Category: Football
From Distraction to Discipline: Suraj Aheibam’s Defining Transformation
For India U20 goalkeeper Suraj Aheibam, confronting that reality became a turning point one that reshaped both his routine and his career trajectory. In modern sport, marginal gains often define success. While training methods, nutrition, and recovery protocols are widely discussed, one factor that increasingly shapes an athlete’s performance is digital discipline. Less than a…
Goalkeepers Take Centre Stage as Sreenidi Deccan and Shillong Lajong Share Spoils
In a tightly contested top-of-the-table clash, Sreenidi Deccan FC and Shillong Lajong FC played out a goalless draw at the Deccan Arena, with both sides showcasing defensive discipline and goalkeeping excellence in the Star Cement Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26. Coming into the match level on points, the encounter carried significant weight in the early…
Clinical Rajasthan United Down Chanmari FC to Climb to the Top
Rajasthan United FC produced a composed and efficient second-half display to defeat Chanmari FC 2-0 at the Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium, moving temporarily to the top of the Star Cement Indian Football League 2025-26 standings. Goals from Naoba Meitei and Amadou Soukouna ensured the Desert Warriors secured all three points in a performance defined by patience…
Young Tigresses Face Defining Test Against Japan in AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Opener
A long-awaited chapter in Indian women’s football is set to unfold as the India U20 women’s national team prepares to take on Japan in their opening match of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026. Scheduled at the Thammasat Stadium on April 2, the fixture marks India’s return to the continental stage after a 20-year…
Confident Blue Colts Gear Up for Bhutan Challenge in SAFF U20 Championship Semi-final
Defending champions India are set to take a decisive step in their SAFF U20 Championship campaign as they prepare to face Bhutan in the semi-final at the National Stadium in Malé on April 1. With a place in the final at stake, the Blue Colts enter the contest with confidence, momentum, and a clear understanding…
India Script Historic Kochi Win to End Asian Cup Qualifiers on a High
India finally broke their long-standing jinx in Kochi, defeating Hong Kong 2-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to close their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers campaign on a positive note. In front of a vibrant 22,000-plus crowd, the Blue Tigers delivered a composed and spirited performance, securing not only their first win of the qualifying…
India U23 Fall Short in Decider as Tajikistan Clinch Tri-Nation Title
The India U23 men’s national team’s promising run in the U23 Tri-Nation Championship 2026 ended in disappointment as they suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat to Tajikistan in the title decider at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh. Despite an energetic and attack-minded performance, the Blue Colts were undone by an early goal and…
India vs Hong Kong Preview: India Eye Historic First Win in Kochi as Blue Tigers Return After a Decade
There are venues that carry history, and then there are venues that carry unfinished business. For the India men’s football team, Kochi firmly belongs to the latter. After a gap of 3,654 days, the Blue Tigers return to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday evening, aiming not just to play but to finally rewrite a…
India U23 Dominate Bhutan 5-0 to Go Top of Tri-Nation Championship
India U23 men’s national team delivered a commanding performance to defeat Bhutan 5-0 in the U23 Tri-Nation Championship 2026 at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh. The emphatic victory, powered by a second-half surge, takes the Blue Colts to the top of the standings, setting up a decisive clash against Tajikistan. Coached by…
India Hold Nerve Against Bangladesh to Finish Group Toppers in SAFF U20 Championship
India’s U20 men’s team secured top spot in Group B of the SAFF U20 Championship 2026 after a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Bangladesh at the National Stadium in Malé. In a match that tested both discipline and temperament, the Blue Colts did just enough to ensure they advanced into the semi-finals as group leaders. Having…
India Set for Group-Top Clash Against Bangladesh in SAFF U20 Championship
With a semi-final spot already secured, the Indian U20 men’s team will look to consolidate their position at the top of Group B when they face Bangladesh in their final league fixture of the SAFF U20 Championship on Saturday at the National Football Stadium in Malé. Scheduled to kick off at 16:15 IST, the match…
India U20 Begin SAFF Campaign in Style with Dominant Win Over Pakistan
The India U20 men’s team delivered a commanding performance to defeat Pakistan 3-0 in their opening Group B clash of the SAFF U20 Championship 2026 at the National Stadium in Malé. A second-half brace from Omang Dodum, combined with an early strike by Vishal Yadav, ensured a comprehensive victory for the Blue Colts, who also…
Rajasthan United Hold Diamond Harbour in Closely Contested Draw in Jaipur
Rajasthan United FC and Diamond Harbour FC shared the spoils in a tightly fought 1-1 draw in the Star Cement Indian Football League 2025–26 at the Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium on Thursday. A second-half penalty from Jonathan Fernandes gave the hosts the lead before substitute R. Ramdinthara struck late to ensure Diamond Harbour walked away with…
