Sanjay Jadhav, Author at FootballNet.in

Features

Sandesh named AIFF Men’s Footballer of the Year, Suresh wins Emerging Player award

By Sanjay Jadhav 21 July 2021

New Delhi: Blue Tigers defender Sandesh Jhingan is the AIFF Men’s Footballer of the Year 2020-21, with midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam being named the winner of the AIFF Men’s Emerging Footballer of the Year 2020-21 Award. Both the players were voted by the club coaches.

It is the first time that the towering central defender has received the Player of the Year award, having won the Emerging Player of the Year Award in 2014.

He shared his joy at receiving the honour, saying: “Being voted by club coaches of the Hero ISL and the Hero I-League as the AIFF Men’s Footballer of the Year 2020-21 is a huge honour for me. I take this Award as a motivation to do better, and inspire others to follow their passion for the sport. A big thank you to AIFF, my family, my team-mates, support staff and all my coaches both at the club level, and at the National level for keeping their belief in me. And a big hug to all those teachers and well- wishers who have stood by me all throughout. This Award comes with a huge responsibility – not to let anyone down.”

Sandesh made his Senior National Team debut in 2015 in Guwahati and has since gone on to make 40 appearances for the Blue Tigers, scoring four goals. He was part of the Indian sides that lifted the Hero Intercontinental Cup in 2018 and played out a memorable draw at the home of the Asian champions Qatar in 2019.

Additionally, he has captained the senior team on five occasions, the most recent being the International Friendly against Oman in Dubai in March this year. He also received the prestigious Arjuna Award from the Government of India in 2020.

20-year-old Suresh Singh Wangjam, who made his Blue Tigers debut earlier this year against Oman, becomes the latest midfielder to win the Men’s Emerging Footballer of the Year Award.

He stated: “It’s an honour for me to receive the AIFF Men’s Emerging Footballer of the Year 2020-21 Award. I am extremely glad and thankful. This Award will improve my self-belief and will motivate me to achieve further success in the future.”

A former AIFF Academy cadet, Suresh was part of the Indian side that competed at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017 and spent two seasons with the AIFF’s developmental side Indian Arrows in the Hero I-League. Known for his never-ending stamina and box-to-box play, the midfielder has notched up five senior national team caps and started all three of India’s games at the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Doha in June.

The winners for the awards were chosen on the basis of votes from Hero Indian Super League and Hero I-League club coaches.

“Heartiest congratulations to the Awardees. I hope they will continue moving forward from strength to strength in the future and continue to inspire with their performances and achievements,” AIFF President Mr. Praful Patel said in his statement.

(AIFF Media)

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Women's National Team

Want to inspire more young girls, declares Emerging Footballer of the Year Manisha

By Sanjay Jadhav 20 July 2021

New Delhi: At just 19 years of age, Manisha Kalyan has established herself as one of the key members of the Indian Senior Women’s National Team. With her being named the AIFF Women’s Emerging Footballer of the Year 2020-21, the youngster stated that the Award inspires her to keep moving forward together and inspire the next generation of girls.

“I used to play in school and at state-level. It was only at 15 or 16 that I realised that can make my way up to the Indian National team. I want that the players who are younger than me they have the right exposure from the very start. Every player I interact with, I tell them that the future of Indian football is bright and getting this Award can serve as an inspiration for them,” she quipped.

Manisha, who has also represented India at U-17 and U-19 levels, continued: “It feels really nice to win this Award. I want to thank the AIFF for bestowing this honour upon me. I have always looked to plan my career step-by-step and winning the Emerging Player Award is something that I always wanted. I hope to keep doing better from here and keep working hard to help my team.”

The forward is honoured to share the spotlight with none other than Bala Devi, who won the AIFF Women’s Footballer of the Year 2020-21 award, and Manisha recalled how she always idolized Bala and wants to follow in her illustrious footsteps.

“When I was just starting out, my seniors in Punjab told me about Bala-di and her game. Since then, I have always wanted to meet her and share the pitch with her. I was fortunate that I even became her room partner at a camp and I was really happy about that. I have learned so much from her and hope that I can play abroad like her if the opportunity arises,” she smiled.

“I saw her play at the Nationals along with other National Team players like Aditi-di, Dalima-di, Asha-di, Sangita-di and Sanju-di, and compared my game to theirs. Accordingly, I started preparing myself as I wanted to reach that level and play for the national team.”

