Football

Thailand tie source of motivation, says Sunil Chhetri

Including the first meeting, which India won 4-1 at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, the Blue Tigers and Changsuek have played 26 times Hyderabad: 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.Including the first meeting, which India won 4-1 at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, the Blue Tigers and Changsuek have played 26 times. The head-to-head reads: seven wins for India, 12 for Thailand, and seven draws. The previous two matches, however, were both won by India in 2019 — a sensational 4-1 win at the AFC Asian Cup in Abu Dhabi, followed by a narrow 1-0…

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ICC Chairman Jay Shah meets UEFA President ahead of Champions League final in Munich

“Privileged to represent the sport of cricket in Munich ahead of the @championsleague Final and engage in discussions with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin. Interacting with fellow sports leaders is always enriching as the @ICC continues to broaden cricket’s global footprint,” Shah posted on X on Saturday. Hyderabad: International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah met UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin in Munich ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final between Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, which will be played at the Allianz Arena. Mr. Jay Shah, the former BCCI secretary, met Mr. Ceferin on Friday. These meetings are part of the ICC efforts for expanding cricket’s global reach. “Honoured to represent cricket in Munich ahead of the @championsleague Final and have discussions with…

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Relegation stayed for Delhi FC and SC Bengaluru after AIFF appeal

In a major reprieve for Delhi FC and Sporting Club Bengaluru, the All India Football Federation’s Appeal Committee has stayed their relegation from the I-League until a final decision is reached on their submissions challenging the AIFF’s disciplinary panel ruling New Delhi: In a major reprieve for Delhi FC and Sporting Club Bengaluru, the All India Football Federation’s Appeal Committee has stayed their relegation from the I-League until a final decision is reached on their submissions challenging the AIFF’s disciplinary panel ruling. The two interim orders, dated May 24 and currently in possession of media, revealed that both the clubs had appealed against the AIFF Disciplinary Committee’s decisions that would have demoted them from the 2024–25 I-League season after they finished…

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Chelsea beat Real Betis to clinch Conference League title

The English club became the first team to have all four of UEFA’s club competitions in its trophy collection. London: Chelsea finally has a trophy to show for the unprecedented levels of spending under its American owners, even if it’s hardly one they’d have craved. The English club produced an impressive second-half rally to beat Real Betis 4-1 in the final of the Conference League on Wednesday, becoming, in the process, the first team to have all four of UEFA’s club competitions in its trophy collection. Aside from the 1971 and 1998 titles in the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup, Chelsea’s other European silverware — the Champions League in 2012 and 2021, and the Europa League in 2013 and 2019 — came…

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Chhangte says he learnt a lot in terms of making right decisions ahead of AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers

India will play Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round on June 10 in Kowloon City Hyderabad: Winger Lallianzuala Chhangte said that India would be in the same group as some of the best countries in Asia (Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria) in the Asian Cup Qualifiers and that he had learnt a lot in terms of making the right decision at key moments. “Now, we’re really looking forward to the next challenge. Right now, our main focus is to qualify for the Asian Cup again,” he said in a chat with aiff.com India will play Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round on June 10 in Kowloon City. Before…

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‘Thailand friendly perfect ahead of Asian Cup qualifier’

Midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam believes that the friendly game against Thailand on June 4 will be the perfect way to groom for the all-important clash with Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers final round match against Hong Kong HYDERABAD: Midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam believes that the friendly game against Thailand on June 4 will be the perfect way to groom for the all-important clash with Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers final round match against Hong Kong on June 10 in Kowloon. India’s Group C in the Asia Cup qualifiers included Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangladesh, against whom the Blue Tigers drew 0-0 on the first match day. Only the group winner will book their place in…

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We must qualify for every Asia Cup, says Sunil Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri is the only Indian player to record an appearance in three AFC Asian Cups Hyderabad: Sunil Chhetri is the only Indian player to record an appearance in three AFC Asian Cups. From scoring that unforgettable hat-trick way back at the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup final, which led India to the 2011 Asian Cup, to now battling for qualification for the 2027 edition in Saudi Arabia, Chhetri’s longevity in the national team is unmatched. Between 1960 and 2007, India had only qualified for two Asian Cups. And now, as the Blue Tigers aim to script history by making it to three successive Asian Cups for the first time, 40-year-old Chhetri tags it as a ‘bare minimum’ requirement for the nation.…

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Hyderabad local sports briefs: Abbas Union, SCR secure wins in Rahim League

Abbas Union FC records 3-1 win against Hyderabad Globe FC Hyderabad: Abbas Union FC recorded a 3-1 win against Hyderabad Globe FC in the TFA A-Division Rahim League football championship at Sreenidhi Deccan Arena here on Saturday.Ansil scored a brace in the fourth and 31st minutes, and Imran netted the third goal in the 73rd minute for the winners, while Ganapathi Prasad reduced the margin in the 35th minute for the losers. In another match, South Central Railway defeated Central Excise 4-2 with Shelton Paul scoring two goals in the 54th and 60th minutes, Vijay netting one in the 64th minute, and Nishad completing the tally in the 98th minute. Fateh Hyderabad FC and Hyderabad Sporting FC were locked in a…

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Telangana: No Hyderabad team in ISL, stalwarts disapointed

Hyderabad FC’s move to Delhi disappoints local football stalwarts Shabbir Ali and Victor Amalraj. The decision is a blow to Telangana’s young talent, diminishing their ISL dreams and Hyderabad’s football legacy felt many Hyderabad: Apna Hyderabad’ will not be there in ISL! Well, that can be the biggest loss for the football fans from Telangana, more so from Hyderabad which was once the ‘Mecca’ of Indian football with the decision of HFC to move its base from the City to Delhi. Former stalwarts from the City, Shabbir Ali and Victor Amalraj were clearly disappointed with the development. Echoing this sentiment, former India captain Shabbir said the HFC had instilled a lot of hope in the young talent across the State because…

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SAFF U19: India storms into final after thumping victory against Maldives, to face Bangladesh in title clash

Goals from Danny Meitei Laishram (14’), Omung Dodum (21’), and Prashant Jajo (66’) ensured a smooth passage to the title clash HYDERABAD: Defending champions India marched into the final of the SAFF (under-19) football championship with a clinical 3-0 win against Maldives in the semifinal in front of a passionate home crowd and under pouring rain at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia (Arunachal Pradesh) on Friday. Goals from Danny Meitei Laishram (14’), Omung Dodum (21’), and Prashant Jajo (66’) ensured a smooth passage to the title clash, as India once again maintained their perfect record — both in terms of wins and clean sheets. India will face Bangladesh, who went past Nepal 2-1 in the other semi-final, held earlier in…

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