Football

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).

Kerala Blasters, despite losing their top scorer from last season, Dimitrios Diamantakos, have been in impressive form in the pre-season and the Durand Cup. Their Moroccan forward, Noah Sadaoui, won the Golden Boot award in the Durand Cup, and the team is hoping that he and Spaniard Jesus Jimenez will continue their fine form in the upcoming ISL season opener against Punjab FC."We have been pretty solid so we are absolutely ready but the games in the ISL will tell us where we stand. It will be a hard game but hopefully we can beat them," said head coach Mikael Stahre.Punjab FC, who beat Blasters 3-1 in Kochi in their debut ISL year last season, and drew 1-1 in the recent Durand Cup, are also confident of a good performance."We have a new coaching staff, new foreign and Indian players and that is the biggest difference from last season," said Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis. "This season we will try to better the performance from last year and qualify for the playoffs."

Mumbai City FC staged a remarkable comeback in the second half to salvage a 2-2 draw against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the opening match of the Indian Super League's 11th season at the Salt Lake Stadium on Friday.The hosts enjoyed a dominant first half, with Liston Colaco's ninth-minute goal giving them the lead. Alberto Rodriguez doubled their advantage in the 28th minute, capitalizing on a corner kick.However, Mumbai City turned the tide after the break. Tiri, who had scored an own goal in the first half, redeemed himself by reducing the deficit in the 70th minute. Substitute Thaer Krouma then netted the equalizer in the dying minutes of regulation time, sending the visiting fans into raptures.The result was reminiscent of the Durand Cup final played two weeks prior, where Mohun Bagan squandered a two-goal lead in the first half and eventually lost to NorthEast United FC on penalties.Mumbai City's comeback was a testament to their resilience and determination. Despite trailing by two goals, they refused to give up and fought back valiantly to earn a share of the spoils.Mohun Bagan, on the other hand, will be disappointed to have let slip a two-goal advantage. They were in control for much of the first half but failed to maintain their intensity after the break.The match was a thrilling start to the new Indian Super League season, showcasing the attacking prowess and defensive resilience of both teams.

Ivan Vukomanovic's departure from Kerala Blasters left a void in the hearts of the club's passionate fans. The Serbian coach had forged an unbreakable bond with the supporters during his three seasons at the helm, guiding the team to three ISL playoffs appearances.Mikael Stahre, the new head coach, faces the daunting task of filling Vukomanovic's shoes. The Swede is eager to win over the fans and has promised an exciting brand of football. "We'll play good and energetic football, score a lot of goals, and win," Stahre declared at the Nehru Stadium ahead of Blasters' ISL season opener against Punjab FC.Stahre understands the importance of fan support and is determined to create a positive atmosphere at the Nehru Stadium. "I think that's what football fans want in general. They have high expectations, want players to score a lot of goals, see positive football, energetic players, and they also want to see fighters out there. That's my message to the fans... we want to please them."The Blasters' fans have been the team's backbone, consistently filling the Nehru Stadium to capacity. Their unwavering support has played a crucial role in the team's success. However, the fans are also hungry for silverware. With Blasters having come tantalizingly close to the ISL Cup by reaching the final thrice and losing twice in the tiebreaker, the fans are desperate to lift the trophy.While they will expect the inspirational Adrian Luna to continue his magical touch, they will also be eagerly looking at new stars like Moroccan Noah Sadaoui, who won the Golden Boot at the recent Durand Cup, and Spaniard Jesus Jimenez to score goals aplenty.Stahre is confident that he can deliver the success that the Blasters' fans crave. "We want to win trophies. We want to play in Asia. We want to make the fans proud," he said.The new season promises to be an exciting one for Kerala Blasters. With a new coach, new players, and a hungry fan base, the team has all the ingredients for success.

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season kicks off with a blockbuster clash between Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City FC at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Friday, September 13.Mohun Bagan, the reigning ISL Shield winners, will be eager to make a strong start to their title defense. They have a perfect record in ISL season openers, having won both their previous matches against Kerala Blasters FC. However, their record against Mumbai City FC is less impressive, with only one victory in 10 encounters.Mumbai City FC, the ISL Cup winners, have undergone a change in leadership with Lallianzuala Chhangte taking over the captaincy from Rahul Bheke, who has moved to Bengaluru FC. The Islanders will be looking to avenge their defeat to Mohun Bagan in the ISL final last season.Both teams have made significant additions to their squads during the transfer window. Mohun Bagan have signed the likes of Aniket Jadhav, Asish Rai, and Nongdamba Naorem, while Mumbai City FC have brought in Mehtab Singh, Rostyn Griffiths, and Jorge Pereyra Diaz.The match is expected to be a close and exciting affair, with both teams possessing a wealth of talent and experience. Mohun Bagan will be relying on the goalscoring prowess of Hugo Boumous and Liston Colaco, while Mumbai City FC will look to their captain Chhangte and the creativity of Greg Stewart.The match will be telecasted live on Sports 18 and streamed live on Jio Cinema. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM IST.

