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Tag: Sunil Chhetri

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FIFA World Cup qualifiers: Why losing to Afghanistan is a new-low for Indian football

When he scored in the 37th minute, Sunil Chhetri’s face bore no emotion as he trudged back to his half. When India misplaced the most pedestrian of passes minutes later, his face contorted itself into that familiar mix of abject fury – one that only his Indian teammates seem to elicit. When he was substituted in the 67th minute after scoring a penalty in his 150th game for the Indian national football team, his face on the bench turned to one of concern and urgency. And when thirty minutes later, the referee blew the final whistle, the country’s most recognisable footballer buried his face in between his hands, unable to face the reality of what Indian football truly is.It was the 2013 SAFF Cup Final where Afghanistan had last beaten India in an international football match. On Tuesday,...
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FIFA World Cup qualifiers: Coach Igor Stimac puts his job on line as India play virtual must-win match

When the going gets tough, Igor Stimac likes to dust off the classics.Ahead of the second World Cup qualifier clash between India and Afghanistan in as many as five days, the Croatian bemoaned the fickle nature of support for the national team (‘Criticising players is not helping’). He reiterated that India’s best performances were preceded by national camps held by him (‘In my four years there were three long camps that we had.’) and that the country’s inability to stop their goal drought was a problem before he arrived and would remain after he would leave (‘It’s because foreigners are playing in the important positions in ISL.’). Amongst all of those statements, the 59-year-old also made it clear that the team still has a good chance of making it into the third round of the World Cup...
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Uzbekistan hand leaky India second Asian Cup defeat | Football News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India fell to a second straight defeat at the Asian Cup on Thursday in Doha, losing 3-0 to Uzbekistan, all the goals coming in a torrid first half for Igor Stimac's men.The result put Uzbekistan in pole position to qualify along with Australia from Group B with one round of matches to go.Against the central Asian nation at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, India's performance was a far cry from their display against Australia, where the team went down 0-2 in the opener. Uzbekistan scored through Abbosbek Fayzullaev (4th minute), Igor Sergeev (18th) and Nasrullaev (45+3) to register their first win in the competition after being held to a stalemate by Syria in their tournament opener.Hoping to start on a positive note barely days after their promising show against Australia, India, inste...
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AFC Asian Cup: Ravaged by injuries, India face World No 25 Australia first up

Facing an Australian team ranked 25th in the world – one that gave Leo Messi hell at the 2022 World Cup and troubled England with their physically monstrous set piece routines – is a daunting task in itself for India. And if that isn’t enough, the Blue Tigers are without four press-resistant players that constituted a well-built spine of the team for the first time in decades. What could have been a showcase of how far Indian football has come in the last one year is now set to be reduced to an act of mere survival at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan on Saturday as both teams begin their Asian Cup 2023 campaign.It is remarkable how things have gone against India in the build-up to this tournament. Coach Igor Stimac pleaded for more time with the team but instead got a grand total of 1...
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Pause, rewind, play: From Pat Cummins silencing Motera to Sheetal Devi, the archer without arms, looking back at 2023’s newsmakers

For some of India’s top stars, 2023 was the year when they had to pause, reflect and reboot. In some cases, to recover from injuries; in a few others, to rediscover lost form. All in the hope that when the big day comes, they’ll be ready and recharged for the challenge Silence is golden, the saying goes. It was certainly golden for Pat Cummins and his team when the Aussie captain induced Virat Kohli to play on to his stumps in the World Cup final at the stadium named after the incumbent Indian prime minister. The stadium, with a capacity of 1.3 lakh, was rendered voiceless and even Kohli took an age to come to terms with what had happened. The stands that were raucously cheering every run, even though progress was slow, was suddenly hushed into becoming a library. Make no mistake, the l...
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World Cup qualifiers: Sunil Chhetri-led Indian football team hopes to punch above its weight against Asian Champs Qatar

