Shabbir Ali meets former Olympian Arun Ghosh, recalling India’s 1974 youth football triumph

Former India captain Shabbir Ali met his ‘Guru’, Olympian Arun Ghosh, in Kolkata. Ali recalled the 1974 Indian Youth Team’s unbeaten run under Ghosh, which made them Asian-level champions. He said the reunion was nostalgic and truly special

Hyderabad: For former India football captain Shabbir Ali it was a nostalgic meeting with his ‘Guru’ when he called on former Olympian Arun Ghosh in Kolkata.

“I was honoured to meet Arun da Ghosh, Olympian and former India Under-19 coach, at his residence. He guided the 1974 Indian Youth Team — India’s last Asian-level champions, finishing joint winners with Iran,” Shabbir said.

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“That Indian squad went unbeaten, produced several future internationals, and remains one of the strongest youth teams in our history,” the football stalwart from Hyderabad said.

“Arun da also coached me in East Bengal in 1978 and later in the India team in the 1980s. Meeting him after so many years was truly special,” said Shabbir, who is also on the AIFF technical panel.

“The 50th anniversary celebration in Kolkata last year, thanks to AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, helped bring deserved recognition to this remarkable achievement.”