SUNIL CHHETRI is looking forward to tomorrow’s friendly international football contest between India and hosts Trinidad and Tobago at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo which starts at 5pm.
The 27-year-old Indian striker told Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) media yesterday, “we are very excited. It’s a very big match. It’s not everyday we play teams higher ranked than us. It’s going to be a good test.”
The Indian squad, who are on a two-game tour of the Caribbean are due to face Guyana on August 26. They trained at the Fatima College Ground in Mucurapo on Thursday, hours after arriving in Trinidad.
They were expected to oppose Barbados in Bridgetown on Wednesday but the game was postponed for “unexpected” reasons.
“It’s been a long national camp for a month-and-a-half and it’s a good way to see where we’ve reached. I’m looking forward to it as a player and the whole team is anticipating the match,” said Chhetri, who had a brief stint with American Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Kansas City Wizards in 2010.
Comparing both Trinidad and Tobago and his native India, Chhetri noted, “there are a lot of similarities and ties historically. A lot of things are identical in this country and ours. We have been very well welcomed in this country and it feels good when you are welcomed properly.
“At the end of the day what really matters is the match and I’m sure it’s going to be a great match. India will definitely give 100 percent,” he added.
“That’s what football is all about, it doesn’t matter what I do on the field but instead what is more important is how the team does. I hope we can gel properly, play as a team and play good football,” said Chhetri.
Since making his international debut in 2004, he has netted 24 times in 50 games.
And Chhetri is pleased with the growth of the sport in India.
“This is a good way to tell the fans that India can play football. They will be amazed at the development and to see the amount of kids that play football in our country.
“It’s the most played game in our country even though the most important and famous game is cricket. Football needs no introduction whether it be in Trinidad and Tobago or India,” he ended.
Source: www.newsday.co.tt