Author: Rahul Giri

In what promises to be a nostalgic moment for Mohun Bagan fans, ‘homegrown’ forward Kiyan Nassiri is all set for a return to the Kolkata giants ahead of the new season. Kiyan, who was a part of Mohun Bagan’s title-winning I-League squad in 2019 and famously scored a historic hat-trick in the 2022 Kolkata Derby, had earned a special place in the hearts of the green-and-maroon faithful. However, a lack of consistent playing time saw him move to Chennaiyin FC last season, seeking more minutes on the pitch. Despite being in head coach Owen Coyle’s plans at Chennaiyin, Kiyan struggled…

Former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia launched a scathing attack on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its president Kalyan Chaubey, questioning the federation’s direction, transparency, and competence in handling key matters concerning Indian football. In a press conference filled with strong words and pointed accusations on Friday, Bhutia expressed grave concerns over the functioning of Indian football’s apex body and called for greater accountability. At the centre of his criticism was AIFF’s strategic roadmap Vision 2047, a long-term development plan aimed at turning India into a footballing powerhouse in Asia by its centenary year. Bhutia, however, remained unconvinced…

Following India’s disappointing 1-0 defeat to Hong Kong, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey addressed a series of key issues surrounding Indian football, including the future of national team head coach Manolo Marquez, the integration of OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) players, goal-scoring concerns, grassroots development, and long-term strategic goals. Manolo Marquez’s Future to Be Decided on 29 June With growing uncertainty over Manolo Marquez’s position after a string of underwhelming results, Chaubey confirmed that the Spanish coach’s future will be deliberated at the upcoming AIFF Executive Committee meeting on 29 June. “Manolo is a highly rated coach with a solid understanding…

Things are going from bad to worse for Mohammedan Sporting. With a potential FIFA transfer ban hanging over their heads, the Kolkata club with an illustrious history is also urgently searching for a new investor to secure their participation in the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL), following the exit of the Shrachi Group. Sources have informed RevSportz that the Black and White Brigade have held discussions with several potential investors, but an agreement is yet to be reached. With time running out, the club’s last resort could well be seeking assistance from the West Bengal Chief Minister for a solution…

India suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Hong Kong in their AFC Asian Cup qualifier, a stark contrast to their dominant 4-0 victory against the same opponent three years prior. Despite a strong showing against the 153rd-ranked nation, India failed to capitalise on scoring opportunities and couldn’t hold their nerve until the final whistle, as a late penalty in the dying moments proved costly. Stefan Pereira’s penalty kick secured Hong Kong’s victory, sending the home crowd into rapturous cheers that reverberated across the stadium. The Hong Kong players celebrated enthusiastically with their devoted fans, basking in a crucial win. With…

India’s Blue Tigers are set to face Hong Kong, China in a high-stakes encounter on Matchday 2 of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers at the 50,000-capacity Kai Tak Stadium in Kowloon. This fixture not only marks the inaugural football match at the newly constructed Kai Tak Stadium—built on the site of the city’s former airport—but also a pivotal clash in Group C. After both opening games on March 25 ended in goalless draws (India vs Bangladesh and Hong Kong vs Singapore), all four teams are level on a point each. With only the group winners progressing to…

Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia has been one of the most talked-about Indian strikers in recent times. The 23-year-old from Mizoram grabbed headlines with his record-breaking performance in the 2023–24 I-League season, where he netted 15 goals and provided 3 assists — the highest-ever goal tally by an Indian in a single I-League campaign, surpassing legends like Sunil Chhetri (2013–14) and Mohammed Rafi (2009–10). His red-hot form earned him a call-up to the national camp and a reputation as one of India’s most promising forwards. Now, having followed it up with another strong outing for Aizawl FC in the 2024–25 season, where he…

A year ago, India’s dream of progressing to the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers took a major hit after a disappointing draw against Kuwait and a narrow defeat to Qatar. The underwhelming performances led to the sacking of head coach Igor Stimac. In his place came Manolo Marquez, a man celebrated for his stint in Indian domestic football, particularly with Hyderabad FC and more recently FC Goa. Since his appointment, however, Marquez’s tenure has failed to inspire confidence. In seven matches under his leadership, India are yet to register a convincing performance, let alone a meaningful result.…

India are set for a challenging pre-test against Thailand before their vital AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier clash against Hong Kong on 10 June. After a disappointing draw against Bangladesh in the opening round, the Blue Tigers have been leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to bounce back in the qualifying campaign. Preparations began in Kolkata on 19 May, where the team played two consecutive warm-up matches against local opposition. The squad then travelled to Thailand, where they will test their readiness against the hosts, currently ranked 99th in the FIFA Rankings — 28 spots above India (127th). Chhangte:…

Indian Football is set for a thrilling two months as the summer transfer window officially opens on June 12. Clubs across the country will be on their toes to strengthen their squads, aiming to bring in key signings that align with their ambitions. Fans, too, will eagerly await announcements from their favourite clubs, hoping to find joy in new player arrivals. Among the clubs looking to rebuild and reinforce will be Kerala Blasters. Despite coming close on multiple occasions, the Blasters are yet to lift silverware. Last season was a particularly forgettable one, prompting strong reactions from their passionate fanbase.…