Chennaiyin FC came from behind to hold FC Goa to an enthralling 2-2 draw on Matchday 6 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai tonight.

Owen Coyle’s men took the early lead through Jordan Wilmar Gil but it was cancelled out by Udanta Singh before the break. The second half saw the visitors go up through Armando Sadiku’s spot-kick but Daniel Chima Chukwu restored parity for the Marina Machans.

The hosts started the game with complete authority as they made some vicious attacks in the first quarter. The Marina Machans had three cracks at the goal in the 11th minute when Lukas Brambilla’s initial effort was blocked, but the ball ricocheted and reached Gil.

The Colombian was also denied but Connor Shields picked up the loose ball yet unfortunately, his long-range effort struck the crossbar. They redeemed themselves seconds later by taking the lead. Initially, Brambilla’s shot was blocked haphazardly by Jay Gupta as the ball rebounded off Gil and ended up in the back of the net.

After conceding, the Gaurs tried to push forward in search of a breakthrough but lacked the final touch in the penalty area. Just when FC Goa were growing into the game, they suffered a major setback with Borja Herrera’s injury closer to the drinks break. Manolo Marquez turned to Armando Sadiku, thereby tweaking his formation.

The change brought some momentum for the visitors as they showed more hunger in attack looking for the equalizer. They had a couple of golden opportunities falling for Carl McHugh, who despite being unmarked failed to hit the target with his headers.

Eventually, Manolo’s men found the equalizer right at the stroke of half-time when Aakash Sangwan, with his beautiful cross from the left, found Udanta Singh in space. The 28-year-old shouldered the ball past Samik Mitra to pull the scores level.

The goal surely spurred them on to take the lead in the second half and they did exactly that. The visitors secured the lead in the 51st minute through Sadiku’s spot-kick after Samik Mitra brought down Dejan Drazic in the penalty area. With this goal, Sadiku became the first FC Goa player to score in five consecutive ISL games.

FC Goa almost scored another goal when Brison Fernandes and Boris Singh combined to haunt the Chennaiyin backline. However the former was flagged offside.

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In order to restore parity, Owen Coyle turned to Daniel Chima Chukwa, replacing Wilmar Gil in the 67th minute. Meanwhile, Manolo also brought on Iker Guarrotxena in place of Drazic to add more presence up front. But it was Chukwu, who became the super-sub scoring the equalizer in the 79th minute with a thumping header from Connor Shields’ flagkick.

The forward almost scored the winner for Chennaiyin FC in stoppage time when Mandar Rao Dessai found him in the box with a telling cross but the Nigerian’s header was exceptionally kept out by Kattimani. In the end, both teams had to settle for a point.

The match lived up to its expectations with four goals coming in and taking the tally of goals in the fixture to 99, since the inception of ISL.

Chennaiyin FC came from behind to hold FC Goa to an enthralling 2-2 draw on Matchday 6 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai tonight.

Chennaiyin FC came from behind to hold FC Goa to an enthralling 2-2 draw on Matchday 6 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai tonight. Owen Coyle’s men took the early lead through Jordan Wilmar Gil but it was cancelled out by Udanta Singh before the break. The second half saw the visitors go up through Armando Sadiku’s spot-kick but Daniel Chima Chukwu restored parity for the Marina Machans. The hosts started the game with complete authority as they made some vicious attacks in the first quarter. The Marina Machans had three cracks at the goal in the 11th minute when Lukas Brambilla’s initial effort was blocked, but the ball ricocheted and reached Gil. The Colombian was also denied but Connor Shields picked up the loose ball yet unfortunately, his long-range effort struck the crossbar. They redeemed themselves seconds later by taking the lead. Initially, Brambilla’s shot was blocked haphazardly by Jay Gupta as the ball rebounded off Gil and ended up in the back of the net. After conceding, the Gaurs tried to push forward in search of a breakthrough but lacked the final touch in the penalty area. Just when FC Goa were growing into the game, they suffered a major setback with Borja Herrera’s injury closer to the drinks break. Manolo Marquez turned to Armando Sadiku, thereby tweaking his formation. The change brought some momentum for the visitors as they showed more hunger in attack looking for the equalizer. They had a couple of golden opportunities falling for Carl McHugh, who despite being unmarked failed to hit the target with his headers. Eventually, Manolo’s men found the equalizer right at the stroke of half-time when Aakash Sangwan, with his beautiful cross from the left, found Udanta Singh in space. The 28-year-old shouldered the ball past Samik Mitra to pull the scores level. The goal surely spurred them on to take the lead in the second half and they did exactly that. The visitors secured the lead in the 51st minute through Sadiku’s spot-kick after Samik Mitra brought down Dejan Drazic in the penalty area. With this goal, Sadiku became the first FC Goa player to score in five consecutive ISL games. FC Goa almost scored another goal when Brison Fernandes and Boris Singh combined to haunt the Chennaiyin backline. However the former was flagged offside. ALSO READ | IND vs NZ, 2nd Test: Washington Sundar picks seven wickets on return to Indian team, repays selectors' faith In order to restore parity, Owen Coyle turned to Daniel Chima Chukwa, replacing Wilmar Gil in the 67th minute. Meanwhile, Manolo also brought on Iker Guarrotxena in place of Drazic to add more presence up front. But it was Chukwu, who became the super-sub scoring the equalizer in the 79th minute with a thumping header from Connor Shields’ flagkick. The forward almost scored the winner for Chennaiyin FC in stoppage time when Mandar Rao Dessai found him in the box with a telling cross but the Nigerian’s header was exceptionally kept out by Kattimani. In the end, both teams had to settle for a point. The match lived up to its expectations with four goals coming in and taking the tally of goals in the fixture to 99, since the inception of ISL.

ISL: Chennaiyin, Goa split points after Daniel Chukwa's controversial equaliser

Odisha FC rolled past East Bengal FC with a 2-1 victory at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar tonight to register their second win of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 campaign. Seasoned stars Roy Krishna and Mourtada Fall found the back of the net once each across two halves to overcome the penalty stroke netted by East Bengal FC striker Dimitrios Diamantakos in the added time of the first essay of the game.

With this loss, the Red &amp; Gold Brigade succumbed to their sixth successive loss this ISL season and a second consecutive one under new head coach Oscar Bruzon. The stage for the same was set up by the indomitable Krishna in the 22nd minute, as the Fijian forward scored his fourth goal against East Bengal FC in the competition.

Livewire youngster Isak Vanlalruatfela was amidst plenty of space on the left flank when he launched a slightly long-ranged through delivery for Krishna. The striker was in the right place at the right time to pierce through the visitors’ backline. He collected the ball at ease, marched forward and mastered the 1v1 situation with East Bengal FC goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill to land the ball in the bottom right corner.

Odisha FC held on to that lead dearly until midfielder Thoiba Singh floundered and handled the ball in the penalty area as the first half was about to draw to an end. The referee handed a spot kick to East Bengal FC and upstepped Diamantakos to snap his scoreless streak and net for the first time in five ISL matches. With his left foot, he deposited the ball into the bottom right corner, past a fully stretched Amrinder Singh.

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In the second half, Odisha FC had to regain control back over the proceedings, and Lobera’s trusted lieutenants – Fall and Ahmed Jahouh, yet again answered his call. A free-kick on the inside channel of the right flank, at a distance, was sufficient for the duo to turn the tables as Jahouh’s impeccable delivery was directed accurately to Fall, who nodded the ball home and secured the lead back for his team in the 69th minute.

Matters got further complicated for East Bengal FC when Provat Lakra was sent off for a second yellow card in the 76th minute for a tackle on Jahouh. Being a man down, they were unable to catch up with a well-coordinated Odisha FC unit, who walked back with three points in their bag. With this defeat, East Bengal FC have now become the second team in ISL history to lose their first six matches of the season after NorthEast United FC in 2022-23, who had faced defeats in all of their opening 10 games.

Odisha FC rolled past East Bengal FC with a 2-1 victory at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar tonight to register their second win of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 campaign.

Odisha FC rolled past East Bengal FC with a 2-1 victory at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar tonight to register their second win of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 campaign. Seasoned stars Roy Krishna and Mourtada Fall found the back of the net once each across two halves to overcome the penalty stroke netted by East Bengal FC striker Dimitrios Diamantakos in the added time of the first essay of the game. With this loss, the Red & Gold Brigade succumbed to their sixth successive loss this ISL season and a second consecutive one under new head coach Oscar Bruzon. The stage for the same was set up by the indomitable Krishna in the 22nd minute, as the Fijian forward scored his fourth goal against East Bengal FC in the competition. Livewire youngster Isak Vanlalruatfela was amidst plenty of space on the left flank when he launched a slightly long-ranged through delivery for Krishna. The striker was in the right place at the right time to pierce through the visitors’ backline. He collected the ball at ease, marched forward and mastered the 1v1 situation with East Bengal FC goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill to land the ball in the bottom right corner. Odisha FC held on to that lead dearly until midfielder Thoiba Singh floundered and handled the ball in the penalty area as the first half was about to draw to an end. The referee handed a spot kick to East Bengal FC and upstepped Diamantakos to snap his scoreless streak and net for the first time in five ISL matches. With his left foot, he deposited the ball into the bottom right corner, past a fully stretched Amrinder Singh. ALSO READ | BAN vs SA: Bangladesh battle at 101-3 as South Africa threaten innings defeat In the second half, Odisha FC had to regain control back over the proceedings, and Lobera’s trusted lieutenants – Fall and Ahmed Jahouh, yet again answered his call. A free-kick on the inside channel of the right flank, at a distance, was sufficient for the duo to turn the tables as Jahouh’s impeccable delivery was directed accurately to Fall, who nodded the ball home and secured the lead back for his team in the 69th minute. Matters got further complicated for East Bengal FC when Provat Lakra was sent off for a second yellow card in the 76th minute for a tackle on Jahouh. Being a man down, they were unable to catch up with a well-coordinated Odisha FC unit, who walked back with three points in their bag. With this defeat, East Bengal FC have now become the second team in ISL history to lose their first six matches of the season after NorthEast United FC in 2022-23, who had faced defeats in all of their opening 10 games.

ISL: Odisha clinch narrow win as East Bengal suffer sixth straight defeat

Mohun Bagan Super Giant pipped their arch-rivals East Bengal FC by 2-0 in the high-octane Kolkata Derby in Matchweek 5 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 campaign at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant controlled the tempo of the match from start to finish, as a goal each from Jamie Maclaren and Dimitrios Petratos in either half was enough for Jose Molina’s men to secure their eighth win against the Red &amp; Gold Brigade in ISL.

The players took their time to settle into the electrifying atmosphere of 60,000-odd fans buzzing at the stadium. It was a tight start, with both teams wrestling for the authority in midfield. However, the first chance fell to Maclaren in the 18th minute when Greg Stewart found the Australian with a beautiful cross. However, Prabhsukhan Gill brilliantly denied Maclaren from point-blank range. A minute later, Mohun Bagan Super Giant had the ball in the back of the net from a corner but the goal was chalked off as Manvir Singh was flagged offside.

Despite the frustration, the Mariners maintained a high momentum and tested the Red and Gold Brigade with a barrage of attacks. In the 25th minute, they came close to scoring when Stewart found Manvir in the box. The Indian forward tested Gill with a telling header but once again the East Bengal custodian stood up to the task.

Their relentless attacks finally bore fruit in the 41st minute when Manvir Singh with a sensational cross, found Maclaren in space. The Australian tucked it past Gill to hand Mohun Bagan Super Giant the lead.

The second half saw more of the same as Mohun Bagan Super Giant enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and also had more teeth in their attacking moves. In the 59th minute, the Mariners had a brilliant chance to double their lead when Liston Colaco found space on the right flank. He started a vicious counter-attack but he decided to pull the trigger from long range due to lack of support in the penalty area. His effort didn’t have enough venom to beat Gill under the sticks.

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Looking at East Bengal FC’s situation in attack, head coach Oscar Bruzon turned to star forward Dimitrios Diamantakos to add more panache upfront. The new tactician also brought on youngsters like Jesin TK, Lalchungnunga and Sayan Banerjee to add more energy. Reacting to East Bengal’s changes, Jose Molina also turned to Dimitrios Petratos.

The 31-year-old didn’t disappoint his fans as he earned a crucial penalty in the 89th minute following a reckless tackle from Gill. Petratos made no mistake from the spot to double the lead for the Mariners. Eventually, the two goals were enough for Molina’s men to hold the fort for the last few minutes.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant pipped their arch-rivals East Bengal FC by 2-0 in the high-octane Kolkata Derby in Matchweek 5 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 campaign at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant pipped their arch-rivals East Bengal FC by 2-0 in the high-octane Kolkata Derby in Matchweek 5 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 campaign at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday. Mohun Bagan Super Giant controlled the tempo of the match from start to finish, as a goal each from Jamie Maclaren and Dimitrios Petratos in either half was enough for Jose Molina’s men to secure their eighth win against the Red & Gold Brigade in ISL. The players took their time to settle into the electrifying atmosphere of 60,000-odd fans buzzing at the stadium. It was a tight start, with both teams wrestling for the authority in midfield. However, the first chance fell to Maclaren in the 18th minute when Greg Stewart found the Australian with a beautiful cross. However, Prabhsukhan Gill brilliantly denied Maclaren from point-blank range. A minute later, Mohun Bagan Super Giant had the ball in the back of the net from a corner but the goal was chalked off as Manvir Singh was flagged offside. Despite the frustration, the Mariners maintained a high momentum and tested the Red and Gold Brigade with a barrage of attacks. In the 25th minute, they came close to scoring when Stewart found Manvir in the box. The Indian forward tested Gill with a telling header but once again the East Bengal custodian stood up to the task. Their relentless attacks finally bore fruit in the 41st minute when Manvir Singh with a sensational cross, found Maclaren in space. The Australian tucked it past Gill to hand Mohun Bagan Super Giant the lead. The second half saw more of the same as Mohun Bagan Super Giant enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and also had more teeth in their attacking moves. In the 59th minute, the Mariners had a brilliant chance to double their lead when Liston Colaco found space on the right flank. He started a vicious counter-attack but he decided to pull the trigger from long range due to lack of support in the penalty area. His effort didn’t have enough venom to beat Gill under the sticks. ALSO READ | IND vs NZ, 1st Test: New Zealand sit in pole position despite Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant's heroics with bat Looking at East Bengal FC’s situation in attack, head coach Oscar Bruzon turned to star forward Dimitrios Diamantakos to add more panache upfront. The new tactician also brought on youngsters like Jesin TK, Lalchungnunga and Sayan Banerjee to add more energy. Reacting to East Bengal’s changes, Jose Molina also turned to Dimitrios Petratos. The 31-year-old didn’t disappoint his fans as he earned a crucial penalty in the 89th minute following a reckless tackle from Gill. Petratos made no mistake from the spot to double the lead for the Mariners. Eventually, the two goals were enough for Molina’s men to hold the fort for the last few minutes.

ISL: Kolkata Derby sways in Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s favour as Mariners ease past East Bengal FC 2-0

Bengaluru FC earned a slender 1-0 win over Punjab FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru this evening. With this win, the Blues have taken a four-point lead at the top of the table.

The clean sheet also means Bengaluru FC have now set a new record for most minutes without conceding from the start of an ISL season (450 minutes and counting) overtaking Jamshedpur FC (389 minutes at the start of the 2017-18 season). Gerard Zaragoza broke his own record of four clean sheets that the team created under his watch last season, courtesy of this outcome.

A solitary goal from Naorem Roshan Singh was enough to hand Zaragoza’s side their fourth victory of the season. Punjab FC tried their luck mostly from a distance, often missing the target.

Bengaluru FC’s first positive move came in the 10th minute when Naorem Roshan Singh found himself at the end of a through ball. But before the full-back could conjure some magic, Khaiminthang Lhungdim came to Punjab FC’s rescue.

Ten minutes later, the Blues came up with another chance. Rohit Danu played a pass onto Edgar Mendez's feet. Mendez then laid it off to Roshan. The latter took some extra time on the ball and his shot was successfully blocked by Suresh Meitei.

Finally, in the 43rd minute, the deadlock was broken. Jorge Pereyra Diaz’s cross from inside the 18-yard area itself took a deflection to fall into the path of Roshan. The left-back didn’t hesitate to try his luck and came back with a stunning goal. Nikhil Prabhu tried to restore parity from distance before the half-break. However, his shot was quite some distance from the target.

