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Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
India coach Crispin Chettri's advice to charges after Asian Cup qualification: ‘You might be on top of this mountain but it's the bottom of another'
When India toppled hosts Thailand and qualified for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026, head coach Crispin Chettri sank to his knees and fell into the arms of his colleagues. The coach tells The Indian Express about the emotional ride in Thailand and his vision for Indian women's football. Excerpts: There are times when you just freeze. You don't understand what happened. As a coach I am rarely expressive or emotional. My Odisha FC coaches were sending messages saying, 'For the first time we saw you on your knees.' I don't have exact words to describe it. I was sure that we would score goals. We concentrated on not conceding. We tried to organise ourselves defensively in training. However, the main thing was to not play with a defensive mindset. Sometimes when we do too many defensive drills, the players go into a defensive mindset. We tried to balance it out with some attacking drills. That attacking mindset helped us a lot. When the first goal went in, the belief grew stronger. One of the best goals (I have seen). In a fraction of a second she took control and the shot. We had a friendly against the Under-20 team in Bengaluru. She scored a banger like that with her left foot. She has been scoring goals like that in training also. In the previous matches in the qualifiers (too) she had been scoring regularly also. That was the main advantage. We had 7-8 goal-scorers. It speaks volumes about the mentality and the winning culture we wanted to create. We are not scared of losing, always try to go forward and score the goal. We focus on (chance creation). Helping a player score a goal is more important. Creating space for another player is much more important. So we see Sangita scoring the ball but the way Anju (Tamang) passed the ball, the way Rimpa (Haldar) and Anju combined, the way Pyari (Xaxa) moved and created that space for Sangita to move in and score that goal. The players did all the movements to make that happen was important. Mostly, I think yes. Our priority was to qualify. We also wanted to give game time to younger players like Kiran (Pisda), Malavika and Rimpa and so on. We did that. Only thing we wanted to give was more time to (goalkeepers) Mona (Monalisha Devi Moirangthem) and Payal (Basude), which we couldn't. The games came thick and fast. She is the kind of player who makes others around her look better because she takes that much load. Players like Sangita and Ratan deserve to score goals like those because they sacrifice everything for women's football. The things Sangita has gone through, recovered through all that pain, got back in the national team, in the starting eleven, she deserved to score those two important goals. Even if you had coached Mohun Bagan in the Kolkata derby, that pressure is nothing compared to the national team. All eyes are on you. Sometimes it gets to you, you make wrong decisions. Sometimes you are hyper in training and then you realise you were too harsh to the players. Definitely. The thing is that, sometimes you see things better than the players, you see what can be their optimum. Then when they relax, you don't like it. I have been a player and so I knew where that line is and when you cross and there were some situations where I crossed it. But that is part and parcel, sometimes that is how you trigger the players and get the best. I am from the hills and I told them that you might be on top of this mountain but that is always the bottom of another mountain. So we have to climb another mountain. Keep learning and growing as a team. What they need is the kind of support they are getting from everyone now. We were in the camp in Bengaluru for so many days, but nothing happened. Once Sunil (Chhetri) came and met the players, that was highlighted. These players deserve to be highlighted the way the men's players are. They would like to see fans singing their name. Right now, the right kind of exposure is needed. Australia will be a physical side, Japan would be the same. When we play friendly matches, we should be shrewd about who we face. We should play teams from African nations because they are quite physical so that by the time we reach the Asian Cup, I will know which players do well against physical opposition, who are suitable against opposition that is technically good and so on. So I want to see my players play in different kinds of scenarios. This should be planned out shrewdly. Maybe go to Australia a little early and acclimatise. We went to Thailand one week before the qualifiers and it helped us a lot. I was happy with what we had at (Padukone-Dravid Centre of Excellence), but we can always use better facilities. But there are so many other things also that help with improving performance. The better the facilities, the better chances of growing as a team. Rohit Mundayur is a Copy Editor with the Sports Team at The Indian Express. He works with the online team and is based out of Delhi. ... Read More
News18
02-06-2025
- Sport
- News18
ISL Transfer News: KBFC Rope In Amey Ranawade, Jiteshwor Pens CFC Extension
Kerala Blasters FC announced the signing of Amey Ranawade on a 5-year deal, tying him to the club until May 2030, on Monday. The 27-year-old right-back makes the switch to KBFC from Odisha FC, where he concluded the 2024-25 ISL season on loan from Mumbai City FC. 'I'm proud and excited to join Kerala Blasters FC. I have always admired the passion surrounding this club, and I genuinely believe in the project being built here," the Mumbai-born Ranawade said after putting pen to paper.
