Football

The Indian men's football team's winless streak extended to four matches as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Malaysia in an international friendly on Monday. The match, played at the Balayogi Stadium, marked the debut of Chennaiyin FC's Irfan Yedwad for India.Despite dominating possession in the early stages, India conceded the first goal in the 19th minute due to a howler from goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. Paulo Josue capitalized on Sandhu's error to put Malaysia ahead. However, India equalized in the 39th minute through a header from Rahul Bheke, assisted by Brandon Fernandes.The second half saw India continue to press for the winning goal, but the Malaysian defense held firm. Both teams had chances to snatch the victory, but neither could find the decisive touch.The draw extended head coach Manolo Marquez's wait for his first victory with the Blue Tigers. India has now drawn three and lost one of their four matches under Marquez.Despite the disappointing result, Marquez gave opportunities to several players who have been performing well for their clubs this season. The match also marked the return of central defender Sandesh Jhingan after almost 10 months.

India, still seeking their first victory of the year under head coach Manolo Marquez, will face familiar rivals Malaysia in an international friendly football match in Hyderabad on Monday. The match holds significance as it could be India's last before the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers in March next year.India will be bolstered by the return of experienced central defender Sandesh Jhingan, who has recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The team has played 10 matches so far in 2023, losing six and drawing four. Under Marquez, who took over in July, they have played three games, losing one and drawing twice.The India-Malaysia football rivalry dates back to 1957, with the two sides having faced each other 32 times. India and Malaysia have won 12 matches each, while eight have ended in draws. The current FIFA rankings show little difference between the two teams, with India placed 125th and Malaysia 133rd.Malaysia are coming into the match on the back of a 3-1 friendly win over Laos on November 14. Both teams know each other well, with India having nine players from the Merdeka tournament semifinal clash last month in their current squad. Malaysia, on the other hand, have 14 members from last year's squad, including two goal-scorers.Like India, Malaysia have also undergone changes in the coaching staff since last year. Manolo and his counterpart Pau Martí, both from Spain, know each other from their time in Barcelona. Martí took charge in July after Malaysia failed to qualify for Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers."They (Malaysia) have been playing good football and it will be a tough game for both sides," said Manolo.

The Indian senior men's football team, under the guidance of head coach Manolo Marquez, has announced a 26-member squad for the upcoming FIFA International Friendly against Malaysia. The match will be held on November 18 at the GMC Balayogi Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad.The Blue Tigers, as the Indian team is known, will assemble in Hyderabad on November 11 for a training camp. Their last friendly match was against Vietnam in October, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Farukh Choudhary scored the lone goal for India in that match.India has been struggling for form in recent times, failing to win in their last 11 matches. Their last victory came against Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on November 16, 2023.Coach Marquez has named three experienced goalkeepers in the squad: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and Vishal Kaith. Defenders Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali, and Rahul Bheke have been included to strengthen the backline.Midfielders Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, and Jithin MS have also been named in the squad. Lallianzuala Chhangte will lead the attack force against Malaysia.The Blue Tigers will be hoping to end their winless streak and secure a victory in the upcoming match. They will face a Malaysia team that is ranked 148th in the FIFA World Rankings, while India is ranked 106th.

East Bengal FC secured their place in the knockout stage of the AFC Challenge League 2024-25 with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Nejmeh SC of Lebanon in their final Group A match. The Indian Super League side finished as group winners with seven points, having previously defeated Bashundhara Kings and drawn with Paro FC.Dimitrios Diamantakos was the hero for East Bengal, scoring a brace to lead his team to victory. The Greek striker opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Nejmeh defender Baba Musah inadvertently headed a corner kick into his own net. Diamantakos doubled East Bengal's advantage in the 15th minute, tapping home a low cross from Mahesh Naorem.Nejmeh fought back to level the match before halftime, with goals from Collins Opare and Hussein Monzer. However, East Bengal regained the lead in the 77th minute when Diamantakos converted a penalty after Madih Talal was brought down in the box.Despite Nejmeh's efforts to mount another comeback, East Bengal held on to secure the win and top spot in the group. The Indian side will now await their quarter-final opponents, which will be determined after the completion of all AFC Challenge League group stage fixtures.The victory was a significant achievement for East Bengal, who are making their debut in the AFC Challenge League. The Indian Super League outfit will be hoping to continue their impressive run in the knockout stage and make a deep run in the competition.

The Indian men's football team, under the guidance of head coach Manolo Marquez, will face Malaysia in an international friendly on November 18 in Hyderabad. The match, initially scheduled for November 19, has been advanced by a day and will be played at the Gachibowli Stadium.This will be Marquez's fourth match in charge of the national team, and he will be eager to secure a victory against a lower-ranked opponent. Malaysia currently sits at 133rd in the FIFA rankings, while India occupies the 125th spot.The last encounter between the two teams took place in October 2023 in the Merdeka Cup semifinal, where India suffered a 2-4 defeat.The November 18 match falls within the last FIFA international match window of the year, which mandates clubs to release players for national duty.The Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad recently hosted the three-team Intercontinental Cup tournament, where India drew 0-0 with Mauritius and lost 0-3 to eventual champions Syria. The team then traveled to Vietnam for an international friendly, which ended in a 1-1 draw.Marquez will be looking to improve India's recent form, having failed to secure a win in his first three matches in charge. The match against Malaysia will provide an opportunity for the team to gain momentum and build confidence ahead of future challenges.

