All posts tagged: indian football

India to play Maldives, Bangladesh in Shillong this March

India to play Maldives, Bangladesh in Shillong this March

The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Shillong, Meghalaya, will host the India senior men’s national team in the two matches that they will play during the March FIFA International Window. The Blue Tigers begin their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round campaign against Bangladesh on March 25 and will play an International Friendly against the Maldives on March 19 as part of their preparation, at the JLN Stadium, Shillong. Both matches will kick off at 7 pm IST on their respective dates. India has been drawn in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round, alongside Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangladesh. The teams will play each other twice in a home-and-away round-robin format till March 2026. The group winners will make it to the Asian Cup tournament proper. This is the first time that JLN Shillong will have senior men’s international matches after the stadium was refurbished last year. The 15,100-seater arena has hosted matches in domestic tournaments and leagues, like the Durand Cup, Indian Super League, I-League, …

Hyderabad FC beat Mohammedan, secure fourth win of the season- Talking points

Hyderabad FC beat Mohammedan, secure fourth win of the season- Talking points

Hyderabad FC defeated Mohammedan SC by 3-1 in their 2024-25 Indian Super League clash at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium on Saturday. This was the fourth win of the campaign for Hyderabad FC, who climbed to 16 points as a result of this triumph. Mohammedan SC had Alexis Gomez marshalling the offensive charge for them by surging down the right side of the Hyderabad FC 18-yard box with sheer pace and a fine control over the ball in the opening couple of exchanges of the game. In a pocket of space from where he could have either squared up a delivery of taken more time on a shot, Gomez’s eventual effort was misdirected since it ended high and wide to the right in the eighth minute. Interestingly, Gomez began the second half with equal precision and industriousness to make a move happen in the final third. Dazzling into the centre of the box upon receiving a ball from Franca, Gomez’s shot met an immediate block, after Joe Zoherlina had endured a similar fate, courtesy of …

Mumbai City break NorthEast United’s unbeaten run for 100th win

Mumbai City break NorthEast United’s unbeaten run for 100th win

Mumbai City FC defeated NorthEast United FC 2-0 in their 2024-25 Indian Super League clash on Friday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. The Islanders handed the Highlanders their first defeat after a run of eight winless games to jump to the fourth spot with 31 points. It also marked a century of wins for Mumbai City FC in the ISL, becoming the first team to achieve the feat. NorthEast United FC made the first critical move in the final third as the duo of Macarton Nickson and Alaaeddine Ajaraie joined hands from the left side of the field. Nickson picked up the ball from a hasty clearance by the Mumbai City FC backline and launched in a cross for Alaaeddine Ajaraie at the centre. Ajaraie’s header flew over the post, depriving the Highlanders of a fine chance to get a lead in the eighth minute. Ajaraie came back to spell trouble for the Mumbai City FC defence five minutes later. Michel Zabaco spotted the forward at a formidable position right at the edge …

Ranjit Bajaj takes AIFF to court over Secretary General’s appointment

Ranjit Bajaj takes AIFF to court over Secretary General’s appointment

Delhi FC director Ranjit Bajaj has filed a writ petition in the Delhi High Court against the All India Football Federation (AIFF), challenging the appointment of Anilkumar Prabhakaran as its Secretary General. Bajaj argues that the appointment violates the National Sports Code, 2011, and is seeking legal intervention to remove Prabhakaran from his position. The Bridge has access to the 53-page writ petition filed in the Delhi High Court, and these are the important points from the document. Allegations of rule violation The petition claims that Prabhakaran was elected as an AIFF Executive Committee member in 2022 later resigned and was appointed Secretary General in 2024. This, Bajaj contends, is in direct violation of a 2022 directive issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), which bars former executive committee members from taking up administrative roles in National Sports Federations. The rule aims to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure fair governance in Indian sports bodies. Bajaj points out that the same directive was enforced against the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) …

Odisha FC reignite top-2 race with 2-1 win over FC Goa

Odisha FC reignite top-2 race with 2-1 win over FC Goa

FC Goa defeated Odisha FC by 2-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on Thursday night. The Gaurs jumped to the second spot, replacing Jamshedpur FC (34), as a result of this triumph, having 36 points to their name. The Manolo Marquez-coached side took six shots on target as opposed to the two of Odisha FC, also making 15 interceptions vis-à-vis the seven by the Juggernauts, reflecting their superiority in both ends of the field. Here are the talking points: Early Odisha offensive Odisha FC had a brilliant chance to take the lead on the back of a fantastic free-kick effort by Ahmed Jahouh, who was making his 150th ISL appearance, in the 28th minute. Stepping up to lead the set-piece wide down the left flank, Jahouh’s accuracy and the weight on the ball meant that his kick took the entire FC Goa backline by surprise. The ball rattled off the crossbar, but the home team quickly overturned this momentum with a patient build-up. Carl McHugh was …

