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AFC Cup

Jayesh Rane on target as Blues enter AFC Cup group stage with defeat of Club Eagles

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Bengaluru: Bengaluru FC, on Sunday, ensured their progress to the Group Stages of the 2021 AFC Cup with a 1-0 win over Club Eagles at the National Stadium, in Male. Jayesh Rane’s first half strike proved to be the difference between the two sides, as Marco Pezzaiuoli’s side joined ATK Mohun Bagan, Maziya S&RC and Bashundhara Kings in Group D.

Pezzaiuoli handed full debuts to Alan Costa, Sarthak Golui, Jayesh and Rohit Kumar, with two other new signings, Danish Farooq and Bidyashagar Singh, named among the substitutes alongside B-team graduate Sivasakthi Narayanan. His counterpart Mohamed Shaazly was forced into a late change to his starting eleven, with Easa Ismail replacing Ali Ashfaq.

Club Eagles had the ball in the back of the net in the 17th minute, but Sarthak Golui had stepped up at the right moment to catch Easa offside. The Blues then broke the deadlock in the 25th minute through debutant Jayesh. Eagles failed to clear Sarthak’s long throw from the left and the ball fell to Jayesh, who placed his shot into the bottom corner through Haisham Hassan’s legs to put BFC 1-0 up.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was called into action a minute before half time. From an Eagles corner, the ball took a deflection off Sarthak and was creeping in before the ’keeper reacted sharply to push it away.

Bengaluru controlled possession for a majority of the first period, and saw their lead into the break. Pezzaiuoli made no changes at half time, and it was Eagles who had the first chance of the second period, in the 67th minute, when Ali Fasir turned Sarthak and Alan in the box but scuffed his shot wide with just Gurpreet to beat.

Ashique Kuruniyan picked up a knock and was the first change of the night, replaced by Naorem Roshan Singh. Leon Augustine, on as a substitute, had a chance to double the Blues’ lead with his first touch of the game. Chhetri, who managed to retrieve possession in the box, saw Eagles ’keeper Mohamed Faisal off his line, and squared it to the 22-year-old. Leon’s shot, however, sailed over the bar with just six minutes left on the clock.

Despite a late flurry of attacks from Eagles, the Blues held firm to see out the game and seal their spot in Group D of the 2021 AFC Cup.

The Blues will be back in action on August 18 when they take on ATK Mohun Bagan in their opening group stage clash, at the same venue.

(Bengaluru FC Media)

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AFC Cup

Blues restart AFC Cup qualification bid against Club Eagles in Maldives

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Bengaluru FC players training

Male, Maldives: Bengaluru FC, on Sunday, will resume their bid to qualify for the group stages of the 2021 AFC Cup with a playoff clash against Maldivian side Club Eagles, at the National Stadium, in Male. A win will take Marco Pezzaiuoli’s men into Group D of the continental competition, where ATK Mohun Bagan, Bashundhara Kings and Maziya S&RC await.

Bengaluru, who made it through the Preliminary Stage Two with a comprehensive 5-0 win against Tribhuvan Army FC, landed in the Maldives earlier this week and began preparations for the clash. Should the Blues see off the Eagles, they will face ATK Mohun Bagan in their opening clash of Group D on Wednesday, August 18th.

“It’s not an easy situation to play in. This is the second time we are preparing for this game. We had a good four-week preparation at the Inspire Institute of Sport in Bellary, where we stayed in a bubble. It was a great facility with a fantastic ground, and now we are here in Maldives in another bubble,” said Pezzaiouli, speaking at the pre-match press conference.

The Blues have registered seven new signings in their AFC Cup squad, including defenders Alan Costa and Yrondu Musavu-King, while four more players from the club’s developmental squad have also made the cut.

“We are missing a few players for the game against Club Eagles. Prince Ibara has an infection and he hasn’t joined the team, Edmund Lalrindika has a back injury and Harmanpreet Singh has a muscle issue. I have 26 players available for selection and we want to make it to the next stage of this competition,” he added.

