Someone make this guy national team coach please. Remove Stephen. We have tried Stephen. He's okay. We need someone with a proven track record and someone who knows Indian Football. He's the man. Lets try Ashley. I got a feeling that he will do good.
Lol... The article was more of self promotion by Ashley. Still riding on the success of BFC. I do appreciate the hardwork done by him at BFC, but it was simply hilarious especially the last question and reply.
Kolkata:Sunil Chhetri, arguably one of the greatest Indian forwards of all time achieved another feat with his usual brilliance to help Bengaluru FC in reaching the final of the prestigious AFC Cup on the day before yesterday. Presently the biggest brand of Indian football spoke exclusively to Suman Chakravorty of www.xtratime.in, hours after the historic triumph over Malaysian giant Johor Darul Ta’zim. The Bengaluru FC captain thanked specially to the East Bengal and Mohun Bagan fans, revealed the inside story of his motivation ahead of the game, Bhaichung’s compliment, his plans for the final, overall progress and the target of Indian national team and a lot more. Here goes the excerpts:
XT: How big a moment is this for Indian football?
Sunil: It’s indeed very satisfying my friend. You may say that the hard work of 3.5 years got paid off. But personally I want to thank Eugeneson for his terrific goal in the first leg. It was an excellent boost before playing the second leg for us. Even after conceding an early goal, we didn’t put our heads down and the team was positive to overcome the initial flaw.
XT: We all know the quality of the goals you scored in the second leg. In terms of significance, how important was the second goal for you?
Sunil: Haha! Thank a lot (Smiles). I’m fortunate enough to score some brilliant goals in my life. But yes, the second goal will be right up there in that list. This one has been the best so far, not just for the quality of that, but surely for the importance.
XT: Now you are in the final of the AFC Cup. Can we expect another miracle against the Iraqi side in the final as well?
Sunil: Well, honestly we don’t know too much about the final opponent. But that’s how we have been so far. We can make sure that we will work hard, we will be focused and determined for the glory in the final. We have the faith on our team.
XT: You started playing football for the national team alongside Bhaichung Bhutia, who was said to be the only “brand” of Indian football. Now, he is claiming you to be the greatest Indian footballer of all time. How difficult was it to create your own brand from that shadow of Bhaichung?
Sunil: First of all, thanks to Bhaichung for that compliment, so sweet of him. But you know me pretty well, I never play football for achieving personal goals or creating a brand of my own. I never played football with a selfish frame of mind. My team has always been my priority and to help my team I work really hard. I always enjoy what I do and that is to play my favourite sport – football. The achievements are just the added bonus.
XT: You got a lot of wishes and congratulations before and after the second leg. Which one was the most heart-touching?
Sunil: Yes. We were overwhelmed with the support we got from all over India. We want to give a special thank to Sakshi Malik for motivating us. We want to thank all the I-League and other football clubs across India for supporting us, like Mohammedan Sporting, Mumbai FC, DSK and the others. But I want to specially thanks the East Bengal and Mohun Bagan fans for their constant support before, after and throughout the game. Remembering their eternal rivalry, their support was incredibly special.
XT: You have been immensely successful in the International level. What do you think, how much time will it take for India to be there in that elite bracket of Asian teams like Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Korea Republic and Australia?
Sunil: Honestly, that’s difficult to say the exact timeline my friend. Personally I believe, we should set Thailand as our example. A few years back, there was not much difference between them and us. But now they are among the top twelve teams in Asia. Realistically, top ten or top twelve should be our target and if we can achieve that, it will be a huge success for us.
XT: You told me about the letter you found on your seat in the team bus before starting for the venue. Lets throw some light into it. Sunil: Oh yes (Smiles)! That was indeed an emotional letter from our fans community West Block Blues and the letter stimulated us to do something memorable for our fans. I have played in different clubs in India as well as abroad, but the BFC fans are incredible. They love their club like their family. We are privileged to have such passionate supporters.
XT: In BFC, you have played under Ashley and now you are playing under Albert Roca. Do you find any difference in their approach towards the game?
Sunil: Honestly, I would love to talk about their similarities first. Both just love to win, both are tremendous professionals, technically very sound and more importantly, know the way to motivate the side in every possible situation. We are lucky to have both of them in BFC.
XT: Your ISL franchise Mumbai City FC hasn’t got your service as yet. Have you seen any of their matches? Did you speak with Diego Forlan?
Sunil: Yes, I have seen most of their games they played. The team has got a good start and I’m hopeful that we have the team to be there in the top four. I couldn’t speak to Forlan as yet but I am in regular touch with Sony Norde. Sehnaj, Jackichand and the others. I wish them luck for the following games.
XT: You have had a lot of success in the national team as well as in the domestic competitions including playing the AFC Asia Cup after so many years for India. Where do you want to keep this success of qualifying in the AFC Cup final for BFC?
