Defending champions India held their nerves to beat Lebanon in the penalty shootout and set up a title clash against Kuwait.
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.
India head coach Igor Stimac on Monday stated that his team has a great deal to learn from their Tuesday 2026 FIFA World Cup round 2 qualifying encounter against Asian champions Qatar.
'From passing the ball in the right passages to the defence to amazing guarding of the goals by Sandhu throughout the tournament it has been a top notch performance from the entire squad.'
India enter round of 16 in men's football
Captain Sunil Chhetri rose to the occasion with his 87th international goal as India won the Intercontinental Cup after beating Lebanon 2-0 in the final.
AIFF seeks investigation into Qatar's controversial goal against India
Qatar rode on a controversial goal to emerge 2-1 winners against India.
The Indian men's team currently occupies the 18th spot among countries under the Asian Football Confederation, while the women's side is ranked 11th.
Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri scored a hattrick as India handed Pakistan a 4-0 loss in their SAFF Championship match in Bengaluru.
'My wife and I are overjoyed to announce that we are expecting a baby. This is the way she wanted to announce.'
The national football team is currently ranked 18th in Asia and the sports ministry's rule states that in team sport, only those in top-eight will get the nod.
India head coach Igor Stimac feels this may be the final season of talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri's career.
India will face Pakistan in their opening outing at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Wednesday
Chhetri also added that India will rely more on teamwork than individual flair to give a tough fight to their rivals.
This will be the second time India will face Kuwait in the tournament. They had played out a 1-1 draw in an acrimonious Group A match last week.
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.
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.
Chhetri rested as Stimac names 23-member squad for King's Cup
All India Football Federation (AIFF) appealed to the Sports Ministry, leading to this favorable decision.
'Every game is important, every win is important, especially clean sheets, so I am very happy. But I can tell you that I was not at all happy at half time. We played well in the first 10 minutes, and then we disappeared.'
Indian football team's head coach Igor Stimac said his second-string men's team "ran out of gas" in the second half against China.
Bengaluru FC go down 0-4 against Mumbai City FC
Sunil Chhetri signed for Kansas City Wizards last month. He is the first Indian footballer to play in Major League Soccer.
The national federation, which was able to stitch together the team just three days before its departure for China, still thanked the Indian Super League clubs and the FSDL "for coordinating with it for the release of players".
'Sixteen years to the day I met you and I can't thank you enough for braving it, stealing your dad's (and my coach's) phone and sending me that text.'
India assistant coach Gawli slams refereeing
India have been largely impressive in the tournament, defeating Pakistan 4-0 and Nepal 2-0 to maintain a clean sheet so far.
Stimac is also grappling with injuries to few of his key players. Defensive midfielder Jeakson Singh, who underwent surgery on his left shoulder early last month, was named among the 50 probables but he is uncertain to be in the final 26.
Bengaluru FC will head into the second leg of the ISL semifinal with a narrow advantage after registering a 1-0 lead over Mumbai City FC in the first leg in Mumbai.
Following the win, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had announced a cash reward of Rs 1 crore for the team, from which Igor Stimac's wards have "collectively" decided to donate Rs 20 lakh.
Defenders Konsam Chinglensana Singh and Lalchungnunga did not accompany the Indian football team that left the country on Sunday for the Asian Games in China.
India were able to stitch a rag-tag final squad only on Friday and the team left for China on Sunday, leaving no time for the players to even have a training session together.
'Saare coaching sessions ka ek hi invoice bheju, ya aasan kishton mein chukaoge champ?'
Asian Cup rivals Australia, Uzbekistan notches above us but can test against them: Chhetri
India football team's coach Igor Stimac has lashed out at the referee for 'robbing' his side of victory in the semi-final of the King's Cup against Iraq.
Sachin Tendulkar, Sania, Mirza, Anil Kumble and Virat Kohli hailed Moon mission Chandrayaan-3's successful landing
From doing double training sessions and reading books, to watching renowned broadcaster and historian Sir David Attenborough's documentary 'A Life On Our Planet', the 36-year-old has been one busy man through the last three weeks of the team's quarantine in Goa.
A formidable Saudi Arabia didn't bring their 'A' game to the fore, but were strong enough to ward off a gutsy challenge from India winning their pre-quarterfinal match 2-0 in the men's football competition in Hangzhou on Thursday.
Indian football team captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was critical of the second penalty awarded to Iraq after his side's heartbreaking 4-5 defeat in shootout in the King's Cup semifinal in Chiang Main, Thailand.
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