Football

Spaniard Manolo Marquez, currently the head coach of Indian Super League (ISL) side FC Goa, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Indian men's football team. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) executive committee made the announcement on July 20, replacing Igor Stimac, who was sacked on June 17 after India failed to qualify for the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.Marquez, 55, has a wealth of experience in Indian football, having led FC Goa to the ISL League Winners' Shield in 2021 and the Super Cup in 2019. He is known for his attacking style of play and his ability to develop young players."The Committee, in the first order of the day, deliberated on the appointment of the new head coach for the Senior Men's National Team, and selected Manolo Marquez for the job, effective immediately," the AIFF said in a statement."During the 2024-25 season, Mr. Marquez will continue his role as the head coach of first team at FC Goa, handling both responsibilities concurrently before assuming the national coaching role on a full-time basis."The tenure of Marquez was not disclosed by the AIFF.Marquez's appointment has been met with mixed reactions. Some fans and pundits believe that he is the right man for the job, given his experience and success in Indian football. Others, however, are concerned about his ability to manage the national team while also being in charge of FC Goa.Despite these concerns, Marquez is confident that he can succeed in both roles. "I am very happy and proud to be appointed as the head coach of the Indian national team," he said. "I know that it is a big responsibility, but I am confident that I can help the team achieve success."Marquez's first task will be to prepare the team for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, which will be held in June 2023. India will be looking to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 2019.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has shortlisted 20 "competent" candidates for the position of Indian men's team head coach, following the sacking of Igor Stimac last month. The AIFF's acting secretary general, M Satyanarayan, revealed that the federation has contacted some of the shortlisted coaches to confirm their availability.The shortlisted candidates include both club and national team coaches, with the AIFF considering their experience and suitability for the role. Satyanarayan emphasized that the decision will be based on the coaches' qualifications and their plans for the team.The AIFF is aiming to finalize the shortlist and present it to the executive committee within the next two days. The technical community will also be involved in the decision-making process.Satyanarayan expressed confidence in the team's potential, despite their recent setbacks in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. He highlighted the need to finalize friendly matches for the September window to continue the team's development.The retirement of Sunil Chhetri has left a significant void in the team, but Satyanarayan believes that there are potential replacements who can step up. He mentioned that the upcoming Durand Cup could provide an opportunity to identify promising players.The AIFF is keen to appoint a head coach who can guide the team to success in future international competitions. The federation is confident that the shortlisted candidates possess the necessary skills and experience to lead the Indian men's team to greater heights.

The 133rd edition of the Durand Cup, Asia's oldest and the world's fifth oldest football tournament, is set to kick off on July 27th in Kolkata. The tournament will feature 24 teams divided into six groups, with matches taking place in four cities: Kolkata, Kokrajhar, Shillong, and Jamshedpur.The inaugural match will see reigning champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant face off against Downtown Heroes FC of Kashmir. The much-anticipated Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will take place on August 18th, serving as the final group game.Group A, B, and C matches will be played in Kolkata, while Jamshedpur will host Group D matches. Jamshedpur FC will face Bangladesh Army Football Team in the first match in Jamshedpur.Group E games will commence in Kokrajhar on July 30th, with local side Bodoland FC taking on ISL side NorthEast United FC. Shillong, another first-time host, will see Shillong Lajong FC take on Nepal's Tribhuvan Army Football Team in the opening fixture of Group F.The tournament will feature a total of 43 matches, with the six group toppers and two best second-placed teams qualifying for the knockouts. The Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kishore Bharati Krirangan, JRD Tata Sports Complex, SAI Stadium, and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will host the matches.The Durand Cup has a rich history, having been first played in 1888. It is a prestigious tournament that has seen some of the biggest names in Indian football participate over the years. The tournament is expected to attract a large number of fans and generate significant excitement in the Indian football community.

