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26Jun

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Pogba’s brother Florentin seeks ‘new challenge’ in India after joining ATKMB | Football News – Times of India

Florentin Pogba (Getty Images)KOLKATA: A Pogba is coming to play for a Kolkata club. No, it’s not Paul Pogba, who is rumoured to end his long association with Manchester United when his contract with the Premier League club is set to expire at the end of this month. It’s his brother --- Florentin Pogba --- who has committed himself to playing in Indian football. In a major transfer coup, ATK Mohun Bagan made it official on Saturday that Florentin, a defender, will join Juan Ferrando’s side from France’s second division (Ligue 2) side FC Sochaux-Montbéliard on a two-year contract. “I'm coming to India for a new challenge in my career. It's a new country, new championship and an opportunity to know many new clubs," Florentin said in a statement issued by the city club. "I've heard a lot a...

22Jun

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AIFF’s affiliated units tell FIFA-AFC team that SC intervention was “out of necessity”

The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) member units on Wednesday met the visiting FIFA-AFC team and informed them that the Supreme Court intervention in the national sports body was “out of necessity”. Last month, the SC ousted the Praful Patel-led dispensation in the AIFF and appointed a three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) to frame a new constitution and hold elections for a new set of office bearers, besides running the day-to-day affairs of the national federation. Since then, there have been speculations about a possible FIFA ban on India for third party intervention in the affairs of the AIFF. However, the apprehensions, to a large extent, were cleared with the visit of FIFA-AFC delegation. On the second day of its visit, the team held discussions with a seven-member...

21Jun

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AIFF CoA’s advisory panel disbanded

A delegation of FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) rejected an advisory committee named by the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), citing interference in the working of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), after which the panel was disbanded. The seven-member joint delegation met the three CoA members – former chief election commissioner SY Quraishi, retired Supreme Court judge AR Dave and former India captain Bhaskar Ganguly – on Tuesday, the first day of their visit. It is learnt that senior AIFF officials objected to the appointment of the committee and the joint delegation agreed that it would interfere with the working of the federation, which would be in violation of FIFA statutes. CoA meets FIFA-AFC team 🤝 Read 👉 https://t.co/kuRpH0iadM#BackT...

19Jun

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Emami yet to sign contract with East Bengal: Group director

Emami Group is yet to sign the contract with East Bengal to own a majority stake in the century-old club, the director of the company Aditya Agarwal said on Sunday. It has been more than two weeks since West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee made the announcement of the tie-up at her office in Nabanna in the presence of East Bengal senior official Debabarata Sarkar and representatives from the Emami Group. “Both sides have agreed and the problem of East Bengal playing in the Indian Super League will be solved,” Mamata had announced. But, Emami Group’s top official Agarwal said the negotiations were “still on” “The agreement hasn’t been signed yet. The negotiations are still on. Everything will be clear by early next week,” Agarwal told PTI.Best of Express PremiumPremiumPremiumPremiu...

15Jun

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FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup: Navi Mumbai to host final, India to play group league Bhubaneswar

The DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai will host the summit clash of the U-17 Women’s World Cup on October 30 while the semi-finals will be played in Goa, FIFA and Local Organising Committee (LOC) announced on Wednesday. Bhubaneswar is set to host India’s three group stage matches beginning on October 11. The official draw will take place on June 24th. The 24 group stage games will conclude on October 18 and the matches will be shared among all three host states – Odisha, Goa and Maharashtra. The quarter-final round of games will be held on October 21 and 22 following which the semi-finals will be held on October 26.Best of Express PremiumPremiumPremiumPremiumPremium The Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar will see hosts India compete in all three group stage games on October 11, 14 and 17. Mea...