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In the 50th minute, the Blues could have found their second goal of the evening. Jorge Pereyra Diaz played in a ball to Sunil Chhetri who laid it off for Alberto Noguera. The Spaniard’s curling effort, meanwhile, wasn’t on target. Bengaluru FC went down to 10 men in the 58th minute after Chinglensana Singh was given his marching orders. Post this, Punjab FC started getting a stronghold of the game.

Punjab FC got their best chance of the evening in the 74th minute. Asmir Suljic whipped in a ball into the six-yard area. Roshan Singh failed to clear it properly and the ball fell straight into Mushaga Bakenga’s feet. With a clear sight of the goal, the Norwegian hit the crossbar.

Bengaluru FC earned a slender 1-0 win over Punjab FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru this evening. With this win, the Blues have taken a four-point lead at the top of the table.

Bengaluru FC earned a slender 1-0 win over Punjab FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru this evening. With this win, the Blues have taken a four-point lead at the top of the table. The clean sheet also means Bengaluru FC have now set a new record for most minutes without conceding from the start of an ISL season (450 minutes and counting) overtaking Jamshedpur FC (389 minutes at the start of the 2017-18 season). Gerard Zaragoza broke his own record of four clean sheets that the team created under his watch last season, courtesy of this outcome. A solitary goal from Naorem Roshan Singh was enough to hand Zaragoza’s side their fourth victory of the season. Punjab FC tried their luck mostly from a distance, often missing the target. Bengaluru FC’s first positive move came in the 10th minute when Naorem Roshan Singh found himself at the end of a through ball. But before the full-back could conjure some magic, Khaiminthang Lhungdim came to Punjab FC’s rescue. Ten minutes later, the Blues came up with another chance. Rohit Danu played a pass onto Edgar Mendez's feet. Mendez then laid it off to Roshan. The latter took some extra time on the ball and his shot was successfully blocked by Suresh Meitei. Finally, in the 43rd minute, the deadlock was broken. Jorge Pereyra Diaz’s cross from inside the 18-yard area itself took a deflection to fall into the path of Roshan. The left-back didn’t hesitate to try his luck and came back with a stunning goal. Nikhil Prabhu tried to restore parity from distance before the half-break. However, his shot was quite some distance from the target. ALSO READ | Noman Ali and Sajid Khan put up colossal effort to see Pakistan through in second Test vs ENG, level series In the 50th minute, the Blues could have found their second goal of the evening. Jorge Pereyra Diaz played in a ball to Sunil Chhetri who laid it off for Alberto Noguera. The Spaniard’s curling effort, meanwhile, wasn’t on target. Bengaluru FC went down to 10 men in the 58th minute after Chinglensana Singh was given his marching orders. Post this, Punjab FC started getting a stronghold of the game. Punjab FC got their best chance of the evening in the 74th minute. Asmir Suljic whipped in a ball into the six-yard area. Roshan Singh failed to clear it properly and the ball fell straight into Mushaga Bakenga’s feet. With a clear sight of the goal, the Norwegian hit the crossbar.

ISL: Bengaluru FC open four-point gap at top after narrow win over Punjab FC

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 Media Day began in Kolkata on Wednesday (Sep 4) with representatives from seven clubs, i.e. Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC, Mohammedan SC, Odisha FC, Jamshedpur FC, and NorthEast United FC, previewing the upcoming season. The event saw a blend of new and familiar faces, with Mohun Bagan's Jose Molina and Punjab FC's Panagiotis Dilmperis making their ISL debuts as head coaches, while veterans like Sergio Lobera, Khalid Jamil, Juan Pedro Benali, and Carles Cuadrat discussed their strategies for the campaign.

The discussions began with the newly-promoted Mohammedan SC coach Andrey Chernyshov expressing his pleasure at joining the ISL, with his captain Samad Ali Mallick underlining their ambitions to challenge for the playoffs straightaway.

“It’s a nice feeling to be a part of the ISL family. We did a great job last year by winning the I-League. I am thrilled about our supporters. They had been expecting this for many years. I can’t wait to get started with the league,” Chernyshov said.

<h2>Mohun Bagan, East Bengal confident for the season ahead</h2>

The two other Kolkata heavyweights are on their desired track ahead of the coming ISL campaign. Whilst the Mariners embark on the coveted title defence, East Bengal FC are bolstered by solid reinforcements to their squad in the summer.

“It’s a process to prepare the team for the ISL. We have been working together for a month and there are still a few things to improve upon. We are confident in our players and the way we have trained until now,” Jose Molina said.

East Bengal FC tactician Cuadrat overlooked comparisons from their sluggish start last year to insist confidently that his team will hit the ground running from their opening fixture this time around.

“It’s a different season with different players, and hence I wouldn’t like to compare to the last campaign, because every team is in a different situation than they were last time around. We have the complete squad with us and we will have to be competitive from day one,” Cuadrat said.

<h2>Lobera eyes ISL title with Odisha FC</h2>

Odisha FC, who finished fourth last season, are basking on their storied run across multiple competitions in 2023-24 to produce similarly impressive outings this year too.

“It’s been six years in India for me now. We had an amazing season last year, finishing at the top of the group in the AFC Cup. We were close to winning the Super Cup and we reached the ISL semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history. It was an amazing run and we want to replicate that this year to put a smile on the faces of the fans,” Lobera said.

<h2>Challengers for the playoff spots</h2>

The trio of Punjab FC, NorthEast United, and Jamshedpur FC had ignited an exciting late challenge for the playoffs last season, falling short at the final hurdle. Since then, the Highlanders have gone from strength to strength, winning the club’s first trophy with the Durand Cup last month.

“We are now starting to realise what we did in the Durand Cu. But, now, we look forward to the ISL and there’s another story that’s waiting for us in the coming season. Trophies in the past don’t make you play better. You are only as good as your last game,” Benali mentioned.

Jamshedpur FC’s Khalid Jamil praised the ISL for bringing in new rules, such as the introduction of the concussion substitute, mandating an AFC Pro License holding (or equivalent) Indian assistant coach, amongst others. Considering that he is one of the two Indian head coaches in the ISL along with Thangboi Singto of Hyderabad FC, Jamil said, “These new rules will help in the development of Indian football. We shall study it in detail and see how they could help us benefit during the course of the season as well.”

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Punjab FC&nbsp;also have a new coach at the helm in Greek tactician Panagiotis Dilmperis. The team has made some smart acquisitions in the transfer window and Dimperis expressed satisfaction at the same, whereas skipper Luka Majcen stressed upon the importance of a positive start.

“I am really lucky with all the players we have got in the Punjab FC roster. They are all great personalities and our aim is to achieve greater heights than we did last year,” Dimperis said.

The second day of the Media Day will feature Mumbai City FC, FC Goa, Chennaiyin FC, Bengaluru FC, Hyderabad FC, and Kerala Blasters FC in Kochi on Thursday. The ISL 2024-25 season will kick off on Friday (Sep 13) at 7:30 pm IST.

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 Media Day began in Kolkata on Wednesday (Sep 4) with representatives from seven clubs, i.e. Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC, Mohammedan SC, Odisha FC, Jamshedpur FC, and NorthEast United FC, previewing the upcoming season.

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 Media Day began in Kolkata on Wednesday (Sep 4) with representatives from seven clubs, i.e. Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC, Mohammedan SC, Odisha FC, Jamshedpur FC, and NorthEast United FC, previewing the upcoming season. The event saw a blend of new and familiar faces, with Mohun Bagan's Jose Molina and Punjab FC's Panagiotis Dilmperis making their ISL debuts as head coaches, while veterans like Sergio Lobera, Khalid Jamil, Juan Pedro Benali, and Carles Cuadrat discussed their strategies for the campaign. The discussions began with the newly-promoted Mohammedan SC coach Andrey Chernyshov expressing his pleasure at joining the ISL, with his captain Samad Ali Mallick underlining their ambitions to challenge for the playoffs straightaway. “It’s a nice feeling to be a part of the ISL family. We did a great job last year by winning the I-League. I am thrilled about our supporters. They had been expecting this for many years. I can’t wait to get started with the league,” Chernyshov said. Mohun Bagan, East Bengal confident for the season ahead The two other Kolkata heavyweights are on their desired track ahead of the coming ISL campaign. Whilst the Mariners embark on the coveted title defence, East Bengal FC are bolstered by solid reinforcements to their squad in the summer. “It’s a process to prepare the team for the ISL. We have been working together for a month and there are still a few things to improve upon. We are confident in our players and the way we have trained until now,” Jose Molina said. East Bengal FC tactician Cuadrat overlooked comparisons from their sluggish start last year to insist confidently that his team will hit the ground running from their opening fixture this time around. “It’s a different season with different players, and hence I wouldn’t like to compare to the last campaign, because every team is in a different situation than they were last time around. We have the complete squad with us and we will have to be competitive from day one,” Cuadrat said. Lobera eyes ISL title with Odisha FC Odisha FC, who finished fourth last season, are basking on their storied run across multiple competitions in 2023-24 to produce similarly impressive outings this year too. “It’s been six years in India for me now. We had an amazing season last year, finishing at the top of the group in the AFC Cup. We were close to winning the Super Cup and we reached the ISL semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history. It was an amazing run and we want to replicate that this year to put a smile on the faces of the fans,” Lobera said. Challengers for the playoff spots The trio of Punjab FC, NorthEast United, and Jamshedpur FC had ignited an exciting late challenge for the playoffs last season, falling short at the final hurdle. Since then, the Highlanders have gone from strength to strength, winning the club’s first trophy with the Durand Cup last month. “We are now starting to realise what we did in the Durand Cu. But, now, we look forward to the ISL and there’s another story that’s waiting for us in the coming season. Trophies in the past don’t make you play better. You are only as good as your last game,” Benali mentioned. Jamshedpur FC’s Khalid Jamil praised the ISL for bringing in new rules, such as the introduction of the concussion substitute, mandating an AFC Pro License holding (or equivalent) Indian assistant coach, amongst others. Considering that he is one of the two Indian head coaches in the ISL along with Thangboi Singto of Hyderabad FC, Jamil said, “These new rules will help in the development of Indian football. We shall study it in detail and see how they could help us benefit during the course of the season as well.” ALSO READ | ENG vs SL 3rd Test Live Streaming: When, where & how to watch England vs Sri Lanka Live in laptop, mobile, TV Punjab FC also have a new coach at the helm in Greek tactician Panagiotis Dilmperis. The team has made some smart acquisitions in the transfer window and Dimperis expressed satisfaction at the same, whereas skipper Luka Majcen stressed upon the importance of a positive start. “I am really lucky with all the players we have got in the Punjab FC roster. They are all great personalities and our aim is to achieve greater heights than we did last year,” Dimperis said. The second day of the Media Day will feature Mumbai City FC, FC Goa, Chennaiyin FC, Bengaluru FC, Hyderabad FC, and Kerala Blasters FC in Kochi on Thursday. The ISL 2024-25 season will kick off on Friday (Sep 13) at 7:30 pm IST.

ISL 2024-25: Mohammedan FC head coach Andrey Chernyshov aims high for debut season

Indian football has seen rapid growth in the last decade with the rise of national football leagues like the Indian Super League (ISL) and the I-League. While the focus is entirely on the higher level of football, the backbone of that success has always been academy football. South United Football&nbsp;Club (commonly known as SUFC) from Bengaluru has emerged as a prominent club among the network of football sides with the best academies in India.

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The club, which is built with a long-term vision is being regarded as one of the best in the country. In an exclusive conversation with WION, Director Sharan Parikh shed light on how the club operates and how it overcame challenges to set up one of India’s most profitable football academies.

“The power of sports in India has been tremendous, and when it comes to football, we have been blessed with some of the best communities in the country. I think if Indian football is to progress, we need a good programme at grassroots level and with the growing business side of things, especially since I took over SUFC, things have changed a lot. If we build more such academies in India, surely Indian football will be on the rise in the coming years,” said Sharan Parikh while speaking on the academy structure in India.

When asked about the set of challenges, he opened up about the public response and the future plans, the director opened up on how the club functions. 

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/football/euro-2024-spain-vs-france-mbappe-assist-yamal-curler-highlight-supercharged-first-half-watch-739403">Euro 2024, Spain vs France: Mbappe assist, Yamal curler highlight supercharged first half - WATCH</a>

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“Building state-of-the-art infrastructure was certainly a challenge. While we have succeeded in building world-class infrastructure, it was a long process. The global football industry faces a major challenge in establishing a consistent revenue stream. Especially in India, football is still a growing industry. Despite being over 100 years old, it has not yet achieved business maturity. However, it is growing, and that’s encouraging for everyone involved,” Parikh said on the challenges of building the academy.

“When entering smaller cities, we cannot underestimate people's love for football and their passion and desire to encourage children to participate in physical, healthy, and group activities. We are confident and not fearful of entering smaller cities because we know about football's strong impact in bringing communities together. The experience of our staff in Solapur has been very encouraging, and although it's just the beginning, we are optimistic about our partnership with the Solapur community,” the club Director said on the expansion in Maharashtra’s Solapur.

<h2 dir="ltr">Future plans</h2>

“We plan for the long term, and make sure that every step we take is solid. We aim to build ourselves as a case study, learning from our mistakes to help others avoid them. As far as ISL and footballing ladder are concerned, we focus on youth development rather than acquiring ready-made players. This approach supports our goal of creating a sustainable family business. As our youth players develop, our first team will improve, advancing up the football ladder on merit. We are happy to progress one step at a time,” Parikh added.

Currently, as a football training academy in Bengaluru, SUFC’s dedication extends beyond its training programmes. The academy actively participates in community outreach and development initiatives. These efforts have ensured that football reaches every corner of society, irrespective of socio-economic background. SUFC conducts camps, clinics, and workshops across various cities, aiming to reach out to budding talent who might not have access to formal training otherwise.

Indian football has seen rapid growth in the last decade with the rise of national football leagues like the Indian Super League (ISL) and the I-League. While the focus is entirely on the higher level of football, the backbone of that success has always been academy football.

Indian football has seen rapid growth in the last decade with the rise of national football leagues like the Indian Super League (ISL) and the I-League. While the focus is entirely on the higher level of football, the backbone of that success has always been academy football. South United Football Club (commonly known as SUFC) from Bengaluru has emerged as a prominent club among the network of football sides with the best academies in India. The club, which is built with a long-term vision is being regarded as one of the best in the country. In an exclusive conversation with WION, Director Sharan Parikh shed light on how the club operates and how it overcame challenges to set up one of India’s most profitable football academies. “The power of sports in India has been tremendous, and when it comes to football, we have been blessed with some of the best communities in the country. I think if Indian football is to progress, we need a good programme at grassroots level and with the growing business side of things, especially since I took over SUFC, things have changed a lot. If we build more such academies in India, surely Indian football will be on the rise in the coming years,” said Sharan Parikh while speaking on the academy structure in India. When asked about the set of challenges, he opened up about the public response and the future plans, the director opened up on how the club functions. ALSO READ | Euro 2024, Spain vs France: Mbappe assist, Yamal curler highlight supercharged first half - WATCH “Building state-of-the-art infrastructure was certainly a challenge. While we have succeeded in building world-class infrastructure, it was a long process. The global football industry faces a major challenge in establishing a consistent revenue stream. Especially in India, football is still a growing industry. Despite being over 100 years old, it has not yet achieved business maturity. However, it is growing, and that’s encouraging for everyone involved,” Parikh said on the challenges of building the academy. “When entering smaller cities, we cannot underestimate people's love for football and their passion and desire to encourage children to participate in physical, healthy, and group activities. We are confident and not fearful of entering smaller cities because we know about football's strong impact in bringing communities together. The experience of our staff in Solapur has been very encouraging, and although it's just the beginning, we are optimistic about our partnership with the Solapur community,” the club Director said on the expansion in Maharashtra’s Solapur. Future plans “We plan for the long term, and make sure that every step we take is solid. We aim to build ourselves as a case study, learning from our mistakes to help others avoid them. As far as ISL and footballing ladder are concerned, we focus on youth development rather than acquiring ready-made players. This approach supports our goal of creating a sustainable family business. As our youth players develop, our first team will improve, advancing up the football ladder on merit. We are happy to progress one step at a time,” Parikh added. Currently, as a football training academy in Bengaluru, SUFC’s dedication extends beyond its training programmes. The academy actively participates in community outreach and development initiatives. These efforts have ensured that football reaches every corner of society, irrespective of socio-economic background. SUFC conducts camps, clinics, and workshops across various cities, aiming to reach out to budding talent who might not have access to formal training otherwise.

