Indian Football continues to Rise!!!
India won the Nehru Cup 2009, defeating the more fancied Team in Syria, ranked 95th in FIFA Rankings.
It was a stupendous performance from the team which at the start of the tournament had injury scares to their super striker Sunil Chettri. Desipte Loosing the opening game by a solitary goal to Lebanon, Indian football team silent their critics by defending the title they last won in 2007.
Incidentatly that win in 2007 also came against the same opponent, Syria. Its interesting to note that Syria before the finals had a great run, not loosing a single match and even more not even conceding a single goal.
All good things come to an end, and fortunately for the Indians it came at the right time, in the Finals.
It was good to see the energetic Indian performance for the whole of 126 Mins. Though inferior in terms of Built and technique to their West asian opponents, the Indians gave a good account of themselves. The goal which Rennedy Singh scored in the 115th Minute via a free kick, reminded the fans of the Free kick master David Bechkam.
In all a very good result for the Indian Football, which now prepares itself for the Doha 2011 Asian Games. Its a hatrick of titles that India has now won in the last 2 yrs.
More such International tournamnets and Friendlys will help them to even improve on their rankings which is currently at 156th In Fifa Rankings.
It was good to see the active particpation of the president of AIFF, Mr Praful Patel and the new Brand Ambassodor for the Indian Footbal, Salman Khan (Bollywood Hero). The crowds and the fans in Delhi, supported whole heartedely their team, and thats another positive sign that Football has its place in the Indian system.
Cash rewards were also announced by Praful Patel in tune of 2 Lcs each to all the players except for Bhutia and Goalee Paul, who were given 5 Lcs each for their stupendous contributions in the success of this tournament.
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