Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

'Playing in Asian Cup is like playing in World Cup for us', says Sandhu

Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu feels that the victorious campaign at the Intercontinental Cup has helped the team prepare for the AFC Asian Cup.

India thrashed Kenya earlier this month to lift the four-nation Intercontinental Cup played here. The event also involved New Zealand and Chinese Taipei.


"The team as a whole performed very well in the Intercontinental Cup. This tournament helped us a great deal in preparing for the Asian Cup in January next year. We did very well here and we are confident, but we cannot afford to be complacent," Gurpreet told PTI.

But a sterner test lies ahead for Sunil Chhetri and his boys as they have been clubbed with hosts UAE, Bahrain and Thailand for the AFC Asian Cup in January.

"Personally speaking, it (Intercontinental Cup) was a good test for me mentally and physically. It always helps when you get to play good sides in a cup tournament at home," the 26-year-old custodian said.

What does taking part in the AFC Asian Cup mean to Gurpreet and the Indian team?

"It's like the World Cup for us, this is the stage where every Asian player would want to play once in their career and we as players have this opportunity."

Gurpreet, a Red Bull athlete, also feels like the the team should try and play away games to test its skills in different conditions.

"Yes for sure that's what every single team in the world does, they play home and away and we should also try to play away games to test ourselves in different conditions," he said.

Gurpreet says skipper Sunil Chhetri has asked everyone to be the best they can be for the AFC Asian Cup.

"It's a privilege to have him (Chhetri) in the team. He guides everyone in the right direction and asks everyone to be the best they can be for the Asian Cup because nothing less than that will work. Sunil Chhetri is an Indian football legend. He is an inspiration to all the young players in the country."

Gurpreet is the first choice custodian for the team but he doesn't want to take his position for granted.

"I've never taken my position for granted. I've worked hard to get here and I am trying to put in double the effort to stay because if I don't someone else will."

The All India Football Federation set to organise games with China and Saudi Arabia and Gurpreet says it will be a good opportunity for the team.

"That'll be a great opportunity for us to play some good competitive games against teams who are going to also participate in the Asian Cup," he signed off.

More For You

GTA 6

This appearance sparked confusion and excitement among fans

YouTube/ Rockstar Games

GTA 6 appears on Xbox store 11 months before release

Key points

  • GTA 6 is now showing as available to download on Xbox Series X/S
  • The full game is not playable; the download is a placeholder
  • File size is 328.76MB, indicating no actual game content
  • GTA 6 launches on 26 May 2026 for Xbox Series X/S and PS5

GTA 6 Xbox listing causes fan frenzy

Grand Theft Auto VI has made a surprise appearance on the Microsoft Store, allowing Xbox Series X/S users to download preliminary files for the highly anticipated title, despite the game’s full release being nearly a year away.

The game, due to launch on 26 May 2026, has been officially listed on the store, sparking confusion and excitement among fans. Although the download is now live, the file size is just 328.76MB, far too small for any meaningful content or early access.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump-Getty

Trump said that while deals are being made with some countries, others may face tariffs.

Getty Images

Trump says major trade deal with India may be finalised soon

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Friday said a "very big" trade deal could be finalised with India, suggesting significant movement in the ongoing negotiations between the two countries.

“We are having some great deals. We have one coming up, maybe with India. Very big one. Where we're going to open up India," Trump said at the “Big Beautiful Bill” event at the White House.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nadiya Hussain

She also reassured her followers that “exciting” new projects are on the way

Getty Images

“I won’t always be grateful” says Nadiya Hussain after BBC axes her cookery show

Key points

  • Nadiya Hussain confirms BBC will not renew her cookery series
  • Bake Off winner challenges expectations to remain “grateful”
  • She says hard work and talent, not luck, brought her success
  • Celebrities, including Annie Lennox and Fearne Cotton, show support

BBC ends decade-long collaboration with Bake Off star

Nadiya Hussain has spoken out after the BBC decided not to commission another cookery programme with her. The popular TV chef, who won The Great British Bake Off in 2015, shared her views on social media, stating that she “won’t always be grateful” and should not be expected to remain silent about career setbacks.

The decision ends a nearly 10-year working relationship between the broadcaster and Hussain, who has hosted several well-received cookery shows under the BBC banner. In her latest Instagram video, she addressed the public’s reaction and emphasised her right to expect more from her career.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rashmika Mandanna Mysaa tribal warrior

Rashmika Mandanna in her intense warrior look from Mysaa first poster

Instagram/unformulafilms

Rashmika Mandanna transforms into a tribal warrior in first solo action film 'Mysaa'

Quick highlights:

  • Rashmika Mandanna announces her next film Mysaa with a fierce first-look poster.
  • The image features Rashmika in a raw, never-seen-before warrior avatar.
  • Directed by Rawindra Pulle, the film is an emotional action thriller set in the Gond tribal world.
  • Rashmika called it her most intense role yet, saying it’s a version of herself she hadn’t met before.

Rashmika Mandanna has taken fans by surprise with the first look of her upcoming film Mysaa, revealing a fierce and gritty avatar unlike anything she’s done before. Shared on her social media, the poster hints at a powerful, raw performance, with Rashmika stepping into the shoes of a tribal warrior, a role she describes as “intense,” “unfiltered,” and “completely new.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Asda suffers nearly £600m loss as debt and IT costs surge

Asda co-ownerMohsin Issa. (Photo: Asda)

Asda suffers nearly £600m loss as debt and IT costs surge

ASDA, one of Britain’s largest supermarkets, has reported a pre-tax loss of £599 million for 2024, swinging sharply from a £180 million profit the previous year.

The loss comes despite total sales rising by over £1 billion to £26.8bn, as the retailer faces mounting debt costs, falling sales, and spiralling spending on a major IT overhaul, the Telegraph reported.

Keep ReadingShow less