1948 London Olympics: The day India lost to France in football

64 years ago, on July 31 at the 1948 London Olympics, a young, vibrant Indian national football team took on France at the Lynn Road Stadium in Ilford, London in the first round of the Olympic football competition. The French Equipe Tricolore won 2-1, but the Indians won the hearts of the public with their display though they missed two penalties in the match, otherwise an upset could have been possible.

On this historic day which was the first highlight of Team India on the international football stage, we all hope and dream of seeing India one day in action again in the football competition at an Olympic Games.

We all hope it will be sooner rather then later…

MATCH STATS

First Round – Ilford, London

India 1-2 France – Goals: 0-1 Courdin (30′), 1-1 S. Raman (70′), 1-2 Strapee (89′).

INDIA: K.V. Varadaraj, Taj Mohammed, Sailendra Nath Manna, S.A. Basheer, Talimeren Ao, Mahabir Prasad, Robi Das, Ramachandra Balaram Parab, Sahu Mewalal, Ahmed Khan, S. Raman