There are very few players who are as hungry to score as I am: Sunil Chhetri

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Imphal | Two decades into Indian football and 84 goals for the Blue Tigers — yet for the first time Blue Tigers legend Sunil Chhetri is playing a competitive match in Manipur and his hunger to score for India is as high as ever. The flamboyant striker starred for India in the first three-nation international football tournament match against Myanmar at the Khuman Lampak Stadium last week. He joined the national camp just a day after the Hero ISL final.

After several attempts, he scored a goal that was disallowed for offside, leading many to question the decision.

However, ahead of the match against Kyrgyz Republic, India’s number 11 player is as motivated as ever to play.

“My hunger to score is the same as it has always been and will remain the same against the Kyrgyz Republic. Off-sides and penalty decisions are a part of the game and you can take a look at them,” Chhetri was quoted as saying by aiff.com. You think for a certain period of time, but then you move on and look forward to the next game.”

“I am not speaking from arrogance, but I think there are very few players who are as hungry to score as I am.

The man has seen and done it all in Indian football. Having played for the first time in Manipur, he has a better understanding of the popularity of this beautiful game. Manipur is a state that has given countless players to the men’s and women’s national teams.

I saw a lot of fans, little girls and even mothers coming to the stands. It’s good for sports.

The Indian captain also spoke about the impact these matches could have on the younger generation of players from the state.

Chhetri said, many of us have been playing for a long time, watching all the Indian football stars gives extra motivation to young children. Seeing people like Suresh (Naghjam), Jackson (Singh), Yasir (Mohammed) the kids here can be inspired.

I hope that as a national team, we can give a lot more to help them achieve their dreams. India are currently on top of the Hero Tri-Nation International Football Tournament after a 1-0 win against Myanmar and are followed by Kyrgyz Republic and Myanmar, who played out a 1-1 draw in their second match.

He further added, “Kyrgyz Republic have physically strong and fast players. What happened against Myanmar happened because they are the top team. We have seen their last 10 matches and believe me when I say they are very strong. Good team.”

All the matches we have played against them in the past have been tough matches.

The India skipper looks completely motivated ahead of the match against Kyrgyz Republic. He also admitted that directly joining the national team camp after the Hero ISL final is a blessing. His team Bengaluru FC lost to ATK Mohun Bagan in the final.

He said, “The national team camp gave us an outlet. If the camp had not happened, it would have been more difficult for us to cope. I can tell you that for the boys who are not there, it is much more difficult.”

Chhetri concluded by saying, “It’s not a one-button switch, but it gives you a little more confidence in terms of what you’re thinking when you have to fly out to the national camp the next day.” You come and see the setup and it takes your mind off the loss. But thankfully for us, we directly joined the national camp.

–IANS

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