Stand Up For The Champions!

Also published here.

Ambedkar Stadium was the place to be in New Delhi yesterday, as India retained the Nehru Cup to continue their dominance at the event since it's revival in 2007. New Delhi didn't disappoint, as people turned out in large numbers to pack the entire stadium, with hundreds watching from balconies and tree tops, and several stranded outside the stadium gates.

The AIFF's decision to hand out free passes to the public turned out to be a good decision, as the atmosphere inside the ground was nothing less than electric, although it did lead to some confusion which saw many ticket-holders stranded outside the stadium. However, every person inside the arena got their money's and time's worth.

The game had everything. A vociferous crowd, a committed and energetic home team, a higher-ranked and superior opponent, crunching tackles, missed chances, quality free kicks, last minute equalizers, and eventually, the drama of a penalty shootout. Even if it wasn't exactly a giant-killing act, India upset the Syrians, just as they did two years ago.

The men in blue ran their legs off during the course of the game, and rattled the visitors at every opportunity. A prime example of the above was skipper Bhaichung Bhutia, who did much more than just play football on the night. The Sikkimese Sniper was in the Syrians' faces at all times, giving them as good as he got, showing the opponents that his wasn't a team that could be bullied into submission. He personified a newfound aggression and confidence in the Indian team, and showed who the boss was on the pitch.

India's constant hassling, pressing, and closing down of their opponents was also a major factor, in winning possession back, as well as irritating and frustrating the Syrians, which eventually made up for the gulf in quality between the two teams. India created many clear cut chances too, but failed to convert any, which was primarily down to profligate finishing and poor decision-making in the final third. Sunil Chhetri had a disappointing outing, especially when you compare it with his immense performance in the last final he played in, against Tajikistan in the AFC Challenge Cup last year. But the local boy still did work hard and win a number of long balls.

NP Pradeep and Climax didn't have a great game offensively either, but dug deep and were comparitively strong in defence. India's main attacking threat came down the flanks, especially the right wing through Steven Dias, who did rahter well in the first half. Anthony Pereira's was a case of "all talent but no end product", as he won back possession several times, went past players, but his final cross or pass was off the mark.

As expected, the back four were always under threat from a quality Syrian attacking force, with both Surkumar and Gourmangi Singh looking shaky at times, whereas Anwar and Mahesh Gawli were more solid and consistent. However, they did manage to keep the Syrians out until injury time after extra time, so it's evident that there was no shortage of commitment and energy from the defenders.

But there were two stars yesterday, who produced moments of sheer quality to win India the tournament. The first half of extra time saw India tiring a little bit, and Bob Houghton rather belatedly made the change, bringing on Renedy Singh for Anthony Pereira. The substitution worked like a charm, as the Manipuri winger buried a superb free kick just inside the near post, bending it over the Syrian wall and past their keeper. Very Beckham-esque in its execution, the freekick had seemingly wrapped up the victory for the Indians, but for a last-ditch equalizer by the visitors, that took the game to penalties.

And then stepped up the second, and definitely the bigger of the two star performers. Subrata Paul didn't have the best of seasons domestically, as he was frequently left on the bench for East Bengal, but his performances for the national team have never been in doubt. He was one of the best players at the AFC Challenge Cup last year, and was immense between the sticks throughout this edition of the Nehru Cup. Even before the final went to penalties, the Bengal lad was assured and solid, coming out to collect many crosses and long balls bravely.

In the shootout, though, he was a class apart. He made three saves out of six, and the first and third saves would have made any goalkeeper in the world proud. He pointed to the skies after every save, signalling that it wasn't him but some other power which saved the penalty, but that was just him being modest. The celebrations that followed after the third save wont leave an Indian football fan's memory anytime soon, and why should it?

It was an evening to remember, when Indian football rose above it's long-standing problems and issues, and showed everyone that it's here, to be counted. And more than the rest of the world, the players showed it to themselves, and their fans. It was the Indian fan's victory, who supported his team right till the end, and got back what he deserved.

This is the moment. Be proud of Indian football.