Manisha, who hails from Muggowal, a village in the Hoshiarpur district in Punjab, thanked her family and dear ones for their support in her journey so far.

“My parents have always been supportive of me playing football and have always encouraged me to move forward. One more key figure has been Manu-didi, my sister who lives in Delhi. She has helped me in every step of my journey and always motivated me. Everyone in my village loves football and has encouraged me throughout. When I was selected for the India camp for the first time, all of them were very happy and gave me their blessings and confidence.”

Manisha, who also won the Emerging Player award at the Hero Indian Women’s League 2019-20 and went on to win the title with Gokulam Kerala FC, expressed that her full focus now is on doing well for India at the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 in January.

“The main target for me now is preparing for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. It’s a great opportunity for all of us and everyone is worked extremely hard to get ready and give our best,” she stated.

(AIFF Media)

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Women's National Team

Grateful to AIFF for believing in me and the team: Maymol Rocky

By Sanjay Jadhav 20 July 2021

New Delhi: After four years in charge of the Indian women’s senior national team, head coach Maymol Rocky has stepped down from her role due to personal reasons.

Maymol, who took over the reins as head coach in 2017 after a stint as the Assistant Coach, led the team to a number of international glories and saw them progress tremendously as women’s football continues to move forward together.

She thanked the federation for their ‘trust’ in her abilities. “I sincerely thank the All India Football Federation for believing in me and the team for so many years. I would like to express my gratitude to Praful Patel-sir (President, AIFF), Kushal Das-sir (General Secretary, AIFF), Abhishek Yadav-sir (Deputy General Secretary & Director, National Teams, AIFF) and the entire staff at Football House for all their support,” she averred.

“I am very happy to see the progress we have made in the last few years. The facilities we got were always excellent and the support we got from the federation, Sports Authority of India (SAI), and the Government of Odisha has been the key to our success.”

Mr. Kushal Das stated: “Maymol Rocky has expressed her inability to continue as the Head Coach of the Senior National Women’s Football Team owing to personal reasons. We accept her decision and thank her for her contribution to Indian Football. Our best wishes to her for her future endeavours.”

A former India international player, Maymol termed her stint as Head Coach as the “best phase” of her career and praised the team’s efforts during this time.

“If I look back, we did have our ups and downs but this was certainly the best phase of my career. The team has grown immensely from when I joined and I have also grown with the team. The experience that the players and I have got from the national team has been amazing. I am glad the team stood up to the expectations and the players always gave their best in every session and match we played,” Maymol maintained.

The Indian Women’s National Team created history in November 2018 by making it through to the second round of the Olympic qualifiers for the first time ever, and won the title at the SAFF Women’s Championship in 2019 and the gold medal at the South Asian Games in Nepal.

“My most memorable match would be the final of the SAFF Championship in Nepal. The match was extremely tense and playing in front of a packed stadium filled with Nepal fans, the team showed great character and determination to clinch the victory. We had lost to them at our home tournament and to go and defeat them in the final was a great feeling,” she recollected.

With India set to host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup for the first time next year, Maymol expressed her best wishes to the team for the tournament.

“The AFC Asian Women’s Cup 2022 is the biggest platform for our National Team and I am sure it will generate a lot of interest in women’s football in India and will inspire future players, coaches, and many more people. I am confident that the players will rise to the occasion and give their all. I send my best wishes to the entire nation and the team for the competition and I will be there to cheer for them for sure,” she said.

“I would like to express my best wishes to the next coach as well and will always be there for any kind of support and to help in any way I can. I have resigned but I will definitely return to coaching in the near future.”

(AIFF Media)

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Women's Football

AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022TM logo unveiled with six months to go

By Sanjay Jadhav 20 July 2021

New Delhi: With six months to go to the Continent’s most prestigious women’s national team football competition, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022TM Local Organising Committee (LOC) have today launched the tournament logo of the upcoming edition, which will be held from January 20 to February 6 next year.

The 2022 edition will once again blaze a new trail in the development of the women’s game in Asia with an expanded 12 teams set to compete for Continental supremacy – four more than the last four editions – and will feature a newly-introduced Quarter-final stage for the first time in Asian women’s football history.

