Football

TK Chathunni: A Legendary Footballer and CoachTK Chathunni, a renowned former footballer and coach, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 75 in Kochi after a brief illness. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence both on and off the field.As a player, Chathunni was a highly skilled defender who represented India in six international matches, including the Merdeka Tournament in 1973. He played for several top clubs, including EME Centre, Vasco Club, and Orkay Mills, and also represented Services in the Santosh Trophy.However, it was as a coach that Chathunni truly made his mark. He is credited with discovering and nurturing some of India's greatest football talents, including IM Vijayan, Bruno Coutinho, and Jo Paul Anchery.Chathunni's coaching career spanned decades and included stints with numerous clubs, including Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar FC, Dempo Sports Club, and Churchill Brothers. He holds the distinction of coaching the highest number of clubs in India.His most notable achievement as a coach came in 1997-98 when he led Mohun Bagan to their maiden National Football League (NFL) title. He also coached the Kerala Santosh Trophy team and Kerala Police.Chathunni's passing has been met with deep sorrow and tributes from the Indian football fraternity. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey described him as "a dependable defender and later a top-class coach." AIFF Acting Secretary General M Satyanarayan said, "His death has created a void in Indian football."TK Chathunni's legacy as a footballer and coach will continue to inspire generations to come. His contributions to Indian football will never be forgotten.

India's World Cup qualification hopes were dashed after a controversial 1-2 loss to Qatar in Doha, leaving coach Igor Stimac's future uncertain.Stimac, who had previously vowed to step down if he failed to guide India to the third round, expressed hesitation about his future. "We need to discuss internally in the next few weeks where our futures stand," he said.Despite the setback, Stimac remained optimistic about India's footballing future. "India has a good future in football," he asserted. "Our team is not that older than the Qatari team today."Stimac's contract extension, which runs until June 2026, would have been automatically renewed if India had advanced to the third round. However, the team's underwhelming campaign, including a home loss to Afghanistan, has raised questions about Stimac's leadership.Stimac believes that India's World Cup aspirations could be realized if Indian-origin players competing in European leagues were allowed to join the national team. "If we were allowed to use them, then India would qualify for the World Cup regularly," he said.He criticized the lack of competitiveness in the Indian Super League (ISL), arguing that players need to experience high-pressure games throughout the season to prepare for international competition.

India's World Cup qualifying dreams were shattered in Doha after a controversial goal allowed Qatar to snatch a 2-1 victory. Coach Igor Stimac expressed outrage over the "irregular" goal, claiming it "killed" his team's aspirations.India took an early lead but Qatar equalized with a goal that Stimac vehemently disputed. Replays confirmed that the ball had crossed the line before being dragged back into play. "It shouldn't be happening in today's football," Stimac lamented. "It changed everything."Despite the setback, Stimac praised his players' efforts. "They were fantastic," he said. "We controlled the game for a major part." However, he acknowledged India's shortcomings in the attacking third. "We should have scored thrice in the first half," he said. "There's something missing in Indian football, and that's clinical reactions inside the box."Qatar's equalizer deflated India's momentum, and they conceded a second goal in the 85th minute. The loss ended India's hopes of reaching the third round of World Cup qualifying and direct qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.Stimac expressed disappointment but congratulated Qatar. "It's kind of an injustice to my boys," he said. "We were very close to winning this game and qualifying for the third round."India's bid for the Asian Cup will now continue in the Third Round of Qualifiers, scheduled for March 2025. Stimac remains optimistic despite the setback. "We have a young team with a lot of potential," he said. "We will learn from this experience and come back stronger."

