JN Stadium, Delhi

January 10, 2012; 18:00 GMT

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Welcome to TheHardTackle’s live coverage of Bhaichung Bhutia’s Farewell match. Legend and Indian Captain would lead India onto the fabulous JN Stadia for the very last time. In about half an hour, we would bring you the live updates of the testimonial match between India’s National Football Team and German Bundesliga side – Bayern Munchen.

India : Karanjit (GK) , Gouramangi, Govin, Nirmal, Nabi, Miranda, Vashum, Rakesh, Rocus, Bhutia [C], Sushil



Bayern Munich : Neuer (GK), Rafinha, Badstuber, van Buyten, Lahm [C], Tymoschuk, Kroos, Schweinsteiger, MA?ller, Robben, Gomez



Kick – off : India in their traditional all blues against the all reds of Bayern Munich as the National Anthem is being played around the JN Stadium in Delhi.



0′ : India from right to left and early possession for the Germans

2′ : Bayern making number of moves from the left wing through Phillip Lahm.

5′ : Indian defense struggling big time as we are hardly getting a touch on the ball. On the other hand Bayern are on the attack. Anther attempt on goal and that was close and it went past the post cause of a deflection

7′ : Robben to Rafinha on the right who changes the movement onto the left and a precise pass to Schweinsteiger who in turn passes onto Lahm.

8′ : Oh and what a save. Super skills from Gomez and now its for Robben to bury it for Bayern but Karanjit dives to save that one.

10′ : Bayern have slowed down the pace but the barrage of attacks continue as Toni Kroos is being guarded by three Indian defenders.

12′ : Crowd cheering for every clearance and touch that an Indian player makes. India is literally playing with a 5-4-1 formation.

14′ : GOAL ! Finally a goal for Munchen. Soft goal . Poor poor defending. Muller easily goes across Govin Singh inside the D and passes to Gomez and he taps it in !

15′ : IndiaAi?? 0Ai?? -Ai?? 1Ai?? Bayern Munich

18′ : India has not been able to string together good enough number of passes to make any sort of move or build up play. Its Attack versus Defense !!!

21′ : Van Buyten and Holger Badstuber get a chance to play around as Bhaichung tries his best to track down the German defense.

23′ : Vashum intercepts the long ball from Robben to Lahm. heads it back to Karanjit. Thats some confident defending . India has been showing too much respect to the Bavarian’s.

24′ : Syed Rahim Nabi gets in a tangle with Robben and Raffinha. Good dedicated followup and defensive skills by Nabi.

27′ : Good skills and composure shown by Sushil Kumar in midfield. He passes onto Baichung who shoots wide from some 40 yards. Should have given it back to Sushil.

29′ : GOOOOAAL . GOOAAL. Thomas Muller. That was aAi?? cool header , cross from Arjen Robben. Defensively Nirmal Chettri was all along with Muller but he failed to rise up and handed over an easy head in goal.



30′ : IndiaAi?? 0Ai?? -Ai?? 2Ai?? Bayern Munich

32′ : Phillipp LahmAi?? crosses one in from the left for Gomez but Karanjit collects that handsomely.

35′ : And that was the first real move by India. Rocus Lamare with a near perfect through ball and Bhaichung beats the defense line setup by the Germans. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer came out early and gathers the ball on the edge of the box against an onrushing Bhaichung Bhutia.

37′ : GOAL NUMBER 3 for the Germans. Goving Singh well beaten by some agile foot movements of Thoman Muller as he goes past the Indian defense and places in the third goal for Bayern Munich

38′ : IndiaAi?? 0Ai?? -Ai?? 3Ai?? Bayern Munich

39′ : And that was a fabulous cross in from Robben as Gomez speeds pass the onlooking Indian defense but just misses on the diving header. India live to fight another day !

41′ : Thunderous shot from Toni Kroos and Karanjit dives to his left to save that one

42′ : GOOOOAAL !!! if that was thunderous from Kroos , then this shot from Bastian Schweinsteiger was a super duper thunderous bullet from some 30 yards , bang into the nets !!!.

