Kowloon, June 9: Seeking its first win in the tournament, the Indian football team will face another acid test when it takes on Hong Kong in a crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 round three qualifier match here on Tuesday.
As per reports in the local media, all 50,000 tickets for the match have been sold out, setting a new attendance record for Hong Kong football.
Manolo Marquez’s men will have their task cut out as they face a Hong Kong side that has been revitalised under the guidance of manager Ashley Westwood, who knows a lot about Indian football and will certainly look to use his knowledge to the home side’s advantage.
Placed in Pot 1 for the qualifiers, India, ranked 127th, got off to a slow start with a draw against Bangladesh in March.
Meanwhile, Pot 2 side Hong Kong, ranked 153, also managed only a point in Singapore, meaning there is still nothing to separate the four sides in Group C after the first matchday.
For Hong Kong, the day will be a historic. The game is not only a crucial qualifier in their search for only a second AFC Asian Cup berth in 59 years, but also the inaugural football match at the 50,000 seater Kai Tak Stadium, part of the Kai Tak Sports Park, the largest sports complex in Hong Kong.Featuring a retractable roof and constructed at a cost of HKD 30 billion at the site of the city’s former airport, the stadium even features a flexible pitch system for other sports and entertainment events.It will be India and Hong Kong’s 25th meeting since their first in 1951. India lead the head-to-head with nine wins, Hong Kong have eight, while seven have been draws.
However, the Blue Tigers have won only once on Hong Kong soil, a 2-1 friendly victory in 1957.The previous meeting in 2022 is still fresh in the memories of many – a 4-0 drubbing in a rain-lashed Asian Cup qualifier in Kolkata.Defender Sandesh Jhingan, however, reiterated that it’s “all about now”.
“It was quite a comfortable scoreline but since then, Hong Kong have changed a lot. They have a new coach and a lot of new players. So, it’s not going to be as easy, and you cannot get complacent or take things lightly.
“Every game on the international stage is tough, especially on away soil. We are preparing in the best way, and we will go for the maximum points on Tuesday,” said the 31-year-old Jhingan.
Since August 2024, Hong Kong have been coached by Westwood, a familiar name in Indian football. The Englishman led Bengaluru FC from 2013 to 2016 and also took charge of ATK and RoundGlass Punjab FC later.He also coached the Afghanistan side that defeated India in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers last year.
Under Westwood, Hong Kong have only lost once in 12 matches – 0-1 to Liechtenstein in a friendly. But only two wins have come against higher-ranked opponents, Solomon Islands and Philippines (both friendlies).In preparation for the match against India, Hong Kong played a non-official friendly against Manchester United FC that they lost 1-3 on May 30, and then a FIFA friendly against Nepal on June 5, which was a scoreless affair.Lallianzuala Chhangte shared his thoughts on the opponents.“Playing against Hong Kong is a significant challenge because they have a good defensive setup, and we know their coach as well. He has a lot of experience in India,” Chhangte said.
“Hong Kong are a good counter-attacking team as well, and we have to be well aware of that. We have a plan, and it’s all about executing. If we go into the game with the right mindset, attitude and hunger, we can win this game,” said the winger, who celebrated his 28th birthday on Sunday.
Apart from the new coach, the Hong Kong squad also features many new naturalised and foreign-born players. Among them are forwards Juninho and Stefan Pereira, midfielder Fernando, and defender Dudu – all born in Brazil.Spain-born forward Manolo Bleda and Japan-born midfielder Sohgo Ichikawa also made their Hong Kong debuts recently.
Among the experienced lot are goalkeeper Yapp Hung Fai, who has over a century of caps, defenders Sun Ming Him, Yue Tze Nam and Tsui Wang Kit, all of whom ply their trade in the Chinese Super League, and midfielder Tan Chun Lok.
