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Marcelinho bends it for Hyderabad who beat Kerala in style

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Hyderabad, Telangana: Hyderabad FC came back from a goal down to register their first win in the Hero Indian Super League as they edged past Kerala Blasters FC 2-1 at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium on Saturday.

Rahul KP (34’) gave Kerala the lead in the first half but two second half strikes from Marko Stankovic (54’) and Marcelinho (81’) sealed full points for the hosts with a delightful free-kick.

Kerala were jolted right at the beginning when central defender Gianni Zuiverloon picked up an injury. Raju Gaikwad made his debut for the club, replacing the Dutch defender.

The visitors were the more dominant side from the beginning and were close to breaking the deadlock in the 15th minute when young Rahul KP tried his luck from distance. But his effort flew just above the crossbar.

The hosts had a chance of their own when Marcelinho got to Rohit Kumar’s through ball inside the box. He twisted and turned in a bid to go past Mohammed Rakip, but the Kerala right-back stood firm and snatched the ball away from the Brazilian.

Kerala custodian TP Rehenesh almost gifted Hyderabad the lead in the 33rd minute when he failed to control Gaikwad’s back pass with his chest. Abhishek Halder was in position and tried to tap in but luckily for Kerala the ball went wide.

Hyderabad would regret that miss immediately. Rehenesh’s goalkick was unconvincingly cleared by Shankar Sampingiraj and the ball fell for Sahad Abdul Samad. The midfielder lobbed the ball for Rahul who found the back of the net with a first time shot.

Bartholomew Ogbeche could have doubled the lead in the 42nd minute when he received a through ball from Moustapha Gning and found himself one on one with the goalkeeper, but a heavy touch allowed Kamaljit to rush out of his line and collect the ball.

Hyderabad started the second half on a brighter note and came close to equalising in the 48th minute. Marcelinho created the chance with a brilliant run down the left flank and beat Gaikwad with pace before cutting in and squaring the ball for Robin Singh. However, the striker unnecessarily complicated an easy tap in and squandered the opportunity.

The hosts restored parity in the 54th minute when Gning tripped Mohammad Yasir inside the Kerala box to give away a penalty. Marko Stankovic duly converted the spot-kick.

At the other end, Hyderabad should have taken the lead in the 76th minute when Marcelinho received a through ball on the left flank. The Brazilian went past Jairo Rodrigues comfortably and attempted to curl the ball into the net at the far post but his shot went wide.

Marcelinho soon made up for his mistake by converting a classy free-kick in the 81st minute. The hosts were awarded the free-kick after Gning had brought down Nikhil Poojary with a poor challenge. The Brazilian found the back of the net with a curling left-footer to hand Phil Brown’s side their first win of the season.

(ISL Media)

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Indian Super League

Manvir rescues point for Goa with last-minute goal

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Guwahati, Assam: FC Goa came up with yet another injury-time equaliser to salvage a point against NorthEast United FC in a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium here on Friday.

Goa did the same against Bengaluru FC in their previous match which finished 1-1.

Hugo Boumous (31′) put Goa ahead in the first-half before NorthEast United came up with two second-half strikes from Asamoah Gyan (54′) and Redeem Tlang (74′). But despite a late red card to Seiminlen Doungel, Manvir Singh bagged a late equaliser for Goa.

NorthEast United were the first to threaten the goal when Milan Singh found Gyan at the edge of the box and the Ghanaian forced a good save from Mohammad Nawaz.

The game was played from one end to another and Boumous was denied by the crossbar minutes later. Ahmed Jahouh found Ferran Corominas who released Boumous into the box but the Frenchman’s thunderous strike struck the woodwork.

However, Boumous was not to be denied in the 31st minute. In a move that oozed quality, Brandon Fernandes played an excellent first-time through-ball off Corominas’ layoff to feed Boumous in behind the NorthEast defence. The midfielder skipped past the onrushing goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury and calmly slotted into an empty net.

NorthEast stepped up their efforts to find a goal and Gyan spurned two big chances to pull his team level in the first half. First, Mourtada Fall misplaced a simple pass into the feet of the forward but his shot from the edge of the box was hit straight at the goalkeeper. Five minutes before the break, the Ghanaian’s header was well saved by Nawaz.