Exclusive: How South United FC is becoming the pioneer of Indian academy football

East Bengal FC head coach Carles Cuadrat appreciated the array of opportunities and increased game-time that the RFDL is offering young footballers across the country. Cuadrat explained that the elite youth development tournament has made the bridge between the reserve and first teams of clubs pretty smooth for all players.

Cuadrat has had a fairly long tryst with Indian football, having been associated with Bengaluru FC in the market including an ISL title-winning season in 2018. He took over the helm of East Bengal FC ahead of this season and hence has a complete understanding of what the youth footballing structure holds for the further development of the sport here.

According to the Spaniard, RFDL has allowed the players to not waste precious time of their developmental years on the bench, and instead engage in closely fought encounters with their peers from clubs across the country.

“RFDL allows players to play competitive games against their peers”

“It gives them an opportunity to play games. It’s one of the things that are difficult in India is the formation of players. I remember watching a lot of games with the Bengaluru B teams, with the sides winning by 6-0, 8-0, and these results don’t put you in a competitive situation. It’s too easy for teams to be winners in that kind of game and then the jump to the ISL is too high. So, the RFDL gives players the opportunity to be competitive with players of your age, who can give you trouble on the field. I have been watching the games, they have been close like 2-0, 1-0, and 2. It means that it’s a challenging tournament,” Cuadrat said during a recent interaction with the league.

He added, “Players have to give their everything and for sure they will learn a lot from that. Some players are in the first-team, but it’s better for them to get minutes playing in the RFDL. For example, Sayan Ghosh was playing for East Bengal in the RFDL, and he even came in the first-team. The tournament gives them a huge opportunity to express the way they play the game and get an opportunity to get in the first team.”

Cuadrat drew an example from the time he spent with the Blues, saying that the level of competitiveness in youth games has increased reasonably since then. It has thus helped head coaches of Indian Super League (ISL) clubs to deploy their squad players into the RFDL, ensuring that they get some good game-time under their belt before progressing to representing their outfits in the top tier.

“RFDL helps us gauge the potential of players over a long period of time”

Cuadrat dived deep into his overall coaching philosophy to explain the importance of the RFDL and the way it has helped his players grow considerably in this campaign. He mentioned that a lot of uncapped players first earn their stripes by being introduced as fresh legs to keep up the intensity of the game during the final few minutes of ISL matches. That might be beneficial to them, but Cuadrat quipped that such infrequent playing time does not allow them a proper chance to give a testament to their overall talent and caliber. Instead, when they play 90-odd minutes in the RFDL regularly, it gives coaches like him a far greater sample size to assess and induct a player permanently into the first team.

“It allows you to see the games real-time, some players who you weren’t able to give chances in the first-team, we get to see them in a real competitive game. This season, we have been giving opportunities to play to many young players. They have gotten some minutes for the first team, but it’s different when they get to play for 90 minutes. It’s what’s happening in the RFDL. You can see players playing for long periods of a game, and then we can see if they can be of help to us for the next season,” he said.

Cuadrat’s insights have thrown light upon the significance of the league in not only harnessing the skillsets of a particular player but also the comprehensive assessment of the players’ potential over a reasonable period. With the RFDL continues to march forward and thrive, it serves as a testament to the enduring growth of the sport in India.’

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis-wta-finals-to-be-held-in-saudi-arabia-starting-2024-in-landmark-move-707737">Tennis: WTA finals to be held in Saudi Arabia starting 2024 in landmark move</a>

East Bengal FC has had a phenomenal run in RFDL so far. They have also qualified for the National Group Stage topping the table of the East Region.

The ongoing season has already witnessed some exciting results where lesser-known teams have showcased their talent against the best clubs in the country, which testament to the vision of RFDL.

The third season of the RFDL got underway across eight zones in February 2024. The three-stage tournament has seen a lot of surprises and the emergence of new clubs competing against their more seasoned counterparts in the Regional Qualifiers being held currently. 20 teams will progress from here to make it to the National Group Stage, from which four sides will qualify for the National Championships.

Punjab FC and Delhi FC from the North Zone have already booked their place in the next round of the competition, whereas Bengaluru FC, Roots FC, and Chennaiyin FC have progressed further from the South Zone. FC Goa, Dempo SC, and Pax of Nagoa SC have qualified from the Regional Qualifiers in Goa, whereas NorthEast United FC have moved forward from the Meghalaya-Assam Region. From the East Zone East Bengal FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Adamas United SA and Muthoot FA, Kerala Blasters FC and Parappur FC from the Kerala region have qualified for the National Group Stage.

The Regional Qualifiers in Mizoram has seen the progress of Home Missions FC so far, whilst the race for the National Group Stage is still on in Mumbai, and Kerala groups.

East Bengal FC head coach Carles Cuadrat appreciated the array of opportunities and increased game-time that the RFDL is offering young footballers across the country.

East Bengal FC head coach Carles Cuadrat appreciated the array of opportunities and increased game-time that the RFDL is offering young footballers across the country. Cuadrat explained that the elite youth development tournament has made the bridge between the reserve and first teams of clubs pretty smooth for all players. Cuadrat has had a fairly long tryst with Indian football, having been associated with Bengaluru FC in the market including an ISL title-winning season in 2018. He took over the helm of East Bengal FC ahead of this season and hence has a complete understanding of what the youth footballing structure holds for the further development of the sport here. According to the Spaniard, RFDL has allowed the players to not waste precious time of their developmental years on the bench, and instead engage in closely fought encounters with their peers from clubs across the country. “RFDL allows players to play competitive games against their peers” “It gives them an opportunity to play games. It’s one of the things that are difficult in India is the formation of players. I remember watching a lot of games with the Bengaluru B teams, with the sides winning by 6-0, 8-0, and these results don’t put you in a competitive situation. It’s too easy for teams to be winners in that kind of game and then the jump to the ISL is too high. So, the RFDL gives players the opportunity to be competitive with players of your age, who can give you trouble on the field. I have been watching the games, they have been close like 2-0, 1-0, and 2. It means that it’s a challenging tournament,” Cuadrat said during a recent interaction with the league. He added, “Players have to give their everything and for sure they will learn a lot from that. Some players are in the first-team, but it’s better for them to get minutes playing in the RFDL. For example, Sayan Ghosh was playing for East Bengal in the RFDL, and he even came in the first-team. The tournament gives them a huge opportunity to express the way they play the game and get an opportunity to get in the first team.” Cuadrat drew an example from the time he spent with the Blues, saying that the level of competitiveness in youth games has increased reasonably since then. It has thus helped head coaches of Indian Super League (ISL) clubs to deploy their squad players into the RFDL, ensuring that they get some good game-time under their belt before progressing to representing their outfits in the top tier. “RFDL helps us gauge the potential of players over a long period of time” Cuadrat dived deep into his overall coaching philosophy to explain the importance of the RFDL and the way it has helped his players grow considerably in this campaign. He mentioned that a lot of uncapped players first earn their stripes by being introduced as fresh legs to keep up the intensity of the game during the final few minutes of ISL matches. That might be beneficial to them, but Cuadrat quipped that such infrequent playing time does not allow them a proper chance to give a testament to their overall talent and caliber. Instead, when they play 90-odd minutes in the RFDL regularly, it gives coaches like him a far greater sample size to assess and induct a player permanently into the first team. “It allows you to see the games real-time, some players who you weren’t able to give chances in the first-team, we get to see them in a real competitive game. This season, we have been giving opportunities to play to many young players. They have gotten some minutes for the first team, but it’s different when they get to play for 90 minutes. It’s what’s happening in the RFDL. You can see players playing for long periods of a game, and then we can see if they can be of help to us for the next season,” he said. Cuadrat’s insights have thrown light upon the significance of the league in not only harnessing the skillsets of a particular player but also the comprehensive assessment of the players’ potential over a reasonable period. With the RFDL continues to march forward and thrive, it serves as a testament to the enduring growth of the sport in India.’ ALSO READ | Tennis: WTA finals to be held in Saudi Arabia starting 2024 in landmark move East Bengal FC has had a phenomenal run in RFDL so far. They have also qualified for the National Group Stage topping the table of the East Region. The ongoing season has already witnessed some exciting results where lesser-known teams have showcased their talent against the best clubs in the country, which testament to the vision of RFDL. The third season of the RFDL got underway across eight zones in February 2024. The three-stage tournament has seen a lot of surprises and the emergence of new clubs competing against their more seasoned counterparts in the Regional Qualifiers being held currently. 20 teams will progress from here to make it to the National Group Stage, from which four sides will qualify for the National Championships. Punjab FC and Delhi FC from the North Zone have already booked their place in the next round of the competition, whereas Bengaluru FC, Roots FC, and Chennaiyin FC have progressed further from the South Zone. FC Goa, Dempo SC, and Pax of Nagoa SC have qualified from the Regional Qualifiers in Goa, whereas NorthEast United FC have moved forward from the Meghalaya-Assam Region. From the East Zone East Bengal FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Adamas United SA and Muthoot FA, Kerala Blasters FC and Parappur FC from the Kerala region have qualified for the National Group Stage. The Regional Qualifiers in Mizoram has seen the progress of Home Missions FC so far, whilst the race for the National Group Stage is still on in Mumbai, and Kerala groups.

ISL: Players have to give their everything - East Bengal head coach Carles Cuadrat ahead of Punjab clash

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season is gearing up for its second Kolkata Derby, with Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC set to clash against each other at the Salt Lake Stadium in the City of Joy on Sunday (Mar 10). Jhulan Goswami represented India in 284 matches on the international stage in a two-decade-long playing career emerging as one of the all-time greats of the sport. Her tally of 355 wickets is the highest of all time in women's international cricket.

Post-hanging her boots as a player, Goswami joined the Mumbai Indians women's team as their Mentor and bowling coach and played a key role in helping them win the Women’s Premier League (WPL) title in the inaugural edition in 2023.

Growing up in West Bengal, Goswami used to play a lot of football as a kid. She has also spoken in the past about how she would have liked to be a footballer if she hadn't been a cricketer. The former pacer took a liking for East Bengal FC and is a passionate supporter of the Red &amp; Gold Brigade, eager to see them succeed in the upcoming derby. She has frequented the stands often as a spectator and describes it as an unmatched experience.

<h2>Kolkata Derby is of a next-level</h2>

“The rivalry between East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant is of a different class. If you have never been to the ground, you don’t know what kinds of things go on, and you can’t explain, it’s difficult. We talk about the derbies of other countries, but the Kolkata Derby is on the next level. It is one of the best derbies that I have experienced in my lifetime,” the 41-year-old said in an interaction.

Having played domestic cricket for Bengal, Goswami is privy to the excitement with which the Kolkata Derby is watched by players plying their trade across different sports. With emotions running high, the dressing room is a sight to savour in her words, with each individual cheering vehemently for their respective teams.

“We tried to avoid watching the derby matches together in the Bengal dressing room”

“In the Bengal team, we had plenty of Mohun Bagan supporters, and we all got in front of the TV and started fighting whenever there was a Mohun Bagan-East Bengal match. We tried to avoid watching the derby matches together in the Bengal dressing room! But honestly, it’s beautiful; you won’t find such passionate fans anywhere,” Goswami recollected.

<h2>Federation Cup 1997 memories</h2>

Apparently, love for football, and more importantly East Bengal FC, runs in the family for the seasoned Indian cricketer. So much so that her favourite memory of supporting the iconic club goes over 27 years back, in the July 1997 fixture between the two teams in the Federation Cup. Former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia had scored a hat-trick in front of a jam-packed stadium, and Goswami remembers that day like the back of her hand, even today.

“My entire family supports East Bengal FC. My favourite derby memory is when Bhaichung Bhutia scored a hat-trick in the Federation Cup against East Bengal in a full house of 1.5 lakh people at the Salt Lake Stadium. East Bengal FC won that match by 4-1, and that was a beautiful moment,” Goswami said.

In the present-day context, the MI bowling coach is asking the Red &amp; Gold Brigade to encourage fellow supporters to have the back of head coach Carles Cuadrat. The Spaniard took over coaching duties ahead of the current campaign, and the team finds itself at the ninth spot in the table with 18 points from 18 league matches so far. They are still in the race to qualify for the playoffs, but they have won only seven points out of a possible 24 since the competition resumed after the mid-season break. However, Goswami is looking at the positives seen in Cuadrat’s tenure so far and is confident that favourable results will be witnessed next year onwards.

“We need to give him some more time and not just judge by this year. Next year, I am definitely sure that East Bengal FC will do well and if Cuadrat will be the coach, he will definitely bring some new talents and we will have a great season next year,” she said.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-he-isnt-abusing-his-form-former-india-pacer-zaheer-khan-lauds-yashasvi-jaiswal-697923">IND vs ENG: 'He isn't abusing his form' - Former India pacer Zaheer Khan lauds young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal</a>

Simultaneously, she is overjoyed with the club bringing an end to its trophy drought by emerging victorious in the Kalinga Super Cup in January. Tasting national-level silverware after nearly 12 years, East Bengal FC has a lot of reasons to take heart and confidence from that performance. It showed that they are moving in the right direction and have the talent and temperament within them to set aside and overcome occasional hiccups in the pursuit of sustainable success.

“After one decade, we won one trophy. The last was when we won the Federation Cup in 2012 when Trevor Morgan was the coach and now we won the Super Cup and we are so happy, thrilled, that we have finally started winning trophies. It was long due!” Goswami said.

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season is gearing up for its second Kolkata Derby, with Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC set to clash against each other at the Salt Lake Stadium in the City of Joy on Sunday (Mar 10).

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season is gearing up for its second Kolkata Derby, with Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC set to clash against each other at the Salt Lake Stadium in the City of Joy on Sunday (Mar 10). Jhulan Goswami represented India in 284 matches on the international stage in a two-decade-long playing career emerging as one of the all-time greats of the sport. Her tally of 355 wickets is the highest of all time in women's international cricket. Post-hanging her boots as a player, Goswami joined the Mumbai Indians women's team as their Mentor and bowling coach and played a key role in helping them win the Women’s Premier League (WPL) title in the inaugural edition in 2023. Growing up in West Bengal, Goswami used to play a lot of football as a kid. She has also spoken in the past about how she would have liked to be a footballer if she hadn't been a cricketer. The former pacer took a liking for East Bengal FC and is a passionate supporter of the Red & Gold Brigade, eager to see them succeed in the upcoming derby. She has frequented the stands often as a spectator and describes it as an unmatched experience. Kolkata Derby is of a next-level “The rivalry between East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant is of a different class. If you have never been to the ground, you don’t know what kinds of things go on, and you can’t explain, it’s difficult. We talk about the derbies of other countries, but the Kolkata Derby is on the next level. It is one of the best derbies that I have experienced in my lifetime,” the 41-year-old said in an interaction. Having played domestic cricket for Bengal, Goswami is privy to the excitement with which the Kolkata Derby is watched by players plying their trade across different sports. With emotions running high, the dressing room is a sight to savour in her words, with each individual cheering vehemently for their respective teams. “We tried to avoid watching the derby matches together in the Bengal dressing room” “In the Bengal team, we had plenty of Mohun Bagan supporters, and we all got in front of the TV and started fighting whenever there was a Mohun Bagan-East Bengal match. We tried to avoid watching the derby matches together in the Bengal dressing room! But honestly, it’s beautiful; you won’t find such passionate fans anywhere,” Goswami recollected. Federation Cup 1997 memories Apparently, love for football, and more importantly East Bengal FC, runs in the family for the seasoned Indian cricketer. So much so that her favourite memory of supporting the iconic club goes over 27 years back, in the July 1997 fixture between the two teams in the Federation Cup. Former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia had scored a hat-trick in front of a jam-packed stadium, and Goswami remembers that day like the back of her hand, even today. “My entire family supports East Bengal FC. My favourite derby memory is when Bhaichung Bhutia scored a hat-trick in the Federation Cup against East Bengal in a full house of 1.5 lakh people at the Salt Lake Stadium. East Bengal FC won that match by 4-1, and that was a beautiful moment,” Goswami said. In the present-day context, the MI bowling coach is asking the Red & Gold Brigade to encourage fellow supporters to have the back of head coach Carles Cuadrat. The Spaniard took over coaching duties ahead of the current campaign, and the team finds itself at the ninth spot in the table with 18 points from 18 league matches so far. They are still in the race to qualify for the playoffs, but they have won only seven points out of a possible 24 since the competition resumed after the mid-season break. However, Goswami is looking at the positives seen in Cuadrat’s tenure so far and is confident that favourable results will be witnessed next year onwards. “We need to give him some more time and not just judge by this year. Next year, I am definitely sure that East Bengal FC will do well and if Cuadrat will be the coach, he will definitely bring some new talents and we will have a great season next year,” she said. ALSO READ | IND vs ENG: 'He isn't abusing his form' - Former India pacer Zaheer Khan lauds young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal Simultaneously, she is overjoyed with the club bringing an end to its trophy drought by emerging victorious in the Kalinga Super Cup in January. Tasting national-level silverware after nearly 12 years, East Bengal FC has a lot of reasons to take heart and confidence from that performance. It showed that they are moving in the right direction and have the talent and temperament within them to set aside and overcome occasional hiccups in the pursuit of sustainable success. “After one decade, we won one trophy. The last was when we won the Federation Cup in 2012 when Trevor Morgan was the coach and now we won the Super Cup and we are so happy, thrilled, that we have finally started winning trophies. It was long due!” Goswami said.

'We talk about derbies of other countries, but the Kolkata Derby is of a next level': Jhulan Goswami

Indian football has inherited a good culture in recent times as players from the remote parts of the country are making their name. The Northeast part of the nation is proving to be the supply line of top footballers with a blend of technique and talent. While football transformation has been on the rise in states like Mizoram, a music teacher turned football coach – Lalrindika Khiangte (Dika), is carrying the baton for the state. A representative of the state team, Dika has been at the heart of the football revolution in the state and is one of the upcoming coaches in India.

An ‘A-licensed’ coach in the country Dika is one of the prime reasons for the rise of football talents in Mizoram as WION exclusively spoke to the man. Part of the Mizoram Coach Program (MCP), Dika is building a force of coaches for the now-popular Naupang League (a tournament in Mizoram for kids between U-6 to U-14). He looks after the development and the growth of the coaches who in turn help Naupang League kids through various techniques.

Question: How was your journey in the establishment of the Naupang League?

Answer:&nbsp;I used to be a music teacher in Punjab while my wife worked in Guwahati. My family lives in Aizwal so when RFYC brought the initiative to develop younger generations I did not hesitate and gave a thumbs up to the project. This project has in one way brought my family together and now we are working together with the Naupang League.

Question: What is the concept of Naupang League?

Answer: The word ‘Naupang’ in the local Mizo language means ‘kids’ and our initiative was always to develop these crops of players. Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) in association with Mizoram Football Association (MFA) took the next initiative to develop this mini-league. So we are fortunate to have RFYC and their help to develop football in this part of the world.

Question: Does the Naupang League work in a similar model to European club academies?

Answer:&nbsp;It is similar to the European leagues the difference but with little difference. At the age of 5 or 6, the kids there have played enough games and spent time on the pitch to grow their football talent. So Naupang League gives kids the platform to build their talent. I won’t compare ourselves to the European League, but with the RYFC infrastructure in years to come, we will be one of the top Asian countries to develop academy football.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tier-2-tournament-similar-to-ipl-set-for-launch-in-2024-bcci-outlines-window-for-proposed-t10-league-669987">‘Tier 2’ tournament similar to IPL set for launch in 2024, BCCI outlines window for proposed T10 league</a>

Question: How do children learn the fundamentals of football with the Naupang League?

Answer: The kids are not finished products so they need to learn fundamentals of the game like kicking the ball, maintaining accuracy of shot and other key aspects. The Decentralized Coaching Sessions (DECO) session helps them develop these techniques before they step into advanced training. So in short, DECO sessions prepare them for the fundamentals before they are given the opportunity at school and senior level. Interestingly, the kids get coaching from licensed coaches from Mizoram who are developing through the MCP.

Question: How does the Naupang League ensure player development beyond what is already provided?

Answer: There are certain players who are well ahead of their time and are good at their skills, so we through the Emerging Talents Program(ETP) give special attention to these kids. The concept of ETP is to develop the already advanced players and help them grow under the guidance of good coaches in the state. Select players also got to travel to the RFYC academy in Mumbai after the first season of Naupang League to learn how football is beyond Mizoram.

Indian football has inherited a good culture in recent times as players from the remote parts of the country are making their name. The Northeast part of the nation is proving to be the supply line of top footballers with a blend of technique and talent.

Indian football has inherited a good culture in recent times as players from the remote parts of the country are making their name. The Northeast part of the nation is proving to be the supply line of top footballers with a blend of technique and talent. While football transformation has been on the rise in states like Mizoram, a music teacher turned football coach – Lalrindika Khiangte (Dika), is carrying the baton for the state. A representative of the state team, Dika has been at the heart of the football revolution in the state and is one of the upcoming coaches in India. An ‘A-licensed’ coach in the country Dika is one of the prime reasons for the rise of football talents in Mizoram as WION exclusively spoke to the man. Part of the Mizoram Coach Program (MCP), Dika is building a force of coaches for the now-popular Naupang League (a tournament in Mizoram for kids between U-6 to U-14). He looks after the development and the growth of the coaches who in turn help Naupang League kids through various techniques. Question: How was your journey in the establishment of the Naupang League? Answer: I used to be a music teacher in Punjab while my wife worked in Guwahati. My family lives in Aizwal so when RFYC brought the initiative to develop younger generations I did not hesitate and gave a thumbs up to the project. This project has in one way brought my family together and now we are working together with the Naupang League. Question: What is the concept of Naupang League? Answer: The word ‘Naupang’ in the local Mizo language means ‘kids’ and our initiative was always to develop these crops of players. Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) in association with Mizoram Football Association (MFA) took the next initiative to develop this mini-league. So we are fortunate to have RFYC and their help to develop football in this part of the world. Question: Does the Naupang League work in a similar model to European club academies? Answer: It is similar to the European leagues the difference but with little difference. At the age of 5 or 6, the kids there have played enough games and spent time on the pitch to grow their football talent. So Naupang League gives kids the platform to build their talent. I won’t compare ourselves to the European League, but with the RYFC infrastructure in years to come, we will be one of the top Asian countries to develop academy football. ALSO READ | ‘Tier 2’ tournament similar to IPL set for launch in 2024, BCCI outlines window for proposed T10 league Question: How do children learn the fundamentals of football with the Naupang League? Answer: The kids are not finished products so they need to learn fundamentals of the game like kicking the ball, maintaining accuracy of shot and other key aspects. The Decentralized Coaching Sessions (DECO) session helps them develop these techniques before they step into advanced training. So in short, DECO sessions prepare them for the fundamentals before they are given the opportunity at school and senior level. Interestingly, the kids get coaching from licensed coaches from Mizoram who are developing through the MCP. Question: How does the Naupang League ensure player development beyond what is already provided? Answer: There are certain players who are well ahead of their time and are good at their skills, so we through the Emerging Talents Program(ETP) give special attention to these kids. The concept of ETP is to develop the already advanced players and help them grow under the guidance of good coaches in the state. Select players also got to travel to the RFYC academy in Mumbai after the first season of Naupang League to learn how football is beyond Mizoram.

EXCLUSIVE | Lalrindika Khiangte: Man leading football revolution in India through young academy coaching style

Virat Kohli, Neeraj Chopra and Sunil Chhetri have been setting up examples for the new generation of sports stars in India with their eye-catching displays on the field and track. Inspiration is a key matrix in their rise as they continue to work hard, however, these inspirations could often come from different corners of society and nation.&nbsp;

Lalhmingliana Khawlhring (nicknamed Hmingtea), 19, a college student is inspiring a state and the young generation of Mizoram football through his heart-touching story.

<h2>Lalhmingliana’s inspiring journey</h2>

Lalhmingliana, born in Aizwal, the capital of the Northeast Indian state of Mizoram, is a physically challenged footballer who has overcome a host of problems. Lalhmingliana, who plays football for Government Hrangbana College is differently abled, having lost both his hands from the elbow down in a freak accident in 2016.&nbsp;

However, that has not stopped him from working his magic on the field as continues to set up an example for society.

Lalhmingliana, who also captains the Government Hrangbana College side, scored in the final of the Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (RFYS) Mizoram U21 Championship on 3 Nov 2023 after his side overcame the challenge of Pachhunga University College. He scored two goals in the final in a remarkable 7-0 win to clinch the championship for his side.

The teenager could now be the next gem that needs attention from the rest of the nation. Recently, during the Asian Para Games India clinch 111 medals with eye-catching displays by Ankur Dhama, Nishad Kumar and others. Lalhmingliana now aims to step into the footsteps of these greats and inspire the next generation.

<h2>More on Lalhmingliana</h2>

Like his ideal Robert Lewandowski, Lalhmingliana plays in the striker’s position wearing No 9. He is a right-footed player who knows where the back of the net is and is often seen switching on the flanks as well.&nbsp;

He is a supporter of Premier League side Manchester City, who are the current European champions. While Lewandowski remains his favourite player, he also adores Lionel Messi who is now an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sa-v-ind-world-cup-bound-star-players-yet-to-join-team-in-south-africa-deepak-chahar-doubtful-667534">SA v IND: World Cup-bound star players yet to join team in South Africa; Deepak Chahar doubtful</a>

“I am thankful to everyone who has supported me in the last 6-7 years as no one has ever made me feel broken. My family, my friends and teachers (coaches) have always stood by me and my desire to play football. To be the captain of the side feels special and to lead them to win makes it extra special. I have always got an underwhelming support from every corner of the society and I will continue to find my way,” Lalhmingliana said in an exclusive conversation with WION.

“If I haven't played in the RFYS&nbsp;Football Tournament, I'm just gonna be Lalhmingliana, who just plays football only for his love of the game'. This tournament has given me the joy and the motivation to play football better than ever.

“RFYS tournament is fully responsible for bringing this kind of joy, happiness and motivation to me, and I'm very thankful and grateful for that, so I want to say "thank you" to RF, all the teams, all the persons who are responsible for the success of this tournament. Also, I would like to thank all of my teammates, my coach Sir Dintea and our biggest supporter Miss Judy. If not for them, I wouldn't be able to get in this position, so thanks to Reliance Foundation and all of contributors from our college,” Lalhmingliana added.

The player now aims at securing a place in the senior state team despite his physical condition.

RFYS launched in 2016 to transform grassroots sports in India by creating a structured competition platform for schools and colleges. Over the years, it has allowed young athletes to showcase their talents through its various competitions taking place around the year. RFYS’ initiatives have touched the lives of over 22 million young people since 2013 across the country from 14,000+ schools and colleges, enabling an opportunity for a talented kid anywhere to be able to achieve their dream of a career in sports.

Virat Kohli, Neeraj Chopra and Sunil Chhetri have been setting up examples for the new generation of sports stars in India with their eye-catching displays on the field and track.

Virat Kohli, Neeraj Chopra and Sunil Chhetri have been setting up examples for the new generation of sports stars in India with their eye-catching displays on the field and track. Inspiration is a key matrix in their rise as they continue to work hard, however, these inspirations could often come from different corners of society and nation. Lalhmingliana Khawlhring (nicknamed Hmingtea), 19, a college student is inspiring a state and the young generation of Mizoram football through his heart-touching story. Lalhmingliana’s inspiring journey Lalhmingliana, born in Aizwal, the capital of the Northeast Indian state of Mizoram, is a physically challenged footballer who has overcome a host of problems. Lalhmingliana, who plays football for Government Hrangbana College is differently abled, having lost both his hands from the elbow down in a freak accident in 2016. However, that has not stopped him from working his magic on the field as continues to set up an example for society. Lalhmingliana, who also captains the Government Hrangbana College side, scored in the final of the Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (RFYS) Mizoram U21 Championship on 3 Nov 2023 after his side overcame the challenge of Pachhunga University College. He scored two goals in the final in a remarkable 7-0 win to clinch the championship for his side. The teenager could now be the next gem that needs attention from the rest of the nation. Recently, during the Asian Para Games India clinch 111 medals with eye-catching displays by Ankur Dhama, Nishad Kumar and others. Lalhmingliana now aims to step into the footsteps of these greats and inspire the next generation. More on Lalhmingliana Like his ideal Robert Lewandowski, Lalhmingliana plays in the striker’s position wearing No 9. He is a right-footed player who knows where the back of the net is and is often seen switching on the flanks as well. He is a supporter of Premier League side Manchester City, who are the current European champions. While Lewandowski remains his favourite player, he also adores Lionel Messi who is now an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. ALSO READ | SA v IND: World Cup-bound star players yet to join team in South Africa; Deepak Chahar doubtful “I am thankful to everyone who has supported me in the last 6-7 years as no one has ever made me feel broken. My family, my friends and teachers (coaches) have always stood by me and my desire to play football. To be the captain of the side feels special and to lead them to win makes it extra special. I have always got an underwhelming support from every corner of the society and I will continue to find my way,” Lalhmingliana said in an exclusive conversation with WION. “If I haven't played in the RFYS Football Tournament, I'm just gonna be Lalhmingliana, who just plays football only for his love of the game'. This tournament has given me the joy and the motivation to play football better than ever. “RFYS tournament is fully responsible for bringing this kind of joy, happiness and motivation to me, and I'm very thankful and grateful for that, so I want to say "thank you" to RF, all the teams, all the persons who are responsible for the success of this tournament. Also, I would like to thank all of my teammates, my coach Sir Dintea and our biggest supporter Miss Judy. If not for them, I wouldn't be able to get in this position, so thanks to Reliance Foundation and all of contributors from our college,” Lalhmingliana added. The player now aims at securing a place in the senior state team despite his physical condition. RFYS launched in 2016 to transform grassroots sports in India by creating a structured competition platform for schools and colleges. Over the years, it has allowed young athletes to showcase their talents through its various competitions taking place around the year. RFYS’ initiatives have touched the lives of over 22 million young people since 2013 across the country from 14,000+ schools and colleges, enabling an opportunity for a talented kid anywhere to be able to achieve their dream of a career in sports.

Lalhmingliana Khawlhring: This Indian footballer lost both hands when young, but that's not stopping him

Far from the mainland state capital cities of India, Aizwal is carving its reputation as one of the leading exporters of talent booths. While Mumbai, Bengaluru and other capital cities have forged their reputation as business and IT hubs – Aizwal, the capital of Northeast state Mizoram is developing a hub of young crop of Indian football players. Lalnghinglova Hmar, fondly known as Tetea, the secretary&nbsp;of the Mizoram Football Association (MFA), has laid the foundation for growing the next pool of big Indian footballers with some visionary plans and ideas. Hmar spoke exclusively to WION on the changing landscape of Indian football and how Mizoram is contributing to the cause.

<h2>‘We want to be the future’</h2>

“We want to lay down a foundation for the kids as we think we have the best pool of players where everyone is open to contribute. Mizoram is the place where grassroots football started to develop in India. With the talent we have and the Naupang League now an early success this comes we want to be the future of Indian football. In years to come I hope we lay down a marker for the rest of the nation,” said Hmar while in conversation with WION.

Hmar also spoke on the infrastructure side of things as the state lacks the best facilities, but is still going toe-to-toe with the challenges to produce the best crop of young footballers.

“Yes we lack facilities of the highest qualities. The MFA done a great job in tackling this like collaborating with Reliance Foundation Young Champs for the Naupang League. In the years to come, we hope to provide the best facilities to the kids and make the state proud,” added Hmar.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2024-hes-ideal-fit-for-us-rcbs-director-of-cricket-on-cameron-greens-trade-663482">IPL 2024: 'He's ideal fit for us' - RCB's director of cricket on Cameron Green's trade</a>

Currently, the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) Naupang League in association with Mizoram Football Association currently operates on the football model of European clubs with more players like Bipin and Lalengmawia on the rise. The RFYC through its scouts selects children for a week-long experiential trip to the academy in Mumbai and helps nurture the young talent.

Speaking about Aizawl FC, Hmar commented, “I believe we have all the resources to make the giant stride and once again jump to reach the top flight if we can put the missing piece in the puzzle right.”

WION also spoke to MFA Chairman PC Vanlalhruaia and Secretary K. Lalenghluna as they discussed the status of football’s rise in the state. They highlighted that MFA put in great efforts to take the next step in football. Vanlalhruaia opened up the world-class facilities of the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium that are helping the kids and the state teams. They also praised the efforts made by RFYC&nbsp;as their efforts intend to change the landscape of football in the state. RFYC&nbsp;has been a revolution in the state as they have provided the necessary infrastructure for the growth of players.

Far from the mainland state capital cities of India, Aizwal is carving its reputation as one of the leading exporters of talent booths. While Mumbai, Bengaluru and other capital cities have forged their reputation as business and IT hubs – Aizwal, the capital of Northeast state Mizoram is developing a hub of young crop of Indian football players.

Far from the mainland state capital cities of India, Aizwal is carving its reputation as one of the leading exporters of talent booths. While Mumbai, Bengaluru and other capital cities have forged their reputation as business and IT hubs – Aizwal, the capital of Northeast state Mizoram is developing a hub of young crop of Indian football players. Lalnghinglova Hmar, fondly known as Tetea, the secretary of the Mizoram Football Association (MFA), has laid the foundation for growing the next pool of big Indian footballers with some visionary plans and ideas. Hmar spoke exclusively to WION on the changing landscape of Indian football and how Mizoram is contributing to the cause. ‘We want to be the future’ “We want to lay down a foundation for the kids as we think we have the best pool of players where everyone is open to contribute. Mizoram is the place where grassroots football started to develop in India. With the talent we have and the Naupang League now an early success this comes we want to be the future of Indian football. In years to come I hope we lay down a marker for the rest of the nation,” said Hmar while in conversation with WION. Hmar also spoke on the infrastructure side of things as the state lacks the best facilities, but is still going toe-to-toe with the challenges to produce the best crop of young footballers. “Yes we lack facilities of the highest qualities. The MFA done a great job in tackling this like collaborating with Reliance Foundation Young Champs for the Naupang League. In the years to come, we hope to provide the best facilities to the kids and make the state proud,” added Hmar. ALSO READ | IPL 2024: 'He's ideal fit for us' - RCB's director of cricket on Cameron Green's trade Currently, the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) Naupang League in association with Mizoram Football Association currently operates on the football model of European clubs with more players like Bipin and Lalengmawia on the rise. The RFYC through its scouts selects children for a week-long experiential trip to the academy in Mumbai and helps nurture the young talent. Speaking about Aizawl FC, Hmar commented, “I believe we have all the resources to make the giant stride and once again jump to reach the top flight if we can put the missing piece in the puzzle right.” WION also spoke to MFA Chairman PC Vanlalhruaia and Secretary K. Lalenghluna as they discussed the status of football’s rise in the state. They highlighted that MFA put in great efforts to take the next step in football. Vanlalhruaia opened up the world-class facilities of the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium that are helping the kids and the state teams. They also praised the efforts made by RFYC as their efforts intend to change the landscape of football in the state. RFYC has been a revolution in the state as they have provided the necessary infrastructure for the growth of players.

EXCLUSIVE: It’s about putting the right piece in the puzzle - MFA’s Tetea Hmar on football in the state

Sergio Lobera is is back in the&nbsp;Indian Super League (ISL), as the Spaniard now heads to his third team - Odisha FC in the top-tier after previous stints with FC Goa and Mumbai City FC. Lobera,&nbsp;a proven stalwart, and that is reflected in his illustrious cabinet containing the ISL League Winners Shield, the ISL Trophy, and also the Super Cup. However, it is the free-flowing, entertaining style of football bringing spectators to the edge of their seats that he brought in India that has made him a favourite amongst fans.

After leading Mumbai City FC to the iconic league double in 2020-21, Lobera departed from India to manage Chinese outfit Sichuan Jiuniu F.C. However, the 46-year-old returned to take over the reins of Odisha FC and he says that the love and warmth he receives from the fans in India played a massive role in his comeback to the ISL.

“I think you come back to the place where you feel happy. If you didn’t work well, didn’t like the environment, the organisation, or the ISL competition, you wouldn’t want to come back, would you? The reason to come back here is that when I worked before here, I was happy. It means a lot. Foreign players have options from other countries, maybe with more money, but I especially wanted to come back here because I was happy. It is a very good place to work in,” Lobera said in an interaction with the league.

In addition to the footballing culture, Lobera is touched with the love showered on him by the people in India. His family is staying with him in Bhubaneswar and Lobera believes that there is a lot to learn from Indians in all walks of life.

“My daughter is five years old and she has lived more in India than in Spain. We love this country, we love these people. They receive us in this country with a very warm welcome. We are living very happily in Bhubaneswar in Odisha. My daughter has started school now,” Lobera said.

He added, “It’s not just about football, it’s about life. Respecting all the people, different customs in different countries, for me as a father and husband, I want my wife to live this experience in India because we can learn a lot from Indian people. When you win their heart, they are very happy.”

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/he-is-always-full-of-surprises-ab-de-villiers-on-ms-dhonis-involvement-in-ipl-2024-664606">He is always full of surprises: AB de Villiers on MS Dhoni's involvement in IPL 2024</a>

The beginning of Lobera’s stint at Odisha has panned out similarly as before, with the tactician roping in his former players like Mourtada Fall, Ahmed Jahouh, Cy Goddard, and Amey Ranawade. He says that having familiar faces around is essential for him to quickly impart his ideas to the team. Further, he stressed that he is focusing on building a family within the club and that takes the efforts and contributions of the entire squad.

“A lot of people ask me why I sign players who have worked with me before. It’s because I know these players both as professionals as well as persons. It’s very important to build a good connection between the Indian players and the foreign players. They need to understand and help to improve the level of Indian players during training sessions as well as both on and off the pitch. They are heroes for some of the Indian players. It’s very helpful for me as coach to have players who have worked with me before because I need to implement my ideas, philosophies, and style of play,” Lobera said.

“We are building a family because I am sure we are going to live good moments and bad moments, and for me the winning team is the one that manages the bad moments better,” he signed off.

Lobera’s side will next take on Jamshedpur in their upcoming encounter on Friday when they travel to Jamshedpur FC.

Sergio Lobera is is back in the Indian Super League (ISL), as the Spaniard now heads to his third team - Odisha FC in the top-tier after previous stints with FC Goa and Mumbai City FC.

Sergio Lobera is is back in the Indian Super League (ISL), as the Spaniard now heads to his third team - Odisha FC in the top-tier after previous stints with FC Goa and Mumbai City FC. Lobera, a proven stalwart, and that is reflected in his illustrious cabinet containing the ISL League Winners Shield, the ISL Trophy, and also the Super Cup. However, it is the free-flowing, entertaining style of football bringing spectators to the edge of their seats that he brought in India that has made him a favourite amongst fans. After leading Mumbai City FC to the iconic league double in 2020-21, Lobera departed from India to manage Chinese outfit Sichuan Jiuniu F.C. However, the 46-year-old returned to take over the reins of Odisha FC and he says that the love and warmth he receives from the fans in India played a massive role in his comeback to the ISL. “I think you come back to the place where you feel happy. If you didn’t work well, didn’t like the environment, the organisation, or the ISL competition, you wouldn’t want to come back, would you? The reason to come back here is that when I worked before here, I was happy. It means a lot. Foreign players have options from other countries, maybe with more money, but I especially wanted to come back here because I was happy. It is a very good place to work in,” Lobera said in an interaction with the league. In addition to the footballing culture, Lobera is touched with the love showered on him by the people in India. His family is staying with him in Bhubaneswar and Lobera believes that there is a lot to learn from Indians in all walks of life. “My daughter is five years old and she has lived more in India than in Spain. We love this country, we love these people. They receive us in this country with a very warm welcome. We are living very happily in Bhubaneswar in Odisha. My daughter has started school now,” Lobera said. He added, “It’s not just about football, it’s about life. Respecting all the people, different customs in different countries, for me as a father and husband, I want my wife to live this experience in India because we can learn a lot from Indian people. When you win their heart, they are very happy.” ALSO READ | He is always full of surprises: AB de Villiers on MS Dhoni's involvement in IPL 2024 The beginning of Lobera’s stint at Odisha has panned out similarly as before, with the tactician roping in his former players like Mourtada Fall, Ahmed Jahouh, Cy Goddard, and Amey Ranawade. He says that having familiar faces around is essential for him to quickly impart his ideas to the team. Further, he stressed that he is focusing on building a family within the club and that takes the efforts and contributions of the entire squad. “A lot of people ask me why I sign players who have worked with me before. It’s because I know these players both as professionals as well as persons. It’s very important to build a good connection between the Indian players and the foreign players. They need to understand and help to improve the level of Indian players during training sessions as well as both on and off the pitch. They are heroes for some of the Indian players. It’s very helpful for me as coach to have players who have worked with me before because I need to implement my ideas, philosophies, and style of play,” Lobera said. “We are building a family because I am sure we are going to live good moments and bad moments, and for me the winning team is the one that manages the bad moments better,” he signed off. Lobera’s side will next take on Jamshedpur in their upcoming encounter on Friday when they travel to Jamshedpur FC.

Football: Spanish coach Sergio Lobera returns to ISL with Odisha FC, to face Jamshedpur in first match

Indian football has been on the rise in recent years as the nation continues to grow with the biggest sport in the world. The nation, devoted to cricket, has seen a meteoric rise in football in recent years with young stars making their name in the national leagues. While top metro cities continue to take the spotlight for big cricketing names, far from the mainland, northeast India is writing its own story in football as a chunk of the next generation is taking lessons in states like Mizoram and Manipur.

<h2>Rise of Indian football</h2>

Currently, players like Bipin Singh, Chinglensana Singh, Suresh Wangjam, Lallianzuala Chhangte and Lalengmawia have made their name on the national side’s map as they continue to impress. Clubs like NorthEast United, Mumbai City FC, ATK Mohun Bagan and others have been dominated by&nbsp;northeast stars. The league development system has been a major contributor, with mentoring and scouting done from a very young age.

Multiple players from northeastern states are plying their trade in the Indian Super League (ISL) and the I-League. The rich history of the state can also be underlined by the success story of Aizwal FC, who played in the playoff rounds of the AFC Champions League most recently. More than 25 per cent of the footballers in the ISL come from the northeast, which shows their rising dominance.

Recently Chhangte, born in Mizoram, played against Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal in the AFC Champions League for Mumbai City FC, which has increased the popularity and reach of the state on the global level.

<h2>What makes the region special?</h2>

Recruiting players at a young age and nurturing them in metro cities with the use of advanced training facilities has become a trend. Currently, majority of the Indian football youngsters are coming through the academies of northeast India, with Mizoram and Manipur being the top contributors. Children as young as five are taught to play football and are scouted for further development.

<h2>Naupang League lays the foundation</h2>

Naupang League’s rise in recent years has been a major factor in helping the kids develop big time and provide a platform. The eight-month-long football league aims&nbsp;at developing grassroots football in Mizoram region.

The league‘s latest season started in September across four districts of Mizoram - Aizawl, Champhai, Kolasib and Lunglei, after a successful inaugural season.

The age group competition aims at the sustainable development of players at a very young age. What makes it interesting is its age categories of U6, U8, U10, U12, and U14. The engagement of the U-6 participants has increased with more activities planned during the match days other than organised matches. In addition, emerging talent sessions have also helped the growth of the league – which are dedicated sessions for children who show good potential and talent.

Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) Naupang League in association with Mizoram Football Association currently operates on the football model of European clubs with more players like Bipin and Lalengmawia are on the rise. The RFYC through its scouts selected around 40 children for a week-long experiential trip to the RFYC academy in Mumbai.

While World Cup qualification still remains a step too far for the nation, it won’t be long before we see one of the players from India compete for top European clubs like Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.&nbsp;

Indian football has been on the rise in recent years as the nation continues to grow with the biggest sport in the world. The nation, devoted to cricket, has seen a meteoric rise in football in recent years with young stars making their name in the national leagues.

Indian football has been on the rise in recent years as the nation continues to grow with the biggest sport in the world. The nation, devoted to cricket, has seen a meteoric rise in football in recent years with young stars making their name in the national leagues. While top metro cities continue to take the spotlight for big cricketing names, far from the mainland, northeast India is writing its own story in football as a chunk of the next generation is taking lessons in states like Mizoram and Manipur. Rise of Indian football Currently, players like Bipin Singh, Chinglensana Singh, Suresh Wangjam, Lallianzuala Chhangte and Lalengmawia have made their name on the national side’s map as they continue to impress. Clubs like NorthEast United, Mumbai City FC, ATK Mohun Bagan and others have been dominated by northeast stars. The league development system has been a major contributor, with mentoring and scouting done from a very young age. Multiple players from northeastern states are plying their trade in the Indian Super League (ISL) and the I-League. The rich history of the state can also be underlined by the success story of Aizwal FC, who played in the playoff rounds of the AFC Champions League most recently. More than 25 per cent of the footballers in the ISL come from the northeast, which shows their rising dominance. Recently Chhangte, born in Mizoram, played against Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal in the AFC Champions League for Mumbai City FC, which has increased the popularity and reach of the state on the global level. What makes the region special? Recruiting players at a young age and nurturing them in metro cities with the use of advanced training facilities has become a trend. Currently, majority of the Indian football youngsters are coming through the academies of northeast India, with Mizoram and Manipur being the top contributors. Children as young as five are taught to play football and are scouted for further development. Naupang League lays the foundation Naupang League’s rise in recent years has been a major factor in helping the kids develop big time and provide a platform. The eight-month-long football league aims at developing grassroots football in Mizoram region. The league‘s latest season started in September across four districts of Mizoram - Aizawl, Champhai, Kolasib and Lunglei, after a successful inaugural season. The age group competition aims at the sustainable development of players at a very young age. What makes it interesting is its age categories of U6, U8, U10, U12, and U14. The engagement of the U-6 participants has increased with more activities planned during the match days other than organised matches. In addition, emerging talent sessions have also helped the growth of the league – which are dedicated sessions for children who show good potential and talent. Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) Naupang League in association with Mizoram Football Association currently operates on the football model of European clubs with more players like Bipin and Lalengmawia are on the rise. The RFYC through its scouts selected around 40 children for a week-long experiential trip to the RFYC academy in Mumbai. While World Cup qualification still remains a step too far for the nation, it won’t be long before we see one of the players from India compete for top European clubs like Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.

Rise of Indian football and how regional leagues are setting a new benchmark

Bengaluru FC skipper Sunil Chhetri has commended the Indian Super League (ISL) for taking football to the length and breadth of the country, hailing the competition for sprouting hopes amongst youngsters across the nation. The 39-year-old has been associated with the ISL since 2015, having represented Bengaluru FC from the 2017-18 campaign onwards. He won the ISL title with the Blues in 2018-19 and is second in the list of the all-time top goal-scorers in the league history with 58 strikes to his name.

Speaking on Curly Tales, Chhetri mentioned that talent identification across different sports at a ripe age is essential for India to become a sporting superpower.

“A lot of things went well for us in the last 10 years, but the biggest was the ISL. What it did was, it got the game to every nook and corner of the country. When they give a kid that hope, it is different. That is the biggest thing that the ISL has done. It has given hope and visibility (to the sport) throughout the country,” Chhetri said.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nz-would-be-the-team-that-india-wouldnt-want-to-play-in-odi-wc-semi-final-feels-former-england-pacer-657263">NZ would be the team that India wouldn't want to play in ODI WC semi-final, feels former England pacer</a>

Whilst 51 of his goals have come for Bengaluru, the striker also represented Mumbai City FC on loan in 2015 and 2016 and notched seven goals in 17 appearances across two seasons for the Islanders. This season, Chhetri has already netted twice in four appearances.

As the third highest goal-scorer (93) in international football at present, Chhetri’s influence spreads beyond football in the country. He is a proper sporting icon and speaks extensively on the importance of recognising, nurturing, and promoting talents across all sports through a proper mechanism to elevate India to greater heights globally.

“The earlier we can identify the talents, him or her, given them the right infrastructure, right schooling, the right education to become a better player, I think we are good. I hope not only in football, but throughout every sport if we can do it, we will soon be a proper sporting country,” Chhetri further said in the interaction.

Bengaluru FC skipper Sunil Chhetri has commended the Indian Super League (ISL) for taking football to the length and breadth of the country, hailing the competition for sprouting hopes amongst youngsters across the nation.

