AFC Challenge Cup 2012: Philippines Play 1-1 Draw Against Malaysia

Philippines which is preparing for upcoming AFc Challenge Cup 2012 played a 1-1 draw against ASEAN Champions in a friendly match played in Rizal Memorial Stadium on Wednesday evening. 

Philippines took a lead in 14th minute of the game through Jason Minit but Shakir Ali Minit levelled the score for Malaysians in the injury time of second half.

Philippines have also wrapped up their preparations for the AFC Challenge Cup Football Tournament.

They will arrive Nepal on the 2nd of March. According to azkals coach they are coming Nepal to adapt themselves with high altitudes. 

AFC Challenge Cup 2012: DPR Korea, Tajikistan Play Stalemate in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

The participating teams of AFC Challenge Cup Football Tournament; North Korea and Tajikistan played out 1-1 in the World Cup qualifier played in Tajikistan on Wednesday. DPR took the playful lead in 53rd through spot kick scored by Song Hyok.  While home team Tajikistan equalized the score  in 61st minutes.

DPR Korea and Tajikistan are grouped together in Group B of AFC Challenge Cup Football Tournament which is starting from 8th of March in Kathmandu. Stay with anantasports.blogspot.com to get exclusive updates of AFC Challenge Cup 2012.

AFC Challenge Cup 2012: ANFA Sends Letter To AFC To Finalize The Timing For Day/Night Matches

All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has sent a letter to Asian Football Confederation asking football governing body in Asia to finalize the timing for the AFC Challenge Cup matches. 

ANFA has requested AFC to change the match timing after Chinese Government provided Nepal a back up generator of 500 KW, which has already been planted at Dasrath Stadium. 

Earlier the matches were scheduled in 15:00 NST but ANFA already mentioned that they were planning to conduct the matches day/night.

ANFA spokesperson, Lalit Krishna Shrestha said, "We have already communicated with AFC and the timing of the matches will be finalized shortly".  Hope Nepalese viwer can again be able to watch day night matches under flood lights.

Mountaineer enters Guinness World Record for climbing Everest 21 times

Nepal's mountaineering legend Appa Sherpa, who has climbed Mount Everest 21 times, was awarded with the Guinness World Record (GWR) on Monday. GWR officials, who were in Kathmandu since Saturday, took the opportunity of their arrival in Nepal to honour Sherpa with the GWR award.

The 52-year-old, who started to climb the mountains as a porter, holds the record as the only man in the world to ascend the Everest - locally known as Sagarmatha  - 21 times, English.news.cn reported.

Craig Glenday giving GWR Award to Appa Sherpa

Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of the GWR, hailed Appa Sherpa as "a hero of the world".

"It is an honor and a great privilege to hand over the certificate to Sherpa as he has proved that how much a person can do," Glenday said.

While receiving the award, Sherpa expressed his happiness and praised the GWR officers for being together with him for the past 10 years.

"I am honored to receive this award from the chief of the GWR," Sherpa said.

He also said that he will encourage a younger generation to follow his footsteps for the nation's sake.

Sherpa, with his other three colleagues, is on another mission of trekking on the "Great Himalayan Trail"- a 120 day trek - for the purpose of enhancing awareness about the impacts of climate change on the Himalayas.

The total length of the trek is 1,700 km from East to West of Nepal and will take approximately 120 days to complete. 

Asian world cup Qualifier :Iraq Vs Singapore live stream

Group A

Iraq Vs Singapre

16:45 GMT

On 29 February 2012

Al Arabi Stadium

 Click here to watch live stream of Singapore Vs Iraq

Asian world cup Qualifier : UAE 4 -2 Lebanon Live Stream

Group B

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES-LEBANON

16:00 GMT

On 29 February 2012

Al Wehda Stadium

 Click here to watch live streaming of UAE Vs Lebanon

"Watch live video from شبكة زعيم الامارات on www.justin.tv"

Asian world Cup Qualifying Match: Bahrain vs. Indonesia Live Stream

Group : E


Baharain Vs Indonesia
February 29, 2012 7:00 PM IST
Stād al-Bahrayn al-Watanī (Bahrain National Stadium) — Ar Rifa`

