Football

Sunil Chhetri, the legendary Indian footballer, bid farewell to international football with a tearful farewell at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. The 39-year-old talisman, who has been a beacon of hope for Indian football for nearly two decades, played his final match for the Blue Tigers against Kuwait in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.Despite the match ending in a goalless draw, the stadium erupted in a standing ovation as Chhetri walked off the pitch for the last time. His teammates formed a guard of honor, a fitting tribute to the man who has captained India with distinction for many years.In an emotional speech, Chhetri thanked everyone who had been a part of his glorious journey. "The ones who have watched in videos, the ones who have taken autographs, the ones... the old-time supporters, thank you everyone. These 19 years would not have been possible without each and everyone of you and I genuinely mean it," he said.Chhetri, who has played a record 151 matches for India and scored a record 94 goals, is widely regarded as one of the greatest Indian footballers of all time. He has led India to numerous victories, including the Nehru Cup in 2007, 2009, and 2012, and the SAFF Championship in 2011, 2015, 2021, and 2023.His most memorable achievement came in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, where he scored a hat-trick in the final to help India qualify for its first AFC Asian Cup in 27 years.Chhetri's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian football. He has been an inspiration to countless young players and has played a pivotal role in raising the profile of the sport in India. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

Sunil Chhetri, India's legendary football captain, bid farewell to international football on June 6, 2023, in a tearful farewell match against Kuwait. The match, a World Cup qualifier, ended in a 0-0 draw, but the result was overshadowed by the outpouring of emotion for Chhetri.Nearly 59,000 fans packed the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata to witness Chhetri's final appearance for India. The atmosphere was electric, with fans chanting, waving banners, and dancing in the stands. Chhetri, known for his diminutive stature and relentless determination, played with his usual passion and skill, but was unable to find the winning goal.Chhetri's international career spanned nearly two decades, during which he scored 94 goals for India. This tally places him among the world's all-time leading scorers, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo, Iran's retired Ali Daei, and Lionel Messi. Chhetri's goals helped India qualify for the Asian Cup for the first time in 27 years in 2011.Off the field, Chhetri is a role model for aspiring footballers in India. His dedication to the sport and his humble demeanor have earned him widespread admiration. India's coach, Igor Stimac, described Chhetri as "an inspiration to everyone, absolutely committed to the Indian jersey."Chhetri's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian football. He has been the face of the sport in the country for many years, and his absence will be felt deeply. However, his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of footballers.

Sunil Chhetri, the legendary Indian football captain, has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to an illustrious career spanning over two decades. Chhetri's 150 appearances for India were marked by exceptional skill, leadership, and an unwavering passion for the game.Throughout his career, Chhetri's goals were not merely statistics but thunderbolts that ignited a nation's spirit. His 94 international goals propelled India to greater heights, inspiring young players and captivating fans across the country.Chhetri's retirement has sent shockwaves through the Indian football community. For Tejas, a 15-year-old Bengaluru FC supporter, Chhetri was more than just a player; he was a role model who instilled in him a love for the game. "Seeing him play gives me motivation to be better," Tejas said. "My heart broke when I heard of his retirement."Amruth Kiranji, head coach of the academy at South United Football Club, praised Chhetri's longevity and fitness. At 40 years of age, Chhetri's unwavering dedication to the sport is a testament to his exceptional physical and mental strength.Chhetri's impact extended beyond the national team. As a key player for Bengaluru FC, he led the club to three major titles, including the I-League and Indian Super League. His most memorable performance for BFC came in the AFC Cup semifinal against Johor Darul Ta'zim, where he scored a brace to secure a historic victory for the Indian club.As Chhetri's career comes to a close, the question arises: who will fill the void he leaves behind? Anup Menon, a BFC season-pass holder, believes it will be a long and challenging task. "There is a huge void to fill," Menon said. "After Chhetri, I do not see anyone being that recognizable a face."Despite Chhetri's remarkable achievements, India remains outside the top 100 in FIFA rankings and has never qualified for the World Cup. Pranav Trehan, CEO of SUFC, emphasizes the need for more players of Chhetri's caliber to elevate Indian football to new heights. "In order for football to grow in this nation, we would need at least 20 more Chhetris in our squad," Trehan said.As Sunil Chhetri bids farewell to international football, his legacy will continue to inspire generations of Indian footballers. His unwavering determination, exceptional skill, and love for the game have left an indelible mark on the sport in India.

Sunil Chhetri, the legendary captain of the Indian men's football team, is preparing for his final outing with the national side. As he faces the media ahead of India's crucial match against Kuwait, emotions run high.Chhetri, who has scored a record 94 goals in 150 appearances for India, has been a talismanic figure for the team. His retirement announcement 20 days ago sent shockwaves through the footballing community."I have been fighting a small battle inside me all along," Chhetri confessed. "Please do not make it worse by asking again and again. We were done with the subject of retirement when I announced it."The focus now is on the match against Kuwait, which holds immense significance for India's World Cup qualification hopes. "The only thing that I want to focus on is the match against Kuwait," Chhetri emphasized. "We really need to win this game. Once we win it gives us a great chance to go to the third round (of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers), which we have never achieved before."Chhetri believes that a victory against Kuwait will open doors to greater opportunities. "If we win against Kuwait, we almost qualify to the third round," he said. "And once we qualify, we will be up against some top teams (of the continent). I keep telling the boys about this dream every day. Hopefully, everything will happen according to plan. If we qualify, I will be travelling to watch the matches as a fan."The Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata is expected to be packed with passionate fans cheering on the Indian team. Chhetri expressed his gratitude for their unwavering support. "We need to go out there with all our might, because the match is not going to be easy," he said. "It is going to be a big battle, but the good thing is that we are all ready. I am sure Kolkata will give us tremendous support as we fight it out on the ground."As Chhetri prepares to bid farewell to international football, he leaves behind a legacy of inspiration and achievement. His passion, determination, and leadership have been instrumental in shaping the future of Indian football.

Emotions will run high as the talismanic Sunil Chhetri leads India out one last time in a crucial FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6. The 39-year-old Chhetri, who has dominated the national football landscape for 19 years, will hang his boots at the end of this match.Chhetri's goal is to propel his team into the next round of the World Cup qualifiers as a parting gift. The top two teams from each of the nine groups of four teams will advance to the third stage, which will determine FIFA's increased allocation of eight World Cup berths for Asia.While it may be a long shot for India to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America, a win over Kuwait would take the team into uncharted territory, where they would face the best of Asia in at least 10 matches. This would also translate into some quality friendly games.India currently occupies the second spot in Group A behind Qatar, with four points from four games. They are ahead of Afghanistan on goal difference and Kuwait, who have three points. A victory would put India firmly ahead of Afghanistan, who face Qatar in a tough fixture later on June 6.Chhetri has been a bonafide legend of Indian football, with 94 goals from 150 appearances and a dozen trophies in his cabinet. His last dance will be at the Salt Lake Stadium, where his professional football career took shape with Mohun Bagan in the early 2000s.India will be coming into this match with solid preparation. They have made some interesting additions in I-League forwards Edmund Lalrindika (Inter Kashi) and David Lalhlansanga (Mohammedan Sporting), who will be aiming to become the first players in five years to make national debuts from the second tier league.However, the defense will have to cope with the absence of Sandesh Jhingan, who has been sidelined due to an injury from the Asian Cup in January. It remains to be seen if the likes of Rahul Bheke, Anwar Ali, and Subhasish Bose will be able to compensate for his absence, especially the aerial strength he has provided over the years.Focus will also be on Lallianzuala Chhangte, who had a strong 2023-24 ISL season, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists for Mumbai City FC. He will look to carry this form against Kuwait, who will have the firepower of Hassan Al-Enezi in the defense.Kuwait will be coming to the game after routing Afghanistan 4-0, with their key forward duo of Shabaib Al Khaldi and Mohammed Daham scoring three goals between them. The duo will once again be a big threat to the Indians.

Indian football team coach Igor Stimac has emphasized the significance of the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Kuwait, describing it as a game that could "change the careers" of his players. India will face Kuwait at the Salt Lake Stadium in their penultimate second-round game, followed by an away match against Qatar on June 11.Despite their disappointing loss to Afghanistan in the home leg in March, India still has a chance to qualify for the third round of qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Stimac believes that a victory against Kuwait could be a turning point for his team."It's a huge game. The careers of the boys can change with this game. I want them to enjoy and do their best in the game," Stimac said.India, currently ranked 121st in FIFA, will be looking to improve their performance against Kuwait, especially with talisman Sunil Chhetri playing his farewell match for the national team."For such an important game, we need to do a few things; in regards to strength conditioning, in regards to understanding what it needs, in regards to how important this game is, and in regards to mental strength and self-confidence," Stimac said."So, we work on all aspects needed for our boys to be on top of their form in this game."The head coach stressed the importance of patience and clever play against Kuwait."There are two key points for the preparations for this game. First, winning the game is crucial. And to reach that target, we need to be very clever. We need to understand that in the game, we require patience," Stimac said."If we don't open the scoring in the first half an hour, we need to be intelligent and play quality football together with pace. All these aspects are very important and we have to prepare for them."India has not won in six matches and has scored only one goal in those games. However, Stimac believes that his team has the potential to overcome Kuwait."Each of those matches was very tough and I can clearly state that we controlled all those games in superb ways," Stimac said."We dominated for the bigger parts in each one of these games. We were above them physically. But on other occasions, before the Kuwait games, we had many games that helped us reach that level.""But it is a different game now because they are coming here when we didn't have the opportunity to play games. No league is being played now, no club is available. But we did play two games between us to reach the intensity we required.""And I need to tell you that the boys were superb in those two games. I am very happy with them; happy with everything that was done in the last three weeks," the coach added.

As Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri prepares to bid farewell to international football, he reflects on his illustrious career and the profound impact the sport has had on his life.Chhetri, who has graced the Indian jersey for 150 matches, scoring an astonishing 94 goals, is set to make his final appearance for the Blue Tigers on June 6 in the FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Kuwait. The match holds immense significance as a victory would propel India closer to a historic first-ever appearance in Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and automatic qualification for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.In the twilight of his international career, Chhetri expresses a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to represent his country and the unwavering support he has received from his teammates and the football fraternity. "I'm filled with gratitude that I could play 150 matches for the country," he says.Reflecting on his journey, Chhetri acknowledges the challenges and sacrifices he has made along the way. "There have been ups and downs, but I've always tried to give my best," he says. "I've had to make sacrifices, but it's all been worth it."Chhetri's unwavering determination and passion for the game have earned him immense respect and admiration. Igor Stimac, the head coach of the Indian football team, believes that Chhetri has become a legend while still playing. "He's a true leader and an inspiration to all," Stimac says.As Chhetri prepares for his final international match, he is filled with a mix of emotions. "There's a bit of sadness, but also a lot of excitement," he says. "I'm looking forward to giving it my all and making it a memorable occasion."Chhetri's legacy extends beyond his impressive statistics. He has been a role model for aspiring footballers and has played a pivotal role in popularizing the sport in India. His unwavering commitment to the national team has inspired a generation of players and fans alike.As the curtain falls on Chhetri's international career, he leaves behind an indelible mark on Indian football. His contributions to the sport will continue to be celebrated and remembered for years to come.

Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac anticipates a packed Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata for the country's crucial World Cup qualification match against Kuwait on June 6. This match will also mark the final international appearance for legendary captain Sunil Chhetri.Chhetri's 19-year international career will culminate in this match, where he will retire as India's all-time leading scorer with 94 goals. He will also leave the field as the most-capped player, having played in 151 matches.A victory against Kuwait would significantly boost India's chances of reaching the third round of the World Cup qualifiers for the first time. "Considering the significance of the game, with us potentially a win away from qualifying for the third round and it being Sunil Chhetri's farewell game, we expect the Salt Lake Stadium to be packed," said Stimac."I am confident that our supporters will travel from all over India to Kolkata to support our team and bid farewell to Sunil. I am certain it will be an emotional occasion, and hopefully, we can celebrate together after the final whistle," he added.The team has been training in Kolkata for two weeks, focusing on fitness and game tactics. "The players are progressing well. A long camp has proven beneficial in the past. We are working on both offensive and defensive aspects of the game," said Stimac."Our fitness levels are improving daily, and we are now focusing on tactics. From Monday onwards, we will work on positioning, set pieces, and transitions."The Blue Tigers were initially scheduled to depart for Kolkata on June 2 but have moved their travel date to May 29 to acclimatize to the city's conditions. "It's hot and humid here, but we are enjoying every training session. The facilities and hospitality are excellent. However, we have decided to leave for Kolkata earlier to adjust to the humidity better and prepare for the crucial game," said Stimac.

India's 27-member squad for the crucial World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait on June 6 has been announced, marking the end of Sunil Chhetri's illustrious international career. The squad, selected by head coach Igor Stimac, includes notable absences due to injuries.Forward Parthib Gogoi and defender Muhammad Hammad have been ruled out after sustaining minor injuries during training. Stimac expressed his appreciation for their professionalism and hard work, emphasizing the intense competition within the team.The remaining players will continue their training in Bhubaneswar until May 29, when they will travel to Kolkata for the match against Kuwait at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. India currently sits second in Group A with four points from four matches.The top two teams in the group will advance to Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and secure a berth at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027. Chhetri, India's all-time leading scorer with 94 goals, will retire from international football after the Kuwait match.He will leave the scene as India's most-capped player with 151 appearances, bowing out as the third-highest goal scorer among active players behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Chhetri's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian football, as he has been a symbol of the sport's growth and popularity in the country.The squad includes experienced players such as goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, defender Sandesh Jhingan, and midfielder Anirudh Thapa. Young talents like forward Rahim Ali and midfielder Jeakson Singh Thounaojam will also be looking to make their mark.India will face a tough challenge against Kuwait, who are ranked 146th in the FIFA World Rankings, 20 places above India. However, the Blue Tigers will be determined to give Chhetri a fitting farewell and secure a positive result in their quest for World Cup qualification.