Top 5 moments of Indian Football in 2015

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.)

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.

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.

4. Strength in Adversity – ISL 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.