Latest news with #CAFA
Al Jazeera
2 days ago
- Sport
- Al Jazeera
India join World Cup qualifiers Iran and Uzbekistan in CAFA Cup
India have been invited to play in the Central Asian Football Association's (CAFA) Nations Cup next month, the regional football federation has confirmed, alongside FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers Iran and Uzbekistan. The second edition of the tournament – Iran won the inaugural event in 2023 – will run from August 29 to September 8. Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are the host countries. The regional tournament illustrates a significant thaw in diplomatic ties between Central Asian countries after decades of tensions and conflicts since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. 'With one month to go, preparations are in full swing to deliver a tournament aimed at developing football and strengthening international collaboration across the region,' CAFA said. In addition to India, the six members of CAFA – Afghanistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan – will compete. Oman was also invited and will play in the tournament for the second time. Kazakhstan, a vast country in Central Asia and a major regional power, will be notably absent from the tournament as it is a member of UEFA. Uzbekistan's historic qualification last month for the World Cup finals was seen as a symbol of the rapid rise of football in Central Asian countries, traditionally more successful in combat sports than team sports. In recent years, the former Soviet republics of Central Asia have made several notable breakthroughs. All enjoy strong state support, with CAFA headed by the son of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon. The Indian men's national team are currently without a coach, while the Indian Super League (ISL) – India's top domestic competition – is in danger of collapse following a dispute between the federation and its commercial partner. The current turmoil led Sunil Chhetri, India's celebrated veteran striker, to post on X about the fate of the ISL. 'Everybody in the Indian football ecosystem is worried, hurt, scared about the uncertainty we are faced with,' he said.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
India to play in CAFA Nations Cup — Full schedule; Iran, Tajikistan among opponents
India will play in the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup, replacing Malaysia, which withdrew from the tournament citing logistical challenges. 'Malaysia's participation had been confirmed well in advance, with full awareness of the tournament dates (29.08. - 08.09.2025) and schedule, and those dates have never been changed from the beginning,' the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) said in a statement. 'Unfortunately, this late withdrawal has caused certain disruptions to the ongoing organisational processes, particularly given the advanced stage of planning and preparations.' As a result, the Blue Tigers have replaced Harimau Malaya, and the tournament will mark their first under a new coach, following Manolo Marquez's departure earlier this month by mutual consent. At the Nations Cup, India will be drawn alongside Tajikistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. The team will have a chance to earn significant ranking points if it can pull off upsets against Iran — the defending champion — and Tajikistan, a 2023 Asian Cup quarterfinalist. The top two teams from each group will progress to the play-off stage, with two matches scheduled for September 8. The third-place match will be contested by the two group runners-up in Dushanbe, while the final, between the group winners, will take place in Tashkent. CAFA Nations Cup 2025 tentative schedule: India vs Tajikistan — August 29 India vs Iran — September 1 India vs Afghanistan — September 4 Indian football has been adrift since its group-stage exit at the 2024 Asian Cup — a run that saw the team change head coaches from Igor Stimac to Manolo Marquez, yet go winless in competitive matches for 16 months. Now ranked 133rd, its lowest position in nearly a decade, the men's team is hoping for a course correction under a new coach, expected to be appointed on August 1 from a shortlist that includes Khalid Jamil, Stephen Constantine, and Stefan Tarkovic.
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First Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
Indian football team gets invited to CAFA Nations Cup; set to face Iran, Tajikistan
In a big boost for the Indian football team, the Blue Tigers have been invited to take part in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, where they are set to face teams like Iran and Tajikistan. read more Indian football team has been invited to take part in the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup. Image: PTI The Indian football team will take part in the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup 2025 in August-September 2025, it was confirmed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Wednesday. The Blue Tigers, who are still searching for their next head coach, will take on teams like Tajikistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Afghanistan in the eight-team tournament group stage. It's a big step for the Indian football team, which is part of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF). Playing in a CAFA tournament would allow them the opportunity to compete against much higher-ranked teams as compared to the SAFF Cup STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The CAFA Nations Cup 2025 will also serve as a preparatory tournament for India ahead of their upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027 Final Round Qualifiers. The biennial CAFA Nations Cup will be held in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan from 29 August to 8 September 2025. More from Football India's next Asian Cup qualifier is against Singapore on 9 October, with the reverse leg on 14 October. They face Bangladesh on 18 November and play their last match against Hong Kong on 31 March 2026. The Blue Tigers are currently at the bottom of the four-team group, having suffered a loss to Hong Kong and a draw against Bangladesh so far. Only the winner from Group C, which includes India, will qualify for the Asian Cup. India's matches in CAFA Nations Cup 2025 In the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, India have been drawn in Group B alongside Tajikistan, Islamic Republic of Iran and Afghanistan. The top two teams from each group will progress to the play-off stage, which will see two matches being played on 8 September. The third-place match will be played between the two group runners-up in Dushanbe, while the two group winners will play the final in Tashkent. Group A will be hosted by Uzbekistan, who are drawn alongside Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, and Oman in Tashkent. CAFA has six members — Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kygryz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Oman and India are the two invited sides for the second edition of the CAFA Nations Cup. Iran are the defending champions, having beaten Uzbekistan 1-0 in the 2023 final. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD CAFA Nations Cup 2025 Draw Group A: Uzbekistan (H), Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Oman. Group B: Tajikistan (H), IR Iran, Afghanistan, India. India's match schedule: August 29: Tajikistan vs India September 1: India vs IR Iran September 4: Afghanistan vs India
