The talismanic Sunil Chhetri scored on his international comeback to lead India to a commanding 3-0 victory over Maldives in a football friendly here on Wednesday, helping the home side snap their 12-match winless streak that started in November 2023. Rahul Bheke gave India the lead in the 35th minute before Liston Colaco made it 2-0 in the 66th minute. The 40-year-old Chhetri, who returned to the national team after hanging his boots in May last year, made it a memorable day as he scored India’s third with a glancing header in the 77th minute for his 95th international goal. Also Read: "He has been a match-winner for India and Mumbai Indians": Pandya on Suryakumar Yadav India’s Rahul Bheke celebrates scoring the opener v Maldives yesterday Captain Chhetri, who was denied by the Maldives goalkeeper in the 47th minute, was substituted in the 82nd minute. This was India’s first win in 16 months and also first under Manolo Marquez who was made the head coach in July last year. India’s last win was against Kuwait (1-0) in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying round match in Kuwait City on November 16, 2023. Before Wednesday, India under Marquez had lost once and drawn thrice. The match served as a dress rehearsal for the all-important AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh at the same venue on March 25. Chhetri came out of his international retirement earlier this month to help the team successfully navigate the qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup, starting with the March 25 clash. Maldives are ranked 162 in the world, 36 places below India (126). This is also Shillong’s first international match. 95No. of international goals by Sunil Chhetri This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
20 March,2025 07:51 AM IST | Shillong | PTIThe president of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) apologised on Tuesday for saying that tournaments without Brazil would be like “Tarzan without Cheetah,” drawing a reference to the cartoon character and his ape sidekick. Also Read: Virat Kohli’s U-19 World Cup teammate takes an unexpected IPL 2025 role Alejandro Dominguez made the comment during Monday’s draw for the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana. “I want to apologise. The expression I used is a popular phrase. I never intended to belittle anyone,” Dominguez said. It followed a suggestion from Palmeiras president Leila Pereira that Brazilian clubs should withdraw from South American tournaments because of a lack of sanctions against racism. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
20 March,2025 07:34 AM IST | Asuncion (Paraguay) | AFPChristian Eriksen said on Tuesday he is expecting to leave Manchester United at the end of the season and is ready for a new challenge. The Danish midfielder has been in and out of the team since Ruben Amorim took charge last year and his contract at Old Trafford expires in June. "I'm ready to look for something new. That suits me very well," Eriksen told reporters before Denmark's Nations League quarter-final against Portugal, saying United had not approached him about a possible extension to his deal. "That's why I assume the collaboration is over. That's how I interpret it. "I'll wait and see what offers come along, I won't make a hasty decision, but if the right opportunity arises, I'll take it." Eriksen, who suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark's Euro 2020 game against Finland, has started Man United's last two Premier League matches, having not started in the league before then since December. "My intention is not to stay in England," added the 33-year-old. Eriksen joined United in 2022 after a brief spell at Brentford. He had to leave previous club Inter Milan due to health regulations in Italy after being fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Eriksen has made 99 appearances in all competitions for Man United, scoring seven goals. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 March,2025 08:49 PM IST | Copenhagen | AFPBrazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes said that Neymar's injury-enforced absence from the World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina would be a "great loss" for the five-time world champions. Brazil's talisman was ruled of the clash against Colombia in Brasilia on Thursday and Argentina in Buenos Aires next Tuesday after suffering a thigh injury while playing for Santos. "We will miss him - not only the players but also the fans," Guimaraes told reporters. "He is a leader, our number 10, the best player we have had in the last 10 years. We hope he recovers soon. It is a great loss for us." Also Read: "There is no doubt that our cricket has declined": Haris Rauf Neymar has been replaced in manager Dorival Junior's 23-man squad by teenage forward Endrick, who will vie for a place in Brazil's attack alongside Real Madrid teammates Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, reports Xinhua. Brazil is currently fifth in the 10-team South American zone qualifying group with 18 points from 12 games, seven points behind leaders Argentina. Two victories could be enough to secure Brazil a place at next year's World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, while two defeats would leave its campaign on shaky ground. "I think that everyone who plays for Brazil is used to pressure," said Guimaraes, who was a part of the Newcastle United team that beat Liverpool in the League Cup final on Sunday, ending the Tyneside club's 70-year major trophy drought. "We wear the most prestigious shirt in football and our mentality is that we have to fight like lions every day. With two wins we can move towards qualification, but two losses would put more pressure on us. We have to overcome that pressure and make sure that we are at our best," he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 March,2025 01:12 PM IST | Rio de Janeiro | IANSLionel Messi will miss Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil over the next eight days because of an injury to his adductor. The 37-year-old Messi was not included in the 25-man squad announced on Monday by coach Lionel Scaloni. Later Monday, Inter Miami said Messi — the reigning Major League Soccer MVP — underwent an MRI “to assess the extent of the discomfort in his adductor region,” an injury that the team said occurred in Sunday’s win over Atlanta United. Also Read: Indian runner Archana gets 4-year ban for failed dope test “The examination’s findings confirmed the presence of a low-grade injury in the adductor muscle,” Inter Miami said. “His clinical progress and response to treatment will determine his availability for competition.” Argentine media initially reported Messi suffered a sore left thigh during Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory. Argentina, who lead South America, will visit second-placed Uruguay on Friday and host fifth-placed Brazil four days later at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 March,2025 07:56 AM IST | Buenos Aires | AP | PTIThe returning Sunil Chhetri will be the cynosure of all eyes as India face Maldives in an international friendly here on Wednesday, the match serving as a dress rehearsal for the all-important AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh at the same venue in less than a week’s time. The 40-year-old Chhetri came out of his international retirement earlier this month to help the team successfully navigate the qualifiers for the continent’s top football tournament, starting with the March 25 clash. The preparatory match for Manolo Marquez’s side marks a historic moment as the Blue Tigers will play in the football-crazy hill town for the first time. It will also be India’s all-time top scorer Chhetri’s first match since announcing his return to international football. Also Read: Shafali claims hat-trick in Women’s U-23 ODI Trophy Manolo Marquez In the pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Marquez said, “It’s a friendly game to prepare for the Asian Cup qualifier. Obviously, we want to win. We knew that the target during the previous FIFA windows was to arrive in the best possible condition for the first competitive match against Bangladesh next Tuesday. “I don’t think we will play with the same team against Bangladesh that will play tomorrow. Obviously, you can’t change all 11. Some will repeat on Tuesday. I’m confident in all my players. It has to be a good game and a good preparation for Bangladesh.” Marquez also confirmed Chhetri’s involvement in the friendly match that will mark his 152nd cap for India. “For sure, Sunil will play some minutes. I don’t know whether as a starter or from the bench. We can use six substitutions, so 17 players can play, and I think Sunil will be one of them. “He is the Indian player with the most goals this season. It doesn’t matter if a player is 20, 40, or my grandfather at 87. If they are in better shape, they will be here. The national team is not about developing players. “Developed players have to arrive here. The main team needs to win games. And if we need to win games, we need to call players who are in better shape,” said Marquez. Chhetri had earlier hung his boots in June 2024 after a glorious international career after making his India debut in 2005. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 March,2025 07:47 AM IST | Shillong | PTIThe road to the playoffs was anything but smooth for the reigning ISL Cup winners. Expected to dominate, Mumbai City FC instead endured an inconsistent campaign, finishing with nine wins, nine draws, and six defeats, according to the official website of the Indian Super League (ISL). Injuries to key players disrupted their rhythm, preventing them from building any momentum throughout the league phase. Yet, their resilience and experience--hallmarks of their recent success--helped them navigate the challenges. In the final Matchweek, they delivered a dominant performance against Bengaluru FC to secure a spot in the ISL Playoffs for the third consecutive season. Now, in Knockout 1, the Islanders will once again face Bengaluru FC, where they have a chance to put their best foot forward and fight to retain their title. Petr Kratky's side began the season inconsistently, struggling to establish early momentum. Their campaign opened with a rematch of last season's ISL Cup final against Mohun Bagan Super Giant, where they once again staged a comeback - this time from two goals down to snatch a point. However, the Islanders faltered in the very next match going down in a five-goal thriller to Jamshedpur FC. Mumbai City FC managed just two wins in their first eight games, reflecting a team struggling to rediscover their championship mentality. With four draws and multiple missed chances, they struggled to convert performances into victories, leaving them stuck in mid-table and unable to assert their dominance. Mid-season was riddled with injuries for the Islanders, yet it was arguably their best spell of the campaign. This period saw them secure their only back-to-back victories of the season, offering a temporary boost. Between Matchweek 10 and 17, they won four of eight matches and picked up two draws, showing signs of resurgence. However, their inability to sustain momentum remained a concern, as two more heavy home defeats - against NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur FC, once again halted their progress. As the season reached its decisive phase, the team sat in sixth place. A dominant win over Mohammedan SC in Matchweek 18 propelled them to fifth, just one point behind third-placed Bengaluru FC. However, their struggle for consistency persisted, and their inability to convert draws into wins remained a concern. As a result, they had to wait until the final matchweek to secure their playoff spot. In a high-stakes showdown, a decisive victory against the Blues ensured their qualification at the last possible moment, keeping their title defence alive. Now, as the playoffs approach, Mumbai City FC will look to put their struggles behind them and focus on reclaiming the title. The Islanders return to the Sree Kanteerava Stadium for the Knockouts, determined to secure a place in the semi-finals, where they will once again face FC Goa, just as they did last season. (With ANI inputs)
18 March,2025 06:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRuben Amorim said his Manchester United players have been stretched to “their limit” despite continuing an upwards trajectory with a comfortable 3-0 win at Leicester on Sunday. United have now won all four meetings this season against Leicester, across all competitions. Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho ended their barren runs in front of goal before the in-form Bruno Fernandes rounded off a fine away victory for the Red Devils. Also Read: Barcelona rally late to beat Atletico Madrid 4-2 United only move up to 13th in the league, but are finally showing signs of improvement under Amorim. However, the momentum gained by United from going seven games unbeaten across all competitions might be scuppered due to the imminent international break. Nevertheless, Amorim has welcomed the additional recovery time for his injury-ravaged squad. “It was clear today my players are at the limit. We are going to use this window to rest and recover, it will be good,” said Amorim. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 March,2025 08:01 AM IST | Leicester | AFPBarcelona battled back from two goals down to beat Atletico Madrid 4-2 and land an important blow in the Spanish title race on Sunday. Lamine Yamal struck in the 92nd minute and Ferran Torres in the 98th to help take the Catalans back top of the table after Real Madrid beat Villarreal on Saturday to briefly claim pole position. Earlier, Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth put Atletico ahead before Robert Lewandowski and Torres hit back for the Catalans. Also Read: Reds boss defiant despite shock loss Barcelona have a game in hand on the champions with both sides level on 60 points, while Atletico trail the top two by four points. “How we play, the confidence we have, it’s really good to see,” said Flick, whose team are fighting for a potential treble. “We will try everything to win trophies, the match today gives us more confidence,” he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 March,2025 07:58 AM IST | Madrid | AFPArne Slot was defiant after his Liverpool side ended a miserable week with a 1-2 defeat to Newcastle in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday. The painful loss comes four days after the Reds exited the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain, giving a sense of anti-climax even though they are almost certain to win the Premier League. Also Read: Teen Andreeva stuns World No. 1 Sabalenka to seal crown “It’s not the first time in [Liverpool] history that we’ve lost two games in a row. This is part of playing football,” said Slot. The Dutchman denied his team had been outplayed by Newcastle despite their sub-par performance. “Outplayed for me is if you don’t touch the ball and they play through you. But I agree that they deserved to win,” he said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 March,2025 07:56 AM IST | London | AFPEddie Howe hailed his Newcastle team as they ended 56 “years of hurt” with a 2-1 win against Liverpool in the English League Cup final on Sunday. Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak put Newcastle in dreamland at Wembley, with Federico Chiesa’s strike in the closing minutes coming too late to save the Premier League leaders. It was Newcastle’s first major trophy since the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and their first significant domestic prize since lifting the FA Cup 70 years ago. Also Read: IML 2025 | "The standard of playing was good, it was competitive": Sachin Tendulkar Eddie Howe After losing the 2023 League Cup to Manchester United, Howe admitted he was ecstatic to finally bring silverware back to St James’ Park. “We knew what was at stake today for all the people here, all the people back in Newcastle and we just wanted to do them proud. We were desperate to try and win the trophy after all the years of hurt. We are breaking new ground, I thought we were just magnificent today,” said a jubilant Howe, the first English manager to win a major domestic trophy in England since Harry Redknapp lifted the 2008 FA Cup with Portsmouth. Sixth-placed Newcastle are 23 points behind leaders Liverpool, but the Magpies bridged the gap with a dynamic display that was a tribute to Howe’s astute game-plan. Howe reserved special praise for local hero Dan Burn who headed in off a corner (45th minute). “We couldn’t believe Dan Burn scored. He was a colossus for us,” said Howe. Burn, 32, was overjoyed after scoring and could scarcely believe what he had just witnessed. “I don’t want to go to sleep because I feel like I’m dreaming and it’s all going to be a lie,” said Burn, who also earned a call-up to the England national team a few days earlier. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 March,2025 07:42 AM IST | London | AFPADVERTISEMENT
