Football

Mumbai City FC and Chennaiyin FC played out a thrilling 1-1 draw in the 1,000th match of the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.The Marina Machans took the lead in the 60th minute through captain Ryan Edwards' header, but their joy was short-lived as Nathan Rodrigues equalized for the Islanders just three minutes later.The match started with both teams looking to attack, with Mumbai City FC having the first chance in the 19th minute when Yoell van Nieff's long-range effort was saved by Chennaiyin FC goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz.A minute later, Tiri came close to giving Mumbai City FC the lead with a header from a corner, but his effort went just wide.Nikolaos Karelis also had a chance for Mumbai City FC in the 30th minute, but his shot was blocked by the Chennaiyin FC defense.The second half started with Chennaiyin FC taking the lead through Edwards' header from a Connor Shields cross.However, Mumbai City FC responded quickly, with Rodrigues heading in a Van Nieff corner in the 63rd minute.Both teams had chances to win the match in the remaining minutes, but neither side could find a winning goal.The draw leaves Chennaiyin FC in fourth place in the ISL standings with 12 points, while Mumbai City FC remains in eighth place with 10 points.

In a thrilling Indian Super League (ISL) encounter at the Nehru Stadium, Hyderabad FC staged a remarkable comeback to snatch a 2-1 victory over Kerala Blasters. The match initially seemed destined for a comfortable Blasters win, but Hyderabad's resilience and determination proved decisive.Kerala Blasters began the match with a dominant display, slicing through Hyderabad's defense with ease. Mohammed Aimen and Adrian Luna were particularly impressive on the left flank, creating numerous scoring opportunities. The home side's efforts were rewarded in the 13th minute when Korou Singh delivered a precise cross to striker Jesus Jimenez, who tapped it in with ease.However, Hyderabad refused to be disheartened. Towards the end of the first half, Andrei Alba capitalized on a pass from Parag Shrivas to score a stunning equalizer with a rising shot. The goal transformed Hyderabad, instilling confidence and belief in the team.After the break, Edmilson Correia came on as a substitute for Hyderabad and nearly gave the visitors the lead in the 55th minute. However, goalkeeper Som Kumar made a brilliant save to deny him. K.P. Rahul's introduction 10 minutes later brought a renewed sense of urgency to Blasters' play, as he sent dangerous crosses into the box from the right.Just when Blasters fans thought they were on the verge of a goal, Hyderabad struck again. The visitors earned a controversial penalty, despite replays showing that defender Hormipam did not handle the ball. Alba stepped up and coolly converted the spot-kick, giving Hyderabad a 2-1 lead.Despite their best efforts, Kerala Blasters were unable to find an equalizer. Hyderabad held on to their slender advantage, securing a valuable three points that lifted them to seventh place in the ISL standings. Blasters, on the other hand, remained in 10th place after their third consecutive loss.

Punjab FC staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Chennaiyin FC 3-2 in a thrilling Indian Super League (ISL) clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Thursday (October 31, 2024).Despite conceding an early goal to Jordan Gil, Punjab FC rallied back with three unanswered goals in the second half. Luka Majcen emerged as the hero for the visitors, scoring twice in quick succession to level the match. Asmir Suljic then sealed the victory with a third goal in the 70th minute.The match started with a scrappy opening, but Punjab FC gradually gained control of possession. In the 11th minute, Filip Mrzljak had a chance to put Punjab ahead, but his cross failed to find a teammate.Chennaiyin FC took the lead against the run of play in the 29th minute. Lukas Brambilla's defense-splitting pass found Gil, who made no mistake with his left-footed strike.Punjab FC responded well to the setback and created several chances before the break. Mrzljak's cross found Majcen in the 45th minute, but his shot hit the side netting.The second half was a different story as Punjab FC came out with renewed determination. Majcen equalized for the visitors just a minute after the restart, finishing calmly after being set up by Mrzljak.Two minutes later, Majcen doubled his tally, this time assisted by Khaiminthang Lhungdim. The Slovenian forward was in the right place at the right time to tap in from close range.Punjab FC continued to press for a third goal, and their efforts were rewarded in the 70th minute. Suljic, who had come on as a substitute, scored with a powerful shot from outside the box.Chennaiyin FC pulled one back in the dying minutes through Gil, but it was too little too late. Punjab FC held on for a hard-fought victory that moved them up to fifth place in the ISL standings.

Odisha FC emerged victorious in their Indian Super League (ISL) clash against East Bengal FC, securing a 2-1 triumph at home. The victory marked Odisha's second win of the season, while East Bengal suffered their sixth consecutive defeat.Roy Krishna, the Fijian forward, opened the scoring for Odisha in the 22nd minute, capitalizing on a through ball from Isak Vanlalruatfela. Krishna's goal was his fourth against East Bengal in the ISL.East Bengal managed to equalize in the added time of the first half through a penalty kick converted by Dimitrios Diamantakos. The penalty was awarded after Thoiba Singh handled the ball in the penalty area.In the second half, Odisha regained control of the match. Mourtada Fall, the Senegalese defender, scored the winning goal in the 69th minute, heading home a free-kick from Ahmed Jahouh.East Bengal's woes were compounded when Provat Lakra was sent off for a second yellow card in the 76th minute. The dismissal left East Bengal with 10 men, and they were unable to recover from the setback.Odisha FC held on to their lead and secured the three points, moving up to seventh place in the ISL standings. East Bengal, on the other hand, remained rooted to the bottom of the table with just one point from seven matches.

