Page 3 - Indian Football Team

From hope to havoc: How AIFF is derailing Indian football's future

Over the past two years, India's men's national football team has seen a dramatic fall in the FIFA rankings, currently slipping to 133, the lowest it has been in nearly a decade.

India's football ecosystem is scared with uncertainty: Chhetri on ISL pause

Former captain and top striker Sunil Chhetri on Wednesday said the current state of "uncertainty" in Indian football is very concerning and the sport's ecosystem is "worried, hurt, and scared" by the top-tier ISL being put on hold indefinitely. Chhetri, who turns up for Bengaluru FC in the league, said he has been inundated with phone calls and messages expressing apprehensions about the future of the sport in the country. "It began with worrying about how I am on borrowed time with what I have left in the tank. But speaking with players from across clubs, I've realised that my selfish problem isn't as important," the 40-year-old Chhetri posted on X. "The current situation that Indian football finds itself in, is very concerning. I've received a flurry of texts from players, staff members, physios, masseurs - not just from my club, but from other clubs as well. "Everybody in the Indian football ecosystem is worried, hurt, scared about the uncertainty we are faced with," he added.

AIFF parts ways with Indian football team head coach Manolo Marquez

Marquez's time in charge included just eight matches, yielding only one victory, a 3-0 win over the Maldives in a friendly earlier this year

Indian legends slam AIFF after India's disappointing loss vs Hong Kong

Bhaichung Bhutia, visibly disheartened by India's regression, said the country's football is in disarray and directly blamed AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey for the downfall

Coach Manolo optimistic on eve of India's AFC Asian Cup qualifier tie

The recent defeat against Thailand notwithstanding, India head coach Manolo Mrquez on Monday exuded confidence on the eve of their vital 2027 Asian Cup qualifier match against Hong Kong here. Placed in Pot 1 for the qualifiers, India, ranked 127th, got off to a slow start in the qualifiers with a draw against Bangladesh in March before losing 0-2 to Thailand in a friendly last week. "In my opinion, most coaches are not worried about the scores in the friendly games. We are focussing on the important match (Hong Kong)," Manolo said. "I know everyone speaks about the score (against Thailand). But if we scored from the chances we created, it would have been different. This is football." Out of the three matches they have played so far this year, they have won one, drawn one, and lost one. The Group C table is still a clean slate with all four teams level on a point apiece after both games on matchday 1 on March 25 ended goalless. India and Bangladesh drew in Shillong, while Hong Kon

India get wake up call before Asian Cup qualifier, beaten 2-0 by Thailand

The defeat serves as a timely reality check for the Blue Tigers ahead of their must-win AFC Asian Cup final round qualifier against Hong Kong on June 10.

India vs Thailand international friendly live match time and live streaming

Thailand, positioned 99th in the world rankings, are also participating in the same qualifiers, with their next challenge being a match against Turkmenistan.

India seek inspiration from last 2 wins in another friendly vs Thailand

India will take inspiration from their last two wins and talismanic Sunil Chhetri's good form when they face Asian rivals Thailand in an international friendly football match here on Wednesday. For India, Thailand have been one of the most familiar continental rivals outside of South Asian countries. Both are among middle-rung Asian countries in the FIFA charts. From the Asian Games to the Asian Cup, from the King's Cup to the Nehru Cup, the history of India versus Thailand clashes in men's football is a long one. Since the first meeting at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, when India won 4-1, the two teams have played 26 times. India have won seven matches, while Thailand emerged victorious 12 times, and seven were draws. The previous two matches, however, were both won by India in 2019. A sensational 4-1 win at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in Abu Dhabi, before a narrow 1-0 victory to win bronze at the King's Cup on Thai soil. Chhetri, who scored the first two goals in the Asian Cup ..

Indian team call-up a proud moment for me and my family: Nikhil Prabhu

Nikhil shared his journey, experiences, and thoughts ahead of joining the camp with Business Standard, and he looks forward to transferring his decent form from the Indian Super League.

India can't wait to rectify mistakes made during contest vs BAN: Chhetri

Talismanic India striker Sunil Chhetri on Sunday said that his side cannot wait to make amends of the mistakes they had committed in the goal-less draw against Bangladesh in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying round contest in March. India were held to a 0-0 draw by lower-ranked Bangladesh in their opening Group C match of the Asian Cup qualifying third round match on March 25 in Shillong, which left head coach Manolo Marquez fuming. India are up against Hong Kong in their second match -- an away game -- on June 10 in Kowloon. Chhetri said the match against Hong Kong will be a chance for the team to redeem itself. "The initial feeling after the Bangladesh game was that we let ourselves down, let the country down. After I saw the replays, I thought we, as a team, could have done so much more. It was a huge opportunity to take the lead in the table, playing Bangladesh at home. We should have done so many things better," Chhetri said. "Ending up with just a point, I think we players have no

