Latest news with #FinalRound
The Hindu
30-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
India to kick off CAFA Nations Cup against Tajikistan
India have been drawn alongside Tajikistan, Islamic Republic of Iran and Afghanistan in Group B of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, with their campaign kicking off against hosts Tajikistan on August 29 in Dushanbe. The Central Asian regional tournament, scheduled from August 31-September 8, will serve as preparation for India ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round. India's next two group matches will be against Iran on September 1 and Afghanistan on September 4. The top two teams from each group will advance to the play-offs on September 8. Group winners will clash in the final in Tashkent, while runners-up will battle for third place in Dushanbe. Group A, to be played in Tashkent, features hosts Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan and invited side Oman. India and Oman are the two guest teams in the eight-nation event. Iran are the defending champions, having beaten Uzbekistan 1-0 in the 2023 final. Incidentally, the tournament will also be the new head coach's first assignment with the national team. Either Khalid Jamil or Stephen Constantine's name will be announced by the AIFF on Friday. CAFA Nations Cup 2025 Draw: Group A (Tashkent): Uzbekistan (H), Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Oman Group B (Dushanbe): Tajikistan (H), IR Iran, Afghanistan, India India's fixtures: Aug 29: vs Tajikistan; Sep 1: vs IR Iran; Sep 4: vs Afghanistan.
India Gazette
10-06-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Last-minute penalty breaks Indian hearts in Hong Kong
Kowloon [Hong Kong], June 10 (ANI): A heartbreaking stoppage time penalty condemned India to a 0-1 defeat against Hong Kong, China, in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round at the Kai Tak Stadium, on Tuesday. In front of a raucous crowd of 42,570 at the newly opened stadium, substitute Stefan Pereira struck from the spot in the 94th minute, leaving the Blue Tigers with just one point from two matches in Group C. Singapore defeated Bangladesh 2-1 in Dhaka in the other match of the group to climb to the top of the table. Hong Kong, with the same number of points, are second, with Bangladesh and India occupying third and fourth spots, respectively. The atmosphere in Kowloon was electric. The Kai Tak Stadium, hosting its first football match, was packed to the rafters with fans vocally backing the home side. Energised by the occasion, Hong Kong started with tempo, purpose, and aggression. Their movement was sharp, and they worked the ball out wide, trying to stretch India's defence. However, despite their energy and possession, they struggled with penetration in the final third. India's defence, marshalled by Sandesh Jhingan and Anwar Ali, stood firm against repeated Hong Kong attacks, according to AIFF website. The hosts were forced into speculative long-range efforts, but India goalkeeper Vishal Kaith showed composure and positioning to deal with most attempts. On the rare occasions when Hong Kong slipped a ball through the defence, Kaith was quick off his line to smother the danger. India took time to grow into the match but found rhythm midway through the first half. Their approach was built on defensive discipline and counter-attacking bursts through the pace of Liston Colaco, Lallianzuala Chhangte and Ashique Kuruniyan. Brandon Fernandes operated effectively in midfield, distributing with intent and winning key duels. India's best chance of the first half came in the 35th minute. Fernandes pounced on a loose pass and released Colaco down the left. Colaco delivered an inch-perfect cross across the face of goal, and Kuruniyan met it with a well-timed run only to sky his effort, failing to trouble the goalkeeper. Six minutes later, Hong Kong threatened. A deep free-kick from Soares Junior Walter floated dangerously into the box, bypassing defenders and reaching Oliver Gerbig at the far post. His flicked attempt was met by a swift reaction from Kaith, who came off his line to block the shot before Anwar Ali cleared the danger. India began the second half with renewed aggression. Kuruniyan had another sight of goal just outside the box but was again unable to keep his shot down. To inject more quality in the final third, India head coach Manolo Marquez introduced Sunil Chhetri with a little over an hour to go. Chhetri made an immediate impact, dropping deep to facilitate link-up play and carving out half-chances for teammates. In the 82nd minute, Chhangte surged down the right and cut back a precise ball for Chhetri. The talismanic striker's shot was goal-bound, but a block from a Hong Kong defender denied him. Just as the match appeared destined for a second successive goalless draw for India, disaster struck. A long hopeful ball was floated toward India's box in injury time. Kaith charged out in an attempt to clear but mistimed his jump and collided with Hong Kong forward Michael Udebuluzor instead of punching the ball. Referee Sheikh Ahmad Alaeddin had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Kaith, for his efforts, was shown a yellow card. Substitute Stefan Pereira stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty into the bottom corner, sending Kaith the wrong way and the home crowd into euphoria. For India, it was a cruel end to a match where they had held their own for 90 minutes. The focus now shifts to their fixture against Singapore in October. (ANI)
