Sandip says he needs support to produce quality goalkeepers from Bengal; thankful to Rajasthan United FC
Sudeep Pakrashi: The ASEAN Cup-winning goalkeeper finally acquired the best coaching degree in goalkeeping which is ‘level-3’. A couple of more experienced goalkeepers like Subhashis Roy Chowdhury, Abhijit Mondol, Lalit Thapa, and Binoy Singh acquired the top goalkeeping coaching degree, making themselves eligible to join ISL clubs in the future. The 50-year-old custodian, while speaking to Parallel Sports revealed, “I completed a level-2 goalkeeping degree five years ago. The level-3 course is hardly conducted in India. Finally, it happened in Shillong and the result came out on 30th May.” Sandip has a desire and in a bid to fulfil the desire the former India international custodian seeks support. “I appeared before an interview at East Bengal Club for the post of goalkeeper coach although I do not know whether I will be selected finally. But if I am given the opportunity I want the support from the club as I desire to produce quality goalkeepers from Bengal.” Sandip gave hints that a couple of more ISL clubs expressed willingness to rope in. “But I want to join East Bengal as I spent my golden time here.” Sandip however expressed thankfulness to Rajasthan United FC where he worked as the goalkeeping coach last season. “After starting my career as a goalkeeping coach in 2019, Rajasthan United FC was the first and only club that acknowledged my contribution as a goalkeeping coach. I am thankful to them.”
East Bengal edges past spirited Sreebhumi FC to clinch Kanyasree Cup through tie-breaker
East Bengal women acquired the domestic double on Tuesday. After clinching the Indian Women’s League (IWL) this season, the red-and-gold women’s team won the IFA-organized state women’s football league, Kanyasree Cup edging past spirited Sreebhumi FC by 4-2 in the tie-breaker in the final at the Kishore Bharati Stadium on Tuesday. After the barren first 45 minutes, East Bengal took the lead in the 49th minute via Sulanjana Raul’s strike. But Rimpa Halder gave the equalizer within two minutes. Sreebhumi FC had an inspiring show in the second half as they were able to penetrate the opposition defense on quite a few occasions. But missing opportunities turned out to be the key obstruction to their last laugh.
The First Kolkata Derby this season might be on the 9th of August
The first ‘Kolkata Derby’ between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan Super Giants in the coming season might take place in the Durand Cup at the Salt Lake Stadium on 9th August. Durand Cup is going to take place from 22nd July to 25th August across six venues which are Kolkata (VYBK/Kishore Bharati Krirangan), Imphal (Khuman Lampak Stadium), Ranchi (Morhabadi Stadium) Jamshedpur (JRD Tata Sports Complex), Shillong (JLN Stadium) and Kokrajhar (Sai Stadium). Significantly, The prestigious tournament which will witness 14 teams from the ISL, I-league and two teams from Indian Army, has been granted Rs 25 lakh by the Union Sports Ministry for the organization of the tournament. It is believed that Mohun Bagan Super Giants management has decided to field the club’s reserve squad that will have a few experienced footballers who took part in the ISL. On the other hand, East Bengal which is in the process of building up the team are likely to participate in the competition with full strength, to salvage some pride from their last season’s overall misery. It is also learned that East Bengal has already signed a preliminary contract with a Palestinian professional footballer Mohammed Rashid. According to Husam Younis, the assistant coach of Palestine youth team, Rashid is very hard working boy. He is a fighter of the game, a true warrior. He always looks for challenges. No matter how difficult the challenge is, he always wants to win challenge.
Falopa says East Bengal need a supportive ambiance in the dressing room
Marcos Falopa, the 76-year-old Brazilian coach says East Bengal need a supportive ambiance in the dressing room to develop the spirit which will ultimately help the footballers to deliver and regain success. Falopa worked as the coach of East Bengal for only six months in 2013. The Brazilian coach, in a recent interview, expressed his intention to work as the chief coach of East Bengal again and explained, “I have watched them in the ISL. I feel they seem to have lost balance. The balance should be maintained between the players, the coaching staff, and the management. The dressing room atmosphere will get the reflection of this balance. A perfect dressing room ambiance will help the players perform their best and regain success.” The former Technical Director of the South African national team also welcomed Carlo Ancelotti, he first-ever foreign coach for the Brazil national team, joining at the end of this month. Falopa stated, “As a player, Ancelotti won the UEFA Cup twice, and as a manager, he won the UEFA Champions League five times. So, we should not doubt his coaching skills and huge experience. We were in Italy, in the same school for some time. His mentorship and style of guiding the players are outstanding. But I personally feel he needs to have an exclusive discussion with top Brazilian national footballers, especially with those who do not play under his coaching, like Rafinha and Neymar. I have a belief that Ancelotti can play a crucial role in the resurrection of Brazilian football.”
