I would try to lead by example and hope everyone follows, says Sunil Chhetri

The Indian football team will take part in the Asian Football Confederation(AFC) Asian Cup after a gap of eight years. The tournament will be held in the United Arab Emirates(UAE) from January 5th to February 1st. As one of the most prominent faces in Indian football, Sunil Chhetri has said that he will try to put his best foot forward and lead from the front.

"There were quite a few senior players in that team and whatever I learnt from them, I now try to do the same thing. It's more important to lead by action than by speaking stuff. So I try to be a good example...I just hope everyone follows and we can keep pushing each other," said Chhetri, as quoted by TOI.

Chhetri is the only current player to have also been a part of the Indian team which played in the tournament the last time India had participated in it. The 34-year-old campaigner praised his teammates like defender Sandesh Jhingan, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh and fellow striker Jeje Lalpekhlua and modestly stated that they have made his job very easy.

"I don't feel any burden when I hit the ground. The burden is more on them. My job is relatively easier because they do all the hard work and I capitalise on it and hog the limelight. They've been in great form over the last two years and probably these six-seven players are the reasons we've qualified for Asian Cup," Chhetri said.

At the Asian Cup, India is slotted in the Group-A along with hosts UAE, Thailand and Bahrain and plays its first match against Thailand on January 6th. Knowing that the going will not be easy for his team Chettri stated that the boys will prepare well for the multilateral event.

"We're going to prepare as well as possible for our first game which is against a difficult side. That's why we're trying to make sure we get maximum points from that game. That's what we as players are thinking right now," Chhetri said.

"I was there for the draw and was trying to think what would be a good draw for me. When I looked at other teams, I knew no matter who we get, it's going to be difficult...There are three difficult games but we're prepared."