ALL INDIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION

The FIFA President, Mr. Joseph S. Blatter will arrive in Kolkata on the 15^th of April, 2007, on a historic three day visit to India. He will be accompanied by a high power delegation consisting of the AFC President, Mr. Mohammed Bin Hammam, the special delegate of the FIFA President, Mr. Jerome Champagne, the AFC Vice-President, Mr. Manilal Fernando and other officials of FIFA Media and Marketing.

The theme of the FIFA President’s visit is “WIN IN INDIA WITH INDIA.”

The highlights of Mr. Blatter’s visit are:

In Kolkata on the 15^th April

Witness the ONGC Cup, 11^th National Football League Match between Mohun Bagan and Kingfisher East Bengal, meeting with former football legends and award winning players.

Before his departure from Kolkata on the 16^th April, Mr. Blatter will garland the statue of former international football player Padma Shri Gostha Paul and visit the National Club of India, Mohun Bagan.

On 16^th April, soon after landing in Delhi Mr. Blatter will join a lunch hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industries where he will address the representatives of the big industrial houses in India.

In the evening he will call on the President and Prime Minister of India and visit Rajghat to pay homage to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Later he will attend the official banquet hosted by the AIFF and Zee Sports Limited.

On 17^th morning Mr. Blatter will inaugurate the AIFF Football House, built with help from the FIFA GOAL Project and interact with representatives of State Associations and National League Clubs.

In the evening he will deliver the keynote speech at a special Congress of the AIFF at Vigyan Bhavan to mark the 70^th anniversary of the foundation of the All India Football Federation.

Mr. Blatter will leave Delhi for Zurich on the 17^th night.

Barça plan raid on La Romareda

Saturday, 7 April 2007

by Lucy Turnerfrom Barcelona

With two of their title rivals preoccupied with European affairs, a win at Real Zaragoza on Saturday could edge FC Barcelona closer to the Primera División title.

Pole position
A 2-1 home win against RC Deportivo La Coruña put the Spanish champions two points clear at the top of the table, with second-placed Sevilla FC being held to a 0-0 draw away against fellow UEFA Cup quarter-finalists CA Osasuna. Juande Ramos's Sevilla side still face a punishing schedule in the UEFA Cup, Copa del Rey and Primera División, and Barça coach Frank Rijkaard wants his side to raise their game. "The time has come to prove on the pitch that we want to fight for something," said the Dutchman, whose season has been somewhat tarnished by the defending European champions' failure to progress past the first knockout round of the UEFA Champions League. "The players still have a lead to improve upon and it's time to step up a gear to become champions again."

Away form
At home, Barça remain peerless - they are on target to complete an unbeaten league season at home for the first time since 1992/93 - but their away form could be the key in the weeks ahead. Their 4-0 win at RC Recreativo de Huelva on 17 March was their first away success since November, and fifth-placed Zaragoza will be in no mood to go easy on the champions as they seek a European finish. Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernández is only too aware of the threat Zaragoza can pose and takes no comfort from a 2-1 away win against them in this season's Copa del Rey quarter-finals, a result which cancelled out a 1-0 home defeat. "It'll be a tough match against Zaragoza because our rivals are in good form and it'll be a totally different game to the one in the Copa del Rey," he said.

European ambitions
Zaragoza will not forget that result so easily, and with just three points between them and UEFA Champions League quarter-finalists Valencia CF - who occupy fourth place, the last qualifying berth for next season's competition - they are only too aware defeat is not an option against Barça, which could be great news for spectators at La Romareda. "It will be a great match to play in because both teams need to win but the three points at stake can only go to one side," said Zaragoza playmaker Pablo Aimar. "To win them we will have to make the most of our strengths, work hard and try to exploit their mistakes."

In the News
Carvalho keeps Chelsea in hunt
Saturday, 7 April 2007
A rare goal from Ricardo Carvalho allowed Chelsea FC to defeat Tottenham Hotspur FC and close the gap on Premiership leaders Manchester United FC.

