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Skipper Sunil Chhetri will once again have to be at his best if India wants to win against Palestine on Wednesday in Kochi. Following the retirement of Bhaichung Bhutia, Sunil is undoubtedly the biggest name in Team India, and with an impressive international record of 35 goals in 62 caps, the Sporting Lisbon ‘B’ forward has certainly done justice to his reputation while on national duty.
Sportskeeda lists his top five performances in an Indian shirt.
1. Hattrick against Tajikistan in 2008 AFC Challenge Cup final
Ever since his emergence at Mohun Bagan as a teenager, Sunil was backed to be the next big thing in Indian football after Bhaichung Bhutia. The Delhi lad’s performance in the final confirmed that claim as he scored a brilliant hattrick in his hometown to guide India to a 4-1 win over Tajikistan. The victory sealed India’s place in the 2011 Asian Cup, which would be their first appearance in the tournament in 27 years and thus Sunil couldn’t have picked a bigger stage to score his first international hattrick. Home advantage was always going to favour India, but they needed one player to take responsibility in a pressure match. For years, Bhaichung had been doing that job, but on that night it was Sunil and he has been India’s biggest goal threat ever since.
2. Hattrick against Vietnam in International Friendly (2010)
Sunil had joined USA’s MLS outfit Kansas City Wizards by now but wasn’t in the best of forms for the national team as he hadn’t scored since the 2009 Nehru Cup. This match was part of the preparations for the 2011 Asian Cup, and having lost three of their last four friendlies, India had an even tougher test against South-East Asian champions Vietnam in Pune. But Sunil stepped up once again when his team needed him the most as he scored a classy hattrick at the Balewadi Sports Complex to signal his return to form. While the first and third goals came because of his predatory instincts, the second came thanks to delightful back flick that completely fooled the Vietnam custodian.
3. Match winner against Myanmar in 2008 AFC Challenge Cup semi-final
If the final against Tajikistan was about Sunil’s qualities as a striker, this match showed the strong character of this Delhi lad. The match was played in the muddy conditions of the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad so both sides struggled to get going. Sunil’s confidence was by no means great as he hadn’t scored in the group stage and missed a couple of sitters in the first half. He also suffered an injury on his head and the match looked set for extra time until Sunil showed great bravery to score with a header in the 82nd minute. It wasn’t the prettiest of goals but will be remembered as one of Sunil’s and India’s most important.
4. Brace against Maldives in 2011 SAFF Cup semi-final
Hosts India were the favourites to win their sixth SAFF Cup but had a difficult semi-final against 2008 champions Maldives. Things started well for India as they went in front through Syed Rahim Nabi but Maldives equalised at the hour mark and were threatening to take the lead. However once again it was Sunil who made the difference in a crunch situation as he won a penalty and converted it to make it 2-1. India’s star striker then killed off the game by netting the third after the getting on the of a Jeje Lalpekhlua pass as India booked their place in the final, where they thrashed Afghanistan. Sunil finished the tournament as the top scorer and best player.
Even though Sunil first came to prominence while playing in Kolkata, he had never scored an international goal in the football crazy city before this game. This was only his second game in Kolkata though, and it was the second of the two home friendlies against Malaysia with the first one ending 1-1 Guwahati three days earlier. Sunil opened the scoring against the then South-East Asian champions but Malaysia equalised before the break. Sunil helped India regain the lead as he played his part in a 18-pass move which ended with Jeje scoring. He then bagged a brace after a brilliant cross from Francis Fernandes and although Malaysia pulled on back, India head on for a 3-2 win with Sunil taking the plaudits but the only downside was the poor turnout at the Salt Lake Stadium.
