East Bengal FC secured their place in the 135th Durand Cup final after defeating Sporting Club Delhi 5-3 on penalties following a goalless draw in the first semi-final at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Wednesday. Goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill was the hero for East Bengal, saving Rodriguinho’s penalty during regulation time before denying Juan Sebastian Peña in the shootout. Captain Mohamad Basim Rashid then converted the decisive spot-kick to send the Red and Gold Brigade into the final. East Bengal will face the winner of Thursday’s second semi-final between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and defending champions NorthEast United FC.…
Author: Pratyusha Mukherjee
Pratyusha Mukherjee
Ms Pratyusha Mukherjee, an Independent Sr. Broadcast Journalist working for British media with 25 years of experience in covering the east and northeast, with specialisation in Defence, Sports & Current Affairs. In her illustrated career she has covered many major events and achieved International and National media awards for Journalism.
Taksing, Arunachal Pradesh: In the remote frontier village of Taksing in Upper Subansiri district, India’s national spirit is visible not only in the Tricolour that flies proudly over the mountains, but also in the enduring bond between the people and the soldiers who stand guard along the frontier. Taksing celebrated Independence Day with a strong spirit of patriotism and unity. Local residents joined the Indian Army, ITBP personnel and government representatives to honour the Tricolour and celebrate the nation. The occasion reflected the deep bond between the people of this remote frontier and the brave forces committed to safeguarding India’s…
The Indian women’s hockey team produced a dominant performance to beat South Africa 6-1 at the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026 on Tuesday, moving to the top of Pool D on goal difference. The victory was India’s first of the tournament and kept them unbeaten after their opening 2-2 draw against 2024 Olympic silver medallists China. India now have four points from two matches and sit at the summit of the pool on goal difference. India controlled the contest from the outset, combining quick passing with aggressive attacking runs and sustained pressure inside the South African circle.…
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports on Tuesday announced the National Sports Awards 2025, recognising outstanding performances by sportspersons, coaches and institutions across a wide range of disciplines. The awards are presented annually to honour sporting excellence and contributions to the development and promotion of sports in India. This year’s selections were made on the recommendations of a committee headed by Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India. Arjuna Awards 2025: A total of 17 sportspersons have been selected for the Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in Sports and Games 2025. The award…
The iconic India-Pakistan rivalry returns to centre stage at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 on Wednesday, with a place in the semi-final race at stake in a crucial Pool D encounter at the Wagener Hockey Stadium. The equation is straightforward: India need only a draw to secure second place in Pool D, while Pakistan must win to keep their semi-final hopes alive. India currently sit second in the pool with three points. They began their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Wales before suffering a 2-4 defeat against England. Pakistan, meanwhile, have one point from two matches after drawing…
Indian Super League champions East Bengal FC have been drawn in Group D alongside Al Hussein SC of Jordan, Al Shorta SC of Iraq and Al Seeb Club of Oman in the AFC Champions League Two 2026-27. The draw was conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Tuesday, setting up a challenging continental campaign for the Kolkata-based club. East Bengal secured their place in the group stage after a convincing 4-1 win over Kuwait’s Al Arabi SC in the preliminary stage last week. The qualification marks the club’s ninth appearance in the group stage of Asia’s second-tier club competition and their…
While Independence Day celebrations across India were marked by flag hoisting ceremonies, parades and cultural programmes, Mizoram has developed a sporting tradition of its own — celebrated August 15 with football. What began in 1982 with the first Independence Day Football Tournament in Aizawl has grown into a statewide sporting movement. In 2026, the tradition completed its 44th consecutive year, making it the longest-running football trophy tradition in Mizoram. This year, 46 tournaments were organised across 29 locations, featuring 424 teams and 622 matches. More than 8,000 players took part, with the combined prize money exceeding ₹14 lakh. The tournaments…
East Bengal FC’s 1–0 victory over Indian Army FT in the Durand Cup quarter-final has been overshadowed by a contentious late penalty appeal, reigniting the debate over refereeing standards, accountability and the need for Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in Indian football. The controversy erupted when an Indian Army forward went down inside the East Bengal penalty area following an incident involving goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa. The referee dismissed the appeal, appearing to interpret the incident as a dive, and play continued. Indian Army head coach Antony Ramesh strongly disagreed with the decision. “We are not asking for any favour; we…
NorthEast United FC produced a stunning second-half comeback to defeat Shillong Lajong FC 5-2 in a thrilling Northeastern derby at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium today, booking their place in the semi-finals of the 135th Durand Cup. Trailing 2-1 at half-time in torrential rain, the Highlanders turned the quarter-final on its head after the break, scoring four unanswered goals to seal a comprehensive victory. Moroccan forward Alaaeddine Ajaraie was the star of the night, scoring a sensational hat-trick to inspire NorthEast United’s comeback. The result also completed the semi-final line-up, with Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Sporting Club Delhi, East Bengal FC…
India’s hopes of securing a top-two finish in Pool D suffered a setback as the Indian men’s hockey team went down 2-4 to England in a fiercely contested FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 encounter at the Wagener Hockey Stadium today. India produced an impressive fightback after falling behind early, taking a 2-1 lead through goals from captain Harmanpreet Singh and Dilpreet Singh. However, England responded with three second-half goals to turn the contest on its head and secure a crucial victory. Nicholas Bandurak was the star for England, scoring twice, while Stuart Rushmere and Henry Croft added one goal apiece.…