Author: Rahul Giri

-Rahul Giri In a significant development for Indian football, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Wednesday held a high-level meeting with representatives of all 13 Indian Super League (ISL) clubs and commercial partners Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) to discuss the way forward for the 2025–26 season. The meeting was attended by AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, vice-president N.A. Haris, treasurer Kipa Ajay, deputy secretary general M. Satyanarayan and executive committee member Menla Ethenpa. In a rare show of unity, all ISL clubs participated in the meeting—11 clubs sent their officials to New Delhi, while Mohun Bagan Super Giant and…

Rahul Giri Chennaiyin FC, two-time Indian Super League (ISL) champions, have announced a temporary suspension of their operations, citing ongoing uncertainty over the league’s future. In an official statement, the club described the decision as “extremely difficult” and one taken only after “much thoughtful consideration and careful deliberation”. “At Chennaiyin FC, we are more than just a football club. We are a family,” the statement read. “Like any family, we support each other in difficult times. However, we must remain true to the core values on which this club was built.” The club acknowledged the well-known challenges of being a…

From the narrow lanes of Kolkata to the national stage, Rinku Ghosh’s football journey is one of persistence, quiet strength, and determination. Now coaching the West Bengal Police women’s football team, her story reflects how women’s football in India is changing — still facing challenges, but moving forward with hope. “When I started out, hardly anyone believed that women could take football seriously,” Rinku says. “It wasn’t seen as a career. Girls were discouraged, and there wasn’t much support. But I knew this is what I wanted.” Growing up in West Bengal, Rinku fell in love with the game at…

Rahul Giri in Kolkata Mohun Bagan began their Durand Cup campaign with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Mohammedan Sporting, despite being reduced to 10 men late in the first half. The Mariners started brightly and came close in the 10th minute when Anirudh Thapa delivered a precise cross for Suhail Bhat. The young striker did well to lift the ball over a defender, but his effort struck the crossbar. In the 23rd minute, Liston Colaco lit up the contest with a sensational free-kick from just outside the box. Having earned the foul himself, Colaco curled the ball into the top-right…

Mohun Bagan SG are set to kick off their 2024-25 season with a high-stakes Kolkata Derby clash against a youthful Mohammedan Sporting Club in the Durand Cup. Both teams will take the field without any foreigners, but for very different reasons. Mohammedan SC, currently facing a transfer ban, have been unable to register any new domestic or foreign signings. On the other hand, Mohun Bagan’s foreign contingent — including overseas players and the coaching staff — are yet to join the squad. The Mariners will therefore begin their Durand Cup campaign with an all-Indian lineup under the guidance of Bastab…

India have been drawn into Group C of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, alongside regional heavyweights Japan, Vietnam, and Chinese Taipei. The draw was conducted at the iconic Sydney Town Hall. Placed in position C3, the Blue Tigresses will begin their Women’s Asian Cup with a match against Vietnam on March 4, 2026, at the Perth Rectangular Stadium. India will then face Japan on March 7 at the same venue, before squaring off against Chinese Taipei on March 10 at the Western Sydney Stadium. The 21st edition of the continent’s premier women’s football tournament will take place in Australia…

In a significant step forward for Indian women’s football, Aveka Singh, a former India U-15 international, has signed with Næstved HG, a Danish club competing in the Kvinde 1. Division, Denmark’s second-tier league. The 21-year-old midfielder, who previously plied her trade in the USA with UC Irvine Anteaters and in Spain with Terrassa, now finds herself starting a new chapter in Scandinavia — one that, as she puts it, is “more about development than just results”. “The move to Denmark, both personally and professionally, feels right at this stage after my time in the US,” Aveka told RevSportz. “It’s a…

Rahul Giri In a nerve-wracking Kolkata derby held at the Kalyani Stadium, East Bengal edged past arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) 3-2 to notch a crucial victory in the Calcutta Football League (CFL) 2025. In a contest brimming with passion, local flavour, and dramatic swings, it was East Bengal who held their nerve to walk away with three priceless points. Experts often say that the team which manages to stay composed in the heat of a derby walks away victorious—and East Bengal did just that. They settled into the game early, struck valuable goals, and resisted a spirited Mohun…

Mohun Bagan Super Giant started their preparations for the Durand Cup with their domestic brigade, under the supervision of assistant coach Bastab Roy. Key Indian players including Ashis Rai, Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco, Deepak Tangri, Apuia, Abhishek Suryavanshi, Anirudh Thapa, Glan Martins and Vishal Kaith were present on Day 1 of training. The biggest attraction was Abhishek Singh, who joined the Mariners on a four-year contract from Punjab FC in what is reported to be a record transfer deal. Abhishek received a warm welcome from his teammates, as several fans gathered outside the National Centre of Excellence training ground to…

Rahul Giri in Kolkata East Bengal FC made a resounding start to their 2025-26 campaign with a commanding 5–0 victory over Bengaluru-based South United FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Tuesday. The revamped squad gave fans a glimpse of what lies ahead, with four debutants impressing on the night. Notably, new signing Bipin Singh marked his debut in the iconic red-and-gold with a splendid goal. The evening began with a grand opening ceremony featuring a blend of traditional, cultural performances, including Baul music, a Khukri demonstration, and martial arts displays. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, along with…