TEARY-EYED CHHETRI BIDS ADIEU FROM INT'L STAGE

His willingness to go the extra mile helped him soar higher and higher, feels former teammate & flatmate Pradeep; India held to a goalless draw by Kuwait in his final international match

-  ANMOL GURUNG

THURSDAY was a significant occasion for Indian football as Sunil Chhetri bid farewell to international football. It was understandably a poignant moment as Chhetri was fighting hard to hold back tears while acknowledging thousands of passionate fans.

With the who's who of Indian football following his final international match at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, Chhetri, who had announced his retirement last month, had a quiet outing as India were held to a goalless draw by Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup/ AFC qualifiers. Kuwait, who had the better chances (three shots on target) between the two sides, will be the happier of the two sides as this outcome keeps them afloat in the race.

Close to 59,000 fans had shown up to pay their respects to Chhetri, who served the national team for close to two decades. Chhetri was playing his 151st match. In terms of result, it might not have been an ideal ending but he was quick to acknowledge the fans after the match. As he walks into the sunset, he leaves an indelible legacy behind him. "The ones who have watched in videos, the ones who have taken autographs, the ones... the old-time supporters, thank you everyone. These 19 years would not have been possible without each and everyone of you and I genuinely mean it," Chhetri later said after the commemoration ceremony.