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Sunil Chhetri says qualifying for Asian Cup will be his biggest achievement

Ace Indian footballer Sunil Chhetri is not elated with his winning goal against Myanmar and aims to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup.

By Sujata Sarkar

Bengaluru, March 30: Sunil Chhetri is not ecstatic after his winning goal for India to break the 64-year old jinx against Myanmar in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers on Tuesday (March 28) at Yangon.

All leagues special site; India beat Myanmar 1-0

The Indian skipper, speaking over the phone from Yangon said: “We just crossed a milestone on our way to qualification for the Asian Cup. We have a lot of things to do. So, we should not at all be much jubilant. Yes, I am surely happy that my goal brought the desired win against Myanmar after a gap long 64 years. But it is not the end of the road."

Sunil Chhetri (blue jersey) in action for India

Chhetri applauded teammate Udanta Singh. Along with the senior national side, Udanta also plays with Sunil in Bengaluru FC in the I-League.

Praising the youngster, Sunil said: “If Udanta had not executed that brilliant 20-yard run down the flank and sent me that precise ground pass, I would not have been able to score. So, it is not only me, everybody must praise about Udanta's contribution also."

The prolific striker has completed his 53rd international goal with the winner against Myanmar. He has already crossed Bhaichung Bhutia.

But on that occasion, the Bengaluru FC captain seemed humble. He commented: “Still, as a footballer, Bhaichung is much ahead of me.

"Even if anybody makes a comparison between us, I must be placed after him. I had idolised Bhaichung when I began to play the game. So he is one of India's all-time great footballers."

Asked about the poor show by Bengaluru FC in the ongoing I-league, Chhetri admitted saying: “Yes, we have fallen back in the race for the League title this season. But it was not that we did not try.

"Something in our game must have lacked and that became the reason behind our poor show." Chhetri feels either East Bengal or Aizawl FC has the chance to clinch the League title this season.

And when asked his biggest personal achievement, Chettri added: “If we can qualify for the final round of Asian Cup championship, to be held in UAE in 2019 that will be my dream-come-true day."

OneIndia News

Story first published: Thursday, August 3, 2017, 8:06 [IST]
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