Indian super league Archives - Football Counter https://www.footballcounter.com/tag/indian-super-league/ The Home of Indian Football Fri, 14 Aug 2026 14:36:21 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://static.footballcounter.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/15041743/cropped-footballcounter-logo2-32x32.png Indian super league Archives - Football Counter https://www.footballcounter.com/tag/indian-super-league/ 32 32 Tata Steel Transfers Jamshedpur FC Ownership to Churchill Brothers https://www.footballcounter.com/2026/tata-steel-transfers-jamshedpur-fc-ownership-to-churchill-brothers/ https://www.footballcounter.com/2026/tata-steel-transfers-jamshedpur-fc-ownership-to-churchill-brothers/#respond Fri, 14 Aug 2026 14:36:20 +0000 https://www.footballcounter.com/?p=89634 Tata Steel has agreed to transfer its entire ownership of Jamshedpur FC to Churchill Brothers for a token sum of ₹100, bringing an end to Tata Steel’s ownership of the...

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Tata Steel has agreed to transfer its entire ownership of Jamshedpur FC to Churchill Brothers for a token sum of ₹100, bringing an end to Tata Steel’s ownership of the Indian Super League club while potentially allowing Jamshedpur’s ISL sporting licence to continue under new ownership.

Tata Steel’s Committee of Directors approved the transfer of all 4.08 crore equity shares of Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited on August 14, with the share purchase agreement signed on the same day. The transaction is expected to be completed within 15 days, subject to approval from the All India Football Federation and other formalities.

The proposed deal includes Jamshedpur FC’s ISL sporting licence, along with the contracts of 12 players and two coaches. Churchill Brothers have informed the AIFF of their acquisition, with the Goan club potentially taking Jamshedpur’s place in the ISL if the transfer receives the required approval.

The move follows Tata Steel’s decision earlier this month to withdraw Jamshedpur FC from the ISL. The company plans to shift its focus towards grassroots and youth development, particularly through its long-standing football development programmes, while continuing its support for sporting infrastructure.

For Jamshedpur FC, the proposed transfer comes after nearly a decade of Tata Steel ownership. The club became an established force in Indian football, winning the ISL League Winners’ Shield in the 2021-22 season and developing a strong identity in the city and across Indian football.

For Churchill Brothers, the deal could provide an unexpected route back into the country’s top division. The historic Goan club had initially finished at the top of the 2024-25 I-League standings, but a subsequent dispute over points and eligibility eventually reached the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The CAS ruling favoured Inter Kashi, costing Churchill their automatic promotion opportunity.

Churchill Brothers later sought entry into the ISL but their bid was rejected. After opting out of the 2025-26 I-League, the club were subsequently demoted to I-League 2. The proposed acquisition of Jamshedpur FC’s sporting licence could now give Churchill Brothers another opportunity to return to India’s top-flight football.

The development also comes at a time of wider uncertainty surrounding the ISL and its long-term commercial structure. If approved, the transfer would mark a significant change in the league landscape, with Jamshedpur FC’s sporting presence potentially continuing under a different ownership structure and identity.

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Ten-Man Jamshedpur FC Edge Inter Kashi 1–0 as Captain Eze Seals Fourth Straight Win https://www.footballcounter.com/2026/ten-man-jamshedpur-fc-edge-inter-kashi-1-0-as-captain-eze-seals-fourth-straight-win/ https://www.footballcounter.com/2026/ten-man-jamshedpur-fc-edge-inter-kashi-1-0-as-captain-eze-seals-fourth-straight-win/#respond Mon, 09 Mar 2026 07:09:31 +0000 https://www.footballcounter.com/?p=88925 Jamshedpur FC continued their impressive run in the Indian Super League 2025-26 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Inter Kashi FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on March 6....

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Jamshedpur FC continued their impressive run in the Indian Super League 2025-26 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Inter Kashi FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on March 6. Despite playing most of the match with ten men, the Men of Steel secured their fourth consecutive win of the season thanks to a decisive second-half strike from captain Stephen Eze.

