Sunil Chhetri forward of his one hundred and fiftieth worldwide look for India (Credit: X)
It will likely be crucial from India’s viewpoint that Chhetri, who will likely be showing in his one hundred and fiftieth worldwide match, rises to the event and make his landmark sport memorable on the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium.
Milestone man Sunil Chhetri would be the cynosure of all eyes as India hope to beat their struggles in entrance of the aim in the return leg of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier towards Afghanistan right here on Tuesday.
Igor Stimac’s India fired a clean in a disappointing draw in the away leg Group A match in Abha, Saudi Arabia on March 22 towards their decrease-ranked opponents, extending their goalless run.
India final scored a aim in November 2023 towards Kuwait.
In this backdrop, it will likely be crucial from India’s viewpoint that Chhetri, who will likely be showing in his one hundred and fiftieth worldwide match, rises to the event and make his landmark sport memorable on the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium.
Having performed his first International in 2005, he has thus far earned 149 worldwide caps, 93 objectives and 11 trophies for the nation, and his staff could be too joyful to see him rating yet one more time, cause them to victory and brighten their prospects of reaching the third spherical of the World Cup {qualifications}, one thing they haven’t achieved.
While Chhetri has all the time appeared to ship what is predicted of him, his teammates perceive it’s not honest to rely solely on a 39-yr-previous talisman they usually might want to chip in with helpful contributions if the 58-ranked facet is to excel and keep in the reckoning for a spot in the third spherical.
Stimac has prioritised qualification to the third spherical of World Cup Qualifiers and safe a direct entry into the 2027 AFC Asian Cup however together with his staff coming off a disappointing marketing campaign in the final continental showpiece, the Croatian will likely be beneath stress and can need his wards to indicate much more desperation, composure and urgency upfront.
The Blue Tigers at the moment stand second in the group with 4 factors from three video games, one forward of Kuwait, who’re on three factors from as many matches.
India can nonetheless advance to the third spherical however the process has received loads more durable following final week’s stalemate, from which they gained solely some extent.
India will want at the least 4 factors from their subsequent three matches towards Afghanistan (Tuesday), Kuwait (June 6) and Qatar (June 11) to stay in management of their destiny.
Stimac hoped that Chhetri might make his landmark match all of the extra particular with a efficiency befitting his stature in Indian soccer.
“Being chosen to represent your country is a dream of millions of kids when they start kicking the ball, and to make it 150 times is possible only for the GOATs (greatest of all times),” mentioned Stimac.
“We hope our captain will make it memorable on March 26 for all Indian fans and himself.”
Stimac tried out nearly all choices upfront in the primary leg however they didn’t work, and a aim eluded the staff.
He admitted that the staff wants enhancements in just a few areas particularly whereas attacking, and was not pleased with the way in which his wards sophisticated issues as a substitute of maintaining them smile in the ultimate third.
“We need to be better in passing, creating chances and attacking the box when the crosses are coming from the flanks,” he mentioned.
The Blue Tigers had final performed in Guwahati 5 years in the past, once they suffered a 1-2 defeat by the hands of Oman in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup preliminary joint qualifiers.
Match begins at 7pm IST.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – PTI)
