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Bayern Munich beat India 4-0; Mueller shines
New Delhi, January 10, 2012
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Midfielder Thomas Mueller scored a brace as German giants FC Bayern Munich thrashed India 4-0 in a match which happened to be the farewell of India's iconic footballer Bhaichung Bhutia at the Jawaherlal Nehru Stadium here today.
For Bayern, the other goal scorers were Mario Gomez (14th minute) and Bastain Schweinteiger (43rd minute).
The visitors fired the first goal in the 14th minute as Gomez was on target against a nervy Indian defence which failed to get their act together in the first leg of the game.
Schweinsteiger almost found an opportunity in the fourth minute but the Indian defenders came good.
In the eighth minute Bayern was in action again as Robben almost netted one but Indian goalkeeper Karanjit Singh thwarted the effort.
India were mauled by the German giants as they cut the Indian defence to ribbons again in the 29th minute. Muller netted his first goal in 29th minute and he scored his second goal of the evening in 37th minute.
Soon after in the 42nd minute, Bastian Schweinsteiger took the tally to 4-0 for Bayern.
In the second half, the game was pretty much the same with the first notable piece of action being Subasish Roy Chowdhury making a diving save from a Gomez attempt in the 53rd minute.
The Germans continued to dominate the possession as Savio Medeira's side were kept inside their own half. India's first real shot on target came only in the 82nd minute when Bhutia released the onrushing Jewel Raja whose shot went straight into the hands of Neuer.
The journey came to an end for the Sikkimese Sniper as he bowed out for one last time with the crowd giving him a standing ovation.
Bayern couldn't add to their tally in the second leg and the match eventually finished 4-0 in favour of the Germans.
As the farewell match ended with many fans giving a teary goodbye to Bhutia, curtains came down on the most celebrated Indian footballer's career and another one raised over the legacy that he left behind for the nation, being the poster boy of football in the nation since 1995.
The match started with the packed stadium standing up for the Indian national anthem. This is Munich's 5th visit to India but it was for the first time they were playing against the national team.
Baichung was also presented a Bayern jersey with number 15 written and signed by all Bayern players on the occasion.
The capital's most high-profile football match saw a bevy of international stars such as Philipp Lahm, Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Mueller and Mario Gomez in the Bayern Munich ranks.
The atmosphere was electric as the players took to the field with the Delhi crowd turning out in large numbers to cheer their football heroes.
NNN
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