About 2018 World Cup qualification, guys please stop expecting these unrealistic targets there is no way this team will be amongst top 5 in Asia.Except for Raju and Jeje there isn't much spark in the team to reach such heights.
Hope they can keep India in top 20(Asia) and top 130 in World Rankings.
only Top 20 and Top 130.. by when? Do you mean by 2018... Then we shuld stop following Indian football.. <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt="" title="Laughing" /><!-- s -->
Praful Patel wants Indian team among top 100 in next two years... I would be happy even if we can achieve it by 2015..
I am sorry but have to agree with ashwin. imo the best we can achieve is a spot in top 15 in asia by 2018 assuming that aiff aranges exhibition matches at regular interval
Very surprised and happy to see such a cool article by AIFF
'Tom and Jerry' make merry
“Sir, Please may I come in,” someone politely asks from behind the half-shut door. It’s Jeje Lalpeklua standing on the other side. He hands over a Pen-drive. “Could I have the Match Recording and the pictures? Please, if you can give it to me.” His humility is bound to strike you.
A couple of hours later when you knock at his room, Jeje, Lalrindika Ralte and Lalrozama stayed engrossed in the Video Recording of India’s Pre-Olympic first-leg match against Qatar. Some animated discussions in local Mizo dialect go on; I prefer watching from the stands. And after the final whistle, it’s just silence.
I rewind back to Jeje’s goal. “I should have scored another. I should have converted my second chance,” stays his apology. You begin to ponder. Here you are, lauding him for his strike in an away-match and he apologises for not scoring another!
“That’s Jeje Lalpeklua. He’s never satisfied. He always wants more,” Dika adds. Lalrozama follows: “That’s’ why he is already a star -- the next Bhaichung Bhutia.”
Jeje interferes. “I have miles to go. Don’t compare Bhaichung with me. He is a Great Player. But I haven’t been able to speak to him as yet. He is my idol.”
Coach Desmond Bulpin adds: “I don’t believe in comparisons. All I can tell you, this kid is a special one. We need to take care of him.”
The bonding between Dika and Jeje goes back to their childhood as both hail from Hnahthial in Mizoram, almost a five-hour drive from Aizawl. Together they make quite a pair. They are lovable; at times they are naughty but are inseparable. All call them the ‘Tom and Jerry.’ Ask them as to who’s Tom and who’s Jerry, you won’t find an answer. All they do is smile, look at each other and smile again.
“The off-field bonding helps,” Jeje informs. “He’s a midfielder, I’m a striker. Our understanding reflects on the field.” Dika goes on: “Even with my head down, I know where’s he on the field. We connect to each other well.”
“You can attribute it to our society. We love to stay together. We make friends easily,” Rozama completes the triangle.
Back in Mizoram, the boys enjoy a huge fan following, especially among the girls. Jeje smiles hesitantly. “That’s his sex-appeal,” Dika winks. Jeje blushed and went after Dika – I remember ‘Tom and Jerry.’
“Everyday Dika speaks about a new ex-girlfriend,” Jeje puts Dika on the wrong foot. On a serious note, he puts it straight: “We stay in the Camp for most of the year. We go back only for a fortnight. Won’t our girlfriends curse us?” You stay stumped.
“Back home in Mizoram, football stays the sole sport. People were happy over India’s triumph in the Cricket World Cup. But next day, all went to the football match,” Lalrozama switches flanks. “The support from the Government has helped us to have an artificial turf in Mizoram.”
The three Indian Arrows boys have set their eyes abroad. Jeje has already signed up with an agent; the other two are supposed to do it soon. “It’s hard to get a Work-Permit in Europe. I’m keeping my options open,” Jeje expresses.
The trio goes numb for a moment. They try reflecting on their chances of playing abroad. “We need to have more agents,” Raju Gaikwad’s voice echoed in Jeje’s.
Is the 2022 World Cup a realistic dream? “Why not?” Jeje comes back to life. “We all would love to be a part of that team. Even if we can’t, let the others take us there. It ought to happen someday.”
Dika, by then had started replaying the Recording of the Match. Jeje and Lalrozama asked me to join in. They speak in their local Mizo dialect, I understand little. All I understand is that they speak football. Isn’t that the priority?
