India vs Brazil: Blue Tigers show fight despite 4-0 defeat in Kolkata

Image: AIFF

India went down 4-0 to Brazil at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Saturday, but the scoreline did not tell the full story of a night when the Blue Tigers competed bravely against the five-time world champions.

Estêvão and Pedro scored in the first half before Samuel Lino struck twice after the break to complete the win for Brazil.

India started the match with discipline and stayed compact during the opening stages. Khalid Jamil’s side denied Brazil too much space through the middle and forced the visitors to remain patient in possession.

Brazil created their first major opening in the eighth minute when Vinícius Júnior cut inside from the left and went past Bijoy Varghese, but Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a good save.

India also tried to move forward whenever they recovered the ball. In the 14th minute, Manvir Singh picked up possession on the left and carried the ball towards the Brazil penalty area before being closed down by the defence.

The breakthrough came in the 28th minute. Estêvão received the ball near the edge of the box, moved into space and fired towards the near post. Gurpreet got a hand to the shot but could not keep it out.

Brazil became more dangerous after taking the lead. Pedro came close in the 36th minute when his header struck the post.

Six minutes later, Brazil doubled their advantage. Estêvão played a well-timed pass behind the Indian defence and Pedro finished past Gurpreet to make it 2-0.

India made several changes at half-time, with Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Jay Gupta and Mohammed Sanan coming on.

The hosts began the second half positively. Ryan Williams tested the Brazil goalkeeper with a long-range effort in the 53rd minute before Manvir forced another save two minutes later from a tight angle.

Brazil scored their third in the 58th minute after India lost possession near their own penalty area. Lino reacted quickly, took control of the ball and curled his effort beyond Gill.

Despite going three goals behind, India continued to attack.

Williams created an opening in the 64th minute after beating his marker and entering the penalty area, but Mauro Júnior produced an important block.

India went close again three minutes later. Williams started the move by finding Manvir and continued his run towards the box. Manvir returned the ball, but Williams sent his first-time effort wide.

The Blue Tigers kept trying to find a goal and showed more attacking intent in the second half, even though Brazil remained dangerous on the counter.

Gill made a sharp save from Vanderson in stoppage time, but Brazil added a fourth with almost the final action of the match.

Lino cut inside and fired a low shot at the near post to score his second goal of the night and complete the 4-0 victory.

India left the field without a goal, but there were positives in the way they competed against one of world football’s biggest teams, particularly during the opening half and in spells after the break.

The match also marked the first senior international meeting between India and Brazil, making it a memorable occasion for the players and supporters despite the final result.

India: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Prabhsukhan Singh Gill 46’), Abhishek Singh Tekcham (Hmingthanmawia Ralte 59’), Anwar Ali (Mehtab Singh 84’), Bijoy Varghese (Pramveer 69’), Akash Mishra (Jay Gupta 46’), Anirudh Thapa (Macarton Nickson 84’), Lalengmawia Ralte (Rahim Ali 84’), Manvir Singh (Vikram Partap Singh 84’), Ryan Williams (Farukh Choudhary 84’), Sahal Abdul Samad (Edmund Lalrindika 59’), Ashique Kuruniyan (Mohammed Sanan 46’).