A day after the glorious night when India beat Afghanistan 4-0 in an eventful SAFF Championship final, he was reporting at a city medical clinic for an MRI test. The result has ensured that Sunil Chetri will get some rest and, perhaps, quality time with his family.
“Not good,” he mumbles, however.
His heart is with Mohun Bagan. The club will miss its star signing for a few matches.
As an understudy to Baichung Bhutia, this diminutive striker from Delhi has emerged as the torch-bearer of Indian football, getting offers from overseas clubs — he recently tried out with Glasgow Rangers.
“It is not that playing overseas is my only priority. I love playing for India and for my club, but playing overseas will make me a better player. It would, in turn, mean a lot to the football fraternity in India. It can have a very positive impact on the young generation of footballers,” says Chetri.
At 27, he is now a senior member of the team. His delight, the other night, when talking of his experiences playing alongside the likes of Baichung Bhutia, Climax Lawrence, Clifford Miranda, Mahesh Gawli and Samir Naik, was obvious. “They have been wonderful footballers and it has been a privilege to play alongside these stalwarts. I have learnt so much from them,” he says.
Chetri now sees a role for himself — a responsibility to carry the team forward.
“The seniors have brought in great experience and quality to our football. It has been a good pattern, with a lovely atmosphere in the dressing room. The seniors have done their job. Now, it our turn,” he says.
Some of the India team members, after celebrating late into the night, took nearly morning flights to assist their clubs.
“I feel sorry for them. Within two days, these players will be engaged in I-League matches for their clubs. It can be very hard,” coach Savio Medeira has said soon after India won the final against Afghanistan.
Chetri makes a fervent plea for a proper football calendar. “Having a calendar helps. A player can plan the season. As a player there is nothing I can do. The clubs and the (All India Football) Federation have to take necessary steps to keep the player fresh. I am sure if we get to play 12 to 15 international matches, it would be possible to play the under-23 players at tournaments like SAFF and promote young talent.
“Since we (seniors) don't get many internationals, we are forced to play. There is a lot of potential among our youngsters. Look at Jeje (Lalpekhlua) and Nirmal (Chettri). They are awesome talent,” he says.
How much does individual brilliance count in a team game? “It is secondary. I've got some awards but they would have been meaningless had the team not won. The team winning is more important. It feels good when everyone is smiling in the dressing room,” he says.
India's victory at SAFF, concludes Chetri, is significant.
“It means we are heading in the right direction,” he says.
-The Hindu
“Not good,” he mumbles, however.
His heart is with Mohun Bagan. The club will miss its star signing for a few matches.
As an understudy to Baichung Bhutia, this diminutive striker from Delhi has emerged as the torch-bearer of Indian football, getting offers from overseas clubs — he recently tried out with Glasgow Rangers.
“It is not that playing overseas is my only priority. I love playing for India and for my club, but playing overseas will make me a better player. It would, in turn, mean a lot to the football fraternity in India. It can have a very positive impact on the young generation of footballers,” says Chetri.
At 27, he is now a senior member of the team. His delight, the other night, when talking of his experiences playing alongside the likes of Baichung Bhutia, Climax Lawrence, Clifford Miranda, Mahesh Gawli and Samir Naik, was obvious. “They have been wonderful footballers and it has been a privilege to play alongside these stalwarts. I have learnt so much from them,” he says.
Chetri now sees a role for himself — a responsibility to carry the team forward.
“The seniors have brought in great experience and quality to our football. It has been a good pattern, with a lovely atmosphere in the dressing room. The seniors have done their job. Now, it our turn,” he says.
Some of the India team members, after celebrating late into the night, took nearly morning flights to assist their clubs.
“I feel sorry for them. Within two days, these players will be engaged in I-League matches for their clubs. It can be very hard,” coach Savio Medeira has said soon after India won the final against Afghanistan.
Chetri makes a fervent plea for a proper football calendar. “Having a calendar helps. A player can plan the season. As a player there is nothing I can do. The clubs and the (All India Football) Federation have to take necessary steps to keep the player fresh. I am sure if we get to play 12 to 15 international matches, it would be possible to play the under-23 players at tournaments like SAFF and promote young talent.
“Since we (seniors) don't get many internationals, we are forced to play. There is a lot of potential among our youngsters. Look at Jeje (Lalpekhlua) and Nirmal (Chettri). They are awesome talent,” he says.
How much does individual brilliance count in a team game? “It is secondary. I've got some awards but they would have been meaningless had the team not won. The team winning is more important. It feels good when everyone is smiling in the dressing room,” he says.
India's victory at SAFF, concludes Chetri, is significant.
“It means we are heading in the right direction,” he says.
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