Football

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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Barcelona emerge La Liga champions, Yamal scores winning goal in their 2-0 victory

Barcelona won the title with two rounds remaining Barcelona: This was Lamine Yamal’s season. So it just had to be the teenage phenom who scored the decisive goal to clinch Barcelona’s 28th Spanish league title. And what a goal it was for the player who still wears dental braces and sports a new dyed-blond hairdo. The 17-year-old struck the winner in Barcelona’s 2-0 victory at crosstown rival Espanyol on Thursday when he slid past two defenders outside the area and whipped one of his now trademark left-footed curlers into the corner of the net. After helping Spain win the European Championship, Yamal excelled for Barcelona this campaign with his goals, dribbling, and playmaking as he confirmed his status as the next…

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Hyderabad FC to shift base to Delhi

Former ISL champions, Hyderabad FC, has decided to move over from the City to Delhi “to develop a professionally run football club that reflects the values and aspirations of a new generation of fans in Delhi and across India.” Hyderbad: Former ISL champions, Hyderabad FC, has decided to move over from the City to Delhi “to develop a professionally run football club that reflects the values and aspirations of a new generation of fans in Delhi and across India.” This was the message conveyed by the top brass of HFC to the All India Football Federation, according to an official of the Telangana Football Association. ‘It is disappointing for sure not to have a City-based team in the ISL. But again,…

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Confident India takes on Maldives in SAFF under-19 football championship

Rain threat looms large as India takes on Maldives in the second semifinal of the SAFF under-19 football championship at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia (Arunachal Pradesh) on Friday under floodlights Hyderabad: Rain threat looms large as India takes on Maldives in the second semifinal of the SAFF under-19 football championship at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia (Arunachal Pradesh) on Friday under floodlights. Nepal will take on Bangladesh in the first last four encounters at 3.30 pm. It has been raining incessantly over the past two days in Itanagar and the surrounding areas. India steamrolled both their Group B opponents, Sri Lanka (8-0) and Nepal (4-0) to finish at the top of the standings and set up a clash…

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‘Football ke rang, Begusarai ke sangh’

Tucked away from the din of Patna’s bustle, in a humble locality of Barauni in Begusarai district, football did not just arrive, it fought its way in. This ground, a patch of land that carries the legacy of a freedom fighter, Yamuna Bhagat, became football’s unlikely home nearly 80 years ago Hyderabad: Football ke rang, Begusarai ke sangh. It’s more than just a tagline pasted on the pillars of an under-construction flyover leading into this town. It’s a quiet revolution that began with broken legs and bruised pride in a forgotten corner of Bihar. Tucked away from the din of Patna’s bustle, in a humble locality of Barauni in Begusarai district, football did not just arrive, it fought its way in.…

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SAFF U19 football championship: India decimates Nepal to enter semi-finals

India pulled off a convincing 4-0 win against Nepal to top Group B and secure the top place while making it to the last four stage in the SAFF under-19 football championship at Yupia in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday Hyderabad: India pulled off a convincing 4-0 win against Nepal to top Group B and secure the top place while making it to the last four stage in the SAFF under-19 football championship at Yupia in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday. Rohen Singh Chaphamayum (28’, 76’) scored two goals, while local boy Omang Dodum (29’) and Danny Meitei (84’) netted one each. India, with this win, finished Group B with a perfect six points from two matches, with a goal difference of 12. Nepal finished second with three…

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India to take on Nepal in SAFF U19 Seeks to secure top spot in Group B

India, having already booked their place in the SAFF U19 Championship semi-finals, will aim to secure top spot in Group B when they face Nepal on Tuesday at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia (Arunachal Pradesh) Hyderabad: India, having already booked their place in the SAFF U19 Championship semi-finals, will aim to secure top spot in Group B when they face Nepal on Tuesday at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia (Arunachal Pradesh). The hosts kicked off the tournament with an 8-0 rout of Sri Lanka last Friday in head coach Bibiano Fernandes’ first match after his return to the national youth team setup. On Sunday, Nepal also thrashed Sri Lanka — winning 5-0 to knock them out of the tournament,…

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