Very surprised and happy to see such a cool article by AIFF
'Tom and Jerry' make merry
“Sir, Please may I come in,” someone politely asks from behind the half-shut door. It’s Jeje Lalpeklua standing on the other side. He hands over a Pen-drive. “Could I have the Match Recording and the pictures? Please, if you can give it to me.” His humility is bound to strike you.
A couple of hours later when you knock at his room, Jeje, Lalrindika Ralte and Lalrozama stayed engrossed in the Video Recording of India’s Pre-Olympic first-leg match against Qatar. Some animated discussions in local Mizo dialect go on; I prefer watching from the stands. And after the final whistle, it’s just silence.
I rewind back to Jeje’s goal. “I should have scored another. I should have converted my second chance,” stays his apology. You begin to ponder. Here you are, lauding him for his strike in an away-match and he apologises for not scoring another!
“That’s Jeje Lalpeklua. He’s never satisfied. He always wants more,” Dika adds. Lalrozama follows: “That’s’ why he is already a star -- the next Bhaichung Bhutia.”
Jeje interferes. “I have miles to go. Don’t compare Bhaichung with me. He is a Great Player. But I haven’t been able to speak to him as yet. He is my idol.”
Coach Desmond Bulpin adds: “I don’t believe in comparisons. All I can tell you, this kid is a special one. We need to take care of him.”
The bonding between Dika and Jeje goes back to their childhood as both hail from Hnahthial in Mizoram, almost a five-hour drive from Aizawl. Together they make quite a pair. They are lovable; at times they are naughty but are inseparable. All call them the ‘Tom and Jerry.’ Ask them as to who’s Tom and who’s Jerry, you won’t find an answer. All they do is smile, look at each other and smile again.
“The off-field bonding helps,” Jeje informs. “He’s a midfielder, I’m a striker. Our understanding reflects on the field.” Dika goes on: “Even with my head down, I know where’s he on the field. We connect to each other well.”
“You can attribute it to our society. We love to stay together. We make friends easily,” Rozama completes the triangle.
Back in Mizoram, the boys enjoy a huge fan following, especially among the girls. Jeje smiles hesitantly. “That’s his sex-appeal,” Dika winks. Jeje blushed and went after Dika – I remember ‘Tom and Jerry.’
“Everyday Dika speaks about a new ex-girlfriend,” Jeje puts Dika on the wrong foot. On a serious note, he puts it straight: “We stay in the Camp for most of the year. We go back only for a fortnight. Won’t our girlfriends curse us?” You stay stumped.
“Back home in Mizoram, football stays the sole sport. People were happy over India’s triumph in the Cricket World Cup. But next day, all went to the football match,” Lalrozama switches flanks. “The support from the Government has helped us to have an artificial turf in Mizoram.”
The three Indian Arrows boys have set their eyes abroad. Jeje has already signed up with an agent; the other two are supposed to do it soon. “It’s hard to get a Work-Permit in Europe. I’m keeping my options open,” Jeje expresses.
The trio goes numb for a moment. They try reflecting on their chances of playing abroad. “We need to have more agents,” Raju Gaikwad’s voice echoed in Jeje’s.
Is the 2022 World Cup a realistic dream? “Why not?” Jeje comes back to life. “We all would love to be a part of that team. Even if we can’t, let the others take us there. It ought to happen someday.”
Dika, by then had started replaying the Recording of the Match. Jeje and Lalrozama asked me to join in. They speak in their local Mizo dialect, I understand little. All I understand is that they speak football. Isn’t that the priority?
Can anybody get any information about the TV viewership figures for the Doha match. That would give us an idea about the interest of general public regarding our football.
The name is Ali, Muhammad Ali – the Greatest Boxer of all times; perhaps even the Greatest Sportsperson of all times. Ali’s fight with George Foreman when he came back from a hopeless situation to win is now folklore.
Ali is back again -- this time at India’s U-23 squad—to provide inspiration to Coach Desmond Bulpin and his boys.
All the hard work, all the talent, all the dreams hang on balance for the next ninety minutes on the field. Life on the football field is cruel -- India’s Pre-Olympic U-23 squad is learning the hard way.
For a team which almost beat Qatar in the Guangzhou Asian Games, the match at Al Sadd is a thing of the past. “A footballer ought to forget the past fast. We need to look ahead. That’s football,” says Jeje Lalpeklua, the 20-year old who had put India ahead in the 7th minute at the Al Sadd Stadium.
Jewel Raja Sheikh, Shilton D’Silva and Lalrindika Ralte feels Al Sadd was a bad day in office. “We need to admit they are a technically better side,” Shilton quipped. “But we know what we are capable of. We need to play our best; we couldn’t do that at the Al Sadd,” Jewel adds.
Coach Desmond Bulpin’s day began as early as 9am, at the Breakfast Table. Dissecting India’s loss to Qatar on the Video Screen in the first-leg, Bulpin analysed every bit; the boys listened.
“The rain may just give us a slight edge, not a distinct one,” Bulpin reiterated.
The Qatar squad which landed at the Pune Airport as late as 4am on Wednesday looked visibly tired. The squad waited for almost eight hours at the Doha International Airport, waiting for a landing permission at the Pune Airport.
Coach Simondi Bernard stressed the 3-1 lead looks good but could have been better. “Bulpin utilised his boys well. It’s India’s Home-Match and we will be careful.”
The power and velocity of Captain Raju Gaikwad’s throw-ins makes Bulpin all the more optimistic. “He is our Throw-in specialist,” as Bulpin concentrated a lot on set-plays in the practice-session.
Raju, fully fit for the home-tie insisted India “will play for win. We have to go all out. There aren’t many other options left,” he added.
“If we go all out, we need to be careful when they counter-attack. They are very good in passing the ball,” Bulpin drew a balance.
Overturning a 1-3 deficit against Qatar isn’t impossible, the boys feel. Talks of Muhammad Ali’s victory against George Foreman make rounds in the India Camp as the boys gear up.
The kick-off is at 7pm and the match will be telecast live on Ten Action Plus and regional Bengali channel Chobbish Ghonta.
Comments
'Tom and Jerry' make merry
“Sir, Please may I come in,” someone politely asks from behind the half-shut door. It’s Jeje Lalpeklua standing on the other side. He hands over a Pen-drive. “Could I have the Match Recording and the pictures? Please, if you can give it to me.” His humility is bound to strike you.
A couple of hours later when you knock at his room, Jeje, Lalrindika Ralte and Lalrozama stayed engrossed in the Video Recording of India’s Pre-Olympic first-leg match against Qatar. Some animated discussions in local Mizo dialect go on; I prefer watching from the stands. And after the final whistle, it’s just silence.
I rewind back to Jeje’s goal. “I should have scored another. I should have converted my second chance,” stays his apology. You begin to ponder. Here you are, lauding him for his strike in an away-match and he apologises for not scoring another!
“That’s Jeje Lalpeklua. He’s never satisfied. He always wants more,” Dika adds. Lalrozama follows: “That’s’ why he is already a star -- the next Bhaichung Bhutia.”
Jeje interferes. “I have miles to go. Don’t compare Bhaichung with me. He is a Great Player. But I haven’t been able to speak to him as yet. He is my idol.”
Coach Desmond Bulpin adds: “I don’t believe in comparisons. All I can tell you, this kid is a special one. We need to take care of him.”
The bonding between Dika and Jeje goes back to their childhood as both hail from Hnahthial in Mizoram, almost a five-hour drive from Aizawl. Together they make quite a pair. They are lovable; at times they are naughty but are inseparable. All call them the ‘Tom and Jerry.’ Ask them as to who’s Tom and who’s Jerry, you won’t find an answer. All they do is smile, look at each other and smile again.
“The off-field bonding helps,” Jeje informs. “He’s a midfielder, I’m a striker. Our understanding reflects on the field.” Dika goes on: “Even with my head down, I know where’s he on the field. We connect to each other well.”
“You can attribute it to our society. We love to stay together. We make friends easily,” Rozama completes the triangle.
Back in Mizoram, the boys enjoy a huge fan following, especially among the girls. Jeje smiles hesitantly. “That’s his sex-appeal,” Dika winks. Jeje blushed and went after Dika – I remember ‘Tom and Jerry.’
