bit more aggressive in the second half.
53′: Pune FC launches a quick counter attack. Sunil combines well with Lest0r, but his weak shot is easily saved by Sandip. On the other side, Tolgay’s header from Mehtab’s corner went agonizingly wide of the woodwork.
57′: It still remains goal-less. The time is running out for Morgan’s men. Pune makes the first change. Ex-East Bengal player Subhash Singh is introduced.
60′: The match becomes an hour old; yet it still remains goal-less.
64′: Pune FC upped their attacking tempo and Derrick Pereira switches to 4-4-2 from a 4-5-1 formation.
66′: GOOOAAALLLL !!! Deadlock is broken. Tolgay scores. It was an action reply of Tolgay’s earlier miss. Naoba once again sends in a great inch perfect ball from the right wing inside the six yards box and Tolgay makes it 1-0 for the home team with a nice header.
70′: Morgan is looking a relieved man now. The goal has pumped up the East Bengal side and Pune FC’s attacking intent is on the decline. However Tolgay receives booking for arguing and he will miss the Chirag match.
73′: Sandip is receiving some treatment as he collides with Edmar to gather a high ball. Pune introduces another striker, local boy Paresh Shivalkar in place of Tabia.
76′: Another attack by East Bengal. This time Sanju runs with the ball for about 20 yards getting past 2 PFC defenders but his final ball is poor and cleared by Selwyn.
78′: Subhash Singh got a great opportunity to score the equalizer, but Okpara stands like a rock in front of East Bengal goal and denies him.
80′: 10 minutes remaining for PFC to salvage a point if they can. East Bengal conceded late in the second half in their last match to share the spoils with Mumbai FC. Morgan would keep that in mind.
81′: Penn !!! That was a beautiful effort by the skillful Nigerian. He dodged passed two PFC defender and unleashes a right footer which went out wide by six inches or so. Change for Pune, Venkatesh comes in. Ajayan out.
85′: Only 5 more minutes to go. Can East Bengal hold on PFC and register their 7th win of the campaign?
86′: Tolgay misses a sitter !!! He shoots from a close range but the ball rebounds off the far post.
90′: We are in to the last minute of regulation time. East Bengal missed another chance as Penn’s shot hits the post and goes out.
90’+1: 4 minutes of added time remains to be played here.
FT’: East Bengal 1-0 Pune FC :: East Bengal clinches all three points and registers their 7th victory of the season with a dominant display. They dominated the match, but striker’s lack of finishing will keep Morgan engaged for the next few days. Tolgay will miss the next match against Chirag for receiving his second booking in two matches.
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AIFF XI
v
Dempo SC
Gurgaon, 08/01/2011 – 2:00 PM IST
AIFF XI 1-1 Dempo SC [Full Time]
5′: The match kicks-off at Gurgaon. AIFF XI, currently standing at 11th spot takes on defending Champions Dempo, who are running 4th in the table after getting a slow start to their campaign. Ranty Martins wastes an easy opportunity as the Nigerian continues to mishit the spot kicks.
10′: GOOOAAALLLL !!! Would you believe it??? It’s AIFF lads who draws the first blood. Shocking lead for the home team. The young guns are 1-0 up here. Shilton D’Silva is the scorer.
15′: Dempo trying hard to get the equalizer. Beto is playing well and provided a couple of dangerous through balls. However Dempo’s forward line continues to disappoint.
20′: The young guns soaking up all the pressures and defending with purpose.
30′: GOOOAAALLL !!! Dempo finds the equalizer. It’s 1-1 at Gurgaon. Ranty Martins redeems himself after making a mess of the spot kick early into the match.
40′: It remains 1-1 at Gurgaon. 5 minutes to go for the half time whistle.
HT: It’s a 1-1 stalemate at the end of the first half.
55′: The scoreline remains 1-1.
65′: Dempo is creating more and more chances but AIFF boys are defending bravely. Can they hold on the defending champions for another 25 minutes?
80′: Only 10 minutes to go for AIFF to snatch a point off the defending champions. The score-line remains 1-1.
FT’: AIFF XI 1-1 Dempo :: AIFF XI snatches a point off the defending champions. Dempo would rue the missed opportunities, whereas Desmond Bulpin would be proud of his boys’ efforts.
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Mumbai FC
v
Viva Kerala
Kohlapur, 08/01/2011 – 3:30 PM IST
Mumbai FC 2-0 Viva Kerala [Full Time]
5′: The match is on at Kohlapur. Both the teams produced some gritty display in round-7. Mumbai FC hold East Bengal for a draw, while Viva registered their first win against Mohun Bagan. No goals yet in the match.
15′: No goals yet in the match. Mumbai FC enjoying slightly better ball possession.
30′: No team is unable to create anything substantial at the moment. Score-line remains goal-less.
