East Bengal extend Hijazi Maher's contract for two years
East Bengal FC have extended the Jordanian defender Hijazi Maher's contract for the next two years. Hijazi was one of the better players for East Bengal last season and was named defender of the tournament in the victorious Kalinga Super Cup 2024.
East Bengal FC have extended the Jordanian defender Hijazi Maher's contract for the next two years. Hijazi was one of the better players for East Bengal last season and was named defender of the tournament in the victorious Kalinga Super Cup 2024.
The 26-year-old defender has so far played 1,938 minutes across 22 matches (17 in the ISL and 5 in the Kalinga Super Cup). The towering left-footed defender recorded fantastic numbers in last season’s Indian Super League, which include the second-highest clearances (99), the second-highest headed clearances (58) and the second-most blocks (22). Besides, his tally of 14 clearances in East Bengal’s away fixture against Mumbai City FC is the record for the most clearances by a player in a single ISL 2023-24 match.
In addition to his defensive solidity, Hijazi displayed his scoring prowess by netting two goals in the Kalinga Super Cup.
“East Bengal holds a special place in my heart. I’ve experienced many special moments with this great club and I can feel how much the fans love me. They give me a lot of energy for every game and I always try to make them happy in return. The Kalinga Super Cup was the first trophy I won outside Jordan. We want to scale even greater heights next season. I would like to thank Coach Carles and the Emami East Bengal management for trusting my abilities. I can’t wait to return to Kolkata,” Hijazi stated.
Sunil Chhetri with his recent hat-trick against Kerala Blasters FC, became the only third player to score three ISL hat-tricks. Here are the players with the most ISL hat-tricks in their careers.
Scoring a hat-trick is considered one of the most significant achievements of a striker in football. In football leagues worldwide, we get to see the top-level strikers achieving multiple hat-tricks in their careers.
In the Indian Super League, Nigerian striker Bartholomew Ogbeche has the record for scoring the most number of hattricks in the league. With Indian legend, Sunil Chhetri giving him a tough competition in the table, we present you players with the ISL stats of players with the most hat-tricks in Indian Super League history.
Stiven Mendoza, Dudu Omagbemi, Coro, Marcelinho, and Modou Sougou have scored two hattricks in their ISL careers.
Stiven Mendoza scored two ISL hat-tricks in just 15 league games.
Mendoza, the Colombian left winger played for Chennaiyin FC on two stints; once in the 2013/14 season and again in the 2014/15 season. He scored 15 goals in 22 games and netted twice in three ISL playoff matches.
He scored his first ISL hat-trick against FC Goa in Chennaiyin’s opening game in 2015. Mendoza scored his second hattrick, against Kerala Blasters in a 4-1 win.
Dudu after his hat-trick for FC Goa in 2015.
Dudu, the Nigerian striker is one of the known faces in Indian football, having played for East Bengal and Salgaocar FC in the I-League. However, he played for FC Pune City, FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC in ISL.
He scored his first ISL hat-trick against Mumbai City FC while playing for FC Goa, in 2015. His last hat-trick in the league came against Northeast United FC in a 3-3 draw for Chennaiyin FC in the 2016/17 season.
Coro is the only player to score hat-tricks in back-to-back ISL games.
Coro, the Spaniard spent three seasons in India with FC Goa from 2017-18 to 2019-20. In 50 ISL league games, he scored a stunning 47 goals while contributing 16 assists. He had scored back-to-back hattricks in his first season, one against Bengaluru FC, followed by one against Kerala Blasters.
Marcelinho scored a hat-trick for FC Pune City in 2017. Image | Scroll
Marcelinho, the Brazilian winger started his ISL career with Delhi Dynamos in 2016, joined Pune City in 2017 and continued playing in India for Hyderabad FC, Odisha FC, ATK Mohun Bagan and NEUFC.
He scored one hat-trick against FC Goa for Delhi Dynamos and another against NEUFC for FC Pune City in 2017.
Moduo after a hat-trick against ATK in 2018-19 season. Image | MCFC
Modou Sougou, the Senegalese right winger played for Mumbai City FC in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons. He scored four goals in a match against Kerala Blasters in the 2018-19 season and scored his last ISL hat-trick against ATK in the same season.
3 hattricks | Iain Hume and Sunil Chhetri
Hume after his hat-trick against Mumbai City FC. Image | India.com
One of the earliest stars of the Indian Super League, the Canadian striker, who had played for clubs like Leicester City, joined Kerala Blasters in the first season. In 2015/16, he moved to Atletico de Kolkata and won the league in 2016. Later, he rejoined KBFC, before finishing with Pune City.
His fast ISL hat-trick came for Atletico Day, Kolkata against Mumbai City FC. His other hat-trick for ATK came against FC Pune City in the 2015-16 season.
Hume’s third hattrick was for Kerala Blasters against Delhi Dynamos in the 2017-18 season.
