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.

The All India Football Federation's (AIFF) Club Licensing Committee has denied Premier 1 licenses to four Indian Super League (ISL) clubs: Jamshedpur FC, Odisha FC, Kerala Blasters, and Hyderabad FC. This decision bars them from participating in AFC Club competitions and national competitions for the 2024-25 season.The clubs failed to meet multiple 'A' criteria, which are essential for obtaining the license. These criteria cover aspects such as sporting, infrastructure, personnel and administrative, legal, and financial requirements. The committee, chaired by Girija Shanker Mungali, met via video conferencing on May 15 to review the applications.Punjab FC was the only club to fulfill the AIFF's criteria and was granted a Premier 1 club license for the 2024-25 season. Defending ISL champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant, ISL Cup winners Mumbai City FC, East Bengal, FC Goa, Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, NorthEast United FC, and Mohammedan Sporting received licenses with sanctions.The Indian Club Licensing system is crucial for maintaining the quality and professionalism of football clubs in India. It ensures that clubs meet certain standards before participating in AFC and national competitions. The licenses are categorized into 'ICLS Premier 1' for ISL clubs and 'ICLS Premier 2' for I-League clubs.The clubs that have been denied licenses have the option to seek an exemption to participate in national competitions by May 22. However, they will need to demonstrate that they have taken steps to address the deficiencies identified by the committee.The AIFF's decision highlights the importance of clubs adhering to the licensing criteria. It aims to create a competitive and sustainable football ecosystem in India, where clubs operate with professionalism and meet the highest standards.

Mumbai City FC emerged victorious in the Indian Super League (ISL) final, defeating Mohun Bagan Super Giant 3-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. The triumph marked Mumbai City's second ISL title, having previously won in 2020-21.The first half saw Mohun Bagan take the lead through Jason Cummings' goal just before the break. However, Mumbai City rallied in the second half, with Pereyra Diaz equalizing in the 53rd minute. The momentum shifted in Mumbai City's favor, and Bipin Singh gave them the lead in the 81st minute. Jakub Vojtus sealed the victory for Mumbai City in injury time.Mumbai City dominated possession throughout the match, enjoying 66% of the ball. They created several chances in the first half but failed to capitalize. After the break, they showed greater incisiveness and determination, breaking down Mohun Bagan's defense.Mohun Bagan, the home favorite, started the match brightly but faded after the equalizer. They struggled to create clear-cut chances and were unable to match Mumbai City's intensity in the second half.The victory was a testament to Mumbai City's resilience and tactical adaptability. They overcame a slow start and showed their class in the second half. The title triumph is a significant achievement for the club, which has established itself as a force in Indian football.

Mumbai City FC secured their place in the Indian Super League (ISL) final with a dominant 2-0 victory over FC Goa in the semi-final second leg at the Mumbai Football Arena. The aggregate score of 5-2 sealed their triumph.After a thrilling 3-2 first-leg win at the Fatorda Stadium, Mumbai City FC maintained their momentum with goals from Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Lallianzuala Chhangte. The victory marks their second consecutive appearance in the ISL final, having won the title in 2021.Mumbai City FC controlled the tempo of the match from the outset, despite a spirited start from FC Goa. Chhangte, who emerged as the star of the night, created the first significant chance but was denied by a timely block. The hosts continued to press, hitting the woodwork twice through Tiri and Chhangte.The second half saw Mumbai City FC maintain their dominance, and their efforts were rewarded in the 69th minute. Diaz pounced on a corner kick and tapped the ball into the net from close range. Chhangte sealed the victory in the 83rd minute with a brilliant solo run from his own half.Mumbai City FC will now face Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the final on Saturday. The Kolkata-based club advanced to the final after edging out Odisha FC 3-2 on aggregate in the other semi-final.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant's remarkable comeback in the Indian Super League (ISL) semi-final second leg against Odisha FC has propelled them into another final. The 2-0 victory at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday was a testament to the team's resilience and the tactical brilliance of coach Antonio Lopez Habas.Trailing 1-2 from the first leg in Bhubaneswar, Mohun Bagan needed a strong start, and they got it through Jason Cummings' goal in the 22nd minute. Dimitri Petratos' deflected shot found its way to Cummings, who slotted it home.Petratos was a constant threat throughout the match, driving the team forward from midfield and creating chances. His crossfield pass to Thapa set up the move that led to Cummings' goal.Mohun Bagan's defense also played a crucial role in the victory. Vishal Kaith made several key saves, while Hector Yuste cleared a goal-bound shot off the line. Dippendu Biswas and Manvir Singh made crucial interceptions, and the entire team defended with determination.The second goal came in the dying minutes of the match, with Manvir Singh's tireless effort paying off. His cut-back found Amrinder Singh, and Sahal Abdul Samad tapped in the rebound.Habas has now reached his third ISL final, having won the title with ATK Mohun Bagan in 2019-20. He will be aiming to become the second coach after Sergio Lobera to win the ISL twice.Mohun Bagan will face the winner of the Mumbai City FC-FC Goa semi-final in the final on Saturday. They will be confident of their chances, having already beaten Mumbai City FC 2-1 in the league shield match.

