Sunil Chhetri is cautious but optimistic ahead of historic AFC Cup final
BENGALURU FC CAPTAIN Sunil Chhetri is cautious but hopeful as the team travels to Doha to take on Iraq's Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in the historic AFC Cup final game on Saturday.
Talking about their opponents in the first ever major continental competition finale that an Indian club has been a part of, the Blues skipper told the AIFF official website that it was necessary for BFC to stay focused and stick to the plan coming from their boss Albert Roca,
"Football has taught us well enough and on so many occasions that you never say never... 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."
The BFC team is flying to Doha tonight; the match takes place Saturday night. Chhetri said he saw this mega fixture as a natural culmination of the journey that BFC has been on since its launch in 2013, and yet another example of their exceptional contribution to Indian football,
"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."
Visiting Doha as a professional player this time will be a full circle for Chhetri; the first time he was there was in 2011 when India played in the AFC Asian Cup; and despite playing their hearts out ended up losing all 3 of their group stage games. Remembering those days, he was quick to point out the difference between the occasions,
"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. 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."
If BFC win the AFC Cup on Saturday night, it will be one of the biggest achievements by any Indian club ever.
