Football

Mohammedan Sporting Club, the newly promoted I-League champions, will make their Indian Super League (ISL) debut on Monday against Durand Cup winners NorthEast United FC at their home ground, the Kishore Bharati Stadium.Mohammedan Sporting, which earned promotion to the ISL after winning the I-League last season, faces a tough challenge against NorthEast United, who finished seventh in the previous campaign.Mohammedan Sporting head coach Andrey Chernyshov expressed his team's ambition to finish in the top six and qualify for the knockout stage. "We understand the strength of this competition and the need to fight in every match and play good football," Chernyshov said.NorthEast United FC, which has won all six of its outings since the start of the season, including the Durand Cup, is brimming with confidence. Head coach Juan Pedro Benali emphasized the importance of consistent performance. "The feeling of winning the Durand Cup was great, but it ends 24 hours later. We are just focusing on the next game now," Benali said.Mohammedan Sporting will rely on the experience of former India international goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa and defender Pritam Kotal, who has played for ATK Mohun Bagan and Delhi FC in the ISL. NorthEast United FC, on the other hand, will look to their foreign contingent, including Ghanaian midfielder Patrick Kpozo and Spanish forward Iker Guarrotxena, to make an impact.The match promises to be an exciting clash between two teams with contrasting styles. Mohammedan Sporting is known for its attacking flair, while NorthEast United FC is more defensively solid.The ISL is India's premier football league, featuring 11 teams from across the country. The league has attracted several high-profile players and coaches in recent years, including former Manchester United and England defender Wes Brown and former India national team coach Stephen Constantine.

Mohammedan Sporting Club secured its first victory in the 133rd Durand Cup, defeating Indian Navy FT 1-0 in a Group B match at the Kishore Bharati Stadium in Kolkata on August 13, 2024. Midfielder Sujit Singh scored the solitary goal of the match midway through the opening half, securing three points for Mohammedan Sporting.The victory propelled Mohammedan Sporting to second place in the group, while Indian Navy FT finished at the bottom after losing all three of its matches. Inter Kashi tied with Mohammedan Sporting on points but fell to third place due to an inferior goal difference.In Group F, Nepal's Tribhuvan Army FC defeated local challenger Rangdajied United FC 2-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. Both goals were scored by Tribhuvan Army forward Gillespye Karki, who found the target once in each half.This was the first win for the Nepalese Army team, which finished third in the group with three points. Rangdajied, which replaced Hyderabad FC after it failed to turn up, lost all three matches to finish at the bottom of the group. Host Shillong Lajong FC and FC Goa occupy the top two positions in the group with six points each and will meet on August 17 to decide the team qualifying for the last-eight stage.

Former Indian Super League champions Bengaluru FC extended their winning streak in the 133rd Durand Cup, securing a 3-2 victory over Mohammedan Sporting Club on Tuesday. The triumph marked the completion of their Group B league assignment with an unblemished record, propelling them into the quarterfinals.Bengaluru FC, fielding a formidable lineup, dominated the proceedings against a youthful Mohammedan Sporting side that featured an all-Indian roster. The Blues took the lead in the seventh minute when Australian defender Aleksandar Jovanovic headed home a corner kick.The lead was doubled in the 22nd minute when Argentine forward Jorge Pereyra Diaz's sharp attempt was deflected into the net by Mohammedan Sporting defender Dipu Halder. Vinith Venkatesh extended the advantage to 3-0 on the hour mark, seemingly sealing the match for Bengaluru FC.However, Mohammedan Sporting rallied in the final quarter of the match, pulling one back through substitute Israfil Dewan's spectacular header in the 77th minute. The home side's hopes were further boosted when goalkeeper Subhajit Bhattacharjee was sent off with a straight red card in the 81st minute.Despite the numerical disadvantage, Mohammedan Sporting continued to press forward and found another goal through substitute Mahitosh Roy's fine long-ranger in injury time. However, it was too little too late as Bengaluru FC held on for the victory.In another Group E match, local side Bodoland FC picked up their first win of the tournament with a 2-0 triumph over a youthful Odisha FC side at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar, Assam. Dilliram Sanyasi and Arjun Mardi scored the goals for Bodoland FC.

