The Indian men’s hockey team Rajgir, Bihar, is back in action after a gap of two months for all important Asia Cups, which begins on 29 August.

Harmanpreet Singh and Sah. After finishing a very difficult campaign in the FIH Pro League, especially in the European leg, where he lost seven of the eight matches and finished second from below.

Since then, head coach Craig Fulton and his team were involved in a deep two -week camp based on their home in Bangalore before going to Australia to play some games to prepare for the Asia Cup.

Teams and format

Eight teams are playing in the tournament.

Pool A: India, China, Japan and Kazakhstan.

Pool B: Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia and South Korea.

Each team will play their pool opponents once and qualify for the top two super 4s from both pools.

Super 4s will once again have a round robin format and the top two will take it in the final and play two third and fourth positions below.

India’s Program:

August 29: India vs China at 3 pm.

August 31: Japan vs India at 3 pm.

1 September: India vs Kazakhstan at 7:30 pm.

The Super 4S starts from 3 September. The final and third and fourth place match is scheduled for 7 September.

What happened to Pakistan?

Pakistan refused to travel to India for the tournament, and was replaced by Bangladesh. Oman is another country that did not make it India and was replaced by Kazakhstan.

The teams who recall their opportunity to make it in the World Cup through the continental tournament, next year the qualifications including 16 teams will be part of the tournament. Each tournament will feature eight teams and the top three and highest ranked team from each, which ends in fourth place from each event, which will make it in the World Cup.

India’s squad for Asia Cup

Goalkeeper: Krishna B. Pathak, Suraj Karekera.

Guards: Sumit, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh.

Midfielder: Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad.

Ahead: Mandeep Singh, Shilanand Laxma, Abhishek, Sukhjit Singh, Dilpreet Singh.

Alternative athlete: Neelam Sanjip Xess, Selvam Karthi.

Big picture

Despite a disappointing outing for most players in the Pro League, Fulton has chosen an attempt and reliable squad for the Asia Cup. Senior players like Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Krishna Pathak and Amit Rohidas had some question marks, which were not in their best performance in the last big matches, but Fulton is not ready to make big changes. This makes sense because it is an important tournament with World Cup qualification on the line.

There is no denying that senior players need to be improved. Forward Mandip and Dilpreet have to step into pressure conditions and count their possibility. Sukhjit Singh and Shilanand Laxma had their moments, but stability is an issue. Only Abhishek D has been a reliable threat and is a consistent scorer of field balls.

“We are not so good in proficiency in the case of counter-harael. We win and go, but do not get lots of results. We are trying to improve his strategic side. Therefore, it is also personnel, it is also a combination, it is also technical, but mainly it is technical, but mainly it is to make decisions. We want to take better decisions”

“As long as you are looking at more than two options, as you eventually you need three, you make the best decisions.”

The decision making aspect was an issue in the Pro League where more often, the players saw the ball before the ideas. This is related to this because players have a lot of international experiences in the same set and most of them were involved in the Paris Olympic bronze medalist campaign.

It is understandable that taking a decision is a problem in a young squad that has less experience of playing big matches, but this is not the case with this Indian team. So far, the Flton is not ready to make changes in the context of the personnel, which means that he is not giving to his senior players and hoping that the issue will be corrected in the Asia Cup.

Another issue was the form of goalkeepers, especially Krishna Pathak. He was expected to act as a senior goalkeeper post, which is with the retirement of PR Sreejesh, but has been struggling with his form since the beginning of the year. Fulton blamed himself as he cited ‘lack of goalkeeping coaching’ on his behalf and said that he had worked hard to improve the training camp.

Teams in the Asia Cup are not in the same class of European or Australia, but they can cause serious damage. The next best teams after India are Malaysia and South Korea and both are out of the top ten. India is much better in all departments, but the important thing to keep in mind is that only one winner can make it in the World Cup. In large pressure games, the sides are also excluded most often. India has performed well in the knockout tournament like the Asian Games and Olympic Games, and they will watch to do the same in Rajgir. If they fail, there will be another chance for the World Cup, but it will cause great damage to the players’ morale, and the pressure on Fulton will increase.

Yosha Iglesias on Podium after winning the French National Chess title. (Image: French Chess Federation/Chess.com)

37 -year -old Yosha Iglessius has become the French woman chess champion, which makes history as the second transgender player to win the National Chess title. Iglessius, who finished seventh at the 16-Khiladi knockout event in Vichi, France, won the final match by defeating women’s grand master Mitra Hedgezipore 1.5–0.5.5.Iglesias made progress through the tournament by defeating WGM Maria Nepina-Lacate 3.5-2.5, IM Polyn Guicard 1.5–0.5, and Im Anastasia Savina 1.5–0.5 in the semi-finals. During the quarter-finals against Guicard, Iglessius played what she considers the best game of her career.“Nothing makes me happy than knowing my title, it can show young Trans people not to choose between chess and infection. I do not want them to suffer like I had done during many years, I felt that I would have to reject my trans identity to continue playing the game I love. ,Iglessius follows the animery meer, who won the German Women’s Chess Championship in 2003, which was the second transgender athlete to win the National Chess title. Meer, who no longer play actively, shared his support for Iglessius.“It is a worldwide signal for our generalization, for our generalization, a worldwide signal for the visibility and acceptance of our trans women, a empowerment that reduces our doubts about our right to existence. I want the public dialogue about trans women in chess and in sports without any fear, and especially without hatred, with respect from all sides.”

Yosha Iglesius during the French National Chess Competition. (Image: French Chess Federation/Chess.com)

Since its infection in 2021, Iglessius has advocated for women and trans rights within the chess community. She faced a dispute in 2023 when FID imposed a policy of banning only transgenders from official women to pending further analysis from official women.Iglessius has faced online harassment after its success. He addressed this challenge through social media, thanked his oppressors for helping to create his mental strength.“At the beginning of my infection, I knew that I would be very hated. I decided to give it a chance to grow as a person and also as a player in adverse conditions.”The championship final was concluded with a meaningful moment between the final Iglesius and his rival Hedgipore.“When Mitra resigned in the final game, I quit some tears, while Mitra congratulated me. Shortly after, she hugged me with a big smile. It shows how much he is of the best, but also that we share a deep spirit.”After recovering from the upcoming surgery in October, Iglessius plans to pursue the WGM title. She aims to represent France in the Olympic Games or the European Team Championship.“At the age of 37, I will reach my peak rating in the upcoming list. It shows that life is only half-life before the infection, and that the transition enables you to really bloom. I will try to make it for all those years, when I finally accept that I already accept.”

On August 29, 2025, India vs Tajikistan described the beginning of the Khalid Jamil era in Bayana as the senior male national football team launched its 2025 CAFA Rashtra Cup campaign. India is placed in Group B and has been taken at Tajikistan, Iran (1 September) and Afghanistan (4 September) at Hocor Central Stadium in Tajikistan.

What can we expect from Khalid Jamil from India

It is no secret that preparation is less than ideal for Khalid Jamil. For the beginning, the AIFF and its new constitution are Fiysco (with a restriction for a restriction with FIFA and imposes a time limit for obeisance), the fact that many national team players are without salary, the deadlock continues on the Indian super league, and Mohun Bagan has refused to release SG, Self-style ‘National Club of India’. Deepak Tangri, Apuia, Manvir Singh, Subhasish Bose), citing an upcoming AFC Champions League 2 stability next month.

While Jamil is a player from a selection point of view, he is not giving any excuse, saying, “There is no excuse for me. Everyone is working hard. We will play as a team, whoever is available, will optimize with him, and will give new players opportunities to prove themselves and become stars.”

Even if Jamil would have two weeks of training sessions with their group before going to Tajikistan on Friday, many of their players are not match -fits by international standards – even who joined the midway through the Durand Cup. Given the caliber of the opposition in the CAFA Nations Cup, it is difficult to expect much more than getting out of the group stage.

India’s ranking is most likely that a hit (already falling down 133), but these are valuable games for the ground to collect data for their actual work – 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifications. We can expect some hard race and effort from the Indian side, but stopping the game against Afghanistan, India is unlikely to harass its high-rank opponents.

