Football fans in Kolkata will never fail you, says Sunil Chhetri

National Team skipper Sunil Chhetri says he always feels at home while in Kolkata.As the countdown for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers begin, Sunil opens up about his fondest memories of Kolkata, the fans in the ‘City of Joy,’ India’s preparation, the current crop of Liston, Manvir, and others, and much more. EXCERPTS:
What memory does Kolkata bring to you?
A lot of fond memories — I started my career here. I got the taste of the Kolkata maidan here which is really special. I am married here and have an excellent family here. I am always at home in Kolkata.
Any specific football memories?
I have always maintained that you may have played in every club and part of India, but if you haven’t got a taste of playing here in Kolkata, you are not complete as a player. The fans just love you here. Obviously, I have also been at the receiving end many times. I had my first brush of the Bengali language here at the Maidan – both in the form of love and abuses (laughs aloud).

The VYBK – that’s a stadium where you first played as a teenager some two decades back. Describe the feeling when you lead your country through the same player’s tunnel.
It is a surreal feeling, and the respect has been a mutual one. For the past few years, I have been playing against them for the club, but whenever I have worn the National team jersey, it’s always been genuine support, and that’s what I am expecting even this time. Football fans in Kolkata will never fail you.
What’s the mood in the camp? How confident are you about playing your 3rd Asian Cup?
That’s the ultimate goal. The mood is happy, and slowly and steadily everyone is getting fit — everyone is trying to understand each other. It’s quite a new team and a lot of places are up for grabs. There’s also a lot of new talent coming up. The good part is that everyone is hungry. We are hoping to get the right balance. Irrespective of who gets a chance, we will put our best foot forward.
Is it tricky that it’s only one match against all oppositions, rather than a usual double leg?
It’s a catch-22 situation. Simply because we have got home advantage, I’d say it would have been better if we got two games purely on the fact that we are playing at home. But it is what it is. It doesn’t matter now, and everyone has a fair chance. Playing at home comes with its own advantage, as much, as there will be pressure.

