INDIAN Football - Thread for Indian Football Fans

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FC Goa Clinch Maiden Durand Cup Trophy After Beating Mohammedan Sporting 1-0 In Final |


Highlights

• FC Goa have won the prestigious Durand Cup title
  
• The ISL side defeated Mohammedan Sporting 1-0 in the final
  
• FC Goa's Edu Bedia scored the only goal of the game

Indian Super League side FC Goa claimed their maiden Durand Cup football tournament title after a 1-0 win over local giants Mohammedan Sporting in the summit clash in Kolkata on Sunday. Captain Eduardo Bedia scored the all important goal from a set piece in the 105th minute after the final match went into the extra time in front of 34,000 spectators at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The Durand Cup crown also marked FC Goa coach Juan Ferrando Fenoll's first-ever trophy on Indian soil. Though both the teams began with attacking intent, they failed to keep possession for longer durations.
The first shot of the match came from Marcus Joseph in the third minute but it was wayward. Soon after, FC Goa created a chance but a mix-up between Nemil and Romario in the box led to an easy save for the Mohammedan SC keeper.
Mohammedan were at the receiving end of the cards as they received three yellow cards within a span of 17 minutes with the names Azharuddin Mallick, Nikola Stojanovic and Shaher Shaheen going into the book.
FC Goa's Romario had the best chance of the half when the Mohammedan defence was completely foxed by a cross from Sanson Pereira from the left flank.
But Romario sent the shot wide of the goal post. The second half saw FC Goa dominating possession but the same wasn't resulting in concrete chances as they were losing the ball far too easily in the final third. The last few minutes saw some moments of excitement.
Mohammedan made some good runs down the left flank but again failed to make them count. In the injury time, Redeem Tlang came close to scoring the first goal but the angle was too steep and the ball went across the face of the goal.
With scores tied at 0-0 at the end of the regulation time, the final went into extra time. As the first half of the extra-time was looking like be goal-less yet again, Bedia delivered for his side.
The FC Goa captain scored from a fantastic free-kick awarded just outside the Mohammedan box in the 105th minute owing to a foul by Milan Singh.


FC Goa got richer by Rs 40 lakh for winning the title while Mohammedan Sporting received Rs 20 lakh. The losing semifinalists FC Bengaluru United and Bengaluru FC got Rs 5 lakh each.
FC Goa were awarded the President's Cup for permanent keeping along with two rolling trophies of the Durand Cup and the Shimla Trophy.


The winning team is presented with three trophies—the President’s Cup (first presented by Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India), the Durand Cup (the original challenge prize, a rolling trophy) and the Shimla Trophy (first presented by citizens of Shimla in 1904 and since 1965, a rolling trophy).

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Congratulations Sunil Chetthri for equlas Pele's tally of 77 International Goals.....

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Mumbai City FC edge Iraq's Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya to become first Indian club to win in ACL




Rahul Bheke made the difference for Mumbai City...
Mumbai City FC made an entry into the record books as they defeated Iraq's Air Force Club 2-1 in a Group B AFC Champions League encounter at the King Fahd Stadium on Monday evening. India international Rahul Bheke scored the winner to become the first Indian to find the net in the prestigious competition after Diego Mauricio equalised Hammadi Ahmed's opener in the 70th minute.
It was a gritty win for the Indian Super League (ISL) side as their opponents had 19 shots compared to just five of the Islanders. The iSlanders were lucky not to concede a penalty in the ninth minute when Phurba Lachenpa brought down Alaa Abbas inside the box. However, Mourtada Fall put in a captain's performance and kept his body on the line to block on numerous occasions.

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Kerala wins 7th Santosh trophy in front of fervent Malayali crowd




Kerala triumphed in the Santhosh trophy for the seventh time at Payyanad stadium on Monday night. Defeating West Bengal (5-4), Kerala lifted the trophy during the 15th finals. With the victory, Jijo Joseph joined the clan of Captain Mani, VP Sathyan, Kurikesh Mathew, V Sasikumar, Sylvester Ignatius and Rahul V Raj who won the trophy under their captaincy.
Kerala could prove its strength by thwarting the 32-time winning team twice. It was in 1973, 1992, 1993, 2001, 2004 and 2018, Kerala won the Santhosh trophy titles earlier.

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Triumphant Gokulam Kerala Become First Team to Defend Title in I-League Era



Gokulam Kerala FC (Twitter)

Gokulam Kerala FC created history by becoming the first team in the I-League era to defend its title with a 2-1 victory over Mohammedan Sporting in a fitting finale on Sunday


Gokulam Kerala FC created history by becoming the first team in the I-League era to defend its title with a 2-1 victory over Mohammedan Sporting in a fitting finale on Sunday.

