Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri, ahead of his final international match against Kuwait, emphasized the importance of the team’s performance over personal milestones. With a win potentially securing India’s first appearance in the third round of the FIFA World Cup, Chhetri redirected attention to the crucial qualifier. Despite his illustrious 19-year career, Chhetri remains resolute in his decision to retire from international football after this match, opting to support the team from the sidelines. Head coach Igor Stimac echoed Chhetri’s sentiment, emphasizing the need to focus on the game and enjoy the moment, acknowledging the challenges posed by Kuwait despite their missing key players. Here are the key points from Chhetri’s and Stimac’s pre-match remarks:
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- Chhetri underscores the team’s goal of winning the match for World Cup qualification.
- He dismisses personal hype surrounding his last match, emphasizing team success.
- Chhetri plans to support the team post-retirement by attending matches.
- He highlights the importance of a win against Kuwait for qualifying.
- Chhetri expresses confidence in the team’s preparation and readiness.
- Stimac acknowledges Kuwait’s strengths despite missing key players.
- He emphasizes the enjoyment of the game and relinquishing control over results.
- The match follows a disappointing loss to Afghanistan, adding pressure on India.
- Chhetri remains firm in his decision to retire from international football.
- Both Chhetri and Stimac stress the significance of the match in the World Cup qualifying campaign.