In comparison to 2011 to 2019 and now – what has changed in the team?
The personalities are different. Add to that the fitness and the manner the boys approach the game are also entirely different. The knowledge that the current batch has gained on and off the field makes it a very distinct difference.
Is Sunil Chhetri’s job nowadays easier with the likes of Liston, Brandon, Suresh, Manvir, Thapa, and all others with you?
I would say it’s more of a responsible job. I’d not want to categorise it as either easy or hard. Sometimes I get into this vicious circle of thinking about it, and it affects my game in a manner I don’t like. So, I prefer to stay away from it. I try to keep my job simpler because I can do as much as I can do. The best feeling is when I go out and give whatever I have.
Credits: AIFF Media
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read: MFA Corporate Elite League: Bank of Baroda beat Air India 6-1
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football
Staikos Vergetis appointed new Head Coach for RoundGlass Punjab FC
RoundGlass Punjab FC is delighted to announce the appointment of Staikos Vergetis as Head Coach for the forthcoming Hero I-League 2022-23 season. Forty-six-year-old Vergetis hails from Greece and has nearly a decade’s experience working as a…
Manisha, Sunil named 2021-22 AIFF Footballers of the Year
NEW DELHI: Manisha Kalyan and Sunil Chhetri have been named as the 2021-22 AIFF Women’s Footballer of the Year, and the 2021-22 Men’s Footballer of the Year, respectively. The two stalwarts…
RoundGlass Punjab FC announces squad for Punjab Super League 2022
Mohali, August 12: RoundGlass Punjab FC is all set to begin its Punjab State Super Football League 2022 campaign with its first match on Tuesday, August 16, against Jagat Singh Palahi…
FC Goa names 26-member squad for Durand Cup 2022
The Gaurs are the defending champions of the Durand Cup Mumbai, August 10, 2022: Four first team players – Hrithik Tiwari, Muhammed Nemil, Phrangki Buam and Ayush Chhetri – will…
FC Goa announces T10 Sports as new Kit Partner
The brands have signed a long-term deal Goa, August 9, 2022: FC Goa is delighted to announce T10 Sports as the Club’s official kit supplier, signing a multi-year deal with…
Blue Tigers to play International Friendlies against Singapore, Vietnam
NEW DELHI: The Senior Men’s Indian Football Team will be back in action in September, when they play two International Friendlies against Singapore and Vietnam. The Blue Tigers will travel to…
WIFA Women's Championship / WIFA Women's Football League
WIFA Women’s Football League: Kolhapur Warriors Beat Kenkre In Tournament Opener
The opening game of the WIFA Women’s Football League saw Kolhapur Warriors beat Kenkre FC 3-1 kicking off their campaign with all three points The early morning fixture of Day…
Deggie Cardozo: No ‘added’ pressure in Durand Cup as defending champions
Goa, August 11, 2022: FC Goa won the hearts of fans last year with their stellar performances in the Durand Cup. Braving the odds, the Gaurs wrapped up their Durand…
WIFA Women's Championship / WIFA Women's Football League
WIFA Women’s Football League: Sasmita strikes three as PIFA kick off title defence in style
Match 2 of the WIFA Women’s Football league saw, defending champions PIFA Sports kicking off their campaign in style with a 5-0 win over Puneri Warriors The defending champions PIFA’s…
WIFA Women's Championship / WIFA Women's Football League
WIFA Women’s Football League: Aspire FC blows apart lawless United with a 4-0 win
Pune-based Aspire FC kicked off their WIFA WFL campaign with a convincing 4-0 win over Lawless United of Palghar Aspire kicked off the proceeding and took control of the game…
OSCAR SSE to conduct trials for Youth I League and YPL team in the U13 category in Mumbai
Mumbai-based OSCAR SSE will conduct trials for their Youth I League and YPL team on 16th and 17th July 2022 at Wings Sports Centre ground. Oscar SSE is a 2-star…
ROQS to host trials for MFA Super Division
ROQS is revamping their squad for the upcoming season of the MFA Super Division. The team is organising trials for the men’s football team on Monday, 11th of July, 2022….
MSP Academy is holding trials for the upcoming MFA Youth League
MFA Super Division club Mumbai Soccer Prodigies will be conducting trials for their MFA Youth League campaign on 22nd May 2022 in Bandra, Mumbai. Founded in 2006, the Mumbai Soccer…
Mumbai Football / Recommended / Trials
Football School of India to conduct Youth Trials
Mumbai-based Football School of India is going to conduct youth trials for its boys and girls squads. The trials will be conducted for players in the age group of under-13…
Bengaluru FC Elite Youth Football Trials
Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club that competes in the Indian Super League (ISL) and are past champions of the I-League and ISL. The club has launched its Soccer…
D’Souza Football Academy to conduct Youth Trials
Mumbai-based D’Souza Football Academy is going to conduct football scholarship trials for its youth squads. The trials will be conducted for players in the age group of under-7 to under-15….
Oscar SSE to conduct trials for Youth I-League in U13, U15&U18 category in Mumbai
OSCAR SSE, an AIFF Accredited Academy invites all U13, U15 & U18 players from ALL SOCIO-ECONOMIC backgrounds for football trials to join our Elite teams to train round the year…
Elite Division / MDFA / Recommended / Trials
Air India to conduct senior team trials for MFA Elite League on Monday
Mumbai-based Air India FC is set to conduct trials for their Senior Team to play the MFA Elite (Corporate) Division. One of the top-tier clubs from Mumbai – Air India…
MDFA / Mumbai Football / Recommended / Trials
Air India to hold youth team trials on Monday
Mumbai-based Air India FC is set to conduct trials for their Youth Team for the MFA Super (Corporate) Division. One of the top-tier clubs from Mumbai – Air India will…
MDFA / Recommended / Trials
Bhaichung Bhutia’s Residential Academy set to conduct trials in Mumbai
16th March, 2022: Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS) will conduct Residential Academy trials in Maharashtra for the academic year 2022-23. In the next few months, the trials will be organized…