Kolkata : India are all set to face Brazil on October 3 at Kolkata’s iconic Yuva Bharati Kriangan. This will be the first time that the five time World Cup champion would face Indian Football team. But do you know Brazil faced India in U17 FIFA Men’s World Cup in 2016 and the Blue Tigers fought valiantly. Interestingly, Vinicius Junior who’s a big name today scored a goal in that very match. India’s Komal Thatal also scored a magnificent goal.
Let’s take a recap to relive the iconic game. India hosted the 5 time World Champions for the first time in their Footballing history on October 13, 2016, there was little difference on the pitch and it seemed like both Teams were ‘on the same page.’
The Indian Colts however were left reeling in the opening minutes of the match itself as Brazil took the lead as early as the 2nd minute with help of Brenner’s goal. Marco Antonio in 12th minute doubled the lead for Brazil.
Some might say the gravity of the moment got to the Colts, but Nicolai Adam’s Team had different plans.
The Indian U-17 World Cup Squad recouped with much vigour and started to press the Brazilians, forcing them to commit mistakes. In the 19th minute, history was scripted as Komal Thatal steamed through the Brazilian defence line, sidestepping two Brazilian defenders in his wake and unleashed a curling shot from the edge of the box, leaving the opponent custodian bewildering to equalize proceedings for India.
During the end of the match, Vinicius Junior scored 3rd goal for Brazil U17 in 82nd minute. Vini is now a big name in Brazilian Football and pillar of Real Madrid.
When had India ever played Brazil let ever scored against the 5 time World Champions? And coincidentally Komal Thatal’s goal was the first goal which Brazil conceded in the BRICS U-17 Football Tournament which they eventually won.
Komal Thatal later went on to play for India U20 and U23. He also represented Jamshedpur and Indian giant Mohun Bagan. He got big success playing for Atletico de Kolkata in Indian Super League (ISL) for 3 seasons, where he was part of the team that won 2019-20 season. He also represented India in the Asian Cup U23 Qualifiers. He also holds the record of youngest footballer to play an Indian Super League match at Aged 17 years and 132 days.
However, what made Thatal famous and etched his name in history books was his valiant effort and goal against Brazil U17 in that Match at World Cup stage.
Although the Indian Colts went down 3-1 against the 5 time World Champions, Nicolai Adam’s boys proved that they were no big pushovers and made a statement that they belonged to the ‘big stage.’
The Indian performance against Brazil garnered praise even from the Brazilian Coach who in the post match press conference praised India for “making it hard for Brazil to play.”
Former Indian Captain and Footballing legend Bhaichung Bhutia also hailed India’s performance after that game and said: “We saw the Indian U-17 World Cup Team play against Brazil and some of the Indian Players were on the same page as the Brazilian Players, if not better than them.”
Brazil U17 team played at Goa’s Athletic Stadium (GMC), Bambolim. This time they’ll arrive at the “City of Joy”, where there’s huge fan following of Brazilian team that caught attention globally. The Indian Football team is also ready for the prestigious and biggest challenge in front of home fans who’ll turn all blue on October 3 despite whichever “second nation” they support in FIFA World Cup.