Vancouver Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- Vancouver Sun
Canadian stylist sounds off on nighttime repair — for your hair
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Skin salves, deep sleep — it's no secret that the nighttime is a perfect time to rest and reset. But can your evening slumber also be a time to repair your hair? According to Canadian celebrity hair artist Andrew Ly , the answer is yes! 'Think of your hair the same way you treat your skin — it deserves consistency, protection and care,' says Ly. 'While hair itself isn't 'alive' like skin, the scalp and hair follicles are. And just like the skin, they benefit from increased cell turnover and repair at night. Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'This is when your body is in recovery mode, circulation improves and nutrients are more effectively delivered to cells — including the ones responsible for healthy hair growth.' We caught up with Ly, an Oribe hair professional who won the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) Best Stylist of the Year in 2023, to learn more: A: Some of the most important hair-care steps start with proper cleansing — shampooing two to three times a week with a conditioner that's specific to your hair type. Most clients are using the wrong shampoos, so it's essential to consult with your stylist to ensure you're using the right products for your needs. Weekly deep conditioning treatments are also crucial. They help nourish and strengthen the hair while supporting scalp health — especially important if you regularly use heat tools or styling products. A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair. A post shared by Andrew Ly (@andrewly) A: A nighttime hair routine is seriously underrated — but for me, it's a non-negotiable. Just like we apply our favourite overnight masks for radiant, glowing skin, our hair deserves that same level of care while we sleep. Think of Oribe's Gold Lust Restorative Night Crème as your hair's version of a luxury face mask. You apply it before bed, and by morning, you wake up with gorgeous, shiny, revived hair. Who doesn't want that kind of glow-up to start the day? A: Its impressive, skin-care-grade ingredients — plant collagen, caffeine, biotin and niacinamide — all powerhouse actives known for strengthening and nourishing not just your skin, but your hair follicles too. If it's good enough for your face, it's more than good enough for your strands. Who's saying no to collagen? A: Use one to two pumps on damp or dry hair. Apply mid-lengths to ends. Comb through for even distribution. Go to sleep — no rinsing, no residue on your pillowcase. Wake up and style as usual. It's that simple. Always use the Gold Lust Restorative Night Crème on clean hair. I prefer applying it to damp hair because it penetrates the follicles better, but it works just as well on dry, clean hair. For extra care, try using it a few times a week and pair it with a silk pillowcase to help reduce friction and keep your hair smooth overnight. For an easy overnight style, section your hair into four parts, braid each section and tie the ends before bed. In the morning, undo the braids for soft, restored beach waves — no heat needed. It's a simple way to wake up with beautiful, healthy hair. A: Sleep bonnets, especially those made from silk or satin, are fantastic for protecting your hair overnight. They reduce friction against pillowcases, which means less breakage, frizz and split ends. They also help maintain moisture by preventing hair from drying out. So yes, definitely a hair-friendly accessory. Just make sure the bonnet fits comfortably and isn't too tight, as excessive tension can cause stress on the hairline. Heatless curls are a brilliant way to get beautiful waves or curls without heat damage. Techniques like braiding, twisting or using foam rollers overnight can create natural, effortless styles while preserving hair health. The key cautions are to avoid styles that pull too tightly, which can cause breakage or tension headaches, and to ensure your hair is properly moisturized beforehand to minimize friction. Aharris@
New Straits Times
20-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
'Cheaper for Harimau Malaya to go to Singapore than Dushanbe?
KUALA LUMPUR: For years, Harimau Malaya lamented that no top teams want to play them because of their "low" standard. Now ironically, Malaysia withdrew from the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup after accepting a first ever invitation. And now, there is speculation that Malaysia may play Singapore instead during the September Fifa window. Malaysia still want to play their neighbours from across the Causeway — again, again and again? Singapore as replacement for higher ranked teams like Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Iran, who are going to the 2026 World Cup? Football legend Datuk Jamal Nasir Ismail finds this purported U-turn from Central Asia to Southeast Asia baffling. "They don't want to play in a good tournament. What's the strategy? There must be something that has led to this," said Jamal. It was reported that the national team will instead hold a training camp in Kuala Lumpur from Sept 1–9, while a friendly with Singapore was being considered. Jamal said the national team could be trying to save costs as going to Singapore instead of Dushanbe (for the Nations Cup) is cheaper. "Is it because of financial constraints? When going there (Nations Cup), you have to pay this and that, flights are expensive, but here (Singapore) is not that expensive. "They should come out with a press conference to explain and not just keep quiet," he added. Jamal also found it hard to accept the reasons for Malaysia's withdrawal — travel logistics, transit fatigue and the unavailability of overseas-based players. "These are not good excuses, and if there are transits, then go earlier and you can recover. Not a plausible excuse. "Even when they talk about overseas-based players who aren't available, do they think that only players like Imanol Machuca, Facundo Garces and Rodrigo Holgado are good and the rest aren't? I think netizens will think the same way, too," said Jamal.
