Relegated in their debut season, Aizawl FC were readmitted to make up the numbers when Goan clubs fell out with the All India Football Federation over the I-League and Indian Super League merger issue. They made the opportunity count by winning the I-League in only their second season to script a rare and incredible story in present-day Indian football.
National football coach Stephen Constantine said his 'target' was to breach the 100 mark by the time his two-year contract expires.
Kushal Das feels their model could be used as a case study for institutions and international sports federations which have seen their bio-bubble being breached
The country of 1.3 billion is finally waking up to the most popular sport on the planet. Kushal Das, secretary general of the All India Football Federation, has said the country is aiming to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
All India Football Federation General Secretary Alberto Colaco has been elected new general secretary of South Asian Football Federation for a four-year term.
Century-old club Mohun Bagan was on Saturday slapped with a two-year suspension by the All India Football Federation for abandoning their violence-marred I-League match against East Bengal on December 9.
Maidaan draws out more yawns than yays, observes Sukanya Verma.
The AIFF thanked Qatar Football Association (QFA) for allowing the team to arrive much before the matches and have a preparatory camp in Doha. QFA also used its good offices to allow the Indians start training without serving 10-day hard quarantine.
National football team coach Wim Koevermans has announced his squad of 21 players for India's two international friendlies which are scheduled to be held this month.
Renedy appealed to everyone to come forward and ensure that the northeastern state does not face the same trouble as the country's metro cities witnessed.
Minerva Punjab did not turn up for the first match of the qualification round, prompting the national federation to describe it as a 'crazy' and 'unacceptable' move.
The All India Football Federation on Sunday suspended Mahesh Gawli and Sameer Naik for missing a national camp on a direction from their I-League club Dempo. Their fate will be decided by a disciplinary committee before the start of the Federation Cup next month.
India began the year on 97 in FIFA rankings, but after two wins, four draws and seven losses, the country ended 2019 at 108
In a letter signed by Swapan Sadhan Bose, managing director of Mohun Bagan, the I-League clubs have urged the prime minister to "intervene and save the sport".
Laxmi Negi/Rediff.com caught up with the two footballers to find out more about their time in the country.
A narrow 1-0 win was not enough for a desperate Mumbai City FC who were knocked out by FC Goa 5-2 on aggregate in the Hero Indian Super League semi-final at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Margao, on Tuesday.
As part of the 'Win in India with India' programme launched by FIFA President Sepp Blatter in 2007, the football's world governing body has sanctioned 10 international standard artificial turf fields to the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Following the Under-17 World Cup in 2017, India would bid for both the 2018 Club World Cup and the 2020 Under-20 football World Cup.
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.
Football was not very close to Sunil Chhetri's heart during his days as a bubbly teenager with proclivity for pranks. He was only looking to use the sport as a vehicle to gain entry to a reputed college and continue his education.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
The Indian football team will play against China for the first time in 21 years, and the first time away from home, in an international friendly in October, continuing its preparation for the prestigious Asian Cup next year.
Salgaocar's Karim Bencherifa was, on Friday, offered a year's contract to become coach of the Indian football team but is unlikely to take up the job. His club made it clear that it will not release him for the national assignment.
It did not announce a fresh date, but said Fransa will play Sporting Clube and Salgaocar on March 5 and 8 respectively.
Indian football head coach Igor Stimac hailed Sunil Chhetri, saying the talismanic captain was one of those who "glorified" Indian football with his dedication in the 15 years of his illustrious career. The 35-year-old Chhetri on Friday became only the second Indian after legendary Bhaichung Bhutia to complete 15 years in Indian jersey.
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.
Former captain and current advisor to All India Football Federation, Bhaichung Bhutia has admitted that the eight-year old I-League has been a failure and feels that the 'successful' Indian Super League should be given a few more seasons before a possible merger of the two.
Last year, the Indian Super League began on October 20 while the I-League started on November 30.
The tests would be conducted under supervision of the AIFF's medical cell and urine samples would be sent to a Malaysian laboratory.
Here are some of the controversies, which cast a shadow on Indian sport as the athletes prepared for the Asian Games.
The AFC Challenge Cup, Asia's second biggest football tournament, may return to India after a gap of six years as the country is set to bid for the 2014 edition.
His agent Simon Bayliss said the 22-year-old striker is not interested in playing for India and is all set to pursue his career in England.
Besides vice president N A Harris, treasurer Ajay Kipa, all other newly elected executive committee members, and the six eminent footballers co-opted in the committee, except Bhutia, were present in the meeting.
Air India want the match to be rescheduled as they have granted leave to some of their players.
The Manchester United Premier Cup - India Final 2008, for under-15 footballers, which will be conducted across India from November 28 to January 20, 2008.
New AIFF boss focuses on grassroots and youth development than hosting big events.
This is not the first time Reliance has eyed a stake in the club.
Described as a "nonsensical" tournament by national coach Bob Houghton, Santosh Trophy will not feature any member of the Indian senior football team this year.
Hockey coach Ramesh Parameswaran applies for Dronacharya Award
The All India Football Federation named Mahindra United's Shanmugam Venkatesh as the player of the year.
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