Reader Abhilash Jaiswal sent us this photograph from New Delhi.
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.
Veteran striker Sunil Chhetri will be spearheading the Indian challenge and besides his longtime teammate Sandeep Jhingan, he will also be able to avail the services of Chinglensana Singh and Lalchungnunga.
Chhetri has played for India 142 times and has scored 92 goals, the most by an Indian. He is also currently the third most prolific scorer in international football among active players, behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Unveiling Sunil Chhetri's hidden side: From troublemaker to inspirational captain!
The budget constraints notwithstanding, the All India Football Federation is looking for a technical director whose profile is bigger than former national coach Bob Houghton, according to AIFF officials.
India football coach Bob Houghton denied the racial abuse charges leveled against him by the All India Football Federation, terming them 'baseless', in a written submission made before a three-member panel of the national federation.
All the 23 national footballers and support staff, who were in Doha for the Asian Cup, have sent a signed letter to AIFF president Praful Patel, saying Houghton did not use racially abusive language against Indian referee Dinesh Nair, and all the allegations against him are false.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has promoted Savio Medeira as the coach of Indian team, till the expiry of his contract in May 2012.
The influence of iconic cricketer Sachin Tendulkar transcends any sport in India and national football captain Bhaichung Bhutia says he draws inspiration from him to bring laurels for the country.
India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia threw his weight behind national coach Bob Houghton, saying the Briton did not make any racist comment against referee Dinesh Nair and his allegation was "false".
With national coach Bob Houghton reportedly disagreeing with the proposal of India playing friendlies against African sides, All India Football Federation's (AIFF) Emergency Committee could not finalise the schedule for the India's international matches that were due to be played in the next two.
As the Indian football team gears up to lock horns with German giants Bayern Munich in Bhaichung Bhutia's farewell match, Climax Lawrence feels former coach Bob Houghton has instilled enough confidence in the side to take on any opposition.
Unhappy with the performance of the Indian football team in the Asian Cup, the AIFF executive committee on Wednesday decided to sack national coach Bob Houghton, but has sought legal opinion keeping in mind an imminent contract tangle with the Briton.
India ended their Asian Cup campaign after losing all their three matches but coach Bob Houghton vowed the country will come back tronger in the next edition in 2015 having gained rich experience after playing in the continent's biggest stage for the first time in 27 years.
National football team coach Bob Houghton on Wednesday compared Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia with legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar for the influence they have on their respective team-mates "on and off the field".
Dempo have refused to release Joaquim Abranches after they were requested by the AIFF to send him for the national camp in Dubai less than 15 days prior to the Asian Cup 2011.
Despite Sunil Chhetri's none-too-impressive outing, national football team coach Bob Houghton backed the US-returned striker moments after India registered a convincing win over Namibia in an international friendly at the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has taken strong exception to the outbursts by Dempo's striker Joaquim Abranches and Viva Kerala's midfielder N P Pradeep against the national body.
A post by striker Sunil Chhetri on social networking site Twitter in support of national coach Bob Houghton in the ongoing racial abuse case has irked the All India Football Federation.
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.
Coach Bob Houghton feels defending champions India will be the team to beat in the Nehru Cup football tournament which gets underway in Delhi on August 19.
Injury will keep India's key players out of the match against Afghanistan in the AFC Challenge Cup in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
National coach Bob Houghton has quit following a tiff with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) over the extension of his contract, according to sources.
India's English football coach Bob Houghton says state associations will have to be brought into the fold if India wants to finally achieve the aim of playing in the 2018 World Cup.
Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia remains a doubtful starter ahead of their Friday's match against Bahrain in the Asian Cup football tournament as he has still not recovered completely from his calf muscle injury, coach Bob Houghton said.
Team manager Pradeep Chowdhury's out-of-the-blue decision to part ways with the Indian football squad has not gone down well with national players, who are preparing in Dubai for the Asian Cup, scheduled to be held in Doha from January 7.
National football coach Bob Houghton on Thursday virtually ruled out any IPL-style football event in India, saying such a concept is not possible because of the exorbitant money involved in buying an international player.
His contract runs till 2013 after a recent renewal but India football coach Bob Houghton has hinted that he may quit if his side does not produce a good show at the 2011 Asian Cup.
The touring Indian football team went down 0-1 to Portuguese second division side Clube Desportivo de Mafra in their second practice match of the week at the Mafra ground in Lisbon on Thursday. Mafra striker Bonifacio scored the only goal of the match in the 52nd minute to hand India only their second defeat in the two-month training-cum-competition tour of Portugal.
Opposition from national football coach Bob Houghton and captain Bhaichung Bhutia has led to a rethink by the All India Football Federation on the five-foreigner quota in the I-League. The AIFF has also sought views of state associations on the issue.
The controversy surrounding India football coach Bob Houghton's resignation is finally over with the Briton himself announcing on Wednesday that he has struck a deal with the AIFF to continue till 2013.
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.
India football captain Baichung Bhutia believes the Englishman is the best coach the team has had for a long time and he should be given a second tenure. Houghton's three-year contract expires in May 2009 but Baichung wants the widely respected former Fulham midfielder to be given another tenure as his continuation will only "help Indian football."
India's probable football team for next season has many players returning from injury.
National coach Bob Houghton on Wednesday said time has come for India to start building world class football stadium and then bid for 2022 World Cup if the country wants to lift the profile of the game, just like United States did after 1994.
Indian football coach Bob Houghton said the country had to do away with outdated tournaments and focus on development of the game.
India's leading league clubs have ignored a plea from national coach Bob Houghton to rest players from some matches to keep them fresh for internationals.
As per the blueprint submitted to the All India Football Federation, India's football team coach wants tournaments like the century-old Durand Cup to be played during the pre-season between July and August, so that teams can use it as a preparatory ground ahead of the I-League's September start.
India coach Bob Houghton has advised striker Sunil Chhetri to first play in continental Europe and then think of plying his trade in England.
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