India’s head coach Manolo Marquez has explained the decision to bring veteran striker Sunil Chhetri out of retirement. Chhetri had decided to retire after playing his swansong against Kuwait in June last year but he is all set to make a return for the Blue Tigers.
India will take part in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Third Round. Marquez’s team will play a friendly against the Maldives on March 19 in Shillong before hosting Bangladesh at the same venue in their opening qualifier.
The Spaniard said he wanted in-form players for the friendlies and thus had a word with Chhetri. The forward has scored a dozen goals and has provided two assists for Bengaