Page 4 - Sunil Chhetri

Nepal are always tough when they play against us: Sunil Chhetri

Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri is expecting a tough outing in their two upcoming friendly internationals against Nepal. India are scheduled to play Nepal on September 2 and September 5 in two away games. "This is an excellent opportunity for us to improve as a team. Given the current circumstances, it wasn't easy to get a friendly game," Chhetri told the All India Football Federation. "The Nepal federation and government invited us to play, and we thank them for the opportunity and the gesture. "Nepal are a very tough side, especially when they play against us, and we are aware of the extreme challenge the two matches present us," he added. Other than Chhetri, Pritam Kotal and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, none of the players of the current team have been to Nepal with the senior side. The trio was there in 2015 when India qualified from the play-offs to the Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifiers. For Chhetri, this is his fourth visit to the Himalayan nation. Head coach Igor Sti

Chhetri to lead Bengaluru's charge in AFC Cup playoff against Club Eagles

Indian Super League (ISL) club Bengaluru FC on Monday announced a 29-man squad for the 2021 AFC Cup playoff against Maldivian side Club Eagles, slated for August 15."Skipper Sunil Chhetri will lead the side, which includes as many as seven new signings," Bengaluru FC said in a statement.Defenders Alan Costa, Yrondu Musavu King and Brazilian striker Cleiton Silva make up the Blues' foreign contingent, which also features six new Indian signings in Harmanpreet Singh, Jayesh Rane, Bidyashagar Singh, Sarthak Golui, Danish Farooq and Rohit Kumar.The Blues' playoff clash against Club Eagles will take place at the National Stadium, in the Maldives, on August 15.Victory in the playoff will send the Blues into Group D, which includes ISL side ATK Mohun Bagan, Bashundhara Kings (Bangladesh) and Maziya S & RC (Maldives).Squad: Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Lalthuammawia Ralte, Lara Sharma, Sharon PadattilDefenders: Pratik Chaudhari, Wungngayam Muirang, Ajith Kumar, Ashique Kuruniyan, ..

Grateful for our friendship: Kohli sends birthday wish to Sunil Chhetri

As India football captain Sunil Chhetri celebrates his 37th birthday on Tuesday, Men in Blue skipper Virat Kohli extended greetings, saying he will be forever grateful for the friendship he shares with the Blue Tigers star."Happy Birthday skip. I hope you have a blessed day like every other day in your life & I always wish you the best. I'm grateful for our friendship that's been formed very organically and contrary to belief, we've majorly connected on Delhi street food memories," tweeted Kohli.All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Praful Patel also sent birthday wishes to Chhetri, saying: "Football is a game of dreams & passion, and you are its hero! Happy birthday to the icon of the Indian Football @chetrisunil11. May all your dreams come true. Wishing you the best always."Chhetri made his debut for the Blue Tigers 16 years ago on June 12, 2005, at the age of 20 against Pakistan.The striker went on to score on his international debut and through his strike, ...

Asian Cup qualifiers: India, Afghan draw 1-1, both enter next round

India were lucky to get away with a 1-1 draw against Afghanistan without actually scoring in a Group E match of the World Cup 2022 and Asian Cup China 2023 Qualifiers here on Tuesday

Chhetri overtakes Messi, one goal away from entering all-time top-10

Indian football talisman Sunil Chhetri has surpassed Argentina's global superstar Lionel Messi to become the second-highest active international goal-scorer with 74 strikes

India football captain Chhetri tests positive for Covid-19

The 36-year-old footballer was playing for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League until February 25

Getting to host AFC Asian Cup would be immense for India: Sunil Chhetri

Getting the hosting rights of 2027 AFC Asian Cup would be "immense" for India, said Sunil Chhetri, one of the country's all-time football greats. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Wednesday announced its candidature to host the AFC Asian Cup 2027, creating a buzz. Blue Tigers skipper Chhetri, who has represented India at two Asian Cups in 2011 and 2019, stated that hosting the mega-event will be the "best gift" for the fans of the game. "There is no bigger honour and privilege than playing for your country and for our nation to host the AFC Asian Cup 2027 would be even bigger. I think it will be the best gift for the fans and for everyone in the country," Chhetri was quoted as saying by aiff.com. The world's second highest goal scorer among active international players, Chhetri added, "We have already had the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017 in India and it was such a huge success and you can see the prodigies from that tournament do so well. We also have the upcoming FIFA U-1

New-look FC Goa start ISL campaign against Sunil Chhetri-led Bengaluru FC

A new-look FC Goa, strengthened with the addition of new foreign players and a new head coach, will begin their Indian Super League campaign with a new vigour when they clash with formidable Bengaluru

Goalless draw against Qatar in WC Qualifiers stands out for me: Chhetri

Indian captain Sunil Chhetri says the match that stood out for him in his career was the one in which he could not feature -- the goalless draw against Asian champion Qatar in a World Cup Qualifier

Covid-19: Football Delhi decides to waive off fees for players registration

This was decided during Football Delhi's executive committee meeting held via video conferencing on Friday

Govt to launch 'Target Olympic Podium Scheme' for junior athletes: Rijiju

Rijiju announced the decision during the 'Fit Hai To Hit Hai Fit India' webinar which was attended by HRD minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal, P V Sindhu and Sunil Chhetri

No plan of retiring from football anytime soon, says Sunil Chhetri

If you catch a person who is talking about these things (racist remarks) you will find he is ignorant and not knowing the things, says Sunil Chhetri

President Kovind, Bhutia, Chhetri mourn footballer Chuni Goswami's demise

AIFF President Praful Patel expressed grief over the demise of Goswami and said that the Goswami's 'contribution to Indian Football will never be forgotten'

Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri signs three-year deal with Puma

The Bengaluru FC skipper is currently the second-highest goal-scorer in international football after Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo

Sunil Chhetri scores a brace to equal Messi's record, wins India the match

The Indian captain now is behind only Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of most number of international goals by active players.

Intercontinental Cup: Chhetri-led India seeks title, Kenya may block road

The hosts are the side to beat this tournament as they have throughout played an aggressive brand of football

Sunil Chhetri only behind Ronaldo, Messi; surpasses Villa's 59 goal record

Sunil Chhetri made an impassioned plea to all fans of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo, "abuse us, criticize us but please come to watch the Indian national team"