He has in the past coached renowned clubs in India, Goa’s Churchill Brothers and Kolkata’s Mohun Bagan Club successfully. Rana Bosse on behalf of kolkatafootball. com had put up a questionnaire containing few questions. Here is the list of the first set of the questions answered by Mr. Bencherifa himself. The remaining will be available shortly.

KB : – I think each of these teams has their own problems for not performing but I would like to mention few reasons which I am listing below:

A. Team selection: some players of these countries should have been selected for some reasons they were left out (England, France, Italy). Other teams simply lack quality and experience (South Africa).

B. Fitness and fatigue: players of these teams were either exhausted or just back from injuries and in both cases they could not be in top form (France, England). Italy was an aging team.

C. Pressure: some of these selections are among the top 10 in the world and having players among the best so coming to such big event they have no other choice than being champion, they simply could not handle high expectations (Italy, England, France). In the case of South Africa being the host they were obviously under pressure to at least qualify to the next round.

D. Team spirit: This was a key point for most of these teams; either there was a rift between coach and players (France, England, Cameroon). Or there was not enough time to time to gel with the coach (Cameroon, Nigeria).

Q2. KFC : - Another noticeable phenomenon in this year’s competition was the closing of the gap between the top teams and the lesser known teams. Teams which disappointed the football lovers were the heavyweight teams like Italy, France, Portugal, Greece and Denmark. Whereas, teams like Serbia, Slovakia, Slovania, USA, South Korea and Japan played well. What could be the reason?

KB : – No doubt the gap is closing as many countries are putting lot of effort to improve their football and perform better but I feel also that the level of teams like Italy, France, Portugal.. was below their top level.

Q3. KFC : - You will agree that for a country to improve its football status there has to be a successful domestic league. Fresh talent is made available for national duty from the domestic league. Then why did England fail miserably and got eliminated in the pre-quarter final stage when they have the most successful domestic league (Barclays Premier League) in the world?

KB : – You I think two reasons for that; firstly the EPL is an exhausting league and take its toll from the players because there big competition between several clubs unlike the French or Spanish leagues which are dominated by not more than 2 to 3 teams. Secondly most of the clubs have more foreign players than locals, in fact at times we see matches with only 2 or 3 English players in the first eleven, so the pool of local talent became small. To conclude I must say that EPL is strong because of the money involve in it and because of the foreign players.

Q4. KFC : - This time your country Morocco could not qualify in the final of the FIFA World Cup. Whereas teams like Algeria, Cote de Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Nigeria and Ghana besides host South Africa did. What according to you could be the reasons for Morocco failing to qualify as an African team?

KB : – Well many reasons for that, there was a gold generation of players which came to an end and now it’s a transition period to rebuild new generation, of course it should be smoother and not felt like a gap but in our case it did happen this way. There was also a new management that took over the helm of the Morocco FA and they started by hiring Eric Gerets very reputed Belgium coach to take over the National Team, and they also rope Pim Verbeek Dutch coach of Australia during last World Cup to take charge of the National Youth teams. So it is a move in the right direction and hopefully we will be there in the next World Cup Brazil 2014 and get back to our best FIFA ranking in 1998 where we were among the top 15 in the World.

Q5. KFC : - Korea DPR (North Korea) football set-up is very peculiar. Their players are not allowed to travel outside their country and play for foreign clubs. There is very little exchange of tours into and outside North Korea. They have a domestic league but with very limited foreign exposure. How is it that they could qualify in the World Cup whereas other teams like Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and even China failed? Does it not sound unbelievable? What could be the reason?

KB : – It happen sometimes and that the beauty of the game of football; the unexpected do happen. North Korea did have a generation of quality footballer that help them to be part of the World Cup, did also help them to put on a brave performance against Brazil but they did collapse versus Portugal. So whether they will put on consistently good performances and features in the next World Cup will be a challenge for them.

Q6. KFC : - Coming to Indian football. You have been coaching in Indian clubs for over four years. There is a national league (I-League) which is played by the top players and clubs of this country. There are many other knock-out tournaments. Sadly, our football standard does not match that of Japan, Korea, China and many Middle East countries. Do you think we will be ever able to qualify in the World Cup in future?

