Soft-spoken Spaniard Manolo Marquez (55), whose consummate ability to use his limited resources to extract the best became the talking point of Indian football, has recently been made the head coach of the senior national men’s football team. However, he will continue his coaching assignment with ISL club FC Goa alongside the national team. In an interview published in the website of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) website on AIFF’s efforts to produce quality coaches all over the country, Marquez said ‘coach education’ is important all over the world.

“It’s not only in India, but coach education is important in all the countries. Licences are important, and you definitely need them. But that does not mean you will be a better coach. Someone may not have a licence, but have more knowledge about football,” Marquez told.

The Blue Tigers will begin their stint under Marquez at the Intercontinental Cup in Hyderabad, where they will face Syria and Mauritius in September.

During his four-year stay in India, Marquez said he observed the level of Indian coaches getting better.

“Over the four seasons that I’ve been here, I’ve seen the level of Indian coaches get better every season. Last season, there were two Indian head coaches – Thangboi Singto (Hyderabad FC) and Khalid Jamil (Jamshedpur FC). Clifford (Miranda) won the Super Cup with Odisha FC before that,” Marquez said.

“I’ve also seen a lot of talented Indian assistant coaches over the past four years. I am currently working with a fantastic assistant coach in Gouramangi Singh, who is a former India international himself.

“In the national team, I will also be working with Mahesh Gawali, another good coach who was an excellent player for the national team a few years ago,” he added.

The Spaniard feels that in the next few years, the target should be having a national team head coach from India.

“It’s not just for the national team, but for the clubs too. Every Indian assistant coach at the clubs should aim to become a head coach in the next few years.

“Maybe they can also start with being the head coach of the U-17 or U-19 teams before moving on to take charge of the senior teams,” Marquez said.

File photo of Manolo Marquez© Twiter

It’s often said that finishing fourth in the Olympics is peak agony. If coming last carries the sting of embarrassment, securing the fourth place inflicts the pain of being so near yet so far, something that can either drive an athlete to future glory or leave them completely crushed. India’s affair with near misses at sport’s grandest stage has been a long-standing one, beginning way back in 1956. Here is a look at the instances when Indian athletes came close but ended at just that.

1956, Melbourne: Football

The Indian football team made the semifinals after beating hosts Australia 4-2 in the quarterfinals, with Neville D’Souza becoming the first Asian to score a hat-trick at the Games.

By giving his team the lead, Neville looked like doing an encore in the last-four clash against Yugoslavia. But the Yugoslavians came back strongly in the second half to seal the contest in their favour.

In the bronze medal classification match, India lost to Bulgaria 0-3, drawing to a close an eventful few days which the great P K Banerjee would often reminisce with a hint of understandable anguish.

1960, Rome: Athletics

The legendary Milkha Singh missed out on a bronze by the narrowest of margins.

Competing in the 400m final and touted as a medal contender, the ‘Flying Sikh’ fell short by a mere 1/10th of a second after slowing down to steal a glance at his fellow competitors, an error that he would regret for the rest of his life.

This would go down as his worst memory after losing his parents in the aftermath of the partition.

Milkha almost gave up the sport after this loss and it required a lot of persuasion for him to hit the track again and win two gold medals in the 1962 Asian Games.

1980, Moscow: Women’s Hockey

With top hockey nations such as the Netherlands, Australia and Great Britain boycotting the Moscow Games over the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan, the Indian women’s hockey team had a great chance to finish on the podium in its first attempt itself.

But the team endured the agony of narrowly missing out on a medal, losing its last match to erstwhile USSR 1-3 to finish behind Zimbabwe, Czechoslovakia and the hosts.

1984, Los Angeles: Athletics

LA Olympics brought back memories of Milkha in Rome when PT Usha missed the 400m hurdles bronze by 1/100th of a second, making it the closest-ever miss for an Indian athlete in any competition.

Known as the ‘Payyoli Express’, she ended fourth behind Romania’s Christina Cojocaru, but her heroic effort left a lasting impression and she became a household name.

2004, Athens: Tennis

After a long gap of 20 years, the curse of the fourth place returned to haunt the Indian contingent when the celebrated duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi missed out on the podium at the Athens Games.

Arguably India’s greatest doubles pair in tennis, Paes and Bhupathi missed out on a bronze medal after losing a marathon match to Croatia’s Mario Ancic and Ivan Ljubicic 6-7 6-4 14-16 to end fourth.

Before that, the Indian pair went into the semifinals as favourites but lost to the German duo of Nicholas Kiefer and Rainer Schuttler in straight sets 2-6 3-6.

At the same Games, Kunjarani Devi finished fourth in women’s 48kg weightlifting competition, but she was not really in medal contention.

Disqualified in her final attempt to lift 112.5 kg in the clean and jerk category, Kunjarani finished with a total effort of 190kg, 10kg behind bronze-medallist Thailand’s Aree Wiratthaworn.

2012, London: Shooting

Shooter Joydeep Karmakar experienced the terrible feeling of finishing a place behind the bronze medal winner in this edition.

Karmakar had finished seventh in the qualification round of men’s 50m rifle prone event, and in the finals, he ended just 1.9 points behind the bronze medal winner.

2016, Rio de Janeiro: Gymnastics

Gymnast Dipa Karmakar became the first Indian woman gymnast to compete at the Games. After making the final of the women’s vault event, she finished fourth overall with a score of 15.066 and missed the bronze medal by 0.150 points.

She introduced the sport to India and gave the message that one doesn’t have to be born in the USA or Russia to become an excellent gymnast.

At the same Games, Abhinav Bindra’s illustrious career was headed for a fairytale finish but a shooter of even his class was not spared of the curse of the fourth, as he missed the bronze medal by a whisker, eight years after his historic gold medal at the Beijing Games.

2020, Tokyo: Women’s Hockey

A little more than four decades after the 1980 Moscow Games, the members of the Indian women’s hockey team once again endured a similar pain at the Tokyo Olympics, missing out on the bronze.

The Indian side punched above its weight triggering an upset to knock three-time Olympic champions Australia to make the semifinal.

In the semifinals, they suffered a 0-1 defeat to Argentina but still had a shot at the bronze. They looked on course to win the elusive medal as Rani Rampal and Co. took a 3-2 lead against Great Britain.

But Britain scored twice to go up 4-3 and clinch the medal, leaving the Indian team in tears.

At the same Games, golfer Aditi Ashok also experienced the agony of missing out on a historic podium finish.

Ranked 200th in the world, the 26-year-old matched the best golfers in the world shot for shot. But, she eventually fell short after coming agonisingly close and finished fourth.

Defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant and their archrivals East Bengal FC, the two finalists from the previous edition, have been drawn together in the same group as the group stage draw for the upcoming Durand Cup 2024 was unveiled on Thursday. The 24 teams from the ISL, I-League, international teams, and teams from the Armed Forces will fight it out in Asia’s oldest football tournament, scheduled to commence on July 27. Notably, international teams will also feature with Nepal’s Tribhuvan Army FC and Bangladesh Army Football Team, both returning from the previous edition.

This year, Jamshedpur and Shillong join Kokrajhar and Kolkata as host cities, with each hosting group stage fixtures. Kolkata, the main venue, will host three groups, while Jamshedpur, Shillong, and Kokrajhar will each host one group.

The tournament will follow a round-robin league format with knockout stages, culminating in the final at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. In total, 43 matches will be played and the top teams from each group, along with the two best second-placed teams, will advance to the knockout phase.

Here are the groups for Durand Cup 2024:

Group A (Kolkata): Mohun Bagan SG, East Bengal FC, Indian Air Force FT, Downtown Heroes FC

Group B (Kolkata): Bengaluru FC, Inter Kashi FC, Indian Navy FT, Mohammedan SC

Group C (Kolkata): Kerala Blasters FC, Mumbai City FC, Punjab FC, CISF Protectors FT

Group D (Jamshedpur): Jamshedpur FC, Chennaiyin FC, Indian Army FT, Bangladesh Army FT

Group E (Kokrajhar): Odisha FC, NorthEast United FC, Bodoland FC, BSF FT

Group F (Shillong): FC Goa, Hyderabad FC, Shillong Lajong FC, Tribhuvan Army FC

India conceded a late goal to suffer a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Myanmar and continued their winless run against the neighbours in a women’s football friendly match in Yangon, Myanmar on Tuesday. Facing Myanmar for the first time after five years, the hosts scored both goals from set pieces with Win Theingi Tun, who plays for Odisha FC, giving them a 14th minute lead. Although her club teammate Pyari Xaxa equalised for India with an opportunistic tap-in in the 58th minute, San Thaw Thaw converted May Thet Mon Myint’s free-kick in the 74th minute to win the game for Myanmar.

This was India’s fifth defeat to Myanmar in six matches. In their last meeting, India held Myanmar to 3-3 draw in the AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifiers in Mandalay in 2019.

India will play a second friendly on Friday.

Myanmar were off to an attacking start and just six minutes into the match, Hemam Shilky Devi was required to make a vital clearance as she hacked away a dangerous cutback from Naw Htet Htet.

Five minutes later, Phyu Phyu Win’s long-ranger was saved with ease by Elangbam Panthoi Chanu.

However, soon after, the Indian custodian came out of her goal but failed to get a touch on the Myanmar defender’s curling corner as Win Theingi Tun arrived unmarked and headed it into the empty net to put the hosts ahead.

