<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (April 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> The history of football in India is a long and detailed one, as it was the national sport at one time . The impetus for this was to unify the Indian Army . There is evidence for refereed team football games being played in the Indian Army since at least 1949 . India is home to some of the oldest football clubs in the world, and the world's third oldest competition, the Durand Cup . </P> <P> Football was introduced to India by British soldiers in the mid-nineteenth century . It spread because of the efforts of Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari . In 1888 the Durand Cup was founded by then India's Foreign Secretary, Mortimer Durand at Simla, India . The Durand Cup is the third oldest football competition behind the FA Cup and the Scottish Cup . It was initiated, as a recreation for British troops stationed in India . Royal Scots Fusiliers won the first edition of the cup by beating Highland Light Infantry 2--1 in the Final . In 1893 the IFA Shield was founded as the fourth oldest trophy in the world . Calcutta, then capital of British India, soon became the hub of Indian football . Sarada FC was the oldest Indian football club . </P> <P> Calcutta FC was the first club to be established in 1872 . Other early clubs include Dalhousie Club, Traders Club and Naval Volunteers Club . </P>

India play first football match with which country