'Sixteen years to the day I met you and I can't thank you enough for braving it, stealing your dad's (and my coach's) phone and sending me that text.'
The Indian men's U-23 team suffered a heartbreaking 2-3 defeat against Tajikistan in a thrilling international friendly at the TALCO Arena in Tursunzoda on Wednesday.
Hyderabad now have 29 points from 16 games, four more than second-placed Jamshedpur FC who have played two matches less. Bengaluru remain third with 23 in their kitty from 16 outings.
There is speculation about his retirement and the Indian captain happily responds with a smile that 'I don't know yet'.
Indian men's football team drops six places to 133rd in FIFA rankings, worst in nine years
India football head coach Manolo Marquez stepped down on Wednesday after reaching a 'mutual agreement' with the All Indian Football Federation.
'Yes, this is an away game against a good team, but we have to prepare accordingly and think only of one thing -- a positive result.'
Stimac had said he would need at least a four-week camp to do well in the Asian Cup while the All India Football Federation (AIFF) top brass had indicated that his demand would be difficult to meet as the clubs may not agree to release their players for such a long period in the midst of the domestic season.
Marquez also confirmed Chhetri's involvement in the friendly match that will mark his 152nd cap for India.
India captain Sunil Chhetri on Saturday said that he is "fossilized" and the country may not find his exact replacement.
Bengaluru FC will head into the second leg of the ISL semifinal with a narrow advantage after registering a 1-0 lead over Mumbai City FC in the first leg in Mumbai.
Sunil Chhetri will be the cynosure of all eyes as the Blue Tigers look to regain the Intercontinental Cup
'Saare coaching sessions ka ek hi invoice bheju, ya aasan kishton mein chukaoge champ?'
India lose 0-2 to Thailand in friendly match; reality check ahead of Asian Cup qualifier game
Chhetri still takes advice from former captain Bhutia who has a huge influence on him.
Indian club football appeared to be in complete crisis as Chennaiyin FC on Wednesday suspended their operations in view of the uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League (ISL), days after Bengaluru FC and Odisha FC decided to stop paying salaries to their first-team players and staff.
An Indian Super League play-off match descended into chaos when the Kerala Blasters walked off the pitch in protest after Bengaluru FC's Sunil Chhetri scored from a quickly-taken free kick on Friday.
India face tough Iraq test sans Chhetri
Bengaluru FC pulled off the biggest win in ISL play-offs history, thrashing Mumbai City FC 5-0 to progress to the semi-finals.
Tuesday's match holds importance for India as any slip-up could be disastrous in their bid to make it to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
'I feel fine as I continue my recovery from the virus and should be back on a football pitch soon'
Chhetri expressed his desire to play the Asian Cup on home soil
Farukh Choudhary and skipper Sunil Chhetri struck in the second half to guide India to a 2-1 victory over Nepal in their second International friendly, in Kathmandu, on Sunday.
Rathore, Tendulkar lead accolades for Chhetri
Not only the senior team but the young Blue Colts also emerged victorious in the SAFF Men's U-19 champions after hammering Pakistan in the final and clinching a vigorous 3-0 victory.
Blue Tigers rise to third spot.
India captain Sunil Chhetri added another feather to his illustrious cap as he overtook Argentina star Lionel Messi to become the second-highest goalscorer among the current players in international football.
Sunil Chhetri equalled the iconic Lionel Messi with his 80th international strike as an inspired India blanked Nepal 3-0 for their eighth SAFF Championship title, in Male, on Saturday. India extended their domination in the regional tournament thanks to second half goals from Chhetri (49th minute), Suresh Singh (50th) and Sahal Abdul Samad (90th).
At the end of the discussion, the older Monpa said that if today the Chinese were to come inside India, "I will fight and kill them", prudently adding, "if they are of my age, if they are younger soldiers, I will not be able to fight". The entire village had a good laugh.
The Indian men's team currently occupies the 18th spot among countries under the Asian Football Confederation, while the women's side is ranked 11th.
Having endured a topsy-turvy start to their campaign before a fine turnaround, seven-time champions India start as title favourites when they take on first-time finalists Nepal in the summit clash of the SAFF Championships, in Male, on Saturday.
The Argentina captain's Kolkata schedule on December 13 will begin at 9am with a meet-and-greet event, followed by the unveiling of a 70-feet statue of him at the Lake Town Sribhumi on VIP Road.
Sunil Chhetri's late goal earned India the 1-0 victory over Nepal in the SAFF Championship, at the National Football Stadium in Male, Maldives, on Sunday. The victory took India to third in the group standings with five points, just a behind Maldives and Nepal, both of whom have six points each.
AIFF President Praful Patel congratulated Chhetri on being conferred with the Khel Ratna.
'I know it's a pressure on the boys that it has been one year, but soon we will win a game. Don't worry, we are on the right track.'
Sunil Chhetri said said if more people are made aware and educated about the issue, the incidents of abuse will also go down.
Sunil Chhetri became the 8th top scorer in international football after equalling Brazil legend Pele's goal tally.
East Bengal finished the season in the bottom-place on the points table, with only one win in 20 matches
Last year, Kohli had adopted a plant-based diet and Chhetri said his awareness came during a stint with Sporting Lisbon in 2013.
Chhetri's first professional contract was with Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan at a tender age of 17. It was a big challenge to overcome for a teenager and he buckled under pressure at times.