The majority of the squad, however, play their club football in the Hong Kong Premier League for Kitchee SC, Southern District, Lee Man FC, Eastern FC and current champions Tai Po FC. (PTI)
India gear up for Hong Kong test in Asian Cup Qualifiers
Parineeti, Raghav Chadha’s date night at the French Open Finale
Actress Parineeti Chopra and politician Raghav Chadha shared glimpses of their special evening together as they attended the French Open final in Paris. The couple shared candid moments from the event on Instagram, showcasing their excitement and enjoying world-class tennis action. Taking to her Instagram handle, Parineeti shared a series of her photos posing with Raghav as the couple enjoyed the thrilling French Open final. In her caption, the actress reflected on how the experience combined all her favourites—Paris, world-class tennis, and her partner—making it a perfect date night. Raghav Chadha also dropped his candid photos with the actress and captioned it, “Roland Garros gave us the perfect final. A perfect day together. And the best seat in the house — right next to her. (IANS)
Actor reacts to request to rethink decision of quitting Hera Pheri 3
Veteran actor Paresh Rawal’s sudden departure from the upcoming film Hera Pheri 3 has left his fans shocked and disappointed, and they want him to rethink on his decision.
Many of his fans have taken to the social media handle and requested him to join the third instalment of the Hera Pheri franchise.
Taking to X, one of the fan wrote, ‘Sir please think Once again to join Hera Pheri movie You are the hero of this movie”, however, Rawal immediately corrected him and responded, ‘NO … There are Three Heroes in Hera Pheri
Paresh Rawal’s sudden departure from the third instalment of the Hera Pheri franchise shocked the film industry and fans.After reports of Akshay Kumar suing Paresh Rawal for the inappropriate departure,
Rawal shared an update on May 25, saying that his lawyer has sent an ‘appropriate response’ regarding his rightful ‘termination and exit’ from the film to the makers. Taking to his X handle, the actor wrote, ‘My lawyer, Ameet Naik, has sent an appropriate response regarding my rightful termination and exit. Once they read my response, all issues will be laid to rest.’ While speculation initially suggested creative differences as the reason behind his decision, Paresh Rawal addressed these rumours in a public statement.
Taking to this X handle, the Hera Pheri actor wrote, “I wish to put it on record that my decision to step away from Hera Pheri 3 was not due to creative differences,’ adding, ‘I REITERATE THAT THERE ARE NO CREATIVE DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE FILMMAKER. I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan, the film’s director.’ Hera Pheri 3 is being directed by Priyadarshan, that originally starred Akshay Kumar, Suneil Shetty, and Paresh Rawal. (IANS)
Manderang baksa agangrikchenggija Nokmani a·a on·aniko GSU jegala
SIJU: Songni manderang baksa agangrikchenggija aro manderangni nangnikanirangko ra·chenggija Siju Aratika Datra (Mouza No V, A·king No 1, 3 aro 5)-ni Nokma, a·arangko PWD (NH)-na aro ja·mano Forest department-na pakwate on·aha ine Garo Students Union (GSU) Siju regional unit matnangatenba, iani bidingo South Garo Hills a·jani Deputy Commissioner-na seachi badi ka·doataha.
A·kingni a·arangko iandake Nokmani skatang on·aniko jegalatengon, a·kingni a·arangko iandake darangba skatang sorkarina ba jenaba on·na bil dongja aro pilakni nangnikani gitasa ong·na man·a ine GSU Siju regional unit parakataha.
“A·kingni a·arangko iandake on·aniara an·tangna on·gimin bilko Nokmani jakkalsretanisa ong·enga aro ian A·chikrangni daka rikaniko pe·ani gita ong·enga. A·kingni a·arangde jinmani gam-jinsa ong·a aro ia a·arangko Nokma ba darangba an·tangari indake on·na bil dongja. Ia nokmani kamko chinga darangan ra·chakna man·jawa aro ian manderangni gisepo ding·chaoaniko ra·baani ong·enga,” ine South Garo Hills-ni Deputy Commissioner-na badi ka·e seatgipa chittio GSU Siju regional unit parakataha.
Nokmani kamko chanchininggija dakani ong·a ine matnangatengon, iandake a·kingni a·arangko sorkarina ba gipinrangna skatang on·aniara manderangna on·gimin bilrangko re·badeani ong·a aro jolo manderangni tom·tome songdong a·chaaniko golmal ka·ani gita ong·a ine GSU Siju regional unit parakataha.
A·arangko on·na gita Nokmani songgigrikaniko ta·raken den·galpilchina aro iani bidingo ning·tue sandirokchina dabiangengon, iani bidingo district administration-ni gita maming ja·kurangko de·ja ong·ode uamang jingjengatanirangko dakanggen ine GSU Siju regional unit, mikrakataniko on·angaha.