Gyan made his mark soon after the restart by scoring the equaliser. The striker, who pounced on Fall’s failure to intercept Rakesh Pradhan’s through-ball, latched on to the pass inside the box and curled a neat strike past Nawaz into the net.

As the visitors tried to regain their lead, Subhasish pulled off a brilliant double save to keep his team in the game soon after the hour-mark. First, Corominas played Jackichand through into the box and the winger’s powerful effort was kept out by the diving goalkeeper. The rebound fell to Corominas lurking inside the box but Subhasish got up in time to block the Spaniard’s shot from close-range.

NorthEast’s second-half intensity was rewarded in the 74th minute. Martin Chaves ran down the left flank and produced an accurate low cross for Redeem Tlang whose magnificent first-time strike left Nawaz rooted to the spot and put the home side into the lead.

There was drama right at the end as Seiminlen Doungel’s poor tackle on Chaves was punished with a red card.

But a 10-man Goa found joy in injury time when a free-kick into the box was flicked across goal by Fall. Manvir rose highest in the centre of the box to nod the ball in and give his side a point.

(ISL Media)

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Indian Super League

Cracker in Mumbai as Odisha slam four past Mumbai in their first win

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Mumbai, Maharashtra: Odisha FC bounced back from two consecutive defeats in style as they hammered Mumbai City FC 4-2 to pick up their first win of the Hero Indian Super League 2019-20 at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Thursday.

The visitors impressed with their aggressive approach in the first half and were three goals up at the end of it. Xisco Hernandez (6′) opened the scoring before goals from Aridane Santana (21′, 73′) and Jerry Mawihmingthanga (41′) sealed the win. Mohamed Larbi’s (51′) penalty and a late fortuitous hit from Bipin Singh (90+4’) turned out to be nothing more than a consolation for Mumbai who looked lacklustre.

Odisha got off to a terrific start by scoring six minutes into the match. Santana played the ball towards Xisco who dribbled into the box, dropped his shoulder to beat Pratik Chaudhari and curled a simple finish into the net.

Josep Gombau’s men were then denied by the crossbar as they chased a second goal. Santana’s deflected effort from the edge of the box ricocheted wide off the woodwork.

But the visitors soon doubled their lead midway through the half. Shubham Sarangi released Jerry down the right flank whose low cross to the edge of the box was turned in by Santana with an excellent first-time effort.

Mumbai weren’t without chances at the other end but lacked composure inside the box. Amine Chermiti failed to hit the target from a Serge Kevyn cross and Diego Carlos’ cross for Kevyn went wide.

The hosts’ defence was punished with another blow just before the break. Nandhakumar Sekar cut in from the left and sent a curling effort at the goal which hit the bar. The rebound fell to Jerry who took a touch and dispatched it into the net to stun the home crowd.

Mumbai’s pursuit for a way back into the game was helped when Kevyn chased a lob into the box and collided with an onrushing Francisco Dorronsoro, forcing the referee to point to the spot. Mohamed Larbi calmly slotted home from 12 yards to open a window of hope for his team.

The game slowed down considerably after the hour-mark and Mumbai struggled to sustain the intensity with which they started the second half. Odisha waited for their moment and soon added the fourth goal.

After a neat exchange of passes outside the box, Jerry swung a delightful cross into the box from the right which was headed home by Santana who completed a brace and doused the home crowd’s hopes of a comeback.

Just as the game wound down in injury time, Bipin’s hopeful drilled effort from the left flank crept past Dorronsoro at his near post.

(ISL Media)

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Indian Super League

ATK edge past Chennaiyin FC in hard-fought battle

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Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Chennaiyin FC’s poor start to their Hero Indian Super League (ISL) campaign continued as they succumbed to a solitary goal against ATK at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here on Wednesday.

After a goalless first half, ATK took the lead in the 48th minute through David Williams, scoring the ISL’s 1000th goal in the process. The visitors proceeded to hold on to their advantage and inflict a second defeat on Chennaiyin, who are yet to score this season.

The result sees ATK join Jamshedpur FC at the top of the table with six points from three games, while Chennaiyin remain eighth with just a point.

Though the teams started with intent, it was the home team who had the best of the chances in the opening period. Edwin Vanspaul found Nerijus Valskis with a cross in the third minute, only for the Lithuanian striker to head it over.