News18
09-06-2025
- Sport
- News18
Manolo Marquez Says India 'Ready to Perform' Against Hong Kong
Last Updated: India will face Hong Kong, China on 10 June 2025 in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 as Manolo Marquez is confident after good preparations. India will face Hong Kong, China on Tuesday, 10 June 2025, in Matchday 2 of Group C in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round at Kai Tak Stadium in Kowloon. The Group C standings currently show all four teams level on one point each, after both games on Matchday 1 on 25 March ended in goalless draws. India drew with Bangladesh in Shillong, while Hong Kong secured a point against Singapore. Only the group winners will qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup. India, having qualified for two consecutive Asian Cups for the first time in 2023, aim to continue their historic streak. Hong Kong, also a qualifier for the previous tournament, are competing for the sole available berth. India's head coach, Manolo Marquez, expressed confidence ahead of the Blue Tigers' match against Hong Kong. 'Our preparations have been much better this time compared to previous FIFA windows, where time was limited. We had about three weeks to prepare in Kolkata, Bangkok, and here in Hong Kong. We are ready to perform. Nothing special," Marquez said. 'The team environment is quite good. Obviously, any team's environment improves when consistently winning games. Regardless of results, the relationship between our players is very good," he added. India centre-back, Konsham Chinglensana Singh, echoed his coach's sentiments. 'We are well prepared for the game after three weeks in the camp. Mentally and physically, we are ready," he said. The Blue Tigers have had mixed results recently. Of the three matches they played in 2025, they have won one, drawn one, and lost their last match against Thailand. Marquez, however, is not overly concerned about the 2-0 defeat. 'In my opinion, most coaches aren't worried about scores in friendly games. We are focusing on the important match against Hong Kong," he stated. 'I know the score against Thailand is being discussed, but with better finishing from our chances, it could have been different. This is football." The match at the newly built 50,000-capacity Kai Tak Stadium is set to be the inaugural football event at the venue, with tickets reportedly sold out. The stadium features a retractable roof which will be kept closed during the match. On Monday, the Blue Tigers had an official training session to acclimatise to the conditions. 'We will try to enjoy the occasion at this stadium. I'm not sure if it will be completely full, but a large crowd is expected. It will be a nice event, but our focus is on winning the game," said Marquez. Hong Kong, China's head coach, Ashley Westwood, familiar with Indian football, having coached clubs like Bengaluru FC, ATK, and Punjab FC in India before his international roles in Afghanistan and Hong Kong, praised the development of Indian football over the years. 'I went to India in 2013, and the country has progressed significantly since then. I know their coach; I watched the ISL. He's a good coach, doing well with FC Goa. He trains right, prepares right, and his players are always fit. The spirit in the squad is good, and everyone gets along well. We're looking forward to it," Westwood said. Hong Kong midfielder, Ngan Cheuk Pan, emphasised the need for his team to focus on their game against India. 'We're following the coach's tactics and focusing on improving our performance. We want to play our game," he said. India and Hong Kong, China have faced each other 24 times, with the Blue Tigers winning nine matches, Hong Kong winning eight, and seven games ending in draws. First Published:
RTHK
08-06-2025
- Sport
- RTHK
No water bottles for Kai Tak football match
No water bottles for Kai Tak football match The Hong Kong, China football team will make their debut at Kai Tak Stadium when they face India on Tuesday. Photo: RTHK No bottles or containers will be allowed at an upcoming international A-level football match featuring Hong Kong, China men's football squad, the Kai Tak Sports Park said on Sunday. The SAR team will face India in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round at 8pm on Tuesday, in the squad's debut at the new Kai Tak Stadium. The sports park said the arrangements for the match will be different from those of previous concerts due to security reasons. Water bottles or containers of any size, with our without lids, will not be allowed in the venue, it said, urging spectators to arrive earlier for security checks. Meanwhile, the Transport Department will also implement special traffic arrangements that day. The department said it had also asked public transport providers to boost services for when the match ends. Tuen Ma Line services will be enhanced during that time, and 10 special bus routes have been lined up to transport spectators to major districts. It called on football fans to take public transport and avoid driving to the stadium.