The Durand Cup 2024, Asia's oldest football tournament, is set to kick off on July 27th, with defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant and archrivals East Bengal FC drawn together in the same group. The tournament will feature 24 teams from the Indian Super League (ISL), I-League, international teams, and the Armed Forces.This year, Jamshedpur and Shillong join Kokrajhar and Kolkata as host cities, with each hosting group stage fixtures. Kolkata, the main venue, will host three groups, while Jamshedpur, Shillong, and Kokrajhar will each host one group.The tournament will follow a round-robin league format with knockout stages, culminating in the final at Kolkata's Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. In total, 43 matches will be played, and the top teams from each group, along with the two best second-placed teams, will advance to the knockout phase.Group A, hosted in Kolkata, features Mohun Bagan SG, East Bengal FC, Indian Air Force FT, and Downtown Heroes FC. Group B, also in Kolkata, includes Bengaluru FC, Inter Kashi FC, Indian Navy FT, and Mohammedan SC. Group C, the third Kolkata-based group, consists of Kerala Blasters FC, Mumbai City FC, Punjab FC, and CISF Protectors FT.Group D, hosted in Jamshedpur, features Jamshedpur FC, Chennaiyin FC, Indian Army FT, and Bangladesh Army FT. Group E, in Kokrajhar, includes Odisha FC, NorthEast United FC, Bodoland FC, and BSF FT. Group F, hosted in Shillong, consists of FC Goa, Hyderabad FC, Shillong Lajong FC, and Tribhuvan Army FC.International teams Tribhuvan Army FC from Nepal and Bangladesh Army Football Team will return to the tournament after participating in the previous edition. The tournament promises exciting matches and intense rivalries, with the top teams in India vying for the coveted Durand Cup trophy.

President Droupadi Murmu unveiled the prestigious Durand Cup, President's Cup, and Shimla Trophy at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. The 133rd edition of the Durand Cup football tournament, the season opener of Indian Football, will kick off on July 27 with the final scheduled for August 31.The President emphasized the popularity of football worldwide and urged football enthusiasts to work towards elevating the sport's standards in India. The tournament will feature 24 teams, including representatives from the Indian Super League, I-League, invitational teams, and Armed Forces teams. International teams are also expected to participate.The tournament will be played in a round-robin league-cum-knockout format, with 43 matches scheduled. The 24 teams will be divided into six groups, with the group toppers and two best second-placed sides qualifying for the knockout stage.Kolkata will host three groups, while Kokrajhar, Shillong, and Jamshedpur will each host one group. The three coveted Durand Trophies will embark on a nationwide tour from New Delhi on July 10 before arriving in Kolkata ahead of the opening game on July 27.Mohun Bagan Super Giant are the defending champions, having won the tournament a record 17th time last year. The tournament is expected to attract a large number of football fans and provide a platform for young players to showcase their skills.

India's women's football team suffered a disappointing 1-2 defeat to Myanmar in a friendly match in Yangon on Tuesday, extending their winless streak against their neighbors.Myanmar took the lead in the 14th minute through a set-piece goal by Win Theingi Tun, who plays for Indian club Odisha FC. India equalized in the 58th minute when Pyari Xaxa tapped in a loose ball, but Myanmar regained the lead in the 74th minute when San Thaw Thaw converted a free-kick from May Thet Mon Myint.India had a slow start to the match and conceded the opening goal from a corner kick. Myanmar continued to press and forced India goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi Chanu into several saves. India improved in the second half and created more chances, but they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities.Myanmar's defense tightened up in the second half, and India's attackers were often caught offside. Myanmar got their second goal from another set-piece situation, with San Thaw Thaw scoring from a free-kick.This was India's fifth defeat to Myanmar in six matches. Their last meeting was a 3-3 draw in the AFC Women's Olympic Qualifiers in Mandalay in 2019. India will play a second friendly against Myanmar on Friday.

