Described as "a wise decision" by the sport's national federation, Sunil Chhetri's return from international retirement at 40 is certainly an acknowledgement of his greatness in Indian football but more strikingly, it lays bare the paucity of quality strikers in a country of over 1.4 billion. No amount of praise is too high for the man who has served the national team with distinction for nearly two decades, eventually ending his glorious career as India's highest-ever goal scorer with 94 strikes to his name. When he called time on his international career in May last year, Chhetri was the world's third leading scorer among active players, behind Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentine icon Lionel Messi. But his long list of achievements in the sport is one thing, and his coming out of retirement within a year is another. The surprise comeback raises a fair number of questions on whether Indian football can ever graduate from being a "Sleeping Giant", as once described by FIFA. "It's a good decision form the team's point of view. You are asking me that you are calling back a 40-year-old to play for national team, but there have been similar instances in the past. "We have been trying so hard to find good strikers, but unfortunately, we have not succeeded so far. Most of the top strikers in the ISL are foreigners, so that is how it is," conceded the legendary I M Vijayan in a conversation with PTI, trying to strike a balance between finding the positives and being mindful of reality. According to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Chhetri was coaxed out of retirement by national team head coach Manolo Marquez, who urged him to join his old teammates for the crucial final round of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. People in the top rung of the AIFF are convinced that the right move has been made by head coach, who is also doing duty as FC Goa's gaffer in the ongoing Indian Super League. Since his retirement, he had continued playing for Bengaluru FC in the ISL. He has so far scored 12 goals from 23 matches this season to become its highest Indian goal-scorer, and it is this performance graph that has driven Márquez to get in touch with Chhetri. His form in the ISL, in which he has also made two assists besides finding the back of the net a dozen times, has also impressed AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey. "Sunil's leadership qualities are unmatched. A player of his stature can motivate the entire team. His form too has been impeccable in the ISL, scoring 12 goals, and India can greatly benefit with a striker like him," Chaubey said. Like Chaubey, AIFF secretary general Anilkumar P too preferred to look at the positive side of the move, and so did the legendary Vijayan. "It's a wise decision on part of the head coach to include Sunil Chhetri based on the technical data we received from our experts," Anilkumar told PTI. "In the ongoing Indian Super League, Chhetri is performing consistently. His inclusion will definitely strengthen the Indian national team. "We have some important matches coming up soon. We are fully aligned with the coach's decision and hopefully Chhetri can contribute much more to the national team so that we can move to the next level of the Asian Cup 2027," Anilkumar added. Chhetri, who made his international debut in 2005 and left the scene as India's most-capped player, has been included in Marquez's list of 26 players for the March FIFA international window. Vijayan, currently the head of the AIFF's technical committee, sounded excited when asked to share his views on Chhetri's return. "You look at Roger Milla, who came out of retirement (at 38) to help Cameroon qualify for the quarterfinals of 1990 World Cup. Age is not a factor, what matters is fitness, and Sunil remains extremely fit and he is also playing very well," he said. Chhetri's retirement had made headlines with FIFA, world football's global governing body, leading the outpouring of tributes for the Indian talisman. FIFA had earlier in 2022 released a documentary on the long-serving Indian captain. Titled 'Captain Fantastic', it had three parts ¿ kick off, mid-game and extra time. Marquez, who took over the reins after Chhetri's retirement, has not any luck with his strikers as they have not really delivered. In his first assignment in the Inter-Continental Cup, India were held to a goalless draw by Maldives and suffered a 0-3 defeat to Syria. In the friendly internationals against Vietnam and Malaysia, India managed two 1-1 stalemates. Going ahead, the Blue Tigers will play a friendly match against Maldives on March 19 in preparation for the opening match of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round against Bangladesh on March 25. India have been placed in a qualifying group alongside Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Singapore for the Asian Cup. In the tournament's previous edition, India had a disappointing run, failing to progress past the group stage after losing all their matches. (With agency inputs)
07 March,2025 03:42 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentBayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer has been ruled out "for the foreseeable future" after tearing a muscle in his right calf during their 3-0 win over Leverkusen in the Round of 16 stage of the Champions League 2024-25. Former Germany No. 1 goalkeeper Neuer was forced off after injuring his calf while celebrating Jamal Musiala's second-half goal. Their recent signing, Jonas Urbig, replaced him, making his Bayern debut. On Thursday, Bayern confirmed that scans revealed Neuer had suffered a torn muscle fiber in his right calf. "Manuel Neuer suffered a torn muscle fibre in his right calf in the 3-0 win over Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the Champions League game on Wednesday evening. The diagnosis was confirmed by the FC Bayern medical unit. The record German champions' goalkeeper will, therefore, be out for the foreseeable future," Bayern said in a statement. Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany said the team has to do it without the services of Neuer. "I don't want to put too much pressure on Jonas (Urbig) or Manu. We have had times without Harry Kane, Musiala, and Joshua Kimmich this season, and we have also played without Manuel, so we will just have to do it without him again," Kompany said after the match. "We have talent in our team to continue. This was Jonas's debut, and you could have easier matches, of course, but in the first months with us, he seems really calm and controlled in his actions," he said. Bayern head to Leverkusen next Wednesday (IST) with a strong advantage, but Kompany insists the tie is far from decided. "We played well for one half, not of the game, but of the tie. In the second half, in Leverkusen, we have to play the same way," he said. Neuer has been at Bayern Munich since 2011 and has made a total of 554 appearances across all tournaments so far. He won the UEFA Champions League with Bayern in the 2012-13 and 2019-20 seasons. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
07 March,2025 02:26 PM IST | Munich | IANSShami Singamayum became the youngest-ever goal-scorer in the league's history as Punjab FC defeated Hyderabad FC 3-1 in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium here on Thursday night. It was a record-breaking day as Shami, all of 17 years and 322 days, set the record for the youngest-ever goal-scorer in ISL history, while Muhammad Suhail became the third-youngest in the competition to assist a goal (18 years and 175 days). Despite holding just 43.7% of ball possession, Punjab FC were the more assertive of the two teams, taking seven shots on target as compared to the two of Hyderabad FC. Though out of the playoffs race, they moved to 27 points with this win, breaking Hyderabad FC’s five-game-long unbeaten run at home. Asmir Suljic was a force to reckon with inside the Hyderabad FC defensive half to ensure that Punjab FC got off the blocks creatively. His fleet footedness and eye for a pass pushed him to pick players in probing positions and pose questions in front of the home team's defence. One such delivery to Luka Majcen in the middle of the 18-yard box was struck firmly towards the bottom left corner by the striker but saved in time in the 22nd minute. The sequence had reversed just 12 minutes prior when Majcen had made a similar pass to Suljic, slicing past the Hyderabad FC defence, but the latter’s effort towards the bottom right corner lacked adequate pace behind it. Punjab FC found the breakthrough courtesy of an own goal by Alex Saji in the 41st minute, though. Muhammad Suhail made the ambitious choice of going for the goal from a distance upon receiving a pass from Ricky Shabong. Though the move did not culminate in a goal, the sustained period of pressure for a brief while thereafter resulted in Hyderabad FC losing shape at the back, as Alex was unable to cap off a fairly straightforward clearance and instead ended up slotting the ball in his net, breaking the deadlock before the half-time break. Majcen undertook a focused role inside the 18-yard area and did not necessarily partake in as much playmaking, with Suhail taking over those responsibilities instead. Suhail spotted Majcen at the centre of the box in the 56th minute and served him an impeccably well-weighted pass, which the forward drilled into the bottom left corner with his right foot at ease to double his team’s lead. Hyderabad FC stepped on the offensive post, looking to cut the lead. While this offensive strategy propelled them to find more time on the ball in Punjab FC’s half, it also left spaces vacant in their own backline. The visitors capitalised on that with aplomb in the 86th minute, as Petros Giakoumakis played a leading role in rounding off a counter-attacking sequence by serving Shami Singamayum a delivery outside the box, which the youngster deposited into the centre of the net with his left foot. Hyderabad FC pulled a goal back late into the second half, as Ramhlunchhunga brought his efficiency from distance to the fore by hammering a pass from Cy Goddard into the bottom right corner, but the side ran out of time to make something out of this stunning strike and ended up conceding the three points to Punjab FC. Hyderabad FC will next play Kerala Blasters FC on March 12, whereas Punjab FC are set to square off against Mohammedan SC on March 10. (With ANI inputs)
07 March,2025 01:01 PM IST | Hyderabad | IANSLuis Suarez and Tadeo Allende scored second-half goals with a healthy Lionel Messi on the bench, and Inter Miami beat Jamaican club Cavalier FC 2-0 on Thursday night in the first leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup group of 16 match. Messi sat out his second straight game. He didn't travel with Miami to Houston for a Major League Soccer match against the Dynamo on Sunday night, which Miami won 4-1. Allende retrieved a pass from Sergio Busquets and beat Cavalier goalkeeper Vino Barclet from 12 yards out in the 61st minute, with his shot landing inside the left post. Suarez connected in the 83rd minute. He retrieved a ball deflected off Cavalier defender Shamar Watson's foot and blasted a shot from 20 yards. An apparent goal by Cavalier forward Shaquille Stein late in the first half was overturned because of an offside infraction after a video review that lasted seven minutes. The second leg will be on March 13 in Kingston, Jamaica. First-year Miami coach Javier Mascherano said on Wednesday that Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, participated in the two practices that preceded the match. But he was not in the lineup that was announced an hour beforehand. Messi watched from a private box. Cavalier, which won the Jamaican Premier League title last season, advanced to this phase of the Champions Cup after winning the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup in December. The club remains scoreless in the Champions Cup after 2-0 and 4-0 losses against FC Cincinnati last year. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
07 March,2025 12:52 PM IST | Fort Lauderdale (USA) | AP | PTIHarry Kane said his two goals in Wednesday’s 3-0 Champions League last 16 first-leg win over Bayer Leverkusen were “probably” the most important so far for Bayern Munich. Kane’s ninth-minute header and second-half penalty put Bayern in control of the tie ahead of next week’s return leg against the German champions. Youngster Jamal Musiala also got on the scoresheet, capitalising on a fumble by goalkeeper Matej Kovar. Asked if the goals were his most important so far, Kane said: “Probably, I’d say so. We knew what it was going to be going into this game. We knew the hype around this game and we stayed calm and I stayed calm.” Despite the impressive scoreline coach Vincent Kompany shot down suggestions his side’s victory made a statement in the competition. “There are no statements. [We will] Just focus on the next game,” he said. One grey cloud for the German giants was a calf injury to captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who had to be replaced by Jonas Urbig near the hour mark. The club later confirmed that Neuer will miss next week’s return clash. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
07 March,2025 06:56 AM IST | Munich | AFPPSG dominated the first leg of the heavyweight Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, but Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker was in inspired form, making nine saves to help the visitors snatch an unlikely win as substitute Harvey Elliott scored in the 87th minute. Liverpool boss Arne Slot admitted his team had been extremely fortunate and he heaped praise on the Brazilian shotstopper. “I have had some very good players as a manager but never the best goalkeeper in the world until now. To go away with a win here was probably a bit more than we deserved,” said Slot. The Dutchman displayed no hesitation in accepting his side were below-par. “If we had drawn over here we would already been the lucky ones. They were the much better side,” said Slot. The Parisians began the game with a point to prove, controlling the ball well while pinning Liverpool in their own half. They appeared to have got an early lead when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored in the 20th minute but was ruled to be offside. They continued to generate loads of chances, but couldn’t find a way past Alisson. There was a VAR check for a possible red card when PSG attacker Bradley Barcola was knocked over by Ibrahima Konate on the edge of the area as he chased onto a long ball, but the Italian officials let the Liverpool defender off. The PSG defence also managed to keep the deadly Mohamed Salah quiet with Slot forced to take him off in the 86th minute. However, the player who replaced him, Elliott, provided the Reds with their sole moment of glory less than a minute after coming on as he lashed a shot into the far corner after being teed up by Darwin Nunez via a long-ball played by Alisson. PSG coach Luis Enrique regretted the fact that his side came away with nothing despite putting in one of their finest European displays in recent memory.