On the 79th Independence Day of India, it would be right to look back to the golden pages of Indian football history, none other than the matches that not just marked the eras but also made the tricolour imprint on the world sport sensibility. Whether it be Olympic spectacle or mythical club friendlies, these are eternal emblems of toughness and ability and patriotic heart.
India vs France match at 1960 Rome Olympic Games
A barefoot Indian side almost made history and upstaged France in the group stages in Rome. It became 1 all when P.K Banerjee scored the equaliser just to have India fall inches access to a winner and France scorer back to win 2 all. It was not a humiliating loss, but the Indian outperformance surprised the media of the Europeans and it demonstrated the Indian spark in the world arena.
India vs Australia, 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games
It continues to be one of India’s most successful international foot ball journeys, a 4-2 semifinal that placed us amongst the first Asian team to qualify in an Olympic football semifinal. Neville Dsouza also scored three goals (Make it a hat-trick, the first by an Asian at the Olympics) and Kishen Kittu came up with yet another strike to leave the home fans reeling. This earned a deserved place in Indian football folklore.
Mohun Bagan vs New York Cosmos 1977 Eden Gardens
Kolkata had seen a day in history when on September 24, 1977 Mohun Bagan hosted Pele New York Cosmos. There were more than 80,000 spectators at the Eden Gardens to watch the Brazilian legend in play. It finished 22 and Md. Habib, and Akbar of the Mohun Bagan scored against the international stars proving that, the Indian club football could challenge with the international players on equal grounds.
India vs South Korea, The Final at the 1962 Asian Games
This was in Jakarta and the greatest achievement of India in the Asian football. India defeated South Korea who were physically stronger and were beaten 2 1 by India courtesy of goals by P.K Banerjee and Jarnail Singh. It is the most notable Indian accomplishment in the history of Indian football and the culmination of the Indian “golden generation.”
India Vs France 1948 Olympics London
India played its debut of the football on Cricklefield stadium a few days after August 15, 1947. The Indian team played barefoot and lost by 2-1, having missed two penalties. Sarangapani Raman had become the first Indian to score a goal in the Olympics which marked a lasting impression although India lost the match.
It is a story of rain swept pitches in Rome and deafening Eden Gardens, it is a story about guts, about ability as also about a relentless faith in the idea that Indian football could take its place in the sun. They also remind us that not only is history should be remembered on this Independence Day, but it must be constructed.
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