Latest news with #AFCAsianCup
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First Post
9 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
Subrata Paul questions Indian players' attitude and team spirit: 'My responsibility to point that out'
India football team director Subrata Paul has raised concerns over the squad's attitude and team spirit after a goalless draw against Bangladesh in AFC Asian Cup qualifier in April. Bhaichung Bhutia has also commented on Paul's criticism. read more Former India goalkeeper and current national team director Subrata Paul has raised serious concerns about the Indian football team's attitude and team spirit. Paul made these comments after against Bangladesh in an Asian Cup qualifier in Shillong earlier this year. In a meeting with the (AIFF) technical committee on 17 April, Paul reportedly said that the players showed a lack of desire and spirit. According to the minutes of the meeting accessed by the Hindustan Times, Paul said the team had issues with player attitude, team unity, and even 'patriotism.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Paul highlighted several key challenges faced by the Senior National Team. These included issues related to Player's attitude (sic), patriotism and overall team spirit,' the minutes read. However, Paul later clarified that he did not talk about patriotism and that he didn't know how the word got into the minutes. More from Football Indian football legend and current executive committee member of AIFF, Bhaichung Bhutia, said Paul should explain what he meant and name the players who weren't giving their best. Bhutia and Paul were teammates during India's successful run between 2007 and 2011. 'And he should name the players who he felt had not given their best so that they are not chosen anymore,' Bhutia said. While speaking on the matter, Paul said that he didn't see the same hunger to perform for the country during the Bangladesh clash that players like Bhutia, Climax Lawrence, Deepak Mondal, and Sameer Naik had shown in the past. He added that it's his job to highlight these issues, even if some people don't like it. He also said that the team is in a transition phase with a mix of experienced and new players, which could be why they haven't gelled as a unit yet. 'I missed the desire that I saw in so many of my seniors and contemporaries such as Bhaichung bhai, Climax Lawrence, Sameer Naik, Deepak Mondal to name a few. The desire to play for the national team overrode everything including injuries,' Paul was quoted as saying by HT. 'It is my responsibility as national team director to point that out. If this makes me unpopular, so be it,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Even there, the performance was not what was expected and I pointed that out to the technical committee. This is a team that has some players with a lot of experience and some with little. It is a team in transition and maybe that is why it did not gel,' Paul added. The match against Bangladesh was Paul's first official game in his new role as director. Since that match, India lost two more games - a 0-2 defeat against Thailand in a friendly and a in another AFC Asian Cup qualifier.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Indian football in freefall: Goa FA blames AIFF deputy secretary general M. Satyanarayana as crisis deepens
NEW DELHI: Indian football's decline is no longer a blip; it's a nosedive. And now, in a strongly-worded letter addressed to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Goa Football Association (GFA) president Dr. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Caitano Jose Fernandes has laid the blame squarely on the AIFF's doorstep. The formal complaint targets Deputy Secretary General M. Satyanarayana, accusing him of administrative failure, political interference, and contributing to the national team's slide into irrelevance. 'I write to formally bring to your notice the concerning performance and deteriorating results of the Indian National team that has left us in a precarious position on the road to qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup,' wrote Fernandes. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. 'There have been reports that the preparations for the National team were not ideal and much of the blame has to be put on the administration headed by the Deputy Secretary General Mr. M Satyanarayana, whose handling of crucial matters has severely damaged Indian football since he assumed his role at the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in August 2023." The letter cites several allegations: mismanagement, a breakdown in governance, interference in technical matters, and even unconstitutional moves such as halting I-League relegation without proper authorisation. Fernandes warned of 'a toxic culture of political manipulation' that has hollowed Indian football from within. This institutional mess coincides with India's collapse on the pitch. The senior men's national team suffered a disastrous 0-1 loss to lower-ranked Hong Kong in a crucial 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier just a fortnight ago. The result pushed India to 133rd in the latest FIFA rankings, just two spots off their worst in a decade. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In the Asian Football Confederation zone, India now rank 24th out of 46, behind the likes of Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, and Vietnam. The manner of the defeat only added salt to the wound. After creating a few promising chances in the first half, India conceded deep into injury time. A rash challenge by goalkeeper Vishal Kaith on Hong Kong's Michael Udebuluzor led to a penalty, which Stefan Pereira calmly converted in the 94th minute. Poll How do you feel about the future of Indian football? Optimistic Pessimistic Indifferent India's finishing woes were again on display as Ashique Kuruniyan missed from close range, and even the returning Sunil Chhetri failed to connect cleanly from six yards out. On that, scoring just five goals in two years highlights how significantly the Indian forwards have declined over time. 40-year-old Chhetri's comeback from retirement had sparked brief hope, but the veteran's presence alone hasn't been enough to lift the team that has won just one of their last 16 games across competitions. Off the field, uncertainty continues to cloud the national setup. Former head coach Igor Stimac's messy exit last year was followed by the appointment of Manolo Marquez, who has since juggled dual responsibilities as India coach and FC Goa manager. 'Cricketers Aren't Cattle... ': Harish Thawani on the IPL and Business of Indian Cricket Once considered an emerging footballing nation, having reached a FIFA ranking of 96 in 2018 and competing closely with sides like Jordan, India now face a grim reality check. The same Jordan side, which India narrowly lost to in 2018, has since reached the final of the AFC Asian Cup and qualified for the 2026 World Cup. India, meanwhile, are struggling to get the ball into the back of the net.
Mint
5 days ago
- Sport
- Mint
Who is Kota Takai? 20-year-old Japanese defender set to join Tottenham Hotspur in £5m deal
Tottenham Hotspur are set to sign Japanese defender Kota Takai in a £5 million deal. The 20-year-old will likely join the club next month and he is poised to become a key part of manager Thomas Frank's first-team squad. Kota Takai was born in Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, in 2004. He started his football journey with River FC during his initial years. His talent was recognised and soon he got recruited by the J-League side Kawasaki Frontale's academy. Takai honed his skills and became a significant central defender for the team. Takai made his senior debut in April 2022, when he featured in an 8-0 victory over Guangzhou and marked the start of his professional career on a high note. The 2022/23 season was special for Takai, as he made 21 appearances for Kawasaki Frontale. He scored his first senior goal in May 2024. Takai's contributions helped Kawasaki win the Japanese Super Cup in 2024 and he also earned the title of Japan's best young player that year. Kota Takai's rapid rise extended to the international stage. He earned his first senior cap for Japan in September 2024, when he replaced Borussia Monchengladbach's Ko Itakura. They won the World Cup qualifier by 7-0 against China. Since then, he has added three more caps, including a full 90-minute performance in a 6-0 victory over Indonesia and a brief appearance in a loss to Australia. Takai also represented Japan's Under-23 team at the 2024 AFC Asian Cup and played an important role in their 1-0 final win over Uzbekistan to clinch the title. He also played in the 2024 Olympic Games and powered Japan to reach the quarterfinals. Kota Takai is a modern center-back who stood out in the J1-League. He has started every match this season, scoring twice, and has also made nine appearances in the AFC Champions League. His performance against Al Nassr in April 2024, where Kawasaki Frontale defeated a star-studded side featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane 3-2 was appreciated worldwide. Takai's versatility and maturity have drawn comparisons to Tottenham's young stars like Lucas Bergvall and Destiny Udogie. Tottenham Hotspurs' focus is currently on investing in young talents. Takai's signing aligns with the club's vision. The club has already completed deals for Kevin Danso, whose loan move was made permanent, and Mathys Tel for £30 million this summer.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Indian football — India thrashes Mongolia 13-0 to open Women's Asian Cup qualifiers on a high
The Indian women's football team started its AFC Asian Cup qualifiers on a commanding note as it thrashed Mongolia in its first match in Thailand on Monday. Sangita Basfore opened the scoring in the eighth minute but it was Pyari Xaxa, who was the star of the show, finding the net five times in a completely one-sided affair at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium. It was the first win for the Blue Tigresses in over four months, with its last victory coming against Jordan in the Pink Ladies Cup, earlier this year. It has lost to Russia, South Korea and Uzbekistan, falling to its worst-ever ranking of 70 in the FIFA rankings. India had a forgettable stint in the last edition of the AFC Women's Asian Cup, where it had to withdraw from the tournament on home soil after a COVID-19 outbreak in the camp. RELATED: How many times has India qualified for AFC Women's Asian cup? Under head coach Crispin Chhetri, who won the women's premier division in the country with Odiisha FC, the Blue Tigresses are now looking to qualify for the 2026 edition of the tournament, set to be played in Australia. In the qualifiers, it is drawn with Mongolia (ranked 126th), Timor Leste (ranked 158th), Iraq (ranked 173rd) and host Thailand (ranked 46th). Only the group winner will qualify for the finals. India will play Timor Leste next, at the same stadium, six days later.
