Top-scorer Sunil Chhetri credits youngsters for SAFF triumph

Male, October 17

Talismanic skipper Sunil Chhetri played a pivotal role in India’s eighth SAFF Championships title triumph by striking five goals but he credited the young brigade for the team’s victory.

The 37-year-old Chhetri went past legendary Pele and equalled Lionel Messi when he scored the team’s opener — and his 80th goal — against Nepal in the summit clash on Saturday. “Look at the youngsters -- it feels good for all of them,” Chhetri said. “It’s all due to their hard work. We were here for 20 days till the final, staying on an island, riding the waves every day for practice sessions, and matches,” he added.

“We made it special as we were not so good in the first two games. It was tough from there to come up and play the way we did,” added Chhetri after his third triumph in the SAFF Championships as a player.

Chhetri, who also won the regional tournament in 2011 and 2015, was referring to the draws against Bangladesh (1-1) and Sri Lanka (0-0) which had attracted criticism.

“Didn’t start like we should have, but ended exactly how we wanted to. Proud of this bunch and the way we got things on track,” said Chhetri, who scored five out of India’s eight goals.

Head coach Igor Stimac, who was banned from the dugout in the summit clash after being red carded in their final league match against Maldives, let the players take centre-stage. “The boys have done it,” said Stimac, who became the third foreign coach after Jiri Pesek (1993) and Stephen Constantine (2015) to clinch the title with the Indian team.

The Blue Tigers dedicated the trophy to their two injured teammates — Farukh Choudhary and Brandon Fernandes — who weren’t able to travel to the ground.

While Mandar Rao Dessai and Glan Martins carried Brandon’s jersey with them, Rahul Bheke preferred to wear Farukh’s jersey even at the victory podium.

With the title win, India extended their domination in the regional tournament. Saturday’s final was the 12th for India in 13 editions. — PTI