Click here to watch Baharain vs Indonesia 

Asian World Cup Qualifier : Qatar Vs Iran live Stream

Group : E


Qatar Vs Iran 


February 29, 2012 7:00 PM IST
Azadi Stadium — Tehrān (Teheran)

Click here to watch live stream of Qatar vs iran 

Asian world Cup Qualifier : South Korea 2 -0 Kuwait

Group B

KOREA REPUBLIC Vs KUWAIT

21:00 GMT

On 29 February 2012

Seoul World Cup Stadium

Click here to watch live streaming Video of the South Korea vs Kuwait 

International Friendly Match: Malaysia 1- 1 Phillipines Live stream

The Malaysian Tigers has arrived in the Philippines three days ago for the scheduled international friendly match tomorrow February 29, 2012. The National Team of Malaysia is one of the toughest rival that will be face by the Philippine Azkals.

The Malaysian National Football Team is the current ASEAN Champion, having captured their first ever international title last December 2010, the AFF Suzuki Cup Championship.

The National Football Team of Malasia is also known as the Malayan Tiger or in Malaysian language they were commonly called as Harimau Malaysia. The team will come to the Philippines and will go up face to face with the Azkals.

The Harimau vs. Azkals game is highly anticipated not only by the Filipinos but the Malaysian fans as well. The Malaysians promised to avenged their lost during their last visit to the Philippines last November 2001 when they were beaten by the Philippine National Football Team in the semi-finals of the SEA Games.

The Philippines and Malaysian Football had an earlier legacy of rivalry. In the late 1960′s Malaysia scored their biggest win against an international team and it was the Philippines whom they beat with the final score at 15-1 in favor of Malaysia.
Meanwhile here’s the official line-up of both teams.


Watch it here live > > >

World Cup Qualifier Asia: Japan 0 -1 Uzbekistan Live Stream

GROUP C

JAPAN-UZBEKISTAN

19:32 GMT

On 29 February 2012

Toyota Stadium

Click here to watch live Streaming of Japan Vs Uzbekistan 

Asian world Cup Qualifying : Oman 2 -0 Thailand Live Stream

OMAN-THAILAND

29 February 2012 13:30

world cup Qualifying Match : Saudi Arabia 2-4 Australia live Stream

Group D

AUSTRALIA-SAUDI ARABIA

29 February 2012 20:30

AAMI Park

Asian world Cup Qualifier: DPR Korea 1-1Tajikastan (Full Time)

Group C


TAJIKISTAN-DPR KOREA
29 February 2012 
8:30 GMT
20 Years of Independence Tajikistan Stadium


Click here to watch Live stream Video of Tajikistan Vs DPR korea


Click here to get live commentry of World cup Qualifying Match DPR korea Vs Tajikistan 

Asian world Cup Qualifier : China 3-1 Jordan Live Stream

China is facing jordan in Asian world cup Qualifier match in few moments. If you want to watch live streaming video of the china Vs Jordan please  click the link below

GROUP A

Peoples Republic of China Vs Jordan

On 29 February 2012

08:00 GMT

Venue Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center Stadium
Click here to watch China Vs jordan Football Match 

Click here and Register to watch China Vs Jordan 

Click here and Register to watch Live stream of Jordan Vs China 

Click here to get Live Update of World Cup Qualifying match Between China vs Jordan 

If you are in middle East watch China Vs jordan in ALjazeera Sports 1

AFC Challenge Cup 2012: FIFA President Sepp Blatter To Get warm Welcome From Nepalese Football Fraternity

FIFA President, Sepp Blatter will receive matchless welcome from Nepalese football fraternity! President Blatter is arriving Nepal on 8th of March and It is learned that he will stay at Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza.

"President Blatter will take some rest at Hotel Soaltee Crown Plaza before meeting President and Prime Minister of Nepal in the afternoon"

. 


"Blatter will then go to Dasrath Stadium to inaugurate the AFC Challenge Cup".

It is also learned that all the A, B and C Division Clubs in Kathmandu and more than 40 Schools associated with ANFA are planning to welcome President in an impressive way.

President Blatter will also meet Nepalese Football Club officials the next day in Hotel Soaltee before flying to other South Asian Countries.

