India 1-1 Panama: A Night Bengaluru Won't Forget

Best I have seen India play in ages, honestly. Under Khalid Jamil, this was different class. Panama came into this fresh off a World Cup campaign, ranked 94 spots above us, and for large stretches you’d never have guessed it. India stayed tight, disciplined, and struck first Ryan Williams timing a run in behind the Panama line in the 41st minute, rounding the keeper and slotting it home off a lovely Akash Mishra assist. Bengaluru went up. Panama threw everything at us after the break, and Gurpreet was outstanding, but Valencia eventually found the equaliser with a long-range strike in the 68th. Even then India kept pushing Manvir came close late, Tekcham fired one just wide off a corner. No backing off, no parking the bus. We matched them. Special mention for Bijoy Varghese. With Jhingan missing, I fully expected the defence to wobble against this kind of attack. Didn’t happen. He was phenomenal composed, sharp, on top of everything all night. You genuinely didn’t feel Jhingan’s absence, which says a lot. Only downside was off the pitch. Paid 5 star prices, got watered concrete to sit on. Still, 9,039 fans showed up and made noise the whole game 🔥 Brazil in Kolkata on October 3 next. Can’t wait.