JAMMU | THURSDAY | JANUARY 7, 2021 JB SPORTS JAMMU BULLETIN 9 Underachievers to contenders: ’s Bengaluru FC part ways with transforms City head coach BENGALURU,JAN 6: MUMBAI, JAN 6: training for it and maybe you don’t Bengaluru FC head coach A swift move into the opponent’s have enough time to do it. That’s what Carles Cuadrat was on box, the attacker brought down, penal- has worked for me.” Wednesday shown the door ty. The wheels had started to turn in By 1997, he was roped in by after a string of poor shows by favour of Mumbai City FC, after an Barcelona to coach at their famed La the club in the ongoing Indian opening-round loss. Now, early in the Masia academy – what he calls the “big Super League. campaign, against East Bengal, they opportunity in (his) career.” The former champions had were poised to score their second of the He saw the early developments of seen three losses on the trot match. But among the players that had players like Gerard Pique and Lionel with the last one being against so far worked well together, the ques- Messi. And later he’d be a senior coach Mumbai City FC on Tuesday tion of who will take the spot-kick to then apprentice Pep Guardiola – who and club director Parth Jindal posed a potential rift. now heads Manchester City in the made it known that Cuadrat Hugo Boumous, a talented Premier League – and was assistant was not sticking to the “team Frenchman who was judged the best coach to the late Tito Vilanova in the philosophy” this season. player of the (ISL) first team in 2012. He never saw him- With three wins and equal last year, had won the penalty and was self become head coach of the Spanish numbers of draws and losses, keen on taking it. But English striker heavyweights, however. Bengaluru FC are currently Adam Le Fondre was the team’s desig- “After eight years at Barcelona (over outside the top four in the ISL table as they slipped down to nated penalty taker. An on-pitch argu- multiple stints), I decided I wanted to Naushad Moosa, who will step the club all the luck through ment was on the horizon. But a single fifth with 12 points, 10 points in as interim head coach with the season and beyond,” leave,” he says. “I wanted some new word from the sidelines by manager adrift of current top position immediate effect. Cuadrat said. experiences which I could get in new Sergio Lobera settled the debate. holder Mumbai City FC. Moosa’s first assignment Jindal said in the five years circumstances, at a new club in a differ- “Adam!” was the message that rang “After deep deliberation will be the game against SC that Cuadrat spent with the ent place. That was the way I knew I loud through the empty GMC Stadium attacking style of play that made the Mumbai City outfit the team to beat. with the management, we feel East Bengal on Saturday at club, he has gone through all could grow as a coach. I needed new in Bambolim. At once Boumous club one of the most attractive teams to Born in Zaragoza in North-eastern the club needs to head in a Margao. the ups and downs experi- challenges and maybe get out of my stepped aside and Le Fondre slotted watch. But after setting the groundwork Spain, Lobera was never away from the new direction — one where Under Cuadrat, Bengaluru enced by it. home the team’s second in a 3-0 win. for the team to become the first Indian sport, so he says. Remarkably though, comfort zone, which is where I was at the ethos and philosophy of FC became the first and only “He was around when we The single-word command is testi- club to qualify for the Asian Champions instead of striving to become a foot- Barcelona. So I had to make that deci- Bengaluru FC begin reflecting team in ISL history to top the lost the AFC Cup final and again,” Jindal said in the state- mony to Lobera’s style. League, Lobera was curiously axed. baller, he set on a path to become a sion.” table and win the title in the then the ISL final, before lead- ment. same season. The Blues, under He’s a quiet analyst, speaking only What that did do for the Spaniard coach while still a teenager. Moving away from Spain brought ing us to the ISL title on that when needed – in practice or on game though, was open the door for him to “I loved to play football. But I loved him in contact with Boumous, during “While we enjoyed success the Spaniard, also hold the with Carles in the past, we felt night in Mumbai,” said Jindal. day. But whatever he says is heard. City Football Group’s (owners of to teach as well,” he says. “I became the their time at Moroccan club Moghreb record of most consecutive there was a departure from the “Naushad Moosa has been After all, Mumbai City’s new coach has Manchester City and the Mumbai club) youngest licensed coach in Spain when Tetouan. The 25-year-old Frenchman wins (six), unbeaten streak (11 philosophy that we hold true games) and clean sheets (11). with the club for four seasons a stellar reputation that precedes him. latest acquisition. Since the first season I was 21. But I had actually started would later follow the Spaniard to FC this season, which prompted “I greatly appreciate the and we are confident he will For the past three seasons of ’s of the ISL in 2014, Mumbai have been training to become a coach when I was Goa, and now is one of the mainstays in us to arrive at this decision.” club for giving me the oppor- get the team to play the kind of marquee football league, he guided FC the Mumbai midfield. rated as perennial underachievers. But 14. The good thing for me was I had a Cuadrat, who was in his tunity to be head coach. It has football that we have based Goa to a second-place finish in the ISL “When I first met (Lobera), I noticed now, they