New teams add flavour as Administator’s Challenge Cup begins

“Alas,it’s the truth. The players who were important members of our team will now play against us. And since the AIFF team has national players in its rank,they will be the team to watch out for. The same goes for other teams like Mohun Bagan,Dalbir Academy (Patiala),Sambalpur Football Academy and Thau Sports Academy (Manipur) who will also start as favourites,” shared Harjinder Singh,coach at Chandigarh Football Academy.

Harjinder is not afraid to voice his opinion. On any given day,he would also rank Chandigarh Football Academy as one of the favourites. But not today,because he knows the team he will field in the tournament can’t be compared to the one that won the title last year. Despite being the defending champions,Chandigarh Football Academy will start as underdogs.

“I am sure other teams will be seeing a hot contenders for the tournament but that will based on last year’s performance. We are handicapped this year. Our stars players are not with the team and other important members have left the academy. That is not to say that we will not give our best but we lack players who can carry the team on their shoulders,” added Harjinder.

Last year’s record goal scorer Daniel Lalhlimpuia,who scored more than 20 times for the team,skipper Khiangte Lalramzauva and Samuel Lalmuanpuia,will miss the tournament. While Daniel and Lamrazauva are busy serving the national Under-19 team,Samuel has been ruled out for almost three months as he is currently recovering from an operation on his ankle.

However,the good news is that two of the players who had left the academy are now back with the team. Shaukat and Bikram,who had gone to attend trials at Pune FC,have returned to the academy,thus adding strength to the team.

Chandigarh will field four teams in the tournament:Chandigarh Football Association (Chandigarh),St. Stephen’s School (Chandigarh),DAV Senior Secondary School (Chandigarh) and Chandigarh Football Academy (Chandigarh).

Meanwhile,the teams who will take part in the tournament are Panasonic Football Academy (Haryana),Mohun Bagan Sail Football Academy (Durgapur),Dalbir Football Academy (Patiala),Gujarat State Football Association (Gujarat),Sahayatri Football Club (Howrah),Mahilpur Football Academy,Football Coaching Centre,Gorgaon,Nazira (Assam),Sambalpur Football Academy (Sambalpur),Gorkha Training Centre (Shillong),J.J. Institute of Soccer (Bengaluru),Thau Sports Academy (Manipur),Bhaichung Bhutia Football School (New Delhi),Army Boys Football Team (Patna),AIFF Regional Academy (Navi Mumbai),Chandigarh Football Association (Chandigarh),St. Stephen’s School (Chandigarh),DAV Senior Secondary School (Chandigarh) and Chandigarh Football Academy (Chandigarh).

The matches will be played at Chandigarh Football Academy Ground,Sports Complex in Sector 42 and Sector 17 Football Stadium.

Bengaluru team debarred

During the medical examination of the players,all the players of JJ Institute of Soccer,Bengaluru were found overage and the team has been debarred by the medical board. Also,the medical examination of a total of 13 players of Football Coaching Centre Gorgoan Nazira,Assam have been found dubious. The medical of the players who have been found doubtful,will undergo final medical at Government Multi Speciality Hospital,Sector 16. The teams with doubtful players are AIFF,Mumbai (1 player),Gorkha Training Centre,Shillong (3 players),Sambalpur Football Academy (2 players) Sahayatri Football Club,Howrah (3 players),DAV School,Chandigarh (4 players),Thau Sports Academy,Manipur (4 players),Chandigarh Football Academy (2 players).