Creating an unmistakable connection between Asian football fans and the competition, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022TM logo has been adapted from the original logomark featuring the tournament’s distinctive trophy as the centerpiece, which was introduced at the last edition in Jordan 2018.

The concept of the ‘swirl’ surrounding the trophy was inspired by the national flags and colours of playing kits in Asia, and the iconic stadiums in which the AFC Women’s Asian Cup is played in and celebrates cultural diversity and the unwavering support and enthusiasm of fans for their national teams.

The premium finishing pays tribute to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which delivers the highest level of women’s football in the Continent while providing an unrivalled stage as the qualifying tournament for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Five Asian teams will clinch their spots to join Australia during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 TM and two intercontinental playoff places are also up for grabs ahead of the historic cross Confederation and newly expanded 32-team FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia/New Zealand 2023.

In addition, local elements of the host Member Association have been infused into the India 2022 tournament specific logo. The maroon in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 TM logo takes inspiration from the Warli artworks – a tribal art form mostly preserved by the tribal people from the Northern Sahyadri Ranges in India and in the host state of Maharashtra, where the hue of red and maroon often forms the base of the paintings.

Similarly, the silver in the logo is a testimony to the importance of silver jewellery in Indian households and the beauty and elegance of the precious metal.

(AIFF Media)

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Women's National Team

Bala Devi, Manisha Kalyan named winners of annual AIFF Awards

By Sanjay Jadhav 20 July 2021

New Delhi: Indian Women’s National Team forward Bala Devi has been named as the AIFF Women’s Footballer of the Year 2020-21, with young gun Manisha winning the AIFF Women’s Emerging Footballer of the Year 2020-21 Award.

On receiving the honour, the 31-year-old Bala stated: “I’m so happy to have won this award. A big thank you to the AIFF and all the fans for their support. I’d also like to thank my coaches — both at my club in Rangers, and in the National Team, and also and all the coaches that I’ve played under in the past. A big thank you also to my family and all my teammates for all the support.”

“I arrived in Scotland last year, just before the global lockdown had started, and acclimatising to any new place in such conditions has been extremely difficult. But with their help, I have been able to focus on the things that are most important, and keep myself in top shape, both mentally and physically,” she added.

This marks the third time that the mercurial forward has won this prestigious award, having previously won it two years in a row in 2014 and 2015. Currently playing for Rangers Women’s FC in Scotland, Bala made her debut for the team in February last year and created history as she scored her first competitive goal for the team in December. She remains the first Indian woman footballer to sign a professional contract in Europe.

19-year-old Manisha, who is also a forward, was named the Women’s Emerging Footballer of the Year for the first time and expressed her delight at being named for the honour.

She stated: “Thank you AIFF for choosing me for the emerging player of the year award. This Award motivates me to push further to work harder for my team and achieve our goals.”

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff of the National team who taught me and made me capable enough for this award. I would further extend my gratitude to my teammates without whom the award couldn’t have been possible. My family, my coaches, teachers – a big thank you to all.”

A former India U-17 and U-19 international, Manisha made her senior national team debut against Hong Kong in 2019 and since then, she has gone on from strength to strength. She also received the Emerging Player of the Tournament Award at the 2019-20 Hero Indian Women’s League, where she played a key role in Gokulam Kerala FC’s run to the title.

Both the winners were chosen by the National Team Head Coach Maymol Rocky in consultation with AIFF Interim Technical Director Savio Medeira.

Meanwhile, the AIFF Award for the Best Referee 2020-21 went to Mr. Tejas Nagvencar while Mr. Sumanta Dutta was adjudged for the AIFF Award for the Best Assistant Referee 2020-21.

Mr. Praful Patel, President, AIFF in his message, averred: “I would like to congratulate the award winners for the season as Indian football continues to move forward together. They are inspirations for one and all, and all of us are proud of them and share the joy.”

(AIFF Media)

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Features

Go for glory: AIFF sends best wishes to Indian contingent for Tokyo 2020 Olympics

By Sanjay Jadhav 19 July 2021

New Delhi: All India Football Federation has sent in their best wishes to the Indian Olympic contingent for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, the world’s biggest sporting extravaganza, which is all set to kick-off on July 23, 2021.