India Gazette
01-06-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
ISL: Bengaluru FC, Odisha FC, NorthEast United FC, Kerala Blasters announce departures
New Delhi [India], June 1 (ANI): Indian Super League (ISL) teams announced the departure of several players through their social media posts on Saturday. NorthEast United FC bade farewell to Mirshad Michu and Phalguni Singh, while Odisha FC parted ways with Mourtada Fall and Ahmed Jahouh, as per the ISL official website. Kwame Peprah, Ishan Pandita, and Kamaljit Singh left Kerala Blasters FC, while Harsh Patre and Jessel Carneiro said goodbye to Bengaluru FC, highlighting today's transfer wrap. Patre and Carneiro part ways with Bengaluru FC: Harsh Parte said goodbye to Bengaluru FC following his impactful stint, which came to an end. The midfielder has been part of the Blues' reserve setup and was promoted to the senior squad in 2023. He has been quite impressive during his time, recording 21 appearances for BFC in these two seasons. Patre clocked 202 minutes on the field in the 2024-25 season and averaged 15 passes per game. He also won seven duels, completed seven recoveries, and created a chance in a recently concluded campaign. Jessel Carneiro, who also joined the club in 2023, left the Blues after his two-year spell. He made eight appearances in his debut season but didn't feature in the league this season. The left back logged 483 minutes on the field in Bengaluru colours in the 2023-24 season. He also maintained 83% passing accuracy, created eight chances, and racked up an assist to his name. Odisha FC bid adieu to the foreign Duo: Odisha FC parted ways with seasoned campaigners Mourtada Fall and Ahmed Jahouh. Both foreigners played a pivotal role for the Kalinga Warriors since joining the club in 2023. Fall has been a rock at the back for OFC. Known for his marshalling, defending, and heading prowess, the Senegalese centre-back has been a cornerstone in Sergio Lobera's backline. He featured in 41 ISL games in Odisha colours, helping his side keep nine clean sheets. He also scored eight goals in two seasons, adding a dynamic versatility to the Kalinga Warriors' style of play. Jahouh also joined OFC in 2023, following in Fall's footsteps. The creator-in-chief has been sensational at the heart of the pitch, controlling the game's tempo with his versatile passing range and sheer touch of brilliance. The Moroccan midfielder played 38 games in two years at OFC. He created 83 chances during his time with the Kalinga Warriors and also contributed 11 goals. Peprah, Pandita, and Kamaljit leave Kerala Blasters FC: Kerala Blasters FC announced the departure of striking duo Kwame Peprah and Ishan Pandita as well as custodian Kamaljit Singh. Peprah joined the Blasters in 2023 and played a key role in KBFC's attacking unit. He scored eight goals in his 35 appearances and also created 23 chances during this phase. From rousing the energetic Kochi crowd with his thunderstorm strikes and scoring crucial goals in crunch moments, Peprah's impact has been instrumental at KBFC. The Ghanaian striker averaged 0.26 goals per match in the 2024-25 season and also maintained a 19.35% goal conversion rate. Another forward, Ishan Pandita, also bade farewell to the Blasters after joining the club in 2023 from Jamshedpur FC. Pandita missed the majority of the 2024-25 season due to an injury. He featured in only three games and clocked just 68 minutes on the field. However, Pandita could not record any goal contribution in the ISL for the Blasters. Goalkeeper Kamaljit Singh will also leave the club after his loan stint from Odisha FC ends. He featured in KBFC's home game against FC Goa but suffered a 0-2 defeat in Kochi. The Blasters also announced the departures of fitness coach Werner Martens, goalkeeping coach Slaven Progovecki, and assistant coach Tomasz Tchorz. Mirshad and Phalguni leave NorthEast United FC NorthEast United FC confirmed the departure of goalkeeper Mirshad Michu and midfielder Phalguni Singh. Michu joined the club in 2021 from East Bengal FC and has been part of the Highlanders for the last four seasons. The veteran shot-stopper featured in 40 ISL matches and registered six clean sheets. Michu played a key role under the bars over the years with his agile saves and leadership skills. Michu only featured in a single game in the 2024-25 ISL season against East Bengal FC and helped his team keep a clean sheet in their commanding 4-0 victory in Shillong. Phalguni Singh joined Juan Pedro Benali's men in 2023. He made a total of 24 appearances for NEUFC over the two seasons. The dynamic midfielder enjoyed a remarkable debut season with the Highlanders and recorded four goal contributions. However, Phalguni featured only in four games in the 2024-25 season, where his game time was limited to 188 minutes. (ANI)
India Gazette
31-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Pinpoint precision: Players with best shot conversion rate in ISL 2024-25