East Bengal's AFC Challenge League campaign got off to a thrilling start as they salvaged a crucial 2-2 draw against Bhutan's Paro FC. The Indian Super League side showed resilience to come back from a 2-1 deficit at halftime, with Dimitrios Diamantakos scoring a vital equaliser in the second half.East Bengal made a bright start to the match, taking the lead in the 5th minute through Madih Talal. The Syrian forward converted Saul Crespo's precise cutback to put the visitors ahead. However, Paro FC responded quickly, with William Opoku equalising from the penalty spot just three minutes later.The home side continued to press forward, testing East Bengal's defence with long-range efforts from Koki Narita and Tomoyuki Unno. Paro's persistence paid off in stoppage time, when Evans Asante capitalised on a swift counterattack to give them a 2-1 lead at the break.In the second half, East Bengal pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Kazuo Homma nearly extended Paro's lead with a close-range header, but Diamantakos responded with a shot that went wide. The Greek forward made no mistake with his next opportunity, however, coolly finishing Nandhakumar Sekar's pinpoint cross in the 69th minute.East Bengal continued to press for a winner, but Paro FC held firm to secure a share of the spoils. The Indian side will now look ahead to their next Group A clash against Bangladesh's Bashundhara Kings on Tuesday, aiming to build on this hard-earned draw.

The Indian U-17 boys' team unleashed a dominant performance, crushing Brunei 13-0 in their opening Group D match of the U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers. The Blue Colts asserted their superiority from the outset, with Vishal Yadav opening the scoring in the eighth minute. Md Arbash doubled the lead via a penalty 16 minutes later, and Yadav extended India's advantage with a goal from a corner. Bharat Lairenjam and Mohammed Kaif added to the tally before halftime, giving India a commanding 5-0 lead.After the break, Yadav completed his hat-trick, while Ngamgouhou Mate and Manbhakupar Malngiang also found the net. Hemneichung Lunkim, Azlaan Shah, Mahmad Sami, Sumit Sharma, and Usham Thoungamba Singh contributed to the goal fest, sealing an emphatic 13-0 victory.The Indian team's relentless attack and clinical finishing overwhelmed the inexperienced Bruneiese defense. The Blue Colts' dominance was evident in their possession and passing accuracy, as they controlled the tempo of the game throughout.Coach Ishfaq Ahmed utilized the opportunity to test his bench strength, bringing on substitutes who made an immediate impact. The victory sets the tone for India's remaining matches in the qualifiers, as they aim to secure a berth in the U-17 Asian Cup.

V.P. Sathyan: The Defender Who Led India to SAF Games GoldV.P. Sathyan, a renowned Indian footballer, played a pivotal role in leading the Indian national team to a gold medal at the 1995 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Games. His exceptional defensive skills and leadership qualities were instrumental in India's triumph.Sathyan's football journey began at a young age, where he showcased his talent and passion for the sport. He rose through the ranks of the Indian football system, eventually earning a spot on the national team. As a defender, Sathyan possessed remarkable strength, agility, and an uncanny ability to read the game.The 1995 SAFF Games, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, proved to be a defining moment in Sathyan's career. India faced stiff competition from regional powerhouses like Bangladesh and Nepal. However, Sathyan's leadership and defensive prowess inspired his teammates to perform at their best.In the final match against Bangladesh, Sathyan marshaled the Indian defense with unwavering determination. He thwarted numerous Bangladeshi attacks, ensuring that India kept a clean sheet. The match ended in a goalless draw, but India emerged victorious on penalties.Sathyan's contribution to Indian football extended beyond the 1995 SAFF Games. He continued to represent the national team for several years, earning over 50 caps. His leadership and defensive skills played a crucial role in India's success in various international tournaments.Off the field, Sathyan is known for his humility and dedication to the sport. He has served as a mentor and coach to aspiring young footballers, sharing his knowledge and experience to nurture the next generation of Indian football stars.V.P. Sathyan's legacy as a defender who led India to a gold medal at the 1995 SAFF Games remains etched in the annals of Indian football history. His exceptional skills, leadership qualities, and unwavering determination continue to inspire aspiring footballers across the country.

Gary Neville Inspires Young Footballers in IndiaFormer Manchester United legend Gary Neville recently visited India as part of the United We Play initiative, a collaboration between Apollo Tyres and Manchester United. The initiative aims to provide young footballers with access to world-class coaching and facilities.During his visit, Neville interacted with young players selected from Thailand, Nepal, and 18 cities across India. He shared his insights on the key elements for success in football, emphasizing the importance of skill, work ethic, and determination.Neville also stressed the value of education and personal growth beyond sports. He encouraged the young players to pursue their studies and develop as well-rounded individuals. "There is a life beyond sports," he said. "It's important to have options and to grow as great human beings."The United We Play initiative has grown significantly since its inception, with the number of participating players increasing from 5,000 in the first edition to 12,000 in the fourth edition. The organizers are committed to sustaining their efforts at the grassroots level to strengthen Indian football."We are committed to grow the game of football and help young emerging talent to express themselves," said Rajesh Dahiya, vice president of Apollo Tyres.Five boys selected from the program will have the opportunity to travel to Old Trafford for a match-day experience, training sessions with Manchester United soccer school coaches, and a chance to interact with the legends.Neville's visit and the United We Play initiative are a testament to the growing interest in football in India. By providing young players with access to expert guidance and facilities, these initiatives are helping to nurture the next generation of Indian football stars.