“We were far superior to Liverpool in terms of how we played, and chances created. Their best player was the goalkeeper, which indicates how the game went,” said Enrique. When asked if he still believed his team could reach the quarter-finals going into next Tuesday’s return leg, he added: “Without any doubt. We are a team with absolutely nothing to lose.” 09No. of saves Alisson made v PSG This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
07 March,2025 06:55 AM IST | Paris | AFPNeeding a point to qualify for the playoffs, visiting Mumbai City FC take on Kerala Blasters FC in their Indian Super League match here on Friday. Mumbai City are unbeaten in their last eight away games and will relish facing a Kerala side that has conceded 36 goals this season. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
07 March,2025 06:33 AM IST | Kochi | PTIIndian football icon Sunil Chhetri has decided to come out of his international retirement to help the beleaguered national team in the FIFA friendly matches scheduled this month, the sport’s apex body in the country said on Thursday. “Sunil Chhetri is back. The captain, leader, legend will return to the Indian national team for the FIFA International Window in March,” the All India Football Federation (AIFF) wrote on its official ‘X’ handle. The move comes less than a year after he announced his retirement after a glorious career, leaving a huge void that is yet to be filled. India’s next international assignment is against Bangladesh on March 19 and 25. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
07 March,2025 06:33 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIRaphinha helped Barcelona claim a 1-0 Champions League last-16 first leg win at Benfica on Wednesday, despite the Catalan giants playing most of the game with 10 men. Teenage defender Pau Cubarsi was sent off midway through the first half of the tight clash in Lisbon with the score goalless. Raphinha drilled home after 61 minutes to give five-time winners Barcelona a slim advantage in next week’s return leg. Hansi Flick “I said to the team, I’m very proud. After the 22nd minute with 10 players it was not easy, and this is a big win,” said Barcelona coach Hansi Flick. Benfica were left to rue their missed chances as Barca keeper Wojciech Szczesny made eight saves to keep his side in the game. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
07 March,2025 06:32 AM IST | Lisbon | AFPReal Sociedad are hoping to compound Premier League giants Manchester United’s struggles this year when they meet in San Sebastian today in the Europa League last 16. Also Read: ‘Time to give my racquet and bandana some rest’ United are unbeaten in Europe this season, but the visit to the Reale Arena is arguably their toughest test thus far. With just two wins in their last six games, Amorim also has a spate of injury worries to contend with. “It’s going to be a tough game. They play brilliant football with very good players,” said United skipper Bruno Fernandes. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 March,2025 08:02 AM IST | San Sebastian | AFPArsenal were just too hot to handle for PSV whom they thrashed 7-1 in the first leg of their Round-of-16 tie on Tuesday. Defender Jurrien Timber opened the scoring with a header before forward Ethan Nwaneri, 17, smashed the ball into the top corner to double the lead inside 25 minutes. Makeshift striker Mikel Merino added a third at the half hour mark before Noa Lang pulled one back for PSV via a spot-kick just before half-time. Also Read: Diaz delivers derby delight! However, whatever hope the Dutch team had of a comeback swiftly evaporated courtesy of two quick-fire goals just after the break from the Gunners’ skipper Martin Odegaard and winger Leandro Trossard. Odegaard scored his second in the 73rd minute as defender Riccardo Calafiori stuck the final dagger in the 85th minute. Although Miles Lewis-Skelly, 18, did not get on the scoresheet he terrorised PSV with his pace and creativity. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 March,2025 07:50 AM IST | Eindhoven | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
