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Hans India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
India lose 0-2 to Thailand ahead of crucial Asian Cup Qualifier
Pathum Thani (Thailand): The Indian men's national football team lost 0-2 against a clinical Thailand side in a FIFA International Friendly at the Thammasat Stadium here on Wednesday. It is a huge blow to the side as they get set to face Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Qualifiers 2027 up next. India showed flashes of grit, only to be undone by moments of precision from their opponents. Goals from Benjamin Davis (8') in the first half and Poramet Arjvilai (59') in the second were enough to seal the win for the War Elephants, while India were left ruing missed opportunities and costly defensive lapses. Placed 99th in the FIFA World Rankings, Thailand started the brighter of the two sides and made their early dominance count. In just the eighth minute, Phitiwat Sookjitthammakul found Korawich Tasa near the edge of the Indian box.
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First Post
2 days ago
- General
- First Post
India fall 0-2 to Thailand in international friendly despite promising first half
India went down 0-2 to Thailand in a FIFA International Friendly at Thammasat Stadium despite a spirited performance. Goals from Ben Davis and Poramet Arjvilai sealed the win for the home side. read more PATHUM THANI, THAILAND: The Indian men's national football team lost 0-2 against a clinical Thailand side in a FIFA International Friendly at the Thammasat Stadium, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. In a thrilling match, India showed flashes of brilliance and grit, only to be undone by moments of precision from their opponents. Goals from Benjamin Davis (8') in the first half and Poramet Arjvilai (59') in the second were enough to seal the win for the War Elephants, while India, though spirited and creative at times, were left ruing missed opportunities and costly defensive lapses. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Placed 99th in the FIFA World Rankings, Thailand started the brighter of the two sides and made their early dominance count. In just the eighth minute, Phitiwat Sookjitthammakul found Korawich Tasa near the edge of the Indian box. Tasa smartly laid it off for Ben Davis, who took a deft first touch to steady himself before unleashing a thunderous right-footed shot past India goalkeeper Vishal Kaith. It was Davis' fourth goal in seven appearances for Thailand, and the Indian backline was left exposed, reacting too late to close him down. More from Football However, for the Blue Tigers, who are ranked 127th globally, the early setback did not crush their resolve. India gradually grew into the game, using the width of the pitch to stretch the Thailand defence. Liston Colaco, operating fluently between midfield and the left flank, was a standout performer, linking up well with Sunil Chhetri and forward Ashique Kuruniyan. India's first opportunity to level the score in the first half came in the 24th minute. Colaco delivered a teasing free-kick from the left which Chhetri met with a clever header, timing his run perfectly to get ahead of his marker. However, Thailand goalkeeper Saranon Anuin dived to his left to pull off a sharp save. Thailand continued to pose a threat, with long-range efforts from Korawich and Poramet narrowly missing the target. Yet India remained composed. In the 33rd minute, Colaco once again created danger, wriggling past defenders and cutting the ball back for Kuruniyan, who, despite being well-positioned, scuffed his attempt. The momentum began to shift slightly in India's favour as the half wore on. Abhishek came close with a driven shot from distance that missed by inches in the 40th minute. But the golden opportunity arrived in first-half stoppage time. Chhetri played a sublime through ball from midfield to find Colaco's run, splitting the Thai defence. Colaco brought the ball under control but couldn't finish the one-on-one chance as Saranon made himself bigger and narrowed the angle to eventually thwart the danger with a save. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India resumed the second half with renewed intent, and Colaco tested the Thailand keeper once again with a curling free-kick from just outside the area. However, their failure to capitalise on chances proved costly. In the 59th minute, a misplaced pass in midfield gifted Thailand possession. The ball was quickly fed to Poramet on the left flank. Spotting Vishal Kaith slightly off his line, Poramet curled a magnificent effort into the top-right corner to double Thailand's lead and deflate Indian hopes. Substitute Lallianzuala Chhangte attempted a dazzling solo effort, but could not breach the Thailand defence. The Changsuek, meanwhile, looked to exploit the spaces India left behind and could have added a third if not for a crucial intervention by Anwar Ali, who threw himself in front of a goal-bound shot in the dying moments. Though the scoreboard read 2-0 in the hosts' favour, the Indian team showed moments of promise. The performance, particularly in the first half, will give head coach Manolo Márquez and his team confidence ahead of their crucial AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round fixture against Hong Kong on June 10. However, sharper finishing and fewer lapses in concentration will be key if India are to convert potential into results. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India: Vishal Kaith (GK), Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan (C), Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh (Lallianzuala Chhangte 67'), Sunil Chhetri (Brandon Fernandes 76'), Ayush Chhetri (Nikhil Prabhu 67'), Lalengmawia Ralte (Suresh Singh Wangjam 46'), Ashique Kuruniyan (Suhail Ahmad Bhat 81'), Asish Rai (Boris Singh 81'), Tekcham Abhishek Singh.
