Top five matches in India involving international football clubs

It’s not every day or even every year that a world-famous club comes to India and plays a friendly game with an Indian club. There are only a limited number of instances when Indian football enthusiasts have had the opportunity to witness a match on home ground, featuring the world's elite competing alongside our Indian players.

There have been only a limited number of occasions when elite global clubs have faced Indian teams on Indian territory. However, each of these events has elicited tremendous excitement among football enthusiasts. 

Let’s explore historical moments by examining five occasions when the clubs from this nation faced off against some of the finest teams in the world during friendly matches.

5. Mohun Bagan vs FC Barcelona (Legends)

This match was held at the renowned Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan on September 28, 2018. The Green & Maroon Legends hosted the Barca Legends, under the leadership of coach Albert Ferrer.

On that exceptionally humid evening, the former FC Barcelona players decisively defeated the Mohun Bagan Legends team with a score of six goals to none. A substantial audience of 45,000 spectators attended this game. The goal scorers that evening were Javier Saviola, Roger García, Landi, Jofre Mateu, and Jari Litmanen. Jari scored a brace.

4. Kerala Blasters vs Girona FC

Kerala Blasters FC faced off against the Spanish team Girona FC at their home ground, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. This game occurred on July 28, 2018. This match marked the opening of the La Liga World Tournament. KBFC experienced a significant setback, suffering a defeat of 0-5 against Girona, a team from Spain's top division.

The Blasters exerted considerable effort during the first half, preventing Girona from finding the net until the 42nd minute. The situation began to deteriorate in the final 45 minutes as they conceded four rapid goals. Of course not many hoped for KBFC to compete, but they did in the first half. Anyways, they were trampled at ease in the next.

3. Indian Football Team vs Bayern Munich

This match served as a grand farewell for the legendary Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia.This match took place before an audience of 30,000 spectators at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium located in New Delhi, the capital of India. Dating back to January 10, 2012, this wasn’t a pleasant experience for the Blue Tigers, and not for the retiring legend Bhaichung Bhutia. The Indian Football Team suffered a defeat with a score of 4-0.

Fans surely wouldn’t have been much disappointed upon reviewing the final score, considering that our Blue Tigers faced one of the premier clubs in Europe, which fielded a complete squad featuring renowned players such as Thomas Muller, Philipp Lahm, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, Arjen Robben, Mario Gomez, Jerome Boateng, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Manuel Neuer.

2. Mohun Bagan vs Bayern Munich

Long before the farewell match of Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia, Bayern Munich visited India to host a magnificent farewell event for one of their most celebrated icons, Oliver Kahn. The game took place on May 27, 2008, at the renowned Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan.

As one of the most exceptional goalkeepers prepares to retire from the sport, the football-enthusiastic residents of Kolkata should not overlook this momentous occasion. A substantial audience of 130,000 fans attended this game.

The esteemed German goalkeeper participated for 55 minutes in the match against the formidable Indian stalwarts Mohun Bagan, successfully maintaining a clean sheet in his final appearance. The Bavarians secured a victory with a score of 0-3; however, they did not disappoint the Indian football fans, as it marked Kahn's farewell. Zan Schaldrauff netted two goals, marking the initial scores of the match, while Ze Roberto contributed with the last goal.

1. Mohun Bagan vs New York Cosmos

The significance of the event could not have been greater; it remains unparalleled. Indeed, as he is referred to by Bengalis, “Football Samrat Pele,” the original greatest of all time in football, Brazil’s Pele, graced India during the peak of his illustrious career to participate in a match, notably against the National Club of India, Mohun Bagan Athletic Club. This match took place at the renowned Eden Gardens, attracting an audience of more than 80,000 spectators. The date of this game will forever be etched in history, September 24, 1977.

Mohun Bagan has consistently enjoyed the support of a vast fanbase; however, on that particular day, even the club's own supporters were heard chanting the name of the Football God from the stands. The match concluded with a score of 2-2, as Mohun Bagan managed to secure a draw against one of the most formidable clubs globally, particularly in the United States, the New York Cosmos.

This match will be etched in golden letters in the annals of Mohun Bagan's history, as well as in the broader context of Indian football. It was unfortunate for Pele to not score in this game, however, Mohun Bagan succeeded in making India proud by securing a 2-2 draw, attributed to the contributions of Indian legends Shyam Thapa and Subrata Bhattacharya. Brazilian World Cup winner Carlos Alberto and Italian Giorgio Chinaglia were also part of the team.

Cover Credits - Goal.com