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Indian soccer team plays in England after 52 years

Paran Balakrishnan in London

Playing in Britain for the first time in 52 years, the Indian football team went down fighting 2-0 against leading English club Fulham FC.

India defended stubbornly till the final whistle, but were unable to stop Fulham striker and German international Karl Heinz Riedle who scored both goals.

Riedle opened the score in the 39th minute after a a goalmouth melee that caught India's defenders wrongfooted. He completed the job ten minutes before the match ended.

Fulham's forwards kept the match in the Indian half, but were stopped from scoring more frequently by a group of dogged defenders who kept them at bay.

India appeared pleased with its performance at a post-match press conference. "The atmosphere in the dressing-room was very positive after the match. We have learnt some things from the game and we will be a lot more confident during our next outing," said Indian captain Baichung Bhutia.

Bhutia, the team's star striker, was heavily marked by the Fulham defence and did not get many opportunities to attack the goal. "I have faced him before and know what he is capable of," Fulham captain Chris Coleman said after the match.

Fulham, owned by controversial tycoon Mohammad Al-Fayed, is one of the best first division teams in England and it has several international players. It almost climbed into the super-rich Premier League last season.

The Indian midfield was, however, unable to pass swiftly and take the ball into enemy territory in an effective fashion.

"India has a lot of talented individuals, but they need to work together. You need more teamwork and coordination," Coleman felt.

A crowd of around 5,700, including a large contingent of enthusiastic young British Asians, turned up to watch the match at Fulham FC's Craven Cottage ground in south west London.

India's coach defended his team's performance. "We got only 24 days together before coming and playing our first match. The Indian team is only semi-professional and it still has only a semi-professional attitude to football.," he said.

Bhutia said his team would need time to get accustomed to European-style football. "The pace and the speed of the game here is very different to Calcutta," he said.

The Indian team is slated to play another exhibition match against first division team West Bromwich Albion next week and a final match against Bangladesh on July 29 at Villa Park in Leicester.

India has not toured internationally for over 20 years. The last Indian team to tour Britain in 1948 created a sensation by playing barefooted.