Euro 2024 tournament director Philipp Lahm envisions the event as a catalyst for unity and solidarity in a divided Europe. In an interview with AFP subsidiary SID, Lahm emphasized that the tournament's true success will be measured by its ability to foster greater social cohesion.Lahm, who played in the 2006 World Cup, Germany's last major football tournament, believes that the social impact of such events can be profound. He recalled the "Summer Fairytale" of 2006, which brought the country together and transformed its reputation abroad.Inspired by this legacy, Lahm aims to organize a tournament that reflects the values of inclusivity and social sustainability. He believes that the Euro can be a platform to showcase democratic and European ideals, particularly in light of recent political developments across the continent.On the pitch, Germany is hoping to regain its former glory after a string of disappointing results. Under new coach Julian Nagelsmann, the team has shown signs of improvement, winning three and drawing one of four friendlies in 2024.Lahm believes that a strong performance by the German team will further boost the tournament's atmosphere and inspire the public. He recalled his own experience scoring the first goal of the 2006 World Cup in Munich, an unforgettable moment that set the tone for the tournament.Lahm is confident that Euro 2024 will be a success, both on and off the field. He hopes that the event will bring people together, foster solidarity, and leave a lasting legacy of unity and shared values.

Erik ten Hag's future at Manchester United has been secured after a positive post-season review by club chiefs. The Dutchman, who is entering the final year of his contract, is set to extend his stay at Old Trafford.Ten Hag's first season at United was a mixed bag. While he led the team to a League Cup triumph and a third-place finish in the Premier League, they also suffered disappointing exits from the Champions League and FA Cup. However, a stunning 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final has boosted his reputation.Despite United's eighth-place finish in the league, their lowest since 1990, and their early Champions League exit, Ten Hag has impressed the club's hierarchy with his work ethic and commitment to developing the team.The 54-year-old has admitted that he inherited a "mess" when he arrived at United, but he believes that the team is now on the right track. "We are now better but by far not where we want to be," he said after the FA Cup final.Ten Hag's success in his first season has seen him linked with other top clubs, including Bayern Munich and Chelsea. However, he has repeatedly stated his commitment to United and is eager to continue the project he has started.The club's new co-owner, Jim Ratcliffe, is believed to be a supporter of Ten Hag and is keen to keep him at the helm. Ratcliffe has reportedly held talks with Thomas Tuchel, but the former Chelsea boss has ruled himself out of the running.Other managers who have been linked with the United job include Mauricio Pochettino, Graham Potter, Thomas Frank, Roberto De Zerbi, and Gareth Southgate. However, Ten Hag's strong finish to the season has convinced the club that he is the right man to lead them forward.

Cristiano Ronaldo's brace propelled Portugal to a resounding 3-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland in their final Euro 2024 warm-up friendly. The Portuguese legend, who missed the previous defeat to Croatia, showcased his enduring brilliance with two stunning goals.Joao Felix opened the scoring for Portugal in the 18th minute, capitalizing on a short corner routine. Ronaldo nearly doubled the lead with a deflected free-kick that struck the post. Despite appeals for a penalty, the Al-Nassr striker was denied.However, Ronaldo's moment arrived shortly after the break. He curled a sublime effort into the top corner, leaving the Irish defense helpless. The 39-year-old then grabbed another goal, finishing off a pass from Diogo Jota.Ronaldo's 130th international goal extended his record as the all-time leading scorer for Portugal. He came close to completing his hat-trick but fired inches wide.Despite Ireland's efforts under interim coach John O'Shea, Portugal remained dominant. Joao Felix expressed confidence in the team's preparations for Euro 2024, stating, "We have 100 percent confidence on the way to Germany."Portugal's Euro 2024 campaign begins on June 18 against the Czech Republic. They will also face Turkey and Georgia in Group F.

Sunil Chhetri, the former Indian football captain, is set to grace television screens once again as an expert for Euro 2024, which kicks off in Germany on Friday. Chhetri, who recently retired from international football, is particularly excited about England's prospects in the tournament."You can't go beyond the usual suspects, you know, France, Germany, England, etc.," Chhetri said. "But I feel England is right at the sweet spot now. The likes of [Phil] Foden, [Jude] Bellingham... prodigies once, are world leaders now. If you can leave out the likes of Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish, you can imagine the kind of talent England has."Chhetri also believes that Hungary and Turkey could be surprise packages in the tournament. "I think Hungary and Turkey can be those teams. I'm saying purely on all the action that I've seen in the last one-and-a-half years and their qualification performances. They have been outstanding."The tournament is also expected to be the last major event for veterans like Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (39) and Croatia's Luka Modric (38). German midfielder Toni Kroos (34), who recently won his fifth UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid, has already announced that Euro 2024 will be his last bow."The thing that keeps them going is their love for the game," Chhetri said. "For Modric to win the Champions League [with Real Madrid for the sixth time], and still come for training, get elbowed and get tackled... If you don't love the game you won't do it."

