Latest news with #ACL2
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
HT Kick Off: The challenges Jamil could face
The appointment of Khalid Jamil as head coach has come at a time when uncertainty is the only certainty in football in India. The inability of All India Football Federation (AIFF) to announce the duration of Jamil's contract, or when he will be released by current employers Jamshedpur FC, while naming him the men's team head coach fits into a narrative where a court verdict is pending and the future of the Indian Super League (ISL) in animated suspension. Khalid Jamil needs to be ready in quick time for his first international assignment. (HT) Since Jamil has not spoken — how can he, given that he is busy with Durand Cup — we do not know how he has planned his first international assignment in the short, medium and long term. Jamil has asked, and is likely to get, a three-year contract. But one week after being named Manolo Marquez's replacement, India does not know how he proposes to lift the team from the bottom of the 2027 Asian Cup qualification group. Or, what he would want to achieve in the CAFANations Cup beginning later this month. This was not how Stephen Constantine and Igor Stimac, head coaches from 2015 to 2024, were appointed. Albert Roca was said to be a shoo-in because of his success at Bengaluru FC but Stimac got the job in 2019 because he had aced the interview. Even though he had never worked in India, Stimac impressed AIFF with his knowledge of players in ISL and I-League, it was said at the time. Neither the executive committee nor the technical committee got to hear what the final shortlist of Constantine, Jamil or Štefan Tarkovič would offer a men's national team in urgent need of repairs. The club-country tussle But that bridge has been crossed, the appointment made. Can AIFF now give Jamil the best possible chance to deliver? Assuming Jamshedpur FC release Jamil in national interest, his first assignment does not start in a FIFA window which means teams in the Durand Cup are unlikely to release players before they exit the tournament. If FC Goa qualify for the Asian Champions League 2 – they play Al-Seeb in a winners-take-all one-off qualifier on Wednesday –will they release players for national duty? Will Mohun Bagan Super Giant who have started training for ACL2 main round in September? Sunil Chhetri's club Bengaluru FC have suspended salaries of first team players and staff. Source: (ISL) Add to that a number of clubs not having started pre-season because, well, they do not know when the season will start. Calling players from Chennaiyn FC, Bengaluru FC, or Odisha FC, could be risky, especially if there is no scope for at least a two-week preparatory camp. A squad without the regulars from Bengaluru FC would be severely depleted. One where a number of players join after the Durand Cup final on August 23 could be under-prepared against Tajikistan, Iran and Afghanistan. Or will Jamil go for the left-field choice of players whose club careers he has helped revive but who have not been in the national team in the recent past? Whatever it is, suddenly, what seemed like a good move to get players game time could devolve into a situation marginally better than the 2023 Asian Games fiasco. Jamil is a football obsessive who has consistently got teams to punch above their weight. For the Asian Cup qualifiers, where India is the top ranked team, can he continue to be the underdogs' coach who took Aizawl FC, NorthEast United and Jamshedpur FC to glory? The low block and long balls that bypass the midfield will not work against teams that could adopt the same tactics. After all, you cannot park the bus against teams that park the bus. So, Jamil may have to evolve into a coach he has not been. The difference between good and great would lie in his ability to do that. For more on Jamil, read here and here. Play of the week
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
ISL champion Mohun Bagan unlikely to attend meeting with AIFF, clubs; East Bengal, FC Goa probable attendees