Eagles, in their maiden AFC Cup campaign, made their way to the playoff round of the competition owing to Abahani Dhaka’s withdrawal. Head Coach Mohaamed Shaazly’s side had progressed through the Preliminary Stage One with a 2-0 win over Thimphu City, courtesy goals from Hassan Ahmed and Mohammed Naim. In their recently concluded League season, Eagles finished fourth, with four wins, five defeats and five draws.

“We’re really thankful that we can finally play a match, and we are really looking forward to the game. We are just focusing on our team, and as players we are all eager to fight for a place in the first XI and give our coach a selection headache. After last season’s defeat to Maziya, we weren’t feeling well because we didn’t give our best. But this is a new campaign and we will strive to do our best,” said Blues’ skipper Sunil Chhetri.

Kick-off between the Blues and Club Eagles at the National Stadium, in Maldives, is at 8.30 PM IST.

(Bengaluru FC Media)

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Women's National Team

Jharkhand to host Indian women’s national team camp from August 16

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Indian Womens Football team camp in Jharkhand

New Delhi: The state of Jharkhand is renowned for its rich sporting culture and heritage — having produced a number of champion athletes over the years who have made the nation proud on the global stage.

As Indian Football moves forward together, Jharkhand adds another feather to its cap as they are to host the Indian Women’s National Team camp in Jamshedpur from August 16, 2021 for preparation for the AFC Women’s Cup India 2022 – the flagship continental championship.

This cooperation from the Jharkhand State Government and their unprecedented support for women’s football and Indian Football overall will go a long way in India’s preparation for the Asian Cup which is scheduled to be held in India from January 20-February 6, 2022.

2022, in fact, will be a huge year for Women’s Football in India as India are also to play host to the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup from October 2022 onwards.

Having taken charge of the Senior Women’s Team, Head Coach Thomas Dennerby has named a list of 30 probables who will be camping in Jamshedpur. A decorated coach with over three decades of experience behind him, Dennerby has previously guided Sweden’s Women’s National team to a 3rd-place finish in the FIFA World Cup in 2011, and a quarter-final spot in the 2012 London Olympics.

He also served as the Head Coach of the Nigerian Women’s National team wherein he coached the Super Falcons to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. He also helped the Nigerian women to win the AWCON Award 2018, and was awarded the 2018 Coach of the Year in Nigeria.

In addition to the 30 players named by Dennerby, Bala Devi who is currently under rehab will be joining the camp to assess her medical condition, while Dalima Chibber will be training for the first 10 days after which she will be returning to play League football in Canada as per her prior commitment.

The 30-player list is as follows:

GOALKEEPERS: Aditi Chauhan, Sowmiya Narayanasamy, M Linthoingambi Devi, Shreya Hooda

DEFENDERS: Jabamani Tudu, Ashalata Devi, Sweety Devi, Hemam Shilky Devi, Michel Castanha, Ritu Rani, Ranjana Chanu Sorokhaibam, W Linthoingambi Devi, Kritina Devi Thounaojam, Anju Tamang, Asem Roja Devi

MIDFIELDERS: Indumathi Kathiresan, Sangita Basfore, Martina Thokchom, Dangmei Grace, Soumya Guguloth, Sumithra Kamaraj, Mariyammal Balamurugan, Sanju, Manisha.

FORWARDS: Renu, Karishma Shirvoikar, Sandhiya Ranganathan, Sumati Kumari, Daya Devi, Pyari Xaxa.

(AIFF Media)

 

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Transfers

Chennaiyin FC rope in talented young Indian defender Davinder Singh

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Chennaiyin FC rope in talented young Indian defender Davinder Singh

Chennai: Two-time Indian Super League (ISL) champions Chennaiyin FC (CFC) have completed the signing of Indian defender Davinder Singh on a one-year deal ahead of the upcoming season.

