No Indian football club has a story like Bengaluru FC: Sunil Chhetri

Bengaluru FC created history when they became the first Indian club to enter the AFC Cup semi-final. They, then went one step further and defeated Johor Darul Ta'zim in the semi-final to schedule their final date with Iraqi club Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya. Just within three years of existence, Bengaluru FC have won two I-League titles and a Federation Cup. 

Leading such a team is enough to make you proud and Sunil Chhetri soaked all the pride. 

In an interview to the-aiff.co, the Indian national skipper said, "Bengaluru FC, in its three years of existence, won two I-League titles, a Federation Cup, made the last 16 in its first year of Asian competition and now we're in the final of the AFC Cup. I'm not sure if there's a better three-year record in club football in the country.”

Chhetri doesn’t want to give any more advice to the younger lot before taking on Iraqi club Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in the finals, and rather wants them to draw motivation from the qualification itself.  

Chhetri said,  "The stage is big enough for everyone to find motivation from within. Our coach is the one giving out advice and he's always asked us to be brave and I guess there is no better message than that."

In the year 2011, Chhetri was a member of the Indian team that participated in the Asian Cup at Doha, and he is set to return to the same venue to take part in the finals of AFC cup, five years later.

"There is a gap of five years and a lot of football has come between those years. While the city (Doha) stays the same, the stage is completely different. Doha in 2011 was a great learning curve for so many of us and I wouldn't hesitate to say that despite where India finished it, taught us a great deal," he said.

"Doha 2016 is an entirely whole new chapter and this time, it's in club colours. We're one good game away from something special. You cannot really compare the two tournaments. But I hope we leave Doha on a very happy note this time around," he concluded.