Chhetri credits youngsters for India’s SAFF C’ship triumph

Chhetri, 37, Indian football’s torch bearer for the last 10 years, 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

Talismanic skipper Sunil Chhetri played a pivotal role in India’s eighth SAFF Championship title triumph by striking five goals but he credited the young brigade for team’s victory. Chhetri, 37, Indian football’s torch bearer for the last 10 years, 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. 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,” Chhetri said in a release from All India Football Federation.

“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 Championship as a player. Chhetri, who has won the regional tournament in 2011 and 2015 also, was referring to the draws against Bangladesh (1-1) and Sri Lanka (0-0) in the first two matches 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,” he later said in a tweet. Chhetri, who scored five out of India’s eight goals, was all praise of the other two Indian goal getters on Saturday— Suresh Singh and Sahal Abdul Samad. “I enjoyed watching that, Sahal. Suresh, of all the things you copy from me, this is up there. Make it a habit,” said the captain. Sahal, on his part, said it was an “unbelievable” moment and “a miracle”.

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