Author: Rahul Giri

By Rahul Giri Khalid Jamil’s India side defied all odds to script a memorable 2-1 win over hosts Tajikistan in their opening Group B clash of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 at the Hisor Central Stadium on Friday. There were concerns over India’s preparation ahead of the tournament, as seven of the starting XI came from ISL clubs that had neither begun pre-season training on time, owing to uncertainties around the Indian football calendar, nor participated in the Durand Cup. With only a 10-day preparatory camp in Bengaluru, questions over fitness and match sharpness dominated the build-up. But on the…

The Indian men’s national football team will script a new chapter in its history on Friday evening as they take the field for the first time in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, facing hosts Tajikistan at the Hisor Central Stadium. The contest marks the beginning of a challenging Group B campaign for the Blue Tigers, who will also take on Iran and Afghanistan in the coming week. India enter the tournament under the stewardship of Khalid Jamil, the first Indian head coach to lead the national side in 13 years. Jamil, who made his mark with Aizawl FC’s fairy-tale I-League…

NorthEast United FC scripted a golden chapter in their history as the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, presented them with the prestigious President’s Cup at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The occasion marked a moment of immense pride not just for the Highlanders, but also for Indian football. The honour followed NorthEast United’s emphatic triumph in the 134th edition of the IndianOil Durand Cup, where they successfully defended their crown by defeating Diamond Harbour FC 6-1 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. In doing so, they became the first team in 34 years to retain the fabled trophy, firmly etching their…

Newly appointed India head coach Khalid Jamil on Monday announced his 23-member squad for the upcoming CAFA Nations Cup, brushing aside concerns over the unavailability of Mohun Bagan players. The Kolkata club, which had seven names in the initial probables, has refused to release its players, citing the risk of injuries ahead of its AFC Champions League 2 commitments beginning September 16. Jamil, however, remained pragmatic, saying he will work with the resources at his disposal. “Whatever resources I have got or available, you have to use them. The attitude of the senior players like Anwar (Ali) and Sandesh (Jhingan)…

East Bengal women will step onto uncharted territory on Monday when they face Phnom Penh Crown FC in Cambodia in their opening fixture of the AFC Women’s Champions League Preliminary Stage. The occasion carries immense significance, not only for East Bengal, but also for Indian football. The Red-and-Gold brigade landed in Phnom Penh as India’s flag-bearers, having swept the IWL and the Kanyashree Cup last season. Under head coach Anthony Andrews, they have quietly built one of the strongest squads ever assembled by an Indian women’s club, boasting 10 national team regulars and a formidable foreign contingent. The Queens of…

NorthEast United FC etched their name in Indian football folklore on Saturday night, becoming the first team in 34 years to defend the Durand Cup crown. The Highlanders dismantled Diamond Harbour FC 6-1 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, ensuring that the fabled silverware remained in their cabinet for a second straight year. Unlike last year’s nail-biting penalty shootout against Mohun Bagan, this final was a one-sided spectacle. Diamond Harbour, who had shocked East Bengal in the semifinal, were unable to reproduce the same fight as Pedro Benali’s men ran riot under the floodlights. “This feels amazing — you can…

Rahul Giri NorthEast United FC successfully defended their Durand Cup crown, dismantling Diamond Harbour FC 6-1 at Salt Lake Stadium. Last year, the Highlanders had edged out Mohun Bagan in a dramatic penalty shootout to lift the first-ever trophy in their history. This time, the final lacked the same intensity, as Diamond Harbour failed to replicate the heroics that saw them knock East Bengal out in the semifinals. Founded in 2020, Diamond Harbour have enjoyed a meteoric rise — from the CFL First Division to the I-League in just five years. Reaching the Durand Cup final is an achievement very…

Following the Supreme Court’s directive to resolve their ongoing dispute, the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) is reportedly ready to meet with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) within the next 24 to 48 hours. The meeting is a direct result of the court’s order to negotiate a settlement before the next hearing on August 28. According to sources, FSDL believes that ISL clubs, as major financial investors and key stakeholders, must be part of these discussions. This is not a new issue but a central part of FSDL’s position, which maintains that the clubs’ long-term interests and the league’s…

Rahul Giri The Supreme Court on Friday directed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) to resolve their differences over the Master Rights Agreement (MRA), a dispute that has placed the future of Indian football in jeopardy. The matter was heard by a bench comprising Justices PSNarasimha and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, following interventions by court-appointed advisors. The dispute had reached the court after the AIFF withdrew its earlier plea for an urgent resolution. At the heart of the tussle is the financial and operational framework governing the Indian Super League (ISL). While the AIFF has…

On August 22, 2025, a critical legal battle for the future of Indian football will be heard by the Supreme Court. The dispute is between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the company that runs the Indian Super League (ISL). The hearing comes after the AIFF backed away from seeking an urgent resolution, and it was only through the intervention of court-appointed advisors that the case was brought before Justices P. S. Narasimha and Atul Chandurkar. What’s at Stake? The main issue is the financial and operational model for the ISL. The ISL’s future…