In a dramatic turn of events, Mumbai City FC stunned FC Goa with a remarkable 3-2 victory in the first leg of the Indian Super League (ISL) semi-final on Wednesday. The match, played in the humid conditions of Goa, saw Mumbai City trailing for most of the game before unleashing a late onslaught in injury time.FC Goa took the lead in the 16th minute through Boris Thangjam, who capitalized on a defensive error by Mehtab Singh. The home team continued to dominate possession and stifled Mumbai City's attacking options. In the 56th minute, Brandon Fernandes extended Goa's lead with a stunning long-range strike, seemingly putting the game beyond Mumbai City's reach.However, Mumbai City refused to give up. In the 90th minute, Lallianzuala Chhangte reduced the deficit with a well-timed run and finish, assisted by Jayesh Rane. Just a minute later, Vikram Partap Singh equalized for Mumbai City, taking advantage of a spilled save by FC Goa goalkeeper Dheeraj Moirangthem.As the game entered stoppage time, Mumbai City continued to press for the winner. In the sixth minute of added time, Chhangte completed his brace, slipping between two FC Goa defenders to score the decisive goal, again assisted by Rane.The victory was a testament to Mumbai City's resilience and the impact of substitute Rane, who made a significant contribution after coming on in the 64th minute. FC Goa coach Manolo Marquez expressed his disappointment with his team's late collapse, stating, "This is why we didn't win the league. If you don't show character, you don't win."Chhangte's performance was particularly impressive, as he now has 15 goal contributions (9 goals and 6 assists) this season, the most among Indians and sixth overall. His late goals have proven crucial for Mumbai City in their quest for the ISL title.

Roy Krishna, the Fijian striker, has rediscovered his scoring touch in the Indian Super League (ISL) after joining Odisha FC. Despite being 37 years old, Krishna has netted 13 goals this season, his highest tally since winning the ISL in 2019-20.Krishna's resurgence is attributed to Odisha FC coach Sergio Lobera, who has a knack for revitalizing players. The striker's ISL career, which began under Antonio Lopez Habas, has received a second lease on life.In the semi-final first-leg against ATK Mohun Bagan, Krishna scored the winning goal to give Odisha FC a 2-1 victory. The goal came after Manvir Singh's early strike was canceled out by Carlos Delgado.Odisha FC's win was their second over league shield winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant in 2024, after Juan Ferrando was replaced by Habas. The team has remained unbeaten at home this season after 13 games.Krishna's goal was a testament to his determination and skill. He outmuscled Mohun Bagan central defender Hector Yuste to score with the outside of his boot. Krishna also drew a foul from Vishal Kaith in the 14th minute, which would have resulted in a penalty if he had not been marginally offside.Mohun Bagan's Armando Sadiku was sent off in the 67th minute for a reckless challenge on Ahmed Jahouh. Delgado's handball in the 73rd minute restored parity in personnel. However, Odisha FC held on to their lead and will take a 2-1 advantage into the second leg.Mohun Bagan, who recently won the Indian championship, now face a battle for survival in the second leg on Sunday.