As Germany prepares to host Euro 2024 from June 14, the tournament's Group A promises an intriguing battle between the hosts and three talented challengers: Scotland, Hungary, and Switzerland.Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, SwitzerlandTournament host Germany, under the guidance of coach Julian Nagelsmann, will be eager to make a deep run in the tournament, particularly after impressive victories over France and the Netherlands in March. However, they will face a stern test from Hungary, who have been in outstanding form under manager Marco Rossi. Despite a recent defeat to Ireland, the Hungarians have been unbeaten since September 2022, a run of 12 games.Switzerland and Scotland are the outsiders in the group, but both have the potential to cause an upset. Switzerland, led by captain Granit Xhaka, reached the quarter-finals in the last Euros and are known for their organized and efficient style of play. Scotland, meanwhile, will be buoyed by the support of their passionate fans and will be looking to make a statement in their first match against Germany.Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, AlbaniaGroup B is a veritable "group of death," featuring three European powerhouses: Spain, Croatia, and Italy. Albania, a durable side, will be determined to make an impact despite being the underdogs.Spain, the reigning UEFA Nations League champions, are favorites to progress after defeating both Italy and Croatia in 2023. However, those matches revealed that there is little to separate the three teams. Luis de la Fuente's Spain have added flair and speed to their deep reserves of technical ability, but they still lack a reliable goalscorer.Italy, who triumphed against England to win Euro 2020, are a tough prospect despite their failure to reach the 2022 World Cup. Luciano Spalletti's side boasts several players from Serie A champions Inter Milan, including playmaker Nicolo Barella. Croatia, runners-up at the 2018 World Cup and third in Qatar two years ago, will try to give 38-year-old veteran midfielder Luka Modric a superb swansong.Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, EnglandEngland are ready to make Euro 2024 "headlines" as the Group C favorites prepare to launch their bid for a first major trophy in 58 years. Gareth Southgate's side, who face Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia in the group stage, head to Germany as one of the leading contenders for Euro glory.England, ranked alongside France as the bookmakers' top title contenders, will be looking to make amends for their painful near misses in recent tournaments. They will face a tough test from Denmark, who pushed them to the brink in a dramatic Euro 2020 semi-final. Slovenia, participating in a major tournament for only the fourth time, will be hoping to make the knockout stages for the first time. Serbia will rely on Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic and AC Milan striker Luka Jovic to fuel their bid for a place in the last 16.

India Faces Crucial FIFA World Cup Qualifier Against Asian Champions QatarThe Indian football team, led by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, faces a daunting task as they take on Asian champions Qatar in a crucial FIFA World Cup Qualifier on Tuesday, June 11. The match, to be played at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar, is a make-or-break encounter for India's hopes of reaching the third round of the qualifiers.India has never progressed beyond the second round of the World Cup qualifiers, but a victory against Qatar could change the course of history. The Blue Tigers have shown resilience and determination throughout the campaign, but they will need to perform at their best to overcome the formidable challenge posed by the hosts.Qatar, ranked 51st in the FIFA World Rankings, is a formidable opponent. They are the reigning Asian champions and have a wealth of experience in international football. India, ranked 106th, will need to play with discipline and execute their game plan flawlessly to have any chance of securing a positive result.The match will be a test of character for the Indian team. They will need to show mental strength and determination to overcome the pressure of playing away from home against a superior opponent. The absence of talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri, who retired from international football earlier this year, will be a significant blow, but the team will need to find a way to compensate for his loss.India's hopes rest on the shoulders of goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who has been in excellent form throughout the qualifiers. The defense, led by Sandesh Jhingan and Adil Khan, will need to be solid and organized to keep the Qatari attack at bay. The midfield, anchored by Anirudh Thapa and Brandon Fernandes, will need to control the tempo of the game and create chances for the forwards.The match will be a historic occasion for Indian football. A victory would not only secure a place in the third round of the qualifiers but also boost the confidence of the team and the nation. The Blue Tigers will need the support of every Indian fan as they embark on this crucial mission.