Sunil Chhetri, the legendary Indian footballer, has shifted his focus to representing his club, Bengaluru FC, after retiring from international football. Chhetri's popularity remains undiminished, as evidenced by the thunderous cheers he received during the club's open training session at the Bangalore Football Stadium.The 39-year-old striker declined to specify when he would retire from club football, stating that he would continue playing as long as he could contribute to the team. "A lot depends on what value I bring to the team. That is a very important criteria," Chhetri said. "I do not want to be here if I don't add value. I want to give my very best to this team."Chhetri expressed his joy at the Indian cricket team's victory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, particularly for his close friend Virat Kohli. "I love the fact that he (Kohli) won the tournament. It was long overdue. I know that he genuinely wanted to win it. To see the tears, as a sportsperson myself, I understood the emotions," Chhetri said.Like all Indian fans, Chhetri's heart skipped a beat when David Miller nearly hit a maximum in the final over of the match. "When Miller hit the ball, we all thought it was going for six. What a catch by Suryakumar (Yadav)! It is a fine margin — if that had gone for six, who knows what would have happened. Kudos to the whole team," Chhetri said.Chhetri acknowledged that BFC's 10th place finish in ISL 2023-24 was among the club's worst performances. He expressed a strong desire to restore the club to its winning ways. "The message from the head coach (Gerard Zaragoza) is very clear. He wants us to win every day. Firstly, we have to be at our best in training. There is a lot of competition in the team, so the coach made it very clear that everyone has to work hard to grab their places in the side. This creates a healthy atmosphere," Chhetri added.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced a 23-member senior women's squad for two friendly matches against Myanmar in Yangon on July 9 and 12. The team will be led by head coach Chaoba Devi, who has expressed satisfaction with the squad's combination of senior and junior players.The goalkeeping department comprises Shreya Hooda, Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, and Maibam Linthoingambi Devi. The defense will be handled by Loitongbam Ashalata Devi, Hemam Shilky Devi, Sanju, Wangkhem Linthoingambi Devi, and Aruna Bag.The midfield includes Naorem Priyangka Devi, Sangita Basfore, Karthika Angamuthu, Neha, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi, and Mousumi Murmu. The forward section consists of Kajol Hubert Dsouza, Anju Tamang, Soumya Guguloth, Sandhiya Ranganathan, Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar, Lynda Kom Serto, Pyari Xaxa, Jyoti, and Rimpa Haldar.Coach Chaoba Devi praised the team's fitness and preparation during the training camp at the National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata. She emphasized the importance of playing against higher-ranked teams like Myanmar, which is ranked 54th in the FIFA Rankings compared to India's 67th position.Chaoba Devi also credited the Indian Women's League (IWL) for helping in scouting new talents. She believes that more exposure tours and quality games will improve the team's performance.The friendly matches against Myanmar will provide the Indian team with valuable experience and help them prepare for future tournaments. The team's performance will be closely monitored as they aim to improve their FIFA ranking and establish themselves as a force in women's football.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has received an overwhelming response to its search for a new head coach for the national men's football team, with 291 applications from across the globe. The window for applications closed on Wednesday, and the AIFF is now reviewing the candidates before presenting a shortlist to the Executive Committee.The applications include 100 candidates with UEFA Pro License diplomas, 20 with AFC Pro License diplomas, and three with CONMEBOL licenses. AIFF chief Kalyan Chaubey expressed his excitement about the interest shown by some of the world's top coaches."We have received an overwhelming response with some of the marquee names having expressed their interest in India," Chaubey said. "We are hoping to onboard the candidate by end July, to ensure India utilise the September FIFA window participation."The position became vacant after the AIFF sacked Igor Stimac last month following India's disappointing exit from the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Stimac, who was appointed in 2019, had been given an extension until 2026 last October.The AIFF's Technical Committee, headed by Vice President NA Haris, will now review the applications and select a shortlist for the Executive Committee. The new coach is expected to be appointed by the end of July to prepare the team for the September FIFA window.The AIFF is keen to appoint a coach who can help India qualify for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team has been struggling in recent years, and the AIFF believes that a new coach can bring fresh ideas and help the team reach its potential.