Football

Genoa were held to a controversial 1-1 draw by visiting Empoli on Monday in the first match since the port city was hit by devastating floods.

A week and just first round of matches to analyse, but the spotlight in the inaugural season of the ISL is for the moment decisively on early leaders Atletico de Kolkata.

Sturridge has been unavailable since early September with a thigh injury picked up on international duty, but is close to making a return.

Balotelli admits he is struggling to adapt to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers' tactics as he seeks to open his Premier League account for his new club.

Initial games have resulted in crowds of large numbers in both Kolkata and Guwahati, and If the ISL can play its cards right, we may see a new face to Indian football.

Ronaldo scored in a tense match in Copenhagen, heading home in the fourth minute of stoppage time following a cross from the right by Ricardo Quaresma.

"I tinkered with the lineup today as I wanted to see how we played without a striker in the second half," Dunga said.

"For me, we have the best team. We have a squad full of professionals so I am confident about our chances", Materazz said.

Barcelona are looking to bounce back after a disappointing campaign in which all the major trophies eluded them.

"I think it's fair to say the better team won on the day. They passed better than us", says Peter Reid.

Courtois has defended the Premier League leader's handling of the head injury he suffered during last weekend's 2-0 league victory over Arsenal.

Poland struck twice on the break to stun wasteful World Cup winners Germany 2-0, earning their first ever win over their illustrious neighbours.

All the eight franchises have been allotted one-minute slot each to showcase their traditional songs and dance at the glittering opening ceremony.

ISL will kick off on Sunday aiming to give a fresh lease of life to the global sport in a country which has been called a "sleeping giant" by FIFA.

The Netherlands grabbed two late goals to snatch a 3-1 home victory over 10-man Kazakhstan having trailed until just past the hour mark in their Euro 2016 qualifier.

According to insiders, the ISL's founding chairperson Nita Ambani will be accompanied by Mumbai co-owner Bimal Parekh and will do a final recce of Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan.