Football

NEW DELHI: While the rest of the country braces up for the new normal of the festive season during a pandemic, the people in the small village of Rangalibazna in the foothills of the Himalayan Range in West Bengal are rejoicing a successful harvesting season. Among those rejoicing the bountiful harvest of 2020 is Indian Women’s National Team forward Anju Tamang and her family. The Tamangs have been a family of farmers on the foothills of the Himalayas, just south of the famous tourist

Chennai, October 31, 2020: Assistant Coach Admir Kozlić, Goalkeeping Coach Martin Raška and Sports Scientist Csaba Gábriš have joined Chennaiyin FC as Head Coach Csaba László’s backroom staff for the 2020-21 season. "I am delighted to confirm my staff members, that includes Admir, Martin and my namesake Csaba! Along with the existing staff, our aim is to have a successful season on and off the pitch. We will do everything in our power to create a family atmosphere that helps the team achieve

FC Goa’s provisional ISL fixtures for the 2020/21 season have been released and the Gaurs are starting off with a game against Bengaluru FC on November 22, 2020. The Gaurs, who made history last season with record hauls of 39 points and 51 goals, will look to defend the ISL League Winners Shield and become the first team ever to top the league table for the third time in ISL history. A rematch of the 2018/19 ISL final, the season opener for the

DOHA: An exciting battle is on the cards on Saturday when football giants Al Duhail clash with Al Sadd in the semi-finals of the Amir Cup. The match will be played at Al Duhail’s home turf at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium with kick-off set for 6:00pm. Al Duhail coach Sabri Lamouchi said he knows what to expect from the clash. “I know everything about the players and our rivals. I just hope we deliver a good performance against Al Sadd,” Lamouchi said on

DOHA: Unheralded Al Markhiya are ready to face Doha giants Al Arabi in the first semifinal of the Amir Cup on Friday. Al Markhiya coach Omar Naji said on Thursday his team has the ability to upset a ‘strong side like Al Arabi’ at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Friday. “Reaching the Amir Cup semifinal is a very positive thing for us. We respect Al Arabi as it is a great team with well-known players but we have a good chance to get

Mumbai, October 30, 2020: Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) today announced the first 11 rounds of fixtures for the 2020-21 Hero Indian Super League (ISL). Marking the return of the first major live sporting action in the country, the 7th season of India's premier football league kicks off with the defending champions ATK Mohun Bagan squaring off against Kerala Blasters FC on Friday, November 20, at the GMC Stadium, Bambolim, Goa. New entrants SC East Bengal will make their Hero ISL debut playing in one

NEW DELHI: The Indian Women’s National Team has been raising quite a few eyebrows of late, having earned some impressive results over the last couple of years. Captain and centre-back Ashalata Devi has been leading the side from the back with her own brand of competitive spirit. During a candid chat with AIFF TV, Ashalata outlined the competitive spirit that she herself has, one which she tries to infuse into the rest of the team in an unrelenting manner, even during training. “I genuinely feel

Al Sailiya defeated Al Gharafa 4-2 in Week 5 of the 2020-21 season QNB Stars League at the Al Ahli Stadium on Monday. Mohanad Ali (fifth and 71st minutes), Mohammed Mudather (45+3) and Ahmed Hammoudan (60th minute) scored for Al Sailiya. Muad Hassan (26th minute) and Jonathan Kodjia (35th minute) found the target for Al Gharafa. Al Sailiya and Al Gharafa are now on seven and nine points respectively. The fast-paced game saw high drama from start. The teams matched each other ball

Al Kharaitiyat beat Al Khor 2-1 in Week 5 of the 2020-21 season QNB Stars League at the Al Khor Stadium on Monday. Mohammed Osman (45+2) and Rachid Tiberkanine (84th minute) scored for Al Kharaitiyat. New recruit Giannis Fetfatzidis found the target for Al Khor in the 55th minute. Promoted side Al Kharaitiyat raised their points to six with their second victory, their first being against Qatar SC in Week 2. Al Khor, who remained on three points, could not repeat their performance

DOHA – The move comes as part of the Qatar Football Association’s commitment to fulfilling all hosting requirements according to the approved schedule, and in line with its aspirations to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup as per the highest international standards, in addition to providing a football experience that not only meets the ambitions of the Asian audience but also fosters social change and rapprochement between societies. The Qatar Football Association, represented by His Excellency Mr. Fahad bin Mohammed Kafood, the Ambassador

NEW DELHI: Blue Tigers defender Adil Khan feels Indian Football is moving forward and growing on "the right path" that corroborates its new motto – "Indian Football. Forward Together". "Indian Football is growing in a good way and through the correct path. I just wish (Indian football) keeps growing the way it has been and tries to maintain the quality," the 32-year-old defender expressed during an AIFF TV interview, a year after he faced off with neighbours Bangladesh at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.

