Khalid says players’ ‘lack of concentration’ forces India to get out of contention for the Asian Cup final round
Khalid Jamil, the chief national coach, held the players’ ‘lack of concentration’ after India’s chances of qualifying for the Asian Cup finals next year were spoiled with a 1-2 defeat against Singapore at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Tuesday. India have been winless in four matches. Lallianzuala Chhangte gave India a lead in the 14th minute, unleashing a brilliant 25-yard right-footer from the middle. But Ui-Young Song’s double strike, courtesy India’s disjointed defensive organization, guided Singapore to the desired victory before facing Hong Kong in their next encounter. Singapore coach, while speaking to the official broadcaster of the match Jio Hotstar, admitted that India had an inspiring start, but that prevailed only for the first 25-30 minutes before they snatched the midfield possession from India. On the contrary, Khalid, in his post-match explanation to the Jio Hotstar, said, “Even after starting well in the second session, we conceded a silly goal due to lack of defenders’ concentration. Despite playing good football, we missed several chances. This was also the lack of players’ concentration in a crucial time.”
East Bengal Reach Final With Convincing Victory Over Namdhari
Pratyusha Jana East Bengal sealed their position in the IFA Shield Finals! They thrashed Namdhari Sports Academy with a 2-0, while it might have been a wider margin. While East Bengal went all attack from the opening minute of the match. However, Namdhari has played quite an attacking role. After today’s match many of the East Bengal players seemed to get injured. Talking about Oscar Bruzon, he stated, “Namdhari has played a rough game; they have tried to intimidate us, but I told my players about the emotional control.” He added, “They have control over the match, and they have played very well.” For the red and gold brigade, Mohammed Bassim Ahmed Rashid and Vishnu PV found the back of the net. Rashid opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a brilliant right-footed strike, followed by Vishnu’s precise low shot in the 42nd minute, giving East Bengal a comfortable 2-0 lead by halftime. In the press conference, while talking about the game, Harpreet Singh, the Namdhari Sports Academy’s coach, stated, “We tried our best; a few players are injured now. It was a tough match today.” It is widely anticipated that the IFA Shield final will be a classic Derby clash between Mohun Bagan Super Giants and East Bengal FC. Speaking on the upcoming encounter, Singh remarked, “Both teams are strong and have excellent players, but I feel Mohun Bagan may have an advantage. East Bengal have made several changes to their squad, so it will take time for the players to gel, whereas Mohun Bagan’s team remains more settled.” Coach Óscar Bruzón appeared dissatisfied with the IFA’s management, expressing his concerns after the match. He stated, “We are one of the top teams in India and have participated in the IFA Shield numerous times. Yet, our first match was scheduled at Kalyani Stadium, where the field conditions were far from ideal.” “The pitch was uneven, there was no proper irrigation system, and it posed a real risk for the players. We feel mistreated and cannot understand why our opening match had to be held there.” In the second half, East Bengal tried to extend their advantage, but no further goals were scored. The IFA Shield final is scheduled for Saturday, as the club aims for its 30th title. With this win, East Bengal has now reached the final for the 41st time in the tournament’s storied history. It is evident that the IFA Shield final is shaping up to be a thrilling Derby clash. Speaking about the speculation regarding Namdhari’s comments in favour of Mohun Bagan, Coach Óscar Bruzón responded firmly: “How can anyone decide the outcome beforehand? Namdhari lost to us, and Mohun Bagan is yet to qualify for the final. How can anyone predict what will happen?!” He added, “I have full faith in our players, and I am confident they can face any challenge that comes their way.”
Football Federation’s ‘Talent Identification Program’ takes Cape Verde from darkness to the lights!
Two decades ago, the football fraternity in Africa hardly believed that Cape Verde would one day ensure a berth in the finals of the World Cup. They had barely played any international football, averaging two games a year from 1986, when they joined FIFA, to 1990, when they competed in the World Cup qualifiers for the first time, ranked 182nd in the world. The revolutionary change came thanks to the Football Association’s initiatives to build up a national team from scratch. Several Talent Identification Programs, launched by the national football federation, were the key drivers that brought the progress. “New strategies around identifying and recruiting talent throughout the large Cape Verdean communities,” said US-based agent Tony Araujo, who was born on the islands and worked closely with the team over decades. Simultaneously, the national football federation’s other effort to find players from the Diaspora around the world paid off. The effect was inspiring. In 2013, Cape Verde qualified for their first Cup of Nations final. Migrants left in droves for Portugal as well as other destinations, like the USA Eastern Seaboard and the Dutch port of Rotterdam. The squad for this week’s fixtures has six Dutch-born players plus others born in Portugal, France, and Ireland. Shamrock Rovers’ Roberto “Pico” Lopes. The progress continued. Cape Verde reached the last stages of qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but were deducted points for erroneously fielding a suspended player, thereby missing out on the playoffs, where they would also have been two games away from reaching the finals. In their debut Africa Cup of Nations finals appearance in 2013, Cape Verde reached the quarter-finals, prompting their coach to burst into song at the post-match press conference, and they did so again at the last edition in the Ivory Coast, unlucky to be eliminated on penalties. The Blue Sharks have also benefited from stability in the dugout, with coach Bubista in charge since January 2020. A former international himself, the 55-year-old has built a compact and well-drilled side with a mean defense, technical midfielders, and gifted forwards who upset Ghana and drew with Egypt during their run at AFCON two years ago. The national federation kept faith in Bubista despite failing to qualify for this year’s AFCON in Morocco, with the Cape Verdeans finishing bottom of a qualifying group containing Egypt, Botswana and Mauritania. Now the archipelago’s inhabitants can look forward to the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington DC on 4 December and dream of taking on some of the globe’s top sides next year. Cape Verde join Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, and Ghana in sealing an African qualifying spot for next year’s finals, with three more nations set to join them.
Cape Verde explodes in celebration after maiden qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals
A country off the coast of Senegal with only 550,000 inhabitants made history at midnight Monday. Cape Verde qualified for the 2026 World Cup finals for the first time, winning 3-0 against Eswatini at home. Now, the Blue Sharks top their qualifying group and have a secure place at the 2026 finals, ahead of continental heavyweights Cameroon. The reflection was vivid. A carnival-like atmosphere erupted in the streets of Cape Verde’s capital, Praia. Honking horns and street fireworks greeted euphoric fans pouring out of the Cape Verde National Stadium. On the street, people danced to the sound of reggae tunes and local funana music. “It was an incredible moment,” 37-year-old fan Jorge Junior Livramento said near the stadium. “I don’t have words. I was at the stadium and I supported our team unconditionally,” he said. FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated Cape Verde on its “historic moment.” He said the achievement could “power a new generation of football lovers” across the nation. It is set to become the second-least populous nation to reach the World Cup. Iceland, with just over 350,000 at the 2018 World Cup, was the first. “I shouted a lot during the match and now my voice is bad, but I am happy,” Praia resident Jose Vieira said after the victory, which he watched live in the stadium. The celebrations were expected to continue into the night with a concert at Praia’s municipal stadium featuring local artists such as Djodje and Soraia Ramos. Blue Sharks Coach Pedro “Bubista” Brito told representatives of the media that “giving this happiness to these people is enormous,” adding that “it’s a victory for all the Cape Verdean people.” Cape Verde won Group-D with 23 points, four more than Cameroon, which holds the African record for World Cup appearances with eight. Cameroon drew 0-0 with Angola in Yaounde. An archipelago of 10 islands in the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and first attempted to reach the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea. “It’s a special moment in this celebration of the 50th anniversary of our independence. “It’s a victory for all the Cape Verdean people and, above all, a victory for those who fought for our independence,” coach Bubista commented. The team reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals on its debut in 2013 and again in 2023, and is currently ranked 70th in the world. “It’s time to celebrate,” 39-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha told reporters, explaining that he had “been dreaming of this moment since I was a child.” Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, and Cape Verde have now won groups and filled six of the nine places automatically reserved for Africa at the 2026 World Cup. Fan Jose Jorge Borges, a 60-year-old journalist, said in Praia that it was a very memorable moment for Cape Verdeans. “The emotions are visible and difficult to describe,” he said.
