Orange alert as rain leaves Gurugram waterlogged; disrupts traffic The Sector 52A market was among the most affected areas, with visuals showing commuters wading through knee-deep water Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 14:14:38 IST By Sampurna Panigrahi, Mihika Shah
‘Buy buy buy!’: Foreign tourist reacts to duty-free shopping after Delhi immigration A foreign tourist has posted a video of his Delhi airport experience, questioning the shopping pitches he encountered just after immigration. Published on: Aug 24, 2026
India security chief visits China for border talks India security chief visits China for border talks Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 14:06:38 IST AFP Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link India's top security official arrived in Beijing on Monday for talks on the countries' disputed Himalayan border
Twenty-one former international cricket captains, including India’s Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Dilip Vengsarkar, on Sunday urged Pakistan to ensure that former Prime Minister Imran Khan is examined by a medical board, as directed by the country’s Supreme Court, The Hindu reported
A 25-year-old entrepreneur with a net worth of around ₹4.35 crore has turned to Reddit for advice after a sharp decline in the business that helped him build his fortune. Despite his wealth, he says he is now unsure about what to do next and feels “completely lost
Not a chief guests, celebrity or VIP, but a humanoid robot stole the spotlight at a sandwich shop inauguration. A video from the celebratory event has gone viral, where the robot was seen arriving at the venue with bodyguards. It then proceeded to greet guests and even broke into a dance
‘Jo bhi hai, tera ghar hai’: American compares Indian and US hospitality An American Hindi speaker’s take on Indian hospitality has viewers discussing the differences between socialising in India and the US. Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 13:31:09 IST By Vaishali Kapila Prefer HTon Google Share
Manipur: 1 CRPF personnel injured, 2 houses burnt by unknown armed individuals The gunfight broke out after two houses belonging to separate communities were set ablaze by an unidentified group of people Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 13:49:38 IST By Thomas Ngangom
HT Kick Off: AFC Women’s Asian Cup: A chastening experience
HT Kick Off: AFC Women’s Asian Cup: A chastening experience
HT Kick Off: AFC Women’s Asian Cup: A chastening experience
Published on: Mar 13, 2026 8:00 AM IST By Dhiman Sarkar Share via Copy link Chinese Taipei’s Su Yu-Hsuan’s expression says everything you wanted to know about the wonder goal Manisha Kalyan (left) scored in Sydeny on Tuesday. (AFP)Anything else would have been unrealistic for the first-time qualifiers, AIFF’s praiseworthy attempts at last-minute preparation notwithstanding.
And with that the dream ended, gradually and then suddenly. As the lowest ranked team in the group – and the third lowest of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup – aspiring for a World Cup berth after qualifying for the first time meant India had to be at their best and hope that Vietnam and Chinese Taipei play below potential. Neither happened to the extent that it would keep India among the quarter-finalists.Chanu, Sweety Devi and the other bravehearts
India were brave with goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu Elangbam, one of the eight from IWL champions East Bengal in the squad, leading from the back. She calmed nerves against Vietnam, commanded her area and was excellent in one-on-one situations. Against Chinese Taipei, she won two such duels and it was because she had left her line, Vietnam’s Nguyen Nha could not score. Elangbam’s club mate and India captain Sweety Devi also showed tremendous courage under pressure. Playing with protection on her knees, the central defender looked visibly uncomfortable especially late in games but it took a severe collision with Elangbam to get her off the pitch. Manisha Kalyan used her strength and size well and scored a goal that will be remembered long after this tournament is won and lost. Watch video here. The Vietnam goalie and Indian fans are unlikely to forget Sanfida Nongrum’s lob either. Even though they played three matches in six days at a significantly higher level that required them to chase the ball, India ran hard and looked fit. Before the tournament, a member of the team staff had told me that the strength and conditioning coach Amelia Valverde brought has done a good job. It showed.Struggle in all areas of the pitch
But if fitness and bravery alone won football matches, it would be a sport for soldiers and ultra-marathoners. The gilded level of Japan was well known – with a club team, assistant-coach Crispin Chhetri had lost by 17 goals. But even in the other matches, India struggled to create from open play. Partly because Kalyan was alright with the ball on her feet but didn’t have enough passing options. The high line sprang the off-side trap but deliveries behind the defence led to two of the five goals India shipped against Vietnam and Chinese Taipei. India tried being compact in the middle but all three teams managed to break their lines and misfortune always seemed like it was around the corner. The speed of Pyari Xaxa, Soumya Guguloth and Rimpa Haldar troubled Vietnam and Chinese Taipei but not their ability to find players in the box. India tried hitting on the break but the passes were rushed leading to possession being lost easily. And they could rarely bring the ball out from the back. India head coach Amelia Valverde gives instructions against Chinese Taipei. (AIFF)Will Valverde stay?
