Thrilled at the prospect of qualifying for 2023 Asian Cup In front of passionate fans at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, whom he described as the best Indian national team captain in India Sunil Chhetri On Wednesday, the 2023 AFC is gearing up to take on Cambodia in their first Group D match of the Asian Cup third-round qualifiers, followed by matches against Afghanistan and Hong Kong.
The Blue Tigers play on home soil for the first time in almost three years. Incidentally, the last time they played at home was in Kolkata in October 2019. “It will be huge, otherwise why do teams enjoy a home advantage? And what better place for it than Kolkata. Wherever we have played, even last time in Gujarat (Intercontinental Cup) we got a lot There was support even though we didn’t usually play there. chhetri Said on Monday.
“There are some pockets that are very famous for fans whatever we have got in numbers – Kerala, Guwahati, Bengaluru but probably none better than Salt Lake Stadium, I think with Kochi. We have tremendous support here. Memories are still fresh from the last time we played here three years ago as far as the support of the fans is concerned. We are really happy and I hope everyone will come in numbers and we enjoy the atmosphere can take.”
India has participated in four Asian Cup finals, being runners-up in 1964. In the last edition in 2019, they were out in the group stage but impressed in a 4-1 win. Thailand in his opening match. Chhetri believes that qualifying for the showpiece continental event should be non-negotiable.
“It is paramount. This is the minimum we must do for two reasons – one, we get the opportunity to walk side by side with the best in Asia, and second, because we can. We have shown enough in the past that This is something that we should do and achieve on a regular basis. For a team like India, which really wants to improve harder, playing in the Asian Cup is the bare minimum. I don’t want to put pressure on the players but I Saying this in a real way, as a fan, I have always wanted to see India play in the Asian Cup,” said the 37-year-old.
India’s record goal scorer with 80 goals, Chhetri is joint third in the list of active international goal scorers. Cristiano Ronaldo And Lionel Messi, As captain, Chhetri takes pride in the choice of young guns liston colaco And Manveer Singh Knocking on the doors demanding a permanent place in the playing XI.
“I feel very happy when players knock on the door to play in the first XI. It doesn’t matter what position they are seeking a place for. As far as the captain in me is concerned Yes, I feel excited. When there are players who do well and strengthen their positions when they get their chance. At the end of the day, we all want a national team that has healthy competition for places. , a pre-identified first XI, first XIV. Even the coach wants it if you ask him,” Chhetri commented ahead of his group opener.
The seasoned shooter points out that the hunger to win and win matches for India hasn’t waned over the years. “As a player, I will continue to fight for my place the same way I did when I was 19 when I first came into the team and was fighting for my place with Bhaichung (Bhutia) Bhai. It is still there. It is like that. When you are playing for the national team, you have to fight for your place.
“It’s the same for me, Gurpreet, Sandesh or Suresh, or any young player. The one who’s going to give the most to the team is going to start, it’s very easy. There’s room for everyone and a good performance.” Coming in gives the team an added advantage as only the best will field through the entire competition,” Chhetri explained before signing.
The Blue Tigers play on home soil for the first time in almost three years. Incidentally, the last time they played at home was in Kolkata in October 2019. “It will be huge, otherwise why do teams enjoy a home advantage? And what better place for it than Kolkata. Wherever we have played, even last time in Gujarat (Intercontinental Cup) we got a lot There was support even though we didn’t usually play there. chhetri Said on Monday.
“There are some pockets that are very famous for fans whatever we have got in numbers – Kerala, Guwahati, Bengaluru but probably none better than Salt Lake Stadium, I think with Kochi. We have tremendous support here. Memories are still fresh from the last time we played here three years ago as far as the support of the fans is concerned. We are really happy and I hope everyone will come in numbers and we enjoy the atmosphere can take.”
India has participated in four Asian Cup finals, being runners-up in 1964. In the last edition in 2019, they were out in the group stage but impressed in a 4-1 win. Thailand in his opening match. Chhetri believes that qualifying for the showpiece continental event should be non-negotiable.
“It is paramount. This is the minimum we must do for two reasons – one, we get the opportunity to walk side by side with the best in Asia, and second, because we can. We have shown enough in the past that This is something that we should do and achieve on a regular basis. For a team like India, which really wants to improve harder, playing in the Asian Cup is the bare minimum. I don’t want to put pressure on the players but I Saying this in a real way, as a fan, I have always wanted to see India play in the Asian Cup,” said the 37-year-old.
India’s record goal scorer with 80 goals, Chhetri is joint third in the list of active international goal scorers. Cristiano Ronaldo And Lionel Messi, As captain, Chhetri takes pride in the choice of young guns liston colaco And Manveer Singh Knocking on the doors demanding a permanent place in the playing XI.
“I feel very happy when players knock on the door to play in the first XI. It doesn’t matter what position they are seeking a place for. As far as the captain in me is concerned Yes, I feel excited. When there are players who do well and strengthen their positions when they get their chance. At the end of the day, we all want a national team that has healthy competition for places. , a pre-identified first XI, first XIV. Even the coach wants it if you ask him,” Chhetri commented ahead of his group opener.
The seasoned shooter points out that the hunger to win and win matches for India hasn’t waned over the years. “As a player, I will continue to fight for my place the same way I did when I was 19 when I first came into the team and was fighting for my place with Bhaichung (Bhutia) Bhai. It is still there. It is like that. When you are playing for the national team, you have to fight for your place.
“It’s the same for me, Gurpreet, Sandesh or Suresh, or any young player. The one who’s going to give the most to the team is going to start, it’s very easy. There’s room for everyone and a good performance.” Coming in gives the team an added advantage as only the best will field through the entire competition,” Chhetri explained before signing.