“Everyday Dika speaks about a new ex-girlfriend,” Jeje puts Dika on the wrong foot. On a serious note, he puts it straight: “We stay in the Camp for most of the year. We go back only for a fortnight. Won’t our girlfriends curse us?” You stay stumped.
“Back home in Mizoram, football stays the sole sport. People were happy over India’s triumph in the Cricket World Cup. But next day, all went to the football match,” Lalrozama switches flanks. “The support from the Government has helped us to have an artificial turf in Mizoram.”
The three Indian Arrows boys have set their eyes abroad. Jeje has already signed up with an agent; the other two are supposed to do it soon. “It’s hard to get a Work-Permit in Europe. I’m keeping my options open,” Jeje expresses.
The trio goes numb for a moment. They try reflecting on their chances of playing abroad. “We need to have more agents,” Raju Gaikwad’s voice echoed in Jeje’s.
Is the 2022 World Cup a realistic dream? “Why not?” Jeje comes back to life. “We all would love to be a part of that team. Even if we can’t, let the others take us there. It ought to happen someday.”
Dika, by then had started replaying the Recording of the Match. Jeje and Lalrozama asked me to join in. They speak in their local Mizo dialect, I understand little. All I understand is that they speak football. Isn’t that the priority?
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.the-aiff.com/pages/news/index.php?N_Id=2611">http://www.the-aiff.com/pages/news/index.php?N_Id=2611</a><!-- m -->
The name is Ali, Muhammad Ali – the Greatest Boxer of all times; perhaps even the Greatest Sportsperson of all times. Ali’s fight with George Foreman when he came back from a hopeless situation to win is now folklore.
Ali is back again -- this time at India’s U-23 squad—to provide inspiration to Coach Desmond Bulpin and his boys.
All the hard work, all the talent, all the dreams hang on balance for the next ninety minutes on the field. Life on the football field is cruel -- India’s Pre-Olympic U-23 squad is learning the hard way.
For a team which almost beat Qatar in the Guangzhou Asian Games, the match at Al Sadd is a thing of the past. “A footballer ought to forget the past fast. We need to look ahead. That’s football,” says Jeje Lalpeklua, the 20-year old who had put India ahead in the 7th minute at the Al Sadd Stadium.
Jewel Raja Sheikh, Shilton D’Silva and Lalrindika Ralte feels Al Sadd was a bad day in office. “We need to admit they are a technically better side,” Shilton quipped. “But we know what we are capable of. We need to play our best; we couldn’t do that at the Al Sadd,” Jewel adds.
Coach Desmond Bulpin’s day began as early as 9am, at the Breakfast Table. Dissecting India’s loss to Qatar on the Video Screen in the first-leg, Bulpin analysed every bit; the boys listened.
“The rain may just give us a slight edge, not a distinct one,” Bulpin reiterated.
The Qatar squad which landed at the Pune Airport as late as 4am on Wednesday looked visibly tired. The squad waited for almost eight hours at the Doha International Airport, waiting for a landing permission at the Pune Airport.
Coach Simondi Bernard stressed the 3-1 lead looks good but could have been better. “Bulpin utilised his boys well. It’s India’s Home-Match and we will be careful.”
The power and velocity of Captain Raju Gaikwad’s throw-ins makes Bulpin all the more optimistic. “He is our Throw-in specialist,” as Bulpin concentrated a lot on set-plays in the practice-session.
Raju, fully fit for the home-tie insisted India “will play for win. We have to go all out. There aren’t many other options left,” he added.
“If we go all out, we need to be careful when they counter-attack. They are very good in passing the ball,” Bulpin drew a balance.
Overturning a 1-3 deficit against Qatar isn’t impossible, the boys feel. Talks of Muhammad Ali’s victory against George Foreman make rounds in the India Camp as the boys gear up.
The kick-off is at 7pm and the match will be telecast live on Ten Action Plus and regional Bengali channel Chobbish Ghonta.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.the-aiff.com/pages/news/index.php?N_Id=2614">http://www.the-aiff.com/pages/news/index.php?N_Id=2614</a><!-- m -->
7 pm onwards on TEN ACTION +.
No changes!!
http://www.alkass.net/live.aspx
scoring first goal would be huge