Published 16:40 IST, August 29th 2020
When India were crowned Nehru Cup 2007 champions on August 29, 2007 against Syria: Watch
India won the Nehru Cup 13 years ago on this day, defeating competition favourites Syria 1-0, courtesy of NP Pradeep's only goal of the game.
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Indian football team have had its fair share of success and failure since its existence. India have been striving hard to seek qualification in FIFA World Cup, a feat yet to achieved by Blues. Although team did qualify for World Cup in 1950, lack of finances forced m to withdraw from highest footballing competition. However, India has had its share of success in continental competitions, including Nehru Cup, which team won for first time on August 29, 2007. Co-incidentally, win was achieved on India's National Sports Day, which is celebrated to hour Dhyan Chand's birthday.
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Indian football team's thumping victory against Cambodia
India defeated Syria in 2007 final to seal ir first-ever Nehru Cup triumph. competition, that is organised by All India Football Federation (AIFF) since 1982, was scheduled after a break of 10 years. Besides India, Nehru Cup also saw participation from Cambodia, Bangladesh, Syria and Kyrgyzstan, with Blues emerging victorious on home soil.
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Indian football team began ir campaign with a thumping 6-0 victory over Cambodia, with current captain Sunil Chhetri netting a brace alongside Steven Dias. India's victory against Cambodia was followed by ar win against Bangladesh but failed to continue ir victory lap against Syria. With Syria already sealing a spot in final of Nehru Cup, winning three games consecutively, India needed a win against Kyrgyzstan to advance into final.
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NP Pradeep wins Nehru Cup for India
Indian football team's performance against Kyrgyzstan did surprise many, with Blues netting thrice without conceding any in game. Nehru Cup final was played between India and Syria on August 29, 2007. Syria were considered favourites in game, citing ir unbeaten run of form in competition. team possessed one of most prized assets in Asia, Zyad Chaabo, who scored five goals in competition.
However, Indian football team went on to clinch ir first-ever Nehru Cup final with NP Pradeep scoring only goal of night. success in Nehru Cup was rewarded with prize money of $40,000. Subsequently, India went on to win trophy on two more occasions - in 2009 and 2012.
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Im courtesy: Indian Football Team Twitter
16:40 IST, August 29th 2020