It was a a moment of great pride for Indian football as The Bhanga Boys managed to retain the Nehru CUp title beating Syria 6-5 on penalties. Subrata Pal was terrific between the posts and played a pivotal role in Syria's downfall.

I must say I adore Bob Houghton for the work he has done with the Indian national team.

Here's a match report. There are quite a few similarities between our victory over Man Utd in Community Shield on pens.

Nehru Cup: India Retains Nehru Cup, Complete A Hat-Tick Of Titles

India have retained the Nehru Cup and thus won a hat-trick of titles under coach Bob Houghton with Subrata Paul and Renedy Singh being the key conspirators in their victory over Syria this evening at Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi.

After 120 minutes of open play ended in a 1-1 scoreline, the Indians held their nerves in the crucial penalty kicks to emerge worthy winners. For India, Climax Lawrence, Sunil Chhetri, Steven Dias, Anwar and Surkumar Singh were successful from the spot while Renedy was unfortunate as he managed to send the goalkeeper the wrong way but his attempt bounced back off the right post. Mehrajuddin Wadoo’s attempt was an easy save for the Syrian goalkeeper.

Subrata Paul’s heroics between the sticks and attempt to psyche the opposition players worked in India’s favour.

First Half

India coach Bob Houghton named his best line-up with the likes of Bhaichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri, Anthony Pereira, Steven Dias, N.P.Pradeep and Surkumar Singh starting while Syria also brought in their stars.

It was a great start for the Indians as Bhutia Bhutia enforced a mistake from Hamzeh Aitoni and unleashed a left footer which saw Syrian goalkeeper Mousab Bilhousa go full stretch to save his side the early blushes.

The next attack again went India’s way as Surkumar Singh released Steven on the right whose first time cross was headed wide by Sunil Chhetri. Anthony Pereira did well to send in a cross but was cleared in time by Wael Ayan as an unmarked Bhaichung Bhutia was lurking in the box.

Moutaz Kaldini controlled a long ball and his attempt to find the far post wasn’t very far.

The 22nd minute saw Syria have their best chance of the half when an Abdul Fatah cross from the left was headed over the bar by Mohamed Al Zeno. Neither team could create any clear cut chances as the Syrians were a little cautious in their approach whereas the Indians lacked the creativity.

Steven Dias’ attempt after receiving a pass from Bhaichung Bhutia was very uncharacteristic of him.

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It's a shame I couldn't attend the match, as the Ambedkar Stadium is hardly 30 minutes from my house.

And I would also like to tell you all that Sunil Chetri recently agreed a deal with QPR before been denied a UK work permit as India is not amongst the top 70 ranked FIFA nations.

It's a shame, really.

And I would also like to tell you all that Sunil Chetri recently agreed a deal with QPR before being denied a UK work permit as India is not amongst the top 70 ranked FIFA nations.

It's a shame, really.

It's not just a shame, it's disgraceful. Is it the UK Border Agency that has denied him a work permit? Who says that talented footballers who come from countries not in the top 70 can't be allowed work permits if a UK club wants to employ them? Is the Ivory Coast in the top 70, or do the Ivoiriens count as French? Will QPR challenge the decision, do you think?

It's not just a shame, it's disgraceful. Is it the UK Border Agency that has denied him a work permit? Who says that talented footballers who come from countries not in the top 70 can't be allowed work permits if a UK club wants to employ them? Is the Ivory Coast in the top 70, or do the Ivoiriens count as French? Will QPR challenge the decision, do you think?

After checking on some facts, I've figured out that Ivory Coast are 18th in the FIFA rankings (took me by suprise slightly).

Am article that I read stated that it was the 'British government' that denied him the permit. And as far as an appeal from QPR is concerned, it doesn't look like Chetri will be moving to Europe this season as he himself stated that he wants to get over the disappointment by steering his club Dempo as well as India to further success over the coming year.

The lad has all my wishes. I hope such bloody regulations don't let his talent get wasted.

Really disappointing. He could be playing in the Premier League in a couple of seasons. I don't think an appeal in this case is even possible.

There is absolutely NO logic in a rule that says that an individual, no matter HOW talented, can't play in England because his country as a whole isn't high enoguh in the pecking order. What absolute nonsense!

There is absolutely NO logic in a rule that says that an individual, no matter HOW talented, can't play in England because his country as a whole isn't high enoguh in the pecking order. What absolute nonsense!

I believe it's based on the appearances in recent games, as well as the ranking of the nation. It then goes down to their talent if it's taken to an appeal, which is decided by a panel of former players, managers and whatnot. I don't think this went to an appeal though.

Seriously! How do they expect countries like India to do better in football on the world stage with ridiculous laws like these. One can only imagine how much boost this would have given to Indian football in general having one of our lads playing in England.

England is not the only country in the world that plays football. If the guy is good enough then surely someone from somewhere will come in for him?

True but English football is the most followed in this part of the world due to tv coverage and all that. Its always different to watch one of your lads play every week on tv in one of the best leagues in the world rather than hear about him or read in papers once in a while if he's playing, say, in another league for which there is no coverage.

The fact is that we do not produce many great footballers and the only player to play in one of the better leagues in recent times has been Baichung Bhutia who played for Bury FC. For one of ours to get a chance like this and then being denied by a stupid rule is just painful.

True but English football is the most followed in this part of the world due to tv coverage and all that. Its always different to watch one of your lads play every week on tv in one of the best leagues in the world rather than hear about him or read in papers once in a while if he's playing, say, in another league for which there is no coverage.

The fact is that we do not produce many great footballers and the only player to play in one of the better leagues in recent times has been Baichung Bhutia who played for Bury FC. For one of ours to get a chance like this and then being denied by a stupid rule is just painful.

If he had joined QPR would you really get to see him much on TV? Even we don't get that much Championship coverage over here.

There is coverage for some Championship games here, very few, but there is. And if Sunil is playing at QPR, then those games will certainly be on TV. Fact is that football fever is slowly catching up here and the sports channels are leaving no stone unturned to get to the audience first.

Quite apart from the knock-on effect on football in India, it is grossly unfair to the young man himself, that having been considered good enough for an English team, he should be denied the opportunity by a nameless official who may well know sod-all about football.

Football is run by idiots. As simple as that.

Football is run by idiots. As simple as that.

So is the world