14Jun

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Possible FIFA ban, future of coach Stimac and over-reliance on Chhetri: As India qualify for Asian Cup, focus shifts on other pressing issues

The Indian national football team qualified for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup as one of the eleven teams that could have gone through in the third round of the qualifiers. Their qualification was confirmed when the Philippines lost 0-4 to Palestine in a Group B encounter on Tuesday. The result means that this is the first time in AFC Asian Cup history that India has managed to qualify on back-to-back tournaments. It will only be the fifth time that the national team will be appearing in Asia’s biggest continental competition. The back-to-back participation is a sign of consistency that is crucial required for Indian football to grow. Rather than currently unobtainable goals like qualification for the World Cup or the Olympics, consistently getting better at the Asian level is what is needed fo...

12Jun

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Asian Cup qualifiers: Sahal’s strike seals India’s win over Afghanistan | Football News – Times of India

KOLKATA: The only way to describe this is a drama at its craziest best. Until 85 minutes, Igor Stimac’s India huffed and puffed on Saturday; they were all possession but little penetration. Against Afghanistan’s strong physical challenge, India’s ambitions looked to be hitting cul-desacs on one occasion too many. The contest — which appeared to be heading towards another stalemate between India and Afghanistan — suddenly came alive with all its beauty and brutality. Sunil Chhetri conjured a magical moment, brilliantly curling a free-kick around the wall and beating Afghanistan goalkeeper Faisal Hamidi all ends up to hand the hosts a 1-0 lead. But India's joy was short-lived as Afghanistan struck within two minutes, substitute Zubayr Amiri heading home Mustafa Zazai’s corner. Here's how ...

11Jun

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India beat Afghanistan 2-1 in Asian Cup Qualifiers | Football News – Times of India

KOLKATA: A stunning goal from talisman Sunil Chhetri and an injury-time strike from Sahal Abdul Samad powered India to a 2-1 victory over Afghanistan in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers here on Saturday. The win helped India consolidate their position in the group as they seek to make a second straight appearance in the Asian Cup and fifth overall, having been knocked out in the group stage in the last edition in 2019. Denied for 86 minutes, Chhetri put India ahead with a brilliant free-kick from just over 20 yards, taking only a couple of steps before unleashing his shot straight into the right corner of the net beating Afghanistan's goalkeeper. THAT WINNING MOMENT! 💪🏼ANOTHER WIN ✅ANOTHER 3️⃣ POINTS ✅#AFGIND ⚔️ #ACQ2023 🏆 #BlueTigers 🐯 #BackTheBlue 💙… https://t.co/CknhsjgJOS— Indian Footba...

10Jun

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Sunil Chhetri in focus again as India face Afghanistan | Football News – Times of India

KOLKATA: The inspirational Sunil Chhetri would look to continue from where he left against Cambodia as India face Afghanistan in their second match of the Asian Cup Qualifiers on Saturday. On an evening of missed opportunities, the 37-year-old veteran struck a goal in each half to give Igor Stimac's side all three points, ensuring the group hosts keep ahead of Hong Kong on goal difference after Jorn Andersen's team won 2-1 over Afghanistan in the first match on Wednesday. Seeking to make a second successive Asian Cup Finals, the Chhetri-led India would look to bring out their best, especially up front with the likes of Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Udanta Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan and Roshan Singh hoping to improving their finishing abilities. 🏋️💪#BackTheBlue 💙 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootba...

8Jun

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Sunil Chhetri strikes twice to ensure India make winning start

India’s Sunil Chhetri scored twice to take his international tally to 82 goals in a 2-0 win over Cambodia on Wednesday in Kolkata as Igor Stimac’s side made a winning start to the third round of qualifying for next year’s Asian Cup. The 37-year-old India captain struck from the penalty spot in the 13th minute before powering a header past Cambodian goalkeeper Hul Kimhuy 14 minutes after the restart to give his team a winning start in Group D. The group hosts sit level on three points with Hong Kong following the first round of matches as Jorn Andersen’s team held on to win 2-1 against Afghanistan. Only the winners of each of the six groups in the third round are guaranteed to advance to the finals next year, where they will be joined by the five runners-up with the best records.Best of ...