Calicut FC, the current chart-topper in the Super League Kerala, has set its sights on bigger goals. The team, which has already secured a spot in the league's semifinals, is aiming to lift the title and eventually participate in the I-League."One of our goals is to participate in the I-League, we are preparing ourselves to get the capability to reach that level. And the next goal is naturally the ISL," said V.K. Mathews, the owner of Calicut FC.The club's ambitious plans include improving its training facilities and establishing its own training ground. "Next year, we will have our own training ground. It will be in Kozhikode but we'll look at Kochi as well. Getting a practice ground is not that difficult and we need to have a swimming pool and other facilities. And we must have an academy connected to it," said Mathews.Mathews believes that it will take a few years for SLK clubs to break even financially. "The franchise budget for a SLK club is somewhat the same level as the I-League. I don't think (SLK) clubs will break even in the first three years. The financial success of this depends on the viewership, the viewership has to go up. For that, we have to sensitise and get more and more people interested in the Super League. One of the ways of doing it is how deeply we are involved with the community, the schools, the academies...when the boys and girls from academies come, then the viewership will go up."Ian Andrew Gillan, Calicut's head coach, feels that the SLK — India's lone State league that allows foreign players — could be a good model for other States to follow. "You can probably reduce the number of foreign players but you need foreigners to raise the standard of Indian players and to make the league attractive," said Gillan.Gillan, who has worked with clubs in Australia, Indonesia, and Nepal, believes that India needs more facilities for the sport. "With your massive population, if you can embrace that by providing the facilities, give the kids a game and you'll develop better," he said.

The Indian Super League (ISL) has unveiled the highly anticipated schedule for its 2024-25 season, featuring a thrilling lineup of matches, including the iconic Kolkata Derby. The second leg of the Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC will take center stage on January 11 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The rivalry will continue with Mohammedan SC facing Mohun Bagan SG on February 1 and East Bengal FC on February 16, completing the Derby round-up.The season kicks off on January 4 with Bengaluru FC traveling to Jamshedpur for a clash at the JRD Tata Sports Complex. Punjab FC will host Kerala Blasters at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on January 5. The clash between Odisha FC and FC Goa on January 4 promises to be a tactical battle, with the Spanish flair of Sergio Lobera and Manolo Marquez on display.NorthEast United FC will make their debut at their new home, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, on February 7 against Mumbai City FC. The Highlanders will also host Bengaluru FC on February 21 and East Bengal FC on March 8 in the Meghalaya capital.Kerala Blasters FC will face arch-rivals Chennaiyin FC on January 30 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. Chennaiyin FC will take on Bengaluru FC in a much-anticipated fixture on February 25 at Sree Kanteerava Stadium. These matches will be crucial in the race for the playoffs.The league phase will conclude on March 12 at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium in Hyderabad, with a contest between Hyderabad FC and Kerala Blasters. The ISL 2024-25 season promises to deliver intense rivalries, tactical battles, and unforgettable moments for football fans across India.

Kwame Peprah, who had been sidelined for much of last season and overshadowed by Dimitrios Diamantakos, stole the spotlight from the ISL's top scorer last year. On Sunday, the young Ghanaian netted a late match-winner, securing a 2-1 victory for Kerala Blasters over East Bengal FC at the Nehru Stadium.Peprah entered the fray just 13 minutes earlier, replacing star forward Jesus Jimenez. The victory marked Blasters' first of the season, and the winning goal came in dramatic fashion. K.P. Rahul sent a cross from the left, and Anwar Ali appeared ready to clear the danger. However, Mohammed Aimen intercepted the ball with a clever slide and passed it to Peprah, who fired it home with a left-footed shot.P.V. Vishnu, a 22-year-old from Kasargod, had given EBFC the lead in the 59th minute. Noah Sadaoui, the recent Durand Cup's Golden Boot winner, equalized for Blasters in the 63rd minute.After a dismal season-opener against Punjab FC, Blasters coach Mikael Stahre had emphasized the need for a more attacking approach. This strategy paid off in this lively match. Despite being closely guarded, EBFC's Diamantakos remained a threat. He ran into the box and outfoxed goalkeeper Sachin Suresh with a smart cross to his right, which Vishnu tapped in neatly.However, Sadaoui was quick to level the scores. He raced in from the left, dodged a defender, and found the net with a precise shot to the far corner.The result: KBFC 2 (Sadaoui 63, Peprah 88) bt EBFC 1 (Vishnu 59).