Oscar Admits The Mistake of Changing Goal Keeper
Pratyusha Jana: East Bengal’s defeat in the IFA Shield has to be the dramatic part. However, the shocking part for the fans was East Bengal changing their goalkeeper at the tiebreaker. Gill saved the match after their 1-1 equaliser. However, at the tiebreaker, Debjit Majumder was seen to take the stage. While there are many factors to be considered, the change of goalkeeper has indeed affected the match and tie-breaker, forcing EBFC on the road to defeat. While talking about this change, coach Oscar Bruzon has admitted the mistake; he ruefully stated, “While planning, we usually take many options into consideration. I listen to my coaches and other strategists as well, but yes, it was a fault. It was my fault for changing the goalkeeper at the essential time.” In the tiebreaker only Jay Gupta was seen missing the net. Gupta, while giving an impressive performance throughout the tournament, is indeed a new player. Trusting him with the responsibility of tiebreaker was also questionable. In the press conference Oscar admitted and stated, “Well, yes, he is a new player. But we have to encourage them because they are good players. I wanted to encourage him.” He further stated that “Yes, we played well today. We are continuously improving, and Mohun Bagan has the advantage of knowing their players, while we have relatively more new faces, but we are looking forward to the Super Cup.” Oscar looks forward to beat Mohun Bagan in the Super Cup. The winning side’s coach, José Molina, seemed rather upbeat. He stated, “We are the champions; let it seep in first.” While talking about the Super Cup, he stated, “Yeah, we will face East Bengal again.
MBSG clinch the IFA Shield after 22 years with a 5-4 win in the tie-breaker Pratyusha Jana
Pratyusha Jana: Mehtab Singh’s winner in the tie-breaker guided Mohun Bagan Super Giants to clinch the IFA Shield after a span of 22 years, defeating arch-rivals East Bengal in the tie-breaker by 5-4 at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday. Before Mehtab, Robson Robinho, Manveer Singh, Liston Colaco, and Petratos scored for MBSG, while East Bengal scorers were Miguel, Kevin Sibille, Mahesh Singh, and Jay Gupta. The 90 minutes’ regulation time and 30 minutes’ stoppage time ended 1-1. Hamid Ahadad drew first blood for the Red-and-Gold brigade in the 36th minute, while Apuia equalized for MBSG in the three minutes’ stoppage time of the first half. Otherwise, the story of the season’s third Kolkata Derby featured a missed penalty, several missed chances. The nail-biting battle was vivid till the end of the extra time. Both teams fought hard, displayed an attacking brand of football, but missed chances, and some inspiring saves from both the custodians kept the score line 1-1 till the end. East Bengal fans might have been expecting some magic on the day from their Japanese surprise, Hiroshi Ibusiki whose first match was Saturday’s Derby. He almost gave his team the desired lead in the 67th minute, executed an accurate header of Miguel free-kick, but MBSG custodian Vishal Kaith thwarted with a clinical save off the header. Mohun Bagan’s lead also might have been solidified in the 34th minute, if not for Cummings’s missed penalty. After the break, the Australian forward goes down by Anwar Ali, giving a penalty point to Ali. However, Cummings missed the penalty as Gill caught it without any trouble. In the second minute, Rashid passed Mahesh on his left, who drove the ball into the final third. Mahesh delivered a low cross that the Moroccan pounced on, neatly guiding it into the net. With Kaith stepping out, the Bagan defense was left exposed. The second half came with many significant changes, although none could transform the match’s course. From EBFC’s side, P V Vishnu came, taking the place of Edmund in the 51st minute. Along with Jay Gupta, Hiroshi Ibusuki, Miguel, taking the field for Lalghungnunga, Hamid Ahadad, and Saul Crespo, respectively. Quite shockingly, the Mariners stayed rigid on their protest. In the first half, it showed many tifos and chants; however, it went silent in the second half. Along with the banners and tifos were nowhere to be found. However, at the 90+4’, the heartbeat of all was clearly audible, the free kick from Robson found Mehtab Singh. He rose and hit the ball towards the post, it hit Gill’s fingertips, and it changed the direction, saving East Bengal from their evident defeat. Clearly, it was the derby’s most thrilling save.