AFC Asian Cup Qualifier: India vs Bangladesh live time, streaming today

The live streaming of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier between India and Bangladesh will be available on the JioHotstar app. India vs Bangladesh football match live telecast available on Star Sports 3

India eyes win against Bangladesh after 3-0 triumph over Maldives

A 3-0 thrashing of Maldives in their first international match of the year will certainly boost their confidence, but India will be wary of a tricky Bangladesh in their 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round match here on Tuesday. India notched a commanding win over lower-ranked Maldives here on March 19, which marked the first win under the charge of Manolo Marquez. The win was also significant as the talismanic Sunil Chhetri led the team with a superb goal in his international return, his 95th in India Jersey. Bangladesh have been familiar but tricky rivals for India and historically it has not been easy outings whenever the two sides faced each other. India though are currently ranked much higher in the FIFA chart -- 126th as against 185th on Bangladesh. The last match between the two sides had ended in a 1-1 draw in the 2021 SAFF Championships in Maldives with Chhetri scoring India's goal. Chhetri had also scored India's both goals in the 2-0 win over their eastern neighbours in a

Udanta in, Brandon out: India announces squad change for Bangladesh tie

Key mid-fielder Brandon Fernandes has been released from the Indian team due to an injury ahead of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round match against Bangladesh here on March 25. Winger Udanta Singh has replaced him in the squad. Fernandes picked up the injury during India's 3-0 win over Maldives in an international friendly match on March 19. He slipped on the turf late in the first half and was stretchered out of the field. "Brandon Fernandes has been released from the Indian squad due to an injury he picked up in the match against Maldives. Udanta Singh has joined the Indian camp in Shillong," the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said on Friday. Speaking after the Maldives game, head coach Manolo Marquez had confirmed that Fernandes would not be available for the Bangladesh match. India are already without striker Manvir Singh and pacy winger Lallianzuala Chhangte, both due to injury, though the talismanic Sunil Chhetri came out of international retirement to help the te

Chhetri scores 95th international goal in comeback match after retirement

Chhetri scored his 95th goal for India against Maldives. Check full list of international goals scored by Chhetri.

India vs Maldives HIGHLIGHTS: Sunil Chhetri scores as India beat Maldives 3-0 in Shillong

Sunil Chhetri scores his 95th career international goal on his return to the national side as India got themselves a long awaited win under Manaolo Marquez.

India vs Maldives football live match time, venue and live streaming

The most recent encounter between the two sides saw India secure a comfortable 3-1 victory against Maldives. The live streaming of the India vs Maldives clash will be available on JioHotstar app.

India vs Maldives Preview: All eyes on Chhetri's return before Qualifier

The returning Sunil Chhetri will be the cynosure of all eyes as India face Maldives in an international friendly here on Wednesday, the match serving as a dress rehearsal for the all-important AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh at the same venue in less than a week's time. The 40-year-old Chhetri came out of his international retirement earlier this month to help the team successfully navigate the qualifiers for the continent's top football tournament, starting with the March 25 clash. The preparatory match for Manolo Marquez's side marks a historic moment as the Blue Tigers will play in the football-crazy hill town for the first time. It will also be India's all-time top scorer Chhetri's first match since announcing his return to international football. In the pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Marquez said, "It is the first time we are playing here, but I have worked with a lot of coaches and players from here. I knew it's a very nice place. "I remember when I watche

When will Sunil Chhetri play for India in AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers?

India will face the Maldives in a friendly match on March 19, followed by a crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying match against Bangladesh on March 25.

Clinical skipper Sunil Chhetri returns to inspire the Indian football team

Chettri's leadership was pivotal in India's historic qualification for the AFC Asian Cup in 2011, a feat that hadn't been achieved in 27 years.

Xaxa, Lynda lead India's 14-0 rout of Maldives in football friendly

Player of the Match Lynda Kom Serto scored four goals on debut while Pyari Xaxa struck a hat-trick in a span of just eight minutes as the Indian women's football team hammered Maldives 14-0 in an international friendly here on Monday. The demolition meant India's newly-appointed Swedish coach, Joakim Alexandersson, began his stint on a rousing note. Xaxa found the back of the net in the seventh, eighth, and 15th minutes, and in between assisted Lynda in the 12th in what turned out to be a goal fest for the home team at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence. Lynda was on target in the 12th, 21st, 29th and 52nd minute in a completely lop-sided match. The game faced a brief interruption after a linesman was attacked by bees and he was running across the pitch, forcing the players to take cover. The incident took place in the final minute before half-time, and the match restarted after 15 minutes. Neha too marked her debut with a brace, scoring in the 16th and 45th minute,