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Tag: Sandesh Jhingan

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Asian Games: India survive odds, ride Sunil Chhetri penalty for Myanmar draw and Round of 16 spot

“I want to say a lot of good things. But it’s been difficult.”Sunil Chhetri tried sounding upbeat but the reality of the situation was too harsh for him to ignore. They haven’t trained even once since landing in Hangzhou last Monday. The players haven’t had proper sleep for a week, some managing a full night’s rest only on Saturday. And there aren’t enough options on the bench – when Chhetri asked to be substituted in the first two games, coach Igor Stimac didn’t have enough players to turn to. “So, this is just me giving you an idea of how preparation isn’t there,” Chhetri said. India’s all-time leading goal scorer’s first-half penalty in the 1-1 draw against Myanmar ensured that the hurriedly-assembled, ragtag bunch of players that reached Hangzhou less than 24 hours before their Asia...
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Asian Games 2023: Under-prepared Indian football team loses 1-5 to China | undefined News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In a challenging opening group league match of the Asian Games football competition in Hangzhou, a severely fatigued and under-prepared Indian team faced a harsh reality check as they were outplayed 1-5 by the host nation, China, on Tuesday.China's Giao Tianyi (17th min), Dai Weijun (51st min), Tao Qianglong (72nd and 75th minute), and Hao Fang (90+2) all found the net, while Rahul KP's (45+1 minute) equaliser from an acute angle was a standout moment in the match.Despite being a third-string team, India managed to hold their own during the first 45 minutes, even with Indian custodian Gurmeet Singh Chahal making a valiant save from a spot-kick taken by the rival captain Zhu Chenjie.India now faces the challenge of needing to defeat Bangladesh and Myanmar in their remaining tw...
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Without single training session, India face formidable China in Asian Games football opener – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India's national football team faces a challenging situation as they prepare for their opening match against China in the Asian Games. The team had little time to prepare due to last-minute squad announcements and logistical issues.The squad for the tournament was finalised just before the competition, leaving no time for proper training sessions.Additionally, two players, Konsam Chinglensana Singh and Lalchungnunga, were unable to join the team on time due to visa issues. While they are expected to receive "express visas" and join the team soon, they will miss the crucial opening match against China.Head coach Igor Stimac has made the decision to rest senior defender Sandesh Jhingan and star striker Sunil Chhetri for the opening match, aiming to have them fresh for the subse...
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Asian Games 2023: Despite adding Jhingan, Chinglensana, midfield remains a concern for football team

After days of confusion over the composition of the squad and whether the national team coach would accompany it to Hangzhou, the All India Football Federation was able to prise players like Sandesh Jhingan and Chinglensana Singh away from their clubs to make up a customary 22-member squad for the Asian Games. The AIFF was also able to confirm that head coach Igor Stimac would indeed be heading to China with the players after initially being reluctant to go with the hastily-assembled 17-member squad led by Sunil Chhetri that had been announced earlier. The federation also announced that East Bengal attacker Naorem Mahesh Singh will undergo a medical test before any decision to induct him into the squad will be taken. All this has only added to the uncertainty with India’s opening group ...
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Chhetri, Jhingan, Gurpreet named in Indian football team for Asian Games | Football News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Talisman Sunil Chhetri, senior defender Sandesh Jhingan and first-choice goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu were on Tuesday named in a 22-member Indian men's football squad for the upcoming Asian Games.In Hangzhou, China, the host city for the Games, the Indian squad will be under the charge of national senior team head coach, Igor Stimac.PTI had earlier reported that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) was bullish about sending its first team to the Asian Games led by Chhetri and coached by 1998 Croatian World Cup semifinalist Stimac.It is learnt that this Indian squad has got approval from the Asian Games organisers and the Olympic Council of Asia.The participation of the Indian men's and women's football sides in the Hangzhou Games was earlier in doubt as per the sports...
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Chhetri, Sandhu & Jhingan’s names not in list sent for Asian Games; AIFF prez says organisers have been requested to give them accreditation | Football News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Indian football's talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and centre-back Sandesh Jhingan's names are missing from the country's official list of athletes for the upcoming Asian Games in China's Hangzhou, TOI has reliably learnt.In the men's football competition at the Games, a country has to field its U-23 team, but three players in the squad can be 23 years and above. For women, there is no age restriction.All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey, who is also the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) joint secretary and acting CEO, had, in recent interviews to media publications, said that Chhetri, goalkeeper Sandhu and Jhingan will be the three over 23-year-old players in the squad. He also said that Chhetri would be the captain...
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India clubbed with China, Bangladesh, Myanmar in men’s draw; Thailand, Chinese Taipei in women’s football | Football News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The football draw for the Hangzhou Asian Games was conducted on Thursday, and the Indian men's football team has been placed in Group A alongside China, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. This group is considered relatively easy for the Indian men's team.Similarly, the Indian women's football team has been grouped with Thailand and Chinese Taipei in Group B for the Asian Games.The participation of both the Indian men's and women's football teams in the quadrennial extravaganza was confirmed after the Sports Ministry decided to relax the existing selection criteria.In the men's competition, there are six groups, and the top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 16.For the women's competition, the top team from each group and...
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Asian Games: Indian football teams given green signal to compete at Hangzhou 2023

