Amidst Bengal’s 9-0 humiliation, Malati Munda’s national call-up is the gain
Bengal girls suffered a humiliating 9-0 defeat at the hands of fancied Manipur in the Dr. Talimeren AO junior national girls’ football final held at Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, on Sunday morning. Mira Chanu, who scored a hat-trick, received the man-of-the-match award, while Radima Debi also struck a hat-trick, Thokchom scored a brace, and Pushpa Rani Debi scored once for the winners. Amidst the misery, Bengal had the only consolation that their striker Malati Munda had been selected in the under-17 national preparatory camp. Even in the final, Bengal scored the goal first in the final courtesy of Malati Mumnda, but that was canceled due to an offside decision. According to Bengal coach Rinku Ghosh, the key reason behind such an embarrassing score-line was central defender Kaberi Roy’s exit in the early session following a knee injury. “Kaberi was consistent throughout the tournament. She had to be replaced after I found she was limping. With her exit, our whole defensive organization crashed, and Manipur’s attacks flooded into our box,” explained. Ghosh mentioned another point, adding, “We have been playing matches every alternative day, while Manipur got more than a week’s rest before the final. Our girls received only eight days of training, while Manipur took almost a month of preparation before heading to Andhra Pradesh. The girls said after the match that they were exhausted.”
Indomitable Greaves rescues West Indies, setting a new milestone!
Justin Greaves delivered a nine-and-a-half-hour batting master-class before inscribing his name in the Caribbean folklore after his maiden Test double hundred helped an unlikely draw for West Indies in the opening Test against New Zealand on Saturday. The 31-year-old’s unbeaten 202 guided West Indies to finish a mammoth total of 457 for the loss of six wickets, which has been the second-highest fourth-innings total in Test match history. West Indies were chasing an unbelievable victory target of 531 at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval. Greaves never choose to show fireworks. Rather, he was patient, executing the grit and determination against the New Zealand attack, depleted by mid-match injuries to pacers Nathan Smith and Matt Henry. Greaves was on the wicket for nine-and-a-half hours, playing 388 deliveries, which finally forced New Zealand to accept a draw. West Indies were able to earn their first point in the new World Test Championship cycle, thanks to Greaves’ magnificent innings. Greaves forged a 196-run stand with Shai Hope (140) and then raised 180 with Kemar Roach (58) for the unbroken seventh wicket for a pride-restoring draw that felt as good as a win. The elated batsman said after receiving the man-of-the-match award, “It was undoubtedly a special day for me, and a special day for the team.” West Indies did not push for an unlikely victory in the final session, and Greaves felt he and his team displayed enough resilience with their second-innings batting. “It’s a word that we’ve thrown around in the dressing room a lot. So for me to be there at the end was really important. Anything for the team at the end of the day,” he said.
This World Cup may witness one of the most exciting duels between Messi and Ronaldo!
If he finally plays, then the 2026 World Cup may watch one of the most exciting duels between the two icons, for the first time and also for the last time in a World Cup. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have never clashed each other in a World Cup match. There can be two situations which can guide Argentina paly against Portugal in the World Cup quarterfinal and if not, then in the semi-final. The quarterfinal is scheduled to be held at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on 11th July while the semifinal has been scheduled on 15th July at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. But for the quarterfinal meeting, Argentina will have to top in the Group J in the first round. And in the case of second situation, if Argentina tops Group-J, Portugal qualify as a runner-up or one of the third-placed teams then they will be meeting in the last-four of the tournament. Then Messi and Ronaldo will lock horns in the World Cup semi-finals on 15th July The venue is one of America’s busiest multi-purpose stadiums, having hosted a Super Bowl in 2019 and staged six matches of the FIFA Club World Cup, including the quarterfinal between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, earlier this year. Messi led Argentina to the World Cup title four years ago, while Ronaldo guided Portugal to its first-ever international trophy, the European Championship, in 2016.
Ancelotti said Brazil does not have a ‘valuable player at the moment! Doubts over Neymar’s return to the national squad
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has commented that the country does not have the ‘referential footballer’ in the team! Referential means the ‘tag’ of most valuable footballer in the squad, which Neymar Jr. has mainly worn since the 2014 World Cup. “We have one of the world’s best goalkeepers, some of the best defenders, top midfielders and some players up front. I don’t want players who want to be the best in the world, I want players who want to win the World Cup,” Ancelotti said. His statement suggests that uncertainty still looms large over 33-year-old Neymar’s inclusion in the national team for the forthcoming World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The Italian has yet to pick the former captain since he took over in May. “If Neymar is better than others, he will play in the World Cup, and that’s it. But I don’t have debts to anyone,” Ancelotti said at a press conference in Washington on Friday following the draw. Brazil is in Group C with Morocco, Haiti and Scotland. The veteran coach added, “If we speak about Neymar, we have to speak about other players,” Ancelotti added. “We have to think about Brazil with or without Neymar, with or without other players. Our final list will be made after the FIFA fixtures in March.” The 33-year-old Neymar has not fully recovered from tearing his ACL in October 2023 during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. He has also been playing a critical role for Santos as the club fights relegation in the Brazilian championship. On Wednesday, despite a muscle injury, he scored a hat trick for Santos. He is expected to play again Sunday against Cruzeiro. Asked about his team’s group, Ancelotti said Brazil can top it. “We can win all three matches, our idea is very clear. We need to be competitive during the entire World Cup. Our goal is to play in the final, and for that to happen, you need to face very strong teams anyway.” Brazil won the last of its five World Cup trophies in 2002. Morocco were very good during the last World Cup in Qatar, and Scotland is also a solid squad. It will not be easy at all, revealed Ancelotti while speaking to Brazilian television station Sportv. Brazil will start their campaign against Morocco on 13th June.