The 25-year-old Indian international will be eager to get back to the field after missing the last three editions of the ISL with a knee injury suffered ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.

“With Indian players taking up more and more responsibility, we are delighted to further strengthen our defensive department with a prospect such as Davinder,” CFC co-owner Vita Dani commented on the player’s arrival to Marina Machans.

Davinder’s rise was meteoric, from university football to the national squad, his performances for the India’s U-23 team at the 2018 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Championship qualifiers, had impressed former national team coach Stephen Constantine.

And so, the former Punjab University defender earned his senior team debut at 2018 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship. He has made three international appearances for The Blue Tigers so far.

“With Chennaiyin FC’s rich history in the Indian Super League, it is a tremendous honour for me to become a part of this club. The passion of the fans and the club’s family-led ethos made it a very easy decision for me to sign.

I am very excited to be working with head coach Boško and my new teammates, some who I have known for years. I have always given my 100% and this season, I am even more determined to bring success back to Chennaiyin FC and my ambition is to make my way back to representing the Indian national team again. I believe this will happen,” the Patiala-born footballer said.

Davinder debuted in the ISL in 2017-18 with Mumbai City FC. He had nine appearances for the Islanders, including one Super Cup outing. On his debut match against Kerala Blasters FC, the talented right-back was also adjudged the Emerging Player of the Match.

Making his return to the league with CFC, Davinder will be eager to make up for lost time with a title at CFC and a spot in the Indian national team.

(Chennaiyin FC Media)

 

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Transfers

Mumbai City FC complete signing of Lalengmawia ‘Apuia’ Ralte

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Lalengmawia ‘Apuia’ Ralte signs for Mumbai City FC

Mumbai: Mumbai City FC have confirmed that the club has agreed a deal with NorthEast United for the transfer of Lalengmawia for an undisclosed fee. The promising young midfielder joins the defending ISL Champions on a five-year contract until May 2026.

Lalengmawia, or Apuia Ralte as he’s fondly known, rose through the ranks of the AIFF Elite Academy and made his name after being the only player from Mizoram to make it to India’s squad for the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup. After two hugely impressive seasons that followed in the I League with the Indian Arrows, where Apuia made 13 appearances and scored a goal, the central midfielder signed for NorthEast United in the ISL ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.

The 20-year old turned out on 10 occasions in his debut campaign for the Highlanders and stepped it up in the following season, featuring in each of the 22 games and scoring a memorable strike from distance in NorthEast United’s run to the semifinals in the recently concluded 2020-21 season.

Apuia marked a milestone season in his short career as he led out NorthEast United as the youngest captain in ISL history before being named ISL’s Emerging Player of the Season and the FPAI Young Player of the Season for 2020-21. His outstanding performances in the domestic season earned him his first call up to the Indian National Team, as he made his international debut for the Blue Tigers against Oman in a 1-1 draw earlier this year.

With a bright, promising future ahead, Apuia joins Mumbai City ahead of a historic season with a chance to defend both, the ISL League Winners’ Shield and the ISL Trophy, and represent India at the 2022 AFC Champions League.

Apuia Ralte said “Firstly, I want to thank NorthEast United for giving me the opportunity to play at the highest level in India but now, I feel I am ready to take the next step in my career. To join a club of Mumbai City’s stature is a huge honour for me and for my family. The club has the ambition and the intent, not just to win titles in India but to make a mark in Asia as well and I want to be a part of it. The club had a hugely successful last season and I believe we’re on the right path to build something special here. I am still young, I have a lot to learn and I am looking forward to getting to work with the coach Sergio Lobera, his staff and my new teammates.”