Mohammedan Sporting, a venerable football club with a rich 133-year history, has etched its name in the annals of Indian football by clinching its maiden I-League title. This triumph secures the club's promotion to the prestigious Indian Super League (ISL).In a thrilling away fixture against Shillong Lajong FC, Mohammedan Sporting emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline, needing only a draw to seal the championship. With one game remaining, the club has already secured its ticket to the coveted league, subject to fulfilling the Indian Club Licensing System Premier 1 criteria.Dipendu Biswas, the former India striker and current technical director of Mohammedan Sporting, expressed confidence in the club's ability to meet all the licensing requirements set by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Football Sports Development Ltd. (FSDL), which operates the ISL."As far as I know, we will be able to fulfill all the criteria laid down by the AIFF and FSDL, including the Rs 100 crore bank guarantee clause," said Biswas, who has guided the club through numerous challenges.Biswas also confirmed that the Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) will serve as Mohammedan Sporting's home ground in the ISL. "Yes, we will use Yuba Bharati Krirangan as our home ground," he stated.Despite concerns about potential pressure on the stadium if Mohammedan Sporting also uses it as its home ground, Biswas emphasized the club's substantial fan base. "The number of supporters Mohammedan have is on par with East Bengal or Mohun Bangan. So, there is no question of thinking about some other ground. We will make Yuba Bharati our home ground," he asserted.Mohammedan Sporting will play its final I-League match at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan on April 13, providing an opportunity for the AIFF and FSDL to witness the club's impressive fan following. "We expect more than 60,000 people to throng the stadium on Saturday," said Biswas.

Mohammedan Sporting, a historic football club from Kolkata, is on the cusp of winning its first I-League title. With seven points needed from the remaining 12, the club is well-positioned to secure promotion to the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2024-25.The club's success can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the early arrival in Srinagar for matches has allowed players to acclimatize to the cold conditions. Secondly, the return of Russian coach Andrey Chernyshov has brought stability and tactical acumen to the team.Chernyshov, a former defender with Dynamo Moscow and Sturm Graz, has implemented a disciplined and attacking style of play. He has also placed trust in young players, many of whom were signed by his predecessor, Mehrajuddin Wadoo.Among the standout performers for Mohammedan Sporting is 22-year-old David Lalhlansanga, who has scored five goals and provided two assists in the I-League. Honduran striker Eddie Hernandez has also been a key contributor with 13 goals, placing him third in the race for the golden boot.The club's focus on young talent has been aided by the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) rule barring foreign players in state/city leagues. This has allowed Mohammedan Sporting to identify and develop promising Indian players.Consistency has been another hallmark of Mohammedan Sporting's season. The team has recorded 14 wins, five draws, and just one loss, including impressive victories over former champions Gokulam Kerala and Churchill Brothers.Chernyshov's influence has been evident in the team's ability to overcome challenges such as fixture congestion and long-haul travel. His tactical nous and motivational skills have kept the players focused and determined.If Mohammedan Sporting secures promotion to the ISL, it will become the third club over 100 years old to join the league. This would add historical depth and prestige to the competition.

Mohammedan Sporting and Gokulam Kerala engaged in a captivating end-to-end football match on Sunday night, with the Kolkatans emerging victorious 3-2. This triumph solidifies Mohammedan's position at the top of the I-League standings.The match commenced with Mohammedan taking an early lead in the 16th minute. Alexis Gomez's skillful pass found Lalremsanga Fanai, who deflected the ball past goalkeeper Padam Chhetri. Eddie Hernandez, unmarked and with ample space, effortlessly slotted the ball into the net.Seven minutes later, Mohammedan extended their advantage to 2-0. Gomez, receiving a short pass from David Lalhlansanga, unleashed a stunning strike from just outside the penalty area, sending the ball soaring into the top corner of the net.However, Gokulam refused to be deterred and fought back before the interval. P.N. Noufal produced a brilliant solo effort, sprinting from his own half on a counter-attack and sending the ball into the far top corner.The second half witnessed a resurgence from Gokulam. K. Abhijith's superb cross was met by Nidhin Krishna's stunning header, leveling the score at 2-2. Gokulam's hopes of securing a point were dashed in the dying seconds when Lalhlansanga capitalized on some inadequate defending by Abdul Hakku to score the winning goal.Despite the loss, Gokulam remains third in the standings with 32 points, six behind Mohammedan.