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Time of India
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Lalbiaknia takes the ISL leap with Highlanders
After ensuring that last season's ISL topscorer Alaaeddine Ajaraie stays on with them for another year, NorthEast United FC , on Sunday, announced the addition of more firepower to their attack by the signing of young Indian striker, Lalrinzuala Labiaknia. Lalbiaknia, who grabbed the spotlight in the 2023-24 season by breaking the record of most goals in an I-League season held by Sunil Chhetri and Mohammed Rafi with a tally of 15 goals, saw his contract with Aizawl FC expire after the 2024-25. However, it was the natural progression for one of the most exciting striking talents in the country to move into the top-tier Indian Super League after a brilliant journey in I-League with Aizawl FC — scoring another 12 goals for the Mizoram club during the last season. And the Mizo youngster was glad to have made his first stride in ISL with the club that represents the northeast. "I come from this region, so joining NorthEast United FC is a truly proud moment for me. When I heard about the offer, I instantly knew this was where I wanted to be," Lalrinzuala said. "Playing in ISL will be a new challenge, but I'm ready to give my best, score goals, and contribute to the team's success. I'm excited for this journey, and I believe we can achieve great things together." Head coach Juan Pedro Benali, who held the reins in a brilliant season for the Highlanders and one where they added their first silverware with the Durand Cup, was also excited to enhance the dynamism upfront with the inclusion of the 23-year-old striker. "We are delighted to welcome Lalrinzuala to the team," the coach said in a club statement. "He is a young Indian striker who brings a different profile to our attack with good instincts in the box. He has proved himself with consistency, and I believe he has the potential to grow immensely with us." NEUFC have been at work on strengthening their squad for the next season with the contract renewal by two years of defender Dinesh Singh and midfielder Fredy Chawngthansanga, apart from the staying back of their Moroccan star Ajaraie.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Durand Cup to champion North-East football with five-state host plan
Asia's oldest football tournament, the Durand Cup, will be back with its 134 th Edition and for the first time in its storied history, be hosted in as many as five states with Manipur's capital Imphal, making a comeback after a two-year gap. The Durand Cup Organising Committee also announced the dates for this year's tournament to be between July 22- August 23, 2025. Kokrajhar in Assam will extend their status as Durand Cup hosts for the third consecutive year while Jamshedpur in Jharkhand and Shillong in Meghalaya were added as hosts last year. The century-old tournament shifted its home base to Kolkata – the Mecca of Indian Football, and the capital of West Bengal, from Delhi back in 2019, and will also continue to hold that status for a sixth consecutive edition. Since its transition to the East, the Durand Cup has reinstated itself as the country's premiere competition, growing from 16 teams to 24 teams, including participation from all the Indian Super League (ISL) teams. Organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services, the tournament is unique in the sense that it pits Services teams against India's best football clubs and over the past couple of editions, has also seen foreign participation with Army teams from neighbouring nations. The Indian Army's stated vision of expanding the reach of the historic tournament throughout the East and North-East is also now fully reflected with the choice of host cities this year. All State Governments and local autonomous bodies have wholeheartedly pledged their support like always for the popular tournament which has captured the imagination of the football loving people of the region. A total of six venues, two in Kolkata (Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and Kishore Bharti Krirangan) and one each in Imphal (Khuman Lampak stadium), Ranchi (Morhabadi Stadium) or Jamshedpur (JRD Tata Sports Complex), Shillong (Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium) and Kokrajhar (SAI Stadium) have been earmarked for the 134 th IndianOil Durand Cup edition. North East United FC are the defending champions having overcome maximum title-holders Mohun Bagan, in a thrilling final last year to get their historic maiden title.
