Historic! Indian Football Team Just Thrashed Puerto Rico, Ranked 38 Places Above Them
The Indian football team has brought a lot of cheer to the fans of the beautiful game in the country by scoring a historic 4-1 win over Puerto Rico in an international in Mumbai tonight. Making the whole nation believe once again that the future of Indian football is nowhere bleak, the team amazed one and all at the Andheri Sports Complex.
AFP
What's more, the win is precious as it comes against a team perched 38 places above India in the FIFA rankings.
Although it were the Puerto Ricans who scored the first goal of the match in the eighth minute, courtesy Emmanuel Sanchez, the Indians dominated the proceedings thereafter. Narayan Das (18¡¯), Sunil Chhetri (26¡¯), Jeje Lalpekhlua (34¡¯) netted and the visitors knew they were up against it. Jackichand Singh (58¡¯) trebled India's lead in the second half. India were led by talented goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and he didn't disappoint.
AFP
The purple patch of the Blue Tigers continued under India's national coach Stephen Constantine as they won their ninth game in 11 matches.
Amazingly, it was for the first time that India played international football in the financial capital of Mumbai in over 60 years. The match drew football fans from far and wide even as the city is in the mood of Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Mumbai had previously only held league matches.
AFP
While audiences enjoyed the game at the venue, the team were not short of praises on twitter.
Santosh Kumar blows the final whistle. What a night for #IND Fireworks in the stands. Smiling faces all around. #IND 4-1 #PUR #INDvPUR
¡ª Indian Football Team (@AiffMedia) September 3, 2016
FT: @AiffMedia 4-1 #PuertoRico#India makes history. #INDvPUR #BackTheBlue #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/2XgBSky5b9
¡ª Goal India (@Goal_India) September 3, 2016
#INDvPUR finally a quality display by the Indian National Team. 4-1 it is. Historic night.
¡ª Ujjwal Patowary (@patoUJ899) September 3, 2016
Brilliant atmosphere at the Andheri Sports Complex. Can't wait for @MumbaiCityFC to start playing here. #INDvPUR pic.twitter.com/XMT6BCRRNn
¡ª Indranil Das Blah (@indranildasblah) September 3, 2016
@AiffMedia wt a high confidence performance frm our players so far... Feeling really proud?? #INDvPUR
¡ª shaikh shahbaz (@shaikhshahbaz5) September 3, 2016
Well played @chetrisunil11!! Always our #Captain #Leader #Legend ?? #INDvPUR #BackTheBlue
¡ª Philarima Hynniewta (@philarima) September 3, 2016
What a match! This could be the awakening of the Sleeping Giants.Beating a team with 38 ranked above..with the Chetri Show.#INDvPUR
¡ª Riju Khutia (@KhutiaRiju) September 3, 2016
Sunil Chhetri is hands down one of the most loved sportspersons in India. The adulation oozes out from the stands to the field. #INDvPUR
¡ª Manas Mitul (@ManasMitul) September 3, 2016
Well, this game proves what a great threat India will be to other top teams of world football !
¡ª ATK is in my DNA (@AtkIsInMyDNA) September 3, 2016
Beware world ! #INDvPUR
This Indian team really looks settled and fluid now with competition up for all positions. Great job @StephenConstan #INDvPUR #BackTheBlue
¡ª Anirban Datta-Roy (@clixbyman) September 3, 2016
