Football

The All India Football Federation's (AIFF) technical committee has expressed dissatisfaction with head coach Igor Stimac following India's disappointing performance in the recent friendlies against Afghanistan. The committee met on Thursday to discuss the team's 2-1 home defeat and 0-0 away draw against the lower-ranked opponents."Pretty much no one is happy with him after the loss in Guwahati," said a technical committee member, requesting anonymity. "We have conveyed that."The committee's concerns stem from India's lackluster displays and failure to secure a win against Afghanistan, who are ranked 41 places below them in the FIFA rankings. This marks the first time India has lost to Afghanistan at home.The technical committee had previously met with Stimac virtually in February, where they emphasized the importance of positive results in the upcoming FIFA windows in March and June. However, the recent setbacks have raised doubts about Stimac's ability to deliver.Removing Stimac immediately would trigger a hefty compensation package, as his contract runs until 2026 and is worth $30,000 per month. AIFF is reportedly exploring options to negotiate an amicable solution with the Croatian coach.Despite the setbacks, India remains in contention for a place in the third round of the Asian Cup qualifiers. They are currently second in Group A with four points from four games, ahead of Afghanistan on goal difference. A win against Kuwait on June 6 could secure their qualification.Stimac has previously stated that he will resign if India fails to qualify for the third round. He is expected to leave for home from New Delhi on Friday.

Indian goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi Chanu has made history by becoming the first footballer from the country to play professionally in Australia. Signed by Adelaide-based Metro United, Panthoi is eager to prove her worth and gain valuable experience in the South Australian Women's National Premier League.Panthoi's journey to Australia began with a trial attended by head coaches from prominent teams. Her impressive performance caught the attention of Adelaide United FC, who recommended her to Metro United WFC. This significant move not only boosts her confidence but also provides a platform for her to excel and gain global exposure.The 28-year-old goalkeeper, mentored by legendary Bala Devi, is known for her grit and determination. Despite suffering two severe shin injuries within a year, Panthoi fought back with unwavering resolve. A one-month stint in Spain last year further enhanced her skills and confidence.Metro United head coach Paul Morris has high expectations for Panthoi, who will serve as the team's first-choice goalkeeper. She will train with the first team and share her experience and knowledge with a young reserve goalkeeper. Morris believes that Panthoi's presence will benefit both the team and the club.Panthoi's move to Australia coincides with the country's remarkable rise in women's football. Australia hosted the Women's World Cup in 2023 and advanced to the semifinals. The national team's matches have seen record-breaking attendance, reflecting the growing popularity and support for the sport.Bala Devi, who has known Panthoi for over a decade, sees this move as a stepping stone for Indian women footballers. She believes that Panthoi's success will inspire other young girls to pursue their dreams in the sport.Panthoi's journey is a testament to her hard work, resilience, and the growing opportunities for women's football in India and abroad. Her stint in Australia promises to be a transformative experience, both for her and for the sport in her home country.

Indian defender Bijay Chhetri has made history by becoming the first Indian footballer to sign for a Latin American club. The 22-year-old has joined Uruguayan second division side Colon FC on loan until the end of the year.Chhetri, who hails from Manipur, began his career with Shillong Lajong in 2016. He made his senior debut for Indian Arrows in 2018 and has since played for Chennai City, Real Kashmir, and Sreenidi Deccan. He joined Chennaiyin FC for the 2022-23 Indian Super League season.Chhetri's move to Colon FC is a significant step for Indian football. It shows that Indian players are capable of playing at a high level in competitive leagues around the world. Chhetri will be hoping to impress at Colon FC and earn a permanent move to the club.Chhetri's success could pave the way for other Indian players to move abroad. There is a growing interest in Indian football from clubs in Europe and South America, and Chhetri's move to Colon FC could help to open doors for other talented Indian players.Chhetri is a versatile defender who can play at left-back or center-back. He is known for his pace, strength, and tackling ability. He is also a good passer of the ball and can contribute to the attack.Chhetri's move to Colon FC is a major boost for Indian football. It shows that Indian players are capable of playing at a high level and that there is a growing interest in Indian football from clubs around the world.

