India’s encounter against South Vietnam on September 1, 1962, would always be etched in memory. That the national team reached the Asian Ga...
India’s encounter against South Vietnam on September 1, 1962, would always be etched in memory. That the national team reached the Asian Games final after a hard-fought victory is not the only reason why the match has become part of football folklore.
On that fateful night, central defender Jarnail Singh, playing in his unusual position of centre-forward, displayed what one could achieve through courage and dedication.
Four days prior to this match, Jarnail had to be carried out with a bloodied face against Thailand. Six stitches on his forehead and innumerable pain killers could make him barely stand on his feet. Yet, Jarnail not only hit the pitch, but also scored a stunning 30th-minute goal in India’s 3-2 triumph.
But then, Jarnail is not the only national team footballer to indulge in such an act of bravery. Fans often fail to mention Sunil Chhetri’s splendid strike against Myanmar in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup semi-final in Hyderabad that played a huge role in shaping the future of Indian football.
On August 7, the city of Nizams was hit by heavy rain immediately after the match started. It continued throughout the tie and the ground turned into a kind of paddy field within minutes.
Chhetri, then the junior striking partner of skipper Bhaichung...
