Football

Farukh Choudhary's return to the Indian national team after a three-year absence was marked by a goal in a 1-1 draw against Vietnam in an international friendly. The midfielder's strike in the second half canceled out Vi Hao Bui's first-half opener for the hosts.Choudhary, who was sidelined for three years due to a knee injury, expressed his delight at being back in the national team setup. "Personally, I feel great. I've not been a part of the national team for a long time, but this is where I wanted to be. I worked hard at my clubs and I knew in my heart that I deserved to be here," he said.The last time Choudhary played for India was in October 2021, when he provided an assist in a 1-0 victory over Nepal. He admitted that he was disappointed that India could not find a winning goal against Vietnam. "I'm glad that I could make a difference for the team, but I feel that we could have scored another," he said.Despite the draw, head coach Manolo Marquez was positive about his team's performance. "In the first half, it was practically all Vietnam. Then we discussed at half time how we have enough quality to play, and finally, we started executing our plans in the second," he said.Marquez praised the efforts of goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Saandhu and defender Anwar Ali, who played exceptional games in defense. "Sure, Vietnam could have scored in the last minutes when we were tired, but we could have scored too with our last chance. But overall, I am satisfied with this. It was a friendly game, after all."Choudhary's return to the national team is a testament to his hard work and determination. He is now hoping to help India achieve success in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.

Odisha FC's AFC Women's Champions League campaign came to an abrupt end on Wednesday as they suffered a disappointing 1-3 defeat to hosts Ho Chi Minh City FC in Vietnam. The loss marked the Kalinga Warriors' second consecutive defeat in the tournament, effectively eliminating them from contention for the knockout round.From the outset, Odisha FC found themselves on the back foot as Ho Chi Minh City FC seized the initiative. Within the opening minute, Nguyen Thi Kim Yenfrom capitalized on a corner kick to give the hosts an early advantage. The home side continued to press, and their efforts were rewarded in the 42nd minute when Odisha failed to clear a cross from Huynh Nhu, allowing Ho Chi Minh City to extend their lead to 2-0 heading into the break.Determined to salvage their chances, Odisha FC emerged from the interval with renewed vigor. They created several promising counter-attacking opportunities, and their persistence paid off in the 63rd minute when Malati Munda initiated a swift attack that culminated in Jennifer Yeboah's powerful finish.However, Ho Chi Minh City FC extinguished Odisha's hopes of a comeback in stoppage time. Ngo Thi Hong Nhung delivered the decisive blow, securing the hosts' passage into the knockout round. The victory also ensured the progression of Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies, who will face Ho Chi Minh City FC on Saturday to determine the Group C winners.Odisha FC will now face Taichung Blue Whale in their final group match, with both teams seeking a victory to end their respective campaigns on a positive note.

Indian Women's Football Suffers Humiliating Defeat in AFC Champions League DebutIndian women's football club Odisha FC endured a crushing 0-17 defeat in their AFC Women's Champions League debut against Japan's Urawa Reds Diamonds on Sunday. The Japanese side dominated the match from start to finish, showcasing their superior skill and experience.Yu Endo opened the scoring for Urawa Reds within five minutes, setting the tone for a relentless onslaught. The Japanese side went on to score eight more goals in the first half, leaving Odisha FC reeling. The second half proved no respite, as Urawa Reds continued to pile on the pressure, ending the match with a staggering 55 shots compared to Odisha FC's solitary attempt.The defeat marks a disappointing start to Odisha FC's AFC Champions League campaign. The Indian club will now face Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City FC on Wednesday, hoping to salvage some pride.Meanwhile, the Indian senior men's football team will play a one-off friendly match against Vietnam on October 12. The match was originally scheduled as part of a tri-nation tournament, but Lebanon's withdrawal forced a rescheduling. The match will be an official friendly, with points counting towards the FIFA Rankings.India will assemble in Kolkata on October 5 and travel to Vietnam on October 7. Coach Manolo Marquez has announced a list of 26 probables, with the final squad of 23 players to be announced before the team's departure.After the Vietnam match, India will face Malaysia in a friendly during the FIFA Window on November 19. Malaysia is currently ranked 132nd in the FIFA rankings, while India is ranked 126th. The two teams last met in the Merdeka Cup semi-final in October 2023, with Malaysia emerging victorious 2-4.

Indian Football Team Announces Probables for Tri-Nation Tournament in VietnamThe Indian senior men's football team, under the guidance of head coach Manolo Marquez, has unveiled a 26-member provisional squad for the upcoming Tri-Nation friendly tournament in Vietnam. The tournament, scheduled for the October FIFA international match window, will see the Blue Tigers take on hosts Vietnam and Lebanon.The Indian team will face Vietnam on October 9 and Lebanon on October 12 at the Thien Truong Stadium in Nam Dinh, approximately 100 kilometers from Hanoi. The final 23-player roster will be announced before the team's departure for Vietnam.The provisional squad features a mix of experienced and emerging players, including goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, defender Rahul Bheke, and midfielder Anirudh Thapa. The team also includes promising youngsters such as defender Roshan Singh Naorem and forward Vikram Partap Singh.The Tri-Nation tournament will provide the Indian team with valuable preparation for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, scheduled for June 2023. The Blue Tigers will be aiming to secure a berth in the continental championship, which will be held in China in 2023.Coach Marquez expressed his confidence in the squad, stating, "We have selected a balanced team with a good mix of experience and youth. The Tri-Nation tournament will be a great opportunity for us to assess our players and prepare for the Asian Cup qualifiers."The Indian team will begin its training camp in Kolkata on September 26 before traveling to Vietnam for the tournament. The Blue Tigers will be looking to make a strong impression in the Tri-Nation tournament and build momentum ahead of the crucial Asian Cup qualifiers.