anirudh thapa – Artifex.News

Indian Football In 2024: A Disastrous Year Of Heartbreaks And Controversies

admin — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:18:52 +0000

Eleven matches. Six defeats and five draws. Four goals scored and 15 conceded. As far as results are concerned, 2024 was arguably the worst year ever for the Indian men’s football team. It was a year that started with hopes of a strong campaign at the AFC Asian Cup. However, with some disastrous results and the controversial departure of head coach Igor Stimac, it was anything but an easy journey. Manolo Marquez taking over the reins midway but he had a tough task with the team missing their talisman Sunil Chhetri who bid farewell to the game after an illustrious career. The final half of the year saw some new faces make their presence felt for the side but sadly, the team still ended the year without a single victory.

The AFC Asian Cup campaign saw India facing tough opponents in Australia, Syria and Uzbekistan. India were unable to score even a single goal in the entire competition with just five shots on target in the three group stage matches. They were out of the group stages after conceding six goals.

It was the beginning of India’s misery as they slumped to a shocking 1-2 loss against Afghanistan at home in a FIFA World Cup qualifier match. Chhetri did find the back of the net but they were made to suffer for their missed chances as both experts and fans were left stunned by the result.

A draw against Kuwait gave some hope for qualification to the third round of World Cup qualifiers but the dreams were shattered following a controversial 1-2 loss against Qatar. The game saw India produce some good football but a horrible error by the referee spelt the end of their chances of advancing.

Following the loss against Qatar, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) decided to terminate Igor Stimac’s contract as the head coach. However, controversy ensued once again as Stimac was left fuming by the decision and he launched a scathing attack on AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey. There were allegations made on both side and it ended with a $400,000 (approximately Rs 3.36 crore) compensation for Stimac as his contract was ended early by the AIFF due to the disappointing results.

Manolo Marquez was appointed the head coach of the side and he had the tough job of reconstructing a side low on confidence and missing their star striker. Chhetri announced that he will play his final game against Kuwait and his emotional farewell left a huge gap in the Indian attack. The national side has been struggling to find a proper replacement for Chhetri and his departure left Marquez in a spot of bother.

The four matches under Marquez saw in-form players making the cut and the team leaning a lot on making use of the wingers in attack. Marquez’s first assignment was the Intercontinental Cup where they drew their first match against Maldives but were defeated 0-3 by Syria in the following match.

While the football on display was quite attractive due to the focus on midfield and more sharpness in set-pieces, the lack of goals was quite evident. The last two matches of the year saw India playing out draws against Vietnam and Malaysia with the team scoring just twice in the two matches. There were as many as four strikers used in those two matches but they did not come close to replicating Chhetri’s prowess.

While India have not won a single game under Marquez’s coaching yet, they have been successful in drawing three of the four matches. The fast-paced attacking football has already found a few admirers among the fans but it is still a long road ahead for the side. The first challenge of 2025 for the side will be to register their first win in over a year and finally attempt to solve the striker conundrum. However, it is a new era under Manolo Marquez and for the time being, it does come with new hope for the national side.

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Mohun Bagan SG Say AFC Have ‘Recognised’ Club’s Decision To Not Travel To Iran, Withdrawal Still Intact

admin — Sat, 02 Nov 2024 07:51:37 +0000

File image of Mohun Bagan Super Giants.© Mohun Bagan

Kolkata:

Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Saturday said the Asian Football Confederation has “recognised” the top Indian club’s pullout from their AFC Champions League 2 match in Iran last month as a case of force majeure. Keeping the players’ “safety and security” in mind, Mohun Bagan SG last month decided to forgo their October 2 match against Tractor FC in Iran due to the volatile situation prevailing in the West Asian nation at the time.

The continental body reacted promptly and the Kolkata-based club was withdrawn from the tournament, pending further decision on the matter.

According to the MBSG, the AFC has now recognised their concerns but added the club remained withdrawn from the tournament.

“On 2nd November 2024, Mohun Bagan Super Giant has been communicated by the Asian Football Federation (AFC) that in response to the club’s appeal, the AFC Competitions Committee has decided to recognise the matters raised by Mohun Bagan SG as an event of force majeure,” the club said in a statement.

“Consequently penal consequences, as per clause 5.7 of AFC Champions League 2 Competition Regulations shall not apply to Mohun Bagan SG.” MBSG added in their statement, “However, in terms of AFC Champions League 2 Competition Regulation clauses 5.5 and 5.6 even in case of force majeure events MBSG shall stand withdrawn from the tournament for ongoing season.” Mohun Bagan SG were scheduled to play Tractor FC on October 2 in a Group A match of the ACL — the continent’s second-tier club competition.

However, the players expressed their unwillingness to travel to Iran, which was then in a state of mourning following the death of a prominent general of the Revolutionary Guard in an Israeli air strike.

Mohun Bagan had taken the decision to not travel to the country after Iran launched missiles on Israel, escalating political tensions between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the AFC had rescheduled matches across its tournaments due to the security situation in Iran, weeks after Mohun Bagan Super Giants were “withdrawn” from competitions, forcing the Indian club to accuse the continental football body of “unequal treatment”.

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East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan LIVE Streaming, ISL 2024 LIVE Telecast: When And Where To Watch

admin — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 12:33:58 +0000

East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan LIVE Telecast, ISL 2024 LIVE Streaming: When And Where To Watch© X (Twitter)

East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan LIVE Telecast: With four defeats in their first four Indian Super League (ISL) games in the ongoing season, rock bottom East Bengal are desperate for a win, and there is no better way to kickstart their account than with a victory over arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giants in the Kolkata derby. Mohun Bagan are fourth in the table after a mixed start to the season, but boast a great record in ISL games against East Bengal. In the previous eight ISL Kolkata derbies, East Bengal are winless, while Mohun Bagan have scored at least two goals in each.

East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan LIVE Streaming, Check Where and How to Watch LIVE Telecast

When will the East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan ISL Kolkata derby match take place?

The East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan ISL Kolkata derby match will take place on Saturday, October 19 (IST).

Where will the East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan ISL Kolkata derby match be held?

The East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan ISL Kolkata derby match will be held at the Salt Lake Stadium (Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan), Kolkata.

What time will the East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan ISL Kolkata derby match start?

The East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan ISL Kolkata derby match will start at 7:30 PM IST.

Which TV channels will live telecast the East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan ISL Kolkata derby match?

The East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan ISL Kolkata derby match will be live telecast on the Sports18 network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan ISL Kolkata derby match?

The East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan ISL Kolkata derby match will be live streamed on the JioCinema app and website.

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

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Mohun Bagan vs Mumbai City FC Live Streaming Indian Super League Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch

admin — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 12:43:20 +0000

Mohun Bagan vs Mumbai City FC Live Streaming Indian Super League Live Telecast: Mohun Bagan Super Giants take on Mumbai City FC in the opening match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Mohun Bagan have won both the ISL season openers they have played previously, against Kerala Blasters FC in 2020-21 and 2021-22, respectively. However, the Mariners’ record against the Islanders needs improvement, having won once against Mumbai City FC in their 10 fixtures so far.

Mohun Bagan won the ISL shield last season while Mumbai City won the cup. Mumbai City FC have seen a change in guard with Lallianzuala Chhangte set to lead the team, following Rahul Bheke’s departure to Bengaluru FC.

When will the Mohun Bagan vs Mumbai City FC Indian Super League match be played?

The Mohun Bagan vs Mumbai City FC Indian Super League match will be played on Friday, September 13.

Where will the Mohun Bagan vs Mumbai City FC Indian Super League match be played?

The Mohun Bagan vs Mumbai City FC Indian Super League match will be played at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.

What time will the Mohun Bagan vs Mumbai City FC Indian Super League match start?

The Mohun Bagan vs Mumbai City FC Indian Super League match will start at 7:30 PM IST.

Which TV channels will telecast the Mohun Bagan vs Mumbai City FC Indian Super League match?

The Mohun Bagan vs Mumbai City FC Indian Super League match will be telecasted on Sports 18.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Mohun Bagan vs Mumbai City FC Indian Super League match?

The Mohun Bagan vs Mumbai City FC Indian Super League match will be streamed live on Jio Cinema.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)

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Mohun Bagan Super Giants Eye Historic Treble In ISL Summit Clash vs Mumbai City FC

admin — Fri, 03 May 2024 12:37:27 +0000

Mohun Bagan will look to cap off their fairytale season with a historic treble as they face Mumbai City FC in the ISL summit clash at Salt Lake Stadium, with 62,000 partisan fans expected to cheer their guts out and paint the stands in green and maroon, creating an electrifying atmosphere here on Saturday. The season began with the Mariners winning the Durand Cup for the first time after 23 years. Having slipped to fifth in the table at midway stage, Antonio Habas took over from Juan Ferrando and led them to their maiden League Winners Shield.

Two weeks after they defeated Mumbai City FC 2-1 to win their maiden Shield, the two teams will return to the same venue of Salt Lake Stadium with an aim to complete a rare double in the ISL and a hattrick of titles in one season.

As per noted football statistician Hari Prasad Chattopadhyay, the last time Mohun Bagan won three titles or more was more than 23 years back when they had won the erstwhile National Football League (NFL), Federation Cup, Calcutta Premier Division League, Sikkim Gold Cup and Bordoloi Trophy. The coach was India captain Sunil Chhetri’s father-in-law Subroto Bhattacharyya.

Mumbai City FC have done it before in 2020-21 and the stage will be set for Mohun Bagan to follow suit.

“Statistics have no relevance. We have to continue playing well and complete the circle,” the 66-year-old Spanish tactician said in the pre-match media interaction.