Shillong Lajong Cruise Past Gokulam Kerala to Enter Top Three
Shillong Lajong FC delivered a composed and efficient away performance to defeat Gokulam Kerala FC 2-0 in the Star Cement Indian Football League (IFL) 2025–26 at the Payyanad Stadium on Wednesday. Goals from Everbrightson Sana Mylliempdah and Tremiki Lamurong in either half ensured all three points for the visitors, propelling them into the top three…
India U20 Begin SAFF U20 Championship Campaign with High-Stakes Clash Against Pakistan
The India U20 men’s team will kick off their SAFF U20 Championship campaign with one of the most anticipated fixtures in the tournament a clash against arch-rivals Pakistan at the National Football Stadium in Malé on Thursday. Scheduled for a 16:15 IST start, the match carries not just regional rivalry, but significant implications for progression…
Clinical Sreenidi Deccan Cruise Past Dempo to Climb to the Top
Sreenidi Deccan FC delivered a composed and clinical performance to defeat Dempo SC 3-1 at the Deccan Arena, climbing to the top of the Star Cement Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 standings. With 10 points from five matches, Carlos Vaz Pinto’s side now lead the table, while Dempo remain rooted to the bottom with just…
Namdhari SC Secure First Win of the Season with Gritty Victory Over Real Kashmir
Namdhari SC registered their first win of the Star Cement Indian Football League 2025-26 season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Real Kashmir FC at the TRC Stadium in Srinagar. A well-timed second-half strike from Seilenthang Lotjem proved decisive in a contest defined by physical battles, defensive discipline, and moments of resilience. The result sees…
AIFF Partners with Dream Sports Foundation to Build Structured Pathway for India’s Youth Football
In a significant step towards strengthening grassroots football in the country, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced a multi-year partnership with the Dream Sports Foundation (DSF), naming it the official Youth Development Partner for U16 football in India. The collaboration aims to bring greater structure, visibility, and quality to youth competitions, aligning India’s…
SAFF U20 Championship a crucial stepping stone for Indian U20 men, says Mahesh Gawali
Beneath the serene skies and turquoise waters of the Maldives, the Indian U20 men’s team has arrived with a clear objective development through competition. While the surroundings offer calm, the focus within the Indian camp is firmly on preparation, performance, and progression as the Blue Colts gear up for the SAFF U20 Championship. Leading the…
Punjab FC’s Youth Pipeline in Focus as Six Players Earn India U-20 Call-Up for SAFF Championship
Punjab FC’s growing reputation as one of India’s leading youth development hubs has received further validation, with six of its players named in the Indian squad for the ongoing SAFF U-20 Championship in the Maldives. The selections underline not just individual progress, but the strength and structure of the club’s grassroots system. Head coach Mahesh…
Blue Tigresses Set for FIFA Series 2026 in Kenya, Eye Valuable International Exposure
The Indian senior women’s football team is set to compete in the FIFA Series 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, marking another significant step in their international calendar. Scheduled during the April FIFA International Women’s Match Window, the tournament offers the Blue Tigresses a rare opportunity to test themselves against teams from different confederations in a structured…
India U20 Team Arrives in Maldives Ahead of SAFF Championship, Eyes Strong Start
The India U20 men’s team has landed in Malé, Maldives, ahead of the SAFF U20 Championship 2026, marking the beginning of an important campaign for the country’s next generation of footballers. With the tournament already underway from March 23, the Blue Colts now shift focus to their Group B fixtures, where they will face Pakistan…
Aizawl FC script dramatic comeback to clinch Mizo Derby thriller
Aizawl FC produced one of the most remarkable turnarounds of the Star Cement Indian Football League 2025–26 season, overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Chanmari FC 3-2 in a pulsating Mizo Derby at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium on Tuesday. In a contest that ebbed and flowed dramatically, the People’s Club showcased resilience, tactical adjustments, and…
Khalid Jamil Names 23-Man India Squad for Hong Kong Clash, Focus Shifts to Future
Head coach Khalid Jamil on Tuesday announced a 23-member squad for India’s final AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Round match against Hong Kong, China, scheduled to be played on March 31 at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi. With qualification out of reach, the Indian senior men’s national team has turned its…
Bijoy Varghese Earns Maiden India Call-Up After Breakthrough Season with Punjab FC
Punjab FC defender Bijoy Varghese has been rewarded for a season of consistent performances with his maiden call-up to the Indian senior men’s national team. The Kerala-born centre-back was included in head coach Khalid Jamil’s 23-member squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round clash against Hong Kong, scheduled to be played on…
