Determined to remain undefeated, says Sunil Chhetri
A draw that feels like a defeat. It may be a common phrase after a late goal, but there was no other suitable way to describe India’s 1-1 result against Kuwait on Tuesday.
Bangalore, June 28: A draw that feels like a defeat. It may be a common phrase after a late goal, but there was no other suitable way to describe India’s 1-1 result against Kuwait on Tuesday.
Spoils were shared on paper that evening, but as a whole India lost first place in the group by the narrowest margins, and also their eight-match run without a result. After a frantic 90 minutes filled with exciting challenges, aggressiveness from both sides, hot flashes and immense drama, the crossing was within reach for India, until Anwar Ali’s mistimed clearance blasted into the net for an own goal. But Anwar did not concede the goal.
It’s not Anwar, it’s the country that gave in,” captain Sunil Chhetri quickly clarified. “It’s an own goal. It can happen to anyone. We’re professional enough not to talk about it. I hope the boy shrugs it off. We’re all behind him,” he supported.
“Technical errors are something we don’t take too seriously. We’re just working on our effort. Sometimes I miss silly goals I shouldn’t have. If someone makes a stupid challenge, we get a penalty against us. It all happens in football. It is now a thing of the past,” Chhetri told AIFF.
And the Kanteerava agreed with the skipper’s words. The stadium resonated with the loud chanting and positive reception of their Blue Tigers after the full-time whistle. Anwar, who had walked towards the Western Bloc with an apologetic feeling, could hold his head high and even smile as he heard his name chanted by the loyal supporters.
Pats and hugs from his teammates reminded him how fantastic and almost flawless he had performed that night, and that one moment can’t overshadow it all.
Anwar was on the defensive throughout and complemented Sandesh Jhingan in a dominant manner as he had done all month. He was well positioned, maintained good spatial awareness and was not afraid of challenges, just as head coach Igor Stimac expected him and every Blue Tiger to perform against an opponent like Kuwait.
“To a large extent we were able to do exactly what we had trained for. They are not an easy side. This team can play and we could see it. But we matched their energy, and for the most part of the time I think we got it right,” Chhetri said.
“But the feeling that comes to us is that of a loss because we gave in at the last minute,” he added awkwardly. “The clean sheet was one of our goals today, which went out the window. There we are all a little discouraged in the locker room. Now it is the unbeaten run that we want to keep as long as possible.”
India is undefeated in all nine matches to be played in 2023. At home, the run lasts nearly four years, with the latest defeat in Guwahati against Oman in September 2019 in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Amid all the craziness, there was something of a silver lining as Chhetri hit another milestone with his 92nd international goal. 23 of those have now entered the SAFF Championship, making him the joint top scorer in the history of the competition alongside Maldives’ Ali Ashfaq. However, for Chhetri, it is not goals but trophies that are most important.
“I don’t think about these things. I try not to be arrogant, but I don’t take goals too seriously. When I’m done in a few years, we can talk about it over a nice burger and a beer,” he laughed. “For now I really appreciate the love I get all over the country, especially here because it’s my home base. I’m doing my best to give everything I have on the field,” added the skipper.