Tura Hawakhana-o bi·sa saksani manggisiko man·a
TURA: Mijal Sombar pringo, Tura Municipal Board (TMB)-ni jabol rongtalatgiparang, pangna dakrongbewal gita Tura-ni Hawakhana jolo donggipa jabol galchakram biap damsaoniko jabolrangko galengmiting somoio, atchidaldal bi·sa saksani manggisiko man·aha.
Bi·sani manggisiko man·a bakan TMB-ni manderang, police-rangna u·iataha aro police-rang ia a·selni bidingo sandirokna a·bachengataha.
Sandirokaniko dakon, ia bi·sa Tura Maternity & Child Hospital-o sikame atchiaha ine ma·sina man·aha aro ja·man ia bi·sani manggisiko gope galchina bi·sani pagipana ge·etaniko on·ataha.
Police-rangni u·iatani gitade, bi·sa an·pakani ja·man ma·gipakode hospital-on sanengkua.
Thrills Fun Park-ni nokgipako chu pekgipa tourist-rang kragija daka
SHILLONG: Re·anggipa Sonibar salo, Umroi-ni Mawlein Mawkhan-o donggipa Thrills Fun Park-ni nokgipa Eugene Niangte-ko Uttar Pradesh a·dokoni re·bagipa dolsa tourist-rang, chu pekenba kragija dake chadrapaha ine kobor on·aha.
Iani bidingo kobor ra·timgiparangna u·iatengon, dolsa tourist-rang churing chupekenba ia park-o bi·sarangni kal·chakaniko nosto ka·ani ja·man dolgnini gisepo jegrikna a·bachengaha ine park-ni nokgipa parakataha.
“Uamangni ong·gija dakanina anga aganon, uamang angko inpangpilna a·bachengaha aro angko chadrapaha. Ja·mano angni park-o kam ka·enggipa manderang rikbaani ja·mansa uamang chadrapako dontongaha,” ine Niangte aganaha.
Niangte-ni aganani gitade, Sohra jolo ong·gipa a·selrangchi tourism-ni kamrang nangchakeaniko man·engani gimin ua an·tangko chadrapgipa manderangni kosako FIR ka·jahachim. “Ua somoio anga ia manderangni kosako FIR ka·jana tik ka·ahachim indiba da·o Sohra-o a·sel ong·aniko name ma·sina man·ahani gimin anga ia manderangni kosako ding·chaoe, parakna nangao ga·akaha,” ine Niangte aganaha.
Indake ong·genchimoba ua somoio uamang, ia tourist-rangko maming dakgija watataiaha ine Thrills Fun Park-ni nokgipa aganaha.
“Sohra-o a·sel ong·anichi ja·mano obostarang namjabatangnaba gnang ine chinga uamangko dangtapjaha. Ja·mano uamangko ia park-oni re·angchina aganon, uamang re·angtokaiaha,” ine Niangte aganaha.
‘Gimagipa’ Sonam-ko UP-ni Ghazipur a·jao rim·a, Raja-ko so·otanio jak donggiparangkoba rim·a
Rim·a man·gipa manderangko M’laya-ona rimbapilna jotton ka·enga
SHILLONG: Re·anggipa May 23 tarikonin ‘gimae dongenggipa’ Sonam Raghuvanshi-ko Robibar walo, Uttar Pradesh a·dokni Ghazipur a·jao uni bame on·eani ja·man police-rang uko rim·aha.
Madhya Pradesh a·dokni Indore songjinmao bia ka·daldale re·bagipa Raja aro Sonam Raghuvanshi, May-ni 23 tariko Sohra jolona re·angani ja·man gimaahachim indiba Raja-ni sogimin manggisikode June-ni 2 tarikon, Sohra jolo donggipa a·kuang damsaoniko man·ahachim. Segipani manggisiko man·ahaoba Sonam-kode man·skakujaengani gimin police-rang, Sohra jolrango donggipa pilak biaprangonikon drone-rangchi sandibeaha indiba nikteljahachim.
May-ni 23 tariko, Raja aro Sonam-ni Mawlakhiat-chipakna re·angengmiting somoio uamang baksa ma·sina man·gijagipa tourist sakgittamkoba nikrikahani gimin police-rang, ia tourist sakgittamko sandina a·bachengataha aro uandaken ia mande sakgittam baksana sakgipinko, chong·motan Madhya Pradesh a·doko donggipa Indore songjinmaoni sakgittam aro Uttar Pradesh a·doko donggipa Lalitpur-oni saksako rim·na man·aha.
