Category: I-League

by Abhishek Shukla

Vital month looms for Alejandro Menendez at East Bengal

KOLKATA: December is shaping up to be a crucial month for the future of East Bengal coach Alejandro Menendez, with three must-win games if the Spaniard is to keep the hot seat in East Bengal.

It is true that the coach of East Bengal is always under pressure, such is the microscope that they are under and the expectation of fans. It’s something that could either hold someone back or push him to achieve more, depending on how he handle it.

Saturday’s 3-2 defeat against Aizawl FC, who were bottom of the table before kick-off, has turned up the furnace further, not so much for the result but also the manner of the defeat, where apart from the opening 20 minutes, the Red and Golds were very much second-best. 


Tactically East Bengal looked poorer with defenders were exposed and looked incredibly vulnerable. There was very little penetration in attack.

While East Bengal now face a tricky home encounter against Minerva Punjab FC on December 4, 2018 in match that could define and possibly decide Menendez’s fate as East Bengal coach.

Should they survive that hurdle, there are also two matches that will be considered ‘must-win’ as the Red and Golds battles to stay in the hunt for the I-League title. The first is home to Gokulam Kerala FC on December 8, before the Kolkata Derby against bitter rivals Mohun Bagan on December 16.

Many former players and experts are already raising questions about Menendez’s strategy and even his ability to lead a team like East Bengal, and if East Bengal fail to collect full points in any of these matches, the former Real Madrid Castilla coach would found himself under immense pressure, if he is not already.

by Abhishek Shukla

I-LEAGUE CLUBS GIVE CONSENT TO CONCURRENT LEAGUES

NEW DELHI: Representatives of the I-League clubs met with AIFF officials at Football House, New Delhi to discuss the way forward for the I-League for the 2017-18 season till the roadmap for Indian Football in the medium and long term is finalised with assistance and guidance from the Asian Football Confederation.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Subrata Dutta, Chairman League Committee, Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary, AIFF and Mr. Sunando Dhar, CEO, I-League.

The Clubs agreed to the concurrent running of ISL and I-League for the season 2017-18 but stated that the I-League must be broadcast on the Star Sports platform with good quality production and proper marketing and promotion and scheduling of matches. They also recommended that a task force with the I-League Clubs be set up to review the I-League on a regular basis.

They also stated that the travel subsidy needs to be increased and that AIFF should also allocate a budget for the promotion of the I-League for 2017-18 season.

Furthermore, the Clubs recommended for permission to register 8 foreign players out of which 2 should be of Asian origin, and a maximum of five foreign players should be allowed to play on the field, one among which needs to be a player of Asian origin.

Mr. Subrata Dutta who chaired this meeting said all the recommendations of the I-League Clubs will be placed before the League Committee whose meeting is scheduled on July 5, 2017, and the final decisions of the Committee will be communicated to the clubs.

Meanwhile, the AFC has sent a communication to AIFF expressing happiness that the AIFF Executive Committee has approved the project to determine the medium and long term road map for top Indian Club football. A draft project plan will be sent by AFC soon in this regard.

However, for the season 2017-18 the AFC Secretariat is prepared to accept the concurrent running of the ISL and I league as a temporary short term “bridging” solution. The special dispensation has been reviewed and agreed by FIFA.

AIFF General Secretary, Kushal Das thanked AFC for their guidance and support. “The growth of Indian Football is our primary objective and we will take every step necessary to ensure positive results. We look forward to working with AFC and the other stakeholders to determine the most suitable medium to long term road map for Indian Football,” he said.

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Mohun Bagan announce signing of Eduardo Ferreira

KOLKATA: Mohun Bagan on Tuesday have announced the signing of Brazil born naturalized Equatoguinean defender Eduardo Ferreira for the forthcoming I-League 2016/17.

The 33-year-old who was naturalized in 2013, last turned out for Indian Super League side FC Pune City and joins the Mariners for remainder of the season.

With the signing of Eduardo, Mohun Bagan have completed it’s foreign quota for the I-League, as the club retained the services of Sony Norde and Katsumi Yusa from previous season beside signing Darryl Duffy earlier in the season.

“I am excited to join Mohun Bagan one of oldest football clubs in Asia, it will be a good experience for me to play as the club has successfully won the I-League and Federation Cup in recent past. I look forward to contribute and win trophies with the Club,” said Eduardo.

