ISL - INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE - NEWS

  

Gennaro Bracigliano: From Chennai to the North East

With the transfer season buzzing in the run-up to Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2015 this October, NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) recently announced their latest signing. French custodian Gennaro Bracigliano joins the John Abraham owned club from Chennaiyin FC, with whom he reached the semi-finals last year. This year, however, he shall be handling the twin mantle of goalkeeper as well as goalkeeping coach. The addition of Bracigliano would mean that the Highlanders have now tick-marked their mandatory quota of three goalkeepers.

“Rehenesh [T.P.] and Lalthuammawia [Ralte] are two talented boys. Together, we will give our all for the team.” is what the imposing shot-stopper had to say about his new teammates. The Frenchman comes in with 15 years of experience between the sticks, with a major part of those spent in the French professional football circuit. Beginning his youth career with Ligue 2 side AS Nancy-Lorraine, he graduated to the senior team in 1996. His career at the Stade Marcel Picot lasted for 15 solid years; he’d spent two years on loan at different clubs – CS Louhans-Cuiseaux (2001-02) and Angers SCO (2002-03).

Initially, on the bench, AS Nancy-Lorraine preferred loaning him out to Louhans and then, eventually, Angers. Marking his return to Nancy in 2003-04 season, his performances improved considerably over the years, resulting in over 200 appearances for the club throughout his career. A diligent sportsman, he is known for his aerial prowess and being a team player. His save percentage stands out at 64.15% from his performances in the inaugural ISL season. Fans at Chennai still remember his miraculous double-save against Kerala Blasters FC in the semi-finals of last year’s edition.

With 3 clean sheets in 13 games in ISL 2014, Gennaro was an indomitable force for the Chennaiyin FC squad. He also gushed about joining the Assam-based club before revealing his aspirations, “The NEUFC fans are amazing, one of the best fan-bases in the country. I can’t wait! This year, I come to NEUFC to aim for the title. I would like to thank Chennaiyin FC for last year. We had great memories. Now I am focussed on NorthEast United!”

It would be a fresh change seeing him perform a dual role as a player as well as a coach— working in tandem with new head coach Cesar Farias. Gennaro Bracigliano and NorthEast United FC will begin their season on the road against last year’s finalists Kerala Blasters FC on October 6th.

Argentinian ace Nicolás Vélez strengthens NEUFC’s strike-force

Former River Plate academy graduate, Nicolás Vélez, became the newest addition to NorthEast United FC’s (NEUFC) strike force after agreeing personal terms and inking a deal with the Highlanders for this season of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL). The 25 year old Argentinian striker, will link up with the squad after finishing his season with SAF Warriors in the Singapore Super League.

Vélez enjoyed a path-breaking season with SAF Warriors this season and has notched up a hugely impressive 28 goals in 31 appearances for the Club. One of the integral reason for his side’s League title triumph, the prolific striker was once again selected to feature for the Singapore Select XI in the recently concluded Barclays Asia Trophy. Pitting his talent against Premier League sides like Arsenal, Everton and Stoke, Vélez was hugely impressive in each of his outings. His show of speed, skill and determination drove the Singapore XI forward and even prompted Arsene Wenger to applaud the “electric performance”.

The Argentine was bred at the legendary River Plate academy that has produced talents like Gonzalo Higuaín & Javier Saviola and has been represented by super-stars like Alfredo di Stéfano, ‪Pablo Aimar, Hernán Crespo and Radamel Falcao to name a few. He found his wings after moving to the Singapore Super League winning fans and critics over with his performances.

Vélez was visibly happy after signing the contract and revealed his happiness in an exclusive chat with the NEUFC Media Team, “It is a challenge and a great opportunity for me to play in a League with a lot of great players and legends of the game. It is also an honour to have an exceptional player like Simão as a team-mate and I hope I will learn a great deal from him and that things will go our way.”

He also stated that he could wait for the ISL to begin, “I am looking forward to arriving to India, get to know a new culture and above all to fight with North East United FC to be at the top of the new ISL 2015 season. We will work very hard to achieve this goal. I cannot wait to start.”

NEUFC Head Coach, César Farías was also delighted at having secured the talented front-man’s signature, “I am very happy to add this piece to the puzzle because he is very fast and has a great technique with the ball while attacking. He possesses characteristics similar to players such as Alexis Sanchez. He has improved remarkably over the past year and we all know that he can score.”

Dhanapal Ganesh: 'Feel proud to represent Chennai 

Makkals and family'

In an exclusive interview with Goal, the new Chennaiyan FC acquisition reveals his ambitions, hopes and most of all his abilities on the pitch...

