Xavi Hernandez and Pep Guardiola's applications were not genuine: AIFF
The AIFF did not reveal the names in the pruned list but it is widely believed that Khalid Jamil, currently the head coach of Indian Super League side Jamshedpur FC, is the front-runner for the post left vacant by Spaniard Manolo Marquez.
"The AIFF received an e-mail furnishing the applications from Spanish coaches Pep Guardiola and Xavi Hernandez. The authenticity of their applications could not be confirmed, and it has since emerged that the e-mail applications were not genuine," AIFF stated in a media release.
One of its officials, on conditions of anonymity, had stated on Friday that the application of Xavi could not be processed as the AIFF did not have resources to hire his services.
The IM Vijayan-headed Technical Committee, it is learnt, has also kept Englishman Stephen Constantine, who has previously coached India, and Slovakia's Stefan Tarkovic in the short-list.
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Business Standard
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- Business Standard
Euro 2025: England defend their title; beat Spain 3-1 on penalties
England successfully defended its Women's European Championship title on Sunday in its own special way, thriving in high tension yet again to take down world champion Spain in a shootout in the final. Chloe Kelly lashed in her spot kick to give England a 3-1 win on penalties after a 1-1 draw after extra time. I was cool, I was composed, and I knew I was going to hit the back of the net, said Kelly, whose goals decided a second straight Women's Euros final, and also the semifinal five days earlier. England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton saved spot kicks from Mariona Caldentey and Spain superstar Aitana Bonmat, before substitute Salma Paralluelo dragged her shot wide of goal. The defending champion won the only way it knew how at this thrilling Euro 2025. It was the most chaotic tournament we played, said England coach Sarina Wiegman, who has now won three straight Women's Euros titles. Super subs England had fallen behind in the first half, fought back in the second and relied on its superb substitutes including Kelly just as it did against Italy and beating Sweden on penalties previously in the knockout rounds. I actually can't believe it myself, Wiegman said. How can this happen? But it happens. We're just going to party tonight. England leveled the score in the 57th on Alessia Russo's header from a cross by Kelly after Caldentey had given Spain the lead in the 25th finishing Ona Batlle's cross. Spain trailed for only four minutes in the entire tournament and not for one second against England yet could not seal its first European title against the team it beat in the World Cup final two years ago. I think this team deserved more. At least not living with this bitter feeling, Spain coach Montse Tom said in translated comments. Kelly had scored an extra-time winning goal for England at Wembley three years ago to beat Germany 2-1. Spain's missed chance In extra time Spain had good possession in the England penalty area so many times yet did not force a decisive goal. It was cruel, Bonmat told Spanish broadcaster La 1, after being named best player of the tournament. We played better, created more scoring chances, but in soccer sometimes that's not enough. Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll saved spot kicks from England captain Leah Williamson and the first by Beth Mead. It was appropriate in England's memorable tournament that Mead's penalty had to be retaken under a new soccer rule that allows a second chance when a player scores by slipping and touching the ball twice. It did not matter after Hampton's saves. Classic Arsenal goals Arsenal attackers like scoring with perfectly placed headers from inviting crosses sent to the ideal spot. Spain took the lead Sunday with a very English goal a full back's cross from the byline finding the head of an Arsenal player to score, on a rain-slicked field on an overcast, cloudy day. The strong Spanish flavor leading to Caldentey's opener was in the neat passing to find Athenea del Castillo in the penalty area and her vision to see Ona Batlle's direct run into space. Caldentey was in the Arsenal team that won the Women's Champions League final in May beating a Barcelona side with six starters who also lined up for Spain on Sunday. Spain used three more Barcelona players as substitutes. The Arsenal forward line in that final, Russo and Kelly, combined to tie the Euro 2025 final. Kelly's right-foot cross from the left was floated toward the head of Russo who guided the ball back toward the top corner of the Spain net. Wiegman's hat trick England coach Wiegman has still never before been eliminated from a Women's Euros tournament. Despite how close she came three times this month, she acknowledged after the final whistle Sunday. The top female national-team coach of her generation has a Euros hat trick after leading England to victory in 2022 and her native Netherlands to the 2017 title. Both those titles were won as the host nation team and no England senior team, men or women, had previously won a world or continental title abroad. Wiegman also extended the run of title-winning women coaches to eight Women's Euros editions across 28 years. Women were outnumbered by male coaches each time. Royal appointment There was royalty from both nations in the VIP box at St-Jakob Park including heirs to each throne. Prince William, the first son of Britain's King Charles, was with his daughter Princess Charlotte. He is president of the English Football Association. Also present were Princess Leonor of Spain and her younger sister, Infanta Sofa. At the 2023 World Cup final Sofia was at the game with her mother Queen Letizia in Sydney, Australia. After the game King Charles congratulated the Lionesses team on their sporting skill and awesome teamwork. For this," the king wrote, "you have my whole family's warmest appreciation and admiration.
