Though the 41-year-old scored against Maldives in an international friendly, the country's all-time highest goal-scorer failed to find the back of the net in subsequent competitive fixtures for the Blue Tigers.
'But sometimes the team doesn't know how to draw. And today, if you couldn't win the game before the minute 90-91, at least try to be in a position to avoid the defeat. But I feel that India is still in the fight.'
India began their AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers campaign with a 2-0 victory against Bahrain in a Group H encounter at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Wednesday.
'Yes, this is an away game against a good team, but we have to prepare accordingly and think only of one thing -- a positive result.'
Sunil Chhetri and his two Bengaluru FC team-mates -- Rahul Bheke and Roshan Singh Naorem -- on Monday joined the national men's football team's preparatory camp in Bengaluru
Indian men's team head coach Khalid Jamil on Thursday urged the clubs and the All India Football Federation to find a solution that 'balances club and national commitments'
East Bengal's hopes of becoming the first Indian football club to enter the AFC Cup final were dashed after they were beaten 3-0 by a far superior Kuwait Sports Club in the second leg semi-final, in Kolkata, on Tuesday.
Williams, Bharti join camp, signalling new chapter for Indian football
Pressure will be on India against Singapore, but Jhingan available for matches: Jamil
The camp began in Bengaluru on Thursday.
It was a mere formality for the general assembly of 74 members to put a seal of approval on India's bid after Ahmedabad was recommended as the proposed host of the centenary edition by the Commonwealth Sport's Executive Board last month. India last hosted the CWG in 2010 in Delhi.
'I prefer not to speak before the Hong Kong tie,' Marquez told Hindustan Times in a WhatsApp message on Monday.
India and Bangladesh played out a goalless draw in their 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round match in Shillong on Tuesday.
Qatar's Akram Afif has been named the Asian Football Confederation's Player of the Year for a second time with Kiko Seike from Japan securing the women's title at the regional body's annual awards ceremony in Seoul on Tuesday.
This hard-fought win also brings relief to Mohun Bagan manager Jose Molina, who had faced 'Go Back' chants at this very venue on Wednesday during their draw in the AFC Cup.
'The AIFF has agreed that: It will conduct an open, competitive and transparent tender (or equivalent process) for selection of a commercial partner to conduct the ISL in line with global best practices.'
India captain Sunil Chhetri led Bengaluru FC to a historic AFC Cup final by scripting an inspiring 3-1 win over defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim with his stunning double strike in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Bengaluru made it to the final by virtue of superior aggregate goal difference of 4-2. The first leg in Malaysia ended in a 1-1 draw. It is a historic day for Indian football as no club from the country has ever made it to the summit clash of the prestigious second-tier continental tournament.
Tuesday's match holds importance for India as any slip-up could be disastrous in their bid to make it to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
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.
India's 2030 Commonwealth Games bid is set to be formally approved on Wednesday at the Commonwealth Sport's general assembly in Glasgow.
The senior India squad began its preparatory camp in Bengaluru on August 15 ahead of next month's CAFA Nations Cup, but 13 players, including seven from Mohun Bagan, have skipped the camp.
New AIFF boss focuses on grassroots and youth development than hosting big events.
The AIFF said in a statement that Jhingan "is under expert medical care in Goa, and his recovery and rehabilitation are being closely monitored"
The cash-rich Indian Super League has been finally granted official recognition by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), meaning there will be two national leagues in the country from 2017-18.
Each team will play six matches, and the one with the most points will be crowned champion.
India lose 0-2 to Thailand in friendly match; reality check ahead of Asian Cup qualifier game
Bhutia calls for systemic overhaul, urges India to follow Asian football models
Mohammad Rafi and Steven Dias scored the Mumbai outfit beat Maldivian club New Radiant 2-0 in an away match on Tuesday.
No headway in meeting between AIFF and FSDL
Bereft of ideas, a lacklustre Indian football team's woes were compounded by its defensive lapses, resulting in a 0-3 drubbing by a dominant Uzbekistan in the AFC Asian Cup in Doha on Thursday.
Australia is weighing up a bid to host the 2023 Asian Cup following China's decision to step away as original hosts
AIFF to name head coach on Aug 1; Jamil front-runner but Constantine not ruled out
India crowned champions despite loss to Bangladesh in SAFF U-17 Women C'ships
'Khalid will have to begin with consistency and with new players and good strikers from U-23 because he has to build for the future.'
It will take FC Goa nothing short of a miracle to pull off a win against the Omanis, and a victory will be a the perfect Independence Day present for Indian football fans.
With Fatorda buzzing and continental football back where it belongs, the Gaurs will hope to make a statement and prove they belong among Asia's elite.
Khalid Jamil's rise can't exactly be termed as meteoric but the last eight years has been nothing less than extraordinary for the 48-year-old, who on Friday took over reins of the national men's football team.
Fourteen players, including Bengaluru FC captain Sunil Chhetri, are not immediately joining the preparatory camp for next month's Asian Cup qualifying round matches against Singapore as three clubs have delayed the release of their players, which will be a cause of concern for head coach Khalid Jamil.
The squad announcement also marks the return of East Bengal's dependable central defender Anwar Ali, who had been sidelined since February due to a hamstring injury. He last featured in competitive action against Bengaluru FC in the ISL.
With just two points from three games and placed third place in the group, India have no room for error as only the top team can advance.