7Jun

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Asian Cup qualifiers: Against lower-ranked opponents, Indian football team looks to break shackles

Long queues outside the Salt Lake Stadium for match tickets attested to Kolkata’s love for football. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) underestimated it by initially issuing only 12,000 complimentary tickets, assuming no more than 10,000 fans would turn up for India’s matches at the Asian Cup Group D qualifiers. They had to do the course correction after Sunil Chhetri’s comment that home advantage would be lost if stands remained empty. Now, as India begin their campaign against Cambodia on Wednesday, more than 50,000 fans are expected to be in attendance. Strong home support guarantees an electric atmosphere. But it doesn’t ensure success on the pitch. India under their head coach Igor Stimac have embraced a reactive, ultra-defensive style of late, especially after their 1-1 dra...

7Jun

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Asian Cup Qualifiers: Sunil Chhetri-led India ready to crush 171st ranked Cambodians

Skipper Sunil Chhetri will get a chance to bolster his tally of 80 international goals as the Indian team gears up to steamroll 171st ranked Cambodia on Wednesday in its bid to make a fifth appearance in AFC Cup tournament proper. Cristiano Ronaldo (117 goals from 188 games), Lionel Messi (86 from 162 games) have been on a scoring spree and no wonder at his level, the Indian talisman would like to ride the roughshod over Cambodia, Afghanistan (150th) and Hong Kong (147th). While no one is comparing the international levels at which they operate, briefly surpassing Lionel Messi won’t be a bad feeling for the 37-year-old. With the next Asian Cup slated in late 2023 or early 2024 after the pull-out of China, Chhetri, who will complete 17 years’ in International football, might see this tou...

7Jun

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Asian Cup Qualifiers: Sunil Chhetri-led India look to dominate 171st-ranked Cambodia | Football News – Times of India

KOLKATA: Skipper Sunil Chhetri will get a chance to bolster his tally of 80 international goals as the Indian team gears up to face 171st-ranked Cambodia on Wednesday in its bid to make a fifth appearance in AFC Cup tournament proper. Cristiano Ronaldo (117 goals from 188 games), Lionel Messi (86 from 162 games) have been on a scoring spree and no wonder at his level, the Indian talisman would like to ride the roughshod over Cambodia, Afghanistan (150th) and Hong Kong (147th). While no one is comparing the international levels at which they operate, briefly surpassing Lionel Messi won't be a bad feeling for the 37-year-old. With the next Asian Cup slated in late 2023 or early 2024 after the pull-out of China, Chhetri, who will complete 17 years in international football, might see this ...

3Jun

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I’m playing my last games, so FIFA ban on India will be catastrophic: Sunil Chhetri | Football News – Times of India

KOLKATA: Talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri on Friday dropped yet another hint that his retirement is not far away, saying a FIFA ban on India in the aftermath of Supreme Court's ruling to oust Praful Patel as AIFF president would be catastrophic as he is playing his "last games". The 37-year-old Chhetri's retirement has been a matter of speculation for some time now and he has said on many occasions that his illustrious career will come to an end soon. "No matter what is happening on that front, I hope it is under control and the country does not get a ban," the iconic India captain said during a media interaction ahead of the Asian Cup qualifiers final round beginning here on June 8. "Because, that will be catastrophic, not just for the whole country but for me, because I'm 37. I'm play...

2Jun

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Every draw is tricky, will have to be ‘respectful and ruthless’ against opponents: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu does not want to belittle the lower-ranked opponents in the upcoming final round of the Asian Cup qualifiers and said the hosts have to be “respectful as well as ruthless” when they kick off their campaign on June 8. Clubbed with lower-ranked opponents in Hong Kong (147), Afghanistan (150) and Cambodia (171), world number 106 India are the favourites to make the cut for the 2023 Asian Cup main tournament from group D. “Every draw in modern-day football is a tricky one. We need to be respectful towards our opponents,” the 30-year-old Gurpreet told the AIFF website. “Obviously, they have also been preparing for these three matches, and it’s understandable that they have done their homework much like us.Best of Express PremiumPremiumPremiumPremiumPrem...