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
New Rangers spot, Walters Bar, to open soon in Rutherglen
Walter's Bar will take over the premises of the former Gorman's Bar at 33 Queen Street in Rutherglen. The upcoming venue promises to be more than just a traditional pub—it aims to become a hub for Rangers supporters and a celebration of the club's history. READ MORE: Ibrox legend spotted partying at popular Glasgow Rangers bar The official social media account for the bar teased the launch with a bold message: "Something's coming to Rutherglen… "Loud. Loyal. Unapologetically blue. "This isn't just a pub – it's a movement. "Walter's Bar is on its way, and we're not here to whisper about it. We're here to make noise." Excited fans flooded the comments with enthusiasm. One wrote: "Here we go yaaaaas,' while another added: 'This is fantastic news, made my night hearing this tonight.' A third simply said: 'Buzzing.' The announcement quickly gained traction after being shared by the popular Rangers fan page Ibrox Radio, which boasts over 40,000 followers. Within hours, the post had attracted more than 70 comments filled with anticipation. While the bar's official inspiration hasn't been confirmed, it is believed that Walter's Bar is named in tribute to legendary former Rangers manager, the late Walter Smith. Smith took charge of Rangers in 1991, succeeding Graeme Souness, and led the club to unprecedented success, winning 13 major trophies in seven years, including seven consecutive league titles. After a spell managing the Scotland national team, where he notably lifted them 70 places in the FIFA World Rankings, Smith returned to Rangers in 2007 and added eight more trophies to his collection. READ MORE: Walter Smith: The boyhood Rangers fan from Carmyle who became the King of Ibrox He guided the team to the 2008 UEFA Cup Final before retiring in 2011. Walter Smith remains the second-most successful manager in Rangers' history, behind only Bill Struth, and is deeply revered by fans across generations. Walter's Bar is expected to become a gathering place that honours his legacy while offering a new home for passionate Rangers supporters in the heart of Rutherglen.
