Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Chhetri warns India will be tough to beat at Asian Cup

India will be a difficult team to beat in the Asian Cup football tournament starting on Saturday (5), especially after their recent draws against more fancied China and Oman, said talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri.

The Asian Cup, the continent's showpiece event, will be played in four cities of the United Arab Emirates from January 5 to February 1.


India have been clubbed in Group A alongside Thailand, Bahrain and hosts UAE. They play their first match on Sunday against Thailand at Abu Dhabi, followed by games against UAE (Abu Dhabi) and Bahrain (Sharjah) on January 10 and 14 respectively.

Ranked 15th in Asia, India played against three quality sides―China, Oman and Jordan―in their build-up to the Asian Cup. The Stephen Constantine-coached side drew goal-less against China and Oman and lost to Jordan 1-2.

“I can assure you that it won't be an easy job for other teams to face us. We are a team who hate to lose, and we have proven it in recent times. We are working as per the plan,” Chhetri was quoted as saying by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) website.

“All of us are super excited and thrilled right now. Apart from me and Gurpreet (Singh Sandhu), it's a first-time experience for all else. Everyone is ready to grab this opportunity (of playing in the Asian Cup),” said the skipper, who is set to become the only Indian to feature in two Asian Cup tournaments.

The 34-year-old Chhetri was part of the Indian team that featured in the 2011 edition in Doha where the country lost all their group matches―against Australia, South Korea and Bahrain. Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was in the 2011 squad but did not play any match.

Chhetri, the highest Indian scorer in international football with 65 goals, said his team was focusing solely on the match against Thailand and not looking beyond that.

“At the moment, our sole focus is on our opening fixture―the game against Thailand. We are not looking anything beyond that. Yeah, there are matches against UAE and Bahrain lined up, but we will think about them only when they come.

“At the moment we know that Thailand will be a very tough opponent and we are concentrating only on them,” he said.

Chhetri is set to equal former captain Bhaichung Bhutia's record of all time India appearances during the Asia Cup. He has played 104 international matches so far, only three shy of his 'mentor' Bhutia's record of 107 games.

But, Chhetri said he had never played for records.

“It feels good when I get a record under my name. But I don't keep track of records. After 10 seconds, I just forget it. I never take any pressure of chasing any record,” he said.

“I never ever dreamt that I would play more than 100 games for India or score 60-odd goals,” Chhetri said.

Talking about Bhutia, Chhetri said, “I have always been a big fan of Bhaichung bhai. Tell me who isn't? I have learnt so many things from him. He has always been a huge support.”

More For You

DJ Tally Unveils His Ultimate Music Playlist

DJ Tally

getty images

My Playlist: DJ Tally reveals his top music picks

After turning heads with his comeback single Je Karda, DJ Tally followed it up with his recent track Fake Friends — a bold, emotional song featuring the powerful vocals of Bakshi Billa and heartfelt lyrics by Rattu Randhawa. The song explores themes of trust and betrayal, with DJ Tally’s signature production adding intensity and depth.

A seasoned DJ since the age of 15, Tally grew up in a family of musicians and was surrounded by top tunes from a young age. That passion for music led him to co-found Gravity Entertainments with his brother Harj, creating a platform for bold, boundary-pushing sound. With influences ranging from bhangra, qawwali and Bollywood to r’n’b, hip hop, reggae and house music, the British talent selects the songs he loves.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer apologises for 'island of strangers' immigration speech

Prime minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at The British Chambers of Commerce Global Annual Conference in London on June 26, 2025. (Photo by EDDIE MULHOLLAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Starmer apologises for 'island of strangers' immigration speech

PRIME MINISTER Sir Keir Starmer has admitted he was wrong to warn that Britain could become an "island of strangers" due to high immigration, saying he "deeply" regrets the controversial phrase.

Speaking to The Observer, Sir Keir said he would not have used those words if he had known they would be seen as echoing the language of Enoch Powell's notorious 1968 "rivers of blood" speech.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rugby Premier League

The Rugby Premier League (RPL) features six franchises and brings together top players from the World Sevens circuit with Indian players. (Photo: Rugby Premier League India)

Rugby Premier League India

Rugby Premier League aims to revive Indian rugby through new sevens league

NEARLY 150 years after the closure of the Calcutta Football Club led to the creation of rugby's oldest international trophy, a new sevens-format league has been launched this month to help revive the sport in India.

The Rugby Premier League (RPL) features six franchises and brings together top players from the World Sevens circuit with Indian players. The tournament follows rule variations suited to television broadcasts.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kamal Haasan, Ayushmann Khurrana and Payal Kapadia

Kamal Haasan Ayushmann Khurrana and Payal Kapadia invited to Oscars Academy in global list of 534 members

Getty Images

Kamal Haasan, Ayushmann Khurrana and Payal Kapadia invited to Oscars voting body

Quick highlights:

  • Kamal Haasan, Ayushmann Khurrana, and Payal Kapadia among Indian invitees to the Academy’s 2025 voting class
  • Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences extends membership to 534 new global members
  • Other Indian honourees include Maxima Basu, Ranabir Das, and Smriti Mundhra
  • Hollywood invitees include Ariana Grande, Conan O’Brien, Jason Momoa, and Jodie Comer

Veteran actor Kamal Haasan, critically acclaimed star Ayushmann Khurrana, and All We Imagine as Light director Payal Kapadia have been invited to join the Oscars Academy’s 2025 voting body. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has extended invitations to 534 new members from across the globe, recognising diverse contributions to cinema across disciplines.

Keep ReadingShow less
David Beckham

Beckham’s arm surgery linked to an old injury from a 2003 football match

Getty Images

David Beckham hospitalised for arm surgery after years of pain from old football injury

Quick highlights:

  • David Beckham had surgery on his right arm following years of discomfort from a 2003 injury.
  • Victoria Beckham posted a hospital photo with the caption “Get well soon Daddy.”
  • Doctors removed a pin that failed to dissolve from an earlier procedure.
  • Fans flooded social media with support as Beckham begins recovery.

David Beckham has undergone surgery on his right arm after enduring years of pain from an old football injury. The former England captain was admitted to hospital this week, where doctors corrected a long-standing issue stemming from a 2003 match against South Africa. Beckham is now recovering, with his wife Victoria offering fans a glimpse into his post-op condition through an Instagram update.

Keep ReadingShow less