India’s prominent footballer Sunil Chhetri has been a thorn in Bangladesh’s side for the past ten years, often scoring critical goals that have frustrated the opposition. However, Chhetri’s absence from the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers squad comes as a relief for Bangladesh.
Since making his international debut in 2005, India has faced Bangladesh in nine matches, winning three and drawing six. Chhetri played a crucial role in the last six encounters, including the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers clash in Assam earlier this year, where he scored vital equalizers in 2013, 2014, and 2021, and led his team to a 2-0 victory in the 2021 World Cup Qualifiers.
Now retired from international football, Chhetri’s missing presence is seen as an advantage for Bangladesh ahead of the match on November 18. Despite this relief, experienced defender Topu Barman expressed his regret at not competing against the Indian captain, acknowledging Chhetri’s impact on the field over the years, especially in the AFC Cup matches.
Barman mentioned, “I will definitely miss him as a competitor because I have faced him numerous times in national and club matches. His experience and goal-scoring abilities have been instrumental in securing victories for his team. Although his absence provides some relief, we must remain vigilant against the new threat posed by Australian-born striker Ryan Williams.”
Furthermore, Barman believes that India will feel the void in leadership left by Chhetri’s absence. He acknowledged Chhetri’s exceptional leadership qualities and expressed that India will undoubtedly miss his influence, creating an opportunity for Bangladesh to capitalize on this aspect.
Chhetri had previously visited Dhaka with Bengaluru FC in 2017 for an AFC Cup fixture. With an impressive record of 95 goals in 157 international appearances, he stands as the fourth-highest goal scorer in international football, trailing behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Ali Daei.
Bangladesh’s captain, Jamal Bhuiyan, also recognized Chhetri’s significant impact both on and off the field. He praised Chhetri’s contributions to Indian football over the past decade, emphasizing his unique leadership qualities that set him apart from others in the sport.