NDTV
20-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Bhaichung Bhutia Blasts Kalyan Chaubey For Turning AIFF Into 'Circus', Top Official Responds
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia on Friday made a scathing attack on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) leadership, calling the current administration under president Kalyan Chaubey a "circus" riddled with all-round mismanagement. Chaubey hit back through an official statement, dismissing the allegations as 'baseless' and accusing Bhutia of 'deliberately distorting the image of AIFF'. In a no-holds-barred press conference, Bhutia said Indian football has been experiencing one of the worst phases in recent history -- both in performance and credibility -- under the stewardship of Chaubey. 'The AIFF today is a circus. And when you put jokers in those positions, it's bound to become a circus,' Bhutia said, pointing to the federation's inability to resolve the I-League championship impasse between Inter Kashi and Churchill Brothers. The fate of the I-League title hinges on a Court of Arbitration for Sport's verdict on the appeal filed by Inter Kashi against a decision of the AIFF's Appeals Committee. 'They (AIFF) should have made a clear decision when the controversy erupted. Instead, they let the league continue in confusion. Clubs were treated unfairly. It's embarrassing for Indian football,' said Bhutia. Bhutia repeated his earlier criticism of Chaubey's decision to withdraw India's bid to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, leaving Saudi Arabia the sole candidate in the fray. "Why did we suddenly withdraw our 2027 AFC Asian Cup bid and agree to host the Santosh Trophy in Saudi Arabia instead? This has to be investigated by someone neutral,' said Bhutia, alleging "financial misuse" by the AIFF president. Chaubey has now expressed India's interest in bidding for the 2031 edition of the AFC Asian Cup. 'When we had the best chance, we gave it away. Now we're looking at 2031 where seven countries, including World Cup-qualified Uzbekistan, are interested. It makes no sense,' said the legendary striker. Dismissing Bhutia's allegations, Chaubey said, 'As a member of the (AIFF) Executive Committee, Mr. Bhutia has access to appropriate and empowered platforms to express his views. 'However, since his defeat in September 2022 (AIFF president's election), he has consistently and deliberately made baseless allegations and presented a distorted image of the AIFF. These actions tarnish the federation's reputation and Indian football internationally.' Chaubey invited Bhutia to the upcoming AIFF Executive Committee meeting on July 2, saying he can raise his concerns and suggestions there. 'He is most welcome to present any constructive proposals, which will be duly deliberated upon in the spirit of transparency, collaboration, and collective development of Indian football,' Chaubey said in an AIFF statement. PTI 'Not interested in contesting AIFF elections if there's govt interference' =========================================== Bhutia, who lost a lopsided election for the AIFF president against Chaubey in 2022, said he's not keen on contesting polls again if there is interference from the government. "If there is interference from the government and other various things, then I don't think I would want to get into fighting an election for the AIFF president. "But yes, if everybody feels that I can do a job, I am okay with it... If somebody is going to sincerely do good for Indian football, I am more than happy to support." On whether sports and politics can mix, he said: "Ideally, it's not bad. We've seen politicians like Mr (Priyaranjan) Das Munshi and Praful Patel do a decent job. But because of Kalyan, now all sportspersons are being tagged badly." Bhutia further criticised Manolo Marquez's earlier dual role (both FC Goa and India coach) and highlighted the lack of planning and clarity on the part of the AIFF. "We should have sat with Manolo Marquez and asked him to choose -- either FC Goa or India. Or wait for six months. There was no plan. No meeting of the technical committee. "I don't mind Indian coaches, but for grassroots and long-term development, we need experts from Portugal, Spain... Those who've worked in academy systems." He also took potshots at AIFF's handling of the negotiations with Indian Super League organisers FSDL regarding the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) which ends in December.
