FIFA WC qualifier: India play out goalless draw with Kuwait in Chhetri's farewell match
After 151 matches and 94 goals, the Indian captain has retired from international football.
After 151 matches and 94 goals, the Indian captain has retired from international football.
After 151 matches and 94 goals, the Indian captain has retired from international football.
India played out a goalless draw against Kuwait in a FIFA World Cup qualifier, which marked the end of Sunil Chhetri's glorious international career.
A packed Salt Lake Stadium gave a fitting farewell to the Indian captain, who was visibly overwhelmed at full-time and walked down the tunnel after receiving a guard of honour from his teammates and staff.
Chhetri ends an envious career spanning 151 matches and 94 goals. He began as a successor to Indian legends I M Vijayan and Bhaichung Bhutia but hangs up his boots in the company of some of the world's finest goalscorers. Chhetri is fourth in the list of all-time international goalscorers, behind Cristiano Ronaldo on 128 goals, Iranian legend Ali Daei (108) and Lionel Messi (106).
The result on Thursday meant India are now in danger of not making the third round of the qualifiers. India have 5 points from as many games and sit second in Group A behind Qatar. Kuwait, on four points, are third in the table and can qualify if they beat Afghanistan in the final group game next week. India will have to upset Qatar in Qatar to qualify.
The match was all about Chhetri, but the 39-year-old striker could not find the moment that he and fans of Indian football had hoped would offer a proper farewell.
Chhetri had led the line in the first half but was mostly silent. It was his younger and faster teammates on the wings, Chhangte and Colaco, who tested the Kuwait defence with smart runs.
The visitors were unlucky to not be awarded a penalty in the second half when Anwar Ali tripped Yousef Nasser Al-Sulaiman. But the referee thought it was a fair tackle despite angry protests from the visitors.
Anwar Ali could have given India the lead in the first half, but he, unmarked in the box, headed over from a beautiful cross. That, however, wasn't the best chance India had. It was meant for second-half substitute Rahim Ali, whom Igor Stimac planted up front leaving Chhetri to sit back and try to link up. That was a smart move and Rahim Ali almost scored with his first chance as he outmuscled the Kuwait defence only to fire straight at keeper Abdulghafoor.
India have a huge task of toppling Qatar for the World Cup dream to continue. But somehow that doesn't seem quite a daunting task as finding a successor to Chhetri.