KB : – I am asked this question very regularly and I am one of those optimistic people who do believe that if we work together (Coaches, Admin., Media, Players…) in the right direction India should be able to progress toward that objective. But first we have to go step by step; understand the needs of the game and its professional setup, get the expertise and focus on the main things.

The Sports authorities and the AIFF must be involved to put in place the basic needs especially infrastructure, youths and coaches development. Then we can start planning towards marketing football to make it more popular all over the country which will attract more sponsors.

This will help us to first improve the current situation and start thinking of being the best firstly in South East Asia, then among the best in the continent then this will allow us to have a chance to qualify to the biggest events such as the Olympic games and the World Cup not only at the senior level but also youth levels. Realistically speaking this process could make India feature in the 2018 World Cup but we have to start immediately.

Q7. KFC : - Do you think the various football academies that are run in India are helping Indian football’s cause? For the betterment of India’s football standard what advise will you give to the academies?

KB : – First of India being huge country I do think that existing youth academies are not enough for the growth of Indian football, there should be more not only independent academies but clubs also must invest in youths. These institutions also must have qualified coaches who know what is necessary for the development of youth players. Finally, no development is complete without competition so there must be well organized youth leagues throughout the season.

Q8. KFC : - In India, cricket is more widely followed than football. Do you see this as a threat to the game’s (football) growth or do you think that this challenge can be taken up?

KB : – I don’t think so, take Spain for example they just won the football world cup but they also have the world number one tennis player in Nadal, they also have some of the top golfers, they was handball world champion in 2005.. So no harm having a great cricket culture but the authorities should make sure to also have a high standard sports culture which football will be part of it. With the potential that India has it is possible to be world best in many sports.

India scored through Abhishek Yadav, Steven Dias, NP Pradeep and Sushil Kumar Singh. India keeper Subrata pal saved some well attcks of Caldas. India will meet tomorow against a 2nd Division Serie "C" team Grupo Desportivo Recreativo de Monsanto (GDR Monsanto )which now have Brazilian Footballers in their team. In 2007 India made 0 - 0 against this team in their Portugal practice camp.

India: Subrata Pal, Surkumar Singh (Deepak Mondal), Gouramangi Singh (Mahesh Gawli), Anwar (Govin Singh), Rahim Nabi (NS Manju), Steven Dias (James Singh), NP Pradeep (Mehrajuddin), Renedy Singh (Baldeep Singh), Anthony Pereira (Clifford Miranda), Mohammed Rafi (Sushil Singh), Abhishek Yadav.

The occasion commemorated with the Centenary Celebration of the Glorious 1911 IFA Shield win of Mohun Bagan. The atmosphere reverberated with the dazzling lights along with slogans from numerous fans and members present to mark the auspicious day.

The bedecked Glow-sign depicting the posture of 11 Indomitable Warriors who bought the glory to the whole nation by defeating the East Yorkshire Regiment in the nail-biting match and the royal saga of The National Club of India began its journey.

The ball can change the world football also features in a worldwide promo created to raise awareness of the power of football to change lives and the 8th Rio 2010 Homeless World Cup. From 19-26 September 2010 64 national teams of homeless players, including 16 women’s teams will be united on Copacabana Beach, Brazil for world-class, annual international football tournament.

The Homeless World Cup is pioneering a radical level of change not seen before. 73% of players change their lives for the better by coming off drugs and alcohol, moving into jobs, education, homes, training, reuniting with families and even going on to become players and coaches and set up social enterprises enabling other homeless people to change their situation.

The Homeless World Cup is supported by international footballers Didier Drogba, Rio Ferdinand and Eric Cantona.

UST Global is Kerala's largest IT Company with over 3000 associates working out of our centers at Trivandrum and Cochin.

Like previous year, UST Global is going to organise Goal ‘10—Technopark’s National Football Tournament, which is scheduled to be started on 06th August 2010.

The teams from different IT companies battle for the Goal 2010 Cup at the LNCPE Stadium in the Capital of Kerala, Trivandrum.

The team registration is going on. Already 16 IT Professional football team responses which is still increasing.

VISIT LAST YEAR'S TOURNAMENT DETAILS

The Argentine Football Association, which hired Maradona in November 2008, said Tuesday his contract will not be renewed. Earlier this month, Argentina was eliminated from the World Cup in South Africa when it was routed 4-0 by Germany in the quarterfinal round.