AFC Challenge Cup 2012: Maldives National Football Team to arrive Kathmandu On 6th Of March; Three Important Players To Miss First Match Due To Club Commitments

Maldives National Football team is now in Thailand for the preparation of AFC Challenge cup 2012  and is arriving Nepal on 6th of March to take part in AFC Challenge Cup Football Tournament. The Red Snappers will wrap up Thailand trip before coming to Nepal.

Meanwhile, it is learned that three important players; Assad Ali (Adubarey), Ahmed Nashid (Naatey) an Ismail Farhad (Farey) who play for VB Addu FC will be unavailable for Maldives' opening game against Turkmenistan on the 8th of March.

Maldives National Team (photo by maldivesoccer)

All of them will go to Male from Thailand to join the Club side to compete in the AFC Cup.

The Maldives FA said that the players would join the team after AFC Cup fixture.

Maldives will take on Turkemenistan in the first match on 8th of March in Halchowk Stadium. Stay with anantasports.blogspot.com to get exclusive updates of AFC challenge cup 2012.

AFC Challenge Cup 2012 : Ali Ashfaq Joins Maldives National Team After Recoveing From Knee Injury

One of the prolific strikers in South Asia, Ali Ashfaq has joined the Maldives National Football team on Tuesday after recovering from knee injury. 

Ashfaq was away from football for two weeks to treat his injured knee.

Maldives skipper Ashfaq joined the national team at Bangkok. 

It is learned that he will play the friendly match for Maldives scheduled on Saturday.

The Red Snappers are currently touring Thailand for the preparation of AFC Challenge Cup Football Tournament.  Maldives lost against Thailand in its first match of the Thailand tour where Maldives international striker didn’t play for his team.

The Maldives will arrive Nepal on 6th of March to take part in the AFC Challenge Cup. Maldives are grouped with Nepal, Palestine and Turkmenistan in the Championship. Stay with anantasports.blogspot.com to get exclusive updates of AFC challenge Cup 2012.

Mumbai Indians sign Richard Levi in place of Andrew Symonds

Mukesh Ambani owned IPL franchise Mumbai Indians today signed Twenty20 sensation Richard Levi as a replacement of former Australian batsman Andrew Symonds, for the fifth edition of the cash-rich tournament.

The 24-year-old powerful opener Levi, who blasted himself into the record books with the fastest T20 international century last weekend- breaking previous records of Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum, will play in IPL for the first time donning MI's colour.

Richard Levi will now play for MI 

Expressing eagerness to join the ranks of captain Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh, Levi said, 'I am honoured to have Mumbai Indians management interest in my services.

'I have heard heard from friends around that Mumbai Indians is like an extended family where team shares a great bond and entrust upon youngsters. Beyond, Sachin Tendulkar has been my childhood hero and it would be exciting to share the dressing room with him.' Levi will be available full season for Mumbai.

AFC Challenge Cup 2012: Fixture, Schedule and Point tables

Fixture Sn Match Status Result Date Venue 1 Nepal - Palestine Full Time 0 - 2 2012-03-08 Dasrath Stadium 2 Turkmenistan - Maldives Full time 3- 1 2012-03-08 Halchowk Stadium 3 DPR Korea - Philippines Full Time 2 - 0 2012-03-09 Halchowk Stadium 4 India - Tajikistan Full Time 2 - 0 2012-03-09 Dasrath Stadium 5 Palestine - Turkmenistan Full Time 0 - 0 2012-03-10 Halchowk Stadium 6 Nepal - Maldives Full Time 0 - 1 2012-03-10 Dasrath Stadium 7 India - Philippines Full Time 0 - 2 2012-03-11 Dasrath Stadium 8 Tajikistan - DPR Korea Full Time 0 - 2 2012-03-11 Halchowk Stadium 9 Nepal - Turkmenistan Full Time 0 - 3 2012-03-12 Dasrath Stadium 10 Palestine - Maldives Full Time 2 - 0 2012-03-12 Halchowk Stadium 11 India - DPR Korea Full Time 0 - 4 2012-03-13 Dasrath Stadium 12 Tajikistan - Philippines Full Time 1 - 2 2012-03-13 Halchowk Stadium Group   A  A     Team MP W D L GF GA +/- PTS  Turkmenistan 3 2 1 0 6 1 5 7  Palestine 3 2 1 0 4 0 4 7  Maldives 3 1 0 2 2 5 -3 3  Nepal 3 0 0 3 0 6 -6 0 Group   B     Team MP W D L GF GA +/- PTS DPR Korea 3 3 0 0 8 0 8 9 Philippines 3 2 0 1 4 3 1 6 Tajikistan 3 1 0 2 3 4 -1 3 India 3 0 0 3 0 8 -8 0

