All eyes will yet again be on Sunil Chhetri as he leads India at the AFC Asian Cup on Saturday against Australia. First things first, it is a very tough group and India’s chances of making the next stage is limited. Having said that, a good fight against Australia and Uzbekistan and a win against Syria could lay the groundwork for the World Cup qualifiers against Afghanistan in March. Chhetri talks to ET about the importance of the Asian Cup, India’s chances in the World Cup qualifiers and more. Excerpts:
How important is the AFC Asian Cup. Could you help put things in context?
Except the five teams from Asia that go on to play the World Cup, every other Asian team looks at the Asian Cup as the World Cup. It is the most important tournament for teams like us. When you get to rub shoulders with a team like Australia or play a team like Uzbekistan, only then can you understand where you stand in the pecking order. To judge ourselves, how much we have improved as a team, the Asian Cup is massively important.
Interesting you say that. 2023 was a good year for Indian football. India won the SAFF Cup and then the away win against Kuwait was a real high point.
Look, without sounding disrespectful to any Asian team and I am not one to ever do so, you can never judge yourself by winning the SAFF Cup. The SAFF level isn’t the standard we aspire to anymore. That’s why the Asian Cup is significant. It gives you a mirror to judge yourself. Winning the SAFF Cup could breed complacency. Now when you play against teams like Australia, which will make the World Cup, you will know where you stand, how much have you improved and what are the areas you need to work on. It is like a mirror and will help us understand where we are in our football.
There has been fantastic support for the national team in recent times. Even in Kuwait it seemed a home game. In Doha also huge support is expected.
As a player, that’s the best thing possible. We are extremely fortunate to have so many people backing us wherever we play. Wherever we have played, Indians have come out to support us. It makes you feel very privileged. And that’s why I can promise all our fans that when it comes to effort, we will give it everything we have.
India now have a very able coaching staff. India seem better prepared than ever.
Yes, we are. We know what Australia are all about. We have seen how they play. We are aware of what they can do. Knowing what you can expect makes a huge difference and in that sense we are certainly in a better space.
The fitness standards of the team has improved.
There is no doubt about it. We no longer just turn up and defend. Under Igor (Stimac), we are here to compete. We don’t just wish. We are humble and we know where we stand, but at the same time we will not cede ground to any team we play. We are currently between 14-18 in Asia and the aim is to challenge the top 10 teams. Only when you play Japan, Australia, Iran, South Korea do you get a chance to punch above your weight.
In March, do India have any chance of making the third round of the World Cup qualifiers?
Let me say this. Teams like Japan and Australia motivate us. See where their players are playing. They are competing against the world’s best and playing in the world’s best leagues. So, when you play against them you are certain to get better and that’s what will help in the World Cup qualifiers. We have a realistic chance of making the third round and that will mean automatic qualification for the next edition of the Asian Cup. For every Indian team going forward, qualifying for the Asian Cup should be the absolute must that we aspire to. While I don’t want to put pressure, it is surely the benchmark.
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