Football

Mohammedan Sporting Club, a storied legacy club with a 133-year history, made its mark in the Indian Super League (ISL) with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Thursday.The match began with Owen Coyle's Chennaiyin FC showcasing their aerial dominance, but it was Mohammedan who struck first in the 39th minute. A miscommunication between Chennaiyin goalkeeper Samik Mitra and defender P.C. Laldinpuia allowed Mohammedan midfielder F. Lalremsanga to capitalize on a loose ball and slot it into an open net.Despite making five changes to his attacking lineup, Coyle's efforts to equalize proved futile. Mohammedan's Cesar Manzoki Lobi had a golden opportunity to seal the victory with a penalty in injury time, but his spot-kick went wide.Chennaiyin came alive in the dying minutes, with a shot cleared off the line by Gaurav Bora and Vanlalzuidika Chhakchhuak. However, their inability to fire a shot on target until the 82nd minute ultimately cost them the match.Mohammedan's victory marks a significant milestone for the club, which has long been a force in Indian football. The win also highlights the growing competitiveness of the ISL, where even newly promoted teams can challenge established powerhouses.

Manchester United's struggles continued as they were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by their former manager Erik ten Hag's old club FC Twente in the Europa League. The result leaves United with just three wins from seven games in all competitions this season.Ten Hag, who spent two years at Twente as a player and manager, was visibly frustrated after the match. He criticized his team's lack of killer instinct, saying, "You have to kill the game. You have to finish it off."United took the lead in the first half through a stunning strike from Christian Eriksen. However, Twente equalized in the second half through Sam Lammers, who capitalized on a mistake by Eriksen.Ten Hag admitted that his team was not at their best. "We didn't fight for every yard," he said. "99% is not enough. You have to give 100%."The draw was a setback for United, who are looking to improve on their disappointing sixth-place finish in the Premier League last season. Ten Hag has made several changes to the squad, but the team has yet to find its rhythm.United's next match is a Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday. Ten Hag will be hoping for a much-improved performance from his team.

India's U20 football team made a triumphant start to their AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers campaign, securing a convincing 4-1 victory over Mongolia on Wednesday. The Blue Colts dominated the match from the outset, relentlessly attacking the Mongolian defense.Kelvin Singh Taorem opened the scoring for India in the 20th minute with a curling corner that eluded the goalkeeper. Despite Mongolia's captain being sent off in the 28th minute, they managed to equalize just before halftime through Temulen Uuganbat.Undeterred, India stepped up their assault in the second half. Manglenthang Kipgen scored two quick goals in the 51st and 54th minutes, restoring India's lead. Korou Singh Thingujam sealed the victory with a goal in the 85th minute.India's victory was a testament to their superior skill and determination. They controlled possession throughout the match and created numerous scoring opportunities. Mongolia, despite their numerical disadvantage, showed resilience and managed to score a consolation goal.The Blue Colts will now face Iran and hosts Laos in their remaining Group G matches. A win against either team will secure their place in the knockout stage.

Punjab FC continued its impressive start to the Indian Super League (ISL) season, securing a dominant 2-0 victory over Hyderabad FC on Wednesday. This marks the first time Punjab has won three consecutive games in ISL history, showcasing the team's determination to overcome the absence of their talismanic skipper Luka Majcen.With an unchanged line-up and a clean sheet for the first time this season, Punjab started the match on the front foot. Mushaga Bakenga missed an early chance, hitting the upright in the seventh minute. Hyderabad's Ramhlunchhunga had a shot saved by Punjab goalkeeper Ravi Kumar in the 12th minute, but the visitors struggled to create many clear-cut opportunities.Ezequiel Vidal broke the deadlock for Punjab in the 35th minute with a well-placed free kick into the bottom left corner. The second goal came in the 71st minute when Filip Mrzjlak tapped into an empty net after a through ball from Bakenga. Mrzjlak could have scored more but missed the target, while Bakenga also had a few wide shots.Hyderabad's night worsened when Leander D'Cunha received a second yellow card in the final 15 minutes, reducing them to 10 men. The result leaves Hyderabad with only one win from the entire last season, while Punjab FC now sits atop the ISL table.Punjab's coach, Panagiotis Dilmperis, praised his team's performance, saying, "We are very happy with the result. We played well and deserved to win. We have a good team spirit and we are working hard to improve."Hyderabad's coach, Thangboi Singto, acknowledged the challenges his team faced, stating, "We had a difficult game today. Punjab played very well and we couldn't match their pace. We need to work on our mistakes and come back stronger in the next match."

Raphael Varane, the former French international and Real Madrid defender, has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 31. The announcement comes after a glittering career that saw him win a World Cup title with France in 2018 and numerous club trophies with Real Madrid.Varane began his career at Lens in France before moving to Real Madrid in 2011. He quickly established himself as a key player for the Spanish giants, forming a formidable partnership with Sergio Ramos at the heart of the defense. During his time at Real Madrid, Varane won four Champions League titles, three La Liga titles, and numerous other domestic and international trophies.In 2018, Varane played a pivotal role in France's World Cup triumph in Russia. He was named the tournament's best defender after helping France keep clean sheets in four of their seven matches. Varane's performances at the World Cup further cemented his reputation as one of the best defenders in the world.After the World Cup, Varane moved to Manchester United in 2021. However, his time in England was hampered by injuries, and he was restricted to just 95 appearances in three seasons. Despite his injury struggles, Varane remained a key figure in the Manchester United dressing room, providing guidance and support to his younger teammates.Varane's retirement marks the end of an era for French football. He was part of a golden generation of players that included Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, and Paul Pogba. Together, they helped France win the World Cup in 2018 and reach the final of the 2022 World Cup.Varane's legacy as a defender is secure. He was a world-class player who combined physical strength with technical ability. He was also a leader on and off the pitch, and his retirement will be a significant loss for the football world.

Real Madrid extended their unbeaten streak in La Liga to 39 matches with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Alaves at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Kylian Mbappé continued his impressive form, scoring his seventh goal in nine matches for Madrid in all competitions.Mbappé's goal in the 40th minute was a thing of beauty. The French forward started a give-and-go with Jude Bellingham with a heel flick, then picked up the pass inside the area and used a nifty move to clear a defender before finding the net.Lucas Vázquez and Rodrygo also scored for Madrid, while Carlos Benavídez and Kike García netted for Alaves in the final minutes. Despite the late surge, Alaves couldn't find the equalizer and Madrid moved within one point of league leader Barcelona.Mbappé's goal was his fifth in La Liga, one behind leading scorer Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona. The France star, who signed as a free agent after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, also had a goal disallowed for offside in the 22nd minute.Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti used most of his regular starters and did not immediately rotate his squad despite a congested schedule. Vázquez started as a right back in place of regular starter Dani Carvajal, who was rested with fitness issues.Teenage Brazil forward Endrick replaced Rodrygo in the 69th minute, his earliest appearance off the bench, and a couple of minutes later struck the post from inside the area.Madrid's next match is the city derby against Atletico Madrid at Atletico's Metropolitano stadium.

Chennaiyin FC Aims for Home Advantage in Indian Super LeagueAs the Indian Super League (ISL) season kicks off, Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle has emphasized the importance of home support for his team. With seven of their first 10 matches scheduled away from home, CFC is eager to make a strong impression in front of their passionate fans."The scheduling is what it is. We prepare for the games and we know we can win. We are at home now, one of the few games here in the first 10 for us," Coyle said. "We want to make sure we do our very best here."Last season, Chennaiyin had a difficult start but rallied to qualify for the playoffs. Coyle is aiming for a better beginning this time around. "Hopefully, if we are really strong in the second half like last year, we will be in a really good position. We have to also gather points away from home to capitalize on those run of home games when they come about."Coyle also stressed the importance of building a team that can "do justice" to its loyal fans. "I want to provide a team the fans enjoy watching, and that is (when we) win/lose/draw. Hopefully, we can give them a team that's representative of them."Chennaiyin's home opener against Mohammedan SC on Tuesday will be a crucial test. The team will be looking to establish a winning rhythm and create a positive atmosphere for the rest of the season.

India continued their dominant run at the SAFF U17 Championships, securing a 3-0 victory over Maldives in their second Group A match on Tuesday, September 25, 2024. The victory propelled India to the top of the group standings with six points, ensuring their qualification for the semi-finals.The match began with India taking the initiative, and their efforts were rewarded in the 14th minute when Samson Ahongshangbam connected with a cross from Manbhakupar Malngiang to score a spectacular diving header. The goal gave India a 1-0 lead, which they held until halftime.In the second half, India continued to press forward, and their persistence paid off in the 74th minute when substitute Hemneichung Lunkim doubled their lead. Lunkim capitalized on a fumble by Maldives goalkeeper Hassan Nasir to finish decisively.Lunkim proved to be the star of the day, scoring his second goal in the 89th minute with a fine long-ranger that crashed against the net. The goal sealed India's victory and earned Lunkim the man of the match award.India's head coach, Ishfaq Ahmed, made three changes to the starting lineup that played against Bangladesh, bringing in Karish Soram, Rishi Singh, and Malngianng. The changes paid off, as India controlled the game throughout and created numerous scoring opportunities.Maldives, on the other hand, struggled to create chances and were unable to find a way past the Indian defense. The result leaves Maldives with no points after two matches, while India will face the runners-up from Group B in the first semi-final on September 28.

Punjab FC, riding high on two consecutive victories, will face Hyderabad FC in a midweek clash on Wednesday. A win for Punjab would mark their first three-game winning streak in ISL history.Currently third in the standings with six points, Punjab aims to maintain its momentum and potentially take the top spot. The absence of Slovenian striker Luka Majcen has not hindered Punjab's attacking prowess, with Felip Mrzljak stepping up with assists and youngster Nihal Sudeesh impressing with goals and threatening runs.Norwegian Mushaga Bakenga, who has taken on Majcen's role, is yet to find the back of the net, but coach Panagiotis Dilmperis remains confident in his abilities. "Bakenga is a quality player who's played at the highest level. He needs time to adjust, but I have full faith in him," Dilmperis said.Hyderabad FC, on the other hand, has struggled in its only game so far, losing 0-3 to Bengaluru FC. The absence of talented young striker Joseph Sunny due to a knee injury will further hinder their chances. Abdul Rabeeh will be hoping to make an impact for Hyderabad, who managed only a single win last season."We need to create more scoring opportunities and be clinical. The effort from the boys has been good, but we must improve tactically," head coach Thangboi Singto admitted.Punjab FC will be confident of extending their winning streak, while Hyderabad FC will be desperate for their first points of the season. The match promises to be an exciting battle between two teams with contrasting fortunes.