Turkish forward Tuncay Şanlı bolsters FC Pune City’s attacking options
he past few weeks have been quite eventful for FC Pune City (FCPC). Turkish attacker Tuncay Şanlı is the latest to join their list of international stars. The ex-Middlesborough player joins the likes of James Bailey, Didier Zokora, Yendrick Ruiz, Steve Simonsen, Nick Shorey and marquee signing Adrian Mutu for this season.
Tuncay started his professional football career with Turkish club Sakaryaspor. But it was Süper Lig side Fenerbahçe that helped him shape up a stellar career – especially his famous hat-trick against Manchester United in the 2004-05 UEFA Champions League season. Thereafter, he dazzled English Premier League fans with stints at Middlesborough, Stoke City and a loan spell at Bolton Wanderers. He comes to FC Pune City from Qatar Stars League side Umm Salal, where he notched 11 goals in 26 appearances. His goals for the Turkey national team stands at 22, second only to Hakan Şükür (51).
Adept at setting up plays, this Turk should form a formidable partnership with Romanian powerhouse Adrian Mutu. The Hrithik Roshan co-owned side has also lapped up Ivorian midfielder Didier Zokora who has plied his trade in the EPL, La Liga and Süper Lig among other top leagues. Ivory Coast’s most capped player, Zokora, bring bags of experience as well as the handful ability to play in midfield as well as defence.
The ‘foreign season’ for FCPC began a month ago with the signing of Yendrick Ruiz. Brother of 2014 World Cupper Bryan Ruiz, expectations are high from the attacker. After all, his tally for Primera División side Herediano reads as 43 goals out of 100 appearances.
Then came the signings of British footballers Steve Simonsen and Nick Shorey. A worthy left-back and a tactful defensive midfielder, Shorey has stood tall against several teams on the Premier League circuit. He endeared himself to the Reading faithful after spending 9 years with the club. Meanwhile, Steve Simonsen comes to the Maharashtra based side after a long career in the Premier League and Championship circuits. The seasoned goalkeeper has played for top sides like Everton, Stoke City and Scottish club Glasgow Rangers.
Also a part of FC Pune City is James Bailey, a British midfielder who has been a part of clubs such as Coventry City and Derby County. His stint at Derby is filled with 64 appearances, with a few impressive seasons for the Rams. Together, they join forces with their Indian counterparts for the season beginning this October.
ISL has enhanced football's popularity in India: Sunil Chhetri
HYDERABAD: National football team captain Sunil Chhetri says the popularity of the game is on an upswing with the advent of Indian Super League (ISL) and the task now is to build on the momentum through quality matches and enhanced media coverage.
"It's quite good, especially with the ISL coming up. It really enhanced the popularity we have as a nation. I think a lot of interest has been generated. Not only in terms of fans coming to watch the match, but also the corporate houses, the media and everyone coming and chipping in," Chhetri said on Friday.
"I think it is very, very important if we can generate interest. It is a first step. Then we have to make sure lot of other things is done to make the game more popular," he said.
Chhetri, who currently has 50 goals for India, felt that the training facilities and quality of game needs to improve to raise fans' interest.
"One of the things is to make sure that we have proper training facilities so that the game tempo increases, the quality improves. The more the quality improves then the fans are going to watch and they are going to be interested more to watch, make sure the matches are on TV, make sure the timings are right. All these things together if done well, the popularity will keep improving," the 31-year-old star forward said.
Noting that the Indian football team is passing through transition, Chhetri felt that the ecosystem of the game needs to improve for the side to achieve better results.
"I think it is in a transition period. But, there are a lot of youngsters coming in. We have a new coach. It's going to take some time. But just alone the national team improving, will not help. The league system has to improve. Everything surrounding has to improve then only the remaining things are going to improve.
"As far as I am concerned, as a player, I want to improve myself as much as I can. I am sure everything else is going to improve," Chhetri said.
The Indian football team continued to languish at 156th in the latest FIFA rankings.
Chhetri currently plays for Mumbai City in ISL and Bengaluru FC in I-League.
Chhetri, who is credited with making substantial contributions in India's wins in 2007 Nehru Cup, 2009 Nehru Cup, the 2012 Nehru Cup as well as the 2011 SAFF Championship, said he would not like to set any long-term goals for himself.
"I don't have long-term goals. I never had them. For me, it bodes well when I have the next week, for me it is next training, next one week of training, next game. I can consider it more like that. I never kept long term targets. Right now, I have to start the pre-season.
"For me it is more important to go and feel about the next week. We just started with Bangalore FC. I never had long term targets. Always short term, for me it is more achievable. I know exactly what I am doing. The next training session, next match, it is more workable for me," he said.