India Gazette
25-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Asia's oldest football tournament now in five states as Imphal makes a comeback
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], May 25 (ANI): Asia's oldest football tournament, the Durand Cup, will be back with its 134th edition and for the first time in its storied history, be hosted in as many as five states with Manipur's capital Imphal, making a comeback after a two-year gap. The Durand Cup Organising Committee also announced the dates for this year's tournament to be between July 22- August 23, as per a release from Durand Cup Media. Kokrajhar in Assam will extend their status as Durand Cup hosts for the third consecutive year while Jamshedpur in Jharkhand and Shillong in Meghalaya were added as hosts last year. The century-old tournament shifted its home base to Kolkata - the Mecca of Indian Football, and the capital of West Bengal, from Delhi back in 2019, and, will also continue to hold that status for a sixth consecutive edition. Since its transition to the East, the Durand Cup has reinstated itself as the country's premier competition, growing from 16 teams to 24 teams, including participation from all the Indian Super League (ISL) teams. Organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services, the tournament is unique in the sense that it pits Services teams against India's best football clubs and over the past couple of editions, has also seen foreign participation with Army teams from neighbouring nations. The Indian Army's stated vision of expanding the reach of the historic tournament throughout the East and North-East is also now fully reflected with the choice of host cities this year. All State Governments and local autonomous bodies have wholeheartedly pledged their support, like always, for the popular tournament which has captured the imagination of the football-loving people of the region. A total of six venues, two in Kolkata (Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and Kishore Bharti Krirangan) and one each in Imphal (Khuman Lampak stadium), Ranchi (Morhabadi Stadium) or Jamshedpur (JRD Tata Sports Complex), Shillong (Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium) and Kokrajhar (SAI Stadium) have been earmarked for the 134th Durand Cup edition. North East United FC are the defending champions, having overcome maximum title-holders Mohun Bagan, in a thrilling final last year to get their historic maiden title. (ANI)
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Imphal makes a comeback as Durand Cup 2025 to be held in record five states
Asia's oldest football tournament, Durand Cup, will be back with its 134th Edition and for the first time in its storied history, be hosted in as many as five states with Manipur's capital Imphal, making a comeback after a two-year gap. The Durand Cup Organising Committee also announced the dates for this year's tournament to be between July 22- August 23, 2025. Kokrajhar in Assam will extend their status as Durand Cup hosts for the third consecutive year while Jamshedpur in Jharkhand and Shillong in Meghalaya were added as hosts last year. The century-old tournament shifted its home base to Kolkata, and the capital of West Bengal, from Delhi back in 2019, and, will also continue to hold that status for a sixth consecutive edition. Since its transition to the East, the Durand Cup has reinstated itself as the country's premiere competition, growing from 16 teams to 24 teams, including participation from all the Indian Super League (ISL) teams. Organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services, the tournament is unique in the sense that it pits Services teams against India's best football clubs and over the past couple of editions, has also seen foreign participation with Army teams from neighbouring nations. The Indian Army's stated vision of expanding the reach of the historic tournament throughout the East and North-East is also now fully reflected with the choice of host cities this year. All State Governments and local autonomous bodies have wholeheartedly pledged their support like always for the popular tournament which has captured the imagination of the football loving people of the region. A total of six venues, two in Kolkata (Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and Kishore Bharti Krirangan) and one each in Imphal (Khuman Lampak stadium), Ranchi (Morhabadi Stadium) or Jamshedpur (JRD Tata Sports Complex), Shillong (Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium) and Kokrajhar (SAI Stadium) have been earmarked for the 134th Durand Cup edition. North East United FC are the defending champions having overcome maximum title-holders Mohun Bagan, in a thrilling final last year to get their historic maiden title.
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Durand Cup
The 134th Durand Cup, Asia's oldest football tournament, will be staged in five states from July 22 to August 23. Imphal will again host Durand Cup matches after two years as the state is getting back to normalcy. Kokrajhar, Ranchi or Jamshedpur, Shillong and Kolkata will be the other centres. Altogether six venues, two in Kolkata (Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and Kishore Bharti Krirangan) and one each in Imphal (Khuman Lampak Stadium), Ranchi (Birsa Munda Stadium) or Jamshedpur (J.R.D. Tata Sports Complex), Shillong (Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium) and Kokrajhar (SAI Stadium), have been identified as the venues. The tournament, which is being organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services, has grown into a 24-team event, featuring all the Indian Super League (ISL) teams, since shifting its base from Delhi to Kolkata in 2019. North East United FC, which earned its maiden title last year, is the defending champion.
