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Indian U20 Football Team Record Historic 2-1 Win Over Argentina At COTIF Cup
6 Aug 2018 12:31 PM GMT
In what might be considered as one of the most memorable football triumphs, the Indian U20 team on August 5 clinched a historic 2-1 win over football giants Argentina in the ongoing COTIF Cup 2018 in Spain. The historic win came even after the Indian team had been reduced to 10 members after forward Jadhav was sent off in the 54th minute. This was also the first time when the two teams played against each other since the 3rd Nehru Cup in Kolkata in 1984 when India had lost 0-1.
Celebrations after a HISTORIC win over @Argentina yesterday.#BackTheBlue #WeAreIndia pic.twitter.com/Z893qkPEx9
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) August 6, 2018
Indian U20 team’s win
This win against the six times U20 world champions comes as a massive boost for the Floyd Pinto-coached Indian team, who had previously lost 0-2 to Murcia before losing 0-3 to Mauritania. The team also finished with a goalless draw with Venezuela on August 3. The Argentines were coached by 2006 World Cupper Lionel Scaloni and former midfielder Pablo Aimar. Reportedly, Pinto after the match said, “This victory will earn Indian Football more respect in the world of football. It opens up a window of opportunity to test ourselves against the best in the World on a regular basis.”
While Deepak Tangri (4’) and Anwar Ali (68′) stole the show, it only took team India four minutes to take an exceptional lead against the better-ranked Argentines. The team managed to keep the 1-0 lead till half time. Anwar Ali scored the second goal in the 68th minute after Argentina’s foul on Rahim Ali gave team India a free kick. Indian goalie Prabhsukhan Gill also pulled off two brilliant saves- one at the 56th minute and the other at the 61st minute which helped India retain its lead. Argentina broke India’s defence in the 72nd minute and scored a goal. Even though team India, with the loss of Jadhav at the 54th minute, suffered a setback, the 10-member team still managed to finish victorious.
Euphoria on social media
India’s incredible win drew applause where euphoric football enthusiasts took to social media to congratulate the Indian boys in blue. Prominent personalities like Praful Patel, President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports all took to twitter to congratulate the men in blue.
Fantastic News.. Congratulations U-20 team on your great win. The sky is the limit now for @IndianFootball!#IndianFootball #India #WeAreIndia #BackTheBlue #AsianDream https://t.co/IbgCPCWS08
— Praful Patel (@praful_patel) August 6, 2018
WELL DONE @IndianFootball U-20 team!
As the nation slept, our champs made history by defeating Argentina 2-1 in @Cotif! This is a sure sign that India's sporting future is in very safe hands. #INDvARG #BackTheBlue
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) August 6, 2018
The Indian team was not allowed to participate in the Asian Games after Indian Olympics Association denied the team’s clearance.
The Logical Indian applauds the team’s efforts. The team’s exemplary performance is sure to draw applause as the team has been able to beat reigning world champions and football giants, Argentina.
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