December 2012

SAF Football Championship 2012

Indian Women registered a thumping win over Nepal in the final of SAF Football Championship in Colombo.

India defeated Nepal by 3-1. India had defeated Bhutan and Sri Lanka in the league stage and thrashed Afghanistan 11-0 in the semis to romp into the final.

Nehru Cup Football Tournament

India won Nehru Cup football tournament on 2 September 2012 after beating Cameroon 5-4 via penalty shoot-out. In the final played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, India vanquished Cameroon 5-4 via penalty shootout and retained the Nehru Cup football. The match went into tie-breaker after the two teams were locked 2-2 at the end of 120 minutes of play. Gouramangi Singh (19th minute) and Sunil Chhetri (77th) scored for India in the regulation time, while Makkon Thierry (29th) and Kingue Mpondo (54th) found the net for Cameroon.

In the tiebreaker, Robin Singh, skipper Chhetri, Denzil Franco and Mehtab Hosain struck to ensure that India managed a clean slate. Taking the final shot, Makkon hit the post to leave Cameroon shattered. Ashu C Tambe, Ousmalia, Bebey Kingue Paul and Mpondo scored for the visitors in the shootout.

Mascot of 2014 FIFA World Cup, Brazil

A Smiling Armadillo is declared to be the official mascot for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil on 12 September 2012. The reports state that FIFA has registered the patent for this rare animal with the European Patent Office as a symbol to this extreme sporting event. Officials declared that internet poll will help in deciding the name of this mascot. Brazuca the name of the ball for the world cup 2014 to was finalized by the opinion poll on internet. The armadillo in Brazil is known by the name of ‘tatu-bola’ and is known for its abilities of rolling itself in form of a ball to with a leathery shell as a symbol of self defence. In the previous FIFA World Cup the mascots were:

• FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa- Zakumi the green-haired leopard

• FIFA 2006 World Cup in Germany- Goleo named lion

Taking the Armadillo as an official mascot for the mega event was backed by a NGO named Caatinga Association engaged in protection of the biodiversity of North Eastern Brazil.

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