Recently Sunil Chhetri the Captain of Indian Football team posted a video urging footballs fans in India to watch the match live in Mumbai and support the team. Not only the video went viral but the stadium was flooded with fans cheering and applauding the Indian squad.
It was the 100th international match for Chhetri that became even more special when India defeated Kenya by 3-0. The skipper himself secured two goals and the crowd went mad, a rare but much-needed sight for Indian football.
Although Kenya showed a better performance in the first half and enjoyed territorial advantage, India hit back strongly after the break and slammed two goals in three minutes.
The crowd went berserk when Chhetri earned a penalty and broke the deadlock in the 68th minute. This was followed by Jeje Lalpekhlua doubling India’s lead with a pile driver in the 71st minute. In the end, Chhetri got a pass from Balwant Singh and converted it into a goal in the stoppage time (90+1).
The match was indeed a memorable one for the team as well as for the fans. As soon as the game was finished, Chhetri along with squad marched along the stands and acknowledged the crowd by waving and folding hands. Fans were shouting Chhetri’s name and clapping throughout the game.
Overwhelmed with this kind of response, Chhetri thanked the audience and said if that’s the kind of support we get every time we play, we will give our lives on the pitch.
We promise you that if that’s the kind of support we get every time we play for the country, we will give our lives on the pitch. India, this night was special because we were in this together. Those in the stands shouting, and the ones at home cheering – thank you!
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) June 4, 2018
After the match, Twitter has been overflowing with praises for the Indian Captain. Here are some tweets:
What a fantastic victory. Congratulations @chetrisunil11 on your 100th international match and for making it extra special with the two goals and a fantastic victory in front of a packed stadium. Great news for @IndianFootball #INDvKEN pic.twitter.com/f5isKrYxdi
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 4, 2018
Sunil Chhetri has broken a lot of records on the football pitch throughout his career but he’s done the impossible today, by getting that many Mumbaikars to come to Andheri West on a rainy Monday evening.
— Hardik Rajgor (@Hardism) June 4, 2018
ek baar jo humne world cup ke liye qualify kar liya na.. toh fir hum kisi ki nahin sunenge#LoveYouIndianFootballTeam #Chhetri100 pic.twitter.com/gB6uxoRm2q
— Arun LoL (@dhaikilokatweet) June 5, 2018
No this is not cricket this is football mera desh badal raha h.#INDvKEN #IndianFootball #Chhetri100 pic.twitter.com/4KnPdLBJ92
— Mask ishan (@Mr_LoLwa) June 4, 2018
Indians divided by Messi-Ronaldo, united by @chetrisunil11 #INDvKEN pic.twitter.com/p7SEPF9oMr
— East India Comedy (@EastIndiaComedy) June 4, 2018
Captain called and India responded..
Hell, every game is interesting when your country is playing it. Whole of India rallied behind Indian football team today and they treated us with a stupendous victory….and Sunil’s goal was lyk cherry on the cake… #SunilChhetri #INDvKEN pic.twitter.com/UmvXvu6vYf— SWARAAJ (@swaraaj247) June 4, 2018