Talismanic India striker Sunil Chhetri believes his workforce is “robust” and “extra ready” than earlier events to make it to the following spherical of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers because the gamers have had good recreation time beneath their belts this yr. The 39-year-old Chhetri will lead India into Spherical 2 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Joint Qualification marketing campaign after they tackle Kuwait within the opening away tie on Thursday. The stalwart mentioned the positive performances towards worldwide sides at house had given the workforce a extra settled look. “I believe it’s simply the morale of the workforce, or what has occurred within the final 6-8 months. Numerous boys have taken their locations within the workforce. And that’s the reason we’re in all probability extra ready,” Chhetri informed AIFF on Monday.
“Additionally, the World Cup qualifiers are occurring at a time when loads of us have a good quantity of recreation time beneath our belts. All this stuff do matter.” India will play matches towards Kuwait, Qatar and Afghanistan, and the captain mentioned his gamers might need good or unhealthy outings however the workforce is not going to be stunned by the enjoying kinds of their opponents.
“We performed Kuwait twice a couple of months again, so we have now higher data of them. We’ve performed Qatar at the very least thrice within the final three years, which once more helps. And we all the time know Afghanistan. We’ve performed them sufficient.
“So I believe every time we play these groups, we’d play good or unhealthy, however we is not going to be stunned by what we’re enjoying towards. Barring the away tie in Kuwait, we’re conscious of the environment for the away matches towards Afghanistan and Qatar,” mentioned Chhetri.
Chhetri additionally added that India will rely extra on teamwork than particular person aptitude to provide a tricky combat to their rivals.
“I believe we’re on the proper stage. This workforce in all probability is a powerful aspect. It is a workforce that has performed collectively for a while. And loads of kids are there. Sure, we glance good.
“Our workforce has all the time relied on arduous work, workforce spirit, and being collectively. Numerous different groups have particular person aptitude and different issues. Most likely, we aren’t that workforce. And I’ve bought no qualms in accepting that. So that’s the reason I mentioned we’re extra ready. We’ve to show up on the pitch and carry out nicely,” he mentioned.
Chhetri , although, mentioned that to translate house success on international soil, arduous work and tweaks in technique could be an absolute necessity.
India have remained unbeaten in all 11 matches towards international sides performed this yr at house. The run stretched to virtually 4 years, with the final defeat coming in Guwahati towards Oman in September 2019 within the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
“At house, we have now performed decently nicely. In away video games, we have not. If we have now to go to the following spherical and be among the many 18 greatest groups in Asia, we have now to rectify our technique. Right here, each level in each recreation does matter, as a result of the highest two groups of each group qualify,” Chhetri mentioned.
“So, we actually need to work arduous whereas beginning towards Kuwait within the away match. It is a troublesome one. However, as I mentioned, barring a couple of accidents, I believe we’re nicely ready. “On the identical time, these 18 groups will not need to play the qualifiers for the following Asian Cup. So, we will qualify mechanically and attain the following spherical of the World Cup qualifiers too,” he added.
India’s upcoming pre-World Cup journey might be Chhetri’s fourth such look, an Indian document. He has 9 objectives to his credit score within the pre-World Cup, one of the best by an Indian footballer until date.
However the champion footballer says the success is because of teamwork.
“Each time we have now performed nicely within the final 4 years, we have now performed it as a workforce. We’re all the time a workforce greater than people. So, that is why each considered one of us needs to be switched on. Take as a lot info as potential and be as ready as potential,” mentioned Chhetri.
PLAYING KUWAIT IN THEIR BACKYARD WILL BE DIFFERENT
India had overwhelmed Kuwait 5-4 on penalties to clinch the ninth SAFF Championship title earlier this yr however Chhetri warned that enjoying them of their house nation could possibly be harder with the followers rooting for the hosts.
“Once we play on the sixteenth towards Kuwait, will probably be a bit totally different from the one we performed final time at house. Now the native followers are in all probability going to be hostile towards us. Kuwait might be totally different as a result of all groups are totally different after they play at house.
“However in addition they might be beneath stress as a result of they, like us, will attempt to be within the first two groups within the group. So it is not going to be simple. We should commit minimal errors as a result of, in these huge video games, small errors can value you numerous,” he concluded.
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