Sunil Chhetri is now the oldest player to score an ISL hat-trick. Image | ISL via X
Like Hume, Indian football legend, Sunil Chhetri has also scored 3 ISL hattricks in his career. The former India captain has scored the number of goals in the league’s history.
Chhetri became the first Indian player to score a hat-trick in ISL when he scored against Northeast United FC in the 2015/16 season for Mumbai City FC.
In the 2017-18 season, Chhetri scored his second hat-trick against FC Pune City for Bengaluru FC. His latest hat-trick came against Kerala Blasters in 4-2 win for BFC. With this hat-trick, he has also become the oldest player to score a hat-trick in ISL history at 40 years and 126 days old.
Bartholomew Ogbeche has scored the most ISL hat-tricks. Image | ISL
The former Nigerian striker is one of the most successful footballers in ISL history. In 2018, he started his career in India with Northeast United and later moved to clubs like Kerala Blasters, Mumbai City FC and Hyderabad FC.
Bartholomew Ogbeche won the ISL Cup twice with Mumbai City FC and Hyderabad FC and the league once with Mumbai City FC.
His first ISL hat-trick was against Chennaiyin FC for NEUFC in the 2018-19 season. Chennaiyin became his favourite opponent when he scored his second ISL hat-trick against the Kerala Blasters in the 2019-20 season.
Answer: Bartholomew Ogbeche has scored the most ISL hat-tricks till now (4).
2. Who was the first player to score an ISL hat-trick?
Answer: André Moritz was the first player to score an ISL hat-trick. He scored the hat-trick for Mumbai City FC against FC Pune City in the 2014-15 season.
3. Who was the first Indian player to score an ISL hat-trick?
Answer: Sunil Chhetri became the first Indian player to score a hat-trick in ISL when he scored against Northeast United FC in the 2015/16 season for Mumbai City FC.
4. Who is the oldest player to score an ISL hat-trick?
Answer: At the age of 40 years and 126 days, Sunil Chhetri is the oldest player to score an ISL hat-trick.
5. Who is the only player to score four goals in an ISL match?
Answer: Modou Sougou is still the only player in ISL history to score four goals in a game. He achieved the feat while playing for Mumbai City FC in the 2018-19 season against Kerala Blasters.
Odisha FC's star striker and the third highest goal scorer of Indian Super League (ISL) history, Roy Krishna has been sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a grade 3 ACL injury he sustained during the game against Hyderabad FC last week.
The Fijian striker had already scored three goals this season in ISL for the Juggernauts and has been one of the most impressive players in the league's history since he joined in 2019. He joined Odisha FC in 2023 after spending fruitful years with Bengaluru FC, ATK and ATK Mohun Bagan before joining the 2023 Super League winners.
Roy was one of the key clogs in Sergio Lobera's plan and without him, they would have a gigantic boot to fill in. However, Lobera feels Roy's absence will not hurt the team that much as the team is focused on the challenges ahead.
"It's sad news for the team. Roy is not just an incredible player but also a fantastic human being. We’ll miss him on the pitch, but I’m sure he’ll continue to support us off it. He’s one of the best professionals I’ve worked with, and I wish him a speedy recovery," Lpbera stated via an official press release by Odisha FC.
"It’s not easy when you have just two training sessions, primarily focused on recovery and compensation. But we don’t make excuses. This is football, and we need to adapt. It’s another challenge for us to overcome, and I believe we’re ready," he added.
Odisha FC are currently 3rd in the ISL standings with 15 points from 10 matches after returning to winning ways against an in-form Bengaluru FC with a 4-1 win at home. Next, they will face Mumbai City FC on 5th December at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar.
I-League broadcast: Sony Sports Network will telecast the matches on TV from second round
The TV broadcasting issues of the I-League have been resolved as Sony Sports Network is set to telecast the I-League matches on TV from the second round.
Sony Sports Network is set to acquire the TV broadcasting rights of the I-League 2024-25 following the extensive feud between the I League clubs association and AIFF.
SSEN acquired the OTT rights before and they will continue to stream the matches on its official app whereas Sony Sports Network Channels will broadcast the matches on TV.
The I-League is about to kick-off from today but. the dispute between I-League clubs association and AIFF has delayed the TV broadcasting. Matches scheduled for first round will not be telecasted on TV but football fans can watch the I-League games live on TV on and from 29 November 2024.
The I-League clubs association headed by Delhi FC owner Ranjit Bajaj announced in a letter to AIFF yesterday that the 12 I-League clubs have decided to boycott the league and they will not play unless the broadcasting issues are resolved. Shrachi Sports' venture SSEN also announced yesterday that fans can watch the matches 'only' on SSEN app which added fuel to the fire.
However, in an overnight development, AIFF has finalized Sony as the TV broadcasting partner for the I-League 2024-25 and the clubs expect that over 100 of the scheduled 132 matches will be telecasted live on TV.