NDTV
an hour ago
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"Do You Expect Him To Take 10 Wickets?": Kapil Dev Slams Young India Star's Critics
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Koneru Humpy, Divya Deshmukh play peaceful 34-move draw to stay at par
Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh (Image credit: FIDE) Young Divya Deshmukh held the experienced Koneru Humpy for a peaceful draw in Batumi, Georgia, on Sunday. The draw brought to the fore the preparations of Indian players that prevailed in the second game of the FIDE Women's Chess World Cup final. A day after the duo had played a game of missed opportunities followed by a great escape for a fighting draw in the opening game, 19-year-old Divya and 38-year-old Humpy sought refuge in the books, and with an accuracy rate as high as 98.8%, signed a peace treaty in just 34 moves. With the second successive classical game of the World Cup ending in a draw, the outcome of the final will be decided in the tiebreaks to be played in the rapid and blitz formats of various time controls on Monday. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! While Divya brought all her defensive weapons on Sunday and looked better prepared, Humpy missed the chance to utilise her opening advantage with the white pieces. Being the reigning Women's World Rapid champion, Humpy would be happy to take the tiebreaks. Similarly, Divya would not be too broken to take the same route as she, in 2023, had defeated Humpy to clinch her maiden Women's Rapid title. It was a victory on debut, that too being a last-minute inclusion for the tournament played in Kolkata. Playing the faster format against Humpy, a two-time World Rapid champion will not be a matter of concern for Divya. In the interview after playing out an easy draw, Divya said, 'I am going to give my best. She is a strong player. Hoping the tiebreaks go my way.' The second classical game of the World Cup saw an English Opening from Humpy with her white pieces, while Divya chose the Agincourt Defense. As expected, Humpy started pressing for an advantage and changed her English opening into the regular Queen's Gambit Declined game of Semi-Tarrasch variation. Divya was quick to react, and on the 10th turn, she made the most of her centre pawn structure to deny Humpy any chance. On the 12th turn, Divya exchanged both her bishops by claiming Humpy's knights. By the 19th move, both players exchanged their rooks, and the game headed towards a draw with Divya's knights and Humpy's bishops and an equal set of pawns. Though double bishops are considered stronger against twin knights, the centre pawn structure was not at all a threat for Divya. Speaking with TOI on the draw, former national champion Pravin Thipsay said, 'When Divya correctly exchanged the rooks, the game was heading towards an obvious draw, but Humpy took some bold decisions. She sacrificed a pawn on the 23rd move, and the game became a bit dangerous for Divya as she failed to find the best 24th move, which would have led to a forced draw.' Divya said, 'I think I got into a mess for no reason in the middle game. I got a bad position with a wrong choice but managed it in the end, and finally, it was an easy draw.' Thipsay added, 'On the 28th move, Humpy could have regained the pawn, maintaining some advantage. As things happened, Humpy delayed the process by one move, and by the time she recovered the pawn, Divya's queen position had improved, and she forced a draw by perpetual check.' Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
