All posts tagged: Kolkata football

Kolkata’s Damnatio memoriae moment

Kolkata’s Damnatio memoriae moment

Published by Parlour News

From pulling down statues erected by the previous Trinamool Congress government and removing symbols of the past that were dear to Mamata Banerjee, the month-old BJP government in West Bengal is changing the city’s colour-scape from white-and-blue to saffron Disclaimer: We do not own any of the content, ideas, images, or text presented here. All rights belong to their respective owners. For more information and to view the original source, please visit the following link: Source link

How Diamond Harbour FC rose to top-tier of Indian football

How Diamond Harbour FC rose to top-tier of Indian football

Published by Webster

In the landscape of Indian football, where new entities rarely get to sit at the same table as the legacy clubs, Diamond Harbour FC has just shattered the status quo. In just three seasons, the Kolkata outfit has leapfrogged from the lower divisions to the promised land of the Indian Super League (ISL), that too by becoming the 2025-26 Indian Football League champions. At the heart of this footballing fairytale is Kibu Vicuna, a man who has turned a project into a national phenomenon. “We have to understand that in four years, we haven’t had a single player who has been with us throughout. So it was an incredible journey to build the team, very fruitful in personal terms and also in sporting terms,” he told The Bridge. Going full circle in Indian Football Vicuna’s pedigree was never in question. Before arriving at Diamond Harbour, he had already left his mark on Indian football. His tenure at Mohun Bagan is still fondly remembered, having guided the Mariners to a dominant I-League title in 2019-20 that …

Mohammedan SC becomes the first team to face relegation in ISL

Mohammedan SC becomes the first team to face relegation in ISL

Published by Webster

Mohammedan SC became the first team to face relegation in the Indian Super League after a 0-4 defeat to Mumbai City FC in their penultimate game of the season. The Black Panthers have had a forgettable season, managing just 3 points so far in 12 games and facing relegation after two seasons in the ISL. The Kolkata-based club failed to win a single match this season, registering just 3 draws and 9 defeats. They will face Northeast United in their final game of the season on 19th May. The Islanders set the tone immediately, winning a corner straight from the kick-off and capitalising. Zothanpuia delivered an inviting ball into the box, which was met by Sahil Panwar, who flicked it past goalkeeper Padam Chettri to open the scoring and register his first-ever Indian Super League goal. The Islanders doubled their lead in the 8th minute following a well-worked move which began with a long ball from defence. Vikram received the ball and played it to Zothanpuia, who combined with Jorge Ortiz for a smooth one-two …

Diamond Harbour FC wins the Indian Football League title to earn a promotion to ISL

Diamond Harbour FC wins the Indian Football League title to earn a promotion to ISL

Published by Webster

Late drama unfolded in the closing moments as an injury-time goal from Hugo Díaz earned Diamond Harbour FC a 1-1 draw against Dempo SC at the PJN Stadium in Goa on Sunday. The point helped them clinch the Indian Football League 2025-26 title and continued their fairy tale run, climbing up four tiers in just three seasons and gaining promotion to the top tier, Indian Super League. Needing only a point to wrap up the title, Diamond Harbour were trailing from the 50th minute after Marcus Joseph gave Dempo SC the lead. A goal in the first minute of injury time ensured that they secured 29 points, thus winning their maiden IFL title, with a match to spare. The side from West Bengal won their third promotion in as many seasons after winning the I-League 3 and I-League 2 in the previous campaigns. Diamond Harbour showed signs of nervousness in the opening half hour, misplacing simple passes and lacking clarity in their attacking approach. The first chance of the game came for the home side …

The Travellers Guide to Indian Football Series

The Travellers Guide to Indian Football Series

Published by Webster

What makes Indian football so unique? It is a question that has no single answer and that, perhaps, is the point. Indian football does not belong to one city, one league, or one style of play. It lives in the narrow lanes of Kolkata, the wrestling akharas of Punjab, the forgotten grounds of Hyderabad, the conflict-scarred valleys of Kashmir, and the misty Himalayan slopes of Sikkim. The Travellers Guide to Indian Football, a YouTube series by Sportfolio Productions, sets out to find that answer not in boardrooms or broadcast studios, but on the ground, among players, fans, coaches, and communities who keep the game alive every day. The result is not a neat narrative of success or failure, but a portrait of a sport held together by belief, memory, and culture. Kolkata: Where Football is identity To understand Indian football, you have to begin in Kolkata. Here, football is not introduced; it is inherited. You are born into allegiances: Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammedan Sporting. These are institutions, some older than independent India itself, carrying …

Gone in 20 minutes: Lionel Messi’s angry fans in Kolkata throw chairs, bottles on Salt Lake Stadium field after star leaves quickly | Football News

Gone in 20 minutes: Lionel Messi’s angry fans in Kolkata throw chairs, bottles on Salt Lake Stadium field after star leaves quickly | Football News

