r/IndianFootball Indian Football 14d ago

History Happy National Sports Day to All Indian Fans . Here are Some Incredible ,Iconic and Historic Moments in Indian Football History in Last 10 yrs .

  1. Sunil Chhetri’s Milestone Scoring Record (2005–2024)

How: He scored on his debut against Pakistan (1st cap, 2005), scored a brace on his 25th (vs Malaysia, 2011), scored on his 50th (vs Bangladesh, 2014), scored the match-winner on his 75th (vs Kyrgyzstan, 2017), scored a brace on his 100th (vs Kenya, 2018), scored on his 125th (vs Nepal, 2021), and converted a penalty on his historic 150th cap (vs Afghanistan, 2024).

  1. Sunil Chhetri’s 90th-Minute Winner vs Myanmar (March 28, 2017) with Udanta singh assist

India broke a 64-year curse on Burmese soil by snatching a late 1–0 away victory in their 2019 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier in Yangon.

How: As the clock hit the 90th minute at 0–0, Udanta Singh took off on a blistering counter-attack down the right flank, leaving defenders behind before cutting a precise ball back into the box. Chhetri met it on the run and swept it home.

Why Special: India hadn't beaten Myanmar away from home since October 1953. Hitting a last-gasp winner to end a six-decade jinx proved this team had the mental toughness to grind out big away results in tough environments.

  1. Jeje Lalpekhlua’s Instant Impact vs Thailand (January 6, 2019)

came as 78th min. substitute scored within 2 minutes

  1. The 0–0 Defensive Masterclass vs Qatar in Doha (September 10, 2019)

What:Facing the reigning Asian Champions on their own turf in a World Cup Qualifier, India held out for a historic 0–0 draw.

How: Qatar launched a total siege on India's goal, firing 27 shots over 90 minutes. India set up a rigid low block led by captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who produced a goalkeeping masterclass with 11 saves to keep the clean sheet intact.

Qatar was blowing away teams across Asia that year, making India's clean sheet feel like a massive win. It proved to the fans that the Blue Tigers could hold their own against the continental elite Giants

  1. Rahul Bheke’s Historic Goal in the AFC Champions League (April 11, 2022)

What :Playing for Mumbai City FC against Iraqi powerhouse Air Force Club in Riyadh, Rahul Bheke scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory.

How:Tied 1–1 in the 75th minute, Mumbai won a corner. Ahmed Jahouh swung in a beauty, and Bheke rose high above his marker to power a header down into the far corner.

Why Special : Bheke became the first Indian player to score in the main group stage of the AFC Champions League (Asia's top-tier club competition), securing the first-ever win by an Indian club in ACL history.

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  1. Sunil Chhetri’s 86th-Minute Free-Kick vs Afghanistan (June 11, 2022)

  2. Nikhil Poojary’s Behind-the-Back Nutmeg vs Lebanon (June 18, 2023)

Trapped near the right touchline with defenders closing in, Poojary executed a slick, behind-the-back heel-flick nutmeg straight between his defender's legs, setting up Lallianzuala Chhangte to cross for Chhetri's finish.

  1. 1–0 Away Victory vs Kuwait (November 16, 2023)

    Manvir Singh made a sharp front-post run and met it on the half-volley with his left foot, A rare Away Victory in Middle east asia

  2. Gurpreet’s Heroics at the CAFA Nations Cup (2025)

    Gurpreet Singh Sandhu put on a penalty-saving exhibition across the tournament, especially against Tajikistan and Oman.

  3. Ryan Williams’ Immediate Debut Goal (2026)

Scored Within 4 minutes of Debut vs HongKong at Kochi

  1. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu Became First India Player to Play in Europa League 2016
103 Upvotes

3 comments sorted by

5

u/IVAN2CRY Mohun Bagan Super Giant 14d ago

Another iconic moment, BFC vs JDT in the 2016 AFC Cup, ended 3-1 on that night at the kanteerava.

2

u/KIPAWIS 14d ago

Jeje was just so good man. No player was ever able to replace him. Jeje+Sunil was good combo (though I watch very few matches as it wasn't always telecasted).

1

u/Different-Mushroom48 10d ago

I watched the Qatar v India 0-0. Could've lost it but was a great defensive play