Asian Games: India Football Team Holds Training Session Ahead Of Saudi Arabia Clash

26.09.2023 - 11:41 sports.ndtv.com

The Indian football team held its first training session in Hangzhou before their round of 16 match at the Asian Games. "Finally got done with the first training session with our boys, enjoying beautiful facilities in Hangzhou.

Only in the city they have 29 new stadiums and in the region 41. It's amazing what China has done for football infrastructure to grow the sport," India Head Coach Igor Stimac wrote on X.

Stimac earlier appreciated the Blue Tigers for qualifying to the round of 16 of the tournament even after completing their recovery sessions at a park in China. (Asian Games 2023 Medals Tally | Asian Games 2023 Full Schedule) Finally got done with the first training session with our boys, enjoying beautiful facilities in Hangzhou.Only in the city they have 29 new stadiums and in the region 41.

It's amazing what China has done for football infrastructure to grow the sport pic.twitter.com/G3PtlsvkZG India finished at second place in Group A with one win, one loss, and a draw.

Football asian games 2023 Asian Games Medals Tally Igor Stimac China India Saudi Arabia Bangladesh Burma

India lost 2-4 to hosts Malaysia in the opening match, a virtual semifinal to bow out of the Merdeka Cup in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. Malaysia took the lead as early as in the seventh minute through Dion Cools before Naorem Mahesh Singh equalised for India with a beautiful volley in the 13 minute. A silly challenge from Nikhil Poojary on Arif Amin inside the Indian box gifted Malaysia a penalty and Amin made no mistake in finding the net from the spot in the 20th minute. To make matters worse for India, Faisal Halim increased the score-line 3-1 in Malaysia's favour four minutes from half time.

Indian Football Team Coach Igor Stimac's Contract Extended Until 2026

Senior national team head coach Igor Stimac's contract has been extended until 2026, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on Thursday, rewarding him for overseeing three title triumphs this year. As per the contract, the Croat will automatically get an extension by another two years if India qualify for the third round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Former India stopper Mahesh Gawli, the assistant coach of the senior men's team, was appointed as the head coach of the men's U-23 team.

Asian Games 2023: India Wins In Men's Team Bridge Semifinal Session 1

The Indian men's bridge has successfully clinched a win in the semifinal session one match of the men's team bridge event at the ongoing Asian Games in Hangzhou on Tuesday. In the semifinal session one game, India squared off against China and comfortably defeated them by 22-66. In the other semifinal game, Hong Kong clinched a 41-27 win against Japan. In the second session of the semifinal match of the men's team bridge event at the ongoing Asian Games in Hangzhou, the Indian side played out a 22-22 tie with China.

Asian Games 2023: Indian Archery Team Advances To Quarterfinals

Four Indian archers Aditi Swami, Jyothi Vennam, Ojas Deotale and Abhishek Verma are through to compound quarterfinals after they won in the first two rounds at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou on Monday. India's first individual world champion Aditi Swami won 148-146 against Indonesia's Syahara Khoerunisa. Earlier, the 17-year-old Indian archer had beaten Imayung Rai in the previous round. (Asian Games Medals Tally)

Asian Games, Shooting: India Win Gold In Men's Trap Team Event, Women Claim Silver

The Indian triumvirate of Prithviraj Tondaiman, Kynan Chenai, and Zoravar Singh Sandhu won the gold medal in men's trap shooting at the Asian Games in Hangzhou on Sunday. Just before that, the trio of Manisha Keer, Preeti Rajak and Rajeshwari Kumari claimed the silver medal in the women's trap team event, adding to the Indian shooting contingent's best-ever show at the Games. The Indian men combined to shoot 361 in the qualifications and finish ahead of silver medallists Khaled Almudhaf, Talal Alrashidi and Abdulrahman Alfaihan (359) and host nation China's Yuhao Guo, Ying Qi and Yuhao Wang (354), who settled for the bronze.

"Don't Send Us Anywhere If...": Indian Football Team Coach Igor Stimac Blasts Asian Games 2023 Preparation After Exit

Indian football team coach Igor Stimac once again criticised the lack of preparation time for the side ahead of the Asian Games 2023 after his side was defeated by Saudi Arabia in the Round of 16 stage. The side, led by Sunil Chhetri, went down fighting as Saudi Arabia won the match 0-2 but Stimac believes that the result could have been way worse. There were doubts over India's participation in the Asian Games followed by tussle with clubs over the availability of certain players. As a result, the team selection took a lot of time and the selected players were unable to practice together before travelling to China.