Bengaluru FC skipper Sunil Chhetri has commended the Indian Super League (ISL) for taking football to the length and breadth of the country, hailing the competition for sprouting hopes amongst youngsters across the nation. The 39-year-old has been associated with the ISL since 2015, having represented Bengaluru FC from the 2017-18 campaign onwards. He won the ISL title with the Blues in 2018-19 and is second in the list of the all-time top goal-scorers in the league history with 58 strikes to his name. Speaking on Curly Tales, Chhetri mentioned that talent identification across different sports at a ripe age is essential for India to become a sporting superpower. “A lot of things went well for us in the last 10 years, but the biggest was the ISL. What it did was, it got the game to every nook and corner of the country. When they give a kid that hope, it is different. That is the biggest thing that the ISL has done. It has given hope and visibility (to the sport) throughout the country,” Chhetri said. ALSO READ | NZ would be the team that India wouldn't want to play in ODI WC semi-final, feels former England pacer Whilst 51 of his goals have come for Bengaluru, the striker also represented Mumbai City FC on loan in 2015 and 2016 and notched seven goals in 17 appearances across two seasons for the Islanders. This season, Chhetri has already netted twice in four appearances. As the third highest goal-scorer (93) in international football at present, Chhetri’s influence spreads beyond football in the country. He is a proper sporting icon and speaks extensively on the importance of recognising, nurturing, and promoting talents across all sports through a proper mechanism to elevate India to greater heights globally. “The earlier we can identify the talents, him or her, given them the right infrastructure, right schooling, the right education to become a better player, I think we are good. I hope not only in football, but throughout every sport if we can do it, we will soon be a proper sporting country,” Chhetri further said in the interaction.

ISL has given hope and visibility for football across the country: Sunil Chhetri

Young football star Mohammed Sanan was added to the illustrious list of RFYC graduates joining the Indian Super League (ISL) outfit, as he secured a three-year-long contract with the first team of Jamshedpur FC in August. The 19-year-old forward, hailing from Kerala, has appeared in all of the Red Miners’ games in the league this season, giving a terrific testament to his talent and immediate readiness to adapt to the rigours of the first team.

The RFYC has been instrumental in helping young footballers in India realise their football dreams by providing a holistic development approach both on and off the pitch. The program has seen significant success with 12 of its graduates signing professional contracts with various Indian football clubs in 2023.

“Signing professional contracts is the first big step in a player’s career, and RFYC is proud to have been able to help these athletes reach this stage.&nbsp;We are proud of all our graduates, and look forward to seeing everything they go on to achieve.” said a RFYC spokesperson said.

The RFYC has made a significant contribution to Indian football with 12 academy graduates making it to various age groups of Indian football.

Nathan Rodrigues and Franklin Nazareth signed up with the first team of Mumbai City FC in the summer. Nathan is a towering defender whose indomitable spirit reflects his incredible determination in coming back from a serious knee injury that kept him on the sidelines last season. On the other hand, Franklin is touted to be a quintessential No. 6 with inbred leadership qualities. His defensive traits are complemented by the wide passing range that makes him a creative outlet at the centre of the park.

Six graduates, Ranit Sarkar (East Bengal FC reserves), Bunando Singh (East Bengal FC reserves), Razibul Mistry (East Bengal FC reserves), Vian Murgod (Mohun Bagan Super Giant reserves), Rashid Cherukad (Bengaluru FC reserves), and Shivaldo Singh (Bengaluru FC reserves) have bagged deals amongst different teams in the ISL.

Amongst these, Shivaldo used to lead the RFYC U-19 team, earmarked as a leader from the heart of the defence. He is a defender who can play across the backline. Hailing from Manipur, he possesses strong leadership skills to complement his talents on the field.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/odi-world-cup-2023-india-all-rounder-hardik-pandya-ruled-out-of-tournament-with-injury-654951">ODI World Cup 2023: India all-rounder Hardik Pandya ruled out of tournament with injury</a>

Bunando Singh recorded impressive performances in the RFDL earlier this year and that earned him a move to the Red &amp; Gold Brigade. Accompanying him in the Kolkata-based club are Ranit, and Razibul, both of whom grew up idolising footballers in West Bengal. Ranit has emerged as a standout talent during his time in the RFYC because of his impressive shot-stopping skills and work ethic, while Razibul has been raised for his electrifying speed, agile footwork, and innate ability to create scoring opportunities.

Rashid is a versatile midfielder, capable of playing across the centre of the field, who joined the Bengaluru FC reserves. He has already begun earning his stripes by recording fine performances in the Bengaluru Super Division. The Mariners have picked up Pune-born striker Vian, who is known for his incredible knack of finding the back of the net. He is well versed with the demands of modern-day football and is an equally capable playmaker too, adding a unique dimension to his attacking arsenal.

I-League will witness the remarkable potential of the RFYC in the coming campaign too. Two graduates, Chirag Bhujel (Rajasthan United) and Surdas Meitei (Rajasthan United), will ply their trade in the second-tier football competition. Bhujel is a dynamic winger with a searing pace and tremendous efficiency in front of the goal. His exploits on the flank will be closely tracked by clubs across the country. Surdas blends a powerful physique with a wonderful eye for a pass. His ability to split defences with his deliveries from the middle of the park makes him an exciting prospect to watch out for.

Alex Konthoujam signed up with Kodagu FC in the Bengaluru Super Division. He is an attacker blessed with tearaway pace, quick footwork, and equally stunning goal-scoring vision. He can shuffle across the frontline and will be hoping to move up the ranks by delivering impactful performances for Kodagu.

Additionally, twins, Aarush Kamath and Avaneesh Kamath, have bagged a two-year-long full scholarship each at the Louisiana State University (EUNICE) with a Business Major. Aarush plays as a left back whereas Avaneesh plays on the right side of the defensive line. They played critical roles in RFYC’s qualification in the RFDL this year and were part of the U19 team that finished runners-up in the MFA Super Division League.

RFYC has had 15 players sign professional contracts from its first two graduating batches (14 ISL players + 1 I League player) including the likes of Ayush Chhikara (MCFC), Muhammed Nemil (FCG), Thoi Singh (NEUFC), amongst others.

The success of RFYC graduates in securing professional contracts demonstrates the positive impact and role that RFYC is playing in Indian football. RFYC has not only nurtured talent but also prepared these young athletes for the rigors of professional football. The program has become a significant contributor to the development of Indian football, with numerous players making their mark in the Indian Super League and I-League. Moreover, RFYC's partnership with Mizoram Football Association to expand grassroots football is a testament to its commitment to developing football talent at the grassroots level.

Young football star Mohammed Sanan was added to the illustrious list of RFYC graduates joining the Indian Super League (ISL) outfit, as he secured a three-year-long contract with the first team of Jamshedpur FC in August.

Young football star Mohammed Sanan was added to the illustrious list of RFYC graduates joining the Indian Super League (ISL) outfit, as he secured a three-year-long contract with the first team of Jamshedpur FC in August. The 19-year-old forward, hailing from Kerala, has appeared in all of the Red Miners’ games in the league this season, giving a terrific testament to his talent and immediate readiness to adapt to the rigours of the first team. The RFYC has been instrumental in helping young footballers in India realise their football dreams by providing a holistic development approach both on and off the pitch. The program has seen significant success with 12 of its graduates signing professional contracts with various Indian football clubs in 2023. “Signing professional contracts is the first big step in a player’s career, and RFYC is proud to have been able to help these athletes reach this stage. We are proud of all our graduates, and look forward to seeing everything they go on to achieve.” said a RFYC spokesperson said. The RFYC has made a significant contribution to Indian football with 12 academy graduates making it to various age groups of Indian football. Nathan Rodrigues and Franklin Nazareth signed up with the first team of Mumbai City FC in the summer. Nathan is a towering defender whose indomitable spirit reflects his incredible determination in coming back from a serious knee injury that kept him on the sidelines last season. On the other hand, Franklin is touted to be a quintessential No. 6 with inbred leadership qualities. His defensive traits are complemented by the wide passing range that makes him a creative outlet at the centre of the park. Six graduates, Ranit Sarkar (East Bengal FC reserves), Bunando Singh (East Bengal FC reserves), Razibul Mistry (East Bengal FC reserves), Vian Murgod (Mohun Bagan Super Giant reserves), Rashid Cherukad (Bengaluru FC reserves), and Shivaldo Singh (Bengaluru FC reserves) have bagged deals amongst different teams in the ISL. Amongst these, Shivaldo used to lead the RFYC U-19 team, earmarked as a leader from the heart of the defence. He is a defender who can play across the backline. Hailing from Manipur, he possesses strong leadership skills to complement his talents on the field. ALSO READ | ODI World Cup 2023: India all-rounder Hardik Pandya ruled out of tournament with injury Bunando Singh recorded impressive performances in the RFDL earlier this year and that earned him a move to the Red & Gold Brigade. Accompanying him in the Kolkata-based club are Ranit, and Razibul, both of whom grew up idolising footballers in West Bengal. Ranit has emerged as a standout talent during his time in the RFYC because of his impressive shot-stopping skills and work ethic, while Razibul has been raised for his electrifying speed, agile footwork, and innate ability to create scoring opportunities. Rashid is a versatile midfielder, capable of playing across the centre of the field, who joined the Bengaluru FC reserves. He has already begun earning his stripes by recording fine performances in the Bengaluru Super Division. The Mariners have picked up Pune-born striker Vian, who is known for his incredible knack of finding the back of the net. He is well versed with the demands of modern-day football and is an equally capable playmaker too, adding a unique dimension to his attacking arsenal. I-League will witness the remarkable potential of the RFYC in the coming campaign too. Two graduates, Chirag Bhujel (Rajasthan United) and Surdas Meitei (Rajasthan United), will ply their trade in the second-tier football competition. Bhujel is a dynamic winger with a searing pace and tremendous efficiency in front of the goal. His exploits on the flank will be closely tracked by clubs across the country. Surdas blends a powerful physique with a wonderful eye for a pass. His ability to split defences with his deliveries from the middle of the park makes him an exciting prospect to watch out for. Alex Konthoujam signed up with Kodagu FC in the Bengaluru Super Division. He is an attacker blessed with tearaway pace, quick footwork, and equally stunning goal-scoring vision. He can shuffle across the frontline and will be hoping to move up the ranks by delivering impactful performances for Kodagu. Additionally, twins, Aarush Kamath and Avaneesh Kamath, have bagged a two-year-long full scholarship each at the Louisiana State University (EUNICE) with a Business Major. Aarush plays as a left back whereas Avaneesh plays on the right side of the defensive line. They played critical roles in RFYC’s qualification in the RFDL this year and were part of the U19 team that finished runners-up in the MFA Super Division League. RFYC has had 15 players sign professional contracts from its first two graduating batches (14 ISL players + 1 I League player) including the likes of Ayush Chhikara (MCFC), Muhammed Nemil (FCG), Thoi Singh (NEUFC), amongst others. The success of RFYC graduates in securing professional contracts demonstrates the positive impact and role that RFYC is playing in Indian football. RFYC has not only nurtured talent but also prepared these young athletes for the rigors of professional football. The program has become a significant contributor to the development of Indian football, with numerous players making their mark in the Indian Super League and I-League. Moreover, RFYC's partnership with Mizoram Football Association to expand grassroots football is a testament to its commitment to developing football talent at the grassroots level.

ISL 2023-24: Mohammed Sanan, Nathan Rodrigues add another feather to hat with impressive first season

IN PICS | John Abraham takes to football field to promote youth development in India

Kerala Blasters FC recorded their second straight win of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 season as they beat visitors Jamshedpur FC by 1-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi tonight, thanks to a 74th-minute strike by their talismanic skipper Adrian Luna.&nbsp;The Uruguayan attacking midfielder was the point of difference in a hotly contested encounter as he bagged his second goal of the campaign in this match.

An erratic Jamshedpur backline handed the Blasters their first real goal-scoring opportunity in the game. Ivan Vukomanovic’s strategy and Kerala’s midfield are to be credited for that too. As Jamshedpur FC struggled to clear the ball for once and for all, Jeakson Singh pressed high, recovered possession and played a short pass to Luna from several yards outside the box. The Uruguayan star had ample space to dribble closer to the goal and take a shot. However, he opted for an unconventional approach, instead choosing to chip the ball over Jamshedpur goalkeeper Rehenesh TP’s head. But&nbsp;the ball lobbed over the post.

Jamshedpur maintained a sustained period of offensive pressure for a brief period thereafter. One of those moves brought them within an inch of breaking the deadlock, courtesy of an impressive headed effort by Seiminlen Doungel. Nikhil Baria found significant space on the right flank and used that to curl in a cross for Doungel that landed slightly wide off the post from his head. Daniel Chima Chukwu ran and kept the ball in play, trying to lay up a square pass for the young winger again but it was thwarted by the Kerala backline eventually.

Jamshedpur FC was determined to find the back of the net immediately after the halftime break. Substitute Emil Benny received the ball on the right-hand side and sent in a probing delivery to Jeremy Manzorro on the left-sided channel of the 18-yard box. Manzorro tried to half-volley the ball into the net on his first touch but couldn’t give it the right direction as it ended up being way wide off the crossbar. 15 minutes later, Chukwu controlled a free-kick on the move and tried to get the ball past the Kerala goalkeeper Sachin Suresh, but to no avail.

Finally, it was Luna who landed the decisive blow thanks to a cohesive attacking effort by Daisuke Sakai, Dimitrios Diamantakos, and him. Sakai played a quick pass to Diamantakos inside the box, who backheeled the ball to Luna. The 31-year-old calmly placed the ball in the bottom left corner amidst a thunderous cheer from the home crowd for a goal that guaranteed them three points from this contest.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/asian-games-avinash-sable-creates-history-with-gold-medal-tajinder-pal-singh-toor-bags-top-prize-in-shot-put-641508">Asian Games: Avinash Sable sets new record; Tajinder Pal Singh Toor also bags gold in shot put</a>

<h2>Key Performer of the Match</h2>

Adrian Luna (Kerala Blasters)

Kerala’s talisman recorded an 89% passing accuracy, two interceptions, two crosses, in addition to creating two goal-scoring opportunities and netting the winner in the 74th minute. He led the team’s charge both on and off the field and carved an impact with his delightful strike to cap off a well-rounded performance.

<h2>What’s next for both teams?</h2>

Kerala Blasters FC will now travel to Mumbai to take on the Islanders in their own backyard on October 8 for their forthcoming fixture in the league. Jamshedpur FC’s next match will be at their home against Hyderabad FC on October 5.

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Kerala Blasters FC recorded their second straight win of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 season as they beat visitors Jamshedpur FC by 1-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi tonight, thanks to a 74th-minute strike by their talismanic skipper Adrian Luna.

Kerala Blasters FC recorded their second straight win of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 season as they beat visitors Jamshedpur FC by 1-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi tonight, thanks to a 74th-minute strike by their talismanic skipper Adrian Luna. The Uruguayan attacking midfielder was the point of difference in a hotly contested encounter as he bagged his second goal of the campaign in this match. An erratic Jamshedpur backline handed the Blasters their first real goal-scoring opportunity in the game. Ivan Vukomanovic’s strategy and Kerala’s midfield are to be credited for that too. As Jamshedpur FC struggled to clear the ball for once and for all, Jeakson Singh pressed high, recovered possession and played a short pass to Luna from several yards outside the box. The Uruguayan star had ample space to dribble closer to the goal and take a shot. However, he opted for an unconventional approach, instead choosing to chip the ball over Jamshedpur goalkeeper Rehenesh TP’s head. But the ball lobbed over the post. Jamshedpur maintained a sustained period of offensive pressure for a brief period thereafter. One of those moves brought them within an inch of breaking the deadlock, courtesy of an impressive headed effort by Seiminlen Doungel. Nikhil Baria found significant space on the right flank and used that to curl in a cross for Doungel that landed slightly wide off the post from his head. Daniel Chima Chukwu ran and kept the ball in play, trying to lay up a square pass for the young winger again but it was thwarted by the Kerala backline eventually. Jamshedpur FC was determined to find the back of the net immediately after the halftime break. Substitute Emil Benny received the ball on the right-hand side and sent in a probing delivery to Jeremy Manzorro on the left-sided channel of the 18-yard box. Manzorro tried to half-volley the ball into the net on his first touch but couldn’t give it the right direction as it ended up being way wide off the crossbar. 15 minutes later, Chukwu controlled a free-kick on the move and tried to get the ball past the Kerala goalkeeper Sachin Suresh, but to no avail. Finally, it was Luna who landed the decisive blow thanks to a cohesive attacking effort by Daisuke Sakai, Dimitrios Diamantakos, and him. Sakai played a quick pass to Diamantakos inside the box, who backheeled the ball to Luna. The 31-year-old calmly placed the ball in the bottom left corner amidst a thunderous cheer from the home crowd for a goal that guaranteed them three points from this contest. ALSO READ | Asian Games: Avinash Sable sets new record; Tajinder Pal Singh Toor also bags gold in shot put Key Performer of the Match Adrian Luna (Kerala Blasters) Kerala’s talisman recorded an 89% passing accuracy, two interceptions, two crosses, in addition to creating two goal-scoring opportunities and netting the winner in the 74th minute. He led the team’s charge both on and off the field and carved an impact with his delightful strike to cap off a well-rounded performance. What’s next for both teams? Kerala Blasters FC will now travel to Mumbai to take on the Islanders in their own backyard on October 8 for their forthcoming fixture in the league. Jamshedpur FC’s next match will be at their home against Hyderabad FC on October 5. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

ISL: Adrian Luna strikes again to help Kerala Blasters FC edge past Jamshedpur FC

The India&nbsp;Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season is all set to take the centrestage as it will kick off on Thursday, September 21 with 2019 champions Bengaluru FC taking on three-time runners-up Kerala Blasters in the opening clash. The latest season will be the 10th edition of the Indian top flight football as 12 teams will compete for the top honours. The season will run until March 2024 as teams across the country try to win the prestigious title.

