Sunil Chhetri impressed with Indian U-16, U-20 football squads

Indian U-20 football squad gave a remarkable performance to overwhelm Argentina by 2-1 goals at the COTIF Cup even after the team was reduced to 10 men. The Indian U-16 football squad also secured a victory against Iraq by 1-0 goals at the WAFF Boys' Championships. Sunil Chhetri feels that the Indian youth teams have been brilliant in their endeavours and hopes for greater achievements in the near future for them.

"But the U-16 team is amazing, you should watch them play. We watched some videos of them, some game plans and they are amazing. (Coach) Bibiano (Fernandes) is doing a great job with those kids and I just hope, touchwood, I just hope, they can keep improving from what they are.” Chhetri told TOI.

“The aim is 2019 Asian Cup and before that we have got a couple of matches which we will try our best to win and improve and eventually to the Asian Cup. The players are going to give everything they have got when the tournament comes." 

Chhetri also took up the significance of Indian Super League (ISL) in Indian football. The 2018-19 season of the ISL will begin from 29 September and Chhetri is a part of the Bengaluru FC side. Chhetri feels that ISL contributes significantly towards the development of Indian football. Last season Bengaluru FC made it to the final of the tournament and lost Chennaiyin FC.

"ISL is one of the main reasons why a lot of good things are happening in Indian football, helping the rise of Indian football, just the whole atmosphere, infrastructure change,” the Indian skipper said.

“The fact that every team wants to beat us, the fact that every team wants to come and take point against us, last years we some mediocre performances of other teams but when they came and played against us they looked a different team."