The federation had offered Maradona, 49, a four-year contract through the 2014 World Cup.

But Maradona said he would return only if his five men staff remained. That demand was unacceptable to AFA president Julio Grondona, who had asked for several assistants to be replaced. Now Carlos Bianchi, Alejandro ‘Alex’ Sabella and Miguel Angel Rosso in line after Maradona as next Manager.

In the meantime national youth coach Sergio Daniel Batista will take over caretaker charge from Maradona. The former World Cup-winning captain had enjoyed a roller-coaster ride as national coach.

“Forlan will arrive July 30 and stay here till August 1. Earlier this month, Mahua Bangla had brought former Brazilian football stars Romario and Branco for a football talent hunt show, “The Match”.

As part of the show, Forlan will be at Yuba Bharati Krirangan on August 1 where there will be a match between Challenger XI and Mohun Bagan XI. Brazilian star Braco will be coach of Chllernger XI where former India International Dipendu Biswaw will be playing as Captain of the team.

"After travelling all the way for over 24 hours from Uruguay, Montevideo to Sau Paulo, Johannesburg and Dubai, Forlan is scheduled to reach Kolkata at 8.15 am on 30th July," It has been learnt that, The 31-year-old will be accompanied by his girlfriend, the famous supermodel, Zaira Nara

After Pele, Maradona, Roger Milla, Lothar Matthaus, Karl Heinz Rumminege, Diego Maradona, Branco, Romario, Oliver Kahn, Gerd Mueller, Mark van Bommel and Ze Roberto, the mad Football lovers of the Football Capital of India will wait to welcome Diego Forlan in the city of joy Kolkata.

Subhransu Roy, the President of Valerian Soccer Foundation told us that as this veteran journalist who has been working on history of Kolkata football for more than last three decade is currently living under sick condition and his movements are restricted under strict instruction of his medical practitioner, Hence tomorrow the few members of Valerian Soccer Foundation will go to his house and felicitate him with a Kashmiri shawl, flower bouquet sweets and a Pen.

According to Aritra Chatterjee, the Secretary of Valerian Soccer Foundation with this small effort the foundation will try to honour this man who has work marvelously to re write the history of Mohun Bagan’s IFA Shield win event of 1911 as well as history of Kolkata football.

DEFENDERS :Rajib Ghosh (Mohammedan S.C), Habibur Rahaman (Mohun Bagan), Dhanarajan R (Chirag United), Sh. Azim (Mohun Bagan), Safar Sardar (Chirag United), Arnab Mondol (Chirag United),Anupam Sarkar(Mohammedan S.C),

MIDFIELDERS : Snehasish Chakrabarty( C - Mohun Bagan), Subhsash Chakrabarty (Mumbai FC), Gouranga Dutta (Chirag United), Denson Devdas (Chirag United), Souvik Chakrabarty ( Mohun Bagan), Jayanta Sen (Chirag United), ,

FORWARDS : Sankar Oraw (Chirag United), Tarif Ahmed (ONGC), Nilendra Dewan (Mohamedan S.C), Robin Singh (East bengal),

COACH : Sabir Ali

Team of the players are as per last season. .

The glow sign will be inaugurated by Mohun Bagan Club Secretary Mr. Anjan Kumar Mitra in presence of other club officials.

It is a little initiative from Mohun Bagan's fan club Sabuj Maroon Swapno before the start of the Centenary Year celebration of the historic IFA Shield victory of Mohun Bagan in the year 1911.

Chattisgarh fight well today. Trailing 0 - 2 upto 50th minutes, they came back in the match and equalized the score 2 - 2. Upto 120 minutes both the teams failing to notch up any more goals, the winner was then decided through tie breaker. Delhi beat Chattisgarh 4 - 3 in penalty shoot out to reach in the qr. final.

DEL : Akhon Mei, Tuishim Mashnga
CHH: Ram Mahato, Md. M.Siddiqui
(Pen) : Delhi - Monu Chaudhary, Vikash Rawat, Bhuvan Joshi & Tuishim Mashangva
(Pen) : Chhattisgarh- Harshvardhan Shende, Mohammad M. Siddique & Partha Dey

Delhi coach Rnjit Thapa made a good decision when he replaced their Goal keeper Vikrant Sharma by Pronoy Roy in the Extra time match. Pronoy, the ex-Mohammedan Keeper and son of Delhi Team's Manager ex-India International Tarun Roy, played well and blocked two goals for his team's win.

