KOLKATA: The Intercontinental Cup triumph was once an success in itself but the Asian Cup next year can be a unique ball sport, Indian football workforce captain Sunil Chhetri mentioned on Tuesday.
"It (Intercontinental Cup) was a great preparatory tournament for us. We don't play teams like Kenya and New Zealand everyday. It was a different challenge. No matter how much we improve, it might still be less," Chhetri informed journalists after receiving the Indian Player of Year on the Football Players Association of India Awards here.
ALSO READ: We want to play tricky away games ahead of Asian Cup: Chhetri
"Let me correct you, with due respect to Kenya and New Zealand the teams that are competing against us in the Asian Cup -- Thailand, Bahrain and UAE -- they are at least two-three levels up. It's a different level altogether."
Chhetri mentioned it's not about getting carried away but to keep their heads down and work hard.
ALSO READ: Sunil Chhetri equals Lionel Messi's file
"Where we want to reach is very very far. We are just taking small steps. There is no point getting carried away. We should work hard keeping our heads down and try to keep improving ourselves."
The talismanic India captain netted eight objectives within the title-winning Intercontinental Cup campaign in Mumbai and also played his milestone 100th fit in India colors.
He additionally became joint 2d best global goal scorer among energetic players together with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi along with his 64th strike.
Chhetri, however, mentioned his very best strike is yet to return and he is hoping that it comes within the 2019 AFC Asian Cup from January 5-February 1 within the UAE.
"I will't recall to mind my favorite goal presently. Hopefully when I rating within the Asian Cup that can be my favorite goal. But my favorite defender is Mahesh Gawli and Anwar Ali had been two of my favorite defenders I played in opposition to or with.
"I am in point of fact in point of fact satisfied that I scored that many objectives for my nation. I'm extra proud that I have played 100 games for my nation. That is huge for me and my family," he mentioned.
India had a disastrous Asian Cup outing within the 2011 edition in Qatar, taking place to Australia (Zero-4), Bahrain (2-5) and South Korea (1-4) by means of massive margins.
In the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia, India didn't qualify.
"We attempted our very best. We had the man of the tournament in Subrata Pal who was once outstanding. But let me inform you we do not play Australia, UAE and Japan on a regular basis. It's no longer easy to play in opposition to them," Chhetri, who was once part of the 2011 campaign, mentioned.
"Just pass there and check out to toughen. I believe we're a better workforce now. I will be able to make sure that we're a better workforce when it is available in December.
"How do we know how far are we, because South Korea, Iran, Australia Saudi Arabia are playing the World Cup. How do we know how far are we if we are not going to play against them? It's small steps. Slowly steadily we will reach there. We cannot just go there and jump," Chhetri, who scored 20 objectives within the ISL and Super Cup, mentioned.
Meanwhile ISL runners-up and Super Cup champions Bengaluru FC ruled the FPAI awards which was once held in a low-key approach on the Calcutta Sports Journalists' Club.
Bengaluru FC coach Albert Roca was once adjudged the Best Coach, whilst Nicolas Fedor Flores (Miku) was once chosen the Best Foreign Player, the award of which was once won by means of Chhetri.
Jamshedpur FC's Jerry Mawihmingthanga got the Best Young Player of the Year, whilst Neroca FC's Subhas Singh took the Fans Player of the Year.
The awards ceremony additionally felicitated I-League champions Minerva FC, former India captain Subrata Bhattacharya, goalkeeper Henry Menezes and I-League winning coach Sanjoy Sen.
"It (Intercontinental Cup) was a great preparatory tournament for us. We don't play teams like Kenya and New Zealand everyday. It was a different challenge. No matter how much we improve, it might still be less," Chhetri informed journalists after receiving the Indian Player of Year on the Football Players Association of India Awards here.
ALSO READ: We want to play tricky away games ahead of Asian Cup: Chhetri
"Let me correct you, with due respect to Kenya and New Zealand the teams that are competing against us in the Asian Cup -- Thailand, Bahrain and UAE -- they are at least two-three levels up. It's a different level altogether."
Chhetri mentioned it's not about getting carried away but to keep their heads down and work hard.
ALSO READ: Sunil Chhetri equals Lionel Messi's file
"Where we want to reach is very very far. We are just taking small steps. There is no point getting carried away. We should work hard keeping our heads down and try to keep improving ourselves."
The talismanic India captain netted eight objectives within the title-winning Intercontinental Cup campaign in Mumbai and also played his milestone 100th fit in India colors.
He additionally became joint 2d best global goal scorer among energetic players together with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi along with his 64th strike.
Chhetri, however, mentioned his very best strike is yet to return and he is hoping that it comes within the 2019 AFC Asian Cup from January 5-February 1 within the UAE.
"I will't recall to mind my favorite goal presently. Hopefully when I rating within the Asian Cup that can be my favorite goal. But my favorite defender is Mahesh Gawli and Anwar Ali had been two of my favorite defenders I played in opposition to or with.
"I am in point of fact in point of fact satisfied that I scored that many objectives for my nation. I'm extra proud that I have played 100 games for my nation. That is huge for me and my family," he mentioned.
India had a disastrous Asian Cup outing within the 2011 edition in Qatar, taking place to Australia (Zero-4), Bahrain (2-5) and South Korea (1-4) by means of massive margins.
In the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia, India didn't qualify.
"We attempted our very best. We had the man of the tournament in Subrata Pal who was once outstanding. But let me inform you we do not play Australia, UAE and Japan on a regular basis. It's no longer easy to play in opposition to them," Chhetri, who was once part of the 2011 campaign, mentioned.
"Just pass there and check out to toughen. I believe we're a better workforce now. I will be able to make sure that we're a better workforce when it is available in December.
"How do we know how far are we, because South Korea, Iran, Australia Saudi Arabia are playing the World Cup. How do we know how far are we if we are not going to play against them? It's small steps. Slowly steadily we will reach there. We cannot just go there and jump," Chhetri, who scored 20 objectives within the ISL and Super Cup, mentioned.
Meanwhile ISL runners-up and Super Cup champions Bengaluru FC ruled the FPAI awards which was once held in a low-key approach on the Calcutta Sports Journalists' Club.
Bengaluru FC coach Albert Roca was once adjudged the Best Coach, whilst Nicolas Fedor Flores (Miku) was once chosen the Best Foreign Player, the award of which was once won by means of Chhetri.
Jamshedpur FC's Jerry Mawihmingthanga got the Best Young Player of the Year, whilst Neroca FC's Subhas Singh took the Fans Player of the Year.
The awards ceremony additionally felicitated I-League champions Minerva FC, former India captain Subrata Bhattacharya, goalkeeper Henry Menezes and I-League winning coach Sanjoy Sen.
Asian Cup is at different level altogether: Sunil Chhetri
![Asian Cup is at different level altogether: Sunil Chhetri]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
June 12, 2018
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