Despite the ISL and the I-League not taking place today, a lot of worthwhile things happened to keep the Indian football fans invested. Sunil Chhetri is in contention to win the ‘Best Footballer in Asia 2018’ award, Kerala Blasters sacked their manager David James, and Nishu Kumar is injured out of the national team setup for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
If you had missed out our previous edition of the Indian football news roundup, you can check it out here. Without any further ado, here is today’s roundup of the Indian football.
Sunil Chhetri in contention to win the ‘Best Footballer in Asia 2018’ award
Titan Sports released a 24-member list for the ‘Best Footballer in Asia 2018’ award. Sunil Chhetri is the lone representative from India, being nominated for the second time after his 2017 nomination. Apart from Sunil Chhetri, Lalrindika Ralte was the only other Indian to be considered for the award when he finished 25th in the 2013 edition of the award.
If Sunil Chhetri wins this award, it would be a proud moment for all the people who follow Indian football closely as no other Indian footballer has won it previously. The Sportsindiashow team wishes Sunil Chhetri all the best.
Kerala Blasters sack David James
The Kerala Blasters management has sacked their manager David James for the remainder of the 2018-19 Hero Indian Super League owing to the poor performance of the club. Kerala Blasters are currently sitting on the eighth position in the table after 1 win and four draws. The side is on an 11-match winless streak. The assistant coach Thongboi Singto will be the interim coach until a new manager is announced.
Nishu Kumar injured out of the 34-member probable squad for India
Nishu Kumar is injured out of India’s 34-member probable squad in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. The 21-year-old suffered a knee injury in Bengaluru FC’s last match against ATK and was substituted in the first half itself. The official Twitter handle of Indian Football team announced the same.
Six5Six is the new Indian football team’s kit sponsor
The AIFF has ended their partnership with Nike as the national team’s kit sponsor. From now on, the Indian football team will be wearing their jersey sponsored by Six5Six. The Gurgaon based sportswear brand is already the kit sponsor of Indian Super League clubs FC Pune City and Kerala Blasters. We can’t wait to see prominent Indian football stars like Sunil Chhetri wearing the jersey tailored by Six5Six.
Mahmoud Al-Amna to Mohammedan Sporting?
According to Indiafooty.com, Mohammedan Sporting Club is in talks with former East Bengal midfielder Mahmoud Al-Amna. The Black Panthers require the Syrian’s presence for the upcoming Second Division I-League to make an entry in I-League in which they last participated in the 2013-14 edition.
Mahmoud Al-Amna was released by East Bengal after he got injured by training in the pre-season in Malaysia. The Syrian is a free agent now.
Bengaluru FC’s Chencho Gyeltshen injured
Bengaluru FC’s lone Bhutanese import Chencho Gyeltshen is injured. However, the club is not looking for his replacement as reported by Goal.com. Bengaluru FC is assessing the former Minerva Punjab player’s injury. His injury puts the total count on the number of injured Bengaluru FC players to three- the others being Nishu Kumar and Miku.
Minerva Punjab allege Star Sports of poor broadcasting
Minerva Punjab has alleged Star Sports India of poor broadcasting. Speaking to Sportskeeda, Minerva Punjab owner Ranjit Bajaj said, “The I-League is recognized as the top official league of the country where the winner gets a chance to represent the country in the AFC Champions League. So, why a step-motherly attitude been has been shown against us? Even the Ranji Trophy matches are broadcasted in HD.”
Aizawl FC win the 2018 Mizoram Premier League
Aizawl FC lifted the 2018 Mizoram Premier League by defeating Chhinga Veng FC in the finals. The scoreline finished 1-1 in regulation time and extra time and matters had to be solved in the penalties. Lalrinchhana Tochhawng delivered the deathblow to his former club as he converted his spot kick to win the shootout 5-4.
2018 I-League Second Division groups announced
AIFF announced the groups of the 2018 I-League Second Division on Tuesday. A total of 24 teams had submitted their bid but only 15 of them were approved by the highest governing body of football in India. They have been divided into three groups of five clubs each.
Group A: Lonestar Kashmir, Hindustan FC, ARA FC, FC Goa B, Bengaluru FC
Group B: Fateh Hyderabad SC, Ozone FC, South United, Kerala Blasters B, Chennaiyin FC B
Group C: Chhinga Veng, TRAU FC, New Barrackpore Rainbow, Mohammedan Sporting, ATK B, Jamshedpur FC B
Suraj Rasaili becomes the first Indian footballer to play in Bhutan
Jalpaiguri’s Suraj Rasaili became the first Indian football player to play in Bhutan after he signed for their top club Transport United. The Jalpaiguri-born 19-year-old midfielder used to train in East Bengal’s training academy in Jalpaiguri Raiganj area.
