Mizo skills face the final test

MARGAO: Mizoram’s squad for the National under-21 football Championship final against Punjab contains many youngsters whose command in football is clear and precise. Captained by David Lalthansanga, the north-eastern players have such control over the ball that each one revels in outsmarting opponents during one-to-one situations.

Punjab is familiar with the Mizo all-out attacks, picking up pace in the midfield and opening up routes to the goal on individual skills.

Mizoram deserves the respect any finalist team should get. It has scored many goals so far in the tournament.

“We have a plan and know which players to mark,” said Punjab coach Kuldip Singh, whose side has a Mizo in Lalchhuanmawia, rated to be bright enough for a draft into the JCT Academy.
Talent spotters

Mizo captain Lalthansanga, Lalrinfela and Lalthamuana have attracted the attention of talent spotters representing Goan and Mumbai I-League clubs Churchill Brothers, Sporting Clube, Mahindra United.

“I wish the big clubs had waited for the event to end before sounding out our youngsters, many of whom are playing for the first time outside the state.

“It can be a distraction, though the money on offer can also be a motivation for those under watch in the final,” reasoned manager Benjamin Khangte.

The decider on Saturday at the Nehru stadium, Fatorda, is Mizoram’s first entry into the under-21 category final at the national level.
Confident coach

Coach H. Lalmuanpuia is confident about his wards rising to the occasion, extending form shown in the quarterfinal league to defeat Bengal, Goa and Assam before overcoming Haryana in the semifinal.

Punjab’s progress to the final has been low-key, doing just enough to qualify as the topper in the quarterfinal league, ahead of Kerala, Meghalaya and Haryana.

Source: THE HINDU

First confirmed case of swine flu in India

NEW DELHI: The first case of swine flu in India was confirmed on Saturday. A man travelling from New York via Dubai and Delhi tested positive for the H1N1 influenza virus in Hyderabad. He has been administered tamiflu, the only anti-viral known to be effective against H1N1. Union health ministry officials said they were treating it as a "national emergency.

"He was shifted to the identified isolation facility under strict infection control. His samples have tested positive for influenza A (H1N1)," a health ministry statement issued here said.

"The office of the concerned airlines has been contacted to provide the list of passengers who travelled with him in close proximity. Information of such passengers would be provided to the WHO (World Health Organisation) and respective countries through the external affairs ministry," it said.

All passengers who travelled with the man on the flight are being tracked down. The man had reached Hyderabad from Dubai via Delhi on an Emirates flight on May 13.

The passengers are being advised to remain under home quarantine for a period of seven days and monitor themselves for symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing.

They are also being asked to provide their contact details to Indian authorities.

Source: THE TIMES OF INDIA