{"id":36126,"date":"2018-06-04T19:56:56","date_gmt":"2018-06-04T19:56:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indiansportsnews.co.in\/?p=36126"},"modified":"2018-06-04T19:56:56","modified_gmt":"2018-06-04T19:56:56","slug":"i-had-a-dream-but-never-dreamt-of-playing-100-matches-sunil-chhetri","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indiansportsnews.co.in\/?p=36126","title":{"rendered":"I had a dream but never dreamt of playing 100 matches: Sunil Chhetri"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"IMG \u201cI had a dream but never dreamt of playing 100 International matches. This is unbelievable,\u201d National Team captain Sunil Chhetri said prior to Team India\u2019s practice session at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday<\/span><\/span> (June 3, 2018).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, I never think much about milestones. It was only when I was having a chat with my mom the other night that she became a bit emotional. How big it was for her made me realise how big the occasion is,\u201d he stated.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI need to thank my parents, friends, family, all my coaches, players, fans, media for their support in my journey in being able to be the second person in history play 100 International matches for my country. It feels special,\u201d he added. \u201cI just feel I will be able to keep my emotions under control, play the game as we should, stick to the plan and try to win the game for the country.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Chhetri\u2019s is the 2nd<\/sup> Indian after his \u2018mentor\u2019 Bhaichung Bhutia to achieve the feat.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Referring to his \u2018mentor\u2019 Bhutia\u2019s accolades for Chhetri evolving as a player, the \u2018disciple\u2019 said that \u201cas players grow older they start filtering stuff.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnce you grow older and you play more, you understand what\u2019s not good for you rather than what works for u. As you grow older you tend to start filtering stuff which is not needed and which is not important for you. That\u2019s what is learnt. So I do the things which work<\/span> for me. It\u2019s monotonous but I hope it continues,\u201d he informed.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI still remember my first match for India. We were in Pakistan and Nabi-da <\/em>(Syed Rahim Nabi) and I<\/span> were the rookies. We were kind of chilling knowing that we may not be fielded. But Sukhi-sir (Sukhwinder Singh) made both of us<\/span> to start the game. I scored a goal and all in euphoria I ran to the Pakistani fans and started to celebrate,\u201d he smiled. There was laughter all around in the room.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Captain admitted there has been a \u201csteady growth\u201d in Indian Football since that first day he wore the National shirt.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are on the right path. There has been a steady growth and we need to go far. Rubbing shoulders with the best will help us improve further,\u201d he opined.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

India sit<\/span> pretty at the top of the four-team<\/span> in the Hero Intercontinental Cup after their facile 5-0 victory over Chinese Taipei in the first match.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs a <\/span>player<\/span>, I have been in many a tough match. The games against South Korea, Australia and Bahrain in the 2011 Asian Cup were so tough. We played Japan in Bengaluru and that was tough too,\u201d he recollected.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes I feel the importance of the match makes it tougher. The matches against Myanmar (away in Yangon) and the home-match against the Kyrgyz<\/span> Republic were tough on<\/span> our road to qualification for the UAE Asian Cup.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Dubbed as the \u201ctrue leader\u201d of the team, Chhetri said he enjoys the competition against the youngsters in his quest to get fitter and better. \u201cI feel good when I speak with Udanta (Singh) and sprint with him; I feel good when I try to get past Sandesh (Jhingan); I feel good when I try to score against the big wall (Gurpreet Singh Sandhu). All of them are true professionals,\u201d he declared.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe desire in the present squad makes it special. The camaraderie is great and there is not a single ego clash within. There\u2019s an ardent desire to improve and it’s<\/span> really good to lead this bunch of players,\u201d he stated. \u201cWe have the desire and the talent. We need to keep working hard.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI always try to be a good example. I have understood that lectures don\u2019t work. If I go up to Udanta and say to him about the importance of being on time, the importance of hitting the gym, maybe he will not take me seriously. Instead, I try to do it for myself so that the boys can follow. That\u2019s so satisfying,\u201d he nodded.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt gives me immense joy that Jeje (Lalpekhlua) who started in front of my eyes just the other day is now 2 short of 50 International matches. The effort to improve yourself is the hallmark of the squad,\u201d he certified.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Chhetri also mentioned about his love affair with Kolkata. \u201cI feel special about Kolkata. I can\u2019t feel more proud. It was a huge feeling to sign for Mohun Bagan and then play for East Bengal. I cherish the love which I have got from both the clubs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

 \u201cI had a dream but never dreamt of playing 100 International matches. This is unbelievable,\u201d National Team captain Sunil Chhetri said prior to Team India\u2019s practice session at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday (June 3, 2018). \u201cHonestly, I never think much about milestones. It was only when I was having a chat with my mom the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":36125,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36126","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-world-football-news"],"yoast_head":"\nI had a dream but never dreamt of playing 100 matches: Sunil Chhetri - IndianSportsNews.com - Latest Updated Sports News & Sports Blogs of Cricket, Hockey, Golf, Football, Tennis & Other Sports<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/indiansportsnews.co.in\/?p=36126\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"I had a dream but never dreamt of playing 100 matches: Sunil Chhetri - IndianSportsNews.com - Latest Updated Sports News & Sports Blogs of Cricket, Hockey, Golf, Football, Tennis & Other Sports\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\" \u201cI had a dream but never dreamt of playing 100 International matches. This is unbelievable,\u201d National Team captain Sunil Chhetri said prior to Team India\u2019s practice session at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday (June 3, 2018). \u201cHonestly, I never think much about milestones. 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