Pune FC's academy is the breeding ground of several of India's upcoming stars including the likes of Thongkhosiem Haokip, Amrinder Singh and Fanai Lalrempuia to name a few.  However, the amongst these still-to-be-completely polished gems lies Dhanapal Ganesh, perhaps one of the finest stars to have graduated from the Deccan team's academy in recent times.

Having been signed from a trial in Chennai, the capital of southern state Tamil Nadu, the strapping defensive midfielder has made 28 appearances for the Red Lizards in the last two league campaigns alone, floruishing for Moroccan coach Karim Bencherifa, during his brief tenure as coach of league side. The medio was considered so special infact that the Indian national team's coach Stephen Constantine handed him his debut against Nepal in a World Cup pre-qualifier as a substitute, whilst also going forth to play in both of India's World Cup qualification Group 'D' games. He has already been pencilled in by the gaffer a long term solution in midfield. 

Ganesh's Pune FC roots will not be forgotten easily as he's grown into a key player for the Deccan I-League side considering the fact that he's already spent a good few season on loan at the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) side Pailan Arrows in the league as well, yet, it will be his stint at Indian Super League (ISL) side Chennaiyin FC that according to him, will be a test of character.

"It feels great. I never played in Chennai after my professional career started. I'm really proud that I have been selected for Chennaiyan FC, and it feels awesome to be playing in front of my parents, brothers, sisters, friends, coaches and my Chennai ‘Makkals’ in the home ground,” revealed the combative 24-year-old, who was far from his aggressive self in the middle-of-the-park, as he spoke exclusively to Goal. His stress on 'Chennai Makkals', or the 'Children of the Chennai', revealed that he's just as connected to home, as any distanced son.  

Revealing his opininon of the upcoming ISL season, the new 'Super Machchan' explained,  “I'm expecting to put in hard work for my team and to support them in all critical situations and give them my support to win the ISL trophy. I expect my teammates and the management to support me too." 

When quizzed about how he embarked on his professional journey, the midfielder stated, “My dad was a football player in Burma and he used to play in a ground that is nearby to my home in Chennai. It was he who started my career. When I was a kid, my dad sent me to a ground and he would watch me practice and rectify my errors. The practice helped me to attend the sports school trials to learn more football, where I eventually got selected.

"When I moved to Chennai, I joined Sports Authority of India (SAI), which I see as another successful step and that was my first Santosh trophy camp where I got selected for the Tamil Nadu team. I also got selected in Pune FC junior team and I went there to start my professional career,” he further added. 

"My strongest aspects are defending and hard tackling," revealed the Chennai-lad with a clear measure of himself, which will be highly useful for coach Marco Materazzi as he begins to embark with Ganesh on the second ISL season.  

Asked who shaped him as a footballer he is today, the 24-year-old thoughtfully replied, “It starts from my dad, my brothers my seniors and my coaches, I learned from all. So the credit goes to everyone.”

Last year’s semi-finalists plan to do one better this time and have been actively in doing so after being busy this summer in acquiring the services of quality players with the likes of Thoi Singh, Godwin Franco and Mehrajuddin Wadoo joining the Abhishek Bachchan and MS Dhoni co-owned outfit. Discussing the current rosters, the defensive midfielder was coy on talking about the congested midfield, stating, "All are good and skillfull players. I will give my best and I will put my hard work for the team."

ThePune FC player has capped thrice for the national team so far and hopes to carry that feat after being picked up by coach Stephen Constantine in the 28-man squad for the game against Iran. "It was my childhood dream to play for the national team. When I heard the news that I was in the Indian squad I felt really happy and had no words to say," remarked a clearly jubilant Ganesh. 

“My two brothers are in the army and they are serving for our nation and I wanted to serve also. I have learned a lot from my Indian team coach and they taught me how to play in international matches.  It is an awesome experience in my life," concluded the young Indian midfielder, who certainly has a lot more to offer and experience.

Indian Super League

Saturday 3 October 2015
19:00	Chennaiyin FC	v	Atlético de Kolkata

Sunday 4 October 2015
19:00	Goa	v	Delhi Dynamos

Monday 5 October 2015
19:00	Mumbai City	v	Pune City

Tuesday 6 October 2015
19:00	Kerala Blasters	v	NorthEast United

Wednesday 7 October 2015
19:00	Atlético de Kolkata	v	Goa

Thursday 8 October 2015
19:00	Delhi Dynamos	v	Chennaiyin FC

Friday 9 October 2015
19:00	Pune City	v	NorthEast United

Saturday 10 October 2015
19:00	Kerala Blasters	v	Mumbai City

Sunday 11 October 2015
19:00	Goa	v	Chennaiyin FC