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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.

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EXCLUSIVE: Secret behind Alaeddine Ajaraie’s success

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Sourav Mukherjee: Northeast United FC striker Aladdin Ajaraie already scored 11 goals and 4 assists in his 10 ISL matches. Aladdin Azarei is the only man whom North East United FC is dreaming of turning around. Northeast star Aladdin in give an exclusive interview with Ray Sportz ahead of the upcoming tough clash at home against Mohun Bagan SuperGiants.

Q: North East United FC is going to take on the table topper Mohunbagan. How much confidence to beat them in your home ground?
Aladdin: Mohun Bagan are a good team with a good coach and good players. But yes, we are playing at home and we love playing in front of our home fans. We are confident if we play our best football, we can get three points.

Q: Previously you have met Mohun Bagan two times & you scored in both matches. Do you feel more hungry when you face this team?*
Aladdin: For me, it’s about helping the team. If my goal/goals can help the team win, I am happy. I am equally hungry against every opposition.

Q: Last match you have lost against East Bengal. What went wrong & what you have learnt from that match?*
Aladdin: Like the coach said, we need to be more calm and we have to play our game and against Mohun Bagan, we will try and do the same.

Q: How are you enjoying the Journey with North East United FC?*
Aladdin: The journey with NorthEast United FC has been incredible so far. Winning the Durand Cup was a special moment which I will forever cherish. At the same time, people at the club – my teammates, coaches, all the staff, and the management – have all been incredible, working to improve every day. So, I am very happy.

Q: Which two or three teams do you think are mostly strong contenders of this ISL?*
Aladdin: ISL is a very competitive league and that’s why I wanted to join it. Every team is a strong team and anyone can beat anyone.

Q: We saw your celebration is like the popular character Luffy of the Japanese anime One Piece. What is the secret behind this?*
Aladdin: I don’t watch anime too much but I love this particular one. I liked the character of Luffy and that’s how I thought of doing this celebration. I started it only this season because that is how I want people to remember me and when I see our Young Highlanders celebrate like me, it gives me happiness.

Q: Now you have scored 11 goals from 10 matches. Are you looking for the highest goal scorer this season?*
Aladdin: I am happy that I have so far managed to help the team with 11 goals. It’s a long season and it’s too soon to talk about the golden boot. I am fully focused on my job of helping the team and without their help, I wouldn’t be able to score so many goals.

Q: What is your take on ISL & Indian football?*
Aladdin: The level of competition is very high in ISL with many quality players. When I compare it with Qatar, I feel that the ISL is better for me as a player because of the high volume of top players and that makes it a tough league.

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EXCLUSIVE: Jithin on his brilliant “Success”

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Sourav Mukherjee: Under the supervision of Juan Pedro Benali, Northeast United FC’s new speedster is Jithin MS. The Keralite winger joined Northeast United FC in 2022. Jithin told his success story in an exclusive interview with Ray Sportz.

Q: How confident are you to win the match against Mohun Bagan?
Jithin: We are confident. We will play in front of our own fans at home. Even though Mohun Bagan is a very strong team, we are optimistic about winning.

Q: How much is the coach’s contribution behind this success?
Jithin: The coach has a huge contribution behind this success. After last season, everyone has found the new Jithin. I have received a lot of support and motivation from the coach.

Q: How does it feel after getting a chance in the national team?
Jithin: Playing for the national team is a dream for all footballers. After hard work, my dream has come true. I hope I can do more for the country in the future. Now I just want to focus on practice and playing.

Q: Did winning the “Golden Ball” in the Durand Cup give me extra motivation?
Jithin: I don’t think about these things. For me, playing is everything. I want to improve every day.

Q: Jithin is now the new “speedster” of Northeast United FC. How does it feel?
Jithin: I enjoy playing for Northeast United FC. But there is no special feeling. The coach is trusting me, that is a big achievement.

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ISL 2024/25: “Second half changes makes the difference”, Panagiotis Dilmperis says at the post match press conference…

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Ray Sportz Web Desk: Punjab FC entered into the ISL last season after a brilliant performance in the I League. But they did not make their marks onto the very first season. But now in current season, Punjab FC have done brilliant job. At Friday, Punjab beat Mohammedan sporting club on 2-0 margin at home and climbed on the 3rd position of the Indian Super League points table with 18 points after playing 9 matches. Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis shares his team’s recent mood at the post match press conference.

Panagiotis Dilmperis second half changes makes the difference in the match. He said, “we did not play good in the first half. But Mohammedan SC did a little bit better than us at the first half. But the changes I made in the second half is just to avoid injuries of players. But I think now we are happy because we won the match at the end. We play different at the second half. They play very well and keep theirs patience. So that’s we able to win the match”.

Panagiotis Dilmperis also said about mohammedan sporting foreign players. He said, “Mohammedan have a player like Carlos Franka who makes the difference in the match at any time. But Mohammedan deploy all indian centre backs in the match. So that’s we also changes in our squad. But we did not able hold the ball and play. But I warned my all footballers and they understand this.” Punjab FC is already scored 16 goals where 12 goals are come into the second half. Panagiotis Dilmperis says, “This our football philosophy. We did not won a match at the first half. You have to be patient and have to follow your plan up to the end of the game.”

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