Football

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) recently held its annual awards ceremony after a seven-year hiatus, recognizing the outstanding achievements of individuals and teams in Indian football. Indumathi Kathiresan and Lallianzuala Chhangte emerged as the top honorees, while Khalid Jamil was acknowledged for his exceptional coaching skills.Indumathi, a 30-year-old midfielder from Tamil Nadu, became the first player from her state to win the Women's Player of the Year award. Her impressive performances with Gokulam FC and Odisha FC in the Indian Women's League, as well as her contributions to the national team, earned her the prestigious recognition.Chhangte, a 2023-24 ISL winner with Mumbai City FC, retained his Player of the Year title for the second consecutive year. The 25-year-old forward scored 11 goals and provided assists during the season, making him the highest-scoring Indian in the ISL. He also found the net against Qatar in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.Khalid Jamil, the coach of Jamshedpur FC, was named the Best Men's Coach. Despite taking charge of the club mid-season, he guided them to their first-ever semifinal appearance in the Kalinga Super Cup.Other award winners included Sukla Dutta (Best Women's Coach), David Lalhlansanga (Promising Men's Player), Neha (Promising Women's Player), Ramachandran Venkatesh (Best Referee), and Ujjal Halder (Best Assistant Referee).The event was graced by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and AIFF officials. It marked a significant milestone in Indian football, recognizing the hard work, dedication, and achievements of the sport's top performers.

The Indian football team has long relied on the prolific goalscoring prowess of Sunil Chhetri, who has been the undisputed number nine since 2005. However, with Chhetri's retirement looming, the question of who will inherit his mantle has become paramount.The Indian football landscape has become accustomed to Chhetri's presence, leading to a dearth of out-and-out strikers. Most ISL teams rely on foreign center forwards to compensate for the lack of domestic goal scorers.Chhetri himself has acknowledged the need for a successor, stating, "It's time for our country to see the next number 9. It is time we build on it."Two players who immediately come to mind are Mumbai City FC's Lallianzuala Chhangte and Vikram Partap Singh. Chhangte, 26, has been a revelation this season, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists. His pace, skill, and technical ability make him a potential false nine.Singh, 22, has also impressed with his work ethic and relentless pressing. He scored eight goals and provided four assists in Mumbai City's title-winning campaign. His potential as a center forward is undeniable.Another contender is Chennaiyin FC's Rahim Ali, who has occasionally replaced Chhetri as a substitute. He is the only Indian player who has consistently played as a center forward for his club.The search for India's next number nine will continue until a viable option emerges. Igor Stimac will have a difficult decision to make when India faces Qatar in their final qualifier on June 11 without their star striker. A change in formation, such as a false nine, could be a possibility.

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.

Mumbai City FC, the reigning Indian Super League (ISL) league shield winners, are on the cusp of another title as they face Mohun Bagan Super Giant in a thrilling final match. Lallianzuala Chhangte, Mumbai City's star forward, exudes confidence despite the intimidating atmosphere at Salt Lake Stadium.Chhangte acknowledges the intensity of the match, stating, "It will be wonderful to go out there, fight against them, and win it." He emphasizes the importance of mental fortitude in such high-pressure situations.Despite never having played for a Kolkata team, Chhangte believes the atmosphere will only enhance the experience. He draws upon his previous experience playing for India in Kolkata, describing it as "wonderful."Chhangte's impressive performance this season has seen him score six goals and provide six assists, making him a key contributor to Mumbai City's success. He credits head coach Peter Kratky for instilling a sense of responsibility and teamwork within the squad.While the ISL title is the immediate focus, Chhangte also reflects on the national team's recent struggles. He takes full responsibility for India's underwhelming performances and vows to learn from the experience.With the World Cup qualifiers approaching in June, Chhangte is determined to help India make history by reaching the third round for the first time. He believes the team will come back stronger after the wake-up call of the Afghanistan defeat.