The Russian Eleven that took on Kerala Eleven at the University Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram in 1955. Photo: ManoramaWhile the world tunes in to the Russian stadiums for the greatest show on earth, old-timers in Thiruvananthapuram can’t help but recollect the mastery of a Russian football team that played in the city 63 years ago.
The Russian team landed in Thiruvananthapuram on February 15, 1955. They were flown from Chennai on a special Dakota flight. They were put up in the Mascot Hotel.
The team had already won eight matches during their Indian tour. The football lovers of Thiruvananthapuram had heard about the Russians’ exploits and were waiting to see them in action. About 30,000 people had gathered to watch the match.
The Russian team met the Rajapramukh XI in the University Stadium in the evening. The Thiru-Kochi Football Association had put together an impressive team to challenge the Russians. They consisted of Abdul Rahman, Tiruvalla Pappan, Shamsher Singh, Allaf Khan, Shankar, Mari, Balasubramaniam, Darshan Singh and Shenappa, the goal keeper of Bombay Dynamos.
A rally taken out by local football enthusiasts from Pallithura near Kovalam to mark the start of the Football World Cup in RussiaThe only Malayalis in the team were Rahman and Pappan, both defenders. The match was a treat. The Russians scored the first goal in the third minute and followed up with seven more before the first half ended. They scored three more in the second half. The Thiruvananthapuram match proved their most valuable during their Indian visit.
The tickets to the match were sold in four districts - the Kalarikkal Medical Stores and the YMCA in Kottayam, the Xavier’s Restaurant in Kollam and the Dr K K Nair Dispensary in Alappuzha. Tickets were also sold at the Marikar Motors and Vasanth Medical House in Ernakulam.
