AIFF Media Team
NEW DELHI: In terms of Footballing history, India and Brazil are polar opposites of each other. Brazil has been synonymous with Football defining the sport to most all these years.
However when India hosted the 5 time World Champions for the first time in their Footballing history on October 13, 2016, there was little difference on the pitch and it seemed like both Teams were ‘on the same page.’
The Indian Colts however were left reeling in the opening minutes of the match itself as Brazil took the lead as early as the 2nd minute. Some might say the gravity of the moment got to the Colts, but Nicolai Adam’s Team had different plans.
The Indian U-17 World Cup Squad recouped with much vigour and started to press the Brazilians, forcing them to commit mistakes. In the 19th minute, history was scripted as Komal Thatal steamed through the Brazilian defence line, sidestepping two Brazilian defenders in his wake and unleashed a curling shot from the edge of the box, leaving the opponent custodian bewildering to equalize proceedings for India.
When had India ever played Brazil let ever scored against the 5 time World Champions? And coincidentally Komal Thatal’s goal was the first goal which Brazil conceded in the BRICS U-17 Football Tournament which they eventually won.
Although the Indian Colts went down 3-1 against the 5 time World Champions, Nicolai Adam’s boys proved that they were no big pushovers and made a statement that they belonged to the ‘big stage.’
The Indian performance against Brazil garnered praise even from the Brazilian Coach who in the post match press conference praised India for “making it hard for Brazil to play.”
Former Indian Captain and Footballing legend Bhaichung Bhutia also hailed India’s performance and said: “We saw the Indian U-17 World Cup Team play against Brazil and some of the Indian Players were on the same page as the Brazilian Players, if not better than them.”
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