A deflection five minutes later sent Lallianzuala Chhangte in space down the left. His ball across the face of goal, however, could not be turned in by his teammates

Chennaiyin continued to fashion chances but ATK had some of their own. Michael Soosairaj took matters into his own hands with a surging run and found David Williams in space. Javier Hernandez was able to get a shot away from Williams’ cutback but saw it blocked by defender Lucian Goian.

Just past the half an hour mark, Roy Krishna found himself in space just outside the area and unleashed a rasping drive which was blocked by Goian again.

After a goalless opening 45 minutes, the visitors drew first blood three minutes after the restart with Prabir Das doing exceptionally well to get behind the defence down the right flank before finding Hernandez. The Spaniard’s shot was deflected into the path of Williams who slotted it in to stun the home team.

As expected, Chennaiyin mounted a fightback with coach John Gregory throwing on Andre Schembri in place of Dragos. Around the hour mark, Edwin unleashed a powerful drive from distance that had Arindam Bhattacharya scrambling. A minute later, good interplay between Chhangte and Rafael saw the latter get to the byline and slide a ball across but nobody in a blue shirt could get a decisive touch.

Shortly afterwards, ATK were forced to tweak their game plan after Soosairaj went down with an injury and coach Antonio Habas responded by sending in Jayesh Rane.

Chances continued to stream in for Chennaiyin but they let themselves down with their finishing. In the 72nd minute, a good bit of play between Thapa and Schembri saw the latter find space to shoot but he dragged his effort wide. A minute later, Rafael’s cross was deflected goalward by Pritam Kotal but Arindam got down smartly to save.

The Marina Machans continued to pile the pressure on a rock-solid ATK in a bid to find an equaliser. But they were frustrated by a well-drilled defence as ATK returned home with three points.

(ISL Media)

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Indian Super League

Jamshedpur call the shots at home; down Hyderabad for second win

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Jamshedpur, Jharkhand: Jamshedpur FC made it two wins out of two with a dominant 3-1 win against Hyderabad FC in a Hero Indian Super League clash at the JRD Tata Sports Complex here on Tuesday.

Farukh Choudhary tapped a loose ball home in the 34th minute to convert his team’s dominance into a goal. Marcelinho scored an unlikely equaliser in the 45th minute but Jamshedpur regained control after the break with goals from Aniket Jadhav (62′) and Sergio Castel (75′).

The result sees Antonio Iriondo’s men surge to the top of the table while Hyderabad are yet to open their points tally.

The hosts surged forward looking to take an early lead and tested Hyderabad custodian Kamaljit Singh when Isaac Vanmalsawma opted to shoot from outside the box in the eighth minute.

A minute later, Mobashir Rahman’s excellent diagonal ball into the box put Farukh one-on-one with the Hyderabad goalkeeper who prevented the Indian forward from slotting the ball into the net.

Jamshedpur dominated proceedings and kept Kamaljit on his toes.

The hosts finally converted a chance in the 34th minute. Piti received the ball on the left and skipped past a defender before sending a powerful strike towards goal. Kamaljit’s save fell right into the path of an onrushing Farukh who turned the ball home.

Piti, the architect in midfield, nearly added a second goal soon after the first when Castel found him in space on the edge of the box. The Spanish midfielder’s right-footed effort ended up a few inches wide of the target.

Against the run of play, Hyderabad struck an equaliser at the stroke of half-time. Marcelinho collected Rohit Kumar’s pass, cut in from the right, dropped his shoulder to ease past Keegan Pereira and neatly slotted into the net, beating Subrata Paul at his near post.

An injury to Sahil Panwar following a collision with Sergio Castel dampened the visitors’ spirits and Jamshedpur were back on the front foot. Castel swung a cross into the centre from the left for substitute Aniket Jadhav who sent a diving header over the bar with just the keeper to beat.

Jadhav made amends for the miss with an excellent finish after collecting Farukh’s cross in the 62nd minute to put the hosts back into the lead.

With the Men of Steel overpowering their opponents in midfield, Hyderabad struggled to get back into the game as the second half wore on. Castel soon added Jamshedpur’s third with an excellent piece of centre-forward play. The Spaniard brought down Memo’s long ball, twisted and turned to beat a couple of defenders and fired the ball into the net.

