Indian striker Chhetri to play against Man U

Kansas City, Jul 22: To a country that drenched in the recently concluded FIFA World Cup 2010 fever even without its team in it, the Indian striker Sunil Chhetri has given a reason to rejoice.

On Saturday, Jul 25, Chhetri will be playing for his Major League Soccer (MLS) club Kansas City Wizards against world famous English giants Manchester United in a pre-season friendly.

The match is set to take place in newly renovated Arrowhead Stadium where the Indian forward will be playing against Man U's star line up that includes Giggs, Scholes, Gary Neville, Darren Fletcher, Berbatov and Edwin Van der Sar. However, the English club will be suffering the absence of star striker Wayne Rooney and French import Patrice Evra and top defender Rio Ferdinand.

"We're looking forward to Sunil getting the opportunity to play," Kansas City Wizards Manager Peter Vermes said.

"He's been working very hard, and this game will give him a chance to measure himself against some of the best players in the world," he added.

"I'm very excited. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play against the best team in the world," said Chhetri, who became the first Indian to join an MLS team when he was signed on to Kansas City from Dempo SC ahead of the 2010 season.

"In the three months I've been here, I've been working hard to understand the kind of game we play in Kansas City."

"It's been difficult, because I've been trying my best to acclimatise. I'm excited. Not personally, but for the whole team and the whole of Kansas City and the whole of America. Manchester United is one of the best in the world. It should be a great experience for all of us," he added.

25-year-old made his first-team debut in a Lamar Hunt US Open Cup play-in match on Apr 13 but he still awaits his first MLS debut.

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