No fairytale ending for Sunil Chhetri as India play a dull draw against Kuwait
Sunil Chhetri, the captain and record goal scorer of the Indian team, played his last match on June 6 where he was seen crying. There was something rather melancholic first about the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, and second about the clouds which shrouded the arena with somber grey which was a mirror of what the fans and the players felt when Chhetri took his boots on for the final times in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Kuwait.
As the main narration stayed on the decisive essence of the qualification chase for the Indian team, the subtext was a sentimental and emotional journey around the sundry of Chhetri’s retirement serving in the heart of the stadium. People clapped when the outgoing captain came out onto the pitch to warm himself due to an injury, singling out the man of the match known much for Indian football.
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Sunil Chhetri being captain and an emotional jab was quick to diffuse the emotion part and focused on the fact that India had to get to the third round of the qualifier for the FIFA WORLD CUP for the first time. However, the fans understood that this was not just any other encounter that was being played on the field. What was at stake was not just a means of participating in a decisive match, but also of paying tribute to a star who was leaving.
Dinesh Karthik’s post-IPL retirement message could be heard, actual and in people’s minds – ‘In sports, there are no fairytale endings.’ This statement rang true for Chhetri in his final moment wearing the blue strip. Unfortunately though emotions continued where the match ended in a 0-0 draw leaving India out of reckoning of the qualification.
At last, as the note of the final whistle signaled the end of a grueling match, the joy, the sentiments that Chhetri had kept locked up for days erupted. When his teammates carried him off the field for the last time, or rather wheeled him off the pitch, his fellow players acting as an honor guard, the roar of the spectators filled the arena. The curtains came down in style and this was perhaps a fitting way to end a glorious playing career where Chhetri became the highest scorer of the Blue Tigers with 94 goals to his name from 151 outings.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 🫡🫶#SunilChhetri #IndianFootball #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/oIseyjdpno
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) June 6, 2024
The match, however, was the most intense ever witnessed by the crowd. India began with a new partnership in the defense where Jay Gupta got his first senior call up in the team and joining him was the experienced Anwar Ali along with Rahul Bheke. Kuwait, who were deprived of a dreaded winger, began the match at a fast pace, putting pressure on the Indian defence line. However, just two minutes into the match, the visitors’ dangerous opportunity was thwarted by a brilliant save off India’s goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
But in the attack, the Indian spirit was missing and the defense put up an ample fight. Chhetri who usually plays as the reference man in the attack was now left hapless and lacking support throughout the match. The tension mounted as the first half went on and apart from the odd breakaway and some forays into the corners and corners of the penalty area they showed little by way of invention and had to rely on corners and long throws. While Kuwait played most of the midfield, they were the team that controlled up the pace of the game.
The second half of the witnessed some shift in strategies by the India team. Rahim Ali, a forward impetus player was introduced. From the onset, Chhetri lowered his starting position to a second striker to facilitate what seemed to be the team’s best formation. This tactical switch did bring some change, as India at least began to attempt to build more advances. But a distinct opportunity was not well defined at this stage.
Liston Colaco was replaced by the second half substitute Manvir Singh in minute 70, but the Blue Tigers could not score the goal. Finally the referee blew his whistle, and the two teams left the field, full of disappointment since the match ended in a draw with no goal scored.
When the final moment came around to extinguish the hope of a win for Indian fans before Sunil Chhetri, the final outcome only tarnish the legacy of the hero, but in reality the result has been so much more than that. Bhaichung Bhutia has been the image of Indian football for about 11 years now, motivating young talents to follow his footsteps and embrace the sport.
Sunil Chhetri’s boots may be hung up, but his impact on Indian football will remain etched in history. His final roar, though not a resounding victory, served as a reminder of his dedication and passion for the sport. As India navigates an uncertain future without their talismanic leader, Chhetri’s legacy will continue to inspire them on their journey towards achieving greater heights in the world of football.