KOLKATA: Mohammedan SC's Honorary General Secretary Sk. Wasim Akram complemented the 'bio-bubble' that was put in place by the organisers of the Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020. In a candid chat with AIFF TV, Akram stated that organisers did a "commendable job" in maintaining the COVID-safety bubble. "The way the whole tournament was organised was really satisfactory. It was the time of the new normal, and the AIFF and the IFA, along with the Sports Ministry took a call and went forward with this," said

The club also launches their new annual campaign, #RiseAgain FC Goa is delighted to launch the Uzzo jersey, the club’s official home jersey for the 2020/21 season. The new official home kit of the defending ISL League Winners Shield takes inspiration from ‘Uzzo’ the Konkani word for ‘fire’. Uzzo is not just a term in Konkani, but the war cry of all football lovers in Goa. The fearsome spirit of the fans has been the bedrock of success for the Gaurs and the

Holders Al Duhail defeated Al Rayyan 2-1 in Week 5 of the 2020-21 season QNB Stars League at the Al Gharafa Stadium on Sunday. Eduardo Rodriguez (Dudu) and Ramin Rezaeian scored for Al Duhail in the 68th (penalty) and 90+3 minutes respectively after Al Rayyan took the lead through Yacine Brahimi in the 42nd minute. Al Duhail raised their points tally to nine and Al Rayyan stood on seven after five rounds of action. The highlight match of Week 5 between last season’s

Al Sadd had it easy against Al Ahli, winning 7-1, in Week 5 of the 2020-21 season QNB Stars League at the Al Ahli Stadium on Sunday. Hashem Ali (fifth and 36th minutes), Rodrigo Tabata (13th), Akram Afif (30th), Santi Cazorla (45th), Nam Tae-Hee (58th) and Ahmed Sayyar (90+1) scored for Al Sadd, who moved on to 13 points with their fourth victory to top the table by surpassing Al Ahli. Nabil El Zhar gave Al Ahli’s lone reply in the 54th minute.

Al Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi spoke to the media ahead of their 2020-21 season QNB Stars League Week 5 match against Al Gharafa. “The team’s preparations for the next match were very serious, especially at the psychological level, because the problems in Al Sailiya are always psychological because we know the capabilities of our players well and we do not have any problem on the psychological or tactical side. “We spoke to the players after our defeat to Al Ahli in the last

KOLKATA: The 2020 Durga Puja has been of a subdued manner with the streets no more playing hosts to throngs of crowds in the City of Joy. However, while the people of West Bengal celebrate the festivities from the safe confines of their homes, the football governing body of the state has taken it upon itself to reach out to the masses. Outside two of the more popular Durga Puja shamianas – in Ahiritola and Chetla – one could see (from afar), giant arched

Umm Salal defeated Qatar SC 1-0 in Week 5 of the 2020-21 season QNB Stars League at the Qatar SC Stadium on Saturday. Ismail Mahmoud netted the all-important goal in the 57th minute as Umm Salal registered their first victory and took their points tally to four. Going into the match, Umm Salal, under the tutelage of their former defender Aziz Ben Askar, had only one point. However, the revamped side put up an improved performance. Qatar SC, coached by former Qatar international

Al Wakrah and Al Arabi were locked in an entertaining 2-2 draw in Week 5 of the 2020-21 season QNB Stars League at the Qatar SC Stadium on Saturday. Al Wakrah were helped by an own goal by Al Arabi’s Khalaf Sadd in the 59th minute. Mohamed Benyettou scored their other goal in the 88th minute. Mehrdad Mohammadi (73rd and 90+5 minute penalty) scored Al Arabi’s goals.  Al Wakrah and Al Arabi now have seven and five points respectively. Just like they pulled

Al Kharaitiyat coach Yousef Adam spoke to the media ahead of their 2020-21 season QNB Stars League Week 5 match against Al Khor. “It is going to be a very difficult match against Al Khor because the competitor is considered as one of the organised teams, especially when they play on their home turf. Our focus must be highest in order to show a good level and achieve a positive result. “We have great confidence in all our players and the team is