We left aside our egos and fought as a family: Sunil Chhetri

Sunil-Chettri
Bengaluru FC captain Sunil Chhetri credited the team management for winning the I League this season.

Internet Desk: It has been a dream run for talismanic Bengaluru FC striker and captain Sunil Chhetri winning three major titles in Indian football with the Blues in three years. Sunil feel the bonding and sacrifice among the footballers and support staff has been the secret for Blues success so far. The captain of the national football team in an e-mail interview to xtratime.in revealed the success story of Bengaluru FC.

It has been a great season for the Blues – winning Fed Cup as well the I League in the same year. How do you sum up the season?

The season is not done yet! We still have to defend our Federation Cup crown and then look to progress in the AFC Cup. But that said, the feeling, like always, is amazing. Last year we were denied the title with four minutes on the clock and we were really disappointed. But we picked ourselves up and got the job done. It was special to win this in front of our fans!

Having played in top I League clubs, what is that impresses you the most at Bengaluru FC?

Everything about this club is impressive. I cannot pick out one reason. Right from the gaffer and the coaching staff to the boys in the dressing room and the management, the fans – everything comes together to make us who we are. The desire to get better is so vibrant – on the pitch and off it too.

What has been the secret of success for Blues this season?

Like I just mentioned, there is no one reason why Bengaluru FC is what it is. There are no egos on this team. Everyone is on it together – the coaches, players, staff and fans. The amount of work that goes into every game is unparalleled. This is not a club; this is a family that will do anything for each other. That’s what makes us tick.

A lot of credit should be given to your coach Ashley Westwood. How professionally has he handled the team in last 3 seasons?

He has been phenomenal from Day One. Never once have I seen him drop his intensity at training or on a match day. He gives everything he has and demands exactly that from the boys. His desire to win and succeed is to be seen to be believed. And that rubs off on everyone at the club.

What is the difference between Westwood and other coaches? Is he the best foreign coach in India?

If I am not wrong, he is the only foreign coach in the I-League this season after Aizawl parted ways with their manager. The numbers are there for everyone to see – three titles in three years.

You didn’t have the greatest of seasons as far as scoring goals is concerned. What has been the reason?

In this team, the burden is always shared. So I wouldn’t say I haven’t had a great season. Of course, I love scoring goals but I love setting them up too. We have had as many as 10 different scorers in the League! So, for me this is not a matter of concern. I play where and how the coach wants me to play and the success of my role doesn’t always translate to scoring goals.

In a recent interview you spoke about the football calendar. Is it not the high time to have a proper calendar in place?

What I spoke then stands true even now. We need to have a calendar that keeps the players in mind. If the players are fit, the quality of football improves automatically. As it stands there’s the ISL, the I-League and the national team and there are a fair number of players who are part of all three set ups, making it really difficult as well as the teams they represent. A unified league, the schedule of which is drawn in tandem with the national team will go a long way in improving Indian football. It may b easier said than done but it surely is the right way.

Who according to you has been the find of the season for Bengaluru FC?

Bengaluru FC has been brilliant when it comes to promoting youngsters and at this season we have had so many of them. Malsawmzuala did well for himself as did Daniel who scored against Mumbai FC. Udanta showed what he is capable of; Amrinder was solid in the goal. There are so many names. Like I said, this team is about chipping in equally. Everyone does their job.

What has been the turning point of the I League this season?

We never stopped believing that we will win the I League. Never once did we doubt ourselves when we looked at the table.