Of course, the performance of the national team is a function of the standard of its top league. A severely cash-strapped All India Football Federation (AIFF) tried to bridge the gap by funding an exposure trip to Turkiye before India became the first to reach Australia. But not playing against international teams in the preparation may have hurt. An international tournament India were supposed to take part in Turkiye being deferred was cited as the reason. Visa problems had led to an exposure trip being cancelled last year. The build-up after qualifying last July was also inadequate. The only international teams India played between then and the Asian Cup were against Iran and Nepal. And lost to both. AIFF also got a coach with World Cup experience but Amelia Valverde’s true test will be if she is asked to stay as is likely. That said, some substitutions looked surprising. Why change Guguloth for Haldar against Chinese Taipei? Was she not fit to last the full match? If so, then would she have made a bigger impact as a substitute? Why remove Shilky Devi and not Sangita Basfore, who had an ordinary tournament, in the last match? Why not try Sushmita Lepcha? Also, if players look confused about their roles, shouldn't it be on the coaching staff? Were there enough conversations, especially because the head coach was new? Such campaigns usually mark the end of a cycle. The good thing for India is that most of the players should be around for the next Olympics and Asian Cup qualifiers. A rebuilding is not needed but building on this certainly is. Wiser for the experience, India should make qualification the minimum requirement. They showed that the gap with Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Vietnam is not vast. Now, AIFF and the players need to work on trying to bridge it. It will require the usual stuff: coaching stability, a detailed programme for the national team, using all the international breaks preferably for matches against higher-ranked teams, and resuming the home-and-away format in IWL. Most importantly, it will require the will to change things beyond last-gasp measures.Six from Iran squad stay back
The group stage ended with Australia granting asylum to six women from the Iran squad that had been criticised back home for not singing the national anthem in their first match (they did in the next two). Australian officials reached out to the team and, after frantic efforts inside the airport terminal where each woman was taken aside to meet alone with officials who explained through interpreters that they could choose not to return to Iran, six decided not to return home. A seventh had initially agreed but changed her mind, an AP report said. An Iranian official rejected suggestions that the women weren’t safe to go home. “Iran welcomes its children with open arms and the government guarantees their security,” Iranian first vice-president Mohammad Reza Aref has said. “No one has the right to interfere in the family affairs of the Iranian nation and play the role of a nanny who is kinder than a mother.”Play of the week
Made by Prijit Sashidharan Sports Football Game Aiff Afc Asian Cup Women Pitch Goal Match Tournament Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Durand Cup Final Live. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series. News / Sports / Football / HT Kick Off: AFC Women’s Asian Cup: A Chastening Experience See LessAnd with that the dream ended, gradually and then suddenly. As the lowest ranked team in the group – and the third lowest of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup – aspiring for a World Cup berth after qualifying for the first time meant India had to be at their best and hope that Vietnam and Chinese Taipei play below potential. Neither happened to the extent that it would keep India among the quarter-finalists.
Elangbam’s club mate and India captain Sweety Devi also showed tremendous courage under pressure. Playing with protection on her knees, the central defender looked visibly uncomfortable especially late in games but it took a severe collision with Elangbam to get her off the pitch. Manisha Kalyan used her strength and size well and scored a goal that will be remembered long after this tournament is won and lost. Watch video here. The Vietnam goalie and Indian fans are unlikely to forget Sanfida Nongrum’s lob either.
Even though they played three matches in six days at a significantly higher level that required them to chase the ball, India ran hard and looked fit. Before the tournament, a member of the team staff had told me that the strength and conditioning coach Amelia Valverde brought has done a good job. It showed.
The high line sprang the off-side trap but deliveries behind the defence led to two of the five goals India shipped against Vietnam and Chinese Taipei. India tried being compact in the middle but all three teams managed to break their lines and misfortune always seemed like it was around the corner.
