A 16-year-old Sunil Chhetri's joy knew no bounds when he was handed over a token amount of Rs 1000 for his first-ever contract with a Delhi-based club, recalled his childhood coach Mohammad Sajid on Thursday.
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For long stretches, the atmosphere felt less Mumbai and more Camp Nou. Chants of 'Barca... Barca' and 'Suarez... Suarez' echoed through the stands as Messi interacted with youngsters, celebrities and former India football captain Sunil Chhetri.
Bengaluru FC defeated Jamshedpur FC 3-0 in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Sunday, with Spaniard Alberto Noguera scoring a brace.
'Just like I do on football, I will try my best.'
'Saare coaching sessions ka ek hi invoice bheju, ya aasan kishton mein chukaoge champ?'
Boxing legend M C Mary Kom has apologised to the 'male community' for her comments on a television show, explaining that her outburst was because of suppressing feelings inside her for a long time.
wo months into his stint as West Bengal governor, La Ganesan copped national criticism for pushing Indian football talisman Sunil Chhetri, in order to get clicked during the Durand Cup prize distribution ceremony in Kolkata.
Bengaluru FC and NorthEast United FC played a 1-1 draw in their Indian Super League match.
Fourteen players, including Bengaluru FC captain Sunil Chhetri, are not immediately joining the preparatory camp for next month's Asian Cup qualifying round matches against Singapore as three clubs have delayed the release of their players, which will be a cause of concern for head coach Khalid Jamil.
Sunil Chhetri stirred up emotions in his final international outing but the Indian football team just could not rise to the occasion as it settled for a goalless draw against Kuwait.
Chhetri and BFC had lifted the ISL trophy in 2018-19 season with the talismanic striker as skipper.
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'My wife and I are overjoyed to announce that we are expecting a baby. This is the way she wanted to announce.'
The camp began in Bengaluru on Thursday.
'All the very best! We'll be cheering and supporting you'll,' Jemimah said in a video posted on AIFF's official X handle.
Talented winger Lallianzuala Chhangte "would not mind" stepping up as the next number 9 of the Indian football team, after talismanic forward Sunil Chhetri's illustrious career comes to an end in Kolkata on June 6.
In a game that had its moments, India had a great chance of scoring from a free kick after Gurkirat Singh was fouled near the Bangladesh box.
Talisman Sunil Chhetri, senior defender Sandesh Jhingan and first-choice goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu were on Tuesday named in a 22-member Indian men's football squad for the upcoming Asian Games.
India head coach Igor Stimac feels this may be the final season of talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri's career.
From doing double training sessions and reading books, to watching renowned broadcaster and historian Sir David Attenborough's documentary 'A Life On Our Planet', the 36-year-old has been one busy man through the last three weeks of the team's quarantine in Goa.
Sunil Chhetri said he would like to be remembered as 'the luckiest and most hardworking national team player'.
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Only a few players become legends in their playing days and Sunil Chhetri belonged to that rare tribe, India's head coach Igor Stimac said in a glowing tribute to the talismanic skipper, who will hang his boots on June 6.
The squad announcement also marks the return of East Bengal's dependable central defender Anwar Ali, who had been sidelined since February due to a hamstring injury. He last featured in competitive action against Bengaluru FC in the ISL.
Anwar was handed a four-month ban by All India Football Federation (AIFF) in early September with the governing body holding the player "guilty" of terminating his contract with Mohun Bagan in an unjust manner and signing a new deal with East Bengal, having returned to his parent club Delhi FC.
At 39, he is, understandably, a different footballer but the hunger for goals remains.
All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey said the governing body has been actively working on policies to integrate Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) players into the national team setup.
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.
Jadeja returned to haunt South Africa with the ball after the Proteas came out to bat for the second time in the match.
FC Goa players, including India captain Sandesh Jhingan, and support staff have accepted pay cut for the truncated ISL season starting on February 14.
Sunil Chhetri, who will complete 15 years in international football on June 12, is India's highest goal-scorer with 72 strikes from 115 matches. He is the second highest goal-scorer in international football in the world among active players behind Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentine maestro Lionel Messi.
Indian football head coach Igor Stimac hailed Sunil Chhetri, saying the talismanic captain was one of those who "glorified" Indian football with his dedication in the 15 years of his illustrious career. The 35-year-old Chhetri on Friday became only the second Indian after legendary Bhaichung Bhutia to complete 15 years in Indian jersey.
Marquez also confirmed Chhetri's involvement in the friendly match that will mark his 152nd cap for India.
The Gaurs looked to set the tone of this game from the onset, with Boris Singh hammering a shot from distance way too high to the target in the seventh minute.
'You're paying Rs 42 lakh for one game. Why not link it to qualification? It just shows how clueless the management is.'
The national football team is currently ranked 18th in Asia and the sports ministry's rule states that in team sport, only those in top-eight will get the nod.
Sunil Chhetri said said if more people are made aware and educated about the issue, the incidents of abuse will also go down.
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