What will India’s initial XI look like?

Without Cath in Squad, it seems to be a dead certified that Gurpreet Singh Sandhu will start in the goal, although Amarinder Singh can also see Gamtime, there is no possibility of starting his India with young Hrithik Tiwari.

Sandesh Jhingan has been started to start in defense of Jamil, in which Anwar Ali and Sana Singh have prepared him to make him a companion. Rahul Bhake should start over Valpuia in Right-Back, while Naorem Roshan Singh should get a node on the left-back on Muhammad Uwais, although the Jamil can rely more on the subsequent defensive trend.

Given the quality of opponents, the Indian coach may opt for a five-man midfield. The two-man protective midfield pivot should find a place for Suresh Singh, but Jamil Nikhil Prabhu can choose a surprise option, which is a partnership, especially giving him the poor look of Jackson Singh. Danish Farooq may not be very strong against Iran and co -choice. The central creative duties of India may be one of Mahesh Singh or Lallinjula Chhangate, there, there is a lack of options and the wing-wave nature of the squad.

There was a late callup for the Jethine MS squad, but finally could get its shot in India’s colors, although Boris Singh and Udant Singh are also options below the right wing. With the efforts of Eshik Kurunian, he can be dropped from above Vikram Partap Singh. To make a call without Sunil Chhatri (although Jamil left the door open for his return), Irfan looks ready to lead the memorial line, although Jamil could be selected for May (not to be confused with his garden name), the coach had further signed for Jamshedpur this season.

�� Head coach Khalid Jamil announced his squad #CAFANATIONSCUP 2025! .#Indianfootball pic.twitter.com/wv7boyuafe

– Indian football team (@indianfootball) August 25, 2025

What is Cafa Nations Cup?

The Central Asia Football Association (CAFA) has a growing group of nations from Central Asia, with some invitations (currently with India and Oman). The opening version was won by Iran in 2023, defending Uzbekistan 1–0 in the final behind a Sardar Azmoon goal. The 2025 version includes Group A co-scientist in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Oman, in Tajikistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Indian Group B.

Who are the opponents of India in Group B?

Tajikistan

FIFA rank: 106 | Coach: Gella Shakeeladez

Host Tajikistan should prove difficult opponents for India, especially since only one win in five in 2008. Tajikistan has since jumped and improved the border, and Peter Segrate has made history with a quarterfinal run in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. While the Croatian coach has left for the pastures of Hariyali, his assistant Gella Shakeelade has continued the good form of Tajikistan, including a win on Timor Laste and a reliable 2-2 draw against the Philippines, which is in its recent 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification campaign. Jamil cut his work against a squad, which would have features in Uzbek and Bulgarian club football, and even represented a drawn result against Tajikistan.

Iran

FIFA rank: 20 | Coach: Amir Garanoi

Defending champions Iran is making a cut over the rest of the teams in the competition, with the next the best team 55 (Uzbekistan). On paper, this tournament should be a cakewalk for them, but the name of an aging squad with coach Amir Ghornoi can be difficult. Mehdi Tarami and Alirza are without stallwarts clubs such as Jahnabhash, but still have a lot of genealogy for India’s choice. Jamil’s team would do well to lose the score, a draw will be a miracle.

Afghanistan

FIFA Rank: 161 | Coach: Vinchezo Anise

During the last two years, it seemed that Afghanistan is immersing several needles in a lifeless Indian Voodoo doll. Under the Igor Stimac, India only won a draw against Ashley Westwood against Afghanistan, resulting in a Croatian departure. Westwood moved to Hong Kong, and scored another win over India, thus established in the departure of Motion Manolo Markets. The newly appointed coach Vinseenzo Anise has another familiar face in hot-seats for Afghanistan who won the I-League with Gokulum Kerala as well as in charge of Northeast United. Anise will be targeted to overturn a poor run of previous year’s results, including losses against Tajikistan, Nepal and Thailand. In the new form of Afghanistan, squads still claim a rescue, which provoked India’s attack, and Jamil cut off its work, yet India’s most ‘winner’ game will be.