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.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
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.
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.
Here are some of the controversies, which cast a shadow on Indian sport as the athletes prepared for the Asian Games.
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.
At 39, he is, understandably, a different footballer but the hunger for goals remains.
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.
The Mission Olympic Cell is also considering higher incentives for retired Olympians and world-class players who want to take up coaching, in an effort to retain top talent within India.
It did not announce a fresh date, but said Fransa will play Sporting Clube and Salgaocar on March 5 and 8 respectively.
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.
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.
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.
Last year, the Indian Super League began on October 20 while the I-League started on November 30.
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.
The tests would be conducted under supervision of the AIFF's medical cell and urine samples would be sent to a Malaysian laboratory.
'The ban and the timing of lifting it is unfair to Gokulam Kerala because we had been preparing for the tournament for about two months.'
The executive committee approved a few suggestions that were earlier forwarded to it by the competitions committee, the first of which was concerning the senior men's national football championship for Santosh Trophy.
Either Jeddah or Riyadh will host Santosh knockouts for 3 years, says AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey
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.
Hockey coach Ramesh Parameswaran applies for Dronacharya Award
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.
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.
Air India want the match to be rescheduled as they have granted leave to some of their players.
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.
The All India Football Federation named Mahindra United's Shanmugam Venkatesh as the player of the year.
The organisers of the much-anticipated Indian Premier League-style football league decided to defer the proposed tournament to September-November next year instead of early 2014.
Uncertainty over the inaugural edition of India's Premier League Soccer (PLS) increased on Saturday when organisers disputed a claim from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) that the competition had been cancelled.
This will be the first time since the 1994 Hiroshima edition that an Indian team will not take part in the football competition of the Asian Games.
Indian Olympic Association president Narinder Batra defended football's exclusion from the Asian Games contingent and justified the decision of including lesser known sports like pencak silat, saying they are potential medal winners and there is no place for "also rans" in the squad.
Veteran India goalkeeper Subrata Paul on Wednesday earned a massive reprieve after the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) revoked his provisional suspension, letting him off with a warning with regards to violation of anti-doping rule earlier this year.
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia on Monday said the lack of top-class infrastructure still remains an impediment to the development of football in the country, while AIFF president Praful Patel lamented the absence of enough money in sports other than cricket. Considered the torchbearer of Indian football during his playing days, Bhutia felt while avenues have opened up now lot can still be done in the area of infrastructure.
'Overall, it's based on two things. First, it's identifying talent. And then the quality of the educational programme and the coaching is absolutely vital. The AIFF has to take charge of the education with us and we need good cooperation.'
The AIFF ruled that the disputed match between Air India and Fransa would not be replayed as it was the latter who did not turn up.
India's footballers and cricketers -- both current and former -- reacted with shock after Goswami's demise. The versatile veteran, a former India football captain as well as a first-class cricketer, was 82.
Indian football team suffered yet another blow before their Asian Cup opening match against Australia on Monday as striker Sushil Singh will not be available for two matches because of a pending ban on him.
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.
A Malaysian betting syndicate approached Indian clubs to fix I-League matches last season, a top official said on Tuesday, prompting the country's football federation to take the first step towards setting up an anti-corruption unit.
All India Football Federation president, Praful Patel on Tuesday dismissed reports that national coach Bob Houghton has put in his papers after being shoddily treated by the AIFF.
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