Somshuvra Laha is a sports journalist with over 11 years' experience writing on cricket, football and other sports. He has covered the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, the 2016 ICC World Twenty20, cricket tours of South Africa, West Indies and Bangladesh and the 2010 Commonwealth Games for Hindustan Times.
Articles by Somshuvra Laha
Dempo wrest pole position in I-League
Former champions Dempo wrested back the top slot in the I-League after they defeated East Bengal by a solitary goal here on Sunday.
Updated on Apr 11, 2010 11:06 PM IST
None | Somshuvra Laha & Agencies, Kolkata
Chirag let down by rash Nandy
With Douhou Pierre — back after a one-match suspension — threatening to break through the Chirag defence with a solo run, an ambitious Nandy left charge to challenge the foreigner.
Updated on Apr 09, 2010 10:38 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Kolkata
East Bengal undone by late strike
One couldn’t possibly miss a beaming Philippe de Ridder nodding in appreciation when Syed Rahim Nabi almost scored the second and equalising goal for East Bengal.
Updated on Mar 24, 2010 10:58 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Kolkata
Sex worker’s son seeks soccer succour, makes it to the Under-14
Children dream big. They all do. But for Sajjak Ali, son of a sex worker, restraint comes easy. All the 13-year-old wanted was a job to sustain his family. Football, till then, was fun you had at school.
Updated on Feb 12, 2010 12:04 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Kolkata
Fit-again Sahni eyes camp
There is only one thing on Baljit Singh Sahni’s mind - goals. So much so that after only 15 days of training following a two-and-a-half-month layoff, he asked JCT coach Parminder Singh to field him against Sporting Clube de Goa in their 12th round I-League match on Thursday.
Updated on Jan 30, 2010 11:01 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Kolkata
Erratic JCT draw with Chirag United
JCT scored one and missed many to gift a point to a depleted but gritty Chirag United in their 11th round I-League match on Sunday. JCT thus ended their Kolkata campaign without losing a match, having earlier won against Mohun Bagan and holding East Bengal, reports Somshuvra Laha.
Updated on Jan 25, 2010 12:57 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Kolkata
Grief-stricken Yakubu does it for East Bengal
Time and again, Yusif Yakubu has proved to be East Bengal’s talisman. That he is also capable of summoning super-human efforts was unknown before Friday.
Updated on Jan 22, 2010 11:05 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Kolkata
Churchill saved by Odafa’s brace
If conspiracies are the only way to thwart Okolie Odafa, maybe a better one needs to be contrived. For there is no stopping the 25-year-old as he scored two goals, including a stunning free-kick, to help Churchill Brothers come from behind to hold Mohun Bagan in their ninth round I-League encounter.
Updated on Jan 08, 2010 11:28 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Kolkata
Plane cameras must provide proof of my guilt: Odafa
“I have a wife who is more beautiful than that girl. All I can say is that I am innocent,” said an agitated-looking captain of I-League Champions, Okolie Odafa.
Updated on Jan 07, 2010 01:20 AM IST
None | Somshuvra Laha, Kolkata
Allegations against Odafa are false: Coach
For almost five minutes, nobody alighted the team bus after it arrived at the team hotel here in the afternoon. Hesitation, apprehension surrounded the Churchill Brothers team before coach Carlos Alberto Pereira finally decided to lead the way inside.
Updated on Jan 07, 2010 01:11 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Kolkata
Okolie Odafa fumes, says he is innocent
“Not many people are aware but I have two kids (two boys, Odafa Okolie Junior and Mirako Odafa Okolie). I have a wife (Angel) who is more beautiful than that girl. All I can say is I am innocent,” Odafa said.
Updated on Jan 07, 2010 01:29 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha/Gordon D'Costa, Kolkata/mumbai
East rise in east
Abhra Mondal ensured Stanley Rozario’s penalty-shootout nightmares continue as the 25-year-old pulled off three consecutive saves to hand East Bengal their sixth Federation Cup, reports Somshuvra Laha.
Updated on Jan 04, 2010 12:50 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Guwahati
Lajong ready for final fling
History beckons Lajong FC but after two fruitless years, East Bengal are in no mood to let go of a chance to win the Federation Cup. Sunday’s summit clash will be between two teams who didn’t start as favourites, reports Somshuvra Laha.
Updated on Jan 03, 2010 12:36 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Guwahati
Couldn’t believe Barreto’s miss, says Okpara
East Bengal's derby loss on October 25 was Uga Okpara's gain. “That was my first derby and an opportunity to experience what Indian football is all about. It was a bit disappointing watching my team lose from the sidelines but it was the coach's decision not to start with me,” Okpara said on Friday, reports Somshuvra Laha.
Updated on Jan 02, 2010 01:20 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Guwahati
Rozario promises East Bengal a fight
From the last edition of the Federation Cup to Thursday, life has come a full circle for East Bengal and Stanley Rozario, reports Somshuvra Laha.
Updated on Jan 02, 2010 01:17 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Guwahati
EB & flow: Final date with Lajong
All’s well that ends well. Cornered and criticised throughout the season, East Bengal finally restored pride and confidence, defeating archrivals and defending champions Mohun Bagan 2-0 in the second semifinal of the Federation Cup here on Thursday.
Updated on Dec 31, 2009 11:55 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Guwahati
It’s that time of the year again for goalie Mondal
Premeditated or not, once again we have a Federation Cup semifinal featuring East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.
Updated on Dec 30, 2009 11:36 PM IST
None | Somshuvra Laha, Guwahati
East Bengal hope to paint town red & gold
Premeditated or not, once again we have a Federation Cup semifinal featuring East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.
Updated on Dec 30, 2009 11:34 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Guwahati
East Bengal hope to paint town red & gold
Premeditated or not, once again we have a Federation Cup semifinal featuring East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.
Updated on Dec 30, 2009 11:29 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Guwahati
Lajong FC perform another giant-killing act
One more giant downed, Lajong FC’s dream run continues.
Updated on Dec 30, 2009 10:55 PM IST
None | Somshuvra Laha, Guwahati
Lajong to rely on counter attacks
Having raised eyebrows and expectations with a phenomenal run so far, the onus now is on Lajong FC to prove their worth against an all-star Churchill Brothers in the first semi-final of the Hero Honda 31st Federation Cup, reports Somshuvra Laha.
Updated on Dec 30, 2009 12:28 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Guwahati
Lajong ready for another kill
Surprises and Lajong FC go hand in hand. With all the giant-killing acts they have pulled off so far, the 26-year-old club surely has forced Indian football to sit up and take notice, reports Somshuvra Laha.
Updated on Dec 28, 2009 11:07 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Guwahati
East Bengal gear up for ‘grudge’ match
East Bengal and Churchill Brothers arrived for the semis later this week. Focus is on the derby on Thursday, and after the 3-5 spanking to Mohun Bagan on October 25, it remains to be seen how East Bengal look to fight the odds and make it to the final, their first since winning the Federation Cup in 2007, reports Somshuvra Laha.
Updated on Dec 28, 2009 11:04 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Guwahati
Off-colour Lajong through to semis
The 31st Federation Cup witnessed an upheaval of sorts on Sunday after I-League debutants Shillong Lajong FC booked a semi-final berth ahead of Pune FC by virtue of more goals scored, reports Somshuvra Laha.
Updated on Dec 27, 2009 11:48 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Guwahati
Bagan two good in crunch game
Defending champions Mohun Bagan stayed true to their promise of performing when called for as they outplayed Mahindra United 2-0 in the concluding Group B encounter on Saturday to leapfrog ahead of the Mumbai side and make it to the last-four of the Federation Cup, reports Somshuvra Laha.
Updated on Dec 26, 2009 11:39 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Guwahati
Lajong duo aims to take club places
Seikhohau Tuboi and Anil Gurung have played together for only three games but Lajong FC coach Stanly Rozario is convinced that they are the best bet upfront. “Both have an amazing goal-scoring touch, reports Somshuvra Laha.
Updated on Dec 26, 2009 12:27 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Guwahati
Shillong shocker for favourites Dempo
Who knew Dempo would have to see this day, being thumped out of the Federation Cup by the babes of I-League?
Updated on Dec 24, 2009 11:44 PM IST
None | Somshuvra Laha, Silchar
Mahindra power ahead
Mahindra United almost assured themselves of a semi-final berth, here at the 31st Federation Cup, after showing the door to Mohammedan Sporting, beating them 1-0 in their Group B encounter late on Wednesday.
Updated on Dec 23, 2009 10:50 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Guwahati
For Pal, life’s good at Pune FC
It’s been almost eight months since Pal left Kolkata for a new club and a whole new experience. India’s No1 goalkeeper — here to play the Federation Cup-spoke to HT about the U-23 team’s triumph in Dhaka, ‘Bob Sir’ and life at Pune FC.
Updated on Dec 23, 2009 12:44 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Guwahati
Insult to injury: Dempo lose match and Beto
On Tuesday, Pune FC started their Group D match of the 31st Federation Cup against Dempo knowing they could stand up to the former I-League champions, having held them 1-1 not so long back in the League, reports Somshuvra Laha.
Updated on Dec 23, 2009 12:37 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Guwahati