ISL has enhanced football's popularity in India: Sunil Chhetri
HYDERABAD: National football team captain Sunil Chhetri says the popularity of the game is on an upswing with the advent of Indian Super League (ISL) and the task now is to build on the momentum through quality matches and enhanced media coverage.
"It's quite good, especially with the ISL coming up. It really enhanced the popularity we have as a nation. I think a lot of interest has been generated. Not only in terms of fans coming to watch the match, but also the corporate houses, the media and everyone coming and chipping in," Chhetri said on Friday.
"I think it is very, very important if we can generate interest. It is a first step. Then we have to make sure lot of other things is done to make the game more popular," he said.
Chhetri, who currently has 50 goals for India, felt that the training facilities and quality of game needs to improve to raise fans' interest.
"One of the things is to make sure that we have proper training facilities so that the game tempo increases, the quality improves. The more the quality improves then the fans are going to watch and they are going to be interested more to watch, make sure the matches are on TV, make sure the timings are right. All these things together if done well, the popularity will keep improving," the 31-year-old star forward said.
Noting that the Indian football team is passing through transition, Chhetri felt that the ecosystem of the game needs to improve for the side to achieve better results.
"I think it is in a transition period. But, there are a lot of youngsters coming in. We have a new coach. It's going to take some time. But just alone the national team improving, will not help. The league system has to improve. Everything surrounding has to improve then only the remaining things are going to improve.
"As far as I am concerned, as a player, I want to improve myself as much as I can. I am sure everything else is going to improve," Chhetri said.
The Indian football team continued to languish at 156th in the latest FIFA rankings.
Chhetri currently plays for Mumbai City in ISL and Bengaluru FC in I-League.
Chhetri, who is credited with making substantial contributions in India's wins in 2007 Nehru Cup, 2009 Nehru Cup, the 2012 Nehru Cup as well as the 2011 SAFF Championship, said he would not like to set any long-term goals for himself.
"I don't have long-term goals. I never had them. For me, it bodes well when I have the next week, for me it is next training, next one week of training, next game. I can consider it more like that. I never kept long term targets. Right now, I have to start the pre-season.
"For me it is more important to go and feel about the next week. We just started with Bangalore FC. I never had long term targets. Always short term, for me it is more achievable. I know exactly what I am doing. The next training session, next match, it is more workable for me," he said.
Zico adds World Cup experienced Moraci Sant'anna to FC
Goa staff
Zico was said to be displeased with the ideology around many of his staff last-term and has taken steps to correct that with his additions this season...
FC Goa's bench may already have sufficient stardust on their bench with the presence of Brazilian icon Arthur Coimbra, better known as Zico, as their coach but that is set to change with the addition of Moraci Sant'anna, amongst his chiefs on the sidelines.
Sant'anna, a fitness trainer and conditioner by profession, achieved fame for his work amongst the Brazilian stars who participated at the World Cups from 1982 (which included Zico), the Mexico World Cup of 1986, to the squad that participated in Germany in 2006 and the Brazilian team the won the hallowed trophy in 2002, in Korea. He also has varied experience amongst other national teams such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 1990 and Saudi Arabia in 1998.
Interestingly, Zico has been a lifelong admirer of Sant'anna's work after constantly recruiting him at all his managerial clubs viz. Fenerbahce, Olympiakos and Iraq. The physical trainer currently plies his trade at the Brazilian club Atlético Paranaense. The Brazilian inductee will however esposue a coaching role, than that of a conditioner, at the Indian Super League (ISL) franchise.
Gabriel Miguel, a physiotherapist, Goncalves Willian, the team's physical trainer, and Vannucci Fernando, Zico's assistant coach, have all been recruited back into the fold for the second edition of the tournament after Zico gave them the all-clear. It has been widely perceived that the coach wanted staff acclimitized to his vision and methods, which was a problem amongst his men last term.
"They will inspire our players and it's great that they can train under such an impressive coaching staff. At the end of the day, it's all about learning and this is a wonderful opportunity," revealed FC Goa's co-owner Dattaraj Salgaocar, to the Times of India,on the addition and retentions.
It has to be further noted that FC Goa will spend their pre-season in Dubai ahead of the upcoming ISL season and have pencilled in a pre-season friendly with Al Shabab, who finished third in the Arabian Gulf League (AGL).
"The pre-season training in Dubai will help the team gel together. The players, coaching staff and support staff will all be together in Dubai and this will give them plenty of time to understand each other. That will be the key. A pre-season away from Goa will also help us scout for good quality opposition in friendlies," concluded a confident Salgaocar.
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