Author: Rahul Giri

India head into their final Group B fixture of the CAFA Nations Cup against Afghanistan with everything to play for. A win would not only keep them in contention for a spot in the final, but also guarantee another competitive fixture in the third-place match on September 8 — a valuable opportunity in this international window. Head coach Khalid Jamil has made it clear that his side will not be distracted by calculations. “We are not thinking of all such scenarios at this point. There is no point to it,” he said on the eve of the game. “We will…

AIFF Secretary General M. Satyanarayan described the Supreme Court’s interim order in the ongoing AIFF vs FSDL case as “a victory for Indian football”, while emphasising that the Federation will take its next steps only after carefully studying the judgement. “The order was out yesterday, it is premature for us to comment unless our lawyers get the signed copy of the judgment and AIFF will be briefed,” Satyanarayan told RevSportz. “After that, we also need to apprise the executive committee of the developments and then we can comment on the way forward. The executive committee will advise keeping in mind…

By Rahul Giri The Indian men’s football team put up a gritty fight against continental powerhouse Iran before succumbing to a 0-3 defeat in their Group B clash of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 at the Hisor Central Stadium on Monday. Head coach Khalid Jamil made two changes from the side that beat Tajikistan in the opener, bringing in Danish Farooq and Nikhil Prabhu while resting Jeakson Singh and Lallianzuala Chhangte. Against Iran, India’s game plan was clear, stay compact, congest the centre, and force the opponents wide. The strategy worked well in the opening stages. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was…

Fresh from a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over hosts Tajikistan, the Indian men’s national football team gears up for its sternest challenge yet — a Group B encounter against Asian heavyweights Iran, in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, at the Hisor Central Stadium on Monday. Head coach Khalid Jamil, who oversaw a spirited display in India’s opener, attributed the win to the unity within his squad. “The victory was all down to the unity the players showed on the pitch. Everyone worked in unison – not only the players but also the technical, medical and support staff. That spirit has been…

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…