The speed of Pyari Xaxa, Soumya Guguloth and Rimpa Haldar troubled Vietnam and Chinese Taipei but not their ability to find players in the box. India tried hitting on the break but the passes were rushed leading to possession being lost easily. And they could rarely bring the ball out from the back.
The build-up after qualifying last July was also inadequate. The only international teams India played between then and the Asian Cup were against Iran and Nepal. And lost to both.
AIFF also got a coach with World Cup experience but Amelia Valverde’s true test will be if she is asked to stay as is likely. That said, some substitutions looked surprising. Why change Guguloth for Haldar against Chinese Taipei? Was she not fit to last the full match? If so, then would she have made a bigger impact as a substitute? Why remove Shilky Devi and not Sangita Basfore, who had an ordinary tournament, in the last match? Why not try Sushmita Lepcha? Also, if players look confused about their roles, shouldn't it be on the coaching staff? Were there enough conversations, especially because the head coach was new?
Such campaigns usually mark the end of a cycle. The good thing for India is that most of the players should be around for the next Olympics and Asian Cup qualifiers. A rebuilding is not needed but building on this certainly is. Wiser for the experience, India should make qualification the minimum requirement. They showed that the gap with Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Vietnam is not vast. Now, AIFF and the players need to work on trying to bridge it.
It will require the usual stuff: coaching stability, a detailed programme for the national team, using all the international breaks preferably for matches against higher-ranked teams, and resuming the home-and-away format in IWL. Most importantly, it will require the will to change things beyond last-gasp measures.
An Iranian official rejected suggestions that the women weren’t safe to go home. “Iran welcomes its children with open arms and the government guarantees their security,” Iranian first vice-president Mohammad Reza Aref has said. “No one has the right to interfere in the family affairs of the Iranian nation and play the role of a nanny who is kinder than a mother.”
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: Football,Sports,Game,Goal,AIFF,AFC Women’s Asian Cup
No need to panic over H1N1 surge in K'taka: Minister Khader No need to panic over H1N1 surge in K'taka: Minister Khader Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 13:51:09 IST PTI Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Bengaluru, Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader on Monday assured the public that there was no
8 hours ago
‘You endorse misogyny, cut the crap’: Shehzad Poonawalla joins BJP attack on Rahul Gandhi's ‘smash patriarchy’ call Shehzad Poonawalla and BJP were responding to Rahul Gandhi's call to "smash the patriarchy" during his party's 'Chhatro ki Goonj' programme in Pune. Updated on: Aug 24, 2026
11 hours ago
For Delhi-NCR residents, Guleria struck a reassuring note while explaining why this year’s wave has felt worse, but citizens need not panic The H1N1 virus driving Delhi-NCR’s current flu surge appears to be changing its structure — a process that is making it spread faster and slip past the
11 hours ago
A job applicant’s unusual rejection from a software engineering internship has left the internet divided after the candidate was reportedly turned down over the name of their resume file. The incident was highlighted in a now-viral post on X by user @adnaannasir_
11 hours ago
Elderly woman killed, husband injured in SUV hit-and-run at Delhi's posh GK-1 The woman, identified as Shashi, was declared brought dead at the hospital, while her husband Kulbhushan (65), was left injured. Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 11:00:26 IST By HT News Desk Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy
11 hours ago
Woman reflects on high-rise living in big cities: ‘Even the slice of the sky is fixed for us’ A woman shared her thoughts on high-rise life, saying big-city living can feel confined despite better work opportunities. Published on: Aug 24, 2026
11 hours ago
Governor Abdullah Sarhadi gives money to treat a boy's broken arm and hands out funds for a local mosque - then, in his office in northern Afghanistan, an astonishing exchange unfolds. A young woman tells the grey-bearded former Taliban commander that she wants to divorce her husband
11 hours ago
Andy Burnham is marking his first foreign visit as prime minister with a trip to Kyiv - and will hand over blueprints so Ukraine can build its own long-range missiles. The prime minister will chair his first meeting of the "coalition of the willing"
11 hours ago
Apple’s next iPhone launch is getting closer, and the company’s usual September schedule is beginning to take shape. According to a recent Forbes report, Apple could hold its special event on Wednesday, September 9, where it is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
11 hours ago
Fugitive gangster Goldy Brar has, in an audio clip, purportedly claimed responsibility for the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, The Indian Express reported. The newspaper said it could not independently verify the authenticity of the audio clip
11 hours ago
Dad crashes daughter’s late-night work meeting over parcels: ‘Ek paise ki saving nahi karti’ A father’s surprise appearance during his daughter’s work call turns into a lecture on spending and saving. Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 10:56:44 IST By Vaishali Kapila Prefer HTon Google Share via
11 hours ago
A Zimbabwean content creator’s tongue-in-cheek take on life in India has caught the attention of social media users after he shared 10 everyday conveniences that have completely changed his standard of living. From paying for almost everything with just a phone to having food
11 hours ago
Starting September 1, passengers traveling internationally will be required to use an e-boarding pass on their smartphones for immigration clearance, as announced by immigration authorities. This significant change comes as the Bureau of Immigration (BOI)
14 hours ago
The September 2026 US Visa Bulletin brings a mixed picture for Indian green card applicants. While some family-sponsored categories have moved forward, several employment-based categories remain severely constrained, with two India-specific categories listed as unavailable and the State Department
14 hours ago
The Maharashtra Transport Department has issued notices to 777 drivers for lacking practical knowledge of Marathi, The Hindu quoted unidentified officials as saying on Saturday. A total of 5,211 drivers were tested during a statewide inspection campaign that began on August 20, including 3
14 hours ago
19-year-old killed, friend injured after truck hits motorcycle on Delhi's Indraprastha flyover A police team reached the spot and found a motorcycle lying in a damaged condition and two people seriously injured. One of them died in the hospital. Updated on: Aug 24, 2026
14 hours ago
Indian woman reveals why her family returned to India after 13 years in US: ‘You don’t really belong here’ A woman shared five reasons her family decided to leave the US and return to India after 13 years. Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 07:43:56 IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Prefer HTon Google
14 hours ago
New UK PM Andy Burnham to make visit to Kyiv on Monday: office New UK PM Andy Burnham to make visit to Kyiv on Monday: office Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 07:41:28 IST AFP Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will visit Kyiv on Monday on his first international
14 hours ago
Bengaluru vs Gurgaon? Man who lived in both cities explains why the comparison is ‘completely pointless’ A man said the Bengaluru versus Gurgaon debate was pointless and urged people to live in both cities before deciding. Published on: Aug 24, 2026
14 hours ago
Circle Wealth CIO and Managing Partner Chadha said the market was rewarding companies with strong earnings and improving outlooks, even as large-cap stocks remained under pressure. Diwali season is expected to bring a fresh boost for Indian equities following strong corporate earnings
14 hours ago
The restriction was imposed under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which governs the import, manufacture, distribution, and sale of drugs and cosmetics. The central government on Saturday restricted the manufacturing, sale and distribution of all fixed-dose combinations (FDCs)
14 hours ago
Ukraine backers gather as war escalates, air defence runs low Ukraine backers gather as war escalates, air defence runs low Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 07:41:29 IST AFP Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Ukraine on Monday hosts a meeting of its key European backers to press for critical
14 hours ago
'Trouble proving citizenship after representing India in 3 countries': Ex-envoy to ECI over Punjab SIR Suri served as India’s ambassador to the UAE and Egypt and high commissioner to Australia. Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 07:34:33 IST By HT Correspondent Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link
14 hours ago
2 killed after illegal building in Hyderabad's Gachibowli caves in Officials alleged that the building was built over or adjacent to a drain without the required permissions. Published on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:41:02 IST By Srinivasa Rao Apparasu Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link At least two
1 days ago
J'khand: Compensation of ₹31 lakh each given to families of 3 engineers burnt alive at steel plant J'khand: Compensation of ₹31 lakh each given to families of 3 engineers burnt alive at steel plant Published on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:43:04 IST PTI Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Ramgarh
1 days ago
Jaiñtia Hills to the G7: Can Meghalaya turn ‘Lakadong’ into a global brand? The high-curcumin turmeric has gone from an obscure hill crop to a GI-tagged premium product showcased before world leaders. Updated on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:48:20 IST By David Laitphlang
1 days ago
Ex-NRI shares why she takes auto for 1 km ride to gym after moving to India: 'Life here is a compromise' The woman shared that she has to walk through an area where "everybody stares", while the pathway is "ubad-khabad", dirty and encroached. Updated on: Aug 23, 2026
1 days ago