Participating clubs will reportedly pay 12 Lakh rupees each to the Sony Sports Network to cover the broadcasting costs which does not include the participation fees of 7 Lakhs paid to the AIFF.
The uncertainty regarding the broadcasting issues have finally been resolved and the I-League 2024-25 will start according to the announced fixtures. Sreenidi Deccan will take on Gokulam Kerala in a blockbuster opening game set to kick off today at 4:30 PM IST. Later today, Inter Kashi will face newly promoted Sporting Club Bengaluru in the second match of the opening day, scheduled to start today at 7:00 PM IST.
I-League 2024-25 Fixtures, Teams and Everything you need to know
I-League kicks off from tomorrow and 12 teams will compete this season. Here in this article, Sportzpoint presents the I-League 2024-25 Fixtures, Teams and everything you need to know.
Indian football fans better sit tight as one of the most prestigious accolades in Indian Football, theI-League 2024-25 is around the corner. Sreenidi Deccan will take on Gokulam Kerala tomorrow in Hyderabad in the opening match of this season.
From Complete fixtures to the participating teams, here is everything you need to know about the 18th season of the I-League.
Teams to participate in the I-League 2024-25
10 teams from the 2023-24 I-League will compete this season along with 2 teams that achieved promotion to the I-League from the I-League 2.
2023-24 I-League 2 Champions Sporting Bengaluru and Runner-ups Dempo SC are the new inclusions this season.
Aizawl FC
Churchill Brothers
Delhi FC
Dempo SC
Gokulamn Kerala
Inter Kashi
Namdhari FC
Rajasthan United
Real Kashmir
Shillong Lajong
Sporting Bengaluru
Sreenidi Deccan
Teams to watch this season
Gokulam Kerala will be eyeing for their third I-League title after falling 10 points short of the champions Mohammedan SC. Gokulam finished third last season and they have to strong squad to compete under new manager Antonio Rueda Fernandez. Players such as Sergio Llamas, Martín Cháves, VP Suhair, and last season's Golden Boot winner Álex Sánchez will be crucial for Gokulam's journey this season.
Sreenidi Deccan, the runner-up of last season and the 2022-23 season as well, will suit up for the league title and they have retained the almost same squad from last season. Portuguese coach Rui Amorim has been appointed as the new coach and the Hyderabad-based club will leave no stone unturned for their title charge. Players like David Castañeda, William Alves, Brandon Vanlalremdika, and Eli Sabiá can make Sreenidi fans dream of their maiden I-League title.
Inter Kashi debuted in the 2023-24 I-League as a new inductee and finished in the 4th position. However, they have appointed Antonio Lopez Habas as the new gaffer who is arguably the best coach in ISL history. Mario Barco, Joni Kauko, and Nikola Stojanović will strengthen Kashi's squad whereas they have renowned Indian players such as Edmund Lalrindika, Arindam Bhattacharya, and Narayan Das. inter Kashi will be a very interesting team to watch this season.
Churchill Brothers will again represent Goa after finishing seventh last season along with the Goa counterpart Dempo SC, the club that returned to the I-League after nine long years. Shillong Lajong displayed a good show of football in the Durand Cup 2024 and they hope to continue to do so.
India vs Malaysia Friendly: Jay Gupta called up to replace Aakash Sangwan and Ashish Rai
Defender Jay Gupta has been called up by Manolo Marquez as Aakash Sangwan and Asish Rai have been released due to injuries ahead of the friendly against Malaysia tomorrow.
Indian National Football Team head coach Manolo Marquez has called up FC Goa defender Jay Gupta ahead of the friendly against Malaysia on Monday. Defenders Aakash Sngwan and Asish Rai have left the national camp in Hyderabad due to injuries.
Jay Gupta has joined the Indian squad in Hyderabad ahead of tomorrow's friendly against Malaysia. Aakash Sangwan and Asish Rai have been released due to injuries.#IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/lRFJpohUCR
Jay Gupta made his national team debut against Kuwait in a goalless draw on 6 June 2024. The 23-year-old FC Goa defender plays as a left-back and he will replace his club teammate Aakash Sangwan who also plays as a left-back.
Asish Rai felt minor discomforts in the training sessions for his club Mohun Bagan ahead of their game against Hyderabad FC. However, he is knocked out of the national squad as well.
Returning to the Indian national team 🇮🇳 after 10 months, @SandeshJhingan opened up about the recovery journey, regret of missing out on playing for the country & much more
It will be interesting to see how Manolo Marquez is going to combine the defensive line-up against Malaysia. Sandesh Jhingan was called up for the national team after recovering from a long-term injury but Anwar Ali is likely to start against Malaysia. However, Subhashish Bose was dropped from the squad but Manolo still has options such as Chinglensana Singh, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, and Rahul Bheke.
India squad against Malaysia
Indian Squad today in Hyderabad. (Image Credit | Indian Football Team on X)
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