The start of ISL 2023-24 will coincide with the Asian Games where top Indian players are set to compete. The Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) on Thursday released the schedule, stating it had taken into consideration all the factors necessary to accommodate the calendar.

“The ISL 10 season schedule to begin on September 21st has been created and approved with extensive consultations involving all stakeholders, including the AIFF. Basis the recommendations of AIFF on the league window, the final start dates were calendarised.”

“All stakeholders have formally agreed to the schedule's dates and structure, which incorporates necessary breaks to accommodate FIFA windows and break for AFC Asian Cup.”

“Given the packed football calendar the season schedule has been designed to consider all these factors leaving no scope of postponement of the tournament at this stage.&nbsp;FSDL will continue to work out optimal outcomes with the AIFF,” a spokesperson from FSDL said.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/us-open-2023-aryna-sabalenka-beats-chinas-zheng-qinwen-to-reach-semi-finals-633071">US Open 2023: Aryna Sabalenka beats China's Zheng Qinwen to reach semi-finals</a>

Earlier, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) chief Kalyan Chaubey requested changes in the original schedule as the players will be on national duty. The Indian football team and its star names will be representing India at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou.

“I’ll be speaking to people in the FSDL to defer the league by 10 days and start it sometime in October so that we can field a full-strength team at the Asiad. The honour of representing the country on the global stage is above all. The national interest should come first and that’s what I would try to explain to clubs and FSDL,” Chaubey said to PTI.

The ISL clubs steadfastly refused to release any of their players to participate in the continental multisport tournament since it would take place outside of the FIFA international match window. The matches for the Asian Games will begin on September 19, whereas the season of the ISL starts just two days later, that is on September 21.

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The India Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season is all set to take the centrestage as it will kick off on Thursday, September 21 with 2019 champions Bengaluru FC taking on three-time runners-up Kerala Blasters in the opening clash.

The India Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season is all set to take the centrestage as it will kick off on Thursday, September 21 with 2019 champions Bengaluru FC taking on three-time runners-up Kerala Blasters in the opening clash. The latest season will be the 10th edition of the Indian top flight football as 12 teams will compete for the top honours. The season will run until March 2024 as teams across the country try to win the prestigious title. The start of ISL 2023-24 will coincide with the Asian Games where top Indian players are set to compete. The Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) on Thursday released the schedule, stating it had taken into consideration all the factors necessary to accommodate the calendar. “The ISL 10 season schedule to begin on September 21st has been created and approved with extensive consultations involving all stakeholders, including the AIFF. Basis the recommendations of AIFF on the league window, the final start dates were calendarised.” “All stakeholders have formally agreed to the schedule's dates and structure, which incorporates necessary breaks to accommodate FIFA windows and break for AFC Asian Cup.” “Given the packed football calendar the season schedule has been designed to consider all these factors leaving no scope of postponement of the tournament at this stage. FSDL will continue to work out optimal outcomes with the AIFF,” a spokesperson from FSDL said. ALSO READ | US Open 2023: Aryna Sabalenka beats China's Zheng Qinwen to reach semi-finals Earlier, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) chief Kalyan Chaubey requested changes in the original schedule as the players will be on national duty. The Indian football team and its star names will be representing India at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. “I’ll be speaking to people in the FSDL to defer the league by 10 days and start it sometime in October so that we can field a full-strength team at the Asiad. The honour of representing the country on the global stage is above all. The national interest should come first and that’s what I would try to explain to clubs and FSDL,” Chaubey said to PTI. The ISL clubs steadfastly refused to release any of their players to participate in the continental multisport tournament since it would take place outside of the FIFA international match window. The matches for the Asian Games will begin on September 19, whereas the season of the ISL starts just two days later, that is on September 21. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Football: ISL 2023-24 season to start from Sep 21, coinciding with Asian Games

Indian football is on the cusp of a historic campaign right now. Major tournaments like the Asian Games and the AFC Asian Cup 2023 in China awaiting the national team. For the latter, India is pitted against fancied favourites like Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria in the group stage.

Defensive mainstay and one the most notable names in the current setup, Pritam Kotal, who has 52 caps for the Blue Tigers and led the Mohun Bagan Super Giant to the Indian Super League (ISL) title last season, believes that the league has instilled significant fearlessness amongst Indian players. Kotal says that the exposure that youngsters have garnered by rubbing shoulders with their international counterparts has honed them to execute a spirited style of football for the national team.

“See now, the mindset of the players has changed a lot. The quality of the training has changed, and even the players now know what they are supposed to do according to who they are playing against. And for me, whenever we play in the ISL, whichever foreigner is there in front of us, we play without fear. This is a new development that whoever is in front of us, we will compete,” Kotal claims in a recent episode of ‘In the Stands’.&nbsp;

Further, the 29-year-old hails the impact of the various tacticians at the helm of different ISL outfits, mentioning that their philosophies reflect in the performances delivered by the Indian side lately.

“And there is also the influence of coaches. How the coaches give confidence to a player – build up, pass – whatever will happen, we will deal with it. But it’s important to play how we want to. So this is a change since 2015 when we started the Asian Cup qualifiers for the first time. The process started then, and now you will see the way we are playing. This is good for the national team, and good for the individual players as well,” Kotal adds.

After a successful stint with the Mariners, Kotal secured a high-profile transfer to the Kerala Blasters FC last month for the upcoming season. The defender rounded off his stay with the iconic Kolkata club on a high and is now eagerly looking forward to the fresh environment awaiting him in Kochi.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rohit-sharma-needs-to-be-more-aggressive-kapil-dev-advises-indian-captain-cites-bazballs-example-626012">Rohit Sharma needs to be more aggressive: Kapil Dev advises Indian captain, cites Bazball's example</a>

“Last season was difficult for us but despite that we became champions. This was the first time I won the trophy as a captain and doing that whilst wearing the Mohun Bagan shirt was a big achievement for me. But suddenly, there was a movement (in the transfer market). At that time, my only thought was – this is a new challenge for me. Because I had played in Kolkata for many years now. Let’s try new things, new challenges, and a new atmosphere! The club supported me a lot. So it was fine, a mutual decision. And I am feeling good being here. Let’s see what lies ahead of us,” Kotal signs off.

Kotal has been one of the standout stars since the commencement of the ISL. He was the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Emerging Player of the Year in 2015. He is a three-time ISL title winner, one-time I-League champion, two-time Hero Intercontinental Cup victor, and has been a part of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship-winning squad thrice. However, nothing matches the challenge that the national side will face in the forthcoming AFC Asian Cup and Kotal reiterates that the players will leave no stone unturned in giving it their all and more on the pitch.

“As players, we are confident that we will do something different this year. And we will try to do that both individually, and as a team as well as when we start the camps. We will have the King’s Cup, Merdeka Cup, and a few friendlies. So I just want to tell the fans to stick with us. Support the Indian team. Whoever we play, we will not be intimidated. We will go face to face and fight. Be it Australia, Uzbekistan, or Syria. This, I am telling you today,” Kotal explains.

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Indian football is on the cusp of a historic campaign right now. Major tournaments like the Asian Games and the AFC Asian Cup 2023 in China awaiting the national team.

Indian football is on the cusp of a historic campaign right now. Major tournaments like the Asian Games and the AFC Asian Cup 2023 in China awaiting the national team. For the latter, India is pitted against fancied favourites like Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria in the group stage. Defensive mainstay and one the most notable names in the current setup, Pritam Kotal, who has 52 caps for the Blue Tigers and led the Mohun Bagan Super Giant to the Indian Super League (ISL) title last season, believes that the league has instilled significant fearlessness amongst Indian players. Kotal says that the exposure that youngsters have garnered by rubbing shoulders with their international counterparts has honed them to execute a spirited style of football for the national team. “See now, the mindset of the players has changed a lot. The quality of the training has changed, and even the players now know what they are supposed to do according to who they are playing against. And for me, whenever we play in the ISL, whichever foreigner is there in front of us, we play without fear. This is a new development that whoever is in front of us, we will compete,” Kotal claims in a recent episode of ‘In the Stands’. Further, the 29-year-old hails the impact of the various tacticians at the helm of different ISL outfits, mentioning that their philosophies reflect in the performances delivered by the Indian side lately. “And there is also the influence of coaches. How the coaches give confidence to a player – build up, pass – whatever will happen, we will deal with it. But it’s important to play how we want to. So this is a change since 2015 when we started the Asian Cup qualifiers for the first time. The process started then, and now you will see the way we are playing. This is good for the national team, and good for the individual players as well,” Kotal adds. After a successful stint with the Mariners, Kotal secured a high-profile transfer to the Kerala Blasters FC last month for the upcoming season. The defender rounded off his stay with the iconic Kolkata club on a high and is now eagerly looking forward to the fresh environment awaiting him in Kochi. ALSO READ | Rohit Sharma needs to be more aggressive: Kapil Dev advises Indian captain, cites Bazball's example “Last season was difficult for us but despite that we became champions. This was the first time I won the trophy as a captain and doing that whilst wearing the Mohun Bagan shirt was a big achievement for me. But suddenly, there was a movement (in the transfer market). At that time, my only thought was – this is a new challenge for me. Because I had played in Kolkata for many years now. Let’s try new things, new challenges, and a new atmosphere! The club supported me a lot. So it was fine, a mutual decision. And I am feeling good being here. Let’s see what lies ahead of us,” Kotal signs off. Kotal has been one of the standout stars since the commencement of the ISL. He was the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Emerging Player of the Year in 2015. He is a three-time ISL title winner, one-time I-League champion, two-time Hero Intercontinental Cup victor, and has been a part of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship-winning squad thrice. However, nothing matches the challenge that the national side will face in the forthcoming AFC Asian Cup and Kotal reiterates that the players will leave no stone unturned in giving it their all and more on the pitch. “As players, we are confident that we will do something different this year. And we will try to do that both individually, and as a team as well as when we start the camps. We will have the King’s Cup, Merdeka Cup, and a few friendlies. So I just want to tell the fans to stick with us. Support the Indian team. Whoever we play, we will not be intimidated. We will go face to face and fight. Be it Australia, Uzbekistan, or Syria. This, I am telling you today,” Kotal explains. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

ISL has made Indian players fearless which will help us in Asian Cup campaign - Pritam Kotal

Jamshedpur FC have completed the signing of exciting young forward Mohammed Sanan on a three-year deal. Sanan primarily operates on the left side of the pitch and is a naturally attacking player capable of creating chances and scoring goals. The 19-year-old joined the RFYC in 2016 and has been with the club ever since.

Sanan hails from Kerala and possesses impressive dribbling ability but has made a name for himself by working hard and dedicating himself to improving his technique as a whole. The forward is also gifted with both feet and proficient in his shooting and finishing in front of goal.

Sanan has been described as a leader on and off the pitch by his former club and takes significant interest in improving his football knowledge to make his game even better.

“It is a huge moment for me to become a part of Jamshedpur FC,” he said.

“The club is the pinnacle for youth football in the country owing to the glorious history of the Tata Football Academy (TFA) and I believe this is the ideal step forward in my development as a player. I look forward to learning as much as possible and helping the team this season.”

Sanan gained some incredible exposure during his time at RFYC, including an opportunity to represent the team against English Premier League opposition in Wolves and Everton at the Premier League Next Generation Cup where he even scored against the Merseyside club in an impressive display.

“We are delighted to have one more RFYC graduate signing a professional contract with an ISL club,” said an RFYC spokesperson.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/zak-crawley-keen-on-bringing-bazball-game-to-india-admits-adaption-as-key-to-success-622273">Zak Crawley keen on bringing Bazball game to India, admits adaption as key to success</a>

“Mohammed Sanan has great potential and we are sure that he will further enhance his skills and potential being with a club like Jamshedpur FC ahead of the 2023-24 season. We are proud of Sanan's achievement and wish for him to continue to climb ladders of success and rise through the ranks as a promising prospect for the Men of Steel."

Jamshedpur FC Head Coach Scott Cooper also had some words of wisdom to add for our latest recruit - “Sanan is a very exciting young player that we need to develop and bring through carefully,” Cooper said.

“We can see some really exciting technical ability and it’s our job now to polish him up and make him the diamond that we think he can be. He has everything we need but we’ll help him apply other factors of the game that he will learn in pre-season.”

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Jamshedpur FC have completed the signing of exciting young forward Mohammed Sanan on a three-year deal. Sanan primarily operates on the left side of the pitch and is a naturally attacking player capable of creating chances and scoring goals.

Jamshedpur FC have completed the signing of exciting young forward Mohammed Sanan on a three-year deal. Sanan primarily operates on the left side of the pitch and is a naturally attacking player capable of creating chances and scoring goals. The 19-year-old joined the RFYC in 2016 and has been with the club ever since. Sanan hails from Kerala and possesses impressive dribbling ability but has made a name for himself by working hard and dedicating himself to improving his technique as a whole. The forward is also gifted with both feet and proficient in his shooting and finishing in front of goal. Sanan has been described as a leader on and off the pitch by his former club and takes significant interest in improving his football knowledge to make his game even better. “It is a huge moment for me to become a part of Jamshedpur FC,” he said. “The club is the pinnacle for youth football in the country owing to the glorious history of the Tata Football Academy (TFA) and I believe this is the ideal step forward in my development as a player. I look forward to learning as much as possible and helping the team this season.” Sanan gained some incredible exposure during his time at RFYC, including an opportunity to represent the team against English Premier League opposition in Wolves and Everton at the Premier League Next Generation Cup where he even scored against the Merseyside club in an impressive display. “We are delighted to have one more RFYC graduate signing a professional contract with an ISL club,” said an RFYC spokesperson. ALSO READ | Zak Crawley keen on bringing Bazball game to India, admits adaption as key to success “Mohammed Sanan has great potential and we are sure that he will further enhance his skills and potential being with a club like Jamshedpur FC ahead of the 2023-24 season. We are proud of Sanan's achievement and wish for him to continue to climb ladders of success and rise through the ranks as a promising prospect for the Men of Steel." Jamshedpur FC Head Coach Scott Cooper also had some words of wisdom to add for our latest recruit - “Sanan is a very exciting young player that we need to develop and bring through carefully,” Cooper said. “We can see some really exciting technical ability and it’s our job now to polish him up and make him the diamond that we think he can be. He has everything we need but we’ll help him apply other factors of the game that he will learn in pre-season.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indian Super League: Jamshedpur FC announce Mohammed Sanan signing on three-year deal

The Indian Super League (ISL) on Wednesday, August 2, announced Punjab FC as the latest entrant to the top-tier league in Indian football from the upcoming 2023-24 season onwards. Punjab FC became the first club to be promoted into ISL, owing to their title-winning 2022-23 I-League campaign. The addition of Punjab FC sees the count of teams in the ISL rise to 12 for the upcoming season.

