Football

Jamshedpur FC's 1-1 draw against Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Friday could turn into a costly affair for the Red Miners. The club is facing the prospect of losing the point they earned due to a violation of the league's rules regarding the minimum number of Indian players on the pitch.According to Rule 4.2.10 of the ISL's league rules for the 2023-24 season, each club must field at least seven Indian players throughout the match. However, Jamshedpur FC fell short of this requirement after Daniel Chima Chukwu was sent off in the 82nd minute and was replaced by Swiss player Alen Stevanovic. This reduced the number of Indian players on the pitch to six.The rule states that failure to comply with this requirement will result in a 3-0 loss for the offending club. However, if the opposing team has won the match by a higher score, the result on the field will be upheld.In this case, Mumbai City FC did not win by a higher score, so Jamshedpur FC could face a 3-0 loss if the violation is confirmed. This would give Mumbai City three points and a 3-0 win, which would significantly boost their chances of winning the ISL shield.With five teams still in contention for the shield, the points and goals awarded to Mumbai City could give them a significant advantage. Currently, Mumbai City is in pole position with 36 points from 18 rounds, while Odisha FC is second with 35 points from 18 games.Jamshedpur FC's quest for a top-six play-off berth could also be affected by the potential loss of points. They are currently sixth with 21 points from 19 games, and a 3-0 loss would drop them down the standings.The ISL is expected to review the incident and make a decision on whether to award Mumbai City the three points. If the violation is confirmed, it will be a costly mistake for Jamshedpur FC and could have a major impact on the race for the ISL shield.

Igor Stimac, India's head coach, has expressed his preference for Kolkata as the venue for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Kuwait on June 6. Stimac believes that the city's passionate football atmosphere would provide a significant advantage for the Indian team.The Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata has a capacity of over 66,000, and Stimac is eager to utilize the potential of a large and enthusiastic crowd to boost India's chances of securing a berth in the third round of the 2026 qualifiers. A victory or draw against Kuwait would mark a historic achievement for India, as it would be their first-ever progression to the third round.Stimac's preference for Kolkata aligns with the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) policy of prioritizing the head coach's recommendations for national team matters. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey has emphasized that Stimac's suggestions will be paramount in decision-making.While Kolkata remains the frontrunner, Hyderabad and a venue in Maharashtra are also in contention to host the match. However, Stimac has indicated that he would prefer to explore new venues only after India qualifies for the third round.In the event that Kolkata is unable to host the game, Stimac has identified Bengaluru as an alternative venue. India recently triumphed in the SAFF Championship in Bengaluru, and Stimac believes that the city's positive football environment would be beneficial for the team.Stimac has also announced a long list of 35 probables for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Afghanistan on March 21 and 26. The list includes several new faces, such as Amey Ranawade, Imran Khan, Isak Vanlalruatfela, and Jay Gupta.The probables list will be pruned after the Indian Super League pauses for the international break on March 14. Stimac has stated that he may consider adding new players to the squad for the June qualifiers, which include an away game against Qatar.Stimac emphasized that the rebuilding process for the Indian team will begin after the 2024 Asian Cup. He believes that it is crucial to maintain continuity with the players who have been part of the squad for the past four years.

India's FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign has received a boost with the return of key players Anwar Ali and Jeakson Singh. The duo, who missed the recent Asian Cup due to injuries, have been named among 35 probables for the upcoming matches against Afghanistan.Ali, a central defender, has been out of action for an extended period due to an ankle injury. He also suffered a minor setback in an ISL match last month. Singh, a defensive midfielder, underwent left shoulder surgery in November. Both players have since returned to action for their respective Indian Super League teams.The inclusion of Ali and Singh strengthens India's defense, which has been a concern in recent matches. Ali's experience and leadership will be crucial, while Singh's ball-winning abilities will provide stability in midfield.However, India will be without key winger Ashique Kuruniyan, who is still recovering from an ACL injury sustained last year. Kuruniyan's absence is a blow to India's attacking options, but the team will hope to compensate with the return of Ali and Singh.India are aiming to reach the third round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time in their history. They are currently placed in Group A of the second round, alongside Qatar, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. The top two teams from the group will progress to the third round.India have a chance to make history after beating Kuwait 1-0 in Kuwait City last year. Head coach Igor Stimac has promised to lead the country to its maiden third round of the FIFA World Cup qualification.The probables for the Afghanistan matches are as follows:Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Phurba Tempa Lachenpa, Vishal KaithDefenders: Akash Mishra, Lalchungnunga, Mehtab Singh, Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Nikhil Chandrashekhar Poojary, Subhasish Bose, Narender, Anwar Ali, Roshan Singh Naorem, Amey Ganesh Ranawade, Jay GuptaMidfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Deepak Tangri, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Lalengmawia Ralte, Imran KhanForwards: Sunil Chhetri, Ishan Pandita, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Vikram Partap Singh, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Nandhakumar Sekar, Isak Vanlalruatfela

