Facts & History
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Football in India spread during the days of the British Empire. Many football clubs in India were created during this time, and pre-date many of the organizations and clubs, such as FIFA, which are predominant in the game today. Initially games were played between army teams, however clubs were soon set up around the country. Mohun Bagan Athletic Club was set up in what is now West Bengal in 1889. The club became famous in 1911 when it became the first Indian team to lift the IFA Shield, a tournament previously won only by British teams based in India. It defeated the Eastern Yorkshire Regiment 2-1 in the final of the tournament in a victory that is still regarded by many as the greatest by an Indian team before Independence.
The national football team was also quite successful until the 1970s, qualifying for Olympic tournaments and the FIFA World Cup. The team qualified for the 1950 World Cup finals in Brazil, but could not appear as they still played in their bare feet at that time.
The Indian team also won the 1951 and 1962 Asian Games gold medals in football. In 1956 the team finished fourth at the Melbourne Olympics. In August 2007, the Indian team won the Nehru Cup for the first time in its history beating Syria 1-0
About the Football Federation
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is the organisation which manages the game of football in India. It administers the running of the national team and also controls the National Football League, India's premier domestic club competition, in addition to various other competitions.
Federation History
The AIFF was founded in 1937, and gained FIFA affiliation in the year 1948, after India's independence in 1947.
India was one of the founder members of the Asian Football Confederation when it was set up in 1954.
National Teams
1 GK Sandip Nandy May 20, 1983 Flag of India Mahindra United 2 GK Subrata Pal 24 December 1986 Flag of India East Bengal 4 MF Krishnan Ajayan Nair 3 May 1983 Flag of India Mahindra United 5 MF Climax Lawrence 16 January 1979 Flag of India Dempo SC 6 DF Gourmanghi Moirangthem Singh 25 January 1986 Flag of India Churchill Brothers 7 MF N. P. Pradeep 28 April 1983 Flag of India Mahindra United 8 DF Debabrata Roy 4 November 1986 Flag of India East Bengal 9 MF Manjit Singh 25 January. 1986 Flag of India Mahindra United 10 MF Steven Dias 25 December 1983 Flag of India Mahindra United 11 FW Sunil Chetri 3 August 1984 Flag of India JCT Mills 12 DF Syed Rahim Nabi 12 December 1982 Flag of India East Bengal 13 MF Clifford Miranda Flag of India Dempo SC 14 DF Mahesh Gawli 23 January 1980 Flag of India Dempo SC 15 FW Baichung Bhutia 15 June 1976 Flag of India Mohun Bagan 16 DF Samir Naik 8 August 1979 Flag of India Dempo SC 17 DF Irungbam Surkumar Singh 21 March 1983 Flag of India East Bengal 18 MF Mehrajuddin Wadoo 12 February 1984 Flag of India East Bengal
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