Falopa says East Bengal need a supportive ambiance in the dressing room
Marcos Falopa, the 76-year-old Brazilian coach says East Bengal need a supportive ambiance in the dressing room to develop the spirit which will ultimately help the footballers to deliver and regain success. Falopa worked as the coach of East Bengal for only six months in 2013. The Brazilian coach, in a recent interview, expressed his intention to work as the chief coach of East Bengal again and explained, “I have watched them in the ISL. I feel they seem to have lost balance. The balance should be maintained between the players, the coaching staff, and the management. The dressing room atmosphere will get the reflection of this balance. A perfect dressing room ambiance will help the players perform their best and regain success.” The former Technical Director of the South African national team also welcomed Carlo Ancelotti, he first-ever foreign coach for the Brazil national team, joining at the end of this month. Falopa stated, “As a player, Ancelotti won the UEFA Cup twice, and as a manager, he won the UEFA Champions League five times. So, we should not doubt his coaching skills and huge experience. We were in Italy, in the same school for some time. His mentorship and style of guiding the players are outstanding. But I personally feel he needs to have an exclusive discussion with top Brazilian national footballers, especially with those who do not play under his coaching, like Rafinha and Neymar. I have a belief that Ancelotti can play a crucial role in the resurrection of Brazilian football.”
Nottingham Forest striker undergoes ‘urgent’ surgery after post-collision!
Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi had to undergo an urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained during last weekend’s Premier League match with Leicester, it was announced Tuesday. Taiwo Awoniyi, the Nigeria international, 27, collided with the post in the 88th minute of the 2-2 draw at the City Ground as he attempted to get on the end of a cross from Anthony Elanga while under challenge from the Foxes’ Facundo Buonanotte. “The club can confirm Taiwo Awoniyi has undergone urgent surgery following an abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s match against Leicester City,” said a Forest statement. “Everyone at Nottingham Forest sends their best wishes to Taiwo. “The club will provide further updates when appropriate.” Awoniyi, who joined Forest from Union Berlin in June 2022, had only been on the pitch for five minutes, having come on as a late substitute for Ibrahim Sangare. Awoniyi tried to play on following prolonged treatment on the field, but the full extent of his injury was only discovered by medical staff on Monday. The way Awoniyi’s injury was dealt with during the game was cited by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis as the reason why he stormed onto the pitch after the full-time whistle to confront head coach Nuno Espirito Santo. With Forest chasing a late goal which would have bolstered their bid to quality for the Champions League, Awoniyi returned to action but was unable to move freely — and Marinakis was unhappy a substitution was not made. “Everybody — coaching staff, players, supporters, and including myself — we were frustrated around the injury of Taiwo and the medical staff’s mis-judgement on Taiwo’s ability to continue the game,” said Marinakis in an Instagram post issued later Sunday.
Biker Boral now wants to reach the highest mountain pass on a ‘moped’! Urges the renowned company to come forward
Sudeep Pakrashi: Subrata Boral is not a new name in the adventure sport especially in the world of bikers. He has conquered more than 30 high-altitude passes across the Himalayas and even in Tibet riding on a two-wheeler in his 30 years’ of journey. Now the 54-year-old biker wants to add another feather in his crown. That is climbing the country’s highest motorable road, Umling La, at 19 thousand feet on a ‘moped’! While speaking to Parallel Sports Boral, who hails from Rajarhat area, Kolkata, revealed, “The expenditure in driving a moped on rough terrains will be lesser in comparison to bikes. Nowadays, many youngsters who are joining this adventure sport, trying to climb the mountains, ride on bikes. But many of them may not have the financial capacity to buy expensive bikes. Less expensive mopeds can be their alternative. I want to inspire them by riding on moped.” This includes the visit of the Khardung La, situated in Ladakh on 18 thousand feet. His achievements also include reaching Everest Base Camp along with co-bikers from North Kolkata Disha Motorcycle Club in 2000, the first-ever in the country. Boral also received the recognition of his passion. The feat he and his club achieved, climbing consistently more than 17,200 feet, was honored by the Limca Book of Records. The recognition from Limka Book of Records motivated Boral and his mates and they added another laurel in their kitty, traveling to the Chang Chemno Range Pass, situated at a height of 20,488 feet in Aksi Chin and ventured close to the Line of Actual Control in 2008. The experience was awesome. Boral expressed thankfulness to ITBP for their support and their journey to the highest motorable pass was finally honored by Guiness World Records. Boral also expressed gratitude to the state’s previous Left-front-led government for initiating a fund of Rs 13 lakh in total for him and his mates from North Kolkata Disha Motorcycle Club before their journey to Everest Base Camp. Now, the biker is planning to appeal to ‘TVS’, the famous moped company for a new two-wheeler. “A new moped will help me to ride smoothly. I will be thankful if company like TVS comes forward, providing a new moped and financial support for me,” said Boral. For his upcoming adventure on a moped, among the passes Boral targets to reach are Umling La (19,300ft), Marsimik La (18,313ft), Photi La (18,124ft), and Chang La (17,586ft). Boral had initially planned to embark on the journey by 16th June this year. However, the present tensions across the border may delay his trip.
Kohli forced to retire from Tests? Former Team India selector drops a shocker
Former Team India selector and Delhi’s Ranji Trophy coach Sarandeep Singh has dropped a bombshell: He claims that Virat Kohli had no plans to retire from Test cricket and was aiming to score at least three to four hundreds in the upcoming Test tour of England! Was Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket forced? We may never know what happened behind the scenes, but Delhi’s Ranji Trophy coach and former Team India selector Sarandeep has confirmed that Kohli has no plans to retire until at least February. Sarandeep, who expressed shock to have heard about Virat’s retirement, claimed during their conversation at the time, Kohli confirmed plans to play for India ‘A’ team in England to prepare for the five-match Test series that starts on 20 June. “Only he knows the reason (for his retirement). Everyone is shocked,” Sarandeep said while speaking to Star Sports. He added, “There was no sign of it. Neither did I hear from anyone else about this. Look at the way he is performing in the IPL. He is in good form. The Delhi coach was shocked because Kohli has been in sublime form in the Indian Premier League (2025), scoring over 500 runs in 11 innings at an impressive strike rate of 143.47. Sarandeep further revealed that the last time he had a conversation with Kohli, he was keen on doing well on the England tour. He had laid out a plan to succeed in the upcoming Test series.” Sarandeep continued, “He wanted to play a couple of India A matches to get ready for this all-important series. “I asked him if he would play a couple of County Cricket matches before the England tour. He said, ‘No Paaji, I am looking to play India A matches. Two India A matches where I will prepare for the Test series.’ He had a settled plan. Suddenly, seeing him end his red-ball career is surprising. He doesn’t have any fitness issues, no form issues,” he revealed.