Sunil Chhetri, the legendary Indian footballer, has etched his name in the annals of international football history by reaching the milestone of 150 appearances for his country. The talismanic striker achieved this remarkable feat during India's 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match against Afghanistan at Guwahati's Indira Gandhi International Stadium.Chhetri's illustrious career has been marked by numerous accolades and achievements. He is the third-highest active goalscorer in international football, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. With his goal against Afghanistan, Chhetri extended his unique record of scoring for India in his first, 25th, 50th, 75th, 100th, 125th, and 150th games.Despite Chhetri's historic goal, India suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Afghanistan. However, the match marked a significant milestone for the Indian team, as it ended their goalless run this year. India's last goal came against Kuwait in November 2023.Prior to the match, Chhetri was felicitated by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in recognition of his remarkable achievement. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, Assam Football Association secretary Sangrang Brahma, and AIFF's technical committee chairperson I.M. Vijayan presented souvenirs to the India skipper.Chhetri's journey to 150 international appearances began on June 12, 2005, when he made his debut in a friendly match against Pakistan. Since then, he has become an icon of Indian football, inspiring generations of young players.Chhetri's achievements are a testament to his dedication, hard work, and unwavering passion for the game. He has represented India with distinction on the international stage, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Indian footballers.

Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac has set a bold target for himself and the team: qualification to the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Stimac, who has been at the helm since 2019, has made it clear that failure to achieve this goal will result in his resignation."If I don't take India to the third round, I will leave, with my pride, with my honor on everything that was done here in the five years of work," Stimac declared. "I will leave my position to someone else."India's path to the third round is fraught with challenges. They currently stand second in their group with four points from three games, one ahead of Kuwait. The Blue Tigers have never reached the third round of the Qualifiers before.Stimac is not deterred by the odds. He believes that the team has the potential to achieve its goal, but it will require hard work and dedication. He has called for longer preparatory camps for the national squad ahead of big tournaments, citing the positive results achieved during previous extended training periods."In my four years, there were three long camps that we had," Stimac said. "One was five years ago right here prior to games against Oman and Qatar, you remember how well the team played that time. Second was for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in Kolkata, the team was flying -- 3 games, 3 wins, 8-1 goal difference. Third long camp was last year prior to the tournaments that we played brilliantly, could see the intensity and everyone knew what they had to do."Stimac also expressed concerns about the lack of Indian strikers in the Indian Super League (ISL), with most of the positions being occupied by foreign players. He believes that this is hurting the national team's scoring ability."Scoring problem has been haunting us for five years, even before I came here," Stimac said. "I have mentioned that foreign players are occupying scoring positions and that is hurting us."Despite the challenges, Stimac remains optimistic about the future of Indian football. He believes that the team has the potential to achieve great things, and he is determined to lead them to success.

Sunil Chhetri, the talismanic captain of the Indian football team, is poised to reach a remarkable milestone in his illustrious career. On Tuesday, in the World Cup qualifier against Afghanistan in Guwahati, Chhetri will make his 150th international appearance, becoming only the 40th player in the world to achieve this feat.Chhetri's international journey began on June 12, 2005, in a friendly match against Pakistan in Quetta. He marked his debut with a goal in a 1-1 draw. Since then, he has amassed 149 caps for India, scoring a record 93 goals.Throughout his career, Chhetri has been a prolific goal-scorer, holding the unique distinction of scoring at least one goal in his first, 25th, 50th, 75th, 100th, and 125th matches for the Blue Tigers. His exceptional goal-scoring prowess has earned him the admiration of fans and respect from opponents alike."It's been an awe-inspiring and staggering cruise that all of us have been fortunate to witness since 2005," said All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey. "Chhetri playing his 150th international match is an extraordinary accomplishment that will go a long way in keeping the Indian football flag flying high."Chhetri's influence on Indian football extends beyond his on-field achievements. He has been a role model for aspiring footballers, inspiring millions to take up the beautiful game."He has been a great influencer who has motivated millions to play this beautiful game," added Chaubey. "I congratulate Chhetri for reaching this great height in international football."The AIFF has announced that it will felicitate Chhetri on the sidelines of the return leg clash against Afghanistan in Guwahati."In many football fans' eyes, Chhetri is almost the synonym of the Indian men's national team," said AIFF acting secretary general M Satyanarayan. "He is a fabulous footballer, a cool captain, and a star striker. The All India Football Federation is proud to felicitate him on his 150th international match. We sincerely hope Chhetri will continue to serve Indian football in the same breath in the future."