Sandeep Powers India To London Olympics In Men's Hockey

 Sandeep Singh slammed five goals, including a hat-trick, as India qualified for London Olympics men’s hockey after missing out the 2008 edition by spanking France 8-1 in the final of the qualification tournament here today.

Coming into the game with the memories of Santiago debacle four years ago still fresh in their minds, the Indians ensured that there was no repeat of the blunder this time around and toyed with the French defence throughout the 70 minutes to score the goals at will.

Sandeep, who witnessed the Chile debacle from close quarters, continued his goal-scoring spree to not only help eight-time Olympic champions India keep its date with London, but also emerged as the highest scorer of the tournament with 16 goals.

The 18th ranked Frenchmen proved to be a mismatch for the erstwhile giants of the game as India scored three and five goals respectively in both the halves to dash the European team’s London dreams.

Sandeep Singh

The Indians were right on the money with their game plan today as France found it impossible to counter the home team’s consistent attacks.

The difference between the two teams can be gauged from the fact that both India and France earned as many as seven penalty corners each, but the visitors failed to utilise a single one while the hosts converted six.

The rout started with Birendra Lakra’s field goal in the 17th minute after which it was a one man show as Sandeep (19th, 26th, 38th, 49th and 51st) converted five successive penalty corners for India to floor France.

S V Sunil (43rd) and V R Raghunath (56th) were the other goal-getters for the hosts, while Simon Martin-Brisac (24th) scored the consolation goal for France.

With eyes firmly set on London, the Indians started the proceedings on the right earnest and controlled the game from the onset.

As their world rankings suggest, India were by far the better side on display for most part of the match and mounted continuous raids on the rival citadel from the very beginning.

India got their first scoring chance as early as in the third minute when they were awarded a penalty corner but Sandeep failed to convert it.

Manpreet Singh then came tantalisingly close to giving India the lead in the 16th minute but his reverse shot from top of a very crowded circle was blocked by an agile French goalkeeper Mathias Dierckens.

London Olympics Logo

India then scored two goals within a span of two minutes to take control of the match.

India finally broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Lakra scored with a reverse hit after being fed by Manpreet’s cross from the right.

Sandeep then made the scoreline 2-0 from India’s second penalty corner following a video referral after Shivendra was brought down inside the French circle.

Down 0-2, the Frenchmen came up with a stunning field goal just five minutes later when Martin-Brisac beautifully deflected home Sebastien Jean-Jean’s quick cross from the right flank.

But France’s joy was shortlived as Sandeep scored his second goal of the match two minutes later from India’s third short corner.

If the first half saw somewhat a keen contest between the two teams, penalty corner conversion was the order of the day after resumption of play as Sandeep ripped apart the French defence with his precision drag-flicking.

Sandeep showed why he is considered as one of the best penalty corner specialists in the world, converting three consecutive set pieces in a span of 14 minutes to pocket the match and book India’s place in the London Olympics.

In between, an unmarked Sunil scored a field goal after he was set up by Tushar Khandker and Danish Mujtaba.

Raghunath drove the final nail on France’s coffin, converting India’s seventh short corner with a powerful flick to the top of the French goal.

It was completely a one-sided affair and India could have won the match by a bigger margin had they not wasted numerous scoring opportunities that came their way.

The win not only ensured India’s place in the London Games, but also made all the players richer by Rs 2 lakh each, while members of the support staff will pocket Rs one lakh each as promised by Hockey India and Lalit Group of Hotels.

ACC U-16 Elite Cup: Nepal is being placed with Host Malaysia in Group B

Nepal has been placed in Group B for the ACC U-16 Elite Cup. In the recently published group division by ACC, Nepal has been kept with Malaysia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iran. The matches will be played in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, Malaysia.

