New Delhi: Indian captain Sunil Chhetri Monday said his team’s first win in the ongoing AFC Asian Cup after more than five decades was the best match of his illustrious international career in which he has out-scored superstar Lionel Messi.
India thrashed Thailand 4-1 in their group opener Sunday with Chhteri netting two while young Anirudh Thapa and Jeje lalpekhlua scored a goal apiece. The 34-year-old goal machine struck on either side of the lemon break in the country’s stunning win, the first in Asian Cup since 1964.
“It (Thailand match) stays right top there. I’m fortunate to play a lot of good games for my country but this game is right top there. It’s one of those games where the team did really well,” Chhetri told this agency from Abu Dhabi when asked to rate the Group A match.
In the process, he also became the second highest international goal-scorer among active players with 67 strikes from 105 matches. He went past Argentine superstar Messi, who has scored 65 from 128 matches. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo leads the pack with 85 goals from 154 matches.
Chhetri, said his side did not expect to win against Thailand by such a big margin. “We were confident of a good show but honestly speaking, we did not think it could have been 4-1. They (Thailand) are a very good side, technically very good,” added Chhetri.
Thailand, with three players Japanese League players in their ranks, dictated the pace of the match in the first half with smooth passing but the Indians turned the game on its head with three second half goals that left the Thais shell-shocked.
Asked what transpired between head coach Stephen Constantine and the players at half-time, Chhetri said, “We just made sure that we can’t allow them to play their natural game. In the first half, they kept the ball and they were pretty strong. We knew that this is their strong point.
“So we had to press them and not allow to play their natural game, that’s what we did. Sandesh (Jhingan) and Anas (Edathodika) were pretty brave telling us to go and press to make the team narrow. It’s not an easy job but it was one of the reasons which helped us get the win,” said Chhetri.
The team man he is, Chhetri said he wanted to celebrate more when his colleagues got the goals. “Udanta’s cross, man, was something outstanding,” he said about his second goal in the 46th minute from the Manipuri winger’s assist.
“I think I celebrated the third goal most because I was so happy with the build-up and (Anirudha) Thapa scoring. There are some goals which you just celebrate because of the team-effort behind that and Thapa’s goal was one of them,” he said.
A draw against either hosts United Arab Emirates (January 10) or Bahrain (January 14) could see India through to the round of 16, which, if achieved, will be a historic first for the country.