43′ : IndiaAi?? 0Ai?? -Ai?? 4Ai?? Bayern Munich

45′ : And Bayern have upped their pace here in the last minutes as RafinhaAi?? cuts one in from the right corner post and Karanjit acrobatically latches onto it.

HALF TIMEAi?? :Ai?? IndiaAi?? 0Ai?? -Ai?? 4Ai?? Bayern Munich

Its time for the second half to begin. No need to be ashamed of for Team India ; Indian Football fans.Ai??Its a pretty strong Bayern Munich side. India is without two of her best players in Sunil Chhetri and Subrata Paul. The occasion is of celebration. So lets enjoy the game and lets be proud of our very own genuine Bhaichung Bhutia. The Sikkimese footballer , who has given the country, for more than a decade, the only thing that’s really needed – HOPE !

45′ : A few changes by both sides, as more noteably Ribbery comes in for Bayern and the Pune FC striker ; Jeje has come in for India!

47′ : Robben caught offside there. And now at the other end first corner for the Indian !!

50′ : Good tackle from C Lawrence. More of this please!

52′ : Oh and that’s dangerous from Baldeep as he makes a sliding tackle. But to be fair enough he did get the ball. But he also managed to get a yellow card from the Ref !

54′ : Bit of confusion there in the Indian defense and a shot from nowhere and Subhashish Roy Chowdhary makes a good diving save

55′ : And make it two in a row. Yet another good save by Subhashish. Ribbery toying around the Indian defense

58′ : Good clearance from Syed Rahim Nabi and now India on the counter as Jeje makes a run on a hopefull ball put in the empty Bayern half by Vashum. Goalkeeper Neuer makes a run for that too and he is now well outside his box as Jeje manages to block his clearance and earns a foul out of it.

60′ : So fifteen minutes into the second half and no goals yet. Strong showing this from India?!?!!?

63′ : Swift exchange of passes from the Germans but to be fair India’s tracking down has improved.

65′ : Climax Lawrence to Baldeep SIngh now who puts in an unnecessary long ball into the Bayern half. India should keep hold of the ball when they have it. The clearances cum long balls are sign of panic.

68′ : Bayern have slowed down the pace considerably. But nonetheless the sleek passing and pin point exchanges and changes in flanks continue. Its a treat to watch quality football.

70′ :Ai?? IndiaAi?? 0Ai?? -Ai?? 4Ai?? Bayern Munich

73′ : Yet another clearance by the Indian defense lands up in Bhaichung’s feet who touches it back for Jeje who shoots it up for his captain but that was a bit too heavy. Now Indian gets a corner and Didika goes for it.

76′ : Decent move by India. Nirmal Chhetri with the initial pass , Jeje tries to connect it back for Ralte who shoots first time from just outside the box but the on target ball is blocked.

78′ : Diego for Ivica Olic on the left wing. Olic now has moved on the right wing and passes it on to Prajic who hits a bullet straight into Subhashish Roy Chowdhary.

81′ : And now its an attempt from our very own Jewel Raja who records India’s first genuine save of Goalkeeper Neuer. Jewel Raja had more time with him than he thought and took the shot hastily from outside the box. But a good shot on target nonetheless.

84′ : Its the moment now ,Ai?? probably no one was waiting for . Baichung Bhutia is coming off , for the last time for India and he gets a standing ovation as CS Sabheeth replaces Baichung !

87′ : India has worked hard in the second half. Can they come up with a good enough move or a decent attempt on goal in the last few minutes here.



89′ : Lalrandika Ralte from a set piece position as Jewel raja was brought down by Gustavo who inturn earns a yellow card for that foul.

90′ + 2 : So the final whistle goes off in this testimonial match which was killed off as a contest in the very first half with four goals. India did create a couple of semi chance in the second half though.

FULL TIME :Ai?? IndiaAi?? 0Ai?? -Ai?? 4Ai?? Bayern Munich

That’s it from TheHardTackle. India have gained valuable exposure from this historic match at ‘T’he JN’ in New Delhi. It was a cold night in terms of the winter weather too. Baichung Bhutia bows out of the International Arena as this match ends but keep looking out for him in the domestic circuit for United Sikkim FC as they fight it out for promotion to the I-League !