10612645_945027392254735_4691756737748412918_n Kolkata : He has been an inspiration for the Indian team since Bhaichung Bhutia retired from the scene. The all time highest goal scorer for India in international level, Sunil Chettri spoke exclusively to XtraTime.in as he told a lot of stories, starting from his wedding plans to the future of Indian football. The following are the excerpts: Q. How satisfying is this to beat a side who are 38 steps ahead of India’s FIFA ranking? Sunil: It was due man. I usually don’t give attention to rankings. The Puerto Rico team was really good. It was satisfying not because we defeated Puerto Rico, but for playing in front of such a passionate Mumbai crowd after a long time, but for coming back strongly, but for four different scorers, but for the youngsters. It was sweet believe me! Q. Can’t remember an Indian side to score 10 goals in two consecutive games in recent times against quality oppositions. What exactly changed in the mindset? Sunil: It’s a good question. What I believe is the players who have started knowing much more about the system. Constantine is a new coach for them. I’m so happy that players like Jacki, Sandesh, Jeje and the others have started to get matured. One thing what I feel is that we should not look back from here. We have to keep improving. I believe it’s just the start of a new voyage. 3. Since Constantine took the charge, around 30 youngsters have made their way into the national team. How do you see this as a change? Sunil: It’s good man. But it’s not that he loves youngsters only. When he came, it was a transition period in Indian football. He had to do this as he didn’t have a stable solid team. Our team went to Bhutan without 6 key players. But we won. We are glad that we have a bigger pool of players now. 4. You will be playing alongside Diego Forlan and Sony Norde in the ISL season 3. How excited are you? Sunil: I’m super excited. Everyone knows his contributions in world football. One thing about Sony is that I enjoy playing with him. A great player. We have a new coach this season. Firstly, I want to have a few words with the coach to know him. 5. As a player you have achieved a lot of things in your playing career. As a champion of Indian football, what are the rest you still want to achieve? Sunil: Honestly, I have never planned anything in my life. I prefer to have short term targets. In my life, whatever I achieved was a combined effort of all. The coaches, the physio, the trainers, the doctors, my team mates, the fans, everyone contributed to my success. It is a success for all of them. All I know that I have to keep challenging myself. 6. The telepathic combination between you and Jeje has been becoming sharper day by day. What are the special qualities you observe in your partner? Sunil: He is really good. When I first saw him, it was 6 years back almost. He is a great guy. He is so simple but powerful. He knows his strengths. He has an eye for the goal, which is a great skill to have. I just pray that he will serve Indian football for a long time. 7. Indian football is in front of a historic situation as I-League and ISL are proposed to be merged from the next season. What’s your opinion on that? Sunil: The last season was my first ISL. The draft seemed a bit strange to me. New experience. But about the merge of the leagues, I cannot comment until things come up. We have to wait. 8. After such an emphatic victory against Puerto Rico, no one knows when India will play their next International friendly. Don’t you think a calendar should be maintained for the betterment of Indian football? Sunil: I’m sure they will try that. Everybody should try to develop Indian football. It should be a combined effort. All the leagues should co-operate with the national team as well. 9. One personal question Sunil, When will you get married? Sunil: Soon man!(laughs) Very soon! I will let u know for sure.

I will get married soon : Sunil Chettri