Reuters
Mumbai, Nov 4: Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri has urged fans to be patient with the team and coach Stephen Constantine after the national team’s yet another shambolic qualification campaign for the 2018 soccer World Cup. India have lost all five of their pool matches in Group D so far in the second stage of the ‘Road to Russia 2018’. They have let in 12 goals while managing to score only three.
India’s most prolific goal-scorer Chhetri, however, stated here Wednesday that the team is on the right path towards reclaiming lost glory.
“It’s a transition period for the national team. It’s always difficult,” the 31-year-old said on the sidelines of a promotional event here Wednesday. “Sixteen boys have made their India debut in the last couple of months. It will take some time. It’s a period which is going to take a little bit of patience and a little bit of time. It hasn’t been easy. We have to work really hard. As players we are trying our best to give as much as possible and I will keep doing that.”
It remains a mystery for many why a country of 1.2 billion, with a rich soccer history to boot, has not featured in World Cups yet. The All India Football Federation has brought back Constantine for a second stint with the national team after the Englishman guided Rwanda to their highest ever FIFA ranking of 64.
Chhetri, who has scored two of the three goals India have managed in their five pool matches, has no doubt that Constantine is the best man for the job. “He (Constantine) is somebody who really works hard. The coach needs time. We have to be patient,” Chhetri said.
