Top 5 moments of Indian Football in 2015
From drama at I League to melancholy at WC qualifiers, from action at ISL to hope in the future of the sport in India, 2015 had no lacking in punch when it came to Indian Football
I told the doctor I needed to reschedule my surgery so I could catch the FA Cup final and the epic I-League showdown on the last day of the season. A dozen emotions quickly flashed across his face; I bet his thoughts jumped from "Is she crazy?" to "Wow, that's some dedication" to "Probably on drugs." I think he was right on all 3 counts (Dad, don't panic, I'm not on drugs, at least not the narcotic kind.)
The magic of football lies in its inherent ability to make you forget. For a few moments, in a rectangular field of grass, you forget the lines that divide us, the walls that separate us, the forces that crush us. In a fractured and scarred world, for a handful of heartbeats, you are given the chance to forget life. Whether it comes dressed in shades of saffron, green and white or in shades of blue, red and white, or regardless of what its chosen attire is, the passion is still the same. I think this is why football is my chosen drug.
1. Drama at the Kanteerava – I-League Showdown
"Agueeerrrooo!! I swear you'll never see anything like this again!" If you're a regular PL follower, then you'll recognize those iconic words, you'll go so far as to shout "Agueeerroooo!!" in your head the way it’s meant to be shouted. Our very own version of international drama was served up at the Kanteerava Stadium on the 31st of May, 2015. Mohun Bagan travelled to Bengaluru for the last game of the season, needing a draw or a win to secure the title; a loss would hand the title over to Bengaluru FC for their second title win in as many years. The stage was well and truly set.
Kanteerava was flooded in a sea of mostly blue; young, old, boys, men, girls, women, inebriated, everyone was there. I say mostly, because one whole stand was filled with the Mariners, making the long journey from Kolkata to Bengaluru to give their men a little extra spirit. The stadium erupted in a roar, 21,000 strong, when John Johnson put BFC into the lead with a headed goal in the first half. Nerves were frayed, hair was pulled and the air was ripe with tension and lashing rain for most of the second half. Four minutes before the final whistle, Rasaq rose high and nodded home from a Norde corner; the deafening silence said everything and nothing at the same time. Bagan fought to win their first ever I-League title, and amidst the drama and the tide of Blue heartbreak, there was never any doubt that this was a historic win.
2. Banner Unveiled by the West Block Blues – WC & AFC Qualifier
Quiz time! Which part of "India: Fifa 166th World Ranking" translates to 5200 sq. feet banner to show love? That's right, the West Block Blues part of it. The Bengaluru FC faithful unveiled a mammoth banner with the words "The Road is Long, but the Belief is Everything. Stand Up for Indian Football" during India's last WC qualifier at the Kanteerava Stadium. It's impossible to quantify how much of India's first win of the campaign (a Robin Singh screamer sealed the deal) was down to the 12th Man, how much of it was down to the surge of hope instilled in the players by a blue wave of incessantly singing fans.
The magic of sport cannot be orchestrated better than with an example of the underdog - winning makes you happy, losing makes you strong; and one day, that strength will make the impossible possible. The fans of the Indian football team chanted "Hum honge kaamiyaab ek din" and to be honest, it doesn't matter if we are victorious one day, the true beauty lies in the belief that we will, against seemingly insurmountable odds.
3. Sunil Chhetri’s Hat-Trick - ISL
One of the main complaints about the ISL is that its primary focus is on showcasing foreign talent. Sunil Chhetri’s hat-trick for Mumbai City FC against NorthEast United FC will go a long way in appeasing these naysayers. The first ever hat-trick by an Indian player in the ISL could not have come to a more deserving man than the all-time highest goal scorer for India. An exceptional footballer and a brilliant human being, his sublime skill and unshakeable determination are unmatched in this country.
A cheeky dink to put away the first penalty, the famous Panenka executed flawlessly, and what a classy way to start off the hat trick! The second was a composed side-footed finish from a cross and the third, another penalty, spanked in with confidence; the perfect concoction for a comprehensive 5-1 victory for Mumbai City. Indeed, there is no better way to showcase the versatility of the striker than by comparing the two penalties; one part finesse and skill, one part power and grit – all parts perfection.
4. Strength in Adversity – ISL Final
This is what happened: 2 penalties awarded (Chennai), Penalty 1 – saved but scored on follow up, Penalty 2 – saved, poised at 1-1 only for 3 goals to be scored in 5 minutes (86 mins – 91 mins), 1 great free kick (Goa), 1 mistake by goalkeeper who made 2 penalty saves leading to a conceded goal (Chennai), 1 cool finish after a great piece of skill to bamboozle 2 defenders (Chennai). Writing that made me a bit breathless. I suggest you read that again, nice and slow. Goa were romping to the title at 86 minutes with a 2-1 lead only to spectacularly collapse at their home stadium in the dying minutes of the game. Chennaiyin FC took home the ISL crown with a 3-2 win, their final goal being scored by the tournament’s top scorer, John Mendoza. It was everything you could’ve hoped for in a final.
In light of the recent tragedy that struck Chennai, the win gains a different texture; it’s a tribute to the strength in adversity of the human spirit and the fact that sport might not be a solution, but it can be the balm that keeps us going till we find one.
5. Superwoman and Hero – Aditi Chauhan
If you asked me to find something that has a bleaker future than men’s football in India, I'd say women’s football in India. In a country where women playing football is as alien to some as eating furniture for breakfast, this 23 year old from Delhi has beaten all the odds to carve a future for herself. From playing basketball, to holding a black belt in karate, to representing Loughborough University’s football team, to playing for the West Ham ladies team, Aditi Chauhan’s rise has been meteoric; she is the first player from the Indian national women’s team to play competitive league football in England.
The legacy of Aditi Chauhan goes beyond her achievements; she has shone a light where none existed previously, giving thousands of Indian girls hope; she has shattered the preconceived notions of sport and gender in the country, erasing all lines that existed. A testament to her strength is all the battles she has fought, not just physical but also mental and societal; she’s won all of them and doesn’t look to be slowing down soon.
Regardless of the success of the ISL, Indian football is still a fragile baby. Within its frailty, there exists potential and hope. Currently, there is a thin line of tired people resolutely forming a protective boundary to preserve the future of this sport in the country. Come, stand with us and help us take it to a place it truly deserves. (Read: An open letter to Nita Ambani from an Indian football fan)
