Football

The Durand Cup, Asia's oldest football tournament, will return for its 133rd edition from July 27 to August 31, 2023. The tournament will feature 43 matches played in a round-robin league-cum-knockout format across four venues: Kolkata, Kokrajhar, Shillong, and Jamshedpur.The 24 participating teams will be divided into six groups, with the group toppers and two best second-placed sides advancing to the knockout stage. The opening match and the final will be held at the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata.Defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant will be looking to retain their title, having won the tournament a record 17 times. Other Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League teams will also be competing, along with invitational teams.The Durand Cup has a rich history, dating back to 1888. It is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in India and has been won by some of the country's top clubs, including East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, and Bengaluru FC.In recent years, the tournament has been expanded to include international teams. Last year, Bangladesh's Bashundhara Kings participated, and this year, more international teams are expected to join the fray.The addition of Jamshedpur and Shillong as host venues is a significant step in the tournament's growth. It will help spread the tournament's reach to new regions and attract a wider audience.The Durand Cup is not just a football tournament; it is a celebration of Indian football. It brings together teams from all over the country and provides a platform for young players to showcase their talent. The tournament is also a major boost for the local economy, generating revenue for hotels, restaurants, and other businesses.

Indian football has faced significant upheaval recently, with the retirement of star striker Sunil Chhetri and the controversial dismissal of national team coach Igor Stimac. Chhetri's departure has raised concerns about finding a suitable replacement, while Stimac's allegations against the All India Football Federation (AIFF) have sparked further controversy.Former Indian team captain Subrata Paul believes that the key to finding Chhetri's successor lies in giving young talents ample opportunities. He emphasizes that Chhetri's success was not achieved overnight and that it will take time and patience to develop the next top striker."Sunil Chhetri has set a good example, but nothing is permanent," Paul said. "We need to work on the future generation of strikers and put our trust in them."Paul acknowledges that Chhetri's legacy will be difficult to match, but he believes that someone will eventually step up to fill his shoes. "We will not be having this conversation five years later because someone will step up to take Chhetri's position in the national side," he added.Meanwhile, Stimac has criticized the AIFF and its president, Kalyan Chaubey, following his dismissal. Paul declined to comment on Stimac's allegations, stating that he prefers to focus on his own contributions to Indian football."Everybody is entitled to their opinions," Paul said. "However, what we can control is what can we do for Indian football."Despite the challenges facing Indian football, Paul remains optimistic about the future. He believes that by investing in young talent and fostering a positive environment, the sport can continue to thrive in India.

Igor Stimac, the former head coach of the Indian football team, has threatened legal action against the All India Football Federation (AIFF) if his dues are not cleared within the next 10 days. Stimac was sacked on Monday, a year before his contract was set to expire, following India's failure to progress beyond the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.Stimac has accused AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey of breaching his contract multiple times, including changing his public statements, altering the players' list for the Asian Games, and canceling a press conference after the AFC Asian Cup. He also holds Chaubey responsible for the team's poor performance in the World Cup Qualifiers.Stimac claims that the AIFF's actions have caused him serious health problems, including two stents prior to the AFC Asian Cup. He has stated that he no longer wishes to have any contact with the AIFF.In a notice to the AIFF, Stimac has demanded payment for the remaining value of his contract, which could amount to a whopping Rs six crore. He has threatened to file a lawsuit with the FIFA Football Tribunal if his dues are not cleared within the stipulated time frame.The AIFF has not yet responded to Stimac's allegations or demands. The federation is currently facing a number of challenges, including a lack of funds and a dispute with the Supreme Court over its governance structure.Stimac's sacking has sparked controversy within the Indian football community. Some have criticized the AIFF for its handling of the situation, while others have questioned Stimac's performance as head coach. The incident has highlighted the ongoing problems within Indian football, which has been plagued by mismanagement and a lack of transparency for many years.

Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has expressed his admiration for Real Madrid and Croatia great Luka Modric, following Modric's heartfelt tribute to Chhetri's illustrious international career.On the eve of Chhetri's final India match against Kuwait, Modric sent a video message wishing him well. Chhetri, who retired as the fourth-highest international goalscorer of all time with 94 goals for India, was deeply touched by Modric's gesture."First of all, thank you for the amazing 19-20 years. I am a fan right from his Tottenham days," Chhetri said about Modric.Chhetri praised Modric's exceptional talent and humility, both on and off the pitch. "Not only is he a superstar on the pitch but also a nice and humble person," he said.Chhetri also hailed Modric's remarkable international career, which has seen him lead Croatia to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final and win the 2018 Ballon d'Or. "What he has done for Croatia is outstanding," Chhetri said.Looking ahead to Euro 2024, Chhetri expressed his hope that Modric would remain injury-free and enjoy a successful tournament. "I just hope that he enjoys Euro 2024. I hope he doesn't have any injury or pain, I hope we can see as many minutes from him in the tournament," he said.Modric, who will turn 39 in September, may be playing in his final major international tournament at Euro 2024. Chhetri acknowledged this possibility, saying, "I am sure people like me and a lot of other fans are going to enjoy him playing for Croatia in a big tournament, probably for the last time."Modric's recent success with Real Madrid, where he won his sixth UEFA Champions League title, further cements his status as one of the greatest midfielders of all time. Chhetri, who is now an expert panellist on Sony Sports Network's studio show Football Extraaa for UEFA EURO 2024, will be eagerly watching Modric's performance in the upcoming tournament.

TK Chathunni: A Legendary Footballer and CoachTK Chathunni, a renowned former footballer and coach, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 75 in Kochi after a brief illness. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence both on and off the field.As a player, Chathunni was a highly skilled defender who represented India in six international matches, including the Merdeka Tournament in 1973. He played for several top clubs, including EME Centre, Vasco Club, and Orkay Mills, and also represented Services in the Santosh Trophy.However, it was as a coach that Chathunni truly made his mark. He is credited with discovering and nurturing some of India's greatest football talents, including IM Vijayan, Bruno Coutinho, and Jo Paul Anchery.Chathunni's coaching career spanned decades and included stints with numerous clubs, including Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar FC, Dempo Sports Club, and Churchill Brothers. He holds the distinction of coaching the highest number of clubs in India.His most notable achievement as a coach came in 1997-98 when he led Mohun Bagan to their maiden National Football League (NFL) title. He also coached the Kerala Santosh Trophy team and Kerala Police.Chathunni's passing has been met with deep sorrow and tributes from the Indian football fraternity. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey described him as "a dependable defender and later a top-class coach." AIFF Acting Secretary General M Satyanarayan said, "His death has created a void in Indian football."TK Chathunni's legacy as a footballer and coach will continue to inspire generations to come. His contributions to Indian football will never be forgotten.

India's World Cup qualification hopes were dashed after a controversial 1-2 loss to Qatar in Doha, leaving coach Igor Stimac's future uncertain.Stimac, who had previously vowed to step down if he failed to guide India to the third round, expressed hesitation about his future. "We need to discuss internally in the next few weeks where our futures stand," he said.Despite the setback, Stimac remained optimistic about India's footballing future. "India has a good future in football," he asserted. "Our team is not that older than the Qatari team today."Stimac's contract extension, which runs until June 2026, would have been automatically renewed if India had advanced to the third round. However, the team's underwhelming campaign, including a home loss to Afghanistan, has raised questions about Stimac's leadership.Stimac believes that India's World Cup aspirations could be realized if Indian-origin players competing in European leagues were allowed to join the national team. "If we were allowed to use them, then India would qualify for the World Cup regularly," he said.He criticized the lack of competitiveness in the Indian Super League (ISL), arguing that players need to experience high-pressure games throughout the season to prepare for international competition.

India's national football team, the Blue Tigers, have appointed goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu as their captain for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Qatar. The match, scheduled for Tuesday at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, is a must-win for India to keep their hopes of reaching the third round of qualifiers alive.Sandhu, with 71 caps, is the most experienced and longest-serving player in the national team after the retirement of Sunil Chhetri. Head coach Igor Stimac stated that the decision to hand the captaincy to Sandhu was a natural choice, given his leadership qualities and experience.India's squad for the match includes 23 players, with defenders Amey Ranawade, Lalchungnunga, and Subhasish Bose not traveling to Qatar. Ranawade and Lalchungnunga were released to focus on their development, while Bose was granted leave for personal reasons.Qatar, who have already qualified for the third round as group toppers, have named a young squad for the match, with 21 players under the age of 24. Despite their dominance in their previous match against Afghanistan, Qatar failed to score, highlighting India's defensive resilience.Stimac emphasized the importance of attacking transitions in the upcoming match, as India aims to create and convert scoring opportunities. The Blue Tigers will have their first practice session in Doha on Sunday evening, followed by an official training session at the match venue on Monday.A win for India would put them in a strong position to qualify for the World Cup qualifiers third round and secure a direct spot at the 2027 Asian Cup. However, a loss would eliminate them from the qualifiers, and they would have to compete in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers third round for a place at the tournament in Saudi Arabia.If India draws against Qatar, they will qualify for the third round only if the match between Kuwait and Afghanistan, which will kick off two hours later, also ends in a draw. In that scenario, India would finish second in the group with six points, the same as Afghanistan, but with a better goal difference.

Indian football head coach Igor Stimac has named a 23-member squad for India's crucial World Cup Qualifier against Qatar on June 11. The match will be India's first since the retirement of legendary captain Sunil Chhetri.Stimac has made several notable changes to the squad, most notably the omission of experienced defenders Subhasish Bose, Amey Ranawade, and Lalchungnunga. Jay Gupta has been handed a debut call-up, while Bose and Ranawade were named on the bench but did not feature in the previous match against Kuwait.India currently sits in third place in Group A with five points, behind Qatar (13 points) and Afghanistan (five points). A win against Qatar is crucial for India's hopes of advancing to the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers. A draw would also suffice if Afghanistan and Kuwait draw their match.The Blue Tigers will face a formidable challenge against Qatar, who are the reigning Asian champions. However, Stimac remains optimistic about his team's chances. "We have a good team, and we are confident that we can get a result in Qatar," he said.India's squad for the match against Qatar:Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal KaithDefenders: Anwar Ali, Jay Gupta, Mehtab Singh, Narender, Nikhil Poojary, Rahul BhekeMidfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Edmund Lalrindika, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Nandhakumar Sekar, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh WangjamForwards: Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Vikram Partap Singh, David Lalhlansanga

Sunil Chhetri's retirement from international football marks the end of an era for Indian football. The diminutive forward, who played for India for nearly 19 years, is the nation's all-time leading scorer with 94 goals in 151 appearances.Chhetri's longevity and consistency are remarkable. He made his international debut in 2005, when Indian football was still a niche sport. Over the years, he became a household name, leading the national team to numerous victories and inspiring a generation of young players.Chhetri's greatness lies not only in his goal-scoring prowess but also in his leadership and unwavering commitment to the team. He was the captain for 12 years, carrying the nation's hopes on his shoulders. His ability to motivate and inspire his teammates was instrumental in India's success.Despite his individual brilliance, Chhetri always put the team first. He was a selfless player who was willing to sacrifice his own glory for the greater good. His humility and dedication made him a role model for both his teammates and fans.Off the field, Chhetri was a fitness fanatic. He worked tirelessly to maintain his peak physical condition, even as he approached the twilight of his career. His relentless pursuit of excellence inspired his teammates to push themselves harder.Chhetri's retirement leaves a void in Indian football. He was not only a great player but also a symbol of hope and inspiration for the nation. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Indian footballers.