After weeks of uncertainty over their participation at the Asian Games later this year, the Indian men’s and women’s football teams will be travelling to Hangzhou after all to compete in the continental event. Sports Minister Anurag Thakur made the announcement on Twitter on Wednesday. “Our national football teams, both men’s and women’s, are set to participate in the upcoming Asian Games. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, has decided to relax the rules to facilitate participation of both the teams, which were not qualifying as per the existing criterion. Keeping in mind their latest performances in the recent times, the Ministry decided to grant the relaxation. I am sure they will put their best foot forward in the Asian Games and make our country proud,” ...
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SAFF Championship: Sandesh Jhingan confident of victory against Kuwait in final

Without disregarding the strength of Kuwait, India defender Sandesh Jhingan on Monday said the hosts are confident of winning the SAFF Championship here on Tuesday. “Our focus is now on Kuwait, it is going to be a tough game. They are a very good team. They have an experienced coach. We are looking forward to it. We have done well together and sky is the limit for this batch,” said Jhingan during the pre-match press conference. “They have very technical players, and individually, they are also good. About their (FIFA) Ranking (141), everyone knows that they aren’t where they should be. If you don’t do your thing for 10 seconds, they score against you,” added Jhingan. Jhingan just can’t wait to take the field after missing the semifinal against Lebanon due to the two accumulated yellow c...
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SAFF Championship: Sandesh Jhingan confident of victory against Kuwait in final | Football News – Times of India

BENGALURU: Without disregarding the strength of Kuwait, India defender Sandesh Jhingan on Monday said the hosts are confident of winning the SAFF Championship here on Tuesday."Our focus is now on Kuwait, it is going to be a tough game. They are a very good team. They have an experienced coach. We are looking forward to it. We have done well together and sky is the limit for this batch," said Jhingan during the pre-match press conference."They have very technical players, and individually, they are also good. About their (FIFA)ranking (141), everyone knows that they aren't where they should be. If you don't do your thing for 10 seconds, they score against you," added Jhingan.Jhingan just can't wait to take the field after missing the semifinal against Lebanon due to the two accumulated y...
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Sunil Chhetri hat-trick powers India to 4-0 win over Pakistan in SAFF Championship | Football News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India's Sunil Chhetri showcased a remarkable performance, scoring a hat-trick to lead his team to a resounding 4-0 victory over Pakistan in their SAFF Championship opener in Bengaluru on Wednesday.With this achievement, Chhetri solidified his position as the second-highest goal-scorer in international football among Asian players, trailing behind Iran's Ali Daei, who holds the record with 109 goals from 149 matches.Chhetri's current goal tally stands at an impressive 90.Right from the start of the match, India displayed their experience and quality on the field. Although Pakistan offered pockets of resistance, they were no match for India's cohesion and determination, especially on a rain-soaked night at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.AS IT HAPPENEDChhetri, who had already demon...
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India too good for Kyrgyz Republic; win Hero Tri-Nation Tournament | Football News – Times of India

IMPHAL: India played some inspiring football against higher-ranked Kyrgyz Republic to snatch a 2-0 victory and bag the Hero Tri-National International Tournament Trophy with an all-win record on Tuesday.India had earlier defeated Myanmar 1-0 on March 22.The opening goal on Tuesday came from centre-back Sandesh Jhingan, who found the target in the 34th minute. India added insurance in the 84th minute with Sunil Chhetri firing home from the spot.Midfielder Brandon Fernandes put the ball in front of the rival goal off a free-kick and Jhingan pounced on it to find the back of the net to open India's account in the first half.If the Kyrgyz Republic goalkeeper Tokotaev Erzhan thought the tall Indian defender would go for a header, he was mistaken as Jhingan waited for the ball to land and the...
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Sunil Chhetri may be playing his last season and Asian Cup: Igor Stimac | Football News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India's star striker Sunil Chhetri may be playing the last season of his outstanding football career, says team's head coach Igor Stimac, who is hoping that he would be saving his best for his last Asian Cup.The AFC Asian Cup, which is slated to be held in Qatar from January 12 to February 10, 2023, would be India's next big assignment and the 38-year-old Chhetri is set to play in his third continental showpiece, the most by an Indian, after playing a crucial role in the qualification tournament last year.Chhetri, the third most prolific international goal scorer among active players with 84 strikes behind Cristiano Ronaldo (118) and Lionel Messi (98), was part of the Indian teams that featured in the 2011 and 2019 Asian Cup."At his age, this will probably be his farewell fro...