Under-pressure ISL clubs seek urgent action from AIFF, fearing loss of their major source of income!
The Indian Super League clubs, except East Bengal, have appealed to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for an amendment to its new constitution before a new tender can be floated for the top-tier competition, which is currently undergoing considerable uncertainty. With only three days left before the expiry of the AIFF’s 15-year Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with Reliance-subsidiary FSDL on 8th December, the ISL clubs, frightened by the situation of losing their key source of income, have appealed to the AIFF seeking urgent action to find a solution. FSDL’s profits since ISL was introduced in 2014 have helped most of the clubs to make a financial gain. But now, the failed tender process initiated by the Federation has reportedly disappointed the commercial partner. They have already expressed unwillingness to accept the contractual obligations set by the Federation through the issued tender. As a aftermath, salaries have been stopped, and operations have been suspended temporarily. Despite the Union Sports Minister ‘s assurance for the league’s resumption, clubs fear that they are in an unsustainable situation and would have to take extreme steps should AIFF not inform the Supreme Court to bring out a remedy on or before 8th December. Clubs have urged AIFF to approach the Union Sports Ministry seeking support towards an interim application that could be filed by 8th December, also drawing attention to the bid-evaluation report made by Justice L.N. Rao and KPMG’s observations that pointed to “constitutional and commercial constraints” over ownership, operational control, overall costs, and promotion and relegation in the tender document for no bids. The clubs signed the letter where it has been written, ‘Should the revised tender not result in a suitable commercial partner, we respectfully request that the AIFF consider a framework under which the ISL Clubs may collectively form a consortium to own/operate the league (as majority owners), alongside the Federation and aligned commercial/broadcast/private investors. Such an approach is consistent with global best practices and reflective of the long-term commitment of the Clubs to Indian football.’ East Bengal was one of the two clubs that did not want to take responsibility to conduct the League this edition. The other club that supported East Bengal on the issue was Mohammedan Sporting. “The AIFF shall also put in all possible effort as per our AIFF Constitution to ensure ISL gets a long-term sustainable model for growth and development of Indian football,” Federation secretary M. Satyanarayan has sent the reply mail to the clubs, it is learned.
Ahead of another final, Muller shows respect to Messi
Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps step into an unprecedented Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup final on Saturday, each chasing its first Philip F. Anschutz trophy in a spectacle fuelled by the renewed rivalry between Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller. Ahead of the final, Muller had respect in his words for Messi as he stated, “This is a final I wanted. The good thing is not only playing against the best player who has ever played our sport and who continues to do so, but I think when you have a match like this, more people see you.” The 36-year-old striker continued, “Perhaps they rely on him a little more than this team relies on me.” “If you play with these great players and names, then it’s a little more exciting for more people around the world. It’s a perfect situation for everyone involved,” added German legend. With ticket prices at record highs, the free global broadcast will reach more than 100 countries, while the MLS is rolling out its most ambitious production yet for a final featuring two of Europe’s stars. At 38, Messi produced the season Inter Miami had hoped for when it brought the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to Florida, with him steering the club to its first MLS Cup final and setting an all-time assist record of 405 along the way. The Argentine captain had 29 goals and 19 assists in the regular campaign, plus six goals and seven assists in the postseason. Longtime Bayern Munich talisman Muller, who arrived in Vancouver in August, was instrumental in driving the campaign of the CONCACAF Champions Cup runner-up, delivering seven goals and three assists across seven regular-season matches. The head-to-head between the two veterans tilts the contest in favour of the German, with him winning seven of their 10 meetings, including two Bayern thrashings of Barcelona in the Champions League in 2013 and 2020, as well as Argentina’s painful defeat in the 2014 World Cup final. As Muller suggested, the match-up’s profile has lifted the entire event, driving record demand and the most ambitious broadcast MLS has ever assembled.
East Bengal trounce Punjab FC to secure final in Super Cup
East Bengal trounced Punjab FC 3-1 in the semifinal of the Super Cup to record their third final at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, on Thursday evening. Mohammed Rashid drew first blood for the winners in the 12th minute. Then, in the 33rd minute, Bipin was adjudged to have handled the ball after Ricky Shabong tried to head the ball inside the box. The referee did not hesitate to give a spot-kick in Punjab’s favour. Spaniard Daniel Ramirez levelled the scoreline from the spot-kick in the 34th minute. Punjab tried to have possession in the midfield, but they often looked disjointed and struggled to create goalmouth, thanks to East Bengal’s compact defensive organisation. Just seconds before the referee blew the half-time whistle, Kevin Sibille’s header pulls East Bengal into the lead at the break! However, just as East Bengal took the lead off Sibille’s header, chief coach Bruzon was alleged of celebrating in the face of the officials, which saw him receive marching orders for dissent. But despite Oscar’s send-off, according to Soul Crespo the dressing-room atmosphere became elated with the 3-1 victory. East Bengal captain revealed while speaking to tournament broadcaster after the match, “We are all excited with the result. The dressing room is also elated.” East Bengal on the day had much superiority over their opposition courtesy their five foreigners. Crespo revealed, “In the new season, I feel we are stronger psychologically compared to our state of mind in the last season. We are being able to deliver with free minds.”
Injured Neymar strikes a hat-trick; desperate to get a national call-up
Despite sustaining a knee injury, Neymar Jr. struck a hat-trick, helping his childhood club Santos FC to go out of relegation from the Brazilian Premier league. The 33-year-old Brazilian World Cupper scored three goals within only 17 minutes, sending Santos FC to record a 3-0 victory and two points clear of the bottom four with one match left. Neymar is not being called up in the national preparatory camp by national coach Carlo Ancelotti since 2023 and looks desperate to get a national call-up. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said in October that Neymar remains in his plans for next year’s World Cup, but the striker must regain full fitness. The striker has scored five goals so far and provided one assist in his club team’s last three matches, guiding the club to garner seven points to be placed at 14th in the League table. Santos hosts Cruzeiro on Sunday in the last match of the campaign.
Starc surpasses Wasim Akram; scalps most Test wickets as the left-arm pacer
Mitchell Starc cracked Pakistan legend Wasim Akram’s record, becoming the left-arm pacer with the most wickets in Test history. Starc achieved the feat during the second session of the opening day of the Pink-ball Test of the ongoing Ashes series. He dismissed Harry Brook after getting the wickets of Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope earlier in the day. Starc has broken Akram’s record in 102 matches after starting off the Ashes series on fire. In the first Test in Perth, Starc picked up seven wickets in the first innings and followed it up with three in the second innings. Now, Starc has achieved 415 wickets in 102 matches, while Wasim Akram finished his career in Test, scalping 414 wickets in 104 matches. He now sits on the 16th all-time wicket-taker’s list and has Shaun Pollock, who has 421 wickets in his kitty, and Harbhajan Singh, with 417 wickets after him. Another legendary fast bowler, Richard Hadlee, is ahead of them with 431 wickets. The Australian speedster continues to dominate in pink-ball Tests, claiming over 80 wickets at an average of just over 17. From a first-over dismissal of Ben Duckett to breaking Akram’s record, Starc has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest left-arm fast bowlers in cricket history.
After 15 years Bengal girls on the verge of winning title! Reach the finals of the junior national football championship
After a gap of 15 years, Bengal’s girl football team are on the brink of clinching the title of junior national football championship. Bengal girls defeated Delhi by 4-2 via a tie-breaker in the semi-final at Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, on Thursday. The match ended goalless in the 90 minutes’ regulation time. In the tie-breaker Kusum Orao, Piu Roy, Adrija Jana and Lovely Mondol scored for Bengal. Bengal’s coach Rinku Ghosh revealed, while speaking to Parallel Sports from Anantapur after the match, “The players fought till the end. In the tie-breaker also, the players did not get nervous while scoring. Along with them, I must mention our goalkeeper, Rubina Khatun’s name who made a crucial save in the tie-breaker, helping us to reach the final.” Bengal’s junior girls last clinched the title in 2010 under the guidance of Shukla Nag. Rinku who has been the coach of Bengal’s junior girls for the third consecutive time, sounded optimistic says that this time Bengal will have the last laugh in the final also. Coach lamented that two their shots rebounded off the post. Otherwise, Bengal would have won the match within the 90 minutes’ regulation time. The girls got hardly a week to train together before leaving for Anantapur. Secondly, with only one alternative day’s gap between the matches in the championship, the young girls often were getting tired. Rinku, who worked with Adamas University and also guided West Bengal Police to win the State Games, believes Manipur is a tough side. “But I am optimistic about our girls’ mental strength. If they carry out the momentum they maintained today, then we have a fair chance of clinching the title,” added Rinku.
