In anticipation of the AFC Asian Cup 2023, Sunil Chhetri, the captain of the Indian Soccer Workforce, sheds gentle on his retirement plans, notably within the context of the staff’s participation within the World Cup Qualifiers.
The Sunil Chhetri-led Indian soccer staff is gearing up for a pivotal second of their historical past as they put together for the AFC Asian Cup 2023. This marks solely the fifth event that India might be a part of this prestigious match.
The Indian skipper is on the verge of making historical past himself by changing into the primary Indian participant to take part within the continental showpiece occasion for the third time. Chhetri beforehand graced the match in 2011 and 2019. Nonetheless, the 2024 version will mark his remaining look, the place India is positioned in Group B alongside Australia, Syria, and Uzbekistan.
Regardless of being 39 years outdated, Chhetri defies the constraints of age, sustaining his standing as a standout performer on the highest degree and retaining the title of the nation’s premier soccer participant. But, there’s a understanding that the legendary participant is approaching the twilight of his profession.
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Hypothesis has arisen about whether or not the AFC Asian Cup will function Chhetri’s farewell to worldwide soccer. Chhetri has addressed this subject, revealing that if it weren’t for India’s involvement within the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, the place historic progress is inside attain, the Asian Cup would have marked his remaining look.
“If we weren’t within the (2026 World Cup) qualifiers, most likely this might have been my final. (However) we’re in with an opportunity to make the third spherical for the primary time in my profession. I’m not making an attempt to place stress on myself or the staff once I say this however one thing actually drastic has to go mistaken from our facet for us to not be within the third spherical. And proper now, the staff wants me,” expressed Chhetri in a dialog with Hindustan Occasions.
He emphasised the significance of performing nicely within the Asian Cup to boost their prospects within the World Cup qualifiers, going through formidable groups like Uzbekistan and Australia. India has already made a major stride within the second spherical of the World Cup qualifiers with a historic victory in opposition to Kuwait, and Chhetri stays optimistic about their possibilities to progress additional. The upcoming matches in opposition to Afghanistan in March will play an important position in figuring out India’s destiny within the qualifiers.
