Football

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.

Former Indian Super League (ISL) champions Bengaluru FC continued their impressive start to the 133rd Durand Cup, securing a comfortable 3-0 victory over I-League side Inter Kashi FC in a Group B encounter at the Kishore Bharati Stadium in Kolkata.Spanish forward Edgar Mendez opened the scoring for Bengaluru in the 17th minute, converting a penalty after Inter Kashi goalkeeper Shubham Dhas brought down Sivasakthi Narayanan inside the box. The Blues dominated possession throughout the first half, creating several chances but failing to extend their lead.After the break, Bengaluru continued to press for more goals. In the 77th minute, Alberto Noguera doubled their advantage with a well-taken finish from close range. Former India captain Sunil Chhetri, who came on as a late substitute, sealed the victory in the 82nd minute, heading home a corner from Roshan Naorem.Despite Bengaluru's dominance, Inter Kashi goalkeeper Shubham Dhas put in a commendable performance, making several saves to keep the scoreline respectable. However, he was unable to stop Ryan Williams' penalty attempt in the 84th minute, which was saved by the crossbar.With this win, Bengaluru FC moved to the top of the Group B standings with six points from two matches. Inter Kashi, on the other hand, remained winless after two games.In another Group E encounter played at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar, Odisha FC registered a resounding 5-0 victory over BSF FT. Rahul Mukhi opened the scoring for Odisha in the 55th minute, followed by goals from Ashangbam Aphaoba Singh (56'), Moirangthem Givson Singh (58', 80'), and Roshan Mukhi (78').Meanwhile, Hyderabad FC withdrew from the tournament due to unforeseen circumstances. The Durand Cup Organising Committee subsequently invited local side Rangdajied United FC to replace Hyderabad in Group F, which is being played in Shillong.

Chennaiyin FC has extended the contract of Scottish forward Connor Shields until 2025. The 26-year-old joined the Indian Super League (ISL) club from Motherwell FC in 2023.Since his arrival, Shields has made a significant impact on Chennaiyin's attacking prowess. In 27 appearances across all competitions, he has scored five goals and registered four assists. His contributions have been instrumental in the team's recent resurgence.Shields' versatility and technical ability have made him a valuable asset for Chennaiyin. He is known for his exceptional crossing ability, which has created numerous scoring opportunities for his teammates. Additionally, his pace and dribbling skills allow him to penetrate opposing defenses with ease.Head coach Owen Coyle has praised Shields' qualities, stating, "He's very highly regarded by his teammates and his qualities really shone through for us. So, it's great news for the club to have him back. He has outstanding ability, and is a fantastic crosser of the ball."Shields himself is thrilled to extend his stay in India. He said, "I'm thrilled to extend my stay. The support from the fans, working with the gaff, and everything that is being done for the upcoming season makes it even more exciting. I look forward to contributing all I have."With Shields' contract extension, Chennaiyin FC has secured the services of a key player for the upcoming ISL season. His experience and attacking prowess will be crucial as the team aims to challenge for the championship.

Kerala Blasters Bolster Coaching Staff with European ExpertiseKOCHI: Kerala Blasters, the Indian Super League (ISL) club, has strengthened its coaching team with the addition of two European professionals: Bjorn Wesstrom and Frederico Pereira Morais. Wesstrom, a Swede, will serve as the assistant coach, while Morais, a Portuguese, will be the assistant coach for set-pieces.Wesstrom brings a wealth of experience to the Blasters, having previously served as director of football at Danish club Odense Boldklub. He is known for his tactical acumen and ability to develop young players. Morais, on the other hand, has a reputation for his innovative approach to training, analysis, and set-piece execution. He was previously an assistant coach at London's Leyton Orient.The appointments of Wesstrom and Morais are part of a wider overhaul of the Blasters' coaching staff under new head coach Mikael Stahre. Stahre, also a Swede, has a proven track record of success in the ISL, having led Chennaiyin FC to the title in 2017-18."I have known Bjorn for a long time and worked with him in various roles, so I am delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside him again," said Stahre. "Bjorn is a highly experienced football professional who will positively complement the current staff while bringing enthusiasm and depth to the coaching team.""Frederico is very modern in his approach to training, analysis, and set pieces, which is a huge strength," added Stahre.Wesstrom and Morais will join assistant coach T.G. Purushothaman and goalkeeping coach Slaven Provegcki in the Blasters' backroom for the upcoming season. The club is hoping that the new coaching team will help them improve on their disappointing performance in the previous ISL season, where they finished ninth in the standings.