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The 2018 edition of FIFA World Cup will run from 14 June to 15 July in Russia across 11 cities and 12 stadia. Some of the world's greatest footballers will display their skills and look forward to bring home the trophy. Moreover, Indians will enthusiastically watch the 2018 FIFA World Cup despite their team failing to qualify.
However, in the past, India got the opportunity to face some of these oppositions. While India had played against some of them numerous times, we can't say the same about other teams. Moreover, we are highly doubtful that the Indian football team would get the opportunity to play against these teams again.
The junior team gets the opportunity to face some of the teams on a regular basis due to constant international exposure. However, the same can't be said about the senior team.
Here are 7 Non-Asian FIFA World Cup 2018 teams against whom Indian senior team played.
Also Read: The history of Indian football team in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
#7 Russia/Soviet Union
Actually, India never played with Russia. They only had played against them when they were a part of the Soviet Union. Out of the six matches contested between them, India lost all of them.
In 1955, Soviet Union toured India from the month of January to March playing a total of 19 matches. In their games against Indian national team, they defeated them 4-0 at New Delhi, 3-0 at Bombay, and 3-0 at Calcutta. Moreover, they even played against Mohun Bagan AC and East Bengal Club defeating them 3-0 each.
The Sailen Manna led Indian football team would reciprocate the tour and visit the Soviet Union from the month of August to September in 1955. The Indian team would play seven matches with their only victory coming against Odessa XI. In their only match against the Soviet Union, they would lose 11-1.
In the 1986 Nehru Cup in Trivandrum, the Soviet Union send their B team. But, India still lost to them 6-0 in the group stages and finished last.
The Soviet Union team would again participate at the 1991 Nehru Gold Cup in Trivandrum. The sources can't confirm whether that was their A-team or not. Nonetheless, they did defeat India 3-1.
#6 Morocco
Unlike the previous name, India only played against Morocco once. And, that too came at the 1985 Nehru Cup in Cochin.
India came into the match after a 0-1 and 2-3 loss to South Korea Youth and Algeria B Team. Meanwhile, Morocco came into the match with a 4-0 win over Algeria B and a 2-2 draw with South Korea Youth Team.
Morocco was seen as a clear favorite to win the match but hadn't taken India lightly. In the 34th minute, Fakhreddine Rajhy had broken the deadlock and gave Morocco the lead. The scoreline would remain the same and finish 1-0 in favor of Morocco.
India was knocked out at the group stages of the tournament failing to win or draw a single match. Morocco advanced to the semi-final only to lose to the eventual winners Soviet Union 0-1.
#5 Serbia/Yugoslavia
Like Russia, India too never played against Serbia. But, they had played against them when they were a part of Yugoslavia. Moreover, it is the only World Cup team against whom India boasts of having a 100% record!
In the 1982 Nehru Cup, India had a tremendous side comprising the likes of Manas Bhattacharya and Prasanta Banerjee. Meanwhile, Yugoslavia had sent their B-Team in the tournament. The tournament featured six teams in a single group with the top two going on to play the final.
India came into the match after losing all their previous matches. Yugoslavia B lost all but one in a 2-2 draw against South Korea. In their final match, India sprang an upset and won the game 2-1 thanks to goals from Manoranjan Bhattacharya and Manas Bhattacharya.
#4 Uruguay
India has played against Uruguay twice but lost both times. As of this writing, Uruguay is ranked 23 and most of their players play in established European clubs. It is highly unlikely that we would ever get an opportunity to play against them.
Their first encounter came at the 1982 Nehru Cup when India lost to them 3-1. Manas Bhattacharya again scored the only against the superior Uruguayan team. The Uruguayan team would go on to win the 1982 Nehru Cup beating China comfortably in the final.
They would meet again at the 2001 Sahara Cup but this time they didn't send their first team. Nonetheless, they managed to beat India 3-0 and qualified to the quarter-finals. But, in the quarterfinals, they would lose 2-3 to Bosnia and Herzegovina and bow out of the tournament.
#3 Poland
Poland is currently grouped with Japan, Senegal, and Colombia in the Group H of the FIFA World Cup. With their stalwart side, they might even make it to the round of 16. But, did you know that they played against India?
India had invited the Polish team to come and play the 1982 Nehru Cup tournament and they accepted. The fans didn't have to wait long to see their fixture as it was the opening game.
Played at the Salt Lake Stadium in Calcutta, Poland had headed into it as the clear-cut favorites. They scored two goals in the 10th and 34th minute through Dariusz Dziekanowski and Krzysztof Pawlak respectively. Biswajit Bhattacharya would pull one back for the Blue Tigers in the 42nd minute.
However, that was how far India could go. The second half produced no goals and the match ended 2-1 in favor of Poland.
#2 France
France and India had locked horns with each other twice, and both of them came in the Olympics. In both these matches, India didn't win the game but won the hearts.
The first encounter came in the 1948 London Olympics. The young and vibrant Indian national football team took on France 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. If they hadn't missed the two penalties in the match, they could have caused a huge upset
Their second encounter came in the 1960 Rome Olympics with the France team that had finished 3rd in the World Cup two years ago. India had taken the lead through the legendary PK Banerjee, who rattled the net in the 71st minute. Even though France would equalize and the game would end in a 1-1 draw, the European media praised India for their wonderful performance.
#1 Argentina
Whichever World Cup Argentina plays, they are always the favorites. Such is their legacy, and India got the rare opportunity to face them in the 1984 Nehru Cup.
The AIFF invited Argentina and they replied positively. They didn't send their full strength team but it boasted of players like Jorge Burruchanga (scored the winning goal in 1986 FIFA World Cup) and Ricardo Gareca.
India came after a 1-2 loss to Poland and Argentina was riding on a 1-0 victory over Romania U-21. In their match, India managed to hold on the mighty Argentinians till the 78th minute. However, a sublime strike from Ricardo Gareca in the 79th minute sealed the deal.
The scoreline would remain the same and Argentina won the game 1-0. However, they failed to make it to the final after a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of China in the group stages. Nonetheless, they finished third in the group and went home with the bronze medal.
