New Delhi: Bhaichung Bhutia's farewell match ended in an expected defeat, but the Indian legend was given a rousing farewell by the crowd, even as German giants Bayern Munich outclassed India 4-0 in an exhibition tie at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday.
Thomas Muller scored a brace, while Mario Gomez along with Bastian Schweinsteiger netted a goal each, as the Bavarians demonstrated their superiority without having to break a sweat.
However, after conceding four goals in the first half, the Indians gave a much better account of themselves in the second period by denying the German side any further success, although Bayern also eased off after several first-team players were substituted.
Coach Jupp Heynckes made several changes at the break, substituting Arjen Robben, Philipp Lahm, Rafinha and Muller, though Franck Ribery came off the bench.
Earlier, the German side started with most of their first eleven, except for Ribery, and toyed with the Indians, attacking almost at will.
It was no surprise then that Bayern opened the scoring as early as the 14th minute through Gomez, who tapped in a Robben pass past Indian goalkeeper Karanjit Singh.
Muller then scored two in the space of nine minutes, first nodding home without any challenge near the far post off a cross from the right by Robben in the 29th minute, before slotting home again from an assist by Toni Kroos in the 37th minute.
With all the action taking place in their half, Indian forays forward were few and far between, with all emphasis on defending and trying to contain the dominant Bayern stars. Bhaichung made an ambitious attempt from 30 yards out, but the ball sailed into the crowd.
However, the quality of their opponents shone through and it was Schweinsteiger's turn to join the act with a beauty in the 43rd minute.
The margin of defeat could have been much heavier had it not been for substitute goalkeeper Subhasish Roychowdhury's brilliant saves in the second half.
Around 35,000 crowd watched the match at the floodlit stadium but the national team, led for the last time by Bhutia, were no match for the highly-fancied Bayern side, who had overwhelming ball possession and did most of the attacking. The hosts never managed to trouble German 'keeper Manuel Neuer.
In fact, the home side's only real shot on target came in the 82nd minute when Bhaichung released the onrushing Jewel Raja, whose shot went straight into the hands of Neuer.
However, the fans were not bothered by the scoreline, instead relishing a chance to experience top-class European football first-hand. At the same time, every tackle or stop by an Indian defender and of course, every touch by Bhaichung was wildly cheered.
Bhutia, who has been Indian football's posterboy for 16 years since he made his international debut in 1995, played for 85 minutes before being replaced by CS Sabeeth, and the striker, who announced his retirement last year, was given a standing ovation by the crowd.
(With agency inputs)
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