Uttar Pradesh aro Madhya Pradesh police-rangni dakchakanichi Meghalaya Police, UP a·doko donggipa Laddpur-oni bilsi 19 ong·gipa Akash Rajput, MP a·doko donggipa Indore songjinmaoni bilsi 22 ong·gipa Vishal Singh Chauhan, bilsi 21 ong·gipa Raj Singh Kushwaha aro Madhya Pradesh a·dokni Satna a·jao donggipa Basahari songoni bilsi 23 ong·gipa Anand Kushwaha-ko rim·na man·aha.
Ia mande sakgittamko rim·ani ja·man Sonam Raghuvanshi-ba Uttar Pradesh a·dokni Ghazipur a·jao donggipa Nandganj Police Station-o an·tangko bame on·eaha aro ukoba joljolan police-rang rim·aha.
Koborko on·ani gitade, Raja-ni jikgipa Sonam, rim·ako man·gipa manderangoni saksa Raj Singh Kushwaha minggipa mande baksa mikchagrika dongachim aro iani a·selsa uamang, Raja Raghuvanshi-ko so·ote galna miksongenba Meghalaya a·dokona re·baaha.
Sonam aro uni mikchagipa Raj Singh Kushwaha-ni gisepo pangnan phone ka·grikani aro message-rang watgrikaniko call detail records-oniko nikna man·aha aro iachin Meghalaya aro Madhya Pradesh-ni police-rang, dos dakgipa manderangko rim·na man·aha.
Meghalaya Police-rang, Uttar Pradesh aro Madhya Pradesh-ni police-rang baksa nangrime am·sandianirangko dakahani gimin bon·kamao Sonam kate dongchana amjae, UP Police-rangni mikkango an·tangko bame on·eaha ineba kobor on·timgiparang aganaha.
Raja-ko so·otanio sakgittam manderang, chong·motan Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan aro Anand Kushwana mongsonggiparang ong·a aro uamangko Sonam aro Raj Kushwana, Raja-ko so·otna tik ka·timskaaha ine police officer-rang aganaha.
Indake ong·engon, ia jiksesako sandianio rakbee kamrangko ka·ahani gimin a·dok sorkari, Meghalaya Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), songni nokni manderang, West Jaintia Hills Monitoring Club, dingtang dingtang dolrang aro media-ni manderangkoba mittelpilangaha.
NGH-o ma·mong sorkarini scheme-rangko Tura MP nipilanga
RESUBELPARA: Sombar salo, Tura-ni MP Saleng A Sangma, District Development Coordination & Monitoring Committee (DISHA)-ni tom·aniko North Garo Hills a·jao ong·atenba, dingtang dingtang department-rangni jako ra·e ka·enggipa ma·mong sorkarini scheme-rangko nipilangaha.
Ia tom·aniko Resubelpara-ni DC Conference Hall-o ong·atangaha aro ia tom·anio Tura-ni MP, jinmana aganprakengon, ma·mong sorkarini on·enggipa namgnirangko songni nokni manderang man·china gitasa dingtang dingtang scheme-rangko chu·sokate on·na nanga ine North Garo Hills a·jani officer-rangko didiangaha.
Dingtang dingtang scheme-rangko chu·sokatengon, dongimin niamrangko ja·rikchina aro somoi gita kamrangko matchotatchina Sangma didiangaha.
“Ma·mong sorkarini scheme-rangko name chu·sokataha ine lekkarangosan janapaijachina indiba songni nokni manderangsa iandakgipa scheme-ni namgnirangko man·na nanga,” ine MP Saleng Sangma aganaha.
Dingtang dingtang department-ni ning·o ka·enggipa scheme-rangni chu·sokanirangko knatime ra·angengon, iandakgipa scheme-rangko nambate chu·sokatanichi manderangna nambate dangdike on·china Sangma didiangaha.
Ja·mano, DISHA-ni membor-rang, dingtang dingtang scheme-rangko an·tangtangan re·e niangaha.
