News / Author / Dhiman Sarkar

Dhiman Sarkar

Dhiman Sarkar is based in Kolkata and has been a sport journalist for over three decades. He writes mainly on football.

Articles by Dhiman Sarkar

A close contest to decide the last 16

Georgia's historic win over Portugal in Euros underscores the tournament's surprise element. Austria impresses without key players. Knockout rounds await.

Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze celebrates with teammates after shooting from the penalty spot to score his team's second goal during Euro 2024 Group F match against Portugal in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday. (AFP)

Football

Updated on Jun 27, 2024 10:01 PM IST

ByDhiman SarkarDhiman Sarkar

Euro 2024: Another Hagi sparkles, helps Romania enter knockouts

Ianis Hagi, son of legend Gheorghe, plays a key role in a 1-1 draw that sends his team and Slovakia into the knockouts

Romania's Ianis Hagi and teammates celebrate with their fans after the match. (REUTERS)

Football

Updated on Jun 27, 2024 12:11 AM IST

ByDhiman SarkarDhiman Sarkar

Euro 2024: Present imperfect, future tense for England

Listless and shackled, they topped the group after the 0-0 draw against Slovenia but are hardly playing like one of the favourites

England's Jude Bellingham reacts during their Euro group match against Slovenia at Cologne Stadium on Tuesday. (REUTERS)

Football

Updated on Jun 28, 2024 11:14 AM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar

Heartbreak, yes, but hang on to the Modric memories

After a heartbreak in Euro 2024, Luka Modric, the oldest scorer in the championship, hints at retiring soon. Croatia's fate hangs in the balance.

Croatia's midfielder Luka Modric leaves the pitch after being substituted against Italy on Monday. (AFP)

Football

Updated on Jun 25, 2024 03:44 PM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar

AIFF drags players into Stimac row

Federation says players concerned by coaching style and tactics; FIFA will have final verdict, the Croat reacts to statement

Former India head coach Igor Stimac. (AFP)

Football

Updated on Jun 24, 2024 09:59 PM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar

Kante: French hero back in business

Deschamps’ punt on midfielder vindicated in successive MoM performances

Football

Published on Jun 23, 2024 12:31 PM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar, Kolkata

Euro 2024: Bernardo Silva runs the show as Portugal subdue Turkey

Goals from Silva and Bruno Fernandes besides an own goal seal progress from Group F with a second win.

Portugal's Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring their first goal.(REUTERS)

Football

Updated on Jun 28, 2024 11:27 AM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar

No Mbappe, no goal but not panic stations either for France

The first 0-0 draw of the European championship came in the 21st game of the competition

Football

Published on Jun 22, 2024 04:38 PM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar

Another Shaqiri spectacular at a major

The Swiss veteran’s justifies coach Yakin’s faith in him with stunning equaliser in 1-1 draw against Scotland.

Football

Published on Jun 20, 2024 07:48 PM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar

Own goal and equaliser for Albania’s Gjasula

After 2-2 draw, Croatia are at the bottom of their group

Albania players celebrate after teammate Albania's Klaus Gjasula scored their side's second goal during a Group B match between Croatia and Albania at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Hamburg, Germany, Wednesday(AP)

Football

Updated on Jun 19, 2024 11:04 PM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar, Kolkata

Why Igor Stimac’s ouster could put AIFF on backfoot

Former federation official and executive committee member question the procedure of dismissal

Football

Published on Jun 19, 2024 08:43 PM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar, Kolkata

Will sue AIFF if not paid in full in 10 days: Igor Stimac

In his reply to AIFF, the Croat has said his termination was in violation of FIFA regulations

India coach Igor Stimac reacts (REUTERS)

Football

Published on Jun 18, 2024 08:58 PM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar, Kolkata

AIFF sacks Igor Stimac as India head coach after disappointing WC qualifiers

Federation offers three months’ salary as severance pay. Stimac likely to respond through lawyer.

India coach Igor Stimac reacts during a match(REUTERS)

Football

Updated on Jun 17, 2024 11:11 PM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar, New Delhi

European championship: Look back in wonder

As Euro 2024 kicks off, we look at five moments that have stayed with us from previous editions

A giant ball of the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 European Football Championship.(AFP)

Sports

Published on Jun 14, 2024 08:29 AM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar

Euro Championships 2024: Amid strife, football for togetherness

As Europe grapples with conflicts, football, Philipp Lahm says, could “illustrate our democratic values”

Football

Published on Jun 13, 2024 08:44 PM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar

If Igor Stimac is sacked, AIFF could have to pay $3,60,000 as compensation

On contract till June 2026, AIFF could have to pay $3,60,000 as compensation if it removes Igor Stimac. The India head coach is unlikely to step down.

Sunil Chhetri being hugged by coach Igor Stimac on his farewell match(PTI)

Football

Updated on Jun 13, 2024 11:34 AM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar

Stimac unlikely to step down

On contract till June 2026, AIFF could have to pay $36,000 as compensation if it removes the India head coach

Football

Published on Jun 13, 2024 12:46 AM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar

Referee’s howler costs India in 1-2 defeat to Qatar

India seemed on course to a historic third round spot in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers till the shocking 73rd minute decision in Doha

India's Mehtab Singh looks dejected after the match(REUTERS)

Football

Published on Jun 12, 2024 12:03 AM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar, Kolkata

Sunil Chhetri-less India face Qatar in crucial WC qualifier

Igor Stimac says he is surprised that the other group game, between Kuwait and Afghanistan, kicks off two hours later.

Football

Published on Jun 11, 2024 12:00 AM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar

So long and farewell Sunil Chhetri

The 0-0 draw against Kuwait meant the ending wasn’t perfect for India and their captain

Sunil Chhetri acknowledges the crowd after India's 0-0 draw against Kuwait(HT/Samir Jana)

Football

Published on Jun 06, 2024 10:45 PM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar, Kolkata

Kishore Kumar, Kabini, and the importance of being Sunil Chhetri

Kabini, around 200km from Bengaluru, is a getaway and Chhetri could now have a little more time in trying to spot the black panther that has eluded him so far.

Indian football captain and forward #11 Sunil Chhetri. (AFP File Photo)

Sports

Updated on Jun 06, 2024 08:52 AM IST

ht_print | ByDhiman Sarkar

Sunil Chhetri’s retirement: A farewell where India could make history

Progressing to the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers will be the biggest achievement of my career, says Stimac.

India's captain Sunil Chhetri (L) speaks with coach Igor Stimac during a practice session(AFP)

Football

Published on Jun 05, 2024 08:50 PM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar, Kolkata

Goalkeepers’ form could be a worry in India's World Cup qualifier vs Kuwait

Experience and size makes Gurpreet Singh Sandhu most likely to start but he hasn’t had a good season.

Preparations for Sunil Chhetri’s final match for India are on track(AIFF)

Football

Published on Jun 04, 2024 08:10 PM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar, Kolkata

Know how special this match is for India: Midfielder Sahal Samad

After a season blighted by injuries, attacking midfielder says he is back to 100% ahead of Thursday’s game against Kuwait

Football

Published on Jun 03, 2024 11:27 PM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar, Kolkata

Champions League: Carvajal scores a point for Castilla in Real's 15th triumph

Including skipper Nacho, four players in the squad that beat Borussia Dortmund in the final were from the 2011-12 development team.

Football

Updated on Jun 03, 2024 09:13 AM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar, Kolkata

Jadon Sancho’s chance to redeem season and ghosts of Wembley

Frozen at Manchester United, he has flourished at Dortmund and can play the Champions League final t a venue where he missed a penalty in the final of the Euros

By joining Dortmund instead of staying on at Manchester City, whose academy he had joined from Watford, like his England teammate Phil Foden, Sancho had even become a trendsetter of sorts.(AFP)

Football

Updated on Jun 01, 2024 05:40 AM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar

Champions League final: Whatever happens at Wembley, Kroos going out at his peak

He is one of the reasons why Real are in the Champions League final and only four players at the club have more minutes this season.

