Sometimes the lows in sports are so low that they evoke pity rather than optimism. Indian football, especially the senior men’s team, has gone through such a phase this year.
While India went winless and also lost the Intercontinental Cup crown this calendar year, while facing a future without their top scorer Sunil Chhetri, the football scene in the country has never been so dark.
The final act of this dark saga played out in a draw against lower-ranked Malaysia at the GMC Balayogi Stadium in Hyderabad, on a day when the atmosphere of the match was more like a school sports day than ‘at an international football meeting.
Two hours before kick-off, schoolchildren were queuing and streaming into the stadium, while the home team’s supporters were barely in sight.
Although a few arrived later, many others remained tied to work obligations, unable to attend the game on a Monday evening.
Among those absent was P. Srikanth, an rickshaw driver who had earlier traveled with the Journal in the hope of attending the training in India.
“Malaysia tomorrow, right? I worked there for a few years, but came back during the pandemic,” he said. When asked who he would support, he laughed and replied: “India, bhai”, with his distinct Hyderabadi accent.
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On the field, the Indian team showed enough courage to equalize after being down a goal, providing some joy to the home fans.
But off the field, Hyderabad has failed to demonstrate its potential as a premier football venue, settling instead for reflected glory and political vaudeville.
The venue’s shortcomings were glaring: lack of water for volunteers during the pre-match rush, hundreds of spectators entering the stands in the middle of the match, and schoolchildren throwing bottle caps at journalists seated in a Press box poorly placed at a 45 degree angle. the goal post (below).
The stadium was everything a venue should not be at a FIFA international friendly match.
Hundreds of intruders are watching the match, having entered the stadium without tickets and passing through the VIP gates mid-match. | Photo credit: Neeladri Bhattacharjee
Hundreds of intruders are watching the match, having entered the stadium without tickets and passing through the VIP gates mid-match. | Photo credit: Neeladri Bhattacharjee
The full-time draw marked a winless calendar year for India for the first time since 2006 (with at least five matches played), closing a putrid chapter in Indian football, both on and off the field, in the historic town of Nizams.
Neeladri Bhattacharjee
Superb goal from Colaco
Liston Colaco (below) stood on the sideline, stroking the ball like a baby. His expression radiated joy, relief and boundless success.
The Mohun Bagan Super Giant striker was celebrating a goal that showed the quality and class of a great international football striker.
Liston Colaco. | Photo credit: FSDL
Liston Colaco. | Photo credit: FSDL
For the 25,000 fans gathered to cheer on their team against Jamshedpur FC at the Salt Lake Stadium, Colaco provided a brilliant moment to savour.
He weaved his way through Jamshedpur FC’s defensive setup with the skill and class that led many fans to draw comparisons with none other than Lionel Messi.
Known for his speed and creativity, Colaco had struggled to find form earlier in the season.
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However, the goal – where he beat five Jamshedpur FC defenders before finishing with a precise angled shot – seemed to have put to rest doubts about his fitness and form.
The goal went viral online, with many users calling it “magical” and comparing his “breathtaking” skills to some of the world’s best strikers.
“Not many players have this kind of talent. I’m really happy to see him score this beautiful goal,” said his coach, José Molina, after the match.
Amitabha Das Sharma
