Hindustan Times - HT Smartcast

Kicks for Free

Sports EN ↓ 102 episodes

This is a podcast where Dhiman Sarkar and Vivek Krishnan of the Hindustan Times sports desk talk about the beautiful game. From transfers to tournaments, their discussions will cover what matters in football, in India and abroad. So, join them every week on Kicks For Free, if football is a matter of life and death -- or more -- for you. This is a Hindustan Times production brought to you by HT Smartcast.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: kicks-for-free.simplecast.com

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Hindustan Times - HT Smartcast

Episodes

Juan Ferrando’s plans for the AFC Champions League 06.04.2021 29:24

FC Goa are set to make history next week when they become the first Indian club to play in the group stages of the AFC Champions League. In this episode, the club’s head coach Juan Ferrando joins Dhiman and Bhargab to discuss the challenge ahead and his expectations from the upcoming campaign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The recipe behind Gokulam Kerala’s I-League success 31.03.2021 38:36

After leading Gokulam Kerala to their maiden I-League triumph, the club’s Italian head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese joins Bhargab and Dhiman to discuss the highs and lows of the season, the key players in his squad and his coaching career that has spanned over 10 countries across the globe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I-League set for a photo finish 23.03.2021 20:13

For the fifth time in seven seasons, the I-League title race is heading into the final day of the season. TRAU, Gokulam Kerala and Churchill Brothers are all in the fray for the title. TRAU play Gokulam and Churchill face Roundglass Punjab on the final day. Bhargab and Dhiman discuss the season so far and look ahead to Saturday’s games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...

The ISL final: here's looking at you teams 12.03.2021 23:28

The hurly-burly is done and Mumbai City FC and ATK Mohun Bagan will play for the title. An analysis of who's ahead of where, from goalkeepers to forwards, and more ahead of Saturday's showdown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking ahead to the ISL play-off games 12.03.2021 22:36

Can Sergio Lobera's team go all the way or will it be a third title for Antonio Lopez Habas. Or a first for either of Juan Ferrando and Khalid Jamil who is the odd one among three Spanish coaches? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

23: Some are putting their hands up to the question of after-Chhetri, who? 23.02.2021 25:31

ISL7 has shown that a few young Indians have a nose for goal. Even if they are a work in progress, it could mean good news for the national team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22: In conversation with Ishan Pandita, ISL's impact sub 16.02.2021 26:49

From growing up in New Delhi, Manila and Bengaluru; from playing the Gothia Cup and opting for sunny Spain and from consistently scoring late, late goals, this FC Goa striker is having a ball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

21: Why ISL clubs should head to Mizoram? 09.02.2021 40:27

Covid-19 felt like a tackle from behind in the tiny state and there are issues with the Mizoram Premier League but dearth of footballers is not one of them, says Lalnghinglova 'Tetea' Hmar, the state association's honorary secretary, in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20: Why Mumbai City FC's march could be good news for Indian football? 02.02.2021 21:26

Being part of City Football Group, a consortium headlined by Manchester City, has helped Mumbai maintain pole position in ISL this season but things could get hot on the homestretch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19: Liverpool on slippery slope as United march on 26.01.2021 20:50

United winning the FA Cup tie mirrored the fortunes of both teams and defending Premier League champions Liverpool now have all to do to get their campaign back on track. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

18: Igor Stimac’s plans for 2021 21.01.2021 35:26

Despite losing the entirety of 2020 to the pandemic, India head coach Igor Stimac is upbeat about 2021. The 53-year-old former Croatia international has been closely following the Indian Super League season from back home in Split. In this discussion with Bhargab and Dhiman, he names some of the youngsters he has been impressed by, India’s remaining World Cup qualifiers, his views on the I-League,...

17: Why are Bengaluru FC getting the blues? 12.01.2021 20:01

Bengaluru FC are struggling for form this season, losing their last four games in the Indian Super League and failing to score a goal from open play in six of their 10 games. The club has sacked head coach Carles Cuadrat, with Naushad Moosa taking over as interim head coach. In this episode, Dhiman and Bhargab discuss the reasons behind Bengaluru’s struggles and the challenges that lie ahead for t...

16: What I-League football means for Delhi – Part 1 06.01.2021 36:25

The national capital has never had a team playing in the I-League. That changes this season with Sudeva Delhi FC making their debut in the competition. In this episode, Dhiman and Bhargab discuss the season ahead with the club’s president Anuj Gupta. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

15: What I-League football means for Delhi | Part 2 06.01.2021 34:15

Can a Delhi club’s entry to the I-League change the city’s footballing fortunes? Dhiman and Bhargab discuss the significance of Sudeva’s rise with Football Delhi president and former FIFA development officer Shaji Prabhakaran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

14: Arsenal's youth, Everton's turnaround and the January window 29.12.2020 21:18

Missed chances to consolidate their position could see top teams scour the market and Arsenal trying to solve the Oezil puzzle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13: SC East Bengal's winter of discontent 22.12.2020 22:03

Why can't the 100-year-old club that has won everything in Indian football get off the blocks in its debut ISL season under Robbie Fowler? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12: Sandesh Jhingan unplugged 15.12.2020 36:44

After missing a year’s action due to a serious knee injury, Sandesh Jhingan is back on the football field. Having moved from Kerala Blasters to ATK Mohun Bagan, the India centre-back hasn’t taken long to fit into Antonio Lopez Habas’s side. In this episode, the Chandigarh-born footballer joins Bhargab and Dhiman to discuss his career and his challenge at ATK Mohun Bagan, among other things. Learn...

11: Bala Devi makes a mark in Scotland 09.12.2020 19:40

She has been a prolific scorer in India and for India. And now Bala is showing Scotland she can do it there now. We discuss what Bala's goal means for football in India. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10: Thank you, Diego Maradona 28.11.2020 19:53

Recollections of the genius; his visits to India, playing football with Sourav Ganguly and watching him at World Cups in South Africa and Russia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9: The Kolkata derby, football's most storied rivalry in India 24.11.2020 22:33

Why SC East Bengal's Eugeneson Lyngdoh is looking forward to Friday's ISL game against ATK Mohun Bagan and why 2020-21 could end two seasons of hurt for the midfielder before which he used to be a regular player for India. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8: The Bhaichung Bhutia Interview 17.11.2020 42:35

Ahead of a new season of the Indian Super League, former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia talks about Mohun Bagan and East Bengal being part of the competition, why promotion and relegation are important going forward, India not playing an international in 2020 and more, including his political career, in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7: Imperious Bayern, stuttering Arsenal and what lies in between 10.11.2020 19:46

An interesting round of games in Europe’s top leagues provided many talking points—from Grealish to Gnabry, from Villa to Valencia—for Dhiman and Bhargab to chew on in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5: Fowler talks football 03.11.2020 27:12

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has taken charge as head coach of East Bengal ahead of the club’s debut season in the Indian Super League. In this episode, he discusses the upcoming season, his Liverpool days and many other things with Bhargab and Dhiman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4: No end to Barcelona’s woes 27.10.2020 17:58

Things are not going to plan at FC Barcelona and a 3-1 home loss to bitter rivals Real Madrid in the season’s first El Clasico has added to the pressure on new head coach Ronald Koeman. In this episode, Bhargab and Dhiman discuss last weekend’s game at Camp Nou and what could lie ahead for Spain’s two biggest clubs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3: Everton set the pace in the Premier League 20.10.2020 17:20

After five rounds, Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton sit atop the Premier League table with 13 points while Aston Villa maintain their perfect start to the campaign. In this episode of Kicks for Free, Bhargab and Dhiman discuss among other thing, why The Toffees are tasting so good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices