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ISL 2025-26: Upbeat East Bengal gears up for Bengaluru test  East Bengal FC will look to continue its winning momentum when it hosts a strong Bengaluru FC in an ISL-12 fixture at the Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday.East Bengal heads into the contest high on confidence after a convincing 3-1 away win over Chennaiyin FC. The Kolkata giant will aim to build on that performance and secure another positive result at home to bolster its title chances.Meanwhile, Bengaluru FC will be eager to bounce back after suffering a defeat to Kerala Blasters FC in its previous outing. That loss halted its recent progress, and the team will now be targeting crucial points to get back in the championship race.Both sides are currently level on 14 points, but East Bengal holds a slight edge in fourth place due to a superior goal difference. Bengaluru, having played one match more (eight compared to East Bengal’s seven), faces added pressure to deliver in this encounter.East Bengal head coach Oscar Bruzon expressed confidence in his team’s current form, stating that they are performing well across all key parameters.“We are where we want to be. I think the season so far has been very positive. The numbers, metrics, and all the parameters we evaluate are encouraging. We are the team scoring the most goals and also the side conceding the fewest,” Bruzon said, reflecting on his team’s strong response winning two successive matches after a phase that included a defeat and two draws. “It is a game that we can win and consolidate our position at the top of the table,” he added.East Bengal FC will miss the services of an injured Naorem Mahesh Singh in attack. The Red and Gold Brigade will now need to find the right replacement to retain the edge in the creative zone, an area where Mahesh has been crucial with his incisive runs down the wings.A major boost for Bengaluru FC comes from the availability of Argentine playmaker Braian Sanchez, whose suspension was revoked after the All India Football Federation disciplinary committee downgraded his red card (that he collected against Blasters) to a yellow. His presence could prove crucial in midfield as Bengaluru looks to go full steam for the maximum quota of points.“It should be an attractive contest. It will come down to who controls possession better, who creates more chances, and most importantly, who takes those chances and scores. Playing away, it is important for us to stay solid at the back, but we also need to be proactive, create opportunities and try to score goals. We have to remain compact and competitive throughout the game,” Bengaluru head coach Pep Munoz said ahead of the crucial encounter.Published on Apr 15, 2026  #ISL #Upbeat #East #Bengal #gears #Bengaluru #test

ISL 2025-26: Upbeat East Bengal gears up for Bengaluru test

East Bengal FC will look to continue its winning momentum when it hosts a strong Bengaluru FC in an ISL-12 fixture at the Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday.

East Bengal heads into the contest high on confidence after a convincing 3-1 away win over Chennaiyin FC. The Kolkata giant will aim to build on that performance and secure another positive result at home to bolster its title chances.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru FC will be eager to bounce back after suffering a defeat to Kerala Blasters FC in its previous outing. That loss halted its recent progress, and the team will now be targeting crucial points to get back in the championship race.

Both sides are currently level on 14 points, but East Bengal holds a slight edge in fourth place due to a superior goal difference. Bengaluru, having played one match more (eight compared to East Bengal’s seven), faces added pressure to deliver in this encounter.

East Bengal head coach Oscar Bruzon expressed confidence in his team’s current form, stating that they are performing well across all key parameters.“We are where we want to be. I think the season so far has been very positive. The numbers, metrics, and all the parameters we evaluate are encouraging. We are the team scoring the most goals and also the side conceding the fewest,” Bruzon said, reflecting on his team’s strong response winning two successive matches after a phase that included a defeat and two draws. “It is a game that we can win and consolidate our position at the top of the table,” he added.

East Bengal FC will miss the services of an injured Naorem Mahesh Singh in attack. The Red and Gold Brigade will now need to find the right replacement to retain the edge in the creative zone, an area where Mahesh has been crucial with his incisive runs down the wings.

A major boost for Bengaluru FC comes from the availability of Argentine playmaker Braian Sanchez, whose suspension was revoked after the All India Football Federation disciplinary committee downgraded his red card (that he collected against Blasters) to a yellow. His presence could prove crucial in midfield as Bengaluru looks to go full steam for the maximum quota of points.

“It should be an attractive contest. It will come down to who controls possession better, who creates more chances, and most importantly, who takes those chances and scores. Playing away, it is important for us to stay solid at the back, but we also need to be proactive, create opportunities and try to score goals. We have to remain compact and competitive throughout the game,” Bengaluru head coach Pep Munoz said ahead of the crucial encounter.

Published on Apr 15, 2026

#ISL #Upbeat #East #Bengal #gears #Bengaluru #test

East Bengal FC will look to continue its winning momentum when it hosts a strong Bengaluru FC in an ISL-12 fixture at the Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday.

East Bengal heads into the contest high on confidence after a convincing 3-1 away win over Chennaiyin FC. The Kolkata giant will aim to build on that performance and secure another positive result at home to bolster its title chances.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru FC will be eager to bounce back after suffering a defeat to Kerala Blasters FC in its previous outing. That loss halted its recent progress, and the team will now be targeting crucial points to get back in the championship race.

Both sides are currently level on 14 points, but East Bengal holds a slight edge in fourth place due to a superior goal difference. Bengaluru, having played one match more (eight compared to East Bengal’s seven), faces added pressure to deliver in this encounter.

East Bengal head coach Oscar Bruzon expressed confidence in his team’s current form, stating that they are performing well across all key parameters.“We are where we want to be. I think the season so far has been very positive. The numbers, metrics, and all the parameters we evaluate are encouraging. We are the team scoring the most goals and also the side conceding the fewest,” Bruzon said, reflecting on his team’s strong response winning two successive matches after a phase that included a defeat and two draws. “It is a game that we can win and consolidate our position at the top of the table,” he added.

East Bengal FC will miss the services of an injured Naorem Mahesh Singh in attack. The Red and Gold Brigade will now need to find the right replacement to retain the edge in the creative zone, an area where Mahesh has been crucial with his incisive runs down the wings.

A major boost for Bengaluru FC comes from the availability of Argentine playmaker Braian Sanchez, whose suspension was revoked after the All India Football Federation disciplinary committee downgraded his red card (that he collected against Blasters) to a yellow. His presence could prove crucial in midfield as Bengaluru looks to go full steam for the maximum quota of points.

“It should be an attractive contest. It will come down to who controls possession better, who creates more chances, and most importantly, who takes those chances and scores. Playing away, it is important for us to stay solid at the back, but we also need to be proactive, create opportunities and try to score goals. We have to remain compact and competitive throughout the game,” Bengaluru head coach Pep Munoz said ahead of the crucial encounter.

Published on Apr 15, 2026

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#ISL #Upbeat #East #Bengal #gears #Bengaluru #test

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making  When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.  #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8  Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026  #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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