Football

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.

Phil Foden, the 23-year-old Manchester City prodigy, has emerged as a formidable force in the Premier League, earning accolades as the league's best player from his manager, Pep Guardiola. However, his role in Gareth Southgate's England setup remains uncertain as Euro 2024 approaches.Foden's exceptional talent has been evident since his youth, and he has amassed an impressive collection of 14 major trophies with Manchester City. This season, he has been instrumental in the team's success, contributing 18 goals and 10 assists in 41 appearances. Guardiola has hailed Foden as "the best player in the Premier League right now," citing his versatility and ability to win games with his goals.Despite his club form, Foden has yet to make a similar impact for England. He has been part of Southgate's squad for the past two major tournaments but has struggled to secure a regular starting role. His versatility has proven to be both a blessing and a curse, as he faces competition from a plethora of talented English players.In the England midfield, Foden has been overshadowed by Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, who has established himself as one of the world's best at just 20 years old. On the right wing, he faces competition from Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, who impressed at the World Cup and has earned Southgate's trust.As a result, Foden has been relegated to competing with Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish for a place on the left side of the England attack. While he is capable in that position, there is a sense that he has been sacrificed to accommodate others. His international goal tally of four from 31 appearances pales in comparison to his prolificacy for Manchester City.Former England captain Alan Shearer believes Foden should be an automatic starter for England, praising his ability to receive the ball in tight situations and make it look easy. Gary Neville, another former England international, has criticized Southgate for not finding a suitable role for Foden, calling him "a sensation" and "something really, really special."With Euro 2024 on the horizon, the pressure is on Southgate to find a solution that allows Foden to showcase his full potential for England. The possibility of playing both Foden and Bellingham centrally, with Declan Rice behind them, has been suggested by many fans and pundits. However, Southgate has favored a more defensive-minded approach in the past.Foden's form has made him impossible to ignore, and Southgate must now find a way to accommodate his array of attacking talent while ensuring balance in the team. The upcoming international fixtures will provide an opportunity for Foden to prove his worth and stake his claim for a starting role at Euro 2024.

Afghanistan's resilience and India's attacking deficiencies played out in a stalemate as the two teams drew 0-0 in their 2026 World Cup qualifier on Friday. Despite a significant gap in FIFA rankings, Afghanistan held their ground against India, who remain winless in 2023.India, ranked 106th, controlled possession but struggled to penetrate Afghanistan's defense. Their crosses were ineffective, and their midfield lacked control. Afghanistan, ranked 158th, defended resolutely and created a few half-chances of their own.The first half was a scrappy affair, with both teams feeling aggrieved by penalty decisions that went against them. India's best chance came from Manvir Singh, who flicked a shot wide after being found by Lallianzuala Chhangte.After the break, India continued to press but lacked the finesse to break down Afghanistan's defense. Brandon Fernandes and Subhasish Bose were introduced as substitutes, but their impact was minimal.India's best opportunity came in the 80th minute from a corner-kick, but Bose headed wide. The result leaves India in second place in Group A with four points, behind leaders Qatar. Afghanistan remain bottom of the group with one point.The return fixture in Guwahati on Tuesday will be crucial for both teams. India need a win to keep their hopes of reaching the third round of World Cup qualifying alive. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will be aiming to upset the odds and secure their first victory of the campaign.

