Now Reading: India’s Brazil Test: Pele’s Mohun Bagan Opponent Says Stay Focused
-
01
India’s Brazil Test: Pele’s Mohun Bagan Opponent Says Stay Focused
India are scheduled to face five-time world champions Brazil in an international friendly in Kolkata on 3 October. National team captain Sandesh Jhingan called Brazil a dream opponent, while former India midfielder…
The Story in Brief
India are scheduled to face five-time world champions Brazil in an international friendly in Kolkata on 3 October. National team captain Sandesh Jhingan called Brazil a dream opponent, while former India midfielder Gautam Sarkar advised players not to chase selfie moments or treat the match as a fan experience. Sarkar helped Mohun Bagan hold Pele’s New York Cosmos to a 2-2 draw at Eden Gardens in 1977.
Sarkar said India’s low FIFA ranking makes such a fixture rare and could inspire children to take up football. Former team-mate Pradip Choudhury recalled the difficult conditions that aided Mohun Bagan in 1977, but said October’s drier surface and Salt Lake Stadium’s drainage would offer no similar advantage. Jhingan said the match could provide a major stage and help India’s world ranking.
The Indian Opinion
The lazy story is that Brazil’s visit alone will transform Indian football, while the opposite claim says India have nothing to gain from an uneven contest. Both miss the point. A serious performance, disciplined preparation and a crowd that values football beyond celebrity would make the fixture useful. The real measure will come after the excitement fades: can India turn this occasion into better results and a stronger FIFA ranking?
Source: nationalheraldindia.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