AIFF, Clubs discuss roadmap to improve I-League and IWL

AIFF, Clubs discuss roadmap to improve I-League and IWL

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) held a crucial meeting with representatives from I-League and Indian Women’s League (IWL) clubs in the capital to discuss strategies for enhancing the leagues’ standards and overall footballing ecosystem in the country. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey chaired the meeting, accompanied by Secretary General Anilkumar, Treasurer Kipa Ajay, and Deputy Secretary General Satyanarayan M. The discussions saw participation from nine I-League clubs and four IWL clubs. Key topics on the agenda included next season’s fixtures, the competition calendar, promotion strategies, broadcasting improvements, and the release of national team players for extended training camps. Both the AIFF and club representatives unanimously agreed on the need to elevate the leagues’ quality and facilitate player availability for national duty. Real Kashmir FC owner Arshad Shawl described the discussions as “positive and collaborative,” highlighting the clubs’ efforts to propose improvements for the 2025-26 season. “The clubs made several suggestions regarding the efficiency of the I-League and grassroots development, many of which were accepted. We look forward to working with the AIFF to implement these …

Jamshedpur FC beats FC Goa

Jamshedpur FC beats FC Goa

Jamshedpur FC defeated FC Goa by 3-1 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on Sunday. Khalid Jamil became the first head coach to do the league double over Manolo Marquez in the ISL since they had won 2-1 against the Gaurs in their reverse fixture back in September last year. Jamshedpur FC also displaced FC Goa at the second spot as a result of this win as they have 34 points to their name now as compared to the 33 of the Gaurs. Lazar Cirkovic produced a peach of an effort to hammer the top right corner of the FC Goa net in the 34th minute. Javi Hernandez and Cirkovic were embroiled in a close situation on the flank, before the latter immediately picked possession and drilled the ball on target in an instant to get the Jamshedpur the lead. Jamshedpur FC maximised this momentum with the young Mohammed Sanan dazzling inside the box from the left flank before getting into the final third and directing a shot …

Schedule for knockouts and semi-finals announced

Schedule for knockouts and semi-finals announced

The Indian Super League announced the schedule for the ongoing 2024-25 season knockouts and semi-finals on Thursday. A total of six teams at the end of the league stage will head into the playoffs. While the top two teams will directly earn a slot in the semi-finals, the next four teams will have to fight it out in a single match knockout format to determine the other two semi-finalists. The semi-finals will be played in the home and away format with the winners moving into the 2024-25 ISL final. As per the announced schedule, the knockouts for the 2024-25 ISL season will be played on 29 and 30 March, 2025. This will be followed by the first leg semi-finals on 2 and 3 April, 2025. The second leg of semi-finals, meanwhile, will be played on 6 and 7 April, 2025. Even with just under two months to go in the season, 11 out of the 13 teams in the competition are still in contention to qualify for the 2024-25 ISL playoffs. The only two teams, …

Mohammedan Sporting’s head coach quits, investor claims he will stay | Football News

Mohammedan Sporting’s head coach quits, investor claims he will stay | Football News

Jan 29, 2025 11:19 PM IST Former Russia international Chernyshov resigned on Wednesday saying he had not been paid for three months Kolkata: Mohammedan Sporting’s investor claimed to have convinced head coach Andrey Chernyshov to stay after the Russian resigned on Wednesday saying he had not been paid for three months. “The coach resigned but we have got him to change his mind,” said Dipak Singh, director BunkerHill Sports, the club’s investor since 2020. Mohammedan Sporting Club (in black) players in action against Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League in Kolkata in November, 2024. (PTI) The former Soviet Union and Russia international though will not be present for Mohammedan Sporting’s next two matches, against Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Saturday and away to Hyderabad FC on February 8. “He wanted some time off to be with his family,” said Singh. Assistant Meharjuddin Wadoo would be in charge, he said. The players have been assured that the club will start clearing salaries from next week, said Singh. He met with footballers and staff on Wednesday …

Mohammedan SC Coach Chernyshov resigns over unpaid salary

Mohammedan SC Coach Chernyshov resigns over unpaid salary

Mohammedan SC coach Andrey Chernyshov has stepped down from his position, citing unpaid wages for three months. However, club investor Bunkerhill has yet to formally accept his resignation and is keen on discussions to resolve the issue. Chernyshov, who led Mohammedan to their I-League triumph and subsequent ISL promotion, announced his resignation on social media. Speaking about his decision, the Russian coach stated, “I am forced to resign. As a professional, it is impossible to continue working without receiving my salary for three months.” His departure has sparked controversy, with Mohammedan Club Executive President Kamaruddin Ahmed expressing his frustration. He revealed that Chernyshov had submitted his resignation letter 15 days ago, which was forwarded to FIFA and the club’s investors, Bunkerhill and Srachchi. Deepak Kumar Singh, the head of Bunkerhill, acknowledged receiving Chernyshov’s resignation but emphasized that it had not been officially accepted yet. “We plan to meet with him and try to convince him to stay,” Singh stated told Sangbad Pratidin. Despite leading the team to ISL qualification, Chernyshov’s tenure this season has been …