BASIL SYLVESTER PINTO
FATORDA
Legends are made of steel and their leadership puts their team ahead of their individual concerns. And this very fact was attributed to India and Bengaluru FC captain, Sunil Chhetri in the much anticipated match of the ISL season on Thursday at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda.
There were doubts about the ace India goal poacher’s fitness coming into the match and whether he would even start. Start he did, and was substituted only at the end of regulation time but not before putting up a stellar show leading from the front. At the post match presentation, he was rightfully adjudged the Hero Man of the Match for playing his part for ‘The Blues’ to earn full points and displace FC Goa at the top of the table. The Goan caught up with the Blues’ talisman at the end of the match. Excerpts:
Q: You decided to opt out of the Jordan friendly in Amman due to fitness worries. How important was it to come into the Goa game and give in the performance that you did?
Sunil Chhetri: I was advised two weeks rest from November 5-16 and I did not train at all. I was just doing my rehabilitation and some exercises. On 17th I started training which continued on 18th and 19th. I was still not sure I would play the game. On 19th I felt better. Fitness wasn’t there but ankle-wise I was feeling better. Also missing out on players like Miku and Erik (Paartalu), we took a chance. It was a risk-free chance with all the factors taken together with the physio; we thought that I will play the game. If you had seen I was standing at the end with cramps. I had not trained for almost 13 days but thankfully we were victorious.
Q: How would you view the result of the top of the table clash in the context of the longer run in the league?
SC: It was very important, also psychologically. Beating Goa in Goa is a big boost. It is not easy as they (FC Goa) are one of the best teams to play against. They are very tough and solid. They have some top players that can really hurt you. It was hard-work especially without Miku and Erik (Paartalu) who probably are the best players in the team. It just shows how deep our team is. I really would like to thank Xisco (Francisco Marcos Hernandez) and Chencho (Gyeltshen) who came in and did very well for us.
Q: Bengaluru are doing commendably well on the road and this is their fourth away win on the trot. What would you credit this enviable record to?
SC: Our coaching staff is very capable. They are doing a lot of good reading and the players who back the coach “ both are in sync. We try to our best to give whatever we have.
