Despite Sunil Chhetri's none-too-impressive outing, national football team coach Bob Houghton backed the US-returned striker moments after India registered a convincing win over Namibia in an international friendly at the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Bhaichung Bhutia and I M Vijayan were there, the fans too were there, and the magnet that drew them all into the Mumbai Football Arena for India's Intercontinental Cup game against Kenya was Sunil Chhetri.
With Chhetri and Stimac at helm, AIFF hoping for strong show in Asian Games
Impressed with the standard of football in the ongoing Indian Super League, India captain Sunil Chhetri feels the newly-launched tournament is an ideal platform for youngsters to perform and open the gates for selection to the national team.
Nearly three decades after the ambitious project was first conceived to decongest the existing airport in the financial capital, the greenfield Navi Mumbai International Airport became a reality on Thursday as an IndiGo Airbus A320 from Bengaluru landed on the tarmac at 8 am amid a traditional water cannon salute.
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.
India have slumped to 142 in the FIFA rankings -- their lowest in nearly a decade.
India face hosts Tajikistan on August 29 followed by matches against Iran on September 1 and Afghanistan on September 4.
Pressure will be on India against Singapore, but Jhingan available for matches: Jamil
The 'Pass the message to kick out coronavirus' campaign calls for people around the world to follow five key steps to protect their health in line with WHO's guidelines.
Last year, Kohli had adopted a plant-based diet and Chhetri said his awareness came during a stint with Sporting Lisbon in 2013.
The AIFF said in a statement that Jhingan "is under expert medical care in Goa, and his recovery and rehabilitation are being closely monitored"
AIFF Player of the Year, Sunil Chhetri will lead India in the AFC Challenge Cup to be held in Kathmandu from March 8.
Chhetri's record against the neighbours is quite impressive, scoring four goals in eight matches including a spectacular strike from a free kick in Kolkata in 2022.
Indian football remained in a state of terminal decline after experiencing arguably its darkest phase in a year marked by severe administrative crisis, court hearings, financial issues, absence of domestic leagues, and a steep decline in performance of the senior men's team.
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.
Sunil Chhetri became the 8th top scorer in international football after equalling Brazil legend Pele's goal tally.
Bengaluru FC rode on Sunil Chhetri double strike as they beat Salgaocar FC 3-2 in their Group B league match as the 36th Federation Cup football tournament kicked off in Vasco.
The prolific striker became the first Indian footballer to score 50 international goals, in his 87th match, when he reduced the margin in the dying minutes as India went down 1-2 to Guam in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
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.
Talismanic Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri, on Tuesday, rated Lionel Messi as the greatest player of all time but did not include Argentina among his favourite four teams to lift the World Cup in Russia.
Chhetri still takes advice from former captain Bhutia who has a huge influence on him.
Looking to lead by example, star striker Sunil Chhetri said the Indian football team is "fit and hungry" going into its opening 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Oman.
In news that will delight hordes of Indian football fans, India captain Sunil Chhetri has reportedly joined Portugal's premier league club Sporting Lisbon.
A third consecutive brace from India captain Sunil Chhetri inspired Bengaluru FC to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Mohammedan Sporting in a Round 14 clash of the Airtel I-League at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
'If we are in the first 10, you are giving yourself a realistic chance to play against the best in Asia and then you always have the answer to how much you have to achieve more'
At a time when Indian football is seeking a radical overhaul, the Super Cup, starting in Goa from Saturday, could act as a catalyst for clubs to build their teams, prepare their players, get valuable match time, and keep their hopes of continental qualifications alive.
Indian striker Sunil Chhetri's dream of playing for English Championship side Queen's Park Rangers ended prematurely after the British government denied him work permit. Chhetri had signed a three-year contract with QPR a few weeks back, although it was kept under wraps.
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.
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.
Indian striker Sunil Chhetri returned among goals in Kansas City Wizards' 7-1 thrashing of Baker University in a friendly match at the Swope Park Training Center in Kansas City, US.
Indian striker Sunil Chhetri continued to sparkle for Kansas City Wizards, scoring a hat-trick in the Major League Soccer team's 5-0 win over the University of Evansville in a friendly match at St Louis, United States.
India captain Sunil Chhetri on Saturday said that he is "fossilized" and the country may not find his exact replacement.
India striker Sunil Chhetri, who returned after a six-day trial with Scottish football giants Glasgow Rangers, felt that the trip has instilled more confidence in him.
The continuing wait for his Major League Soccer debut despite being with the Kansas City Wizards for four months has left Indian striker Sunil Chhetri frustrated.
Star striker Sunil Chhetri has been named aomng the Indian probables for the forthcoming Nehru Cup which will kick off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from August 22 in New Delhi.
Skipper Sunil Chhetri found the target twice as a dominating India thrashed Guam 4-0 for their second victory in as many matches in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers, in Yangon, on Monday. Thanks to the convincing victory, India, with six points, are very much in contention for a berth in next year's AFC Challenge Cup.
Indian striker Sunil Chhetri made a disappointing debut for Kansas City Wizards as he failed to score and was also shown a yellow card for a reckless tackle in his side's 1-2 loss to Colorado Rapids in the US Open Cup qualifier in Kansas City. Two goals from Wells Thompson were enough for the Colorado Rapids to advance to the next play-in stage of the Cup and eliminate the Wizards from the competition on Tuesday night.
Sunil Chhetri did not play in Kansas City Wizards' second Major League Soccer match against Colorado Rapids but the Indian striker is expected to take the field in his side's qualification game for Lamar Hunt US Open Cup against the same opponents on Tuesday.