Farukh and Pereira also had their efforts kept out before the final whistle as Jamshedpur sealed full points, piling misery on Hyderabad who remain winless after two rounds.

(ISL Media)

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Indian Super League

High drama as Goa, Bengaluru share spoils

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Goa, October 28: The first meeting of the season between the two Hero Indian Super League heavyweights finished all square after FC Goa and Bengaluru FC shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Monday.

In what was a fiercely contested game in midfield, the teams struggled to carve out clear-cut chances but the visitors, who produced the better output in the final third, found the breakthrough through Udanta Singh in the 62nd minute. However, in dramatic fashion, Goa’s Ferran Corominas won a penalty in injury time and converted it himself to salvage a point for his team.

The result sees FC Goa join Mumbai City FC and NorthEast United FC at the top of the table with four points from two games while Bengaluru have now played out a second consecutive draw.

The goalkeepers were called into action within the first ten minutes of an intriguing game. Corominas played a good ball forward to Manvir Singh who released Seiminlen Doungel in behind the Bengaluru defence with a clever through-ball. But goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu rushed off his line just in time to collect the ball. At the other end, Udanta Singh’s looping cross from the right was punched away by Goa custodian Mohammed Nawaz.

The teams resorted to a cautious approach when going forward after the early hustle. Bengaluru had more of the ball than the home side but chances were few and far between.

Seriton Fernandes took matters into his own hands when he picked up the ball in midfield, danced his way past a couple of defenders and played the ball to Ahmed Jahouh with the game nearing half-time. The Moroccan midfielder tried to chip a cross into the box for Manvir but Ashique Kuruniyan, playing at left-back, made a timely interception. At the other end, a Dimas Delgado corner-kick almost bulged the net directly but Doungel’s header from the line kept the match goalless at the break.

The hosts enjoyed a period of dominance after the break, with the likes of Ahmed Jahouh and Ferran Corominas getting slightly more time on the ball. The Spanish striker was fouled as he tried to dribble into the box close to the hour-mark but Brandon Fernandes sent the resulting free-kick high and wide.

Goa couldn’t score during the period they were on top and Bengaluru handed out the punishment in the 62nd minute. Udanta collected a simple flick from Manuel Onwu at the edge of the box, outfoxed Mourtada Fall with a sublime touch and slotted the ball past Nawaz to score with the game’s first shot on target.

Udanta’s agility got the better of the Goa defence again on the right flank a few minutes later but the winger’s cross to Chhetri inside the box was cut out by a vigilant Seriton.

FC Goa came alive in the final minutes of the game, with Jackichand Singh wreaking havoc on the right flank and creating two big chances in as many minutes. His drilled crosses on both occasions failed to find a teammate inside the box, much to the relief of the visitors.

But there was drama right at the end. With Bengaluru on the verge of victory, a clumsy challenge by Ashique Kuriniyan on Corominas after the youngster lost the ball resulted in the referee pointing to the spot. Corominas converted coolly from 12 yards to send the home supporters into delirium and earn a point for his team.

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Indian Super League

FC Goa hosts Bengaluru FC in a blockbuster clash

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Margao, Goa: All eyes will be at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa as defending champions Bengaluru FC resume hostilities with the team they vanquished after a titanic tussle in last year’s final – FC Goa – on Monday.

The Gaurs and the Blues were the two best teams in the league last year and put on a brilliant contest in the final, neither team giving an inch until Rahul Bheke popped up with the winning header a few minutes from the end of extra time.

While it was Bengaluru’s first-ever ISL title, the result was nothing short of heartbreak for FC Goa who lost their second ISL final in as many attempts.

“The loss in the final is in the past. I am very proud of my players who played in the final as they performed well. I hope in the next match we perform as good as we did in the final. We have to improve defending in set-pieces (Bheke scored from a corner),” said Goa head coach Sergio Lobera.

With the crux of their squad unchanged, Goa and Bengaluru could most possibly be the teams to beat as the new season rolls along. The teams are beacons of consistency and have set the bar high for the other ISL clubs in recent years.

“We know that Goa is always a big challenge because they have a wonderful team. They have been with the same team for a long time. It will be an interesting game. It is very early in the season and the points are important, but the season is still young,” said Bengaluru FC head coach Carles Cuadrat.

It is no wonder that the clash between the two clubs has assumed the top billing in ISL, given the quality of football both teams play.

Goa has already set an ominous tone after a 3-0 dismantling of Chennaiyin FC in their season opener.

Bengaluru, on the other hand, could only muster a goalless draw against NorthEast United FC in their season opener. However, considering the number of chances they created against the Highlanders, it is only a matter of time before they assume their imperious self.

However, the battle to watch out for will be the one between the Goa attack and the Bengaluru defence. Lobera’s team have the ability to score at will, with the kind of firepower they possess in the likes of all-time ISL topscorer Ferran Corominas, Edu Bedia, Hugo Boumous and Manvir Singh.

“I want to continue the improvement and the difference that was between Goa and Bengaluru two, three years ago, (has been diminished) as we have improved. For us, it is a big challenge as I think Bengaluru is the best team in the league,” said Lobera.

The hosts will have to be wary of not getting caught out on the break against a swift Bengaluru attack which will make the role of Ahmed Jahouh, returning to the side after suspension, all the more important.

As the two hotshots of the league spar on Monday, sparks will most certainly fly. Both Goa and Bengaluru will look to lay down the marker for the season with a statement win against a direct rival for the ultimate prize.

(ISL Media)

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Indian Super League

Chennaiyin, Mumbai play out entertaining draw on Diwali evening

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Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Though the score remain unchanged throughout, Chennaiyin FC and Mumbai City played out an entertaining draw in a Hero Indian Super League clash here at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium on Diwali evening.

Festive spirits were not dampened despite the game lacking goals. Both teams created a host of chances in an intense encounter. However, poor finishing meant that the teams had to share honours in the Marina Arena.

The result sees Chennaiyin FC get their first point of the season on board while Mumbai City join NorthEast United at the top of the table with four points from two games.

Chennaiyin could have stormed into the lead within 30 seconds when Rafael Crivellaro fed Andre Schembri through on goal. But the Maltese striker could only toe the ball forward on the stretch which was blocked by Mumbai City goalkeeper Amrinder. The rebound fell for Rafael who saw his effort miraculously palmed over Amrinder’s outstretched arm.

The home team looked full of attacking intent in that opening period, with Rafael pulling the strings. The Brazilian did exceedingly well to hold on to the ball in the 11th minute down the left wing, before rolling his marker and unleashing a vicious shot that flew just over.

Minutes later, a poor defensive header from Souvik Chakrabarti saw Lallianzuala Chhangte race through on goal but his tame effort was blocked by Amrinder and Rafael, who was following up, shot wide.

Mumbai City, who were struggling to put together moves, were dealt a blow in the 24th minute when Modou Sougou went off injured with Serge Kevyn replacing him.

However, Mumbai started to grow into the game soon after and Amine Chermiti had two good chances to score. First, he lobbed over after a disastrous backpass from Edwin Vanspaul before heading a Raynier Fernandes cross over from point-blank range in the 27th minute.

Just past the half-hour mark, Kevyn was sent through on goal by Rowllin Borges but the substitute shot wide as Mumbai started to exert themselves.

The Islanders finished the half well but found themselves under pressure at the restart as Chennaiyin showed some urgency. Several chances were created but the goal remained elusive.

In a bid to gain more control, Mumbai City head coach Jorge Costa brought in Portuguese midfielder Paulo Machado for Raynier Fernandes. The substitute almost had an impact when his pass found Kevyn in space down the left but his first-time shot was tipped away by Chennaiyin custodian Vishal Kaith.

John Gregory’s side had to change their plans after Rafael went down injured after a tough challenge from Souvik, which forced the Englishman to bring on Masih Saighani.

After a bit of a lull, Chennaiyin started to pile the pressure and almost got a break in the 80th minute. A good passing move saw Anirudh Thapa play in Nerijus Valskis just inside the penalty box but the lanky forward’s shot went wide.

The home team continued to threaten on the counter but a combination of poor decision-making from them and last-gasp defending by Mumbai City kept the scores level.

Though Mumbai City were reduced to 10 men in injury time after Souvik was sent off for a cynical foul on Thoi Singh, Chennaiyin could not force a winner.

(ISL Media)

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Indian Super League

Gyan heads winner for NorthEast United

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Guwahati, Assam: Star striker Asamoah Gyan handed NorthEast United FC their first win of the Hero Indian Super League season after netting the winner in a 2-1 result over Odisha FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic stadium here on Saturday.

The home team drew first blood when Redeem Tlang scored the quickest goal of the season (2’). Odisha equalised through Xisco Hernandez (71’) before defender Carlos Delgado was sent off. The Highlanders made their advantage count through Gyan who popped up with a header six minutes from time.

The win takes NorthEast to the top of the table while Odisha slumped to their second loss in as many matches.

The hosts enjoyed the best possible start to the game when they roared into the lead with just two minutes on the clock. Martin Chaves started the move with a run down the left flank before finding Panagiotis Triadis down the middle. The Greek midfielder found Tlang in space down the right and the youngster tucked a finish past Arshdeep Singh to send the home crowd into raptures.

NorthEast looked assured in possession following the opener and caused a few problems for the Odisha defence. The visitors themselves had some joy going forward but poor final balls let them down.

NorthEast went close to a second goal in the 22nd minute when Triadis managed to keep a corner alive down the left and whipped a cross in for Wayne Vaz, whose header flew inches wide of the target.

Odisha started to grow into the game around the half an hour mark and almost got a goal of their own. Xisco Hernandez whipped a freekick into the box and it was met by Delgado, but he saw his header acrobatically pushed on to the bar by custodian Subhasish Roy Chowdhury.

Odisha head coach Josep Gombau opted to make a double change at half-time, bringing in Senegalese midfielder Diawandou Diagne and winger Nandhakumar Sekar. And the substitutes almost immediately did the job for Gombau. Diagne, after a good run down the right, flashed a dangerous cross across the face of goal in the 51st minute.

Nandha went close for Odisha soon after as they turned up the heat on NorthEast. The winger latched on to a fantastic chipped pass from Xisco to get into the box, sidestepped a defender and pulled the trigger, only to see his effort cleared off the line by an alert Kai Heerings.

The pressure finally told for Odisha in the 71st minute. Diagne’s brilliant cross from the right was flicked in smartly by Xisco with the outside of his left boot.

However, drama ensued two minutes later as Delgado was sent off for bringing down NorthEast substitute Maximilian Barreira.

With numerical advantage on their side, NorthEast piled on the pressure. They created a flurry of chances before finally getting the winner six minutes from time. Lalthathanga Khawlhring’s corner was headed in by star striker Gyan to hand his side their first win of the season.

(ISL Media)

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AFC Champions League

AFC to invest in new era of national team and club competitions

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Da Nang, Vietnam: At the second AFC Executive Committee meeting of the 2019-2023 cycle, chaired by longest-serving AFC Vice President and FIFA Council member, Saoud Al Mohannadi, in the absence of President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, it was decided to grow the two competitions.

From the 2021 season, the AFC Champions League will be expanded to 40 clubs with an extra group of four being added in both the East and West zones and further growing the reputation of one of the richest Continental club competitions in the world.

This expansion will take place without any change to the existing slots for the top six Member Associations.

In 2022, there will be four more teams in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup – going from eight in the last edition in Jordan to 12 in the next tournament. At present, the AFC have proposals from Chinese Taipei, India and Uzbekistan to host the tournament and with the added four teams, there will be further opportunities for more players, teams and Members Associations.

In his message to the Committee meeting in Da Nang Vietnam, delivered by Saoud Al Mohannadi, the AFC President said: “As you know we have always looked to grow the women’s game in Asia with new initiatives and that has been rewarded by world champions in FIFA competitions at every level.

“We were the first Confederation to have at least five women ExCo Members and one of the few to appoint a woman referee to men’s competitions in the AFC Cup.

“And one of our Executive Members, Kanya Keomany (pictured below, centre), will be the first female match commissioner to be appointed for a men’s club competition final – the AFC Cup final at the start of next month.

“The start of the new Commercial cycle, with our exclusive partners, DDMC Fortis, is the perfect time to launch this new era in Asian football. It will be an era of excellence and inclusiveness.”

The Executive Committee asked the Administration to develop the new competitions and also, in the continued delivery of good governance, to review and recommend updates to the AFC Statutes.

(AFC Media)

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