The tournament, which is to be played during May 2 – 13 this year, will have participation from 10 Non-Test playing nations in Asia. In the other pool, Group A, Singapore has been placed along with Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Oman.

Singapore is the defending champions of the Cup. In the first edition of the championship in March 2010, Singapore had defeated Nepal to lift the title. Nepal’s Nischal Pandey had been declared man of the series in the tourney. He was also named best bowler of the championship.

With just over two months left for the championship, Cricket Association of Nepal has an arduous task of conducting selection right from district level to the regional levels.

AFC Challenge Cup 2012: Visa Troubles Could Shape Palestine Challenge Cup Squad

One of the distinctive features of Jamal Mahmoud's latest squad was the inclusion of several new players currently plying their trade in the Lebanese Premier League. It was thought that their presence would help provide the team with added depth especially with the absences of Ismail Amour, Murad Alyan, Imad Zatara, Abdelatif Bahdari, Omar Jarun, Roberto Bishara, and Ali El-Khatib. The UAE's reluctance to issue them entry visas however has scuppered Jamal Mahmoud's plan ahead of next month's Challenge Cup. The diplomatic kerfuffle has already caused the players to miss the first week of camp as well as Friday's friendly against the UAE. It seems highly unlikely that Mahmoud would include any of the players in the final squad without having seen them in action. As a result the final squad almost picks itself- Abdelatif Bahdari whose name is included in the preliminary list of 30 players- is ruled out due to Hajer's refusal to release him. His partner in defence, Omar Jarun, is in camp but his participation is limited to the Azerbaijan friendly on Wednesday.

Palestine National Team 

That leaves Mahmoud with five cuts (possibly six- if Murad Ismail joins up) to make. If none of the Lebanon-based players can gain entry into the UAE then Palestine will travel to Nepal with the players currently in camp alongside Mohammed Samara, Houssam Wadi, Ramzi Saleh, Haitham Dheeb, Rafit Eyad, and possibly Murad Ismail.  (Source: Football Palestine)

Palestine are grouped with Nepal, Maldives and Turkmenistan in Group A of AFC Challenge Cup.

Stay with me to get the exclusive updates of AFC challenge Cup 2012

AFC Challenge Cup 2012: Palestine Invites Two High Profile Players For Ajerbaijan Friendly On Wednesday

Palestine Football Association (PFA) has invited two high profile players to join the team for the friendly match against Ajerbaijan on Wednesday. Omar Jarun, Mohammed Samara has agreed to join the team for the friendly match.

Twenty-seven-year-old Omar Jarun plays in USA while Mohammed Samara plies his trade in Egypt.

Logo of Palestine Football Association

Omar Jarun is 6 feet plus lanky defender whose mother is American, and father, a Palestinian, were able to relocate to the U.S.

Another player, Mohammed Samara is a Palestinian footballer currently playing for Arab Contractors of the Egyptian Premier League and the Palestine national football team.

He received his first and only official cap in October 2007 he has since been called up for unofficial friendlies, most notably against Dyanmo Moscow where he scored a penalty kick in a 1-1 draw.

Omar Jarun

He received his second official cap in a 2014 World Cup Qualifier against Thailand on July 23, 2011.

Palestine are grouped with Nepal, Maldives and Turkmenistan in Group A of AFC Challenge Cup.

AFC Challenge cup 2012: Nepal National Team Announced for AFC Challenge Cup 2012

All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has announced the final squad for AFC Challenge Cup Football Tournament.

Nepal National Team Head Coach, Graham Roberts and his assistant have selected 21 players and they will make it 20 member squad on friday.