Head Coach, Sergio Lobera said “A player of Apuia’s calibre brings a lot of quality to the team and reminds us that if you are good enough, you are old enough. He is an exciting talent, possibly the best of his generation, and he is the right type of individual that we want at Mumbai City. There is no doubt that there is great maturity and flair in the way he plays his football and we want to give Apuia the right platform and the right guidance to become the exceptional player that he can be at Mumbai City for years to come. I am pleased to welcome Apuia to the club and I wish him all the good health and success.”

Club co-owner, Bimal Parekh said:  “We are delighted to be able to bring in a talented young boy like Apuia to Mumbai City. It is no surprise that we faced considerable competition for his signature given the sheer quality Apuia brings to the table. Although he is only 20, we are confident that Apuia can make a difference right away and at the same time, we want to help him achieve to his full potential as well. We are committed to his long-term development and we will spare no effort to provide Apuia the right opportunities and platform within the Indian football ecosystem and beyond.”

(FC Mumbai City Media)

 

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Transfers

FC Goa rope in Spanish striker Airam Cabrera

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FC Goa rope in Spanish striker Airam Cabrera

Goa: FC Goa announced the signing of Spanish forward Airam Cabrera on a one-year deal. Cabrera, 33, has the experience of playing across some of the top leagues in Europe – having strutted his stuff at various levels in Spain and the top leagues of Poland (Ekstraklasa) and Cyprus (Protathlima Cyta).

Coming through the ranks at CD Tenerife, Cabrera has gone on to play for a number of Spanish clubs, viz. Villarreal B, Cordoba, Numancia, Lugo, Cadiz and Extremadura. He has also had three stints in the Polish top flight, scoring 30 goals and assisting 4 in 60 appearances in the Ekstraklasa playing for Wisla Plock, Cracovia and Korona Kielce.

“I want to thank FC Goa for the trust and faith they have put in me. I believe this will be another wonderful chapter in my life. I am really looking forward to playing in India and experience the amazing state of Goa. I’m delighted to be here,” said Cabrera after putting pen to paper. “I want to help the team with goals and all the experience I acquired in Europe – to help in growing the team.”

“I feel good, I feel motivated. I have done my homework and I feel I fit really well with the philosophy that the Club has about football and believe that I have all the tools necessary to succeed here in India.”
FC Goa’s Vice President – Strategy, Ravi Puskur also weighed in on the much-anticipated signing. He said, “We’re pleased to bring Airam on board. He’s a player we have monitored closely over the years and we have always found him to be an ideal fit for our style of football.

“His ability to operate between the lines, excellent link-up play and movement along with a good work rate off the ball are all right up there with what we were hoping to bring in this window. We waited for the right profile through the course of the summer and we’re satisfied that we’ve found the profile who can spearhead our attacking efforts next season.

“We have high hopes for him and I’m confident he will endear himself to the fans with his performances.”

(FC Goa Media)

 

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Women's National Team

Thomas Dennerby to take charge as Head Coach of Indian Senior Women’s Team

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Thomas Dennerby to take charge as Head Coach of Indian Senior Women’s Team

New Delhi: In India’s bid to prepare for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022, as per the decision of the AIFF Technical Committee, Thomas Dennerby will be taking charge as Head Coach of the Indian Senior Women’s National Team with immediate effect. India are the hosts of the Continental Championship from January 20-February 6, 2022.

Dennerby, who was earlier in charge of the Indian U-17 Women’s World Cup squad, has an experience of over 30 years in coaching several National squads with much success. The UEFA Pro Diploma Holder had guided Sweden’s Women’s National team to a 3rd-place finish in the FIFA World Cup in 2011, and a quarter-final spot in the 2012 London Olympics.

He also served as the Head Coach of the Nigerian Women’s National team wherein he coached the Super Falcons to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. He also helped the Nigerian women to win the AWCON Award 2018, and was awarded the 2018 Coach of the Year in Nigeria.

“I am grateful to the All India Football Federation for finding me suitable for the job. It’s an honour to be taking over as the Head Coach of the Indian Senior Women’s National team,” Dennerby stated. “I have been in India and am aware of the huge potential. It is a big challenge to get the girls ready for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Life is all about challenges, and I relish it,” he added.

AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das averred: “With his vast experience, Thomas will bring in immense value addition to the women’s team. He is acquainted with India and we look forward together for him to improve our team technically, and competitively.”

Dennerby will move to take charge of the Indian U-17 World Cup squad once the AFC Asian Cup ends in February 2022. Till then, the U-17 girls will be training under the watchful eyes of Assistant Coach Alex Ambrose, who will be working in close coordination with Dennerby.

The AIFF in consultation with Thomas Dennerby and relevant stakeholders has also laid down a composite calendar for the development of women’s football, which also targets a number of International exposure tours for the Women’s Team leading to the AFC Asian Cup India 2022 which kicks off on January 20, 2022 — all of which are subject to materialisation in view of the current pandemic situation which prevails all over the world, restricting travel worldwide.

AIFF expects covid restrictions and quarantine rules to get flexible in different countries soon, and with requisite permissions landing from the Governments of the respective countries, the Women’s team will be travelling abroad for International Friendlies.

In addition, subject to the pandemic situation improving in India and with consent coming in from the Government of India, there are plans to host an International tournament for Women’s in India soon.

At the domestic level, the Senior National Championships are planned to be held in November; while a probable window for the Hero IWL is March/April 2022 in Bhubaneswar. The Head Coach was very clear that it would not be prudent to allow National Team players to participate in Hero IWL before the Asian Cup in 2022, and accordingly it will be held after the Asian Cup.

Participation in both the competitions will be granted solely to players/staff who have got themselves fully vaccinated.

(AIFF Media)

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Men's National Team

Blue Tigers to kick-off camp in Kolkata from August 15

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The Indian National Team will be camping in Kolkata from August 15, 2021, onwards.

New Delhi: Keeping an eye on their preparation for the forthcoming International Friendlies in September 2021, the Indian National Team will be camping in Kolkata from August 15, 2021, onwards. All players and staff will be assembling by the day with training sessions starting from the next day (August 16, 2021).

This marks the return of the National Team camp in Kolkata after 15 years, with the Blue Tigers last having camped in Kolkata way back in 2006 prior to the FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Saudi Arabia. The camp will be conducted under a secured bio-bubble adhering to the laid-down health parameters in wake of the current pandemic situation. The contingent will also be undergoing regular testing.

National team Head Coach Igor Stimac has named his initial list of 23 probables, leaving out players from ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC owing to the two club’s commitments in the AFC Cup in the Maldives. Players from both clubs will be joining the squad immediately after finishing their club commitments in the continental tournament.

Head Coach Igor Stimac averred: “I am very happy to meet with my players again and get ready for the upcoming challenges forward together.”

“We wish both the Indian clubs good luck and hope they do well in the AFC Cup. Meanwhile, we need to check on the rest of the players who will kick-off the camp with us next week, and choose the best ones until the rest of the players join us,” Stimac, who coached Croatia to qualification for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014, added.

The 23 players joining the camp on August 15 are as follows:

GOALKEEPERS: Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, Vishal Kaith.

DEFENDERS: Asish Rai, Seriton Fernandes, Rahul Bheke, Adil Khan, Chinglensana Singh, Narender, Akash Mishra, Mandar Rao Dessai.

MIDFIELDERS: Bipin Singh, Brandon Fernandes, Lalengmawia, Glan Martins, Jeakson Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Yasir Mohammed, Halicharan Narzary.

FORWARDS: Rahul KP, Farukh Choudhary, Ishan Pandita, Rahim Ali.

The ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC players who will be joining the camp after their AFC Cup duties are as follows:

GOALKEEPERS: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

DEFENDERS: Pritam Kotal, Ashutosh Mehta, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose.