Real Madrid's German midfielder #08 Toni Kroos gestures as he attends a training session at the Santiago Bernabeu(AFP)

Football

Published on May 30, 2024 08:57 PM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar, Kolkata

IPL 2024: Shreyas Iyer's Knights shine a light on Kolkata

The city may not be a lot of things but its football clubs have dominated the last Indian season before its IPL team topped the best T20 tournament.

Kolkata Knight Riders' captain Shreyas Iyer along with teammates celebrate as they lift the Indian Premier League 2024 trophy
(ANI)

Cricket

Updated on May 27, 2024 11:39 PM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar, Kolkata

Not at their best but Manchester City still good enough to make history

3-1 win against West Ham makes City the first team to win fourth successive Premier League titles

Manchester City's Phil Foden celebrates scoring their second goal with Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias (REUTERS)

Football

Published on May 19, 2024 11:13 PM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar

Chhetri Exclusive: The mind says right decision, kid in me says, ‘one more game’

India need to look beyond me and if we win against Kuwait, the next striker can learn against quality teams, says the skipper on his international retirement.

Football

Updated on May 17, 2024 09:14 AM IST

ByDhiman Sarkar

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Dhiman Sarkar

Dhiman Sarkar is based in Kolkata and has been a sport journalist for over three decades. He writes mainly on football.

Georgia's historic win over Portugal in Euros underscores the tournament's surprise element. Austria impresses without key players. Knockout rounds await.

Ianis Hagi, son of legend Gheorghe, plays a key role in a 1-1 draw that sends his team and Slovakia into the knockouts

Listless and shackled, they topped the group after the 0-0 draw against Slovenia but are hardly playing like one of the favourites

After a heartbreak in Euro 2024, Luka Modric, the oldest scorer in the championship, hints at retiring soon. Croatia's fate hangs in the balance.

Federation says players concerned by coaching style and tactics; FIFA will have final verdict, the Croat reacts to statement

Deschamps’ punt on midfielder vindicated in successive MoM performances

Goals from Silva and Bruno Fernandes besides an own goal seal progress from Group F with a second win.

The first 0-0 draw of the European championship came in the 21st game of the competition

The Swiss veteran’s justifies coach Yakin’s faith in him with stunning equaliser in 1-1 draw against Scotland.

After 2-2 draw, Croatia are at the bottom of their group

Former federation official and executive committee member question the procedure of dismissal

In his reply to AIFF, the Croat has said his termination was in violation of FIFA regulations

Federation offers three months’ salary as severance pay. Stimac likely to respond through lawyer.

As Euro 2024 kicks off, we look at five moments that have stayed with us from previous editions

As Europe grapples with conflicts, football, Philipp Lahm says, could “illustrate our democratic values”

On contract till June 2026, AIFF could have to pay $3,60,000 as compensation if it removes Igor Stimac. The India head coach is unlikely to step down.

On contract till June 2026, AIFF could have to pay $36,000 as compensation if it removes the India head coach

India seemed on course to a historic third round spot in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers till the shocking 73rd minute decision in Doha

Igor Stimac says he is surprised that the other group game, between Kuwait and Afghanistan, kicks off two hours later.

The 0-0 draw against Kuwait meant the ending wasn’t perfect for India and their captain

Kabini, around 200km from Bengaluru, is a getaway and Chhetri could now have a little more time in trying to spot the black panther that has eluded him so far.

Progressing to the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers will be the biggest achievement of my career, says Stimac.

Experience and size makes Gurpreet Singh Sandhu most likely to start but he hasn’t had a good season.

After a season blighted by injuries, attacking midfielder says he is back to 100% ahead of Thursday’s game against Kuwait

Including skipper Nacho, four players in the squad that beat Borussia Dortmund in the final were from the 2011-12 development team.

Frozen at Manchester United, he has flourished at Dortmund and can play the Champions League final t a venue where he missed a penalty in the final of the Euros

He is one of the reasons why Real are in the Champions League final and only four players at the club have more minutes this season.

The city may not be a lot of things but its football clubs have dominated the last Indian season before its IPL team topped the best T20 tournament.

3-1 win against West Ham makes City the first team to win fourth successive Premier League titles

India need to look beyond me and if we win against Kuwait, the next striker can learn against quality teams, says the skipper on his international retirement.

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