The selected 21 players are as follows:

GK: Kiran Chemzong (MTSC), Bikash Malla( Nepal Army Club), Ritesh Thapa(NPC)

DF: Sagar Thapa (YHSC), Sandip Rai (LH MMC), Rohit Chand (HAL India), Robin Shrestha (NPC), Biraj Maharjan (MTSC), Sabindra Shrestha(LH MMC), Dipak Bhushal (LH MMC), Jitendra Karki (NRT)

MF: Raju Tamang(Nepal Army Club), Nirajan Khadka(LH MMC) ,Bhola Silwal (NPC), Sujal Shrestha(LH MMC), Tanka Basnet( Nepal Army Club),

FW: Jumanu Rai(NPC), Santosh Sahukhala (LH MMC), Anil Gurung (LH MMC), Ganesh Lawati (APF), Bharat Khawas(NPC)

Parbat Pandey, Bijay Gurung, Nawayug Shrestha and Tek Bahadur Budthoki are out of the squad.

Speaking in the press in Kathmandu, Coach Roberts said, "I have selected the best players. No doubt on that. I have thought hundred times before finalizing this squad".

"Nawayug Shrestha is a young lad. He has long way to go", Coach Roberts clarified, "He is not more experienced than other players in the squad".

"About Parbat, I had a dilemma", Coach Roberts said, "Raju Tamang and Parbat are the similar player. Raju is a playmaker and can hold the match".

"In fact, I didn't want to change the squad of SAFF Championship because I came to the inclusion that we had played really well in the Championship. We had more shorts, had more ball possession but the only part we lacked was scoring".

"I have more defenders in the squad but they are capable of playing in mid", Coach Roberts added, "I can bring Sandip Sagar to the midfield line. Even in the striking line, I can field Bharat anywhere. He is a mobile player and he is the one who has already confirmed his place in the first eleven".

"Let's not debate more on my decision", Coach Roberts added, "The idea is to select the best players. We are targeting semifinals entry. Final is the aim". 

AFC Challenge Cup 2012: Philippines Coach Weiss Wants To Come Early To Acclimatize With The Weather

Philippines National Football will come Nepal a week earlier than scheduled date to take part in AFC Challenge Cup football Tournament. The Philippines FA President Nonong Araneta said that they had decided to go Kathmandu a week before the kick off - on 2nd of March.

“It’s a high altitude city so they have to be there early to acclimatize,” Araneta told The STAR yesterday.

Kathmandu has an elevation of about 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) above sea level, with an average temperature of 7.5 to 24.3 degrees Celcius during the month of March.

“I requested to go early, five or six days ahead of original schedule, to get used to the high altitude,” Azkals coach Michael Weiss said.

The Azkals will kick off the campaign taking on North Korea at the Halchowk Stadium on 9th of March.

After North Korea, the Azkals will take on 2008 champion India on March 11 at Dashrath Stadium, and then 2006 titlist Tajikistan on March 13 at Halchowk Stadium.

The Azkals are playing their last friendly match against Malaysia on 29th March in Manila before the journey to Nepal.

Meanwhile, India National team is landing in Kathmandu on 4th of march after wrapping up gulf tour. 

 As the Count down for the most exciting football game is about to begin, Stay with me to get the exclusive updates of upcoming AFC Challenge Cup 2012. 

AFC Challenge Cup 2012: ANFA, Communication Corner Signs A Deal For Radio Rights

All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has signed a deal with Ujyalo 90 Network for Radio Rights of AFC Challenge Cup Football Tournament on Sunday.Ujyalo 90 Network will cover the matches LIVE through its radio and its partners. 

It is said that 136 Radio stations will on air the live coverage of the event. 

ANFA President, Ganesh Thapa and Communication corner Director, Gopal Guragain signed in a deal. 

Nepal is hosting the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 from 8th of March in Kathmandu. 

AFC Challenge Cup 2012: AFC Challenge Cup 2012 To Go LIVE In Three Continents

AFC Challenge Cup Football Tournament is going LIVE in three continents through satellite channels. The official marketing partner of AFC, World Sports Group informed  that the Championship is being broadcasted live in Asia, Europe and North America.
In Nepal, Kantipur TV is the host broadcaster. So If you are in Nepal keep watching Kantipur TV. 


According to the information provided to  Kolkata TV will take the rights in India, ABS-CBN  Channel in Philippines, One World Sports in USA, Television Maldives in Maldives and Perform Group in Europe. 
Some TV channels in Tajikitan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are also interested to show the matches live. The amtch will be live streamed in this site when match will start. So to get exclusive updates and live streaming Video and Live updates of Every match of AFC Challnege Cup please stay with me.