<h2>Punjab becomes latest inductee</h2>

“We are delighted to welcome Punjab FC to the Indian Super League family. Punjab FC’s promotion to ISL will further expedite the growing fan affinity and footprint of the game in India. It brings a new wave of enthusiasm, talent, and determination into the league, representing the passionate football fans from Punjab.”

“As ISL celebrates its 10th year this season, the league remains committed to delivering on its promise of fostering an inclusive and strong league ecosystem aimed at taking Indian football to new heights,” Indian Super League spokesperson said.

The Indian Super League has been a big time success in Indian domestic football and has provided a platform for the top tier. It replaced I-League as India’s top-tier football competition in the 2019-20 season and has been home to world-class talents.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ashes-2023-england-australia-docked-points-in-double-digits-for-slow-over-rate-621712">Ashes 2023: England, Australia docked points in double digits for slow over rate</a>

<h2>What is ISL’s history?</h2>

In nine seasons of the competition, Atlético de Kolkata have been the most successful team with three titles having most recently won in 2020. Chennaiyin came second with two titles in 2015 and 2018. The likes of Mumbai City, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mohan Bagan have won the title once. ATK Mohun Bagan beat Bengaluru FC 4-3 on penalties with the game ending 2-2 in regular time.

There have been six teams that have played every season of the ISL with no relegation system in place. The latest season of the ISL will start in October as teams will also compete for a place in the AFC Champions League.

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The Indian Super League (ISL) on Wednesday, August 2, announced Punjab FC as the latest entrant to the top-tier league in Indian football from the upcoming 2023-24 season onwards.

The Indian Super League (ISL) on Wednesday, August 2, announced Punjab FC as the latest entrant to the top-tier league in Indian football from the upcoming 2023-24 season onwards. Punjab FC became the first club to be promoted into ISL, owing to their title-winning 2022-23 I-League campaign. The addition of Punjab FC sees the count of teams in the ISL rise to 12 for the upcoming season. Punjab becomes latest inductee “We are delighted to welcome Punjab FC to the Indian Super League family. Punjab FC’s promotion to ISL will further expedite the growing fan affinity and footprint of the game in India. It brings a new wave of enthusiasm, talent, and determination into the league, representing the passionate football fans from Punjab.” “As ISL celebrates its 10th year this season, the league remains committed to delivering on its promise of fostering an inclusive and strong league ecosystem aimed at taking Indian football to new heights,” Indian Super League spokesperson said. The Indian Super League has been a big time success in Indian domestic football and has provided a platform for the top tier. It replaced I-League as India’s top-tier football competition in the 2019-20 season and has been home to world-class talents. ALSO READ | Ashes 2023: England, Australia docked points in double digits for slow over rate What is ISL’s history? In nine seasons of the competition, Atlético de Kolkata have been the most successful team with three titles having most recently won in 2020. Chennaiyin came second with two titles in 2015 and 2018. The likes of Mumbai City, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mohan Bagan have won the title once. ATK Mohun Bagan beat Bengaluru FC 4-3 on penalties with the game ending 2-2 in regular time. There have been six teams that have played every season of the ISL with no relegation system in place. The latest season of the ISL will start in October as teams will also compete for a place in the AFC Champions League. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Football: Punjab FC becomes 12th franchise to join Indian Super League; first to be promoted from I-League

Bengaluru FC Head Coach Simon Grayson hailed the Foundation Developmental League (RFDL) as an ideal opportunity for coaches to assess players who can rise up the ranks and make it to the senior squads of their respective clubs. The final&nbsp;of the second season of the RFDL will be held at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) in Navi Mumbai at 7 pm on Sunday. The Blues made it to the upcoming title-winning clash of RFDL after defeating ATK Mohun Bagan in a tense penalty shootout on Thursday.

Huidrom Thoi Singh, Bengaluru’s 19-year-old midfielder, got on the scoresheet in the semi-final and has been making waves in the tournament so far. He smashed a hat-trick in the National Group Stage against FC Goa as well and has hit the ground running in the National Championship straightaway as well. Interestingly, Thoi trained and travelled with the Bengaluru senior squad in the previous season of the Indian Super League (ISL) as well.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for younger players to get more game-time, more experience, working with good coaches, playing competitive matches. It gives opportunities to some of the younger players in the I-League teams, state football association (SFA) clubs to test themselves along with the ISL clubs and also to some of the younger players who are thriving and striving to be professional players in the ISL over the coming years,” Grayson said on the eve of the RFDL final.

Bengaluru’s young forward Sivasakhti Narayanan scored six goals and notched three assists in the team’s run to the finals of ISL 2022-23. He won the ISL Emerging Player of the Year award and the player was actually a part of the BFC squad that won the inaugural season of the RFDL last year. Grayson cited his example, along with that of defender Naorem Roshan Singh and Namgyal Bhutia to encourage players make the move up to the first-team by showcasing their skills and proving their mettle in the RFDL.

“With the RFDL, it is also an opportunity for the head coach to see maybe who we can bring through the ranks, train with the first-team, give them some experience. In the last few years at BFC, we have seen Sivasakhti Narayanan, Naorem Roshan Singh and Namgyal Bhutia come through the league into the first-team squad and then star in the ISL,” Grayson signed off.

Bengaluru FC Head Coach Simon Grayson hailed the Foundation Developmental League (RFDL) as an ideal opportunity for coaches to assess players who can rise up the ranks and make it to the senior squads of their respective clubs.

Bengaluru FC Head Coach Simon Grayson hailed the Foundation Developmental League (RFDL) as an ideal opportunity for coaches to assess players who can rise up the ranks and make it to the senior squads of their respective clubs. The final of the second season of the RFDL will be held at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) in Navi Mumbai at 7 pm on Sunday. The Blues made it to the upcoming title-winning clash of RFDL after defeating ATK Mohun Bagan in a tense penalty shootout on Thursday. Huidrom Thoi Singh, Bengaluru’s 19-year-old midfielder, got on the scoresheet in the semi-final and has been making waves in the tournament so far. He smashed a hat-trick in the National Group Stage against FC Goa as well and has hit the ground running in the National Championship straightaway as well. Interestingly, Thoi trained and travelled with the Bengaluru senior squad in the previous season of the Indian Super League (ISL) as well. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for younger players to get more game-time, more experience, working with good coaches, playing competitive matches. It gives opportunities to some of the younger players in the I-League teams, state football association (SFA) clubs to test themselves along with the ISL clubs and also to some of the younger players who are thriving and striving to be professional players in the ISL over the coming years,” Grayson said on the eve of the RFDL final. Bengaluru’s young forward Sivasakhti Narayanan scored six goals and notched three assists in the team’s run to the finals of ISL 2022-23. He won the ISL Emerging Player of the Year award and the player was actually a part of the BFC squad that won the inaugural season of the RFDL last year. Grayson cited his example, along with that of defender Naorem Roshan Singh and Namgyal Bhutia to encourage players make the move up to the first-team by showcasing their skills and proving their mettle in the RFDL. “With the RFDL, it is also an opportunity for the head coach to see maybe who we can bring through the ranks, train with the first-team, give them some experience. In the last few years at BFC, we have seen Sivasakhti Narayanan, Naorem Roshan Singh and Namgyal Bhutia come through the league into the first-team squad and then star in the ISL,” Grayson signed off.

Bengaluru FC Head Coach Simon Grayson lauds RFDL as 'great opportunity' to identify talent

The Bengaluru FC boys who will appear in the finals of the second season of the Foundation Developmental League (FDL) have received the best possible motivation prior to the summit clash. Indian national football team skipper and stalwart Sunil Chhetri had words of praise for both the Blues as well along with the other semi-finalists as the teams battle it out on the final day of the RFDL campaign.&nbsp;

Bengaluru FC are the defending champions of FDL as they look to retain their title against Sudeva Delhi FC at the Reliance Corporate Park at 7pm tonight. They edged past ATK Mohun Bagan in a tense penalty shootout on Thursday as the game headed into spot-kicks after rounding off 1-1 at end of regulation time.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bengaluru-fc-head-coach-simon-grayson-lauds-rfdl-as-great-opportunity-to-identify-talent-592254">Bengaluru FC Head Coach Simon Grayson lauds RFDL as 'great opportunity' to identify talent</a>

Chhetri hailed the fact that the Blues have made their second consecutive finale in FDL. More importantly, he stressed upon the greater competition and more number of teams that played in the tournament this time around. The four semi-finalists progressed into the National Championship after going through the regional qualifiers and the National Group Stage matches. Over 50 teams from across the country participated in the regionals with over 250 matches being played in that round.&nbsp;

“Second consecutive final at the RFDL, well done boys, well done!", he said for the BFC team.

He added, “I want to congratulate all the teams that participated. I want to congratulate the organisers for doing a great job. I got a glimpse of few matches and they were outstanding. What a chance for young boys, to firstly develop and for others who didn’t get a chance in the I-League, ISL or the main team, to come over here and keep playing games. We all know no matter how much you train, playing matches are vital for the development of a player.”&nbsp;

The importance of the greater game-time coming through this league has been touched upon by several former players and coaches of the participating clubs as well. Now, this issue has gotten the backing of one of the most prominent faces of Indian football and the sporting landscape in the country in general.

The second season of the RFDL kicked off on March 6 and matches have been cohesively conducted all across the country. Chhetri praised the organisers for ensuring a seamless process for the same and encouraged them to carry on the promising work. &nbsp;

“On that front, the organisation and everyone involved in the league, well done! Congratulations and keep up the good work!” Chhetri signed off.

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The Bengaluru FC boys who will appear in the finals of the second season of the Foundation Developmental League (FDL) have received the best possible motivation prior to the summit clash.

The Bengaluru FC boys who will appear in the finals of the second season of the Foundation Developmental League (FDL) have received the best possible motivation prior to the summit clash. Indian national football team skipper and stalwart Sunil Chhetri had words of praise for both the Blues as well along with the other semi-finalists as the teams battle it out on the final day of the RFDL campaign. Bengaluru FC are the defending champions of FDL as they look to retain their title against Sudeva Delhi FC at the Reliance Corporate Park at 7pm tonight. They edged past ATK Mohun Bagan in a tense penalty shootout on Thursday as the game headed into spot-kicks after rounding off 1-1 at end of regulation time. Also Read: Bengaluru FC Head Coach Simon Grayson lauds RFDL as 'great opportunity' to identify talent Chhetri hailed the fact that the Blues have made their second consecutive finale in FDL. More importantly, he stressed upon the greater competition and more number of teams that played in the tournament this time around. The four semi-finalists progressed into the National Championship after going through the regional qualifiers and the National Group Stage matches. Over 50 teams from across the country participated in the regionals with over 250 matches being played in that round. “Second consecutive final at the RFDL, well done boys, well done!", he said for the BFC team. He added, “I want to congratulate all the teams that participated. I want to congratulate the organisers for doing a great job. I got a glimpse of few matches and they were outstanding. What a chance for young boys, to firstly develop and for others who didn’t get a chance in the I-League, ISL or the main team, to come over here and keep playing games. We all know no matter how much you train, playing matches are vital for the development of a player.” The importance of the greater game-time coming through this league has been touched upon by several former players and coaches of the participating clubs as well. Now, this issue has gotten the backing of one of the most prominent faces of Indian football and the sporting landscape in the country in general. The second season of the RFDL kicked off on March 6 and matches have been cohesively conducted all across the country. Chhetri praised the organisers for ensuring a seamless process for the same and encouraged them to carry on the promising work. “On that front, the organisation and everyone involved in the league, well done! Congratulations and keep up the good work!” Chhetri signed off. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

No matter how much you train, playing matches vital for player development: India football captain Chhetri

Former India footballer Gouramangi Singh has worked his magic in the domestic football circuit having taken charge of FC Goa. Gouramangi is very pleased with what Reliance Foundation Development League (RDFL) has done in two seasons so far, for unearthing the young talent, nurturing them for the future of Indian football.

<h2>Unearthing players</h2>

The 37-year-old, who has played for many clubs in the country, including Dempo SC, Churchill Brothers, FC Pune City, recalled his playing days when there were very few opportunities and asked the modern-day players to make the most out of the facilities they are getting now.

"I am glad to see that a lot of things are happening today. If I compare from my time when I was growing up, now there are a lot more platforms for boys to compete and perform, which is a positive sign for Indian football.”

As football is evolving all over the country, boys nowadays play more competitive matches in a structured manner. They are getting a great league like RFDL, so the only thing players have to do is make the most out of it," said Gouramangi.

<h2>Offering more game time</h2>

Singh feels development tournaments play a vital role in making U-21 players ready for the next level and give them the much-required game time.

"What RFDL has done so far is commendable, not for only our (FC Goa) boys but for all the young players in the country. Earlier, the game time was missing for the players but now there is an impressive level of competition. As an assistant of FC Goa coach, our focus is definitely on the league and I'm glad about what the tournament has done in two seasons," he said.

There are a few things that they can do now as U-21 players but not when they are part of the senior dressing room. When one becomes part of the senior dressing room, there are higher expectations from them to deliver. But now here, maybe some coaches will allow them or give them room to explore, and make a few mistakes. So, it's now an opportunity to sharpen their skills and be ready, because the next step will be different altogether," he added.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/explained-why-india-should-look-beyond-jasprit-bumrah-for-2023-world-cup-584343">Explained – Why India should look beyond Jasprit Bumrah for 2023 World Cup?</a>

<h2>Great platform to break through into the first team</h2>

The former footballer from Manipur also highlighted why boys eagerly wait for the tournament.

"I think RFDL is a great platform and as a club, we are looking forward to it because, for the developmental team, it's one of the most important features in the calendar year. And as the assistant coach of an ISL team, whenever I talk to boys, they are looking forward to the matches because they know that they are going to meet some of the best in the country. This is the right way to move further, get to the senior team," Gouramangi said.

"I hope a lot more players come up, grab the opportunities and get selected to a lot of bigger clubs in the ISL, I-League," he concluded.

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Former India footballer Gouramangi Singh has worked his magic in the domestic football circuit having taken charge of FC Goa. Gouramangi is very pleased with what Reliance Foundation Development League (RDFL) has done in two seasons so far, for unearthing the young talent, nurturing them for the future of Indian football.

Former India footballer Gouramangi Singh has worked his magic in the domestic football circuit having taken charge of FC Goa. Gouramangi is very pleased with what Reliance Foundation Development League (RDFL) has done in two seasons so far, for unearthing the young talent, nurturing them for the future of Indian football. Unearthing players The 37-year-old, who has played for many clubs in the country, including Dempo SC, Churchill Brothers, FC Pune City, recalled his playing days when there were very few opportunities and asked the modern-day players to make the most out of the facilities they are getting now. "I am glad to see that a lot of things are happening today. If I compare from my time when I was growing up, now there are a lot more platforms for boys to compete and perform, which is a positive sign for Indian football.” As football is evolving all over the country, boys nowadays play more competitive matches in a structured manner. They are getting a great league like RFDL, so the only thing players have to do is make the most out of it," said Gouramangi. Offering more game time Singh feels development tournaments play a vital role in making U-21 players ready for the next level and give them the much-required game time. "What RFDL has done so far is commendable, not for only our (FC Goa) boys but for all the young players in the country. Earlier, the game time was missing for the players but now there is an impressive level of competition. As an assistant of FC Goa coach, our focus is definitely on the league and I'm glad about what the tournament has done in two seasons," he said. There are a few things that they can do now as U-21 players but not when they are part of the senior dressing room. When one becomes part of the senior dressing room, there are higher expectations from them to deliver. But now here, maybe some coaches will allow them or give them room to explore, and make a few mistakes. So, it's now an opportunity to sharpen their skills and be ready, because the next step will be different altogether," he added. ALSO READ | Explained – Why India should look beyond Jasprit Bumrah for 2023 World Cup? Great platform to break through into the first team The former footballer from Manipur also highlighted why boys eagerly wait for the tournament. "I think RFDL is a great platform and as a club, we are looking forward to it because, for the developmental team, it's one of the most important features in the calendar year. And as the assistant coach of an ISL team, whenever I talk to boys, they are looking forward to the matches because they know that they are going to meet some of the best in the country. This is the right way to move further, get to the senior team," Gouramangi said. "I hope a lot more players come up, grab the opportunities and get selected to a lot of bigger clubs in the ISL, I-League," he concluded. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'I hope a lot more players come up' - Former India footballer Gouramangi Singh backs ISL, I-League academies

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