Rishad PP, who plays as a defensive midfielder, put defending champions Gokulam Kerala ahead with his 49th-minute strike to stun the partisan crowd of over 35,000 at the Salt Lake Stadium.
However, the home team was soon celebrating as it found the equaliser in the 56th minute when Marcus Joseph’s terrific free-kick deflected off Azharuddin Mallick and got into the net.

The home fans’ joy, though, was short-lived as the Malabarians regained the lead when Emil Benny, running into the final third after receiving a pass from Majcen and with no defenders in sight, found the back of the opponents’ net in the 61st minute.
No club in the I-League era has defended its title. Kolkata side East Bengal had achieved the feat in the time of the National Football League, the predecessor of the I-League, by winning the title in 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons.

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East Bengal In Talks With EPL Giants Manchester United For Ownership Via BCCI Chief Sourav Ganguly


In recent times, century-old Kolkata cub East Bengal have failed to keep ties with investors resulting in bottom-of-the-league finishes in their first two Indian Super League seasons.

East Bengal finished last in the ISL 2021-22 table.

In what could be a game-changing move for the struggling East Bengal, English Premier League giants Manchester United may end up taking ownership of one of the oldest football clubs in the country.
BCCI president and former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who is facilitating the deal, told media that negotiations are on with the 'Red Devils' and a few others and a clear picture will emerge in about two weeks.
East Bengal were also talking with Bangladesh-based conglomerate Bashundhara Group but it did not lead to any deal. Breaking the silence on the issue for the first time, Ganguly on Tuesday, said, “Yes we have spoken to them and others also.
“It will take 10-12 more days to know who will be the entity.” Asked whether the European football giants are coming as an investor, the Indian cricket icon said: “No-no (they are coming) as an owner.” Ganguly however refused to delve further into it.
“It takes some time. First, let it reach a stage then we will make a comment. I will speak only after there's a concrete development,” Ganguly said on the eve of the IPL 2022 Qualifier 1 between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals.
Struggling with off-the-field issues, the century-old East Bengal have struggled to keep their ties with the investors intact in recent times that have reflected in poor results. First, it was Bengaluru-based Quess Corp, who exited after a two-year association despite a three-year agreement, jeopardising their ISL entry.

Just when they failed to rope in any investor, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee came to their rescue with a pact with Shree Cement Ltd as they made last-minute entry into the ISL 2020-21.
The cement conglomerate bought a majority stake of 76 per cent to help them enter ISL and follow their bitter rivals Mohun Bagan who merged with ATK the same season. But East Bengal's association did not go off well as their executive committee refused to sign the final agreement, claiming discrepancies in the initial term.

East Bengal hired Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler but due to poor planning and lack of preparation they finished a lowly ninth in their maiden ISL season with nine losses, eight draws and just three wins.
It was once again at the behest of Mamata Banerjee, Shree Cement had agreed to continue in the last ISL edition where it went worse as they finished bottom of the table with just one win from 20 matches which included 11 losses and eight draws.
Their association ended last month after Shree Cement Ltd handed over the sporting rights.

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Despite AFC’s reconfirmatory message, AIFF postpones relegation in ISL

Despite the AFC's insistence, AIFF's decision not to start relegation in ISL could have far-reaching consequences.


AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey (centre) chaired its executive committee meeting in which it was decided not to implement relegation in 2024-25 ISL.

New Delhi: The All India Football Federation has ignored the Asian Football Confederation’s insistence on implementation of relegation in the Indian Super League from 2024-25 season, and is set to willingly deviate from the roadmap created by the continental body in 2019.
In response to the AIFF’s letter dated May 28 for guidance on the matter, the AFC said on June 4 that though it acknowledges “some extraordinary circumstances” that may lead to deviation from the roadmap, yet promotion and relegation is “equally important” for development of Indian football.
“Whilst the increase in the number of Clubs in the Indian Super League (ISL) through the integration of I-League cubs forms a crucial part of the roadmap, we believe the implementation of promotion and relegation is equally important for the overall development of the Indian club footballing landscape,” AFC’s deputy general secretary for competitions and football Shin Man Gil wrote in a letter to AIFF’s deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan.
A copy of the letter is in possession of News9 Sports in which the AFC also asked the AIFF to refer to its letter dated October 16 2019 regarding the roadmap where it is written: “In its recommendation for 2024-25, it is agreed to fully implement promotion and relegation into the top league, and abolition of two parallel leagues.”
The AFC also said that it had faith in the AIFF to find an agreement between all its stakeholders to obtain the objective of the agreement.

