Indian football team’s seven biggest losses in competitive matches

The Blue Tigers have suffered quite a few crushing defeats away from home. 

The Indian football team have a rich history. The first international official tour for the national team came all the way back in 1924 while the All India Football Federation (AIFF) was established in 1937.

Over the years, the Indian football team have had more “forgetful nights” than good ones. Playing away from home has especially been a challenge against the Asian footballing giants in competitive fixtures. 

Here are the Blue Tigers’ eight biggest losses in competitive games over the years:

8. Japan 6-0 India (AFC Asian Cup 2007 qualifiers)

Coach Zico’s Japan beat India 6-0 at the Nissan Stadium securing a comfortable win courtesy of Tatsuhiko Kubo’s brace. Played on 22nd February 2006, the Blue Samurais dominated India in the second half, scoring five goals. The Blue Tigers eventually failed to qualify for the 2007 Asian Cup. 

7. Qatar 6-0 India (FIFA World Cup 1998 Qualifiers)

After a win and a draw in their opening two games, the Indian football team travelled to the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha for their third FIFA World Cup 1998 qualifier match on 27th September 1996. Hosts Qatar dominated India throughout the game as Mohammed Salem Al-Enazi’s brace helped them get a 6-0 win against the Blue Tigers.

6. China 7-1 India (Asian Games 1974 – Iran)

Played on 4th September 1974, The Blue Tigers suffered a crushing defeat from China at the Aryamehr Stadium in Tehran. Magan Singh Rajvi was on the scoresheet for India but the Dragons were dominant and gave India their biggest loss in the Asian Games. The Blue Tigers lost all three group games and were eliminated in the preliminary round.

5. Saudi Arabia 7-1 India (AFC Asian Cup 2007 Qualifiers)

India were outclassed by Saudi Arabia at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium on 6th September 2006. The hosts had five different scorers on the night. Interestingly, the Indian football team had taken the lead in the 10th minute of the game through Manju Nanjungud before a barrage of goals from the hosts.

Also Read: All matches & results of Indian football team in 2024

4. Indonesia 7-1 India (AFC Asian Cup 1996 Qualifiers)

The Shah Alam Stadium hosted the AFC Asian Cup Qualifier game between the two sides on 4th March 1996. Tejinder Kumar got India the lead in the 11th minute but Indonesia were prepared at home and pumped in seven goals past the Blue Tigers. 

3. Japan 7-0 India (FIFA World Cup 2006 Qualifiers)

On 9th June 2004, Zico’s Japan taught the Blue Tigers a tough lesson at the Saitama Stadium. The Samurai Blue had six different scorers on that night as they outclassed India throughout the game. The likes of Baichung Bhutia and Renedy Singh started the game for the Indian football team against Japan. 

2. South Korea 7-0 India (FIFA World Cup 1994 Qualifiers)

Played on 9th June 1993 in Seoul, hosts South Korea gave India their joint-biggest defeat in a World Cup qualifiers game. Lee Ki-Boem starred on the night for the Koreans bagging a hattrick against I.M. Vijayan’s Blue Tigers.

1. Yugoslavia 10-1 India (Summer Olympics 1952 – Hungary)

The Töölön Pallokenttä Stadium in Helsinki hosted the preliminary round game on 15th July 1952. Yugoslavia thrashed India courtesy of four goals from Branko Zebec on the night. The Blue Tigers did get a late consolation as Ahmed Khan scored in the 89th minute. The game ended 10-1 and this has since been India’s biggest loss in a competitive game.

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