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.
At a time when Indian football is seeking a radical overhaul, the Super Cup, starting in Goa from Saturday, could act as a catalyst for clubs to build their teams, prepare their players, get valuable match time, and keep their hopes of continental qualifications alive.
FC Goa players, including India captain Sandesh Jhingan, and support staff have accepted pay cut for the truncated ISL season starting on February 14.
Punjab FC ended their seven-game winless streak in the Indian Super League (ISL) with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Bengaluru FC.
Brison Fernandes bagged his second successive brace as visitors FC Goa notched a 4-2 victory over Odisha FC.
Mohun Bagan notched up their second consecutive victory with a 4-0 thrashing of a 10-man South China of Hong Kong in an away match of the AFC Cup football tournament in Hong Kong on Wednesday.
Bengaluru FC held Mumbai City FC to a goalless draw to continue their unbeaten run and hold on to the top spot in their Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 in Mumbai on Wednesday.
League winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant will fancy their chances of completing a double when they take on a formidable Bengaluru FC in the final of the ISL Cup in Kolkata on Saturday.
Williams, Bharti join camp, signalling new chapter for Indian football
Jamshedpur piled up the pressure as the first-half progressed but their final delivery into the box lacked clarity. Mario Arques struck a dangerous free-kick at Gurpreet Singh's goal but it sailed inches over the bar.
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.
Defensive mistakes cost Bengaluru dear and helped Mumbai's cause
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'
Venezuelan Miku (64th minute and 78th) and skipper Sunil Chhetri (95th) starred for Bengaluru at the Balewadi Sports Complex as the side registered their fourth win this season to cement their place the top of points table.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated Kerala Blasters 2-0 in the opening match of the Indian Super League season.
Talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri has been left out of the 35 probables named by newly-appointed Indian football team head coach Khalid Jamil for the upcoming CAFA Nations Cup in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Sprint legend Usain Bolt will trade his running spikes for football boots as he is set to visit India for a unique exhibition match in Mumbai on October 1.
And in a once-in-a-lifetime moment, the finalists got to race and dream in front of the eight-time Olympic champion himself.
All the results from the I-League and ISL matches played on Thursday
Vishal Kaith's twin saves in the tiebreaker helped defending champions Mohun Bagan make a splendid comeback from two goals down to edge star-studded Bengaluru FC 4-3 (2-2 after full-time) to reach the Durand Cup final for a record 30th time in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Born to former Santosh Trophy player Mohammed Sayeed, this transfer marks a significant milestone for the promising young talent from Makrana, Rajasthan.
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Sunday
Bengaluru FC on Tuesday claimed that its owner Parth Jindal suffered "burns and bruises" in a "cowardly attack" by a section of home fans on travelling supporters during Saturday's Indian Super League (ISL) Cup final against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in Kolkata.
Current situation risks rendering ongoing operations untenable: ISL clubs to AIFF
Sunil Chhetri's late equaliser for Bengaluru FC ended East Bengal FC's play-offs aspirations after a 1-1 draw in the Indian Super League match in Kolkata.
Kerala Blasters FC registered their first-ever away victory against Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League.
Bengaluru FC defeated Jamshedpur FC 3-0 in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Sunday, with Spaniard Alberto Noguera scoring a brace.
The move follows an online meeting held earlier this week, where captains discussed the growing uncertainty surrounding the paused ISL season.
Bengaluru FC's academy graduate Vinith Venkatesh scored the winner as the Blues picked up their first points of the ISL season with a 1-0 win over East Bengal.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant qualified for their third consecutive final of the Indian Super League after a 3-2 aggregate win against Jamshedpur FC.
Individuals will come and go but they cannot control a sport in the country, All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey said on Thursday as he also mentioned a court judgment.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Sunday
MBSG have added the ISL trophy to their League Winners' Shield they had won earlier in the season for a ISL double.
The club also said that an official complaint has been lodged with the appropriate authorities urging them to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
SC Bengaluru's maiden I-League season ended in heartbreak as they were relegated despite holding Sreenidi Deccan to a 2-2 draw at the Deccan Arena in Hyderabad.
Aizawl FC stunned I-League champions Bengaluru FC 2-1 in their maiden match of the Federation Cup football tournament at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, in Aizawl, on Saturday.
'I'm looking at it as a chance to play international football, to represent India, and to hopefully inspire other players with a similar background to me, to show them that they can come to India and do the same thing.'
10 ISL clubs slam AIFF for delay in tender process, allege "breach of trust"
Grappling with unprecedented uncertainty over the fate of the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season, the AIFF on Saturday moved in to "calm" fears among its referees, assuring them that their contracts will be renewed "as per established procedure."
The semi-finals will be played in a home and away format with the winners over the two legs playing the final on April 12 at the home of the higher-ranked team in the league table.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances