WC 2011

Team India - History (Booklet)

Posted by Kodanadan at 2:26 PM | Categorized as Support Team India

India returns to the finals of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since 1984 with the cricket-mad nation securing their place in Qatar 2011 thanks to their victory in the 2008 edition of the AFC Challenge Cup.

The country’s appearance at the finals is long overdue for a nation that holds a special place in the history of Asian football.

India was one of the 12 founder members of the Asian Football Confederation back in 1954 and at that stage the country had already won the gold medal at the Asian Games in Dehli, claiming the title in 1951 with victory over Iran in the final.

A second Asian Games gold medal came in 1962 while in 1956 the country finished fourth at the Olympic Games, one of the finest performances ever by an Asian team at an Olympiad.

India’s standing within the continental game has slipped since, however, with cricket establishing itself as the country’s number one sport and the standing of football in India slipping.

That, though, has not stopped the Indians from dominating at regional level and they are the reigning South Asian champions, lifting that title in Bangladesh in 2009 for the fifth time since 1993.

Under coach Bob Houghton, the Indians have made significant gains over the last four years with the Englishman playing a key role in prolonging the career of the country’s leading scorer – and captain – Bhaichung Bhutia while professionalising the approach taken towards the game.

Qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup has seen the All India Football Federation grant Houghton and his team the opportunity to prepare with lengthy training camps in Portugal and Dubai in a bid to be as ready as possible for the task at hand.  

Indian Coach Bob Houghton

Since taking over as India coach in 2006, Bob Houghton has managed to oversee a significant turnaround in the fortunes of the India national team, culminating in qualifying the country for their first AFC Asian Cup finals since 1984.

Despite possessing a vast wealth of experience in the Asian game, though, Houghton will be appearing at an AFC Asian Cup for the first time.


During his time in Asia, Houghton has worked extensively in China, including with the national team, with whom he won the 1998 Dynasty Cup. He also took Uzbekistan to the verge of qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals.


Houghton’s most famous achievement, however, came in European football more than three decades ago when he guided Malmo to the final of the European Cup in 1979.