New Delhi: Although cricket retains its hallowed status as the country's number one sport India's footballing authorities Monday saluted the latest in a series of footballing breakthroughs after Romeo Fernandes made his debut in Brazil.

Fernandes, a 22-year-old from Assolna in Goa state, enjoyed a successful debut as a second half substitute in his club Atletico Paranaense's 5-0 weekend thrashing of Nacional to become the first Indian player ever to appear in a Brazilian league encounter.