Author: Rahul Giri

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.…

In a major development that could significantly alter the I-League title race, the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Appeals Committee has ruled against Inter Kashi, upholding complaints filed by Churchill Brothers, Real Kashmir, and Namdhari FC. The committee concluded that Inter Kashi had violated I-League regulations by fielding a seventh foreign player, leading to the forfeiture of their matches against the three complainant clubs. The controversy dates back to a formal complaint lodged by Namdhari FC on 29 March, in which the Punjab-based club accused Inter Kashi of breaching Articles 6.5.6 and 6.5.7 of the I-League rulebook. According to tournament…

Scottish defender Tom Aldred has signed a one-year contract extension with Mohun Bagan Super Giant, turning down offers from two other Indian Super League (ISL) clubs. While the club was keen to retain its formidable centre-back pairing, which played a crucial role in securing the ISL double last season, club sources confirm that Aldred was keen on continuing for one more season. Tom joined Mohun Bagan last season and initially faced scrutiny during his early days at the club. However, as the season progressed, he developed strong chemistry with fellow defender Alberto Rodriguez, forming a rock-solid defensive unit. Together, the…

Mohun Bagan SG’s star duo Sahal Abdul Samad and Ashique Kuruniyan are set to be part of the squad for the upcoming Kalinga Super Cup. The Keralite duo came off the bench in the ISL Final, replacing Liston Colaco and Anirudh Thapa, and provided the much-needed spark that helped the team overturn a 1-0 deficit to clinch a 2-1 victory and lift the ISL Cup. As per reports, Sahal and Ashique will be among the few first-team players from Mohun Bagan’s ISL squad selected for the Super Cup campaign. The Mariners will be coached by Bastab Roy for the tournament,…

Jofra Archer’s Maiden Over Exposes Chennai’s Opening Struggles Again Chennai Super Kings’ top-order troubles were again on show as they fell to 5/1 in the initial three overs of their latest IPL 2025 match. Jofra Archer’s probing spell, including the season’s first maiden over, completely derailed CSK’s openers, exposing their ongoing powerplay troubles. But there was a rescue flourish late, as they got 37 runs in the last three overs and finished at 42/1 after six overs. Though this rescue saved their innings, their slow start is a reason for worry. Powerplay Struggles: A Recurring Issue In IPL 2024, CSK…

It started with Mohun Bagan and inevitably moved to East Bengal. The title of the session at the RevSportz Trailblazers 3.0 Conclave on Friday was – MBSG: Is This The Best ISL Team Ever? Srinjoy Bose, Bagan’s former general secretary, put things in perspective. “In the ISL, this is the best Mohun Bagan team. But I can’t say if it’s the best ever. There have been many great Mohun Bagan teams in the past. The club has produced legends.” He spoke about the bonhomie the club has with the RPSG Group. The Group, with Sanjiv Goenka as its chairman, acquired…