The stands have been virtually full, however nonetheless there was an eerie sense of vacancy as a result of the irrepressible Sunil Chhetri, after being intrinsically tied to Indian soccer for 19 years, was chopping the umbilical twine with no successor in sight.
A sea of blue, with most followers sporting Chhetri`s No. 11 jersey, packed the Salt Lake Stadium because the long-serving India captain performed one final time in worldwide soccer.
On the night time, India have been taking part in Kuwait in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier.
Seated within the entrance seat subsequent to the driving force, Chhetri was the primary to step out of the group bus. Outside the gates, a wave of Blue Tigers followers, undeterred by a passing thunderstorm, turned up in massive numbers, waving the Tricolour and cheering passionately.
All roads nearly led to the Salt Lake Stadium, because the bikers got here whistling, shouting India, India and waving the nationwide flag.
Alighting from the group bus, Chhetri headed straight to the favored `Lozenge Mashi of Maidan`, Jamuna Das, an East Bengal supporter who’s a daily at each match at this iconic stadium promoting Lozenges of assorted flavours.
Chhetri gave her a hug and indulged in a dialog earlier than heading straight to the pitch and taking a spherical of the venue with folded fingers.
A large poster describing him as `Sonar Sunil. Tomay Hrid Majhare Rakhbo` (Golden Sunil. Will hold you in my coronary heart) greeted the striker simply reverse of the dugout as followers began pouring in.
The spectators stuffed the stadium the place a number of posters dotted the galleries that had phrases like `India Till I Die`, `Thanks Captain. Leader. Legend`.
Standing because the final man behind goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Chhetri was seen singing the nationwide anthem loudly.
Also Read: India play out goalless draw vs Kuwait in Chhetri`s final worldwide match
Before the beginning, All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey, state sports activities minister Arup Bhattacharya greeted him.
“Welcome Sunil Chhetri @chetrisunil11 to the beginning of a glorious new journey. You start a new phase of life today,” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote in her put up on X.
“You have been a golden boy of Bengal, Captain of the Indian soccer group, a sports activities icon of Asia, a globally adored scorer, an enormous achiever. I’m positive that you’ll proceed to play, add to our glory and obtain many extra laurels for your self and us.
“It is not a day of farewell for you. It is a day to renew your pledge to uphold the glory of your family, Bengal and India further and further. Wish and pray for your future successes.”
In the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match, the 39-year-old appeared essentially the most youthful and sprinted previous his younger teammates, hoping so as to add to his document tally of 94 objectives in his 151th look.
The followers saved shouting ;Sunil, Sunil`, `Vande Mataram` and his finest likelihood within the first half got here within the eleventh minute, when Liston Colaco burst down the left wing, sending in a low cross.
Chhetri was poised to attain, however Hasan Alanezi`s sliding clearance thwarted the try.
While his father-in-law and former coach Subrata Bhattacharya was conspicuous by his absence, spouse Sonam, nine-month outdated son Dhurv, brother-in-law Saheb Bhattacharya have been there to cheer for him from the stands.
Source: www.mid-day.com