India were in the pursuit of an equaliser immediately and almost got one from their first corner in the 18th minute.

Anju Tamang’s outswinging delivery was headed wide of the near post by Soumya Guguloth.

A few minutes later, Soumya tried to feed Anju with a low cross, but goalkeeper Myo Mya Mya Nyein gathered the ball before the latter could arrive.

Striker Pyari Xaxa tried her luck from distance on two occasions, first seeing it go harmlessly wide before hitting it directly at Myo Mya Mya Nyein.

On the Indian end, Myanmar continued to make Panthoi work. In the 42nd minute, she prevented the hosts from doubling their lead by making a solid one-on-one save to deny San Thaw Thaw.

India came out rejuvenated in their goal hunt in the second period.

Head coach Langam Chaoba Devi brought in Karishma Shirvoikar in place of Sandhiya Ranganathan.

Receiving the ball from Naorem Priyangka Devi on the left, Karishma burst forward and fired at the goal with her left foot.

Myo Mya Mya Nyein attempted to catch it but ended up spilling it onto the path of Pyari, who dispatched it first time into the roof of the net to make it 1-1.

While India produced more attacks than the hosts in the second half, they were unable to capitalise.

Myanmar defence grew tighter as they committed more numbers at the back, while the Indian attackers were often found offside on multiple occasions.

Myanmar got their second goal from another dead-ball situation in the 74th minute.

A low free-kick from May Thet Mon Myint caught the Indian defence napping as San was able to slip away and meticulously jink it over an onrushing Panthoi.

The All India Football Federation on Saturday announced a 23-member senior women’s squad for the two friendly matches against Myanmar to be played in Yangon on July 9 and 12. The goalkeeping department comprises Shreya Hooda, Elangbam Panthoi Chanu and Maibam Linthoingambi Devi while Loitongbam Ashalata Devi, Hemam Shilky Devi, Sanju, Wangkhem Linthoingambi Devi and Aruna Bag will handle the defence. As for the midfield, the likes of Naorem Priyangka Devi, Sangita Basfore, Karthika Angamuthu, Neha, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi and Mousumi Murmu have been included in the department.

Meanwhile, the forward section consists of Kajol Hubert Dsouza, Anju Tamang, Soumya Guguloth, Sandhiya Ranganathan, Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar, Lynda Kom Serto, Pyari Xaxa, Jyoti and Rimpa Haldar.

“My team is a mix of senior and junior players. I am satisfied with the combination of the squad. After playing Uzbekistan last month, we started our National camp within the next 10 days,” head coach Chaoba Devi said in an AIFF release.

“All the players are fit, which is a good sign. They didn’t want to relax; they were undergoing intense training at their respective clubs.” Chaoba added that the team had excellent preparations during the training camp at the National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata and backed having youngsters in the starting XI.

India’s last assignment was in Uzbekistan on May 31 and June 4 where they lost 0-3 and 0-0 to the hosts.

“We played with Uzbekistan last month, which was also a higher-ranked team. Playing against higher-ranked teams benefits our players as they can have intense matches and get ready to play in big tournaments,” Chaoba said..

While the Indians are currently ranked 67th in the FIFA Rankings, Myanmar is ranked 54th.

However, Chaoba insisted that more than the ranking, the quality of these clashes matters, besides crediting the Indian Women’s League (IWL) for helping in scouting new talents.

“Ranking does matter. The federation is also trying to arrange for more exposure tours. If we play more such games, the team will improve. We need to play quality games.

“A well laid-out plan should be there. We need to inform the girls well in time to keep them prepared. There is a lot of activity going on around Indian women’s football, and we need future players.

“We have scouted talents from IWL and IWL 2. We coaches can get the best of the talents and select the best ones,” she asserted.

Indian squad for Myanmar friendlies:

Goalkeepers: Shreya Hooda, Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Maibam Linthoingambi Devi.

Defenders: Loitongbam Ashalata Devi,Hemam Shilky Devi, Sanju,Wangkhem Linthoingambi Devi, Aruna Bag.

Midfielders: Naorem Priyangka Devi, Sangita Basfore, Karthika Angamuthu, Neha, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi, Mousumi Murmu.

Forwards: Kajol Hubert Dsouza, Anju Tamang, Soumya Guguloth, Sandhiya Ranganathan, Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar, Lynda Kom Serto, Pyari Xaxa, Jyoti, Rimpa Haldar.

File photo of Sunil Chhetri© AFP

Igor Stimac, the former head coach of the Indian football team, has called Indian football “imprisoned” in a scathing attack after his sacking. Stimac was sacked after India failed to qualify for the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Now, in a virtual press conference, Stimac has gone all out, throwing a number of accusations at the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the administrators in charge of Indian football. Stimac also revealed his personal health problems suffered during his tenure.