Congratulating the Indian athletes, AIFF President Mr. Praful Patel, on behalf of the footballing fraternity, said that he is confident that the “Tricolour will fly high at the grand stage.”

In his message, he averred: “On behalf of the All India Football Federation and the entire Indian football family, I would like to extend our best wishes to the Indian contingent for the Tokyo Olympics. We are sure that the hard work and efforts put in by them, especially during these challenging times, will bear fruit as we move forward together. Best of luck! Go for glory!”

AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das wished the Indian contingent for the Tokyo Games. In his message, the General Secretary stated: “The Olympic Games are the pinnacle of sporting excellence. Years of continuous dedication and perseverance have gone into this journey and we are all looking forward to seeing our athletes shine on the global stage. Sending Indian Football’s best wishes to the Indian Olympic contingent as they stand on the cusp of making history. The sky’s the limit for you!”

The football’s governing body had earlier also organised an AIFF TV chat last week with the world’s best hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, wishing the contingent “good luck.”

India are sending their largest-ever team with Indian athletes set to compete across a whopping 18 different sporting disciplines. The contingent consists of a number of seasoned campaigners coupled with many first-time Olympians as well, all of whom will be determined to make a mark at the Games.

(AIFF Media)

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Indian Women's League

Gokulam Kerala FC to represent India in AFC Women’s Club Championship 2020-21

By Sanjay Jadhav 15 July 2021

New Delhi: All India Football Federation has nominated Gokulam Kerala FC (GKFC), the champion of the 4th edition of the Hero Indian Women’s League to represent India in the AFC Women’s Club Championship 2020-21 – Pilot tournament.

AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das, in a letter to AFC General Secretary Dato Windsor John wrote: “We would like to inform you that after having a discussion with the local organising committee (Odisha Sports), AIFF has decided to postpone the 5th edition of the Hero Indian Women’s League (HIWL) for a few months keeping in mind the monsoon, and an expected third wave of infections.”

The 5th edition was originally supposed to be held in Bhubaneswar by Odisha Sports in close coordination with AIFF. But it had to be postponed owing to the second wave of the pandemic which hit hard. Keeping options open, the League Committee had taken a decision to conduct it later in a proposed new window subject to health parameters.

(AIFF Media)

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Transfers

Blues sign Brazilian defender Alan Costa on loan from Avaí FC

By Sanjay Jadhav 6 July 2021

Bengaluru: Bengaluru FC, on Tuesday, announced that Brazilian defender Alan Henrique Costa had signed on a two-year loan deal from Campeonato Brasileiro Série B side, Avaí Futebol Clube. Thirty-year-old Costa, who stands at 6’4”, is the Blues’ second foreign acquisition under Marco Pezzaiuoli after Gabonese defender Yrondu Musavu-King signed a new two-year deal on Saturday.

Having begun his career in the youth ranks of Ferroviária in Brasil, Costa had stints at Palmeiras, Internacional and Coritiba, and loan spells at Sao Bento and Vitoria, before joining Avaí in 2020.

Costa, a native of Araraquara, has spent the entirety of his professional career thus far in Brazil, and expressed excitement at his move to Bengaluru. “I’m really happy to have signed for Bengaluru FC and I have good expectations about Indian football. I didn’t know too much about the Indian Super League, but I have friends who have played here, who have only great things to say,” said Costa, after completing the formalities on his loan deal.

Costa, who lifted the Campeonato Catarinense State Championship with Avaí in May, winning 3-2 against defending champions Chapecoense over a two-legged final, said he was looking forward to the move, and to do well for the Blues.

“The new project at BFC is one that excites me, and I am eager to repay the trust of those who showed the faith to bring me here. I am aware that the club hasn’t had a great run of late, but I want to show my experience and make sure that this season is different,” Costa added.

Bengaluru ran out 5-0 winners over Tribhuvan Army FC in a Preliminary Stage Two clash of the AFC Cup in April, in what was Marco Pezzaiuoli’s first game in charge. The Italian said that Costa’s presence and leadership could prove vital to his squad.

“I’m happy to welcome Alan to Bengaluru FC. I think he is a very important player on the pitch and has a commanding personality off it. He is a natural leader and has captained teams that he has been part of in the past,” said Pezzaiuoli.