Ia tom·aniko ong·atani bidingo North Garo Hills a·jani Deputy Commissioner Dr Abhishek Saini, tom·anio bak ra·giparangna talate on·angengon, North Garo Hills a·jao pilak scheme-rangkon name chu·sokatchina District Administration kam ka·enga aro pilak department-rangkon kamtangtangko nirokjringchina aro an·tangtangni scheme-ni report-rangko on·jringchina ge·etaniko on·rongenga ine parakataha.
Ia salni bako Tura MP-ni nianggipa mongsonggipa department aro scheme-rangara, PMGSY, PWD, MGNREGS, Social Welfare, Development Branch (DC office), PHE, Water Resources, AH & Vety, Health, Soil & Water Conservation aro Education department-ni scheme-rang ong·a.
WGH-o 11-gipa salni VKSA program-ko ong·ata
TURA: West Garo Hills a·jao ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)-ni Vikshit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA) program-ko re·anggipa May 31 tariko a·bachengataoni da·o 11-gipa sal ong·aha aro ia 11-gipa salo KVK-ni official-rang, dingtang dingtang department-ni official-rang baksa dingtang dingtang songrangona re·ange, songni manderangna agan-talatanirangko on·angaha.
Ia 11-gipa salo, West Garo Hills KVK-oni dolgittam Krishi Rath dolrang, Zikzak Block-ni Koraitola, Kalegaon aro Baghana, Gambegre Block-ni Bolchugre, Jenggitchakgre aro Balamagre baksana Demdema Block-ni Rajpur, Bhaitbari aro Wadagokgre songrangona re·ange, Pre-Kharif campaign-rangko ong·atangaha.
Ia dolrangko, Dr. Joyoshree Mahanta (SMS, Plant Protection), Naorem Arun Kumar (SMS, Soil and Water Conservation) aro Dr Puja Chakraborty (SMS, Aquaculture) dilangaha aro uamang baksana ICAR-RC for NEH region-ni Dr. Christy Sangma (Scientist, Soil Science) aro Dr. Tasso Tayung, (Scientist, Fisheries), CSS-CAU-oni Dr Saswati Pattanaik, Dr. Toko Jumi, aro Dr. Jogeeta Laimayum baksana gipin department-rangni official-rangba dongpaaha.
Game ge·e cha·giparangna agan-talatanirangko on·angengon, maikai ia gital chasongo gital gama ge·ani kolrangchi nambate gama ge·anirangko dakna man·gen, uarangni bidingo official-rang, game ge·e cha·giparangna agan-talatanirangko on·angaha.
Ia VKSA campaign-ko ong·atani miksonganiara, gama ge·anio jakkalgipa gital kolrangko aro gital bitchilni rokomrangko ma·siate on·na, Soil Health Card-rangko jakkalani gamchataniko u·iatna, sorkarini dingtang dingtang scheme aro policy-rangko u·iatna, game ge·e cha·giparangni u·i-ma·sianirangko knatime ra·na aro uandakgipa kamrangan ong·a.
Ia program-ko ong·atanio sak 715 game ge·e cha·giparang aro sak 559 me·chikrangko man·chape gimik sak 1274 manderang bak ra·angtokaha.
Ektaa slams Kashyap for mocking saas-bahu dramas
TV Czarina Ekta Kapoor has slammed filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who called Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos dumb and suggested he should have started with saas-bahu shows.
Sarandos during a podcast had spoken that he was unsure if the idea of starting the Netflix Original in India with the Saif Ali Khan-starrer Sacred Games was the right decision. This left Kashyap red-faced.
Anurag took to Threads and ranted: ‘He should have started with Saas Bahu .. he would have done well. Which he is doing now Z I always knew the tech guys are dumb when it comes to story telling but tedsarandos is the definition of dumb is what I didn’t know. Good to discover that. This explains everything now.’
Ekta took to her Instagram stories and wrote a post about how “artists who talk of an inclusive world are actually more classist.”
She wrote: “Ur so dumb….saying this put u on an advantage I’m smarter cooler” but naaaaaaaa! Darling how about gracious !!! N self aware an art a lot of artists don’t have! saas bahu n their impact on indian masses (how women got a voice in mass India) is well documented by a prestigious Chicago research! (sic)”
“But artists who talk of an inclusive world are actually more classist! We must do away with this ‘u can’t sit with us we r better attitude for democracy n fair play! Love n light to all,” she added.
It was on her 50th birthday, when it was announced that Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms Ltd and Netflix joined hands for a creative collaboration across different formats of storytelling. (IANS)