The home side began brightly and created the first opportunity in the ninth minute when Eze connected with Nikola Stojanović’s free-kick inside the box, but his header drifted wide. Raphael Bouli also attempted a long-range effort shortly after, but failed to trouble the Inter Kashi goalkeeper.

Inter Kashi responded with a chance of their own as Alfred Planas narrowly missed the target with a shot from the centre of the box in the 17th minute. Moments later, the game took a dramatic turn when Jamshedpur winger Vincy Barretto received a straight red card for a high challenge, leaving the hosts to continue the match with ten players.

The visitors looked to take advantage of the extra man and pushed forward through Tomba Singh, Nishchal Chandan and Sumeet Passi. However, Jamshedpur nearly found the breakthrough themselves when Madih Talal’s curling free-kick sailed just over the crossbar. Inter Kashi continued to threaten late in the half, but goalkeeper Albino Gomes produced a crucial save to deny Prasanth Karuthadathkuni as the teams went into the break goalless.

Pratik Chowdhary of Jamshedpur FC during match 22 of INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE

Inter Kashi maintained the pressure after the restart, but their attempts from distance failed to find the target. Jamshedpur eventually broke the deadlock in the 57th minute through a set-piece. Madih Talal delivered an inviting free-kick into the penalty area and captain Stephen Eze reacted quickly to guide the ball into the net, giving the hosts a crucial 1-0 lead.

The visitors increased their attacking intensity in search of an equaliser, but Gomes stood tall between the posts, making several important saves to preserve the advantage. Jamshedpur also threatened on the counter, with Bouli striking the post after a swift attacking move.

Inter Kashi continued to push in the closing stages but lacked the finishing touch. With disciplined defending and strong goalkeeping, Jamshedpur held firm to secure a determined 1-0 victory.

The result keeps the Men of Steel unbeaten and level on points with leaders Mohun Bagan Super Giant, trailing only on goal difference after another resilient performance.

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Five-Star Mohun Bagan Dominate Kolkata Derby https://www.footballcounter.com/2026/five-star-mohun-bagan-dominate-kolkata-derby/ https://www.footballcounter.com/2026/five-star-mohun-bagan-dominate-kolkata-derby/#respond Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:41:17 +0000 https://www.footballcounter.com/?p=88865 Mohun Bagan Super Giant delivered a commanding performance to thrash Mohammedan Sporting Club 5-1 in a one-sided Kolkata derby at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The emphatic win lifted the...

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Mohun Bagan Super Giant delivered a commanding performance to thrash Mohammedan Sporting Club 5-1 in a one-sided Kolkata derby at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The emphatic win lifted the Mariners provisionally to the top of the table on goal difference, while Mohammedan remained without a point.

The derby exploded into life from the first whistle. Mohun Bagan applied early pressure, with Jason Cummings and Robson Azevedo testing the Mohammedan defence. Yet it was the visitors who struck first in the 12th minute. Lalthankima rose highest to meet Lalngaihsaka’s corner and powered a header past Vishal Kaith, stunning the home crowd.

The response from the Mariners was swift and ruthless. Robson Azevedo hit the crossbar before curling in a precise finish in the 22nd minute to restore parity. Just four minutes later, the Brazilian struck again, reacting quickest to a loose ball inside the box to put Mohun Bagan ahead.

Jamie Maclaren added a third in the 35th minute after a defensive lapse, calmly finishing from close range to send the Mariners into half-time with a firm grip on the contest.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Mohun Bagan dictating the tempo. Manvir Singh extended the lead in the 62nd minute, his diving header taking a deflection on its way in. Dimitri Petratos then produced a moment of brilliance in the 70th minute, unleashing a powerful long-range strike that clipped the woodwork before finding the net.

Mohammedan attempted to respond with long-range efforts, but Mohun Bagan remained in complete control. Subhajit Bhattacharjee prevented the margin from growing further with a string of saves, denying Liston Colaco, Sahal Abdul Samad, and Maclaren.

At full time, the 5-1 scoreline reflected Mohun Bagan’s dominance in every department. Robson Azevedo’s influential display earned him the Player of the Match award, as the Mariners underlined their title ambitions with a statement derby victory.

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FC Goa Welcome ISGL as Principal Sponsor for ISL 2025–26 https://www.footballcounter.com/2026/fc-goa-welcome-isgl-as-principal-sponsor-for-isl-2025-26/ https://www.footballcounter.com/2026/fc-goa-welcome-isgl-as-principal-sponsor-for-isl-2025-26/#respond Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:32:06 +0000 https://www.footballcounter.com/?p=88808 FC Goa have strengthened their commercial portfolio ahead of the ISL 2025–26 campaign by announcing the Indian Super Gaming League (ISGL) as the club’s Principal Sponsor. As part of the...

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FC Goa have strengthened their commercial portfolio ahead of the ISL 2025–26 campaign by announcing the Indian Super Gaming League (ISGL) as the club’s Principal Sponsor. As part of the agreement, ISGL will feature prominently on the front of the Gaurs’ matchday kits throughout the season.

The partnership comes at a significant moment, with the Indian Super League and the debut season of the Indian Super Gaming League running in sync. The collaboration aims to connect football and esports audiences, bringing together two rapidly growing sporting communities under a shared vision of youth development and competitive excellence.

In addition to jersey branding, ISGL will have a strong presence across FC Goa’s digital platforms and promotional activities, ensuring engaging content for fans. The alliance is designed not only to enhance brand visibility but also to create meaningful interaction between supporters of both franchises.

ISGL, an initiative by parent company LetsGameNow, represents a structured push towards strengthening the esports ecosystem in India. With extensive experience in hosting gaming tournaments, LetsGameNow has launched ISGL as a large scale league featuring multiple game titles and a unique competitive format. The grand finale of its inaugural season is set to take place in Mumbai on 15 March, with prominent personalities expected to be part of the event.

FC Goa CEO Ravi Puskur welcomed the partnership, stating that esports is gaining strong momentum across the country and that ISGL’s focus on structured talent development aligns closely with the club’s philosophy of nurturing young talent from the grassroots level.

Gautam Badalia, Co-Founder of LetsGameNow, described the association as a natural extension of ISGL’s mission to identify and empower emerging talent. He highlighted that FC Goa’s commitment to building professional pathways for youth mirrors ISGL’s objectives within the gaming space.

The league will host qualifying rounds across five cities in India, providing aspiring gamers with a platform to showcase their skills. The Goa qualifier, in association with FC Goa, is scheduled for 6 March, with registrations available on ISGL’s official website.

Through this partnership, FC Goa and ISGL aim to contribute to the growth of a modern, performance driven sporting ecosystem both on the football pitch and in the competitive gaming arena.

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Mumbai City Clinch Hard Fought Three Points at Home https://www.footballcounter.com/2026/mumbai-city-clinch-hard-fought-three-points-at-home/ https://www.footballcounter.com/2026/mumbai-city-clinch-hard-fought-three-points-at-home/#respond Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:40:58 +0000 https://www.footballcounter.com/?p=88798 Mumbai City FC secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Chennaiyin FC at the Mumbai Football Arena, earning three valuable points in a tightly contested encounter. The first half saw both...

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Mumbai City FC secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Chennaiyin FC at the Mumbai Football Arena, earning three valuable points in a tightly contested encounter.

The first half saw both teams cancel each other out in midfield, with clear-cut chances at a premium. Mumbai City looked the more threatening side in attack, as Jorge Pereyra Díaz forced a fine save from Mohammad Nawaz after being set up by Jorge Ortiz. Soon after, Brandon Fernandes combined well with Lallianzuala Chhangte, who laid the ball into Ortiz’s path, but the Spaniard’s effort was once again denied.