Home Comfort vs Momentum: Real Kashmir Chase First Win as Sreenidi Deccan Eye Summit Push
In Srinagar, Real Kashmir FC look to finally open their account for the season against a resilient Namdhari FC, while later in Hyderabad, Sreenidi Deccan FC aim to convert dominance into points as they face struggling Dempo SC. The Star Cement Indian Football League 2025–26 returns with a compelling double-header on March 25, where contrasting…
East Bengal Run Riot in Historic Kolkata Derby, Hammer Mohammedan 7-0
Kolkata witnessed one of the most one-sided derbies in its storied football history as East Bengal FC dismantled Mohammedan Sporting Club 7-0 in the Indian Super League 2025-26 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Monday. In a fixture traditionally defined by intensity and fine margins, the Red and Gold Brigade produced a ruthless, near-flawless…
Blue Colts Step Up Preparations with High-Intensity Friendlies in Thailand Ahead of AFC U17 Asian Cup
The Indian U17 men’s national team, Blue Colts has entered a decisive phase of its preparations for the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026, with head coach Bibiano Fernandes naming a 24-member squad for a crucial exposure tour in Lopburi, Thailand. Scheduled between March 25 and March 31, the Blue Colts will face Thailand, Indonesia, and…
India U17 Men’s Team Set for Crucial Friendlies in Thailand Ahead of Asian Cup
India U17 men’s team continues its structured build-up to the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 with a series of high-quality international friendlies in Lopburi, Thailand. The Blue Colts, under head coach Bibiano Fernandes, are scheduled to face Thailand, Indonesia, and the Republic of Korea between March 25 and 31 in matches that will…
New AFC Format Could Have Fast-Tracked India’s U20 Women Into Qualification Tier
The restructuring of the AFC U20 Women Asian Cup qualification pathway marks a significant shift in how youth football is organised across the continent. For India, the implications are particularly noteworthy. Based on current seeding projections and past performance, the Indian U20 women’s team would have secured a direct place in the Qualification Phase as…
“We Have Improved in Every Area”: Alexandersson Confident Ahead of India U20 Women’s Asian Cup Campaign
As the India U20 women’s team prepares to step onto the continental stage at the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in Thailand, there is a clear shift in narrative from qualification to competitiveness. Under head coach Joakim Alexandersson, the Young Tigresses arrive not just as participants after a 20-year absence, but as a side…
Naushad Moosa Names India U-23 Squad for Tri-Nation Friendlies in Yupia
India’s preparations for the next phase of international competition received a significant boost as U-23 head coach Naushad Moosa announced a 24-member squad for the upcoming Tri-Nation Friendlies to be held in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh. The tournament, featuring India, Bhutan, and Tajikistan, will take place during the March FIFA International Match Window, offering a crucial…
Sánchez Brace Seals Bengaluru FC’s Clinical Win Over Inter Kashi
Bengaluru FC continued their upward momentum in the Indian Super League 2025-26 season with a commanding 3-1 victory over Inter Kashi at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Sunday. A decisive second-half brace from Braian Sánchez proved to be the difference, as the Blues capitalised on key moments to secure all three points away…
Jhingan’s Late Header Earns FC Goa a Point in Chennai
FC Goa captain Sandesh Jhingan produced a decisive moment late in the game to rescue a 1-1 draw against Chennaiyin FC in their Indian Super League 2025-26 clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Sunday. In a match defined by missed chances and tactical battles, Jhingan’s 87th-minute header ensured the Gaurs extended their…
ISL 2025-26: Kashi Challenge Awaits Renedy’s Blues as Bengaluru Eye Momentum in Kolkata
Bengaluru FC return to Kolkata this weekend with a clear objective to build momentum and close the gap to the top three in the ISL 2025-26 standings. The Blues, under the guidance of Renedy Singh, will face ISL debutants Inter Kashi at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Sunday evening, in what promises to be a…
ISL 2025-26: Punjab FC Dominate Kerala Blasters with Clinical First-Half Display in Kochi
Punjab FC produced one of their most complete performances of the season, dismantling Kerala Blasters FC 3-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi in the Indian Super League, ISL 2025-26. A ruthless first-half showing, led by Samir Zeljković, Bede Osuji, and Dani Ramírez, ensured the visitors took full control of the contest early and…
SAFF Becomes Make-or-Break Pathway for Indian Youth Football Teams in New AFC Qualification Structure
Indian youth football is entering one of its most decisive phases in recent history. With sweeping structural changes introduced by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championships have now transformed from regional competitions into high-stakes qualification gateways. For India’s U17 boys’ and girls’ teams, the implications are clear win SAFF…
48-Team FIFA Women’s World Cup Expansion Opens New Door for India’s Global Ambitions
In a landmark decision set to reshape the landscape of women’s football, the FIFA has officially confirmed the expansion of the Women’s World Cup to 48 teams starting from the 2031 edition. The move, approved unanimously by the FIFA Council, signals both the rapid growth of the women’s game globally and a strategic push to…
Moyano Brace Powers Diamond Harbour FC to Top Spot with Dominant Win Over Aizawl
Diamond Harbour FC delivered a statement performance in the Indian Football League 2025-26, defeating Aizawl FC 2-0 in Match 19 at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium. A clinical second-half brace from Antonio Moyano ensured the visitors secured their third consecutive win of the season and climbed to the top of the table with nine points. For…
India U20 Women Arrive in Thailand with Eyes on Historic Asian Cup Campaign
The India U20 women’s national team has taken a significant step in its continental journey, arriving in Thailand with a 24-member squad ahead of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026. For a group that has already scripted history by ending a 20-year absence from the tournament, the next phase is about translating preparation into…
Rahul KP Brace Powers Odisha FC to Dominant Win Over NorthEast United
Odisha FC produced a commanding performance to secure their first win of the Indian Super League 2025-26 season, defeating NorthEast United FC 4-1 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Friday. Spearheading the victory was Rahul KP, whose brace capped a clinical attacking display from the Juggernauts. The result lifts Odisha FC to…
Gokulam Kerala Register First Win with Clinical Display Against Dempo
Gokulam Kerala FC produced a composed and efficient performance to secure their first victory of the Indian Football League 2025–26 season, defeating Dempo SC 2-0 at the Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri on Friday. Goals from Moses Lalrinzuala in the first half and Mirjalol Kasimov late in the game ensured all three points for the hosts,…
ISL 2025-26: Lachenpa Heroics and Noufal Strike Send Mumbai City FC to the Top
Mumbai City FC delivered a tactically disciplined and defensively resolute performance to edge past Mohun Bagan Super Giant 1-0 in a high-intensity Indian Super League, ISL 2025-26 clash at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. A first-half goal from Noufal PN, combined with an outstanding display from goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa, ensured the Islanders climbed…
AIFF Earns AFC Triple-A Certification, Marking a Milestone in Indian Football Development
In a significant endorsement of its growing technical ecosystem, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been awarded the prestigious Triple-A Certificate by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The recognition, announced at the AFC Technical Summit on March 19, 2026, highlights the progress India has made in building a structured and modern football development framework….
Phrangki Buam’s Late Heroics Lift Shillong Lajong to the Top of IFL Table
In a dramatic contest defined by fine margins and late twists, Shillong Lajong FC rode on a brace from Phrangki Buam to secure a 2-1 victory over Chanmari FC at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl. The win propelled Lajong to the top of the Indian Football League 2025-26 standings, level on points with Rajasthan…
Stojanović’s Late Strike Rescues Jamshedpur FC in Dramatic Draw Against SC Delhi
A dramatic late equaliser from Nikola Stojanović ensured Jamshedpur FC salvaged a 1-1 draw against Sporting Club Delhi in their Indian Super League 2025-26 clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. In a contest shaped by missed chances, defensive lapses, and changing conditions, the Serbian midfielder’s strike in the 89th minute denied the…
Mahesh Gawali Takes Charge of India U20: A Defining Phase for the Blue Colts
Indian football’s youth development pathway has entered a critical phase with the appointment of Mahesh Gawali as the head coach of the Indian U20 men’s national team. The decision reflects a clear strategic direction from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to invest in continuity, domestic expertise, and long-term player development as India looks to…
Sreenidi Deccan Rally Late to Hold Namdhari SC in Tactical Stalemate
Sreenidi Deccan FC were forced to settle for a point at home after a resilient Namdhari SC side held them to a 1-1 draw in the Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 at the Deccan Arena in Hyderabad. While the result saw Sreenidi climb to second in the standings, it was Namdhari who left with greater…
India U20 Women Ready for Asian Challenge as Captain Shubhangi Singh Leads Confident Squad
After a 20-year wait, the India U20 women’s football team is set to return to the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup, carrying with them not just the weight of history but a renewed sense of belief and preparation. Leading the Young Tigresses into the continental stage will be captain Shubhangi Singh, who embodies the calm…
From Khelo India to India Colours: Joya Announces Herself on the International Stage
Indian women’s football continues to unearth promising young talent, and the latest name to capture attention is 14-year-old Joya. In a dramatic encounter in Yangon on March 14, the young striker etched her name into the headlines by scoring the decisive goal in India’s thrilling 3-2 comeback victory against Myanmar in the U17 international fixture….