Three years back, Mohun Bagan had squandered a 1-0 lead to to suffer a 1-2 defeat against the same team at the ISL final held in Margao, which was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But revenge is not on Habas’ minds.

“I’m not about revenge; that’s stuff you see in movies or with the mafia. It’s just another game against tough opponents, and it’s going to be a great show for the ISL,” Habas said.

The target however is to finish the game in “45 minutes”, said Habas making it clear that he will go allout in attack with Anirudh Thapa, Jason Cummings, Dimitri Petratos and Manvir Singh.

Asked about this strategy, he said: “To finish it in 45 minutes.” “Obviously we don’t want to go to extra team. It’s hot out there so better to finish it in 90 minutes.” The 66-year-old, who has two ISL titles one Winners Shield making him the most successful coach of the top-tier league, futher said he’s in the fag-end of his career.

“I’m in the final stage of my coaching career and it’s a proud moment for me.” Mohun Bagan’s attack will be boosted by a fit-again India midfielder Sahal Abdul Samad who came off the bench to strike the winning goal against Odisha FC in the return leg ISL semi-final.

While Sahal will be fit, Armando Sadiku will miss the match.

Mumbai City on the other hand will bank of Vikram Pratap Singh and Lallianzuala Chhangte, while their Dutch midfielder Yoell van Nieff will miss out because of suspension.

“For last four years, ISL battle is all about Mumbai and Mohun Bagan who are fighting for this Shield and Trophy. The recipe for our success has been to stay together and play together. When the season began, we were a group, now we have become a family and we have to play like one.” Mohun Bagan have frequently struggled to maintain their lead and have conceded goals due to defensive lapses, a vulnerability that Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky will surely be mindful of and seized the momentum.

“Players want to play in front of packed stadium, I think it will be an extra motivation to do well,” he said.

He further said losing the Shield was difficult. “We knew what was at stake, it’s always hard. We tried to regroup put ourselves together. A couple of training sessions the spirit was little down, but now we are good to continue.”

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East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan Live, ISL 2023-24: Mohun Bagan Face East Bengal In High-Voltage Encounter

admin — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 14:21:41 +0000

ISL 2024, East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan Live Match© X (formerly Twitter)

East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan, Indian Super League 2023-24: The Kolkata Derby returns to the ISL 2023-24 with Mohun Bagan and East Bengal locking horns at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday, with the kick-off at 8:30 pm IST. With 33 points from 16 games (after 10 wins, three draws and three losses), the Mariners can equal league leaders Mumbai City FC (36) with a win, whilst having a game in hand compared to the Islanders. On the other hand, East Bengal are not in the best run of form at the moment, losing thrice in their last five games. However, the team has 18 points from as many games (after four wins, six draws and eight losses).

Here are the LIVE Updates of East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan, straight from Salt Lake Stadium:

March10202420:03 (IST)

East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan Live: MB eye top spot

With 33 points from 16 games (after 10 wins, three draws and three losses), Mohun Bagan can equal league leaders Mumbai City FC (36) with a win.

March10202419:56 (IST)

East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan Live: Hello and welcome

Hello and welcome to the ISL 2023-24 match between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. The two traditional rivals have produced brilliant matches in the recent past and this will be the latest addition to their illustrious history.

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India vs Iraq Live, King’s Cup 2023: Can India Overcome Iraq In Sunil Chhetri’s Absence?

admin — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 09:27:01 +0000

King’s Cup 2023 semi-finals Live: Sunil Chhetri-less India take on Iraq.© AIFF

India vs Iraq, King’s Cup 2023 Semi-Finals Live: The Indian men’s football team faces Iraq in the semi-final of the King’s Cup 2023 tournament at the 700th Anniversary Stadium in Chiang Mai in Thailand. Ranked 99th in the FIFA Rankings, India will make its fourth appearance in the King’s Cup, and first since 2019. However, Igor Stimac’s men will be without the services of Sunil Chhetri, who is out of action due to personal reasons. India last played Iraq, the highest-ranked team in this edition (70), in a friendly in 2010, suffering a 2-0 defeat.

September07202315:09 (IST)

India vs Iran Live: Can the Blue Tigers go all the way?

This is India’s fourth appearance in the King’s Cup. Back in 2019, when India last featured, they fell short against Curacao in the semi-final before beating Thailand 1-0 in the third-place playoff.

September07202315:07 (IST)

India vs Iran Live: Can India rise to the occasion?

India’s last meeting against Iraq came back in 2010. India had lost the match 0-2. Can they turn the tide this time around?

September07202315:02 (IST)

India vs Iran Live: No Chhetri for India!

India, who are 99th in the FIFA rankings, will be without the talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri, unavailable due to personal reasons. Chhetri, however, will return for India’s Asian Games campaign

September07202315:00 (IST)

India vs Iran Live: Hello!

Hello and welcome to our live blog for the King’s Cup semi-final between India and Thailand. The kick-off is exactly minutes from now. Stay tuned for further updates

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