Indian Super League (ISL) champion Mohun Bagan Super Giant is unlikely to attend the meeting scheduled with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and other clubs on August 7. Sources inside the club have denied receiving any invitation for the meeting and maintained that if one were to arrive, Bagan's presence in the national capital for the meeting on Thursday is improbable. 'The club knows that it is a deadlock situation where a solution will come only after the Supreme Court's judgement. In such a scenario, it becomes almost futile to have discussions without any way forward,' a source privy to the developments told Sportstar. Meanwhile, East Bengal, the other Kolkata giant, has taken the opposite route, expressing eagerness to discuss with the Federation's top brass and clubs. ALSO READ: Bengaluru FC indefinitely suspends player and staff salaries amid ISL uncertainty 'We received the letter today, and we are eager to attend. We are discussing with the higher authority at the club to come to a conclusion,' Debabrata Sarkar, East Bengal's club official, said. The future of the ISL remains uncertain after the Football Sports Development Limited—the league's organiser—and the AIFF failed to reach an agreement on the Master Rights Agreement. With the Supreme Court stalling further negotiations until it rules on the AIFF constitution, most clubs have been left without any league football. As a result, some franchises have taken contingency measures—ranging from temporarily suspending operations (Bengaluru FC) to offering short-term player contracts (Jamshedpur FC). The meeting on Thursday will primarily address this concern, with possible discussions on hosting the Super Cup later this year as a stopgap measure until the Supreme Court reaches a decision—a way to keep the clubs operational. ALSO READ: AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers: India to host matches in November The Super Cup is typically held as the final tournament of the season, but there have previously been talks about preponing it and even replacing it with the Federation Cup. 'The Super Cup continues as planned, and its scheduling will depend on the finalised league (ISL) calendar,' Kalyan Chaubey, the AIFF president, had earlier told Sportstar in an interview. Only two clubs have confirmed competitive fixtures after the Durand Cup in a window — September to December — that typically served as the slot for the ISL: Mohun Bagan and FC Goa. Bagan, having won the ISL Shield last season, qualified for the group stages of the AFC Champions League Two (ACL 2) and has games planned at least from September to December. FILE PHOTO: Ravi Puskur, the director of football at FC Goa, will represent the club at the meeting. | Photo Credit: The Hindu/EMMANUAL YOGINI Goa, meanwhile, plays Al-Seeb from Oman in the preliminary stages of (ACL 2) on August 13 and can potentially feature in the group stages of the Challenge League, scheduled till the end of the year. The Gaurs, however, will be a part of the meeting, through their Director of Football, Ravi Puskur.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Bulls, City make signings ahead of fixture juggle
Macarthur FC have added former South Korea international Ji Dong-won to their attacking stocks as they prepare to juggle their A-League Men season with a return to Asian Football. Elsewhere, Melbourne City have signed Japanese attacker Takeshi Kanamori on a two-year deal ahead of their Asian Champions League Elite campaign. The Bulls are in the ACL2 competition after winning last year's Australia Cup, while they will also be hoping to return to the ALM finals mix. Striker Ji had a stint with Sunderland FC in the English Premier League and played in the Bundesliga, most notably at Augsburg. The 34-year-old has made more than 100 K League appearances and scored 11 goals in 55 internationals between 2010 and 2019. He was also part of the team that won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. "I love Australia, it has a good lifestyle and good football with strong young players. This is a good last challenge for my career," said Ji, who has signed a one-year deal. "I have played in Europe so I will bring my experience to help the young players in this team." Kanamori joins ALM champions City from Japanese club Avispa Fukuoka, where he made 309 appearances and scored 40 goals across two stints in the J2 and J1 Leagues. He won the Asian Champions League and the Japanese Super Cup with Kashima Antlers, while also having a stint at Sagan Tosu. "I'll do my best, putting all the experience I've gained so far into this project, aiming to not only win the championship for the second time in a row, but also to win the ACL together," he said. City will hope Kanamori can spark their attack in their title defence, especially after star winger Marco Tilio departed at season's end. Sydney FC captain Rhyan Grant, meanwhile, has extended his contract until the end of the 2026-27 season.
