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December 1 marks 60 years since one of Indian footballs biggest days - when the Indian team beat Australia 4-2 in the quarter-finals of the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne. It was arguably their best result on the global stage, a match in which Neville DSouza became the first Asian to score a hat-trick in the Olympics.The lead-upIndia went into the 1956 Olympics bolstered by the impact of two decisions taken by the national football federation a couple of years previously: Boots were made mandatory in all domestic tournaments from 1954 and the duration of matches was increased from 60 minutes to 70. The Federation was initially reluctant to send the team to Melbourne but gave its consent after an IFA XI defeated a strong Chinese Olympic team 3-1 in Calcutta in July.The squadCoach SA Rahim selected a young side (average age 23) after two short camps and also switched over to the three-defender system. Only Azizuddin and Noor Mohammed retained their places from the 1952 Olympic team. Samar (Badru) Banerjee was appointed the Captain and J Kittu his deputy.The first roundThe India had a tough draw as they were due to clash with the strong Hungarian side, runners-up in the 1954 World Cup. However, Hungary withdrew because of political upheaval in the country and India got a walkover to the quarter-final.The big matchIndia were up against the hosts, the taller and stronger Australian team who had defeated Japan 2-0 in the opening round. The match, at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, began with India quicker on the ball and it took them only nine minutes to open the scoring. Samar Banerjees piledriver crashed against the post and Neville DSouza, lurking nearby, leapt to nod home the rebound. Australia levelled eight minutes later, when Peter Thangaraj was beaten by Bruce Morrows header from a free kick by George Arthur from just outside the box.It didnt take India long to reply. In the 33rd minute PK Banerjee ran down the right flank and sent in an inch perfect cross. Australias keeper Ron Lord rushed out but failed to collect the ball and DSouza, showing his poachers instinct, took the chance and scored. Once again, though, Australia levelled quickly; the lead had lasted only three minutes when Morrow again nodded the ball home after Graham Macmillans header crashed against the crossbar and Thangaraj and central defender Abdus Salaam failed to clear in time.The second half began in similar vein, India dominating the exchanges by being faster on the ball. DSouza completed his hatrick five minutes into the half; Kannayan raced down the wings and, cutting in, found himself entangled with Lord. The ball ran free and DSouza, again siezing the chance, slotted it home. Kittu completed the rout in the 80th minute with a superb goal, sprinting 25 yards before deceiving Lord with a clever lob. Thangaraj closed out the match with two smart saves, leaving India 4-2 winners.The reactionsNeville DSouza was fantastic, said PK Banerjee, who had to be admitted to hospital after the match with severe cramps. After we beat Australia 4-2, Australia challenged us to a rematch in Sydney. Do you know the result? We won 7-1. In Sydney, that evening, we massacred them.One foreign agency wrote: Indias superiority over Australia had been demonstrated in a practice match earlier,but they will have to improve a lot and pass more precisely against Yugoslavia in the semi finals.The semi-final Three days later India clashed with the taller and stronger Yugoslavia, who were also the favourites to win gold. India put up another spirited performance but lost 4-1. They played an open game but held the opposition scoreless till half time. Then India went ahead, that man DSouza again with a brilliant goal. He seized a loose ball near his own half line and ran through solo towards the rival goal, taking two defenders on his stride, and then cleverly outpaced the rival goalkeeper to drive the ball into the net.PK Banerjee remembers that goal clearly today. What a goal that was! He made the last defender turn and weave three times, before slotting the ball past him.Yugoslavia, though, were too strong and India wilted. We were unlucky, because we had prepared well, but we were inexperienced back then, Banerjee said. The same Yugoslavia who had scored 10 goals against us in 1952, we were leading them 1-0 till the 72nd minute.Writing for the Hindustan Times, Lloyd Clarke said: India today won herself a place in the ranks of world soccer players. In a fast and open game with the highly rated Yugoslavia, she was defeated 1-4 in a match that gave the Yugoslavs their toughest work out.The bronze medal play-off was against Bulgaria, and India lost 3-0. By then, though, Neville DSouza had done enough to was joint Golden Boot winner with 4 goals..The falloutFIFA was impressed with Indias showing; after the Yugoslavia match FIFA president Sir Stanley Rous and Dr Willy Meisl, a leading football journalist, visited the Indian dressing room to congratulate the players.Gautam Roy is a football historian and media manager of East Bengal football club.Eric Lindros Jersey . Rinne played two periods in his first game since left hip surgery in early May. Gabriel Bourque scored 3:07 into the second period and Austin Watson tallied 5:15 later for Nashville. Custom Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys . 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Just as Montreal was settling into the first full working week of a new year, the Impact announced the appointment of their new head coach.Eddie Jones says England have failed to produce a world-class player since Jonny Wilkinson, but believes a number of his Grand Slam winners are close to ending that barren spell.World Rugby layer of the year nominees Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola, as well as fly-half George Ford -- each of whom start against Argentina -- are three England stars pushing hard for inclusion in a global XV.If you look at the record of English rugby since 2003, theres only been one world-class player produced and thats Jonny Wilkinson, Jones said. But some of our guys are moving towards that world-class area. I dont think you get a stamp on your head to say youre world class now and youve got that for life.Weve got guys now who are starting to perform 8 out of 10 every game and when you do that then you become world class. Now we have a number of players who want to be part of a great team and want to be great players. Theyre growing in assertiveness and in their desire to be better, which is fantastic.Before, there hasnt been the desire from the players to push themselves and be great. To do that you have to work that little bit smarter and work that little bit harder.Jones is preparing for the penultimate international of an autumn that could conclude with a record-equalling 14th successive Test victory. Argentina play their final match of the season at Twwickenham on Saturday.ddddddddddddThe first thing about playing against Argentina is that its a test of your manhood, Jones said. They are physical guys. When you go to Argentina, you have a big steak, dont you? Its all about being physical. Thats our first test. Weve got no issue with that, we know thats coming.Jones also aimed a barb at Englands Dec. 3 opponents Australia, saying Argentinas last-placed finish in this years Rugby Championship failed to reflect the Pumas true quality.They were probably the second best team in the Rugby Championship, Jones said, despite Australia finishing runners-up. We are playing a very good side that we know if they scent any sense of complacency in us, theyll be all over us like a rash.Theyve played some fantastic rugby and any team that stretches the All Blacks for 50 minutes is a really good team. They did that in the summer with some wonderful rugby.In terms of results, they dropped off towards the end of the Championship and they probably had some fatigue. But fatigue tends to go out the window when you know youre going back to a six-week holiday because this is their last game of the year. They out All-Blacked the All Blacks and to do that you have to be pretty good. ' ' '