Ajit Agarkar reveals ‘real disagreement’ with former India coach Rahul Dravid!
Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector of the Indian cricket team, has revealed a real disagreement with former India head coach Rahul Dravid. Agarkar was appointed as the chairman of selectors in July 2023 when Dravid was the head coach of India. Agarkar’s journey has not been easy so far, as he had to face the wrath of fans and many former Indian cricketers over his selection calls. For instance, he was heavily criticised for overlooking Shreyas Iyer for the Asia Cup 2025 despite the latter’s brilliant show in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Moreover, when Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their sudden retirement from test cricket in May, many fans blamed Agarkar for the cause behind the incident. Ahead of India’s tour of Australia 2025, the former Indian pacer was slammed for ignoring Sanju Samson in the ODI squad and picking uncapped Dhruv Jurel as the secondary wicket-keeper. Speaking during the NDTV World Summit on Friday, 17th October, Agarkar revealed that he had many disagreements with Dravid during selection meetings. However, he also noted that both of them had the best intentions for the Indian Cricket Team. “I mean, Rahul Dravid was coach before this – he’s a dear friend – and we’ve had some, I won’t call it bust-ups, but we’ve had some real disagreements with regards to what he wants. But that’s because we are trying to do what’s in the interest of the team,”he said. Agarkar also mentioned that disagreements between selectors and the coach or captain are bound to happen as they need to be part of the discussion in selection meetings. “Eventually, it’s our decision to make. Whether it was with Rahul before or Gautam Gambhir now, and even with captains – Rohit before this and Shubman now – we discuss things. Our job is to try and give the best possible 15 so that the captain and coach can have their life made a little bit easier. And if you don’t involve them in the discussion, it’ll be foolish,”he added. Dravid, who guided India to the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 win, has always been perceived as a calm person in Indian cricket; however, he reportedly got engaged in heated arguments with Agarkar during his tenure as head coach. After Dravid quit as India’s head coach in June 2024, Gautam Gambhir was appointed as the next coach in July 2024.
At 48, Zoravar Singh Sandhu creates history, acquiring bronze at ISSF Shotgun Worlds 2025
Indian shooter Zoravar Singh Sandhu made history by acquiring a bronze medal in men’s trap at the ISSF World Championship Shotgun 2025 in Athens, Greece. Competing in tough weather and light conditions, Zoravar hit 31 of 50 targets in the final match, finishing behind Croatia’s Josip Glasnovic and Spain’s Andres Garcia. This was India’s third medal in the men’s trap shooting events at the Shotgun World Championships. Manavjeet Singh Sandhu won the gold medal in the men’s trap at Zagreb 2006, while Karni Singh won a silver medal in the 1962 championships held in Cairo. Zoravar Singh Sandhu’s bronze medal at the age of 48 is an example of longevity that is rarely seen in elite sport. Few shooters, globally, have competed at this level across four decades. His story runs parallel to that of Karni Singh, the prince who put India on the world map in the 1960s, and Manavjit Sandhu, who carried that legacy into the 2000s. Born in Punjab and now based in Chandigarh, Zoravar has long been a cornerstone of Indian shotgun shooting. His performances in national trials have been consistent for years, even when others moved on or faded away. Yet, global recognition always seemed to elude him until now. His return to the spotlight also underscores the importance of India’s renewed investment in the shotgun discipline. With the rise of skeet shooters like Ganemat Sekhon and Mairaj Ahmad Khan, the shotgun ecosystem has quietly built momentum. Zoravar’s bronze now adds Trap back to that narrative and does so through a veteran’s lens. India’s strength in rifle and pistol shooting is well documented. Trap and skeet, however, have historically been tougher terrain, expensive, technically demanding, and mentally gruelling. Zoravar’s medal reopens the conversation about India’s potential in these traditional shotgun events.
Supreme Court clarification against AIFF appeal for review: Article 23.3 not be adopted now
The Supreme Court has issued a significant clarification on the long-debated AIFF Constitution, clearing confusion over article 23.3 and articles 25.3(c) and 25.3(d). The latest order says Article 23.3 does not need to be adopted. Articles 25.3(c) and 25.3(d) will be formally adopted. However, these will take effect only after the elections next year, once the current executive committee’s term ends in 2026. This clarification comes shortly after the All India Football Federation (AIFF) formally adopted its new constitution on 12th October, during a special general body meeting held in New Delhi. The adoption marked the end of a long and complicated legal journey that had delayed structural reforms in Indian football for years. Article 23.3 had sparked major concerns within the federation and from FIFA, as it required AIFF to seek the Supreme Court’s approval for any constitutional amendments. The Supreme Court acknowledged this concern and made it clear that continuous judicial supervision of a sports body is not appropriate. The bench, led by Justices P.S. Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi, noted that the AIFF will instead be governed by the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, and any subordinate regulations that may be formed under it. The court also addressed the debate around Articles 25.3(c) and 25.3(d), which bar AIFF officials from holding simultaneous positions in state associations. While the provisions were found to be consistent with both Indian law and FIFA regulations, enforcing them immediately would have forced several current office-holders. According to Article 25.3 (c and d), an office bearer in AIFF’s executive committee can’t hold a position as an office bearer in a member association, which was viewed as adverse to the FIFA charter. The two-member SC bench observed that “they are not in conflict with any laws, regulations, or even FIFA Charter. The apprehensions about the unavailability of experienced personnel to man AIFF and other member associations if these Articles are incorporated are speculative. “No credible data is placed before us to sustain such apprehension. We are, therefore, of the opinion that these Articles shall be retained. “We may also clarify that the said Articles, like many others, would be subject to the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, and the subordinate legislation that may be framed thereunder.” But since the immediate consequence of the adoption of this clause would have led to “practical problem” of the majority of the federation’s office bearers, needing to resign from their posts, the Court said that Articles 25.3(c) and (d) need not be applied to the present office bearers as their term is expiring in September 2026. The AIFF has given an undertaking promising to formally adopt Articles 25.3 (c and d), “but it may be given effect to after the term of the present executive expires in September 2026”. “In our judgment, we permitted the present executive to continue till the end of its term in order to ensure that there is minimal disruption to the already delayed sporting events,” the Court said. “In the same line, and to subserve the same purpose, we direct AIFF to adopt Articles 25.3(c) and (d) within three weeks from today, as undertaken by Mr. Siddharth Luthra, Senior Counsel on behalf of AIFF. Articles 25.3(c) and 25.3(d) will, however, come into effect after the present executive demits office.”
Rashid Khan condemns Pakistan after air strikes kill three Afghan cricketers: calls attack ‘absolutely immoral and barbaric’
In a tragic incident in Afghanistan on Friday, air raids from Pakistan struck the Afghan civilians directly, causing the deaths of nearly 40 people. Among the victims were also three cricketers from Urgun district in Paktika Province. The Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan, deeply saddened by the incident, lashed out at Pakistan following the killing of three local cricketers in air strikes on civilian areas, describing the attack as “absolutely immoral and barbaric.” His remarks came after the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced the team’s withdrawal from next month’s tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The ACB’s decision follows a series of Pakistani air strikes along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border that claimed several civilian lives, including the three young players. The tri-series, scheduled to be held in Lahore and Rawalpindi from November 5 to 29, has now been thrown into uncertainty. Rashid also released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy and solidarity with the victims’ families. The three players killed were identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, while five others also lost their lives in the attack. The fighting, which has claimed dozens of lives on both sides, resulted in a brief 48-hour ceasefire that was later broken after Pakistan launched air strikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, targeting residential areas in the Argun and Bermal districts along the Durand Line. The Taliban denounced the strikes as a breach of the truce, even as delegations from both nations were in Doha for talks aimed at defusing the crisis.