Sunil: Undoubtedly one of the most notable success stories, but not the best as yet. The final on the 5th November is yet to be played. The game could turn out to be the biggest one in that success list(Smiles). The job is not yet over. Please pray for us.
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Kolkata: Sunil Chhetri, arguably one of the greatest Indian forwards of all time achieved another feat with his usual brilliance to help Bengaluru FC in reaching the final of the prestigious AFC Cup on the day before yesterday. Presently the biggest brand of Indian football spoke exclusively to Suman Chakravorty of www.xtratime.in, hours after the historic triumph over Malaysian giant Johor Darul Ta’zim. The Bengaluru FC captain thanked specially to the East Bengal and Mohun Bagan fans, revealed the inside story of his motivation ahead of the game, Bhaichung’s compliment, his plans for the final, overall progress and the target of Indian national team and a lot more. Here goes the excerpts:
XT: How big a moment is this for Indian football?
Sunil: It’s indeed very satisfying my friend. You may say that the hard work of 3.5 years got paid off. But personally I want to thank Eugeneson for his terrific goal in the first leg. It was an excellent boost before playing the second leg for us. Even after conceding an early goal, we didn’t put our heads down and the team was positive to overcome the initial flaw.
XT: We all know the quality of the goals you scored in the second leg. In terms of significance, how important was the second goal for you?
Sunil: Haha! Thank a lot (Smiles). I’m fortunate enough to score some brilliant goals in my life. But yes, the second goal will be right up there in that list. This one has been the best so far, not just for the quality of that, but surely for the importance.
XT: Now you are in the final of the AFC Cup. Can we expect another miracle against the Iraqi side in the final as well?
Sunil: Well, honestly we don’t know too much about the final opponent. But that’s how we have been so far. We can make sure that we will work hard, we will be focused and determined for the glory in the final. We have the faith on our team.
XT: You started playing football for the national team alongside Bhaichung Bhutia, who was said to be the only “brand” of Indian football. Now, he is claiming you to be the greatest Indian footballer of all time. How difficult was it to create your own brand from that shadow of Bhaichung?
Sunil: First of all, thanks to Bhaichung for that compliment, so sweet of him. But you know me pretty well, I never play football for achieving personal goals or creating a brand of my own. I never played football with a selfish frame of mind. My team has always been my priority and to help my team I work really hard. I always enjoy what I do and that is to play my favourite sport – football. The achievements are just the added bonus.
XT: You got a lot of wishes and congratulations before and after the second leg. Which one was the most heart-touching?
Sunil: Yes. We were overwhelmed with the support we got from all over India. We want to give a special thank to Sakshi Malik for motivating us. We want to thank all the I-League and other football clubs across India for supporting us, like Mohammedan Sporting, Mumbai FC, DSK and the others. But I want to specially thanks the East Bengal and Mohun Bagan fans for their constant support before, after and throughout the game. Remembering their eternal rivalry, their support was incredibly special.
XT: You have been immensely successful in the International level. What do you think, how much time will it take for India to be there in that elite bracket of Asian teams like Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Korea Republic and Australia?
Sunil: Honestly, that’s difficult to say the exact timeline my friend. Personally I believe, we should set Thailand as our example. A few years back, there was not much difference between them and us. But now they are among the top twelve teams in Asia. Realistically, top ten or top twelve should be our target and if we can achieve that, it will be a huge success for us.
XT: You told me about the letter you found on your seat in the team bus before starting for the venue. Lets throw some light into it.
Sunil: Oh yes (Smiles)! That was indeed an emotional letter from our fans community West Block Blues and the letter stimulated us to do something memorable for our fans. I have played in different clubs in India as well as abroad, but the BFC fans are incredible. They love their club like their family. We are privileged to have such passionate supporters.
XT: In BFC, you have played under Ashley and now you are playing under Albert Roca. Do you find any difference in their approach towards the game?
Sunil: Honestly, I would love to talk about their similarities first. Both just love to win, both are tremendous professionals, technically very sound and more importantly, know the way to motivate the side in every possible situation. We are lucky to have both of them in BFC.
XT: Your ISL franchise Mumbai City FC hasn’t got your service as yet. Have you seen any of their matches? Did you speak with Diego Forlan?
Sunil: Yes, I have seen most of their games they played. The team has got a good start and I’m hopeful that we have the team to be there in the top four. I couldn’t speak to Forlan as yet but I am in regular touch with Sony Norde. Sehnaj, Jackichand and the others. I wish them luck for the following games.
XT: You have had a lot of success in the national team as well as in the domestic competitions including playing the AFC Asia Cup after so many years for India. Where do you want to keep this success of qualifying in the AFC Cup final for BFC?
Sunil: Undoubtedly one of the most notable success stories, but not the best as yet. The final on the 5th November is yet to be played. The game could turn out to be the biggest one in that success list(Smiles). The job is not yet over. Please pray for us.
XT: All the best Sunil. Thank you so much!
Sunil: Cheers!