Morocco World
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco Climbs Two Places to 12th in FIFA World Rankings
Meknes – Morocco's Atlas Lions ranked as the 12th-ranked team in the latest FIFA World Rankings published today, climbing two places following recent successful international matches. The Moroccan national football team earned a well-deserved 6.06 additional points following victories against Niger and Tanzania, bringing their April ranking total to 1,694.24 points. Morocco's ascent comes as it capitalized on setbacks experienced by Uruguay and Colombia, both of which dropped two positions in the latest rankings. In the African continent, Morocco continues to lead in the rankings, maintaining its 1st position for the fourth year in a row, ahead of Senegal, which slipped to 19th globally with 1,630.32 points. Egypt holds the third position among African nations and ranks 32nd worldwide with 1,518.79 points. The other African teams are ranked as follows: Algeria (36th), Côte d'Ivoire (41st), Nigeria (43rd), Tunisia (49th), Cameroon (50th), Mali (53rd), South Africa (56th), and Congo DR (61st). At the global level, the podium has changed slightly. While Argentina maintains its position at the top of the FIFA rankings with 1886.16 points, Spain has moved up one spot to second place, thanks to their boost by 1.37 points, taking advantage of France's misstep in Croatia to claim the runner-up position. Despite this setback, France remains on the podium in third place with 1852.71 points, closely followed by England in fourth. Brazil completes the top five, while the Netherlands has climbed one position to sixth, overtaking Portugal, which now sits seventh. Belgium (8th), Italy (9th), and Germany (10th) have maintained their positions in the top ten. Read also: Brahim Diaz: 'I Can't Wait to Play AFCON in Morocco' Meanwhile, the Atlas Lionesses climbed one place in FIFA's latest rankings, published on March 6. The team jumped to 60th globally, up from their previous 61st position in December 2024. Despite periods of stability in the FIFA rankings, expectations remain elevated for both Morocco's men's and women's national football teams as they aim for significant achievements in 2025. The upcoming calendar year features several pivotal tournaments for Moroccan football, most notably the men's and women's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) competitions, both of which will be hosted on home soil, a home advantage that adds to the growing optimism surrounding Morocco's football prospects. Looking further ahead, Morocco will also serve as the host nation for the men's 2025 AFCON between December 21, 2025, and January 18, 2026, and the women's tournament between July 5 and 26, 2025.
New York Times
11-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Chloe Kelly dropped from England squad despite Arsenal move
The England senior squad for February's first two UEFA Women's Nations League games has been announced with Chloe Kelly the most notable absence. The Manchester City forward – on loan at Arsenal for the second half of the season – spoke out last month on social media about her parent club and her unhappiness at not playing. Kelly's last start came in October against West Ham and the 27-year-old has only played 84 minutes in four games since. GO DEEPER How Chloe Kelly's deadline day loan from City to Arsenal happened Ella Toone, Lauren James and Niamh Walsh, meanwhile, all return to the squad after missing the November and December fixtures through injury. England play Portugal – 22nd in the latest FIFA World Rankings – at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao on Friday, February 21 (7.45pm GMT) and will return to Wembley Stadium five days later for their match against Spain (8pm GMT). The Lionesses will look to get revenge in their first meeting with Spain since the inaugural Nations League winners beat them 1-0 in the 2023 Women's World Cup final. Advertisement England, Spain and Portugal are joined by Belgium, making up group A3 in League A. Only the winners of each group will make it through to the semi-finals (played October over two legs) while the fourth-placed finishers in the groups will be relegated to League B. The results of the Nations League will also determine the groups for the European qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. Analysis by Jessy Parker-Humphreys Once again England are facing a nervous build-up to an international tournament with injuries afflicting key starters. The absences of Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp, and Alex Greenwood deprive head coach Sarina Wiegman of three certain starters, but has opened the door for others. There is a triumphant return for Nikita Parris who has long made clear her ambitions to make it back into the squad. Parris has not joined up with England since 2022 but her nine goals in 19 appearances for Brighton have obviously impressed. The absence of Kelly comes as a bit of a surprise given the extreme effort she made to secure a loan move away from Manchester City where she had become a bit part player during the Champions League. Despite joining Arsenal on Deadline Day, however, she is yet to start for her new club having been cup-tied and unable to play against her parent team in recent fixtures. But the biggest boost to England will be the return of James, who has not been part of an England squad since April last year due to injury. In a period where England have struggled with their attacking options, James has looked the most dangerous of them all, and Wiegman will hope that she can immediately slot back into the national team. Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (PSG), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride). Advertisement Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham FC), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Millie Turner (Manchester United, Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal). Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Grace Clinton (Manchester United), Ruby Mace (Leicester City), Jess Park (Manchester City), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Chelsea). Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Lauren James (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Jess Naz (Tottenham), Nikita Parris (Brighton), Alessia Russo (Arsenal). ()
