It is said that cricket is a religion in India. The popularity of cricket has completely overshadowed other sports in India. Is it fair to blame cricket for current condition of Indian football? In the second and final part of this series, we take a look at how cricket has affected football in India.
Group C of this year’s I-League second division contains clubs from different eras. It includes clubs formed in late 1800s along with those formed in mid-2000s. It also includes only institutional team in this years second division.
The biggest derby in the world is upon us. Two of the most decorated clubs take on each other in this epic battle for not only three points but to also earn the bragging rights. While we eagerly look forward to the legendary encounter, we take a moment to recollect how it all started.
Since taking over as manager of the Azzurri, Cesare Prandelli has steadied the ship and brought in a bit of consistency. TheHardTackle analyzes La Nazionale post the International break.
![Egaro [C] Anandabazar Patrika](http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Egaro-C-Anandabazar-Patrika-90x65.jpg "Egaro [C] Anandabazar Patrika")
As the historic IFA shield draws to a close, it would be a replay of last year’s final. We at THT look at both the teams in the final, their game plan and expected line-ups before the big day.
International action returned to Europe with all the teams facing off against each other in a bid for qualification. All of the big names lived up to their billing as we saw three exciting match days come to an end. Read on to find more.
![India [C] Tribune India](http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/India-C-Tribune-India-90x65.jpg "India [C] Tribune India")
Here is our second installment of the series analyzing the individual performances dished out by the players in India’s recently concluded AFC Challenge Cup qualification campaign. While Part-1 presented TheHardTackle’s views on the Outstanding Performers, Part-2 of the performance report card deals with the other Valuable Contributors.
With Mario Balotelli unfailingly garnering the headlines for the wrong reasons consistently, TheHardTackle tells us how Mancini can control the youngster.
Laurent Blanc seems to have helped France turn the corner, with his sixth consecutive victory, over lowly Luxembourg. But now he runs into Croatia an old enemy, from the past century.
It is said that cricket is a religion in India. Popularity of cricket has completely overshadowed other sports in India. Is it fair to blame cricket for the current condition of Indian football ? In first part of this series, we take a look at the parallel history of Indian football and cricket.
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