have a 43-year-old manager lot of time to train and to become a fifth season with the club (two been a relationship where I our success on. We will be the professionalism and the interesting in 2019, and the title later who has spent most of his life coaching. coach. When you’re a player and as an assistant to have been treated really well bringing someone as coach that year. He’d set his team up to dis- And midway through the season, he’s you’ve finished your career, if you want style of play he wanted, based on pos- before he took charge as head and a club that I will always who can further the philoso- play a gripping, possession-based already made the table-topping to become a coach you have to start session and attack,” Boumous says. coach), will be replaced by have fond memories of. I wish phy and style of this club.” I-League CEO says maintenance of Kyle Jamieson bowls appoint as bio-secure bubble critical during new season New Zealand to 2nd Test, assistant coach for next two IPL seasons ticipating sides is vital to CEO Dhiraj Malhotra, on maintain the bio-bubble and in series win over Pakistan the latest development. order to ensure a successful “Ours is a team with an event, all parties have to come CHRISTCHURCH,JAN 6: Indian core, and that together in a team effort and Paceman Kyle Jamieson continued an extraordinary start to his thought process applies to move forward together,” he Test career, taking 6-48 as New Zealand beat Pakistan by an our coaching staff as well. added. innings and 176 runs in the second test Wednesday to claim its Few coaches know the The 11 teams have been put fourth win in four tests at home this summer. domestic scene in Jamieson’s five- haul was his fourth in six tests since his up in two 5- hotels in India as thoroughly as debut against India last year and followed his 5-69 in Pakistan’s . Punjab FC, Indian first innings, giving him match figures of 11-117 in Christchurch. Amre does.” Arrows, City FC, Pakistan was bowled out for 186 on the fourth day after starting “He has been instrumen- TRAU FC and Churchill its second innings 362-runs behind New Zealand. Its first innings tal in getting the likes of Brothers FC are in one hotel, of 297 — a solid performance after losing the toss — was eclipsed Shreyas [Iyer], Rishabh while Real Kashmir FC, by New Zealand’s 659-9 declared which was built around Kane [Pant] and Prithvi [Shaw] to KOLKATA, JAN 6: in four venues in Kolkata and Mohammedan SC, Gokulam Williamson’s 238, Henry Nicholls’ 157 and Daryl Mitchell’s our franchise, and his expe- The All India Football Kalyani. Debutants Sudeva FC FC, Aizawl FC, Sudeva unbeaten 102, his maiden century. In sweeping both of its home rience will once again be Federation (AIFF) is keeping will take on newly-promoted Delhi FC and Neroca FC are series this summer, New Zealand moved past Australia to attain extremely valuable for us. no stone unturned to ensure Mohammedan Sporting at the housed in the second. the No. 1 ranking in tests for the first time. Much of the credit for We are delighted to have that belonged to the tall right-armer Jamieson. smooth and safe conduct of the Salt Lake Stadium here while The teams began checking- him on board.” in to their respective hotels “We had to graft away for decent periods of time and I guess as Amre, who played 11 Tests I-League starting here on Punjab FC face Aizawl FC and a bowling unit we were clinical across the day,” Jamieson said. “I and entering the bio-secure and 37 ODIs for India, has Saturday, in view of the Gokulam Kerala FC go up think the way myself, Tim (Southee), Trent (Boult) and Matt MUMBAI, JAN 6: “I am grateful to the Delhi COVID-19 pandemic though against Chennai City FC at bubble from December 26 (Henry) bowled kind of set us up to finish it off. Capitals management for had a prolific run in domes- the caseload in the country has Kalyani Municipal Stadium in onwards, after which they “We’ve got the four-pronged attack and I see myself very much (IPL) franchise Delhi having me on board. With tic cricket as a player and gone down considerably in the other two matches of the day. immediately began their peri- as the fourth prong.” Jamieson claimed his first wicket of the sec- Capitals confirmed the the team having reached its coach. He coached Mumbai past few days. “With the number of teams od of seven days of mandato- ond innings before stumps on Tuesday, leaving Pakistan 8-1 and appointment of Pravin very first IPL final in 2020, to three titles, The AIFF has gained experi- going up from five (during the ry quarantine. New Zealand needing nine to win. He then ran through the Amre as the team’s assis- this is certainly an exciting and has also worked as a ence regarding the mainte- Qualifiers) to 11 and the num- Prior to their check-in, each Pakistan top and middle order on Wednesday, using his weapons of tant coach for the upcoming time to be back there. I look personal coach with several nance of bio-secure bubble ber of days from 25 to 100, the member of all the teams has to menacing bounce and late swing, to achieve his best bowling figures two seasons on Wednesday. forward to working with India internationals. during the I-League Qualifiers maintenance of the bio-bubble have three successive nega- in tests. The 52-year-old Amre, Ricky again, and all the Delhi Capitals had in October last though it was and co-ordination between the tive COVID-19 RT-PCR tests, Jamieson claimed his first wicket of the second innings before who served as the fran- players,” said Amre. reached the finals of IPL on a much smaller scale with teams and organizers will be the samples of which have to stumps on