India's football team is gearing up for their crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Afghanistan, with the aim of securing a spot in the third phase of the qualifiers for the first time. Coach Igor Stimac emphasized the team's determination to win the upcoming games and progress to the next round.India will face Afghanistan in back-to-back matches as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2027 AFC Asian Cup joint qualifiers round 2. The first match will be held in Abha, Saudi Arabia on March 21, while the second will take place in Guwahati, India on March 26.Stimac acknowledged the team's disappointing performance at the AFC Asian Cup in January, but stressed that their focus is now on the upcoming qualifiers. "We are not a club that can work with the players on a daily basis," he said. "The expectations were high without any base."India currently stands level on three points with Kuwait in Group A, but has an inferior goal difference. A top-two finish in their group will guarantee progression to Round 3 of the qualifiers, which will also ensure direct qualification for the AFC Asian Cup 2027.Stimac highlighted the challenges of playing in Abha, which is located at a high altitude of 2,270 meters. "Afghanistan did everything to make it difficult for us," he said. "Choosing Abha as their home venue was a clever decision."Despite the challenges, Stimac expressed confidence in his team's ability to overcome the obstacles and secure a positive result. "We are going there with a clear mindset, and we're looking for the points," he said. "Most of our boys are in decent form at their clubs, and hopefully we can overcome all difficulties and find a way to manage the game in a positive way."The Indian team is set to travel to Abha on a chartered plane for their first match against Afghanistan. Stimac believes that the team has the potential to make history by reaching Round 3 of the qualifiers for the first time. "They all have the same dream, so we don't need to inject any motivation into them," he said. "We have never made it to Round 3 before, and if we do that, it will then give them new dreams, to qualify for the World Cup in the future."

YUPIA, Arunachal Pradesh - Services emerged victorious in the 75th edition of the Santosh Trophy, India's premier inter-state senior men's football competition, after a thrilling 1-0 triumph over Goa in the final.The match at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia started cautiously, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm in the opening session. However, Services gradually gained the upper hand in the second half, and their persistence paid off in the 67th minute.Midfielder Rahul Ramakrishnan played a key role in the winning goal, setting up right-back P.P. Shafeel with a precise pass outside the Goa box. Shafeel unleashed a powerful grounder that left Goa goalkeeper Antonio Da Silva with no chance.Goa, the pre-tournament favorites, fought valiantly to equalize, but Services' defense stood firm. The best opportunity for Goa came in injury time when substitute Joshua D'Silva's header beat Services goalkeeper Abdul Kadir, but Pradeep Kumar cleared the ball off the line to preserve the lead.Services' victory marks their seventh Santosh Trophy title, moving them up to second place in the all-time standings behind West Bengal (32 titles). The triumph is a testament to the team's hard work, determination, and tactical discipline.Goa, despite their disappointment, can take solace in their impressive run to the final. They showcased their attacking prowess throughout the tournament, scoring 14 goals in their previous five matches.The Santosh Trophy, first held in 1941, is one of the oldest and most prestigious football competitions in India. It provides a platform for talented players from across the country to showcase their skills and represent their states.

The All India Football Federation's (AIFF) decision to charter a plane for the men's national team three days before its annual general meeting has been hailed as a game-changer. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey's assurance to head coach Igor Stimac of a "no-compromise stand" has lifted spirits within the team.The move comes amidst allegations of financial foul play and cronyism made by a former legal head of AIFF. However, Chaubey has denied these allegations, writing to his executive committee to address the concerns.The decision to charter a plane for the team's World Cup qualifier against Afghanistan on March 21 is a significant step towards improving the team's performance. By flying directly to Abha in Saudi Arabia, the team will avoid the fatigue and potential injuries associated with multiple layovers.This move demonstrates the AIFF's commitment to providing the best possible support to the national team. It is a clear indication that the federation is determined to create an environment where the team can thrive and achieve success.The team's performance in recent months has been mixed. They have shown flashes of brilliance, but have also struggled to maintain consistency. The decision to charter a plane is a sign that the AIFF is taking steps to address these issues and help the team reach its full potential.The team's upcoming World Cup qualifier against Afghanistan is a crucial match. A win would boost their chances of qualifying for the next round of the competition. The AIFF's decision to charter a plane is a clear indication that they are determined to give the team the best possible chance of success.