FC Goa emerged victorious in their Indian Super League encounter against Bengaluru FC, securing a 2-1 win that propelled them to third place in the standings. The Gaurs now boast 36 points from 19 games, while the Blues remain in the lower half of the table.Bengaluru FC drew first blood within two minutes of kickoff, with Suresh Singh Wangjam delivering a sharp through ball to Chingangbam Shivaldo Singh. Shivaldo received the ball with a deft touch and slotted it past Dheeraj Singh to give the Blues an early advantage.FC Goa gradually gained control of the game, with Noah Sadaoui testing the Bengaluru FC defense in the 18th minute. The equalizer came four minutes later, as Brandon Fernandes' corner found Boris Singh at the edge of the box. Singh's shot took a deflection off Odei Onaindia and landed in the back of the net, leaving Gurpreet Singh Sandhu helpless.The second half saw FC Goa gain a numerical advantage when Suresh was sent off for a challenge on Boris in the 47th minute. The Gaurs capitalized on their man advantage, dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities.Their efforts paid off in the 81st minute when Borja Herrera curled in a cross to Boris on the left side of Gurpreet. The former Jamshedpur FC winger made no mistake, netting the winner and securing the crucial three points for his team.FC Goa's victory was a testament to their resilience and determination, while Bengaluru FC will be disappointed with their inability to hold on to their early lead. The result leaves the Blues with work to do if they want to climb the standings in the remaining games of the season.

Hwang Ui-jo's Sister-in-Law Sentenced for Blackmail and Privacy ViolationSouth Korean international Hwang Ui-jo's sister-in-law has been sentenced to three years in prison for posting explicit videos of the footballer online and attempting to blackmail him. The defendant, who remains unnamed, shared the videos on social media while posing as an ex-girlfriend accusing Hwang of infidelity.The release of the videos prompted a separate police investigation into the Nottingham Forest striker, focusing on whether the sexual encounters were filmed illegally without consent. Hwang has vehemently denied the allegations, and prosecutors have yet to clear or formally charge him.According to the Seoul Central District Court, the defendant posted the videos "knowing it would be disseminated indiscriminately." The court emphasized the severity of the crime, stating that the content had been widely distributed both domestically and internationally.The three-year sentence was one year less than the prosecution's demand. The court considered the defendant's acknowledgment of the crime and Hwang's plea for leniency. In her final testimony, the defendant expressed remorse, saying, "I have caused great harm to the victims and I sincerely regret what I have done."Hwang, 31, is currently on loan from Forest to Turkish club Alanyaspor. Despite scoring in a World Cup qualifier against Singapore in November, he has been suspended from the national squad by the Korea Football Association pending the outcome of the investigation. The suspension prevented him from participating in the Asian Cup in Qatar.Hwang has made 62 appearances for South Korea, scoring 19 goals. The ongoing investigation and legal proceedings have cast a shadow over his career and reputation.

India's football team is gearing up for their crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Afghanistan, with the aim of securing a spot in the third phase of the qualifiers for the first time. Coach Igor Stimac emphasized the team's determination to win the upcoming games and progress to the next round.India will face Afghanistan in back-to-back matches as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2027 AFC Asian Cup joint qualifiers round 2. The first match will be held in Abha, Saudi Arabia on March 21, while the second will take place in Guwahati, India on March 26.Stimac acknowledged the team's disappointing performance at the AFC Asian Cup in January, but stressed that their focus is now on the upcoming qualifiers. "We are not a club that can work with the players on a daily basis," he said. "The expectations were high without any base."India currently stands level on three points with Kuwait in Group A, but has an inferior goal difference. A top-two finish in their group will guarantee progression to Round 3 of the qualifiers, which will also ensure direct qualification for the AFC Asian Cup 2027.Stimac highlighted the challenges of playing in Abha, which is located at a high altitude of 2,270 meters. "Afghanistan did everything to make it difficult for us," he said. "Choosing Abha as their home venue was a clever decision."Despite the challenges, Stimac expressed confidence in his team's ability to overcome the obstacles and secure a positive result. "We are going there with a clear mindset, and we're looking for the points," he said. "Most of our boys are in decent form at their clubs, and hopefully we can overcome all difficulties and find a way to manage the game in a positive way."The Indian team is set to travel to Abha on a chartered plane for their first match against Afghanistan. Stimac believes that the team has the potential to make history by reaching Round 3 of the qualifiers for the first time. "They all have the same dream, so we don't need to inject any motivation into them," he said. "We have never made it to Round 3 before, and if we do that, it will then give them new dreams, to qualify for the World Cup in the future."

Indian Super League club Odisha FC's hopes of reaching the Inter-Zone final of the AFC Cup were dashed after a goalless draw in the home leg against Australia's Central Coast Mariners in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.Having lost the first leg 4-0 to the A-League side, Odisha FC needed a remarkable comeback to progress. However, they failed to capitalize on the home advantage and conceded the tie 0-4 on aggregate.The Mariners, who traveled to India with a comfortable cushion, started brightly. Ronald Barcellos and Angel Torres had early chances but were denied by Odisha goalkeeper Amrinder Singh.Central Coast was awarded a penalty in the first half when Ryan Edmondson was brought down by Carlos Delgado. However, Mikael Doka's spot-kick was saved by Amrinder.The visitors continued to control possession but lacked the dominance they displayed in the first leg. Odisha defender Mourtada Fall cleared Max Balard's free-kick under pressure from Edmondson, while the Englishman missed a volley in a promising position.In the final quarter, Christian Theoharous had a shot saved by Amrinder, and Miguel Di Pizio's late effort was deflected wide.Odisha FC's elimination from the AFC Cup marks a disappointing end to their continental campaign. The Indian club had reached the group stage for the first time this season but failed to make a significant impact.

Manchester City's midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne has been omitted from the Belgium squad for upcoming friendlies against Ireland and England due to a persistent groin issue. Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco confirmed the news on Thursday, citing concerns over De Bruyne's fitness ahead of the European Championship this summer.De Bruyne has endured a challenging season, having undergone hamstring surgery in August after sustaining an injury on the opening day of the Premier League. The Belgian international was sidelined for nearly five months, and since his return in January, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has carefully managed his workload.Guardiola opted to rest De Bruyne for the match against Brentford on February 20 due to lingering hamstring discomfort. While De Bruyne made a substitute appearance in the subsequent victory over Bournemouth, he has since started three of City's last four games. However, his substitution in the 69th minute of the 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Sunday raised concerns about his fitness.Tedesco explained that De Bruyne's groin injury has been a concern in recent matches. After consulting with the team doctor and De Bruyne himself, the decision was made to prioritize his recovery and rehabilitation with Manchester City."If the risk of an injury is too high, it's our responsibility to say it's better to protect him," Tedesco said. "And then to have him ready for the Euros. We can't take risks at this moment with any player, especially not with Kevin."Belgium's preparations for Euro 2024 will continue with friendlies against Ireland on March 23 and England at Wembley Stadium three days later. However, De Bruyne's absence will be a significant blow to the Red Devils, who will be looking to build momentum ahead of the tournament.

The Premier League title race is poised for a thrilling conclusion, with Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City separated by just one point with 10 rounds remaining. The battle is further intensified by the teams' ongoing success in European competitions.Arsenal secured a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Porto to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years. City, the defending champions, have already advanced to the last eight, while Liverpool are on the verge of qualifying for the Europa League quarters.Domestically, the trio has established a significant gap over the rest of the league. Arsenal and Liverpool are tied at the top, with City trailing by a single point. Aston Villa, in fourth place, are eight points behind City.The European fixtures will undoubtedly test the teams' squad depth. In terms of quality, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City are closely matched, but the final stretch of the season often hinges on character.Arsenal's recent form has been impressive, with a nine-game winning streak that includes a victory over Liverpool. However, they face a daunting schedule, including clashes with City, Villa, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester United.Liverpool, despite missing out on the Champions League last season, have bounced back under Jurgen Klopp. The German's impending departure at the end of the season could provide added motivation for the players.Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, remain a formidable force. They have won the Premier League five times in the past six seasons and are determined to add another title to their collection.The title race promises to be a captivating affair, with each team possessing strengths and weaknesses. Arsenal's resilience, Liverpool's determination, and City's experience will all be crucial factors in determining the eventual winner.