Published by Webster

The opening leg of Lionel Messi’s much anticipated GOAT Tour devolved into chaos as upset fans resorted to throwing bottles and attempting to break gates between stands after the Argentine superstar’s fleeting appearance before a jam-packed crowd at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday. The incident happened after Messi left the field after only 20 minutes after arriving at the stadium at 11.30 AM via car. As soon as Messi entered the ground, he was surrounded by a human barricade of security as well as a lot of other people. Even on repeated requests, the field was not cleared and the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner, who was waving at the fans, ultimately had to be escorted out. Fans vandalise a portion of the stands at the Salt Lake Stadium shortly after Messi’s exit from the field. (Express Photo by Sayak Dutta) Chaos ensued as soon as Messi exited the field. Fans who had paid tickets ranging between Rs 3.8k to Rs 11,800, raised loud jeers and then the situation turned worse. The fans then …

Messi Touches Down In Kolkata With Suárez And De Paul, Fans Turn Airport Into Festival | India News

Messi Touches Down In Kolkata With Suárez And De Paul, Fans Turn Airport Into Festival | India News

Published by Webster

Last Updated:December 13, 2025, 07:42 IST Argentine football icon Lionel Messi arrived in Kolkata with teammates, sparking massive excitement among fans ahead of a major football event. Lionel Messi Arrives in Kolkata Alongside Suárez, De Paul, Sparks Massive Fan Frenzy Argentine football legend Lionel Messi landed at Kolkata Airport, accompanied by teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul. The trio’s arrival sparked excitement among fans, who thronged the airport to catch a glimpse of their idols ahead of a much-anticipated football event in the city. Their arrival marked the beginning of Messi’s three-day visit to India as part of the G.O.A.T India Tour 2025. A huge crowd gathered outside the airport despite the late hour. Fans waved flags, held posters and chanted Messi’s name, hoping to catch a glimpse of the football icon. Security was tightened as the convoy moved swiftly from the airport to the hotel. VIDEO | West Bengal: Argentine footballer Lionel Messi arrived at Kolkata Airport accompanied by Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul.(Source: Third Party)#LionelMessi (Full video available on PTI Videos …

East Bengal FC crowned IWL champions, become first West Bengal club to reach top tier of Asian football

East Bengal FC crowned IWL champions, become first West Bengal club to reach top tier of Asian football

Published by Webster

Almost twenty-one years since an East Bengal team last won a league title in Indian football, the club’s women’s team sealed the Indian Women’s League trophy with a careful and tight 1-0 victory over defending champions Odisha FC. To add further salt, Odisha are now prime placed to suffer relegation, their fate not entirely in their own hands with one game left. Soumya Guguloth scored the winning goal in the 67th minute. In their third season in the women’s top division, East Bengal halted all challenges with ease. They have beaten all teams, bar one — Gokulam Kerala — in the league this season and will no doubt look to amend that statistic heading into the final game of the season on April 18 when they will also be officially handed the trophy in Kalyani. Despite thoroughly dominating the first half, East Bengal’s sudden freeze in front of goal extended into this game, too. Their forward trio of Maurine Achieng, Soumya Guguloth and Elshaddai Acheampong were guilty of not finishing good chances throughout the first …

‘I just went out there and gave my best’, Dimitrios Petratos on scoring the winning goal for Mohun Bagan

‘I just went out there and gave my best’, Dimitrios Petratos on scoring the winning goal for Mohun Bagan

Published by Webster

Mohun Bagan SG forward Dimitrios Petratos delivered when it mattered the most, netting the decisive goal in the Shield-clinching match. Despite facing criticism for not being at his best this season, the Australian forward silenced doubters with a performance full of grit and determination. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Petratos acknowledged the challenges he has faced but remained focused on contributing to his team’s success. “This is part of football. It’s part of life. This is how it is. Look, I just went out there and gave my best like I do every single time and ended up getting the winning goal. But look, all credit goes to all the players, of course, for the whole 90 minutes. We worked very hard, and not just in these 90 minutes but throughout the entire season,” he said. When asked about the secret to his success in crucial games, Petratos emphasized staying in the moment and trusting the process. “When I got called over, I felt the energy from the crowd. I didn’t think about scoring …

‘East Bengal lack aggression and intensity’: Coach Oscar Bruzon

‘East Bengal lack aggression and intensity’: Coach Oscar Bruzon

Published by Webster

Oscar Bruzon arrived in Kolkata on Saturday morning, but there was no time for the Spanish coach to settle in. He was immediately thrust into East Bengal’s high-stakes clash against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Unfortunately, the start of his journey with the Kolkata club was less than ideal, as a lifeless East Bengal side fell 0-2 to Mohun Bagan. After the match, club official Debabrata Sarkar was seen engaged in a discussion with Bruzon and Bino George, who had been overseeing the team since the sacking of former head coach Carles Cuadrat. This defeat marked East Bengal’s fifth consecutive loss this season. On his first day in charge, Bruzon, who previously coached Sporting Clube de Goa and Mumbai FC, took on the role of an observer rather than a tactician, needing to assess his team’s situation. At the post-match press conference, Bruzon acknowledged the team’s struggles and sought time to understand and address the underlying issues. “We are in the observation period. …