Sunil Chhetri spoke to AIFF ahead of Bengaluru FC’s clash against Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in AFC Cup 2016 final

by Balbir Singh November 1, 2016

Back in 2011, as Sunil Chhetri left the Al Gharafa stadium in Doha after India’s 4-1 loss to the hands of South Korea in AFC Asia Cup, India’s footballing conundrum took a radical jump in solving its dilemma. On 5th November 2016, 5 years after the disappointing AFC Asia Cup campaign, Sunil Chhetri will return to the Al Gharafa stadium. Only, now, the once lesser-impeached Chhetri has an opportunity and capability – he believes – to reach a remarkable milestone in Indian football, this time with Bengaluru FC in the AFC Cup 2016.

“Doha in 2011 was a great learning curve for so many of us and I wouldn’t hesitate to say that despite where India finished it, taught us a great deal,” Chhetri said in exclusive interview with AIFF. He adds, “Doha 2016 is an entirely whole new chapter and this time, it’s in club colors. We’re one good game away from something special. You cannot really compare the two tournaments. But I hope we leave Doha on a very happy note this time around.”

After a historic victory in the semi-final second-leg against Johor Darul Ta’zim, Bengaluru FC and their talisman Sunil Chhetri believes they have every opportunity to overcome Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in the final. “In 2016, we’re setting foot there (Doha) with a chance to make some history,” expressed Chhetri.

With the on-going tussle between the AIFF, I-League and Indian Super League for building a unified league, Bengaluru FC’s rise has been an epitome for several clubs across the nation. “The results should do all the talking and not me! Bengaluru FC, in its three years of existence, won two I-League titles, a Federation Cup, made the last-16 in its first year of Asian competition and now we’re in the final of the AFC Cup. I’m not sure if there’s a better three-year record in club football in the country,” Chhetri commented.

Chhetri believes “hard work has been an ethic that this club has built its foundations on”, adding, “football has taught us well enough and on so many occasions that you never say never.”