Eduardo is a journeymen who played for 12 different clubs in his career so far. The strong defender began his career at Sao Paolo based club Primavera in 2005, but went on to travel Brazil with clubs like Anapolina, Anápolis, CRB and Macaé, as well as having a stints at South Africa, Colombia, Thailand and Iran before joining FC Pune City in 2016 for ISL 3.

Eduardo made his international debut for Equatorial Guinea against Spain in November 2013.

Eduardo, who is the only second Equatoguinean footballer after Raúl Fabiani to signed by a Indian club, will be arriving at Kolkata on Wednesday early morning.

by Abhishek Shukla

DSK Shivajians FC Sign Former Irish Youth International Shane McFaul

 

Pune, India – DSK Shivajians Football Club have announced the signing of former Irish youth international Shane McFaul for a two-year term (2016-18). The midfielder joins the Pune-based squad after plying his trade in England, United States of America, Finland and Ireland.

His playing career so far has been decorated with two major honours with Irish sides. The first being an FAI Cup winner with Sporting Fingal (2009), followed by the League of Ireland Premier Division title with Dublin-based St. Patrick’s Athletic FC in 2013.

Other teams Shane has represented during his career include; Notts County and Brighton & Hove Albion FC in England and Finland Premier League sides FC KTP (Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat) and FC Haka.

For the record, Shane has been capped numerous times as a youth player at various levels (Under 14 to 21) for the Republic of Ireland.

The 30-year-old is a ball-winning midfielder who is equally adept distribution and thus, becomes the second foreign player to be signed by DSK Shivajians FC for the season ahead. Earlier, the club renewed the contract of Spaniard winger Juan Quero.

The central midfielder began his career playing local club football in Ireland when he caught the eye of League One side Notts County, and was promoted to the senior squad in 2002 at the age of 16. In 2005, he moved to American side Virginia Beach Mariners, where he spent a year, before signing for UCD Dublin. In January 2008, he signed for Brighton and Hove Albion FC where he made his debut in a 3-0 victory over Crewe Alexandra.

Later that year, he sealed a move back to UCD Dublin before moving to Sporting Fingal for the 2009-10 season. He then moved to St. Patrick’s Athletic FC in 2011. In 2012, he had a successful stint in Finland with FC Haka which led to St Patick’s Athletic FC bringing him back for another season. In 2014, he signed for FC KTP in Finland and captained the side in 2016 and played a major part in their promotion-winning campaign, before turning his eyes to the Indian subcontinent and landing a contract at DSK Shivajians FC.

First Team Manager Dave Rogers, said: “I am thrilled to have signed Shane McFaul. I have monitored Shane’s progress since he was a young player in the League of Ireland Premier Division and his rise and progress in England and Finland.

Shane is a fantastic leader on and off the pitch and an all round midfield player possessing all the attributes I was looking for. His profile and character makes him the perfect signing in my philosophy and direction on how I intend to take the club forward.

He possesses excellent game intelligence and awareness both in and out of possession. Shane’s influence and passion will be felt throughout the whole club especially the younger players who have developed through our academy system. His presence, knowledge and sole professionalism will have a positive impact overall.

I look forward to working with Shane daily and in the long term.”

Shirish Kulkarni, President, DSK Shivajians FC, added: “I would like to welcome Shane to India, the DSK family and wish him all the very best for the season ahead. Shane’s experience of playing several leagues in Europe will help with the balance of the squad. He will have an important role to play and has a lot to offer.”

Shane McFaul expressed his joy at signing for DSK Shivajians FC. “I am absolutely honoured to have this amazing opportunity to come and play for DSK Shivajians FC.

It was always something I wanted to do… come and play in Asia as I’ve played in many other footballing cultures and now, in India.

Once I spoke to Dave about his plans and the project I knew at once I really wanted to be part of this club.

I know the I-League is a growing league and I am very excited for the new season as Manager Dave Rogers is assembling a top quality squad for the season. There are a lot of talented young players and many internationals players.

I’ve been blown away by the facilities at DSK, the best of any club that I have played for.

With the experience Dave (Rogers) and Barry (Knowles) have, I know I am going to improve so much as a player and I am sure we are going to have a strong campaign.”

McFaul has already joined the squad for pre-season at the DSK Dream City Football Fields.