Football

Chennaiyin FC unleashed a goal-scoring onslaught to secure a resounding 5-1 victory over Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League on Monday. The Marina Machans dominated the match from the outset, showcasing their attacking prowess with five different players finding the back of the net.Irfan Yadwad opened the scoring for Chennaiyin in the sixth minute, capitalizing on a defensive error by Jamshedpur. The youngster doubled the lead in the 22nd minute with a stunning solo effort, leaving the Jamshedpur defense in his wake. Connor Shields added to the tally two minutes later, hammering home a left-footed strike after a clever one-two with Yadwad.Chennaiyin continued their relentless attack in the second half. Wilmar Jordan Gil extended their lead in the 54th minute, pouncing on a loose ball and slotting it past Albino Gomes. Lukas Brambilla sealed the victory in the 71st minute with a curling effort that left Gomes stranded.Jamshedpur managed a consolation goal in the 81st minute through Javi Hernandez, who converted a penalty after Yadwad handled the ball in the area. However, it was a mere footnote in an otherwise dominant performance by Chennaiyin.The victory marked Chennaiyin's third of the season, moving them up to sixth place in the standings. Jamshedpur, on the other hand, remained in 10th place with just one win from their first five matches.

Chennaiyin FC, eager to secure their first victory and maintain their playoff aspirations, will face Jamshedpur FC in a crucial Group D encounter of the Durand Cup 2024 at Jamshedpur's JRD Tata Sports Complex on Sunday.In their tournament opener, the Marina Machans suffered a narrow defeat to Indian Army FT, conceding a goal late in the first half. Despite their valiant efforts to equalize in the second period, Chennaiyin failed to find the equalizer, leaving them third in the group standings after the first round of matches."As a team, we attacked well in the last game, especially in the second half. We created chances, but we need to capitalize on them and score goals," said assistant coach Noel Wilson. "Until you score, your defense remains under pressure."A victory against Jamshedpur could propel Chennaiyin ahead of their ISL rivals, provided the scoreline and the result from the other game favor them. After three games, the group winners and the two best second-placed teams will advance to the quarter-finals."Both remaining games are crucial for us," Wilson emphasized. "We must win this game against Jamshedpur FC. We face a formidable opponent, but if we work hard as a team and convert our chances, we can turn things around. Winning the next game gives us a chance in the third game.""We have a chance to qualify, but we need to win games. We must work harder and aim for a positive result in the next match," Wilson added.The Durand Cup, currently in its 133rd edition, is Asia's oldest existing football club competition and the fifth oldest in the world.

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.

Jamshedpur FC's 1-1 draw against Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Friday could turn into a costly affair for the Red Miners. The club is facing the prospect of losing the point they earned due to a violation of the league's rules regarding the minimum number of Indian players on the pitch.According to Rule 4.2.10 of the ISL's league rules for the 2023-24 season, each club must field at least seven Indian players throughout the match. However, Jamshedpur FC fell short of this requirement after Daniel Chima Chukwu was sent off in the 82nd minute and was replaced by Swiss player Alen Stevanovic. This reduced the number of Indian players on the pitch to six.The rule states that failure to comply with this requirement will result in a 3-0 loss for the offending club. However, if the opposing team has won the match by a higher score, the result on the field will be upheld.In this case, Mumbai City FC did not win by a higher score, so Jamshedpur FC could face a 3-0 loss if the violation is confirmed. This would give Mumbai City three points and a 3-0 win, which would significantly boost their chances of winning the ISL shield.With five teams still in contention for the shield, the points and goals awarded to Mumbai City could give them a significant advantage. Currently, Mumbai City is in pole position with 36 points from 18 rounds, while Odisha FC is second with 35 points from 18 games.Jamshedpur FC's quest for a top-six play-off berth could also be affected by the potential loss of points. They are currently sixth with 21 points from 19 games, and a 3-0 loss would drop them down the standings.The ISL is expected to review the incident and make a decision on whether to award Mumbai City the three points. If the violation is confirmed, it will be a costly mistake for Jamshedpur FC and could have a major impact on the race for the ISL shield.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant emerged victorious in their ISL-10 clash against Jamshedpur FC, securing a comfortable 3-0 win at the Salt Lake Stadium on Friday. This triumph propelled them to the second spot in the league standings, surpassing Mumbai City FC.The match commenced with an early goal from Australian Dimitri Petratos in the seventh minute, assisted by Manvir Singh. Manvir's exceptional performance continued throughout the game, providing another assist in the 68th minute that led to Jason Cummings' goal.Substitute Armando Sadiku sealed the victory for Mohun Bagan in the 81st minute, capitalizing on a back-center pass from Manvir. The win marked a significant improvement for Mohun Bagan, who had previously failed to defeat Odisha FC in their last outing.With this victory, Mohun Bagan now boasts 33 points from 16 matches, edging out Mumbai City FC (32 points from 16 matches) for the third spot. Odisha FC remains at the top of the standings with 35 points but has played one match more than its challengers.The match showcased the determination of Mohun Bagan to secure a home victory, while Jamshedpur FC struggled to find their footing. Manvir Singh's impressive performance, coupled with the contributions of Petratos, Cummings, and Sadiku, proved decisive in securing the win for Mohun Bagan.