40′: Good effort by Dane Perreira. Good save by Shahinlal. No goals yet in the match.
HT’: It remains goalless at Kohlapur. Both the teams displayed an insipid performance so far.
55′: It remains goal-less. Hardly any attacking moves here. Play is mainly restricted to midfield.
65′: It remains goal-less. Just 25 more minutes to go.
75′: At-last the dead-lock is broken. Mumbai FC takes the lead. Ebi Sukore is the scorer.
85′: Only 5 minutes remaining. Can Viva make a come back here?
90′: GOOOAAALLLL !!! Mumbai FC scored their second. It’s all over for Viva.
FT: Final Score: Mumbai FC 2-0 Viva Kerala. Mumbai continues their revival battle and earns all three points from this fixture – thanks to the second half strike by Ebi Sukore.
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Salgaocar SC
v
Churchill Brothers
Margaon, 08/01/2011 – 3:45 PM IST
Salgaocar 4-3 Churchill [Full Time]
Team News
Salgaocar: Karanjit, Jaspal, Meitei, Farid, Tomba, Sabrosa, Lamare, Francis, Gilbert, Sueoka, Yakubu
Churchill: Lalit, Rowlison, Kayne, Denzil, Israil, Zakeer, Raju, Dinesh, Robert, Odafa
1′: Match kicks off. Large crowd gathering at the Fatorda. It must be season’s highest attendance today.
10′: Both the teams are playing cautiously. No decent chances till now. Odafa is heavily marked.
20′: For the time being, the eagerly anticipated match has failed to match the expectations. Still goal-less.
22′: What a miss !!! Churchill goalie Lalit Thapa mishits a routine goalkick and the ball fell for Yakubu. But the veteran striker shoots it straight back at Thapa. Disappointing.
23′: GOOOAAALLL !!! Churchill takes the lead !!! Surprise, surprise, surprise !!! It’s not Odafa. Vincent puts it past Karanjit from a measured through ball by Zakeer.
26′: Odafa takes a blow in a collision with Sueoka. Bad news for Churchill, the goal machine has to be substituted.
29′: A great run by Tomba Singh earns a free kick for Salgaocar at a dangerous position.
30′: GOOOAAALLL !!! Salgaocar equalizes. Jaspal’s free kick gets defelected off the wall and went inside the goal line. A bit unfortunate, but Karim would take that. It’s 1-1 and the crowd roar in joy.
35′: What a GOOOAAALLL !!! Salgaocar takes the lead.
36′: GOOOAAALLL !!! Durga Boro equalizes for Churchill in the very next minute.
37′: GOOOAAALLL !!! And Sueoka makes it 3-2 within a minute.
37′: What a match it has been and what an atmosphere here at the Fatorda. Undoubtedly the best match of the season so far. Salgaocar took 2-1 lead, thanks to a Luciano Sabrosa header in the 35th minute. Churchill equalizes in the very next minute as RDurga Boro finds the back of the net to make it 2-2. But hold on, Salgaocar were not finished yet. With the very next attack, Yakubu and Sueoka combines brilliantly to make it 3-2 in favor of karim Bencharifa’s team. Sueoka is on the score-sheet again. It’s 3-2 here at Margaon.
42′: The match settles down a bit after the mad rush. Oh my God ! What a spell of pacy football it has been. Reminds me of English Premiership, and I am no way exaggerating the facts here.
43′: Penalty to Salgaocar. Yakubu was brought down inside the penalty box.
44′: Sueoka steps in to take the spot kick and it was brilliantly saved by Thapa. This is real action packed football, I tell you. I can feel for the guys following our live commentary – it is criminal on the part of AIFF not to have any live telecast for these exciting matches.
45′: GOOOAAALLLL !!! It’s unbelievable !!! Another penalty for Salgaocar and this time Sueoka makes no mistake to beat Thapa with a bullet shot. Salgaocar leading 4-2 now.
HT: It’s half time at Fatorda. What an amazing half of exciting football. If anyone needs a reason to watch Indian football, then come and watch this. Amazing crowd, vuvuzelas in the background and continuous cheering. Awesome atmosphere. Do join us back for the second half updates in just about 15 minutes time.
46′: Second half gets underway here at Fatorda, Margaon. Churchill making some good attacking move. The pace of the match is electrifying.
48′: Tomba Singh is having a gem of a match. He is controlling the tempo of the match from Salgaocar midfield, producing some defense piercing passes at will.
52′: What a sensational move !!! Tomba sends a ball to young Gilbert at the midfield, who in-turn sprays the ball for an onrushing Sueoka, but the Japanese hits it straight at the goalie.
55′: What a miss by Yakubu !!! It was three on one situation in favor of Salgaocar, but the veteran Ghanaian makes a mess of it. With Churchill playing it all out in search of reducing the margin, Salgaocar is hitting them on the counter. Tomba has been fabulous so far.