Indian football is ‘imprisoned’

“Your football (Indian football) is imprisoned. It will take a couple of decades for things to improve, which I don’t see happening,” said Stimac.

“My senior players already knew that I had decided to leave, even if we qualified for the third round. It was impossible for me to continue without proper support, full of lies and people who only have private interests,” he added.

“The AIFF’s biggest achievement in the last five years was keeping me quiet,” Stimac said.

Attack on AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey

Stimac lashed out at AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, stating that they never had a working relationship.

“The president of the AIFF gets pictures clicked with people in important positions for social media. Kalyan (Chaubey) only cares about being popular,” said a fuming Stimac.

“Me and Kalyan never had a relationship. I reported to the secretary general. The president doesn’t indulge,” he added.

“The people in AIFF don’t know how to run a football house. They only care about power,” said Stimac.

“Sooner Kalyan Chaubey leave, Indian football stands a chance,” Stimac said.

Heart surgery

Stimac further revealed that he had to undergo an urgent heart operation due to stress put on him, as the AIFF had given him time till the Asian Cup.

“When I received the final warning on December 2. no one knows this, I finished in the hospital. I was disturbed with everything going on; stressed from the obvious problems. I had an immediate surgery on my heart. I wasn’t ready to speak to anyone or find excuses. I was ready to put myself on the line to prepare my team for the Asian Cup to give the best shot,” Igor Stimac said in the press conference on Friday, June 21.

India’s qualification hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended after a controversial 2-1 defeat to Qatar, where an illegal Qatar goal was allowed to stand by the referee.

AIFF responds

It has come to our attention that former India men’s team head coach Mr. Igor Stimac has made certain remarks in the media pertaining to functioning of the All India Football Federation and some of its senior officials. The AIFF will issue a statement in this regards in the next 48 hours.

Terming his sacking “unilateral”, former India football coach Igor Stimac on Tuesday threatened to file a lawsuit against the national federation in the FIFA Tribunal if it fails to clear his dues within the next 10 days. Stimac lashed out at All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey and accused him of breaching his contract multiple times.

He also held him squarely responsible for the Indian team’s failure to progress beyond the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The Croat said his stint in India left him with serious health problems and he never wants to hear from the AIFF again.

“I kindly ask you to immediately, but not later in next ten (10) days, organize payment to me for this termination of the contract without just cause in the amount which will represent a residual value of my employment contract that was prematurely terminated from AIFF side…,” Stimac said.

“This amount should represent the remaining value of my employment contract prematurely terminated by the AIFF, in accordance with Article 6 of Annex 2 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.

“Otherwise, I will start proceedings against the AIFF before the competent FIFA Football Tribunal and file a lawsuit,’ he added.

Stimac was on Monday removed as the head coach of the team, the AIFF terminating his contract exactly a year before it was to expire in the wake of the side’s ouster from the World Cup Qualifiers despite getting a relatively easy draw.

The 56-year-old Stimac, who has been at loggerheads with Chaubey for a while now, blasted the AIFF in a notice for removing him from the post without “just cause”.

“Publishing something like this (his termination) prior to reaching the conversation with me is blatantly unprofessional and unethical,” Stimac said.

Stimac, who was appointed as the head coach in 2019, was given an extension until 2026 by the sport’s apex body in October last year.

In the absence of a severance clause in his new contract signed on October 5, 2023, if the AIFF is required to pay the entirety of his remaining contract value, it will amount to a whopping Rs six crore.

Pointing out the “several acts of contract breach” by the AIFF side in the past, Stimac charged Chaubey with “changing my public statement given to AIFF media”.

“President Mr Chaubey together with SAI (Sports Authority of India) officials changed my official players list for the Asian Games adding three senior players and allowing ISL clubs to decide which players will represent the country at the Asian Games,” Stimac blasted Chaubey.

“The way you organised the travel for our team going to China and back was unforgettable.” Stimac also alleged that Chaubey cancelled his press conference which was supposed to happen after the AFC Asian Cup where India failed to win any match and score a single goal.

The Croatian, a bronze medal winner at the 1998 World Cup, said dealing with AIFF has affected his health in the last two years.

“Hereby I am adding my lawyer Mr Radic to take over our communication because I don’t want to speak or hear from AIFF anymore because AIFF has caused me enough health problems with its acts against me in the past two years.

“Your ‘show cause notice’ and ‘final warning letter’ did stop me from speaking the truth to Indian fans and it did give me two stents just prior to the AFC Asian Cup but didn’t stop me (from) giving it all to my team and fighting with my boys for the country.

Finally, he said the mess that Indian football finds itself it at the moment was not created by him or his staff.

File photo of Igor Stimac© AFP