Chennaiyin relied heavily on crosses and long deliveries into the box, targeting Irfan Yadwad and Iñigo Martín. Despite winning multiple corners in the opening half, they struggled to truly test Phurba Lachenpa, as Mumbai’s defence remained organised and alert.

The decisive moment came just four minutes into the second half. Joni Kauko’s cross into the box took a heavy deflection off Pritam Kotal in the 48th minute, wrong-footing Nawaz and finding the back of the net to give the Islanders the lead.

Chennaiyin responded by increasing the pressure and pushing forward in numbers. They earned a total of 15 corner kicks throughout the match and kept Mumbai pinned back during the closing stages. Their best opportunity came late on when a recycled corner found Mandar Rao Dessai inside the box, but he failed to connect cleanly.

Mumbai City held their defensive shape until the final whistle to secure the win in front of their home supporters. Akash Mishra’s composed display at the back earned him the Player of the Match award, capping off a disciplined and determined team performance.

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Ivan Vukomanovic: Seeing Kerala Blasters FC players shine for the national team gives me great satisfaction https://www.footballcounter.com/2024/ivan-vukomanovic-seeing-kerala-blasters-fc-players-shine-for-the-national-team-gives-me-great-satisfaction/ https://www.footballcounter.com/2024/ivan-vukomanovic-seeing-kerala-blasters-fc-players-shine-for-the-national-team-gives-me-great-satisfaction/#respond Thu, 18 Apr 2024 13:20:33 +0000 https://www.footballcounter.com/?p=83819 Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic is into his third season in the Indian Super League (ISL) and he has naturally overseen the rise of multiple young players who...

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Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic is into his third season in the Indian Super League (ISL) and he has naturally overseen the rise of multiple young players who have thrived under his watch and gone on to represent the national team.

Vukomanovic believes that the progress that a player makes from the club level to play for his country is a validation of the efforts and performances that he has delivered for the former. The tactician understands that working regularly on skill sets for the club is a part of the daily routine of any professional. However, the national setup gives a stamp of authority to the same from a time to time basis, and that is a great driving factor for several promising stars. 

“National team call-up is a validation of your performances for the club”

The current Kerala Blasters FC squad has players such as Pritam Kotal, Ishan Pandita, Jeakson Singh, and Rahul KP who are or have been a part of the senior national Indian side in the recent past. Similarly, they have individuals like Hormipan Ruivah, Vibin Mohanan, and Mohammed Aimen who represent the India U-23 team. Vukomanovic states that he gets immense satisfaction when his players owe the success that they achieve at the international stage to the work that they put in on the training turf for the Yellow Army.

“From one side, with difficulties, because they are recognising that these moments are not easy both from a physical and mental side, because you are playing for a club that is demanding from an expectations perspective. From the other side, I am really glad to see how they have developed because they become better by understanding a lot from technical and tactical sides, which is why they get national team call-ups, and for them it’s further development. Your training process in a club is a daily process, but the national team is a confirmation of your efforts!” Vukomanovic says.

He adds, “I am happy for them, because you see them improving, smiling, and being happy. The thing I like the most with young players is when they tell us that the things we do in training makes their life easier, and I am glad that they recognize the same, which is equally important for their development. As a teacher, you are always proud of seeing your players become important parts of the society, I get the same feeling as a coach.”

“RFDL helps give game-time to a lot of my squad players”

The third season of the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) is currently on and Vukomanovic spent considerable time reflecting on the benefits that the elite youth level tournament, bringing clubs from across Indian football onboard, plays in shaping careers of young professionals. He says that it is the perfect platform for players lacking adequate game-time at the senior level to perform at.

In fact, Vukomanovic appreciated the fact that it allows clubs to capitalise optimally on their total squad strength. For instance, if a team hosts multiple players for any key position, Vukomanovic explains that they deploy a few of those players to earn their stripes in the RFDL. It has multiple benefits in his viewpoint. For starters, the level of intensity that these concerned professionals train at with the ISL teams is of significantly greater level than what’s required in youth level tournaments. That, in turn, helps produce closely fought encounters in the RFDL, thus bringing about an all-round, comprehensive growth in the Indian footballing landscape.

“We send players on a weekly basis, especially if we have multiple players for a position. They practice for us, and then they go to the B team and they play a few games there. You give them consistency to play, how they play doesn’t matter, but you need that playing time. They suffer whilst entering higher intensity training sessions, but when they play with that intensity with youngsters, they make a difference,” Vukomanovic says.

“Possibility of competing against international clubs is an awesome experience”

Four teams that qualify to the National Championship of the RFDL also get a chance to play in the Premier League Next Generation Cup. Bengaluru FC, Sudeva Delhi FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, and the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) had availed this opportunity last season. It gives them a chance of locking horns with their Premier League counterparts, such as Everton FC, West Ham United FC, and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, who participated in the previous campaign of the competition. The tournament also saw participation from eventual winners of the second season, i.e. Stellenbosch FC from South Africa. Vukomanovic explains that the sheer chance to lock horns with these sides is a good enough incentive for Indian players to constantly keep improving and showcase their mettle as the highest of stages.

“It’s an awesome experience and you compete for something and you have the prize of going there to see that level of football. Going there, you face the reality, and you have two feelings, firstly of being proud of reaching there and there’s also a sense of reality that comes in. You realize as a player that there’s a long way to go if you want to reach there. It’s both motivating and frustrating because it gives you a perspective of how football is developed in certain parts of the world,” Vukomanovic says.

Courtesy :- Reliance Foundation Sports Media

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Kerala Blasters FC bag winning momentum before playoffs with solid 3-1 win against Hyderabad FC https://www.footballcounter.com/2024/kerala-blasters-fc-bag-winning-momentum-before-playoffs-with-solid-3-1-win-against-hyderabad-fc/ https://www.footballcounter.com/2024/kerala-blasters-fc-bag-winning-momentum-before-playoffs-with-solid-3-1-win-against-hyderabad-fc/#respond Sat, 13 Apr 2024 12:25:58 +0000 https://www.footballcounter.com/?p=83761 Hyderabad, April 12: Kerala Blasters FC ensured that they will enter the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs with a win at their back after defeating Hyderabad FC by 3-1...

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Hyderabad, April 12: Kerala Blasters FC ensured that they will enter the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs with a win at their back after defeating Hyderabad FC by 3-1 at the Gachibowli Stadium tonight. Mohammed Aimen scored and assisted once each as Daisuke Sakai and Nihal Sudeesh netted too to help the Yellow Army cap off a clinical outing against the Thangboi Singto-coached team. A late consolation goal by Joao Victor was insufficient to salvage Hyderabad FC any tangible outcome out of this game as they rounded off this campaign with a solitary win to their name in 22 matches.

Kerala Blasters FC had not tasted a win in any of their five matches before this game. They had in fact drawn once and lost four matches, as a host of injury issues came together to derail the solid campaign that they endured in the first half of the season.

That strong head-start, however, ensured that the Ivan Vukomanovic-coached team became the fifth team to qualify for the ISL playoffs, but their recent run of form had raised concerns over their possible performances in the coming stage of the competition.

Hormipan Ruivah and Saurav Mandal had injected immense excitement in the Kerala Blasters FC ranks with their interlinking on the right flank. On one such occasion, the duo engaged in a quick exchange of passes before Mandal lobbed the ball in for Aimen in the far post, who headed the ball into the back of the net, demonstrating tremendous aerial prowess in the 34th minute.

Mandal is perhaps providing Vukomanovic answers to his goal-scoring questions ahead of the playoffs. Six minutes into the second half, Mandal stormed into the box from the right, catching the Hyderabad FC defence off-guard. He launched in a low cross for Daisuke Sakai, who tapped the ball in to double the lead for the visitors.

The goal-scoring frenzy continued in the final 10-odd minutes of the match also. Aimen turned the provider again in the 81st minute, laying up a fairly straightforward delivery for Nihal on the right side of the box, who slotted the ball right into the centre of the net, in what was a showcase of the domestic talent and promise brimming through the Kerala Blasters FC ranks. Victor’s strike in the 88th minute was a result of some timely ingenuity by Alex Saji, who laid the ball in the path of the former through his head to pull back a goal, which was too little, too late for the team.  

Key Performer of the Match

Saurav Mandal (Kerala Blasters FC)

Mandal completed 15 out of his 20 passes, tackling once, intercepting twice, creating two goal-scoring chances, in addition to bagging two assists in this match.

What’s next for both teams?

Kerala Blasters FC will now feature in the ISL 2023-24 playoffs, whereas Hyderabad FC’s season comes to an end with this match.

Brief Scores

Kerala Blasters FC 3 (Mohammed Aimen 34’, Daisuke Sakai 51’, Nihal Sudheesh 81’) – 1 Hyderabad FC (Joao Victor 88’)

Stat Pack

Points Table

Courtesy :- ISL Media

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Lallianzuala Chhangte: I wouldn’t be here today if not for the chances given to me by the ISL https://www.footballcounter.com/2024/lallianzuala-chhangte-i-wouldnt-be-here-today-if-not-for-the-chances-given-to-me-by-the-isl/ https://www.footballcounter.com/2024/lallianzuala-chhangte-i-wouldnt-be-here-today-if-not-for-the-chances-given-to-me-by-the-isl/#respond Tue, 26 Mar 2024 16:46:20 +0000 https://www.footballcounter.com/?p=83526 Mumbai, March 26: Nineteen games into the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24, Mumbai City FC finds itself placed comfortably at the top of the table with 41 points. They are well...

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Mumbai, March 26: Nineteen games into the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24, Mumbai City FC finds itself placed comfortably at the top of the table with 41 points. They are well placed to potentially become the first team to successfully defend its ISL League Winners Shield. The team has overcome challenges with impeccable ease to be in the pole position in the standings at the moment.

One of the key architects of their success so far has been the incumbent ISL Golden Ball holder Lallianzuala Chhangte. With four goals and five assists, the attacker has formed a formidable tuning with the rest of the frontline, interlinking impressively to breach the opposition and their backline on a consistent basis. Having recorded 21 successful dribbles and 79 touches inside the box of the opposition, Chhangte has been an ever present figure in the final third, helping his team score 36 goals so far in the competition, second only to the 38 of the Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

“I thank the ISL for trusting me”

Born in Lunglei in Mizoram, Chhangte debuted in the ISL courtesy of NorthEast United FC in 2016. He has since then gone on to have successful stints at Chennaiyin FC and with the Islanders, whilst also becoming a regular in the first-team of the Blue Tigers. Eight years down the line, he expresses indebtedness to the ISL for providing him the chance to prove his mettle against the best talents in the country.

“I started my first professional club with NEUFC and that was back in 2016. If the clubs and the ISL had not given me the chance to prove myself, I wouldn’t be here today, because they have helped me build my skills and character, both as a player and a human being. I have become more mature lately. I would thank the league for giving me an opportunity, trusting me, and believing in my abilities,” Chhangte said in an interaction with the league.

He added, “The league is developing better and hopefully with more clubs coming in and playing more games will help us become a better player. When you play more matches, it helps you in the national team. The ISL is doing a lot of good work, hopefully they continue to do so, helping young players like me develop every day, hopefully who can go on to play for the national team. I hope one day we will have more recognition from the other countries as well.”

“Success at the club and country levels are interconnected”

Chhangte has been one of the coveted few to have produced success stories that replicate the highs of club football at the international stage too. He luckily made his senior team debut way back in December 2015 against Sri Lanka in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship. Since then, Chhangte has turned up 34 times for the Blue Tigers and scored seven goals. Whilst he adopts the role of a responsible cog in the wheels of the national team, Chhangte fondly recollects the teammates who held his back at a time when he found the going to get a bit tough.