Incidentally, Costa scored his first goal of the Brasileiro Série B season in a 3-1 win against Londrina Esporte Clube, on Thursday. “Alan’s quality with the ball is very impressive and he has been scoring goals over the last few seasons which makes him a very interesting player to have. His presence will definitely improve the overall quality of the team and I wish him success on his new journey with us,” added Pezzaiuoli.

(Bengaluru FC Media)

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Transfers

Yrondu Musavu-King pens two-year deal with Bengaluru FC

By Sanjay Jadhav 3 July 2021

Bengaluru FC have announced that defender Yrondu Musavu-King had signed a two-year extension, adding to his earlier short term contract with the club. The 29-year-old, who made his debut in a 5-0 win over Tribhuvan Army FC in the AFC Cup Preliminary Stage Two clash, is Blues’ Head Coach Marco Pezzaiuoli’s first foreign acquisition ahead of the new season.

“First of all, I would like to thank the club CEO, the coach, all the staff and my teammates who welcomed me so well when I first came to India. I had good feelings about this club right from the start, and that is one of the reasons why I have decided to extend my adventure here,” said Musavu-King, following the completion of formalities on his new deal.

Musavu-King has featured at the international level with Gabon, making his debut in a 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Congo, and has turned out clubs in Europe’s top divisions like Granada, Udinese, Lorient and Toulouse, among others. The Libreville-born centre-back said he was excited and looking forward to the new season.

“This group has good quality and the coach convinced me about the project he is building at a club that has been so successful. This fresh two-year deal is a new chapter in my professional life and it is one that I will be approaching with everything I can give. My goal is to win as many games as possible. I have seen the mentality and quality this team possesses and I am confident that together we are going to achieve many beautiful things,” King added.

The defender’s extension follows the arrival of young Indian midfielder Rohit Kumar, and Marco Pezzaiuoli said he was happy to see the club keep hold of Musavu-King, who is a product of the Caen Academy in France.

“I am pleased that we have managed to secure the signature of Musavu-King. He is a fantastic professional with a wealth of experience as he has shown during his stay at Bengaluru FC so far. Football aside, he is also a warm personality in the dressing room and we look forward to having him in a Bengaluru shirt for two more seasons,” said Pezzaiuoli.

The Blues are back in action next month, when they take on Eagles FC in a 2021 AFC Cup Playoff clash.

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Transfers

Sunil Chhetri signs on with Bengaluru Football Club

By Sanjay Jadhav 20 June 2021

Bengaluru: Bengaluru FC has announced that club captain Sunil Chhetri had signed a new two-year deal to keep him at the club until at least 2023. Chhetri, who signed with the Blues in 2013, will see the new deal extend his stay with Bengaluru into a tenth season.

Chhetri, who joined Bengaluru in 2013, has made 203 appearances for the club since, scoring 101 goals in that time. The 36-year-old has led the club since its inception in 2013 and has topped the goal-scoring charts in each of his eight seasons with the Blues.

“I’m really happy to have signed on for two more years at Bengaluru FC. The city is home now, and the people at this club are like family to me. It feels like just yesterday that I signed for the first time here, and I have to say the journey has been nothing short of special. I love this club, the supporters and the city, all three of which I have a strong bond with, and I’m looking forward to being part of many more great moments with them,” said Chhetri, after completing formalities on his extension.

Chhetri, a six-time AIFF Player of the Year, led the Blues to their first League title in 2013, and has since won five more trophies with the club, including the Federation Cup (2015, 2017), Indian Super League (2018-19) and Super Cup (2018). In addition to several other individual awards, Chhetri was named the Asian Football Confederation’s Asian Iconin 2018 and the following year, he was conferred the Padma Shri title, India’s fourth highest civilian honour.

“Sunil has been an integral part of this club since day one. We all know what he, as a player, brings to the team. But his presence as a leader has been equally crucial to us, and especially to the youngsters coming through the ranks. He is a role model, and his influence and application has been paramount to our success. Over the last eight years, he has made this city his home and we are really happy that he has committed his future to Bengaluru FC,” said club CEO, Mandar Tamhane.

Chhetri, who scored twice against Bangladesh in India’s FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup joint qualifier in Doha earlier this month, has amassed over 100 caps for the country and is India’s all-time leading scorer in international football, with 76 goals.

Bengaluru FC will face Eagles FC in a 2021 AFC Cup Playoff stage clash, in August.

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