The last time India grabbed a point from Qatar, the Gulf country created as many as 27 chances, the Indian defenders had to make 36 tackles and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a stunning 11 saves as India held the Asian champions to a goalless draw. It was four years ago, in the second round of World Cup and Asian Cup joint qualifiers. Much has happened since that game in Doha. A 10-man India lost their ‘home’ tie which had Doha as a centralised venue due to Covid restrictions, and the not-so-small matter of Qatar having hosted and played in a World Cup. As the two teams meet again at the same stage of the qualifiers, this time in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, a lot has changed. India too have gone from strength to strength under coach Igor Stimac, with the 1-0 win away at Kuwait last week a testi...
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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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Hangzhou Asian Games: India play out 1-1 draw with Myanmar, enter round of 16 in men’s football | Asian Games 2023 News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Thanks to a crucial goal from Sunil Chhetri, the Indian men's football team secured a 1-1 draw against Myanmar, securing their spot in the round of 16 at the Asian Games in Hangzhou on Sunday.Their next challenge will be Saudi Arabia in the pre-quarterfinals.Chhetri exhibited his scoring prowess by converting from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute. The penalty was earned by Rahim Ali, who was brought down inside the penalty area by Hein Zeyar Lin.Lin received a yellow card for his sliding tackle, and Chhetri, with his trademark composure, found the back of the net. This penalty was reminiscent of his performance against Bangladesh in the second group game just two days prior.Coming off the bench, Kyaw Htwe found the equaliser for Myanmar when he headed the ball past Dheeraj...
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Asian Games: India keep knockout stage hopes alive with 1-0 win over Bangladesh | Asian Games 2023 News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Indian football team clinched victory over Bangladesh thanks to a late goal by the 39-year-old veteran Sunil Chhetri in a crucial match at the Asian Games in Hangzhou on Thursday.Chhetri found the back of the net from the penalty spot in the 85th minute, securing a solitary goal that kept India's hopes alive for a spot in the tournament's knockout stage. This triumph followed a tough 1-5 defeat against the host nation China just two days earlier.Despite the Bangladesh goalkeeper guessing the right direction, he was unable to stop Chhetri's magnificent penalty kick, as the ball sailed past him into the net.The penalty was awarded to India after a foul committed by Bangladesh captain Rahmat, who impeded Bryce Miranda after a long ball had been delivered to him at the edge o...
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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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AIFF name Sunil Chhetri for Asian Games but silent on coach | undefined News – Times of India

PANAJI: Sunil Chhetri will be the lone senior player in the Indian team and will lead a relatively inexperienced 17-member squad for the Asian Games 2023 in China later this month. Significantly, the AIFF has not announced the coach. Igor Stimac has been registered as coach for the Asian Games, but should be choose not to take charge since several players are unavailable, assistant coach Mahesh Gawli will be the coach. AIFF will hold talks with Stimac on Thursday.Chhetri is the lone senior player in the 17-member squad as several ISL clubs refused to release key players. The other two seniors – Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sandesh Jhingan – won’t make the trip after their clubs refused to release them outside the FIFA international window and during the Indian Super League (ISL). The footb...
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Sunil Chhetri only known face in 17-member Indian football team for Asian Games, Stimac’s status not known | undefined News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In the 17-member Indian squad for the Hangzhou Asian Games, veteran striker Sunil Chhetri emerged as the sole notable figure. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) managed to assemble a second-rung team, although there remains uncertainty regarding head coach Igor Stimac's participation with the team.The majority of clubs initially expressed reluctance to release the 22 players originally named in the Indian squad due to scheduling conflicts between the Asian Games' football competition and the Indian Super League (ISL), which is set to commence on September 21.After prolonged and intensive negotiations, the AIFF was able to unveil a somewhat under-strength team, which retained nine players from the original 22, including Sunil Chhetri. The remaining slots were filled with...
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Sunil Chhetri to lead makeshift football side to Asian Games as most players selected initially not released by ISL clubs

Indian national team skipper Sunil Chhetri will lead a 17-member squad at the Hangzhou Asian Games with only nine of the 22 players initially requested by coach Igor Stimac released by Indian Super League (ISL) clubs for the event that falls outside the FIFA international window. It is unclear whether Stimac and his coaching staff will be a part of the Asian Games after most of the players he was looking for after a successful SAFF Cup at home will be a part of their respective ISL teams, participating in the domestic league and the Asian Champions League/ AFC Cup tournaments. The Croatian had made it clear earlier that the Asian Games was an important tournament in the lead-up to the World Cup qualifiers and the AFC Asian Cup. When Stimac had initially announced his 22-member squad in ...
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Kings Cup: India lose to Iraq in penalty shootout after conceding debatable penalty | Football News – Times of India

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND: A Sunil Chhetri-less India conceded a late goal off a debatable penalty to miss out on their first ever win over higher-ranked Iraq who won via penalty shootout in the Kings Cup here on Thursday.India were leading 2-1 till the 79th minute when the referee awarded a soft penalty to Iraq after their striker Aymen Ghadhban was squeezed by two defenders in the box during a tussle to get on to a high cross.It did not look like a clear-cut penalty but Ghadhban himself stepped up to take the kick from the spot and scored to level the match 2-2 and take it to the penalty shootout.Iraq then won 5-4 in the shootout with Brandon Fernandez failing to score as his kick hit the post and went out.Under the tournament's rule, the match will be decided via penalty shootout if the s...
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Indian football clubs must listen to national team coach Igor Stimac for their own good

When he agreed terms to become India head coach, it is unlikely that Igor Stimac’s job would’ve included making frequent public appeals, with folded hands and heart emojis, for the most rudimentary things.He’s had to beg to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for matches against decent opposition.He has reached out to the Prime Minister, seeking his intervention to ensure the team did not miss out on the Hangzhou Asian Games. And after the government relaxed its norms to allow the football team to board the plane to China, Stimac penned another open letter on Sunday. This time, to the Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, requesting them to release their national team players. Here’s why Stimac has had to make an appeal to the clubs. All his players are contracted with the teams, whose ...
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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...