Cagey affair
With United not playing until an evening fixture at Portsmouth FC, Chelsea knew a home victory would allow them to move to within three points of top spot. After a cagey first half, the game sparked into life early in the second half. Tottenham striker Mido forced a great save from Petr Čech and he was to be punished for his profligacy. Barely two minutes later, Carvalho fired in a right-foot shot that deceived visiting goalkeeper Paul Robinson. Chelsea are next in action on Tuesday when they go to Valencia CF, the same night as United receive AS Roma.

Arsenal stunned
Elsewhere, it was a day for away teams, with five sides victorious. Most notably, second-from-bottom West Ham United FC made it three straight wins with a 1-0 win at fourth-placed Arsenal FC, becoming the first team to win at their new stadium. The home side spurned several opportunities and were made to pay by Bobby Zamora's fine finish just before half-time. West Ham are two points from safety after Sheffield United FC lost 2-1 at home against Newcastle United FC, while Wigan Athletic FC were defeated 3-1 by visiting Bolton Wanderers FC, who sit two points behind Arsenal.

Kuyt winner
Liverpool FC, who receive PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday, increased their hold on third place with a 2-1 win at Reading FC, courtesy of a late winner from Dirk Kuyt. The Reds are now five points ahead of Arsenal. The day's other two games saw mid-table Middlesbrough FC win 4-1 at home against bottom club Watford FC and Aston Villa FC move seven points from the drop zone with a 2-1 success at Blackburn Rovers FC.

SPANISH LEAGUE

Team PLD PNTS

1	Barcelona	28	56
2	Sevilla	28	54
3	Real Madrid	28	51
4	Valencia	28	50
5	Zaragoza	28	47
6	Atlético	28	44
7	Racing	28	43
8	Recreativo	28	42
9	Getafe	28	39
10	Espanyol	28	38
11	Villarreal	28	38
12	Deportivo	28	36
13	Osasuna	28	35
14	Mallorca	28	33
15	Betis	28	32
16	Levante	28	28
17	Celta	28	27
18	Athletic	28	26
19	Real Sociedad	28	21
20	Tarragona	28	21

Last updated: 01/04/07 21:50

Who will will win the uefa champions league?

send answers with name to jubin_jayx@yahoo.com

Manchester United Premier Cup (U-15) India Finals 2007 :Mumbai

East Bengal won the Manchester United Premier Cup (U-15 ) 2007 defeating Mahindra United 1-0 in the Finals played at Cooperage Mumbai on Saturday,13 Jan 07.The winning goal was scored by Biswajit Natta in the 31st minute of the match.

12 Jan 07 :1200 Hrs :East Bengal to play Mahindra United in the MUPC (U-15) Finals.

East Bengal will play Mahindra United in the Finals of Manchester United Premier Cup (U-15) India 2007 Finals on Saturday.East Bengal defeated reigning champions Mohun Bagan 2-0 in the First Semi Finals played at Cooperage Football Ground, Mumbai today.East Bengal led 1-0 at the half time through a goal scored by Bhim Oraon in the 5^th minute.They consolidated their lead when Biswast Natta converted a chance in the 32^nd minute of the match .Cautions :East Bengal : Bhim Oraon /8^th min ,Pradip Barva /24^th min.Mohun Bagan : Amit Singh 11^th min & Lalmuan Puia /40^th min.

Mahindra United defeated JCT Football Academy 4-1 (0-0) via tie breaker in the second semi finals after both the teams failed to score in the regulation time.Ansari ,Manohar ,Driraj & Cloyce converted the penalties for Mahindras whereas Bhupendra converted the penalty kick for JCT Football Academy.Cautions :Mahindra United :Karan Sawhney /9^th min & Leon D’Souza /28^th min.JCT Football Academy :Amrit Pal Singh /35^th minute.

Lycos MP3 Search

Artist or Song Name:

go to india

encourage football