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.
IMAGES from the UEFA Champions League matches played on Wednesday.
The goal machines of Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk cranked into top gear on Tuesday as the Champions League captivated its continental audience with a record 40 goals in one eight-game night.
Messi and Iniesta shared the Barca dressing between 2005 and 2018, together winning nine La Liga titles, four Champions League crowns and won two trebles in 2009 and 2015.
The early strike set the tone for the remainder of the half as the Indian side dictated the tempo. Bam Khatoon's Sara Didar and Fatemeh Geraeli made some long-range efforts with no luck.
The Asian Football Confederation recommended the AIFF to "open a pathway" for two I-League clubs' entry into ISL by the end of 2020-21 season.
Houssem Aouar scored a last-minute goal to help Al-Ittihad complete a comeback and secure a 3-2 win over Al-Nassr on Wednesday, taking them a step closer to clinching the Saudi Pro League title.
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.
India crowned champions despite loss to Bangladesh in SAFF U-17 Women C'ships
The win saw Manolo Marquez's team become the first side to defend the Super Cup title and win it for a record-extending third time.
The All India Football Federation on Thursday said the I-League clubs have agreed to the concurrent running of two leagues this season, a development which will set to rest the uncertainty prevalent in the domestic circuit at least for this year.
..reject the idea to give ACL slot to ISL; while Bhutia urges to Indian football stakeholders: Drop your egos, work together
Manisha Kalyan is the only Indian footballer to have played in the UEFA Champions League for women.
The official 26-man squads for FIFA World Cup 2026.
The ISL champions would also be entitled to a play-off place in the AFC Champions League and the I-League champions would take a place in the AFC Cup.
Indian football remained in a state of terminal decline after experiencing arguably its darkest phase in a year marked by severe administrative crisis, court hearings, financial issues, absence of domestic leagues, and a steep decline in performance of the senior men's team.
Cristiano Ronaldo apologised after Al-Nassr's game with Al-Wehda was delayed due to traffic before the forward scored and won a penalty in a 2-0 victory in the Saudi Pro League on Tuesday.
Bengaluru FC will begin their I-League title defence against Shillong Lajong at home at Kanteerava Stadium in the inaugural game of the new season on January 7.
East Bengal, playing with 10 men for most of the match, conceded two late goals to FC Arkadag and lost 1-2 in the second leg of the AFC Challenge League quarterfinals.
Mumbai City FC to make AFC Champions League debut in Riyadh
I-League champions Bengaluru FC will play against Jordanian club Al Wehdat SC in their AFC Champions League Preliminary Stage 2 fixture in an away tie on January 31.
Midfielder Phil Foden delivered in dramatic fashion, scoring in the first and 91st minutes, to seal Manchester City's 3-2 victory over Leeds United.
The AIFF said Jamil has signed the contract after parting ways with ISL team Jamshedpur FC.
Kashima claimed their first continental title with a gutsy scoreless draw against Persepolis at the imposing Azadi Stadium
Mohun Bagan Super Giant created history by becoming the first team in the Indian Super League (ISL) to successfully defend their title. With a 1-0 victory over Odisha FC, they secured the ISL Shield and a spot in the AFC Champions League 2. The win in their 22nd league game brought their total points to 52, ensuring their victory with two matches remaining.
Each team will play six matches, and the one with the most points will be crowned champion.
Williams, Bharti join camp, signalling new chapter for Indian football
They weren't up for a windfall even after the trophy but life was certain to get a lot better as some sponsors and state governments stepped up to lift them financially.
Manchester City gave Kevin De Bruyne a victory in his final appearance at Etihad Stadium, as Omar Marmoush scored a stunner in a 3-1 Premier League win over Bournemouth on Tuesday that saw them climb to third in the table.
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."
AIFF proposes Super Cup from second or third week of September, doubts remain over ISL
Al-Ittihad's Asian Champions League match with Iran's Sepahan was called off on Monday after the Saudi team refused to leave their dressing-room due to a statue of an assassinated Iranian general being placed at the entrance to the pitch.
Erling Haaland took his league tally this season to 11 in eight games with both goals in City's 2-0 home win over Everton -- a result that temporarily put City above Arsenal on goals scored.
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.
Liverpool talisman Mo Salah and substitute Federico Chiesa struck late goals as the Premier League champions began the defence of their title by beating Bournemouth 4-2 in a thriller on the opening night of the season at Anfield on Friday.
India get three slots for AFC competitions in 2023-24 season.
The central midfielder became a vital cog in Juan Ferrando's side in the second half of the last ISL season following a deadline-day switch from ATK Mohun Bagan in the January transfer window.
Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal need to put their complaints aside and do some 'soul-searching' on why they have failed to attract the kind of investors needed to play in the more glamorous Indian Super League, AIFF General secretary Kushal Das said on Tuesday.
In a stunning development in Indian football, two-time champions Churchill Brothers were thrown out of the I-League along with three other teams for failing to fulfil the AIFF's club licensing criteria.
Minerva Punjab FC will take on Indian Super League side Jamshedpur FC on April 2 in the inaugural Super Cup football tournament which begins in Bhubaneswar on March 31.