MIDFIELDERS: Udanta Singh, Pronay Halder, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Ashqiue Kuruniyan

FORWARDS: Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Sunil Chhetri.

(AIFF Media)

 

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AFC Cup

Bengaluru FC announce squad for AFC Cup playoff clash

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Bengaluru FC announce squad for AFC Cup playoff clash

Bengaluru: Bengaluru FC, on Monday, announced their 29-man squad for the 2021 AFC Cup playoff against Maldivian side Club Eagles, on August 15. Skipper Sunil Chhetri will lead the side, which includes as many as seven new signings.

Defenders Alan Costa, Yrondu Musavu-King and Brazilian striker Cleiton Silva make up the Blues’ foreign contingent, which also features six new Indian signings in Harmanpreet Singh, Jayesh Rane, Bidyashagar Singh, Sarthak Golui, Danish Farooq and Rohit Kumar.

The graduates from the club’s reserve side include goalkeeper Sharon Padattil, midfielder Muhammad Inayath, as well as strikers Akashdeep Singh and Sivasakthi Narayanan, who finished as top scorer in the Blues’ BDFA Super Division League campaign.

The Blues’ playoff clash against Club Eagles will take place at the National Stadium, in Maldives, on August 15. Victory in the playoff will send the Blues into Group D, which includes Indian Super League side ATK Mohun Bagan, Bashundhara Kings (Bangladesh) and Maziya S&RC (Maldives).

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Lalthuammawia Ralte, Lara Sharma, Sharon Padattil

Defenders: Pratik Chaudhari, Wungngayam Muirang, Ajith Kumar, Ashique Kuruniyan, Parag Shrivas, Yrondu Musavu-King, Biswa Darjee, Alan Costa, Sarthak Golui

Midfielders: Suresh Wangjam, Namgyal Bhutia, Jayesh Rane, Danish Farooq, Rohit Kumar, Muhammad Inayath, Ajay Chhetri

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh, Cleiton Silva, Leon Augustine, Naorem Roshan Singh, Bidyashagar Singh, Sivasakthi Narayanan, Akashdeep Singh, Harmanpreet Singh

Head Coach: Marco Pezzaiuoli

Assistant Coach: Naushad Moosa

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Transfers

Serbian defender Slavko Damjanovic joins Chennaiyin FC

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Slavko Damjanovic signs for Chennaiyin FC

Chennai: Two-time Indian Super League (ISL) champions Chennaiyin FC (CFC) have completed the signing of defender Slavko Damjanovic on one-year deal ahead of the 2021-22 season.

With 151 club appearances in his nine-year-long career as professional footballer, the left-footed centre-back will provide much-needed stability to the club’s backline. Standing tall at 6 ft 2, the Serbian could also prove to be a potential attacking threat from set-pieces.

“We are extremely pleased to onboard someone like Slavko to help solidify our backline. A player of his calibre might have a lot to pass onto our young defenders,” CFC co-owner Vita Dani said on the club’s third foreign recruit of the season.

Slavko played a pivotal role in Buducnost Podgorica’s fourth Montenegrin League title in 2019-20 and also featured in their Europa League qualifying matches that year.

“I am so happy to join [Chennaiyin FC]. I hope we win the league. The coach is bringing in good players. I will give my everything for the team. I look forward to representing a city with such culture,” the Montenegro-born footballer said.

The 28-year-old began his professional career with FK Spartak Subotica in Serbian league in 2012-13. Slavko has also played in Hungary, Uzbekistan and South Africa. He returned to Serbia after five years in 2020-21, joining FK TSC Backa Topola where he made 11 appearances, also netting one goal.

“Slavko is a highly tactical player, and his inclusion is certain to give the team more stability from the back to the front,” CFC head coach Bozidar Bandovic said.

In his maiden ISL campaign, Slavko will look to help CFC lift the coveted trophy for the third time. Marina Machans have previously won the title in 2015 and 2017-18.

(Chennaiyin FC Media)

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