“I was 18 when I first played for the national team. I had some setbacks after that. I wasn’t able to perform for the national team, and there are certain times that I was not even in the list (of probable). I kept working very hard. Senior players like Sunil bhai, Sandesh bhai, Gurpreet, have been very helpful even when I was not even in the team. They encouraged me to do well for the club, because when you do well for the club, you get an opportunity for the national team too,” Chhangte said.

“Parents wanted me to concentrate on studies”

Chhangte might be bagging multiple laurels both at the club level as well as individually at the moment, but he makes it a point to acknowledge the tough roads he has traversed through to come to this point. Hailing from a humble background, his parents weren’t initially supportive of helping him make a career in football. Both of them were teachers, and would have liked their son to follow suit. Eventually, they were embraced with the sheer dedication that he showed in making the long journeys to make the cut professionally in the sport.

“I started playing football at a young age, but my parents weren’t a big fan of me becoming a professional, because most of the parents back then wanted us to concentrate on studies. My mom and dad are teachers, but when they saw me dedicating myself every day, going four kilometres for training, and after that going to school again, I convinced them by training very hard. After that they were supportive all the way until today,” he said.

“We had financial problems, and we couldn’t get the right opportunity to go to trials from our village, we had to spend so much money on travel. But fortunately, I got a trial in Aizwal, which is 50 kms from my home. I was selected for the final trials in Pune. Then, I looked around, the players that I was going to compete against were some of the best talents from different states, I looked at myself and I was very small, and I didn’t have the muscle like now. So I was afraid,” he added.

However, even back then, Chhangte knew that the only way out of these challenges was to work harder than his peers. Accordingly, he submitted completely into the love for the game, spending hours in both the training pitch as well as the gymnasium, to become a well-rounded professional.

“But, I knew I had to work hard, dedicate myself every single day. I knew I had to wake when my teammates were sleeping. I knew I had to sleep early when they were watching movies. Waking early to get more training time, eventually all these things add up to a big thing, and that dedication everyday puts myself to where I am today,” he explained.

Chhangte has undoubtedly been one of the standouts of the ISL ecosystem, and someone who has his best years in the game resting ahead of him. The attacker has been central to all the success that the Islanders have seen lately and his importance and influence in the setup is only growing gradually. But, just as his story indicates, Chhangte isn’t the one who will rest on the honours that he has earned already, nor will he stop working hard and doing right whatever has worked wonders for him so far. Having missed out on the ISL trophy last year, he will be aiming to go for the domestic double with Mumbai City FC in this campaign.

The Indian Super League returns to action on March 30, 2024, after the international break for the national team’s World Cup qualifiers.

COURTESY :- ISL MEDIA 

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Bengaluru FC look to bounce back on the read against red-hot Odisha FC https://www.footballcounter.com/2022/bengaluru-fc-look-to-bounce-back-on-the-read-against-red-hot-odisha-fc/ https://www.footballcounter.com/2022/bengaluru-fc-look-to-bounce-back-on-the-read-against-red-hot-odisha-fc/#respond Thu, 27 Oct 2022 08:28:23 +0000 https://www.footballcounter.com/?p=75390 Bhubaneswar, October 26: In-form Odisha FC are set to host Bengaluru FC in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) as Matchweek 4 kicks off on Thursday, October 27, at the...

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Bhubaneswar, October 26: In-form Odisha FC are set to host Bengaluru FC in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) as Matchweek 4 kicks off on Thursday, October 27, at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. The hosts clinched a crucial win against Kerala Blasters this past Sunday, while the visitors are coming into this game after a narrow loss in Hyderabad.

Odisha FC seem to have settled well on the pitch as they play their fourth game of the season. Head coach Josep Gombau has deployed a 4-3-3 formation in all games and seems content with it. Additionally, statistics indicate that the Juggernauts have adapted well to Gombau’s possession-based gameplay and are retaining the ball well.

First-choice striker Diego Mauricio has fired blanks in the last two games for Odisha FC, but he may still retain his spot in the starting lineup. Pedro Martin scored his first goal in the Hero ISL against Kerala Blasters after coming on as a substitute. The Spaniard has hopped on as a substitute just after the hour mark in all three games so far.

The Juggernauts have staged a comeback win in two out of three games this season. Four out of the five goals they’ve scored this season have come in the second half. Three have come in the final five minutes of the game.

“The team has shown a very strong mentality. The comeback win in two games showed how hungry the players are and how strong their mentality is. I encourage them till the final whistle to work and fight,” said Gombau. “It would be better if we could score first and win, but if we concede before we score, I think we have the capacity to overturn the game, just like we did in two of our games,” he added.

Bengaluru FC’s season so far has been bittersweet. The Blues started with a win, then settled for a point, and in their last match, they dropped all points against the defending champions Hyderabad FC – it was Head Coach Simon Grayson’s first loss with the club since taking over before the Durand Cup. Grayson will tweak the tactics but may not switch the formation for the game against Odisha FC.

Sunil Chhetri usually plays right behind Roy Krishna and Siva Narayanan up front. However, in the previous match, the Blues’ skipper had to play alongside Narayanan, with Javier Hernandez slotting into his place due to Roy Krishna’s absence. Krishna is expected to be back for this fixture, Grayson said.

Unlike the Juggernauts, the Blues have yet to focus on ball possession this season. They relied heavily on counter-attacks in their last game and have not dominated possession in any game this season.

“I think we are doing okay, but okay is not going to be good enough in the long term. When we looked at pre-season games and training, we were pleased. But the ISL is a different experience with stronger teams and fans returning,” said Grayson.

“Defensively, we look solid. We have limited three teams to very few opportunities. We need to improve our possession and create more chances. That is a learning curve. I’m still in the early stages of learning about the ISL, my players, and different environments. Hopefully, I’ll keep improving, and we can get the right balance on the pitch,” he added.

Also Read: Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division

For more trial-related updates click-> Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football

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INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE: FC Goa sign Zaid Krouch https://www.footballcounter.com/2019/indian-super-league-fc-goa-sign-zaid-krouch/ https://www.footballcounter.com/2019/indian-super-league-fc-goa-sign-zaid-krouch/#respond Thu, 10 Jan 2019 20:51:26 +0000 http://www.footballcounter.com/?p=47896 Goa, January, 2019: Zaid Krouch of Moroccan club Moghreb Tétouan has signed a contract with FC Goa till the end of the season after completing his medical. The fleet-footed attacker...

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Goa, January, 2019: Zaid Krouch of Moroccan club Moghreb Tétouan has signed a contract with FC Goa till the end of the season after completing his medical.

The fleet-footed attacker has represented Morocco at the 2014 African Nations Championship. Zaid has also displayed his brilliance in the CAF Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup. Speaking to fcgoa.in once the move was sealed, Krouch said, “I’m thrilled to join FC Goa. I’m delighted to be here. I have worked with Sergio Lobera during his time in Morocco and enjoyed playing under him and in his style of football”.

“I have also played alongside Hugo Boumous and known Ahmed Jahouh. I have seen the team play and I believe we have a great team which plays a brand of football which is fun to watch. More than anything I see a real hunger in the club to win something and I hope to help the club and its supporters in its quest to win silverware in the days to come.”

About FC Goa
FC Goa is a professional football club based out of Goa that competes in the Indian Super League. The club is one of the most consistently successful teams in the competition. The Gaurs have reached the semis in two occasions and the final in 2015. FC Goa is currently the highest scoring side in league history.

Co-owned by Mr Jaydev Mody, Mr Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Mr Ashish Kapadia, Mr Akshay Tandon and
Mr Virat Kohli, the club has over the years produced talents such as Mandar Rao Desai, Princeton
Rebello and Manvir Singh who have represented India at various age levels as well as the senior
team.

Also Read: AFC ASIAN CUP: Blue Tigers do their bit for these special champions!

Also Read: FC Goa prodigy called up by India U-15 for overseas exposure trip

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