Football
Sunil bids adieu as India play out a draw with Kuwait
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Ray Sportz News Desk: India’s hopes for qualifying for the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification took a hit as they were held 0-0 by Kuwait in their penultimate Group A game at the Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday, June 6, 2024.
In what was Sunil Chhetri’s 151st and last dance in Indian colours, victory may have eluded him at the full-time whistle, but emotions couldn’t. After a lap around the 58,921 fans at the Salt Lake Stadium, the captain, leader, legend, let out his farewell tears when the Indian players and team officials gave him a guard of honour to the tunnel. In a warm gesture, each one of Kuwait’s players and officials also paid their respects with handshakes and hugs with the Indian skipper.
As far as the match is concerned, it was far from a drab affair, with a host of chances at both ends, particularly in the first half. But some top-notch defending and fine saves reduced the contest to a goalless one.
With the draw, India remain in second place with five points (Qatar will play Afghanistan later in the day), but importantly for Kuwait, they stay alive with four points. India will now hope for Qatar’s victory over Afghanistan, and a draw between Kuwait and Afghanistan on June 11. In that scenario, a point for India against Qatar in five days’ time in Doha will be enough to progress to the third round.
Kuwait made the earliest inroad in the fifth minute when left-winger Mohammad Abdulah shouldered his way into the box and came one-on-one with Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, but the Indian custodian stood strong, sticking his leg out to make a vital save early on.
India also responded with frantic pace on the left courtesy of Liston Colaco, who raced his way past the Kuwait right-back and put in a low cross, but Hasan Alanezi stabbed the ball clear for the visitors. India had their first shot from the resulting Anirudh Thapa corner, with an unmarked Anwar Ali heading it inches over the bar.
In the 25th minute, both teams had their heart-in-the-mouth moments in the space of a few seconds. First, it was Eid Alrashidi breaking the offside trap to stray clear on goal before dinking the ball over an onrushing Gurpreet. It landed just wide of the goal net. Immediately after, Jay Gupta burst forward and put an inviting low cross from the left. But Alanezi was on hand again to clear the danger for Kuwait at full stretch.
Slowly and steadily, India grew in confidence and began stringing attacks patiently, mostly utilising the speed of their wingers. Lallianzuala Chhangte got the better of left-back Meshari Alenezi on a couple of occasions and swung in dangerous crosses from the right, but Kuwait actively hacked them clear. Stimac’s men were quicker to the second balls as well, winning the ball in the final third and making Kuwait sweat at the back.
On a couple of occasions, Liston also tried his luck from distance, first smashing the side-netting, before skying it wayward from an audacious 40-yard attempt.
At half-time, Stimac made two changes, sacrificing midfielder Thapa to bring on striker Rahim Ali, while Brandon Fernandes replaced Sahal Abdul Samad in the middle.
The start to the second half was as wild as the first. Both goalkeepers were tested to the fullest in and came out on top. Faisal Alharbi’s stinging volley from barely six yards out was met with a stunning reflex save from Gurpreet, who dipped his entire 196-centimetre figure to palm it out. A few minutes later, he had to stretch to the top corner to push out Yousef Alsulaiman’s effort.
Sandwiched between Gurpreet’s heroics was Sulaiman Abdulghafoor’s one-on-one save for Kuwait. He made himself big to deny Rahim, who had latched on to a great through ball.
India struggled to maintain their first-half intensity and the tempo shifted towards Kuwait for a while. Substitute Ali Matar got plenty of space near the edge of the box, but he hesitated to shoot early and by the time he did, Rahul Bheke had thrown his body to make a solid block.
For those in blue, time seemed to pass quicker as they were left frustrated by Kuwait slowing down the tempo of the game.
The Blue Tigers sprang to some life in injury time, but it was not enough. Brandon Fernandes flashed a low ball across the face of the goal, but it was Alenezi once again to clear the danger for Kuwait for the umpteenth time on the night. Seconds later, Chhangte picked out Manvir with an inch-perfect cross but the latter nodded it wide of the near post.
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was named the player of the match.
Both the teams observed a minute’s silence before the start of the match, in memory of Anil Kamat, Assistant General Secretary and Director, Competition, AIFF, who passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
Football
Jordan Murray celebrated teacher’s day with the students of High School Tirildih.
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Ray Sportz Web Desk: In a heartwarming celebration of Teacher’s Day, Jordan Murray, the star forward of Jamshedpur FC, visited the Sports & Cultural Fest, Antaragani, organized by the Rotaract Club of Steel City at High School Tirildih. The event was a vibrant showcase of Jharkhand’s rich culture, and Murray was thoroughly mesmerized by the experience.
The highlight of the day was when Murray danced along with the little kids to the rhythm of a Santhali song, creating an unforgettable moment for everyone present. The event took a special turn when Rakhi Tudu, a student, gifted Murray a handmade card wishing him the best for the upcoming ISL season, which kicks off on September 21st against Mumbai City FC at the Furnace.
Murray also met with the school football team and shared his valuable experience with them. He collaborated with the kids, showcasing his impressive football skills and leaving them in awe. The fans and local community were thrilled to meet Murray, and they eagerly captured several selfies to cherish the moment.
The Antaragani fest was a resounding success, thanks to Murray’s presence, which added a touch of glamour to the event. His interaction with the students and the community was a testament to his dedication to inspiring the next generation of football enthusiasts. As Jamshedpur FC gears up for the new season, Murray’s visit has surely pumped up the excitement among the fans.
East Bengal
Packed gallery is not a concern for Altyn Asyr coach
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Shubham Mandal: Carles Cuadrat’s revenge match! Are you thinking, why? Then you have to go back six long years ago. The year was 2018, Bengaluru FC lost both legs of the AFC Cup inter-zonal semi-final against Altyn Asyr. At that time their head coach was Carles Cuadrat. Only the team has changed this time. He is now the head coach of East Bengal. This time also in that AFC Cup, his opponent is Altyn Asyr. Also in 2018, Yazguly Hojageldyyew was the head coach of Altyn Asyr. And he is still in charge of the team.
After setting foot in Calcutta, Altyn Asyr had his first practice in Yuva Bharati on this day. Altyn Asyr head coach said a lot about the East Bengal team while giving an interview to Ray Sportz after the practice. Here is the conversation:
Q: There are no foreigners in the team. Is that a problem for you?
Hojageldyyew: Not having foreigners in the team is not a big deal. It has been in our team for a long time. The current footballers have been the asset of this team for the last few years. So we are not worried about this.
Q: Have you been playing the same team for the last few years?
Hojageldyyew: Most of the footballers in this team have been playing together for several years. So all footballers are well aware of their responsibilities.
Q: Do you have any idea about the East Bengal team?
Hojageldyyew: There are quite a few good foreigners in the East Bengal team. Not only that, they have got some good quality Indian footballers in their team this season. They have won their last two matches. We have already seen the video of that match. Footballers know that the match is going to be tough.
Q: Are you stressed when playing in front of a packed gallery?
Hojageldyyew: Not at all! This is not the first time we will be playing an AFC match in front of a packed gallery for the opposition. So I don’t think there will be any extra pressure on the boys.
Football
Germany outplayed Scotland in the Euro cup opener
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Ray Sportz Web Desk: Scotland’s 2024 European Championships optimism was bludgeoned to a pulp by Germany in their Group A opener with Ryan Porteous seeing red before the interval in a 5-1 defeat.
Florian Wirtz opened the scoring for the hosts in the 10th minute with fellow attacker Jamal Musiala adding a second nine minutes later as Steve Clarke’s side were simply outclassed in the Munich Arena.
Defender Porteous was deservedly sent off just before the break for conceding a penalty with a reckless tackle, and Kai Havertz netted.
Substitute Niclas Fullkrug made it 4-0 in the 68th minute with a magnificent drive and then had a goal ruled offside as the 10-men in dark blue continued their struggle.
Germany defender Antonio Rudiger scored into his own net but that was cancelled out by substitute Emre Can to make it 5-1.
The beleaguered Scots face Switzerland in Cologne next week before taking on Hungary in Stuttgart. They have to quickly get this performance and result out of their heads while the Tartan Army will also have to regroup.
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