“Nonetheless, as this matter falls under the jurisdiction of the AIFF, we trust that your Federation will manage the situation effectively by obtaining the necessary approvals from the relevant competent bodies within the AIFF and reaching an agreement with all stakeholders involved, while continuing to align with the roadmap’s overarching objectives.”
The AIFF was also reminded that failure to follow the roadmap could be viewed as inability to meet criteria that allows Indian clubs to compete in AFC’s club tournaments.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to remind you of the AFC Club Competitions – Entry Regulations (Edition 2023), particularly Criterion 4: Organisation of Professional Football. It is essential that the AIFF continues to meet these criteria to maintain the eligibility of its affiliated clubs to participate in the AFC Club Competitions,” Shin Man Gil wrote.
It now seems the AFC’s faith was misplaced as at its executive committee meeting in New Delhi Saturday, the AIFF decided not to start relegation in the top-flight ISL despite awareness of what the AFC had said on June 4.

The issue of relegation in ISL was included in the agenda of the meeting. “President Kalyan Chaubey raised the issue and said we won’t implement relegation. It was agreed without much deliberation,” a person who attended the meeting revealed.
“It was decided that once the AIFF’s constitution is finalised by the Supreme Court and the federation’s agreement with its marketing partners, which expires in December 2025, is finalised, then relegation could begin next season.”

Lawsuit threatened

The ISL began as a closed league in 2014 with eight franchises. It has since accommodated new teams with promotion proper beginning from the 2023-24 season.
Punjab FC being the first team from the second division I-League to get entry in ISL, which is owned and controlled by the federation’s marketing partners FSDL.
Though the AIFF confirmed that two teams would go down from I-League but couldn’t manage to get consensus from all its stakeholders for relegation from ISL, as demanded by I-League clubs, forcing them to threaten a lawsuit in case of failure to begin the process.
I-League clubs had earlier written to AFC pointing out the AIFF’s failure to implement other points of the roadmap, urging the continental governing body to ensure that AIFF’s honours the agreement it had entered into five years earlier.

The AIFF had earlier promised the clubs to address their several grievances in the Ex Co but apart from taking a call on relegation didn’t deliberate on any of their other concerns, which left them disappointed.
The clubs had kept tabs on outcome of the executive committee meeting and would reconvene soon to chart their next course of action.
“I am shocked that the AIFF went ahead and did this. It could jeopardise the representation of Indian clubs at AFC competitions. This forces us with no other option but to approach the top court immediately,” Ranjit Bajaj, president of I-League Clubs Association said.

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Hyderabad FC set for BC Jindal Group takeover




The BC Jindal Group, one of India’s leading conglomerates, is all set to take over Hyderabad FC, a club that has recently been embroiled in financial turmoil and was on the brink of shutting down.
The Hyderabad-based football club faced multiple sanctions from Fifa and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) due to outstanding dues owed to players, coaches and support staff. The club’s previous investors struggled with unstable financial conditions, resulting in salaries not being paid for several months. However, with this new development, the future of Hyderabad FC looks promising.

According to sources close to the development, the BC Jindal Group has already signed the term sheet, and an official announcement regarding the takeover is expected soon. The new investors have agreed to clear all outstanding dues, with payments expected to begin as early as next week. This move is critical, as it will enable the club to set itself free from the bans imposed by FIFA and AIFF due to the long-standing financial obligations.
Once the bans are lifted, Hyderabad FC will shift their focus to team-building and preparations for the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season. This marks a significant turning point for the club, which has been struggling to stay afloat amid severe financial distress.

The club was reportedly in advanced discussions with a consortium of investors before the start of the Durand Cup. However, the talks fell through, and Hyderabad FC were unable to participate in the prestigious tournament due to a lack of available players. The players were reportedly unwilling to play without receiving their salaries, which further compounded the club’s challenges.
Now, with the BC Jindal Group stepping in, the situation appears to be stabilising. The new investors are committed to clearing all past dues and investing in the club’s future operations. A source close to the club has confirmed that this will be a complete buyout, with the previous owners stepping away entirely. The club will continue to operate under the name Hyderabad FC and will retain its existing logo and home stadium, with no plans to relocate.

Despite the positive developments, the new investors face an uphill task in the run-up to the ISL season. The club’s financial struggles have led to multiple bans from FIFA and the AIFF, and the immediate priority will be to clear all outstanding dues to lift the sanctions. Once the financial issues are resolved, the focus will shift to building a competitive squad capable of performing well in the ISL.
In conclusion, the BC Jindal Group’s takeover of Hyderabad FC brings hope for a brighter future for the club with the official announcement appears imminent.