Tuesday, leaving Pakistan 8-1 and New Zealand needing chise’s head talent scout “I would like to take this 2020, but the - nine wickets to win. He then ran through the Pakistan top and mid- just five teams competing. critical,” League CEO be taken ten, six and two days between 2014-2019, will opportunity to welcome led side failed to beat prior to them entering the dle order on Wednesday, using his weapons of menacing bounce join the existing coaching Pravin Amre back to the Mumbai Indians in the The 11-team I-League will Sunando Dhar said. and late swing, to achieve his best bowling figures in tests. be played behind closed doors “Cooperation from the par- bubble. staff of Delhi Capitals. Delhi Capitals side,” said summit clash in Dubai. R Ashwin’s knack for learning new things, Jadeja’s India shuttlers to start training after improved is massive for us: Rahane clearing COVID-19 tests for Thailand Open MUMBAI, JAN 6: “When you know that your NEW DELHI,JAN 6: training under strict safety pro- The ever inquisitive number seven can contribute The entire Indian badminton tocols.” , who with the bat, that becomes contingent cleared the The Indian team, comprising has a knack for learning new really easy for you to actually COVID-19 test on Wednesday Olympic hopefuls PV Sindhu, things, and much-improved get that (decent) total and and is set to begin training Saina Nehwal and B Sai batsman Ravindra Jadeja have obviously in the field, you ahead of the Yonex Thailand Praneeth, have been allotted stood out for India in the first have seen him taking some Open, starting next week. training timings. The players two Tests against Australia, brilliant catches. The Indian team, part of the also had their first gym session skipper said “As a batsman Ravindra Green Zone, consisting of in the afternoon. on Wednesday. Jadeja has improved a lot and players and all stakeholders “Indian Team will be resum- that is a massive point as a While Ashwin is currently such as umpires, line judges, ing their training from today, leading the wicket-takers’ team’s perspective,” Rahane personnel from BWF, the Gym timings allotted are chart with 10 scalps, Jadeja’s said. Badminton Association of from 2-3pm and the training half-century and the hundred “When you know that your time is 7-8PM,” BAI media plus stand with skipper number seven can contribute Thailand, medical staff, and Toyota Thailand Open received a boost with all 824 tweeted. Rahane in the second Test with the bat, that becomes TV production crew, were test- (January 19-24) followed by participants in the Green Zone The players will also now formed the cornerstone of said, “He is always looking to “As a batsman Ravindra really easy for you to actually ed after arrival in Bangkok. the USD 1,500,000 HSBC quarantine bubble testing neg- have access to physio in their India’s eight-wicket win in learn new things. He has good Jadeja has improved a lot and get that (decent) total and The Asia leg in Bangkok BWF World Tour Finals ative for COVID-19,” BWF Melbourne. skills but is always looking to that is a massive point as a obviously in the field, you consists of two Super 1000 rooms but they will have to Asked about the hallmark of learn new things, and that’s team’s perspective,” Rahane have seen him taking some events — Yonex Thailand (January 27-31). said in a statement. take prior appointment as part Ashwin’s greatness, Rahane what makes Ashwin great.” said. brilliant catches. Open (January 12-17) and “The Asian Leg in Bangkok “Players are now cleared for of the protocols in place. Quarantining in Sydney is challenging Sam Querrey defends his escape Alex Morgan tests positive but we are not annoyed: Ajinkya Rahane from Russia, says he did it for family for COVID-19 alongwith strict bio-safety protocols but MUMBAI,JAN 6: conceded that it was “chal- American Sam Querrey, who lenging” to be confined when was sanctioned by the ATP for her family in United States life outside their five-star facil- breaching COVID-19 proto- MUMBAI,JAN 6: ity here seems to be “normal”. cols at the St Petersburg Open United States international and twice World Cup winner Alex There have been uncon- in October, has defended his Morgan said on Tuesday she and her family tested positive for actions, saying he did what he COVID-19 over the Christmas holiday and are all recovering firmed media reports that the well. Morgan, who is married to former Major League Soccer Indian contingent has been felt was right as a father and a husband. player Servando Carrasco and gave birth to her first child last unhappy with the quarantine May, returned to the United States last month after a five-game Querrey left Russia in a pri- spell with Tottenham Hotspur in the Women’s Super League. protocols in Sydney where vate jet with his wife and baby they have been confined to “Unfortunately, my family and I closed out 2020 learning that son after all three tested posi- we had contracted Covid while in California over the holidays,” hotel and even stricter rules tive for the virus before the Morgan said on Twitter. “We are all in good spirits and recover- issued for venue of the fourth start of the tournament, sneak- ing well. “After our isolation is completed, I will follow US SYDNEY,JAN 6: antine controversy on Test Brisbane, where they ing out of their hotel early in Soccer’s return to play guidelines to ensure my body is fully India Ajinkya Wednesday, stating that his wouldn’t even move out of the morning without informing recovered and I can join my teammates back on the field soon. Be Rahane tried to douse the quar- team is “not annoyed” with their respective rooms. reception. safe and happy new year.”