New Delhi [India], May 31 (ANI): Players who maintain a high conversion rate are often the difference-makers in tight matches. The shot conversion rate -- the percentage of shots that end up in the back of the net -- is a key measure of a player's precision. During the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season, several players stood out not just for the number of goals they scored but for how efficiently they did it, as per the ISL official website. Let's take a look at the players with the best shot conversion rate in ISL 2024-25: Jerry Mawihmingthanga (Odisha FC) - 27.78 per cent shot conversion rate: Odisha FC's Jerry Mawihmingthanga led the league in shot conversion, turning 27.78% of his attempts into goals. The winger rediscovered his scoring touch, netting five goals this season -- the same as he managed across the previous two seasons combined. Though the Kalinga Warriors fell short of their expectations, Mawihmingthanga's resurgence has been a bright spot and a promising sign for next season. Jesus Jimenez (Kerala Blasters FC) - 25.58% shot conversion rate: One of the major talking points surrounding the Blasters' camp was how they would cope with the departure of Golden Boot winner Dimitrios Diamantakos. That question was answered by their new signing Jesus Jimenez, who took over the goalscoring duties seamlessly. Despite Kerala Blasters FC struggling with consistency throughout the season, the Spanish forward found the back of the net regularly and contributed well to the attack. Jimenez hit the target 11 times this season and boasts the league's second-best shot conversion rate of 25.58%. Jamie Maclaren (Mohun Bagan Super Giant) - 25% shot conversion rate: Good things come to those who wait -- and that was the case with Jamie Maclaren at Mohun Bagan Super Giant. The Aussie forward arrived with high expectations, but early-season injuries disrupted his rhythm. However, as the league progressed, Maclaren found his form and showcased his class. He finished with 12 goals -- including one in the ISL Cup final against Bengaluru FC -- with a shot conversion rate of 25%. Luka Majcen (Punjab FC) - 25% shot conversion rate: Majcen scored 10 goals in 20 league appearances for Punjab FC this season, maintaining a 25% shot conversion rate for the Shers. The captain once again led from the front, and his numbers reflected his impact. His sharpness and aggression in front of the goal were on full display, underlined by his efficiency in converting chances. Subhasish Bose (Mohun Bagan Super Giant) - 25% shot conversion rate: There was hardly anything Mohun Bagan Super Giant captain Subhasish Bose got wrong this season. From marshalling the backline to making decisive contributions on set-pieces, he was a key figure in their historic ISL double-winning campaign. While his defensive qualities are well known, it was his attacking returns that turned heads this season. Bose netted six goals -- the highest among defenders -- with an impressive 25% shot conversion rate. (ANI)
New Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
AIFF rejects Odisha FC licence, club & govt play blame game
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha FC, state's only professional Indian Super League (ISL) club, suffered a body blow after the AIFF refused to grant licence to it on Thursday. The Club Licensing Committee of AIFF concluded the evaluation process for the Premier 1 Licence for the 2025–26 season. The national body rejected the licence of Odisha FC due to multiple failures across A and B criteria. Odisha FC had a terrible Kalinga Super Cup 2025 season and faced relegation from the Indian Women's League (IWL) too. It was the runners-up in 2023-2024 but finished seventh this season. Odisha FC owner Rohan Sharma took to X to express his anguish over what he called lack of Odisha government support. 'I was aware that we were going to fail club licensing this season, Unfortunately, we have no letter from the Government granting us access to the stadium and practice ground this season,' his post stated. Sharma further said, 'Despite multiple requests both in person and letters to have a meeting to discuss the MoU, no one from the government has acknowledged or granted a meeting. I have personally went (sic) to Delhi to speak to very senior ministers to get this resolved... still nothing.' 'It feels like the government doesn't want us in Odisha which is quite sad. We have tried to be as polite and respectful to build is this perceived notion we are Pro-BJD when in reality we are so uninvolved in Indian politics. I'm an American citizen, our business is in Dubai we just have a football club in India that we are investing,' Sharma's X post stated. State Sports department sources said Odisha FC performed miserably in Kalinga Super Cup and the IWL season. To deflect criticism, the club was putting the blame on Odisha government, they said. 'Several meetings were held between Sports department and Odisha FC management for development of football ecosystem in Odisha. For the signing of MoU, the date of October 22, 2024 was fixed, but the Odisha FC management did not turn up,' department sources claimed. More than Rs 50 crore in support and all facilities were given to the club, a senior officer said adding, return on investment (ROI) was negligible. 'Not even one Odia player featured in the team,' the officer said.