23May

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Request FIFA not to impose a suspension: Praful Patel writes to Gianni Infantino

Former AIFF president and FIFA Council member Praful Patel has written a letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino requesting football’s apex body not to impose a ban on India. Praful Patel’s letter to Fifa President Infantino. “I would like to point out that the Supreme Court has expressed a sense of urgency in resolving all the issues by July 2022,” Patel wrote in the letter to Infantino. “I request FIFA and AFC to not impose a suspension at this stage, but instead to consider this important aspect of the Supreme Court order and enter into a dialogue with the CoA to receive a commitment that the said timelines laid down by the Supreme Court would be respected and strictly followed without allowing for delays. “I also appeal to the experienced legal teams of the AFC and FIFA to guide...

5May

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AIFF asks Ranjit Bajaj to furnish ‘documentary evidence’ over molestation allegation against Kushal Das | Football News – Times of India

KOLKATA: An under-pressure All India Football Federation on Thursday asked entrepreneur Ranjit Bajaj to substantiate his allegation of molestation of women employees against general secretary Kushal Das with "proper documentary evidence" within 15 days. The decision to ask evidence from Bajaj was taken at an executive committee meeting after the AIFF was put under immense pressure on several fronts, including the charges against Das as well as its refusal to hold elections even after the end of tenure of the current dispensation. "...it has been unanimously decided that the AIFF write a letter to Mr. Ranjit Bajaj to substantiate his aspersions and allegations against Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary, AIFF, with proper documentary evidence within fifteen (15) days, failing which the AIF...

30Apr

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Integrity officer gives AIFF general secretary Das clean chit on molestation charges

All India Football Federation general secretary Kushal Das has been cleared of the charge of molesting employees at workplace by the sports body’s integrity officer, who termed the allegations “frivolous and devoid of truth”, in his report. Entrepreneur Ranjit Bajaj, who previously owned I-League club Minerva Punjab FC, on Monday alleged that Das had molested employees at workplace, a charge that was outrightly rejected by the AIFF and its top official. The AIFF’s integrity officer, Javed Siraj said he has come to the conclusion after conducting the inquiry, which included questioning of the presiding officers of the federation’s internal complaints committee over the years. Lt Col B M R Mehta (Retd), who is AGS (administration) at AIFF, was also sent a questionnaire by Siraj. “All the...

25Apr

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AIFF secretary Kushal Das molested employees at workplace: Ranjit Bajaj

Entrepreneur Ranjit Bajaj, who owned I-League club Minerva Punjab FC, on Monday alleged that All India Football Federation (AIFF) General Secretary Kushal Das had molested employees at workplace, a charge outrightly rejected by the national body and its top official. Bajaj, who sold off Minerva Punjab FC in 2020 after owning it for seven years, said there were “two cases of molestation of employees at workplace” and the head of the committee which deals with sexual harassment complaints at the AIFF was “forced by president Praful Patel to bury the report”. “…Kushal Das RESIGN Or I will be revealing details about you which have been buried by @praful_patel #METOO #metooindia enuf is enuf,” Bajaj tweeted. “…two cases of molestation of his employees at the workplace …head of madatory (mand...

19Apr

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Igor Stimac names 41 probables for camp ahead of Asian Cup 2023 final round qualifiers

The Indian men’s national football team head coach Igor Stimac on Tuesday named 41 probables for a preparatory camp ahead of its AFC Asian Cup Final Round qualifiers in June. The players and the support staff will assemble in Bellary on April 23 and will start training from the next day till May 8. The team will then move to Kolkata to continue with the camp till the qualifiers. According to a release issued by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the players from Mumbai City FC and ATK Mohun Bagan will join the camp after their respective club commitments. India have been drawn alongside Hong Kong, Afghanistan, and Cambodia in Group D of the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 final round qualifiers. The leg which will kick-off on June 8 will be played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirang...