The match simmered, waiting for a spark, until Al Zawraa found it on the cusp of half-time. Hassan Abdulkareem's clever ball found Kadhim Raad, who cut back for Reziq Banihani. A messy deflection, a ricochet off Nim Dorjee Tamang, and the ball nestled cruelly into Goa's net.
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.
Indian men's football team drops six places to 133rd in FIFA rankings, worst in nine years
Newly appointed India head coach Khalid Jamil on Sunday cleared the air about the leaving out of talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri from the CAFA Nations Cup national camp, saying it was just a preparatory tournament for the crucial Asian Cup qualifying round matches in October.
The camp is aimed at helping the Blue Tigers prepare for their two 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers final round in Group C, where they will play two back-to-back matches against Singapore on October 9 at the National Stadium and on October 14 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa.
Kalyan Chaubey alluded to lack of goals from the Indian strikers, which he said could be one of the reasons for the poor show by the team under Manolo Marquez.
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.
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.
AIFF to name head coach on Aug 1; Jamil front-runner but Constantine not ruled out
The technical committee of the AIFF, headed by former captain IM Vijayan, will meet on Wednesday to shortlist the candidates for the appointment of the head coach of the senior men's national team after the federation received 170 applications for the vacant post.
'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.'
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.
Jamil will succeed Spaniard Manolo Marquez, who parted ways with the AIFF last month following India's recent struggles.
Bhutia and Chaubey have shared a history of verbal spats, with the former frequently questioning Chaubey's leadership, even calling the AIFF a "circus"
'You're paying Rs 42 lakh for one game. Why not link it to qualification? It just shows how clueless the management is.'
The AIFF said Jamil has signed the contract after parting ways with ISL team Jamshedpur FC.
Jamil's first assignment in his new role will be the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup, to be held in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan starting August 29.
A 19-year-old student from Vellore Institute of Technology said he sent the prank mail posing as Spain and Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez, applying for the head coach position of the Indian football team.
'They know that when they go inside (the pitch), they have a job to do. So, there is no excuse.'
CAFA Nations Cup: Gurpreet, defenders earn India win over Tajikistan
Former MotoGP rider Capirossi pleased with BIC ahead of inaugural race
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.
India head coach Manolo Marquez expressed his disappointment and anger following the 0-0 draw against Bangladesh in the AFC Asian Cup qualifying round match, stating that his team has taken- two or three steps back, since his first match in charge last year.
Xavi Hernandez and Pep Guardiola's applications were not genuine: AIFF
India go down 0-1 to Hong Kong in crucial 2027 Asian Cup Qualifier match
Marquez also confirmed Chhetri's involvement in the friendly match that will mark his 152nd cap for India.
Xavi, it is learnt, "sent an email from his own account" to apply for the post.
Three shortlisted for Indian football team's coach role; Constantine, Jamil in the mix
First win for India since Nov 2023 and first under coach Manolo Marquez.
The match against India on Tuesday, will be his first outing in a Bangladesh jersey.
Sunil Chhetri's return from international retirement at 40 highlights the lack of quality strikers in Indian football.
Spanish-language writer Gabriel Garca Marquez was born on March 06, 1927.
Frenchman Quartararo's victory was also the first for Petronas Yamaha as he finished ahead of Yamaha's Maverick Vinales in second, while Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso finished third.
India, who made it to two successive Asian Cups for the first time in 2023, are aiming to extend the streak. Hong Kong also qualified for the previous tournament, but with only one available berth, either side is bound to miss out.
Six-times MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez can celebrate his first win of the season on Sunday when the Spaniard takes part in a virtual race from the comfort of his home. The season is not due to start until mid-May at the earliest.
FC Goa has won the Super Cup title for the second time, defeating Jamshedpur FC 3-0 in the final. Borja Herrera scored a brace, while Dejan Drazic added another goal for the Goan club, who also secured a spot in the preliminary round of the AFC Champions League.
Kalinga Super Cup: FC Goa to face Jamshedpur FC in final
Four times MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez drove a Formula One car for the first time at the Red Bull Ring in Austria on Tuesday but said his focus remains firmly on two wheels for the next few years at least.
Marc Marquez retained his MotoGP title with a fighting second place finish in the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, the dominant Spaniard securing a fourth global title in five years at his Honda team's home Motegi circuit.
Mexico captain Rafael Marquez, who has been strongly linked in the media with a move to New York Red Bulls, has reached a deal with La Liga champions Barcelona that releases him from his contract.