Now Delhi will face 29th times Santosh Trophy winner Bengal in Qr. Final 1st match on 30th July at Salt Lake Stadium.

Team of the players are as per last season. .

The Government of India released a postage stamp in 1989 to commemorate this famous victory and to honour the Club and it's Immortal Eleven for the fight for an oppressed country. This is the only postage stamp in India based on a Club. The Club was also declared as the “National Soccer Club of India”.

29th July is a Red-letter Day in Indian History and a great day for the Club as well and is celebrated as Mohun Bagan Day each year. This year is all the more significant since this is the 100th Year of the great victory. To commemorate this great victory we would be organizing three exhibition matches at our Club ground from 1:30 pm onwards.

The matches would be as follows:

1. Match between Mohun Bagan Junior Team & Mona Guin Memorial Football Camp : 1:30 to 2:15 pm (Please note that Late Mona Guin was Ex-captain of our Football Team and this year is his birth centenary year)
2.Match between Ex-players of our Club: 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
3.Match between Media XI and Artists XI: 3:45 – 4:30 pm
(Match without any break; unlimited substitutions)

Music album of the Bengali movie “EGARO” based on the epic victory of 1911 would be launched. A “Special Cover” duly authorized by the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communication & Information Technology, Government of India, would be released by H.E. Mr. M.K. Narayanan, Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal.

Mohun Bagan Ratna will be conferred posthumously on the Team Members of 1911 (except captian Shibdas Bhaduri who has already been honoured with Mohun Bagan Ratna before). This Event would take place from 6 pm onwards.

Kansas went ahead on 11 minutes when Davy Arnaud got a ball from Kamara and took advantage of a slack offside trap and fired past an exposed Ben Amos in the United goal( 1 - 0).

Jimmy Conrad was sent off for the Wizards in 39 minutes for a foul on Dimitar Berbatov who got a ball from Giggs in penalty box. Referee Terry Vaughn awarded penalty from where Barbatov equalised (1 - 1).

In 42 minute Kansas scored another from a corner kick of Smith and Kamara's header past Man u keeper Ben Amos.( 2-1).

In 69th Minutes of the match Kansas changed their player. Indian star Sunil Chhetri came in place of Teal Banbury and fulfilled his dream match against Man Utd. He soot a powerful punch in 75 minutes of the match but it went straight to Amos hand.

SEE MATCH ACTION HERE

Kansas City Wizards: – Jimmy Nielsen (Eric Kronberg 46); Roger Espinoza, Michael Harrington, Shavar Thomas, Jimmy Conrad, Ryan Smith (Korede Aiyegbusi 58), Craig Rocastle (Matt Besler 44), Stephane Auvray (Graham Zusi 78), Davy Arnaud (Jack Jewsbury 69), Kei Kamara (Chance Myers 83), Teal Bunbury (Sunil Chettri 69).

Manchester United :– Ben Amos; Rafael, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, Ritchie De Laet (Fabio 76), Nani (Gabriel Obertan 68), Paul Scholes, Darron Gibson (Tom Cleverley 68), Ryan Giggs, Dimitar Berbatov (Danny Welbeck 78), Mame Biram Diouf (Federico Macheda 68)

On this 'South Africa 2010' season, Argentina will hold a record of presentations in a World Cup year, and it will also be the first time they face a World Champion like Spain on the year of their win.

In 2011, Argentina will be the host of Copa America, which will take place between July 3rd to 24th, on eight venues: Buenos Aires, La Plata, Cordoba, Santa Fe, San Juan, Salta, Mendoza and Jujuy. Argentina also will play a friendly match against Ireland on Aug. 11 in Dublin.

Argentina coach Diego Maradona is yet to confirm his staying with the national team. He has been offered a new four-year deal with National Team which will keep him in charge through to World Cup Fooball in Brazil 2014. Maradona will take his dicision in this regards next week with Argentine Football federation president Julio Grondona.