Unless you develop your sixth sense you won’t be a successful striker: Bhaichung Bhutia
Former Indian National Team striker Bhaichung Bhutia feels “all strikers need to develop their sixth sense if they are to score regularly.”
In a chat with AIFF TV, Bhaichung, the first Indian footballer to have played 100 International matches expressed: “It’s all about that sixth sense. You need to smell it as to where it would be coming. The best strikers in the world all have that sense. You need to read situations. Unless you don’t develop your sixth sense, you won’t be a successful striker.”
Referring to an anecdote where Sunil Chhetri mentioned that ‘scoring goals was all about life and death for Bhaichung-bhai,’ Bhaichung who made his International debut at the age of 19 stressed on the importance of “making those runs every time you sense it.”
“Those runs are extremely critical for a striker. I used to keep telling Sunil (Chhetri) that you need to anticipate and make runs from where you can score. If you go wide, you have to dribble and get past the defender, and by the time you turn and get past him, others will also rush in to block you,” he opined.
“Only once or twice out of maybe 10 situations you will get the chance to score. But you need to keep on doing it,” he explained.
“As a striker, you need to have the sense because you only get a fraction of a second to put the ball past the goalkeeper in the net. That is where strikers need to develop technically and mentally,” Bhutia maintained.
“Very often strikers come to me to ask what we can do when we don’t get goals. I only tell them no matter what, you should not stop from making those runs. If you don’t score in the first nine times and then give up, you’ll not even be near to the ball in the 10th time,” he averred.
“If you look at Ronaldo and Messi, it’s not always that they dribble past 3-4 defenders. Rather, all big strikers wait for the ball and then touch it. At the end, it’s all about developing that sense, and I repeat unless you keep on making those runs you will never develop that sense.”
Bhaichung even made mention of Rustam Akramov shifting him from a midfielder to a striker. “I was an attacking midfielder and was used to make those runs from behind to get into the box and set myself in a position from where I could score. Those days we weren’t much tactically equipped. Not many people would teach you in which position you should play. It was all natural — that’s how I played,” he quipped.
Also Read: Maurya Foundation – The Undisputed Leaders On & Off The Pitch
For similar articles on unknown talented footballers – visit here
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJ-GMSC edge Hope United 2-1, moves to top of the Mumbai Premier League
In a highly anticipated match in the MFA’s Elite Premier League, MYJ-GMSC faced off against KSA Hope United in a clash that promised excitement from the outset. From the get-go,…
Mumbai City FC U-19 punches ticket to the Mumbai Premier League
In a fiercely contested match at the Nevilee Dsouza ground, Mumbai City FC U-19 clinched a crucial victory over Maharashtra Oranje FC (U23) in MFA Super League playoffs. The stakes…
MFA Super League: Mumbai City FC U19 lift title, India on Track FC confirm promotion
A hard fought 0-0 result meant Islanders colts lifting the MFA Super League title while India on track FC had to content with runner-up position, both gaining promotion to Mumbai…
India leave for Saudi Arabia to play Afghanistan in World Cup Qualifiers
NEW DELHI: A 25-member Indian Senior Men’s Team left for Abha, Saudi Arabia, on Friday, March 15, 2024, to play the away tie against Afghanistan in the Round 2 of the…
MFA Super League Playoff: MH Oranje FC U23 beat Om Saidham 4-2
In a thrilling six-goal encounter, MH Oranje FC U23 emerged victorious with a 4-2 win over OM SaiDham FC in a MFA Super League Playoff encounter The game held immense…
Feature / MFA / MFA Super League / Recommended
“I am genuinely satisfied with the boys’ performance” – Soccer Saga Head Coach Krupesh Sherwade reflects on club’s debut season
Having just completed their inaugural season in the MFA Super League, Soccer Saga’s head coach, Krupesh Sherwade convey satisfaction with his boys performance, sharing insights into the club’s journey this…
Mumbai City FC Announce Squad for Reliance Foundation Development League
The Reliance Foundation Development League’s (RFDL) 2023/24 is upon us, and, Mumbai City FC, who are raring to go, have announced their squad for the tournament. The RFDL’s Mumbai region…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…