The Indian Super League (ISL) kicks off its 11th season on Friday with a highly anticipated clash between last season's finalists Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City FC. This season marks a significant milestone as Kolkata's "Big Three" clubs—Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan SC—now compete in India's top-tier football competition.Mohammedan SC, the 103-year-old club, joins its city rivals after winning the I-League last season. Mohun Bagan, who merged with ATK in 2020, has been a consistent title contender since joining the ISL, winning the Shield last season but losing the final to Mumbai City FC. East Bengal completed the transition of Kolkata's famous clubs to the ISL, reigniting their century-old rivalry at the highest level.The opener between Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City promises to set the tone for an exciting season. Mohun Bagan has strengthened its attack with Australian star Jamie Maclaren, while Mumbai City has brought in several new faces, including Brandon Fernandes and Nikolaos Karelis.The 2024-25 season promises to be more open and competitive, with NorthEast United FC setting the tone with a thrilling victory in the Durand Cup. Juan Pedro Benali's team, which narrowly missed the playoffs last season, will look to build on their success.The shadow of Anwar Ali's four-month ban and hefty fine will loom large over East Bengal. Mohammedan Sporting faces a tough season ahead due to the departure of key players, but they have bolstered their squad with several new signings.Last season's semifinalists FC Goa will enter with renewed optimism under Manolo Marquez, who will juggle his club duties with his national team job. Chennaiyin FC and Bengaluru FC will also push to challenge for playoff success, while Sergio Lobera's Odisha FC will look to add to their Super Cup title.Kerala Blasters may struggle due to a weakened squad, while all eyes will be on Indian coach Khalid Jamil at Jamshedpur FC. Hyderabad FC, who endured financial instability in the build-up to the season, will face an uphill task.

Odisha FC, buoyed by their impressive AFC Cup campaign and a strong finish in the Indian Super League (ISL) last season, has set their sights on the ISL title this year. Head coach Sergio Lobera expressed confidence in his team's ability to challenge for the championship, stating that they are better prepared than ever before."We had an amazing season last year, finishing at the top of the group in the AFC Cup. We were close to winning the Super Cup and we reached the ISL semifinals for the first time in the club's history. I am very proud of what we did last season. And hopefully, with more luck we can do a little bit more this season," Lobera said.Odisha FC's determination is shared by other teams in the league. Mohammedan SC, after winning the I-League last season, is eager to make an impact in the ISL. Head coach Andrey Chernyshov emphasized the importance of making their promotion count by reaching the playoffs.NorthEast United FC, which narrowly missed out on the playoffs last season, is also aiming high. Coach Juan Pedro Benali acknowledged the team's past success in the Durand Cup but stressed the need to focus on the ISL.Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the defending ISL champions, is looking to retain their title with a revamped squad. New coach Jose Molina is confident in the team's preparation and is determined to keep the League Shield in Kolkata.East Bengal FC, another Kolkata-based club, has also bolstered its squad and is hoping for a better performance this season. Coach Carles Cuadrat expressed optimism that the team can make it to the knockout stages.Punjab FC and Jamshedpur FC are also among the teams hoping to make a mark in the ISL. Coach Panagiotis Dilmperis of Punjab FC and Jamshedpur FC's coach analyzed their chances and expressed their desire to perform well.The ISL is set to be a competitive and exciting season, with several teams vying for the title. Odisha FC, with its strong determination and improved squad, is certainly one to watch.

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season is set to kick off with a thrilling clash between Shield winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Cup winners Mumbai City FC on September 13 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. This blockbuster encounter will be a rematch of last season's final.The ISL has announced the fixtures for the first 84 matches of the season, which will run until the end of the year. The opening weekend will also feature Chennaiyin FC traveling to Odisha FC, while Bengaluru FC will take on East Bengal FC in the first double-header of the season on September 14. Kerala Blasters FC will host Punjab FC the following day at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.Hyderabad FC will begin their campaign with an away fixture at Bengaluru FC on September 19, subject to their clearance of the AIFF Club Licensing. This season of the ISL will witness the addition of I-League champions Mohammedan Sporting Club, who will kick-start their campaign against NorthEast United FC at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on September 16.With the entry of Mohammedan Sporting, the ISL will now feature the three most storied football clubs from Kolkata: Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC, and Mohammedan Sporting Club. This will result in six high-intensity Kolkata derbies throughout the season. The first two Kolkata derbies are scheduled for October: Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Mohammedan FC on October 5 and East Bengal FC vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant on October 19.Mohun Bagan Super Giant won the ISL League Shield in the 2023-24 season, while Mumbai City FC emerged victorious in the ISL final after a knockout round. The upcoming season promises to be equally exciting, with 13 teams competing for the coveted trophy.

Mohammedan Sporting Club Ascends to Indian Super LeagueThe Indian Super League (ISL) has welcomed Mohammedan Sporting Club (MSC) as its newest member, effective from the 2024-25 season. This historic move marks a significant milestone for MSC, one of India's oldest and most decorated football clubs, as they step up to compete in the top tier of Indian football.MSC's promotion follows their impressive performance in the 2023-24 I-League, where they clinched the title with a commanding 52 points. The Kolkata-based club demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the season, securing 15 victories and seven draws while suffering only two defeats. Their attacking prowess was evident as they netted 44 goals, while their defensive strength was highlighted by conceding just 22 goals.With this achievement, Mohammedan SC becomes the second club, after Punjab FC, to earn promotion to the ISL from the I-League. Their inclusion brings the total number of clubs in the ISL to 13, enhancing the league's competitive landscape and expanding its reach.This promotion also adds another representative from Kolkata to the ISL roster. MSC's entry will see them join existing Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC, further enriching the footballing culture in the city. The fans can expect more derbies.As Mohammedan SC prepares for their debut in the ISL, fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating how the historic club will fare against the league's elite teams. Their ascension to the ISL is a testament to their enduring legacy and the growing strength of Indian football.