58′: Corner for Salgaocar. Karim Bencharifa’s side are completely dominating the ball possession now.’
65′: The score-line remains 4-2 in favour of Salgaocar. Churchill have been struggling to match their goan rivals ever since Odafa had to be taken off.
66′: GOOOAAALLL !!! Vincent makes it 3-4 for Churchill capitalizing on a defensive lapse. What a match it has been!!!
68′: Change for Salgaocar. Francis OUT; Khanbengam IN.
70′: Penalty shout by Churchill players. Not given. Vincent was blocked unfairly inside the box.
75′: Saved !!! Zakeer unleashes a long ranger. Karanjit makes a diving stop. Churchill attacking more and more. 15 minutes to go.
79′: Great move by Churchill. Lenny plays it to Raju, who tries a cute chip over Karanjit’s head. Ball goes out wide. Substitute for Salgaocar. Anto IN. Farid OUT.
81′: Churchill makes a change in search of the equalizer. Paite introduced. Corner for Churchill.
85′: Salgaocar holding on by the skin of their teeth. Churchill’s aggressive search for the equalizer continues.
86′: Change for Salgaocar. Yakubu taken off and Ekene introduced. Corner for Salgaocar, but nothing comes out of it.
89′: We are into the last minute of regulation time. Only one minute plus injury time remain to be played. Can Churchill score the equalizer? Or Salgaocar will consolidate their second position by earning all three points here?
90’+1: Four minutes of stoppage time.
FT: Salgaocar 4-3 Churchill. So the exciting contest comes to an end. What an entertaining match it has been!!! Finally Salgaocar held on to their nerves to clinch all three points over their Goan arch-rivals. Odafa’s early ouster due to an injury has surely affected the final outcome, but not even the die-hard Churchill fan can claim Salgaocar to be an undeserved winner. Tomba Singh deserves special mention for his skillful display at the heart of Salgaocar midfield. With this win Salgaocar remains at the 2nd spot, 4 points adrift league leaders East Bengal. Churchill shares the 3rd place with Dempo and Mumbai FC, 5 points off Salgaocar and 9 points adrift East Bengal.
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Mohun Bagan
v
Chirag United
Kolkata, 09/01/2011 – 1:45 PM IST
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Line Ups:
Mohun Bagan: Shilton, Rahul, Mohonraj, Diamondstar, Kingshuk, Isfaq, Jayanta, Manish, Snehasish, Muritala, Chidi,
Chirag United: Abhijit, Subhasish, Arnab, Chika, Narugopal, Gouranga, Denson, Lalkamal, Jerry, Joshimar, Branco.
10′: Yuva Bharati Krirangan is witnessing a Kolkata derby. Duels between Subhash Bhowmik and Subrata Bhattacharya were legendary when these two coached the two ig clubs in Kolkata. Subrata is out with a flu and he is not present in Chirag reserve bench. Edeh Chidi is back in Bagan line-up, Barreto is on bench. This is the first time in Barreto’s career that he has been benched in a big match despite being fit. Chirag are missing Elizah Junior.
12′: Shilton !!! The young ‘keeper comes to Bagan’s rescue with a fine save from Joshimar.
15′: Both teams struggling to take control of midfield. Diamondstar looks very slow and unfit. Can he stop an in-form Lalkamal Bhowmik ?
20′: Chidi and Muritala not combining well at all. Chirag defence was caught off-guard on a couple of occassions but these two failed to exploit the chances. Its still 0-0.
24′: Still 0-0…both Bagan and Chirag have failed to curve out clear cut chances so far..play bogged down in midfield.
28′: Some poor crossing from both Snehashis and Mohonraj..both players seem to be aiming at Chirag goalie. 0-0.
30′: Branco is an ex-Mohun Bagan player. Last season he performed well in Kolkata Football League, even scoring a hattrick. Sadly, he was discarded by Bagan. He will look to prove a point to Bagan officials today. Branco was infamously involved in a scuffle with brazilian Breno in Oliver Kahn’s farewell match in 2008.
32′: Still goal-less but Chirag is completely controlling midfield. Young Manish Mathani is struggling.
33′: Joshimar!!! What was Diamondstar doing ?? Joshimar was presented an almost open net but he lost his balance. Bagan are living on the edge here…
35′: Bhowmik needs to make some changes, the Green and Maroon brigade is unable to create anything. Chirag is completely dominating.
37′: Decision of not starting with Barreto seems to have backfired on the Bagan coach. Chidi has been invisible while Muritala has looked listless. Still 0-0.
42′: Flank movement, one of Bagan’s strengths this season has been a let down today also. Ishfaq has not made any impact while Snehashis is having an off-day.
