Bengal’s Performance Raising Concern After Draw Against Assam
Bengal face a tough situation before the knockout stage, as they complete a 1-1 draw against Assam. Sanjay Sen’s cadets couldn’t secure the lead even after staying at a three-point advantage. Coach Sanjay Sen sought a victory but decided to rest key players like Rabi Hansda and Uttam Hansda. Bengal started aggressively and missed several early opportunities to take the lead. Akash Hembram finally broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute with a clinical finish. This goal allowed Bengal to head into the halftime break with a 1-0 advantage. Bengal entered their fifth Santosh Trophy group match against Assam after a 1-1 draw with Tamil Nadu. Assam returned with much more intensity in the second half. They missed a major chance to equalise in the 51st minute when a striker failed to beat the goalkeeper. Bengal nearly doubled their lead in the 57th minute, but the Assam goalkeeper made a brilliant save. Assam continued to press and hit the crossbar in the 78th minute. Their persistence paid off in the 82nd minute when Rituraj converted a penalty to level the score. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving Bengal at the top of the group with 11 points. Despite qualifying for the knockouts, the performance raised several concerns for the coaching staff. The defence appeared vulnerable, and the midfield struggled to maintain control against the opposition. Coach Sanjay Sen must now address these tactical weaknesses before the quarter-finals begin.
Chennaiyin FC Rope In Sixth Foreigner Eduardo Kau for ISL
Chennaiyin FC has successfully roped in their sixth foreign addition to the squad, Brazilian defender Eduardo Kau, along with Spanish forward Inigo Martin. The Marina Machans are leaving no room for mistakes while reshaping the squad before the Indian Super League 2025-26 season. Kau brings a 6’3” prowess with great physical presence, aerial strength for the squad. The defender has the potential to become the wall for the team and the capability to attack from the back. Needless to say, this is a desired addition for the coach Clifford Miranda. Kau has prior experience in Asian football. He has played in Indonesia with Persikabo 1973 and in Thailand with Ayutthaya United. These spells should help him adapt quickly in India, as the travel demands, climate, and physical intensity are similar. Before moving to Asia, Kau developed his game in Brazil with Avaí. He later gained European experience in Portugal with B-SAD (Belenenses). He has also played in Portugal’s Primeira Liga, which exposed him to top-level tactical systems. That background, combined with his mobility and left-footed distribution, makes him a top-tier signing. He is expected to add structure and stability rather than provide headline appeal. Chennaiyin have already confirmed the signing of Spanish attacker Iñigo Martín. The 26-year-old will experience Indian football for the first time. Primarily a centre-forward, he is also comfortable playing across the frontline. This gives the team added flexibility in both shape and in-game adjustments. Martín arrives after spells in Spain, Andorra, and Georgia. Those experiences have exposed him to different footballing environments. He offers movement and tactical versatility in the final third. He joins Alberto Noguera, Mohammed Ali Bemammer, and Imran Khan as Chennaiyin’s latest additions. Martin expressed his gratitude after signing, “It’s a big opportunity for me and a new challenge in my career. I am really proud to be part of this family, and I can’t wait to get started. I have a very good feeling about the Head Coach and the team. I believe he can help me improve as a player. I’m ready to learn, work hard, and adapt quickly. Playing in India is a new experience for me, and I’m approaching it with a lot of respect and motivation. I want to make the fans happy.” Born in Bilbao, Martín started his football career at Arenas. He rose through the youth setup and later competed in Spain’s lower leagues. After that, he moved overseas to further his development. He made a strong impact with FC Santa Coloma in Andorra. He later gained experience in Georgia with FC Samtredia and FC Telavi. These spells allowed him to adapt to different tactical demands and competitive settings. These two signings reflect Chennaiyin FC’s ongoing rebuild. The emphasis is on balance and adaptability. Recruitment is being shaped by the coach’s tactical ideas rather than headline appeal.
Cricketers Wearing Mask on Ranji Match, Raising Health Concern as Dust Chokes BKC Ground
The cricketers are seen wearing masks during the ongoing Ranji Trophy match between Mumbai and Delhi at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) Ground. While Delhi pollution has no bounds, surprisingly, it’s Mumbai where the players seem to struggle to breathe. During the first day’s play on 29th January, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was noted around 160, which is categorised as ‘unhealthy’. Construction work near the MCG-BKC Ground caused the air quality to drop. This led to a higher AQI in the area. The players had to continue the game despite the poor conditions. Sarfaraz Khan and his brother Musheer Khan were seen wearing surgical masks. Many other cricketers wore them as well. These masks do not filter PM 2.5 pollutants effectively. However, the players used the only resources they had. Mumbai pacer Mohit Avasthi spoke about the situation on Day 1. He noted that nearby building construction made breathing difficult for the players. He confirmed this was why they wore the masks. The Mumbai team has now filed a formal complaint with the MCA. They are urging the association to contact the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. They want the authorities to address the issue of construction dust. A report published in The Times of India, The Mumbai team has now filed a formal complaint with the MCA. They are urging the association to contact the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. They want the authorities to address the issue of construction dust. A Mumbai team source told the TOI: “Mumbai’s team management has written to the MCA regarding the pollution caused by the under-construction building nearby, which has led to a significant amount of dust on the ground. Players and support staff sitting outside the dressing room were also forced to wear masks. In fact, a few players from the Delhi team even requested masks from us. Running on the field is incredibly difficult in such conditions.” However, no formal actions have been taken by BCCI or the state association.
‘They never wanted me as secretary’; Mehta Slams TTFI After Suspension
The secretary of the Table Tennis Federation of India, Kamlesh Mehta, was suspended during the TTFI AGM. Meghna Ahlawat serves as the president and is the wife of former Haryana Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala. She and Secretary Mehta led different factions within the governing body. Both were elected in December 2022 as part of a political ‘compromise’. Recently, the two leaders clashed over the scheduling of the AGM. That meeting finally took place on Wednesday. During the session, the secretary was officially suspended. Yatin Tipnis represents the Maharashtra State Association. He was nominated as the senior joint secretary during the meeting. He will now manage the daily operations of the federation while the secretary’s post remains suspended. Previously, Kamaleh Mehta organised an Emergency Special General Meeting (SGM) in Mumbai. However, TTFI president Ahlawat expressed this SGM as unconstitutional and invalid in a letter issued on 15th January. Tipnis, while talking to PTI, stated, “The post of senior joint secretary was vacant, so I was nominated in the AGM. Now that the secretary’s post is suspended, I have been instructed to look after the day-to-day running of the TTFI affairs so that athletes are not impacted. ”. However, the allegedly former secretary has a different side of the story. According to him, he is yet to be officially notified about this decision. He expressed, “I have been hearing about the suspension. I have not got anything in writing from TTFI. I have not been able to access the official email since yesterday.” “Agenda-driven politics is being played, as they (the other faction) never wanted me as secretary in the first place,” further claimed Mehta. The Delhi High Court already issued a suspension to the TTFI, back in February 2022, asserting “a sorry state of affairs” in the national federation. However, after the fresh election, Ahlawat and Mehta were elected under the Committee of Administrators’ (CoA) supervision.
