DREAM DEBUT FOR GOKULAM KERALA IN AFC CUP

In a first, India’s football federation has been placed under court-appointed administrators. Here’s breaking it down

A Fifa ban could mean cessation of all international football activity. That would mean no international games involving India and a ban on international transfers. India's 2023 Asian Cup The under-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers are next month. scheduled in India from October India won't be able to play 11-30 could be taken away. them. India are scheduled to play Cambodia on June 8; Afghanistan on June 11 and

Hong Kong on June 14.

The AFC Cup group D games which began in Kolkata on Wednesday will be affected.

FIFA ban does not cover domestic football activity. The Indian Women's League now underway in Bhubaneswar can continue. Ditto for ISL and I-league and domestic competitions, but without any new international signings.

KOLKATA: Don’t blame Gokulam Kerala FC (GKFC) for wanting to make Salt Lake stadium their home. They have bagged the Durand Cup here and retained I-league winning against the giants of Indian club football en route.

On Wednesday, the biggest night in the five-year history of the club, GKFC ran out 4-2 winners in their AFC Cup opener against ATK Mohun Bagan (ATKMB), who were profligate in the first half and feckless in the second.

GKFC’S Slovenian forward Luka Majcen (50’, 65’) struck a brace and Rishad Puthanveettil (57’) and substitute Jithin Subran (89’) slammed one each to seal three points.

ATKMB showed some spark with goals from Pritam Kotal (53’) and Liston Colaco (80’), but their defence, in the absence of Sandesh Jhingan and Tiri, who was stretchered out after sustaining an injury in the 40th minute, crumbled in the second-half.