“When we went to Spain, our main aim was to gain more respect for Indian football the moment we came back to our land after winning the match. Now, a lot of people will notice Indian football,” one of the players told the news agency ANI.
Here is how the fans welcomed the Indian team:
The @BluePilgrims waiting to welcome the Indian women's team and the Argentina-beating U20 men's football team in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/CBmCe9Xfrl
— Rohan Venkataramakrishnan (@RohanV) August 9, 2018
Meet Tony !!! The guy from portugal.. He came here along with his Friend to Welcome @IndianFootball U20 as well Womens Team @BluePilgrims @Chitrology #BackTheBlue #InquilabEIndianFootball #IndianFootball #AsianDream pic.twitter.com/f5bcLcMAeH
— Taposh Kumar Sharma (@TaposhSharma9) August 9, 2018
Some of Blue Pilgrims recieved @IndianFootball Women's team at the Delhi Airport, who returned home after participating in @Cotif cup. We will keep the support going. ðŸ™âš½ðŸ‡®ðŸ‡³ #ShePower #InquilabEIndianFootball pic.twitter.com/v0LqPIav9o
— Blue Pilgrims (@BluePilgrims) August 9, 2018
.@aditi03chauhan with our fans at Delhi Airport. 🇮🇳⚽ #ShePower #InquilabEIndianFootball pic.twitter.com/H8AcVtI8NE
— Blue Pilgrims (@BluePilgrims) August 9, 2018
Me with @aditi03chauhan welcoming @IndianFootball women team at IGI Airport Terminal 3@BluePilgrims @Chitrology#ShePower#BackTheBlue #airport #AsianDream #InquilabEIndianFootball #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/AeitTFitjN
— Taposh Kumar Sharma (@TaposhSharma9) August 9, 2018
I normally don't take selfies (because I always end up looking like a potato) but can't resist taking one with a legend. @aditi03chauhan @BluePilgrims #Indianfootball pic.twitter.com/o28foNgPEC
— Chitraranjan (@Chitrology) August 9, 2018
#InquilabEIndianFootball pic.twitter.com/lLOxjkxnnV
— Blue Pilgrims (@BluePilgrims) August 9, 2018
After receiving Indian Women's Team at 11:30 pm at Delhi Airport, our fans are battling against sleep to welcome our heroes "@IndianFootball U20 team" and it's already 4 AM! Respect! ðŸ™ðŸ‡®ðŸ‡³âš½ #InquilabEIndianFootball pic.twitter.com/lBAzoaAhE5
— Blue Pilgrims (@BluePilgrims) August 9, 2018
âš½ðŸ‡®ðŸ‡³âœ”ï¸ pic.twitter.com/zi2IpWv8IK
— Blue Pilgrims (@BluePilgrims) August 10, 2018
The coach who made it possible. @Coach_FP ðŸ™ðŸ‡®ðŸ‡³âš½ pic.twitter.com/gWMFMyU6u7
— Blue Pilgrims (@BluePilgrims) August 10, 2018
The Indian teams defeated Argentina 2-1in their last match of the COTIF Cup in Spain where Deepak Tangri opened the scoresheet for the Men in Blue before Aniket Jadhav was shown a red card in the second half. However, Anwar Ali’s strike in the second half put India 2-0 up against Argentina, who are considered the most successful team in the history of U-20 World Cup.
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The Argentina U-20 team scored in the 72nd minute and smashed the crossbar in the additional time, but failed to break the resilient Indian team, who ended the tournament on a high.
The team is scheduled to visit Croatia for another tournament later in 2018.