The Star
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Mickey: Charity Shield can ignite Selangor's Super League campaign
PETALING JAYA: The curtain raiser for the 2025-2026 Malaysian League against Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in the Charity Shield is more than just a trophy match for Selangor – it is seen as a morale booster to fuel a stronger campaign this season, according to the team's star player Faisal Halim ( pic ). Faisal, better known as Mickey, said the game on Aug 8 in Johor would be the ideal platform to build momentum and test the team's readiness before facing a demanding season. 'We've been preparing for over two months. All the players are ready to play. I think we'll go there to get a positive result,' said Faisal. 'It'll be a balanced match. In football, nothing is impossible. 'We'll give our best and leave the rest to Allah – who knows, it might be our fortune. 'And I believe this is the beginning for Selangor to go all the way this season. We'll start on the right foot. 'Regardless of the outcome, even if it doesn't go our way, we must continue our fight,' said Faisal after the launch of the publicity roadshow for The Sultan of Selangor's Cup on Sept 27 at Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur. Asked whether the Red Giants were prepared for a packed schedule this season involving both domestic and international competitions, Faisal stressed that it was the players' responsibility to bear that 'burden' as part of their job. 'In the past, we had just the Super League domestically. Then last year, we went to the ACL2 (AFC Champions League 2), so we got to feel the difference in terms of rest and long-distance travel. 'But this year, we've added the Shopee Cup, which is very challenging. 'Our first game will be in Buriram. We'll travel from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok and then take a five-hour bus ride to Buriram. That's not easy. 'Not all players enjoy that – long travel, one day of rest, then a game, then returning and immediately having another match,' he said. He stressed that every player in the Selangor squad, whether in the starting eleven or on the bench, must maintain high readiness levels as the opportunity to play could come at any time, and only those truly prepared could meet the challenge. — Bernama
The Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Selangor FC aims for strong start in Charity Shield against JDT
THE curtain raiser for the 2025-2026 Malaysian League against Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in the Charity Shield is more than just a trophy match for Selangor FC – it is seen as a morale booster to fuel a stronger campaign this season, according to the team's star player, Muhammad Faisal Abdul Halim. Muhammad Faisal, better known as Mickey, said the prestigious match would be the ideal platform to build momentum and test the team's readiness before facing a demanding season. 'We've been preparing for over two months. All the players are ready to play. I think we'll go there to get a positive result. It'll be a balanced match. In football, nothing is impossible. We'll give our best and leave the rest to Allah – who knows, it might be our fortune, insya-Allah. 'And I believe this is the beginning for Selangor to go all the way this season. We'll start on the right foot, insya-Allah. Regardless of the outcome, even if it doesn't go our way, we must continue our fight,' he told reporters after the launch of the publicity roadshow for The Sultan of Selangor's Cup (TSSC), which is scheduled to take place on Sept 27 at Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur. Asked whether the Red Giants were prepared for a packed schedule this season involving both domestic and international competitions, Muhammad Faisal stressed that it was the players' responsibility to bear that 'burden' as part of their job. He said players could not afford to stay in their comfort zone and must consistently strive to improve their performance and capabilities throughout the season. 'In the past, we had just the Super League domestically. Then last year, we went to the ACL2 (AFC Champions League 2), so we got to feel the difference in terms of rest and long-distance travel. But this year, we've added the Shopee Cup, which is very challenging. 'Our first game will be in Buriram. We'll travel from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok and then take a five-hour bus ride to Buriram. That's not easy. Not all players enjoy that – long travel, one day of rest, then a game, then returning and immediately having another match,' he said. He stressed that every player in the Selangor squad, whether in the starting eleven or on the bench, must maintain high readiness levels as the opportunity to play could come at any time, and only those truly prepared could meet the challenge. Meanwhile, TSSC chairman and team manager Tan Sri Abd Karim said the event was not just an ordinary football match but a symbolic occasion to relive the golden era of Malaysian football in the 1970s, especially the iconic rivalry between Selangor and Singapore, who met 23 times in Malaysia Cup finals, with Selangor winning 12 of those encounters. The 21st edition of TSSC will kick off with a match between the Selangor Veterans and the Singapore Veterans, followed by the main event between Selangor Selection and Singapore Selection. The Selangor Selection has lifted the Sultan of Selangor's Cup 10 times – in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2024. The Singapore Selection, meanwhile, has won the title seven times – in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2016 and 2017 – while both teams were declared joint champions in 2004. - Bernama
