In a historic feat at the 1956 Olympic Games, the Indian football team made an indelible mark by defeating Australia, securing a pivotal spot on the global football stage. Now, 68 years later, the upcoming India vs Australia AFC Asian Cup game on January 13 at 5:00 pm IST aims to draw inspiration from this iconic victory as Sunil Chhetri and his team pursue their Asian Dream.
Coached by Syed Abdul Rahim, affectionately known as “Rahim Saab,” the Blue Tigers, led by captain Samar Banerjee, triumphed over Australia with a convincing 4-2 win at the Olympic Park in Melbourne. Forward Neville Steven Joseph D’Souza’s hat-trick and J. Krishnaswamy’s goal marked a historic achievement.
This victory, remembered as a significant milestone in world football, catapulted Team India to worldwide fame. However, the joyous journey at the 1956 Olympics faced a downturn with defeats in the semi-finals to Yugoslavia (4–1) and the subsequent Bronze medal match to Bulgaria (3-0). The legacy of that red-letter day in 1956 continues to inspire the current generation in their pursuit of football glory.
