Reigning world champions Argentina continue to top the chart followed by 2022 World Cup runners-up France, England, Belgium and Brazil.
Stimac, a vastly experienced coach and 1998 World Cup bronze medallist for Croatia, interfered when Pakistan player Abdullah Iqbal was ready to make a throw-in. He tried to pull back the ball from the player, sparking wild reactions from some Pakistani players as well as some coaching staff.
India thrashed the Maldives 5-0 in their last group league match to enter the semi-finals in the Under-16 SAFF Championship, at the Dashrath stadium, in Kathamandu, Nepal, on Friday. The victory enabled the Indian colts finish second in Group A.
India overcame stubborn resistance to beat a spirited Maldives 3-2 and enter the final of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championships for a record 10th time after the in-form Jeje Lalpekhlua struck twice in a thrilling semi-final, in Thiruvananthapuram, on Thursday.
Two delectable strikes from magical Manvir Singh and an opportunistic header from substitute Sumeet Passi helped defending champions India breeze past Pakistan 3-1 to romp into the final of the SAFF Suzuki Cup.
Having already booked their place in the semifinals, a relaxed Indian women's team simply toyed with an out of sorts Bhutan, thrashing them 11-0 in their last group engagement of the SAFF Championship on Colombo on Tuesday.
The decks have been cleared for Pakistan football team for its participation in the SAFF Football Championship after receiving visas travel to India on Monday.
Defending champions India fought back from a goal down to defeat Nepal 3-1 and retain the Women's SAFF Football Championship in Colombo on Sunday.
Defending champions India lost 0-1 to Maldived in the final of the SAFF championships.
India scored four goals in the last 20 minutes, as a controversial penalty triggered a 4-0 rout of Afghanistan in an ill-tempered final of the SAFF Championship in New Delhi on Sunday. The victory enabled India win the title for the sixth time.
An inconsistent India lacked the cutting edge as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a spirited Afghanistan in their opening match of the SAFF Football Championship in New Delhi on Saturday.
Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma on Thursday said Indian Super League (ISL) has helped the national football team take giant strides at the world stage.
Following a virtual meeting on June 16th, 2024, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced a change in leadership for the Senior Men's National Team.
Priyanka Sujeesh orchestrated the attacks from the middle of the park, while Amisha Baxla looked lively from the right flank.
Federation Cup revived by the AIFF in an executive committee meeting on Monday.
Cristiano Ronaldo faced a flurry of criticism after appearing to make an obscene gesture following the end of Al Nassr's 3-2 win over Al Shabab in an exciting Saudi Pro League game on Sunday.
India face tough Iraq test sans Chhetri
India avenged their last edition title loss as they prevailed over Maldives 3-1 via penalty shootout in the SAFF Championships summit clash to claim their fifth crown in Dhaka, on Sunday. After the match failed to produce any goal in the regulation and extra times, the match was decided in the penalty shootout.
Just prior to half-time the ball rolled outside the pitch and Pakistan defender Abdullah Iqbal was going to take the throw. But Stimac was seen walking up to him and knocking the ball out of his hand.
India have been clubbed in Group A along with Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan for the 11-day tournament in Dhaka.
The opening match of the SAFF Championship tournament between Pakistan and Bangladesh ended in a drab, goalless draw, in Delhi, on Friday. The Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, hosting a football match after a gap of 20 years, wore a deserted look as the two South Asian nations failed to liven up proceedings.
With Chhetri and Stimac at helm, AIFF hoping for strong show in Asian Games
Drawn in Group A alongside Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bhutan, five-time winners and holders India will kick off their campaign in the SAFF Cup with a match against Afghanistan on December 3.
India's brilliant 4-0 rout of Pakistan in the SAFF Championship had a slight jarring note to it as head coach Igor Stimac had to vacate the dugout.
Star striker Sunil Chhetri struck twice as holders India defeated Maldives 3-1 in an entertaining semifinal to book a berth in the summit clash of the SAFF Football Championship in New Delhi.
India have been largely impressive in the tournament, defeating Pakistan 4-0 and Nepal 2-0 to maintain a clean sheet so far.
Goals from N P Pradeep, Baichung Bhutia, Sunil Chetri and Sushil Kumar Singh gave India a 4-0 victory in the SAFF Championship opener at Maldives National Stadium in Male on Tuesday.
Stimac had said he would need at least a four-week camp to do well in the Asian Cup while the All India Football Federation (AIFF) top brass had indicated that his demand would be difficult to meet as the clubs may not agree to release their players for such a long period in the midst of the domestic season.
Parameshwori Devi scored a brace as defending Champions India routed hosts Sri Lanka 5-0 to brighten their semi-final chances in the Women's SAFF Championship, in Colombo on Sunday.
Four-time champions India will take on Afghanistan in their opening match of the SAFF Championships in Dhaka on December 5.
India played their best match of the tournament as they beat Bangladesh by a solitary goal in the semi-final to set up a title clash against holders Maldives in the SAFF Championships in Dhaka.
India's under-16 football team stumbled at the final hurdle, losing to Pakistan 1-2, in the SAFF Under-16 Championship in Kathmandu, on Wednesday.
India lost to Pakistan by a solitary goal in the opening match of the first-ever SAFF Under-16 football championship, at the Dharsath stadium, in Kathmandu, on Monday. Mansoor Khan scored the all-important goal in the 20th minute.
India failed to capitalised on the many chances that came their way and lost to Afghanistan 0-2 in the final of the 2013 SAFF Championship at the Dasrath stadium in Kathmandu on Wednesday.
India defeated Afghanistan 4-3 on penalities to enter the final of the SAFF U-16 Championship football to set up a clash against hosts Nepal, in Kathmandu on Sunday.
Jeje Lalpekhlua (72nd minute) and Sunil Chhettri (101th) scored for India after Zubayr Amiri had given Afghanistan the lead in the 69th minute at the Greenfield Stadium.
Chhetri's record against the neighbours is quite impressive, scoring four goals in eight matches including a spectacular strike from a free kick in Kolkata in 2022.
Sasmita Mallick found the net four times as India mauled Afghanistan 11-0 to storm into the Women's South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship in Colombo on Friday.
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