With the Indian Super League (ISL) approaching its mid-season break, concerns are mounting for national team coach Igor Stimac as several key players are struggling for playing time at their clubs.Among the affected players are Anirudh Thapa, Lalengmawia Ralte (Apuiah), Sahal Abdul Samad, Brandon Fernandes, Udanta Singh, and Pritam Kotal, who collectively boast over 223 international appearances. In the past two rounds, none of these players have completed a full match.Thapa, a crucial midfielder for Mohun Bagan Super Giant, has not played a full game in the last six rounds. Brandon Fernandes, the FC Goa captain, has failed to score in 892 minutes of play and was omitted from the squad in the team's last two matches. Udanta Singh has started only one of FC Goa's last six games.Ralte has been absent from Mumbai City FC's squad in the last two rounds, while Rahul KP has not lasted a full game in Kerala Blasters' last five matches. Sahal Abdul Samad, who picked up an injury, missed Mohun Bagan's recent match against Jamshedpur FC.Stimac's concerns are compounded by the injuries to Sandesh Jhingan and Ashique Kuruniyan. With the World Cup qualifiers against Afghanistan approaching, Stimac may have to consider players who are not currently getting regular minutes at their clubs.However, head coaches often prefer to stick with players who have lost their starting berths at clubs due to familiarity with the national team's training and fitness drills. Stimac has previously stated that he would only consider new players after they have maintained their form for a season.Despite these challenges, Stimac may consider players like Imran Khan of Jamshedpur FC, Isak Vanlalruatfela of Odisha FC, and Amey Ranawade of Odisha FC, who have impressed with their performances this season.

In a thrilling encounter at the Gold City Sports Complex, India's senior women's football team secured a hard-fought 4-3 victory against Estonia, marking a historic moment as it was their first triumph over a UEFA team. The match was part of the Turkish Women's Cup football tournament, where India showcased their determination and resilience.Manisha Kalyan, a key player for India, demonstrated her prowess by scoring a brace, contributing two crucial goals to the team's success. Her first goal came in the 17th minute, giving India an early lead. However, Estonia's Lisette Tammik equalized in the 32nd minute, keeping the match evenly poised.The second half witnessed India taking control of the midfield, with Soumya Guguloth, Anju Tamang, and Pyari Xaxa combining effectively to create scoring opportunities. Indumathi Kathiresan capitalized on this momentum, scoring a stunning long-range goal in the 62nd minute, putting India back in the lead. Xaxa further extended the advantage with a well-executed goal in the 79th minute.Kalyan sealed the victory for India in the 81st minute, converting a cross from Sandhiya Ranganathan. However, Estonia showed great resilience, scoring two late goals through Vlada Kubassova and Mari Liis Lillemae in the 88th and 90th minutes respectively, making the final moments of the match tense.Despite the late scare, India held on to secure a memorable victory, marking a significant milestone in their footballing journey. The team's performance showcased their growing strength and potential, as they prepare for their next challenge against Hong Kong on Saturday.

India's senior women's football team is set to kick off their campaign at the Turkish Women's Cup 2024 in Alanya, Turkey, on Wednesday, February 15. This marks the third time India has participated in this prestigious tournament, having previously competed in 2019 and 2021. The team will face Estonia, Kosovo, and Hong Kong in a round-robin format, aiming to showcase their improved skills and determination.Seasoned defender Dalima Chibber expressed her excitement about the tournament, highlighting the team's familiarity with the environment and the positive impact of the ongoing Indian Women's League (IWL) season. She emphasized the importance of gaining experience through game time and utilizing it to deliver a strong performance in Turkey.Head coach Langam Chaoba Devi acknowledged the strength of Estonia as a physically and technically proficient team. However, she remained confident in India's abilities, emphasizing the team's unique qualities that can make a difference on the field. The Indian team has not seen action since their three games in the second round of the Olympic qualifiers in November 2022.Currently ranked 65th in the FIFA Women's World Rankings, India will face Estonia, ranked 98th. In 2023, Estonia faced Kosovo and North Macedonia, resulting in a 1-2 loss and a 1-1 draw, respectively. The Estonian team is led by former internationals Anastassia Morkovkina and Sirje Kapper, and features a young squad with thirteen players born after 2000.The Turkish Women's Cup 2024 serves as a valuable opportunity for India to gauge their progress and prepare for upcoming challenges. The team will look to build on their experiences and deliver a commendable performance against their opponents.