India has never been a country with a strong football history. It doesn’t mean that the national football team didn’t have bright moments on the field. After a series of losses, they managed to show an excellent result. With an inconsistent performance, the Indian national football team has become a popular betting market at GGBet India. It’s hard to predict their victory, which makes it more valuable for the audience. Here’s a quick look at the biggest and most glorious victories in the history of Indian football.
1. India 4-2 Australia (1956 Melbourne Olympics Quarter-Final)
The Olympic quarter-final match against Australia remains a great example of India’s golden era. Under the guidance of Syed Abdul Rahim, the national football team met with Australians on their field. Neville D’Souza was the star of the match, scoring three goals. This allowed India to dominate on the field throughout the match. Vice-captain Kittu scored a fourth goal in the 80th minute.
This result made India the first Asian team to reach the Olympic semi-finals. Though they lost to Yugoslavia in the next round, the win over Australia remains a defining moment in Indian football history.
2. India 2-1 South Korea (1962 Asian Games Final)
In 1962, India revealed their full potential in Asian football. The Jakarta Asian Games final posed perhaps their greatest challenge. They had to face South Korea which had previously beaten them in the group stage. India’s campaign in Jakarta had been marred by political tensions, with the team facing hostility from the crowd and even poor treatment off the field. But the challenges made them even stronger.
Led by the legendary Syed Abdul Rahim, India made a few strategic changes. For example, Jarnail Singh was pushed forward as a striker despite usually playing as a centre-back. The change paid off. Quick attacks initiated by Tulsidas Balaram, Chuni Goswami, and PK Banerjee gave India the early lead. Moments later, Jarnail scored the second goal. Even though South Korea managed to reduce the difference, it couldn’t win the battle.
India had become the champions in Asia. It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. The match against South Korea is widely considered to be one of the finest performances by an Indian football team.
3. India 1-0 United Arab Emirates (2001 World Cup Qualifier)
In 2001, India faced the United Arab Emirates in a World Cup qualifier in Bangalore. Despite minimal preparations, low team spirit, and even lower expectations, the national team managed to show a decent performance and even win the match.
UAE came fully prepared, coached by former French national manager Henri Michel. Against all odds, India delivered one of the most disciplined defensive games in history. The backline was controlled by Mahesh Gawli and Deepak Mandal. Khalid Jamil and Rennedy Singh provided strong midfield support. The game got even better when IM Vijayan joined the team in the second half. Linking up with Baichung Bhutia, Vijayan provided the creative spark India obviously needed. His assist allowed Jules Alberto to score in the 72nd minute. The goal sent the crowd into raptures and stunned the visiting UAE side. India held on for the remaining 18 minutes to record a historic 1-0 victory.
The single goal became a rare but glorious moment of resurgence. The India national team knows how to surprise their fans when they least expect it. The history of Indian football is a roller-coaster ride with memorable highs and persistent lows. One thing is clear: India is one of the most unpredictable national teams in the world. And this is what makes their matches so interesting to watch.
