Indian football hasn’t had stronger momentum than now in last 20 years: Sunil Chhetri

India’s skipper Sunil Chhetri reckons Indian football hasn’t had stronger momentum than now in the last two decades. The Blue Tigers have been in great form in the recent past, winning Hero Tri-nation, Hero Intercontinental Cup, and the SAFF Championship.

Furthermore, India has risen to 99th place in the FIFA rankings and to the 18th spot in Asia. India recently defeated teams like Lebanon in the Intercontinental Cup and also Kuwait in the SAFF Championship final.

Meanwhile, Chhetri, 38, once again has played a key role in the success of his team and has shown that age is just a number. Chhetri scored a total of five goals in as many appearances in the SAFF Championship, including a hat-trick against arch-rivals Pakistan in the team’s 4-0 win.

Chhetri, who made his India debut back in 2005, has seen Indian football go through a lot in the last two decades and feels this recent shift in impetus is the team’s best.

“I think this is the best momentum that we have seen in Indian football in the last 20 years where every nook and corner, people are talking about Indian football. Everyone wants to know what is happening,” Chhetri said in a YouTube interview with Revsportz.

“I am not talking about the quality, the on-field things but off the field it has been special. During the SAFF Championship in Bengaluru, all fans of the respective Hero ISL clubs came under one banner – the national flag and wholeheartedly supported us. This is the India that I envision,” he added.

After India received a green chit to take part in the upcoming Asian Games, Chhetri feels it is imperative the team takes on potent teams to get confidence on their side.

“Right now we are at a stage where we need to play important games against better opposition in bigger tournaments. In that context, Asian Games is a very important tournament to be part of. I am glad for all the boys that are going to be selected,” Chheti said.

“For youngsters like Rahim Ali who has been dying to get minutes, or youngsters like Rahul KP and Vikram Partap who are good in the camps but the country can’t get to see them, will be licking their lips. If they get a chance, they should really capitalise on it. It’s an opportunity for them to show the head coach that we are also ready for the senior team,” he added.

India will face strong teams like Australia, Syria, and Uzbekistan in the AFC Asian Cup in 2024.