As India begin their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign against Oman today, skipper Sunil Chhetri urged fans to fill the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati that is hosting the game.
In a video which was recently posted by India Football Team’s official Twitter handle, Sunil Chhetri spoke about the virtual importance of fans and how they give the team motivation and confidence to perform at the top level.
With a capacity of just under 25000, Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium is expected to be fully filled and Oman will be in for 90 minutes from the stands.
The game has already started at 7:30 IST, and the Indian team players will be expecting huge support from the fans. The road to Qatar starts today, and it going to be one heck of a roller coaster ride of the players.
Countless onlookers would still get goosebumps when they hear the name Sunil Chhetri. A name synonymous with guile, deft control over the ball and clinical finish. There is an aura to his movement when the Indian captain touches the ball.
Sunil Chhetri was named as the 2017 All India Football Federation (RIFF) Player of the Year by the national body. Inspirational skipper Chhetri recently became the 2nd Indian footballer to play 100 international games after Bhaichunq Bhutia. Chhetri is a consistent striker for both India and Bengaluru FC.
Sunil Chhetri chipped 20 goals for the Blues of Bengaluru in 26 caps across the Indian Super League (ISL), Super Cup and AFC Cup in the 2017-18 season. He also continued his goalscoring form when he scored 7 goals in 16 matches for the Blues in the I-League 2017 before they climbed ladders to the cash-rich ISL.
The star striker has earlier won the AIFF Player of the Year on 4 occasions before 2018. He won it in 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2014. He played a spectacular role in the Intercontinental Cup where he scored 8 goals in 4 appearances including a stellar hat-trick against Taiwanese Side. We also witnessed India lifting the Cup with tons of pride.