Author: Webdesk

Scoring 15 goals and providing three assists in the I-League is no small feat. Sunil Chhetri and Mohammed Rafi came close, managing to score 14 goals in 23 appearances. However, Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, one of the poster boys of Indian football, has surpassed them both, taking his goal tally to 15 in just 18 appearances in his debut season. Hailing from the Serchhip District of Mizoram, Lalrinzuala’s goal-scoring prowess in the ongoing I-League has ensured that Aizawl FC maintain their place in the I-League, despite some very ordinary performance. The 23-year-old remains hopeful that he can make the most of their…

Kolkata Knight Riders dropped catches at crucial times, but held a few, too, to restrict Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a fairly modest total by M Chinnaswamy’s standards in this IPL 2024 match. What the home team got — 182 — was below par and the visitors made short work of it. KKR are going strong and RCB are a bit down at the moment. The name is Virat. Don’t forget Virat Kohli has to be appreciated for playing a second standout knock. He is doing something special and showing that there is a lot about him which is still to…

Bijay Chhetri, the Chennaiyin FC defender, has embarked on a historic journey as he joins Colon Football Club, a Segunda (second) division team in Uruguay, on loan until the end of the year. This move marks a historic milestone, as Bijay becomes the first Indian footballer to secure a contract with a Latin American club, opening new horizons for Indian talent in international football. Colon, a prestigious 116-year-old professional football institution based in Montevideo, currently competes in the second tier. Bijay’s loan deal includes an option for Colon FC to make the signing permanent, reflecting the club’s confidence in…

Last year, on March 28, India’s men’s football team embarked on a dream run, clinching three titles consecutively – the Tri-Nation Cup, Intercontinental Cup, and SAFF Cup – on home turf. However, nearly a year later, on March 26, the same team faced boos from fans following a disastrous 2-1 defeat to Afghanistan in Guwahati. India had triumphed over Kuwait and Lebanon in the SAFF Cup and competed toe-to-toe with Malaysia and Iraq in the Merdeka Tournament and Kings Cup. The team then secured a remarkable away win against Kuwait, before an ordinary display in the AFC Asian Cup, and…

On the eve of a consequential and important game between India and Afghanistan, a FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, contrasting scenes unfolded in the training camps of the visitors and the home team. The Lions of Khorasan, who held Sunil Chhetri and company to a goalless draw, appeared calm and relaxed while preparing for the return leg in Guwahati on Monday. Fun drills and banter between players were constant during their hour-long training session. As a drizzle started, it was a sight to behold as Afghanistan’s players immersed themselves in a 5…

In Abha, the capital city of Aseer Province near the Red Sea in south-west Saudi Arabia, the Blue Tigers are preparing diligently for the away leg fixture of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Afghanistan, scheduled to take place on March 22. Under chief coach Igor Stimac, one crucial aspect of their training regime must be confronting the challenges of playing at 2470 metres above sea level. Additionally, they must contend with the absence of chief defender Sandesh Jhingan. Stimac has to field a new center-back pairing against the Lions of Khorasan. Defence has bothered India of late. With Anwar…

The Indian football team has reached Abha, Saudi Arabia, to play a World Cup qualifier against Afghanistan on March 21. Following this, India will host the same opponent in Guwahati on June 26, in the return fixture. On Friday, three names that made headlines were Amey Ranawade, Imran Khan, and Jay Gupta, after they received their maiden national team call-ups. These three promising players have showcased exceptional performances in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) season, and earned Igor Stimac’s faith. Amey Ranawade Ranawade has played a substantial role for Odisha FC in the ISL. The 26-year-old right-back has a…

Sandesh Jhingan, India’s talismanic centre-back, who has been sidelined since January following an injury sustained against Syria in the AFC Asian Cup, has begun his recovery process and was cautiously optimistic that he might be back in the fray before the crucial World Cup 2026 qualifier against Kuwait. Jhingan, who now plays for FC Goa, is set to miss the upcoming home-and-away qualifiers against Afghanistan. Jhingan’s absence will undoubtedly be felt keenly. “If there’s one player who is hard to replace, it is Sandesh,” said Igor Stimac, India’s head coach, in a conversation with RevSportz. However, the Croatian tactician will…

On Tuesday at Naihati Stadium in an I-League fixture, Churchill Brothers took an unexpected lead against Mohammedan Sporting, when Stendly Fernandes scored. The Black-and-White fans grew tense. Any slip-up by the I-League leaders would mean another year of wait to qualify for the Indian Super League (ISL). Mohammedan Sporting’s head coach, Andrey Chernyshov, remained calm, along with other officials and reserve players in the dugout. They looked confident of a comeback. And, they did that in a 3-2 win. Now, Mohammedan Sporting have five games remaining. It will be difficult to dislodge them from the top, considering that nearest rivals…

Jason Cummings, Liston Colaco and Dimi Petratos’s first-half strikes earned Mohun Bagan a convincing 3-1 victory over East Bengal in the Indian Super League’s Kolkata derby. Mohun Bagan dominated the first half, securing a three-goal lead before heading into the tunnel. In the second half, East Bengal showed resilience and gave it their all to make a comeback. Vishal Kaith’s heroic saves and East Bengal’s failures near the goal ensured Mohun Bagan emerged victorious. Mohun Bagan climbed to the top of the table, with 36 points from 17 matches. East Bengal are 10th among 12 teams, with 18 points from…