42′: Muritala!!! The Nigerian misses an open net !!
45′: Jayanta Sen gets an yellow card for a foul on Joshimar.
HT: Mohun Bagan 0-0 Chirag United :: Chirag has completely dominated the midfield and created better chances. Bagan need to buckle up in both defence ans midfield. Chidi has been non-existent and Muritala has missed a golden chance to score. Looks like Bagan will again hope for Baretto to resuce them in this match.
46′: Second half kicks off.
51′: Can Barreto make a difference ? Bhowmik has once again banked his hopes on the old warhorse.
52′: Sanjay Sen has rought on Mohammad Rafique, the Durand Cup hero, on for Branco.
55′ Jerry Jinzanga, a former Bagan player has been a live-wire on the flanks.
57′: Still scoreless but Bagan are playing better with Barreto on the field.
60′: Abhijit!!! The ‘keeper makes two sharp saves off Barreto and Chidi.
62′: Mohun Bagan has been a bit predictable with their approach till now. They are trying to use the flanks & launch crosses in the box. These crosses have been comfortably dealt by Chika Wali. Bagan need more creativity through the centre. 0-0.
66′: It’s still 0-0 but Mohun Bagan are now dominating possession.
69′: Barreto and Chidi combined well but Abhijit was equal to the task. Neither team ale to score yet.
72′: The pace of the game has dropped considerably in last few minutes both teams are playing aimless long-ball.
76′: Jose Ramirez Barreto in his mid-30s still looks more motivated than the younger Mohun Bagan players. He has been working very hard since coming on but hasnt been helped by rest of the team.
82′: Looks like both teams are satisfied with a draw.
86′: Ashim Biswas, the super-sub who scored against Mumbai FC is on the field now. Can he grab another goal as a subsitute ? He doesnt have a lot of time to do it…
88′: GOOOAAALLL!!! Chirag United take the lead ! Joshimar who had been annonymous in 2nd half scores a late goal for Durand winners !!
90′: Just a few minutes separate Chirag United from yet another memorable win.
91′: Bagan throwing the kitchen sink at Chirag defence in search of an equaliser. Four minutes of injury time added.
94′: Match over.
FT: Mohun Bagan 0-1 Chirag United :: Yet another abject display from the three time champions. Not once in the match did Bagan look like winning it. They were listless in attack and clueless in midfield. Subhash Bhowmik chose to bench Barreto but it is quite clear that his team cant play well without the Brazilian. Both Chidi and Muritala were horrible and missed a few chances. All credit to Chirag United for a dominant performance. Lalkamal Bhowmik is TheHardTackle’s Man of the Match.
JCT FC
v
ONGC
Ludhiana, 09/12/2011 – 2:00 PM IST
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2′: Match kicks off.
20′: Score is still 0-0. Both team desperately need to win.
36′: GOOOOAAALLL!!! JCT take the lead through Keke Ibrahim.
HT : JCT 1-0 ONGC FC :: JCT lead through Ibrahim’s strike.
46′: Second half kicks off with the team from Ludhiana in driver’s seat.
55′: JCT defence is playing very well now, holding on to the lead.
60′: JCT still leading 1-0. The 2009/10 I-League Division 2 champions ONGC are attacking frequently but is unable to break Sukhwinder Singh’s team’s defence.
75′: Looks like JCT will get their 2nd win of this year’s campaign. They have comfortably repelled ONGC attacks so far. Great work from Sukhi’s boys.
88′: ONGC look desperate to score a goal but have been frustrated by JCT’s rock hard defence.
FT: JCT 1-0 ONGC :: Vital three points for the Punjab side. With Mohun Bagan losing JCT’s position in the league table will further be he helped by this result. Keke Ibrahim is TheHardTackle’s Man of the Match.
Air India
v
HAL SC
Kohlapur, 09/01/2011 – 3:30 PM IST
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2′: Match kicks off. Both these institutional sides are possible relegation candidates a win today can boost both teams.
15′: Scoreless in Kolhapur both teams have started cautiously.
25′: Nothing worthwhile in the match so far. Both teams are showing a lack of enthusiasm and imagination.
HT: It’s half time and no team could break the dead-lock so far.
65′: This has been an insipid performance by both the teams. Absolutely no urgency what-s-ever.
75′: GOOOAAALLL !!! HAL SC takes the lead. Xavier Vijoykumar is the scorer.
80′: It seems to be three away points for the Bangalore based team. Airmen are trying their best to break the stubborn HAL defense.
85′: GOOOAAALLL !!! Air India equalizes through Collin Abrahanches. It’s 1-1.
FT: Final score – Air India 1-1 HAL SC. Both the teams share the honors here. HAL took the lead through Vijaykumar, however Air India did not give up and clawed their way back to snatch a point.