Associated Press
30-01-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Final Round AI Secures $6.88M in Oversubscribed Seed Funding to Transform the Job Search Journey
Funding fuels global expansion, product innovation, and scaling of operations of the AI-powered platform to help job seekers land dream jobs in under 30 days SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Final Round AI, an AI-powered platform transforming how people find jobs, today announced the successful close of a $6.88 million oversubscribed seed funding round. With backing from Uncork Capital, Final Round AI is on a mission to become the 'Robin Hood of the modern recruiting industry,' making career transitions faster, smarter, and more equitable. Uncork is joined by HF0, Linear Capital, Ritual Capital, Mento VC, AltaIR Capital, Alumni Ventures, Goodwater, Hico Ventures, Soma Capital, iSeed Ventures, Level One, Sky9 Capital, and notable angels in Silicon Valley. Along with the funding, the company is announcing a $8 million scholarship program fund for 2025. 'This funding marks an incredible milestone for Final Round AI as we strive to redefine the job search process,' said Michael Guan, Co-Founder and CEO of Final Round AI. 'The success of the Interview Copilot has shown us the power of AI to create meaningful impact. With this support, we're positioned to improve our technology, build a world-class team, and extend our impact globally—helping individuals navigate the evolving job market with confidence.' The Interview Copilot™, Final Round AI's flagship innovation, empowers job seekers to feel confident and articulate their thoughts clearly by delivering AI-generated, real-time answers and insights during interviews. This revolutionary tool equips candidates with the resources they need to excel, leveling the playing field in the competitive recruiting landscape. Fueling Growth and Innovation Final Round AI's mission is clear: to leverage cutting-edge AI technology to guide job seekers through every step of their career journey, helping them land their next opportunity in under 30 days. By offering AI-native solutions, the platform simplifies job searches, creates seamless workflows, and delivers personalized insights, making job hunting an effortless and effective experience. Final Round AI will use the seed funding to achieve three primary goals: Enhancing the Interview Copilot™ and Other Products: Investing in technology to refine the Interview Copilot's real-time AI capabilities, ensuring seamless performance and personalized support for job seekers during interviews. Scaling Operations and Team Expansion: Building a top-tier team dedicated to innovation and research to push the boundaries of AI in the recruiting and hiring process. Unlocking New Revenue Opportunities: Developing partnerships with AI-first companies and hiring platforms to connect top talent with career opportunities, creating scalable and sustainable revenue streams. 'Final Round AI is a game-changer in the job search space, using AI to empower individuals impacted by workforce changes and automation,' said Tripp Jones, Partner of Uncork Capital. 'We're proud to support their vision and are excited to see the transformative impact this team will deliver.' The Future of Work Starts Here The funding comes at a pivotal moment as AI and automation continue to reshape industries and redefine the workforce. In a job market where competition has never been fiercer, 2024 revealed a harsh reality for job seekers: it takes, on average, 247 days and 294 applications to secure a role. Final Round AI's platform addresses these challenges by equipping individuals with tools like the Interview Copilot to excel in the rapidly changing job market. 'Our vision is to ensure that anyone navigating career transitions has access to technology that simplifies and accelerates their journey,' Guan added. 'The Interview CoPilot™ is just the beginning. This funding allows us to scale our reach and impact while building the foundation for long-term success in the rapidly evolving job market.' Introducing the Final Round AI Scholarship Program In addition to the funding announcement, Final Round AI is proud to unveil the Final Round AI Scholarship Program, a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower job seekers by making the process of landing a job more accessible and affordable. Backed by an $8 million fund, this program underscores the company's commitment to supporting individuals in achieving their career aspirations. The scholarship program aims to eliminate financial barriers for Final Round AI's Pro Premium members by offering a 100% refund on their membership fees when they successfully land a job using the company's cutting-edge tools. This initiative is not just about financial reimbursement; it reflects the company's mission to support job seekers in achieving their career aspirations. To learn more about the program, visit About Final Round AI Final Round AI is an AI-native platform dedicated to transforming how people find jobs. The company's flagship product, the Interview Copilot, delivers real-time AI-powered insights and answers during interviews, redefining the preparation and execution of job searches. By guiding job seekers through every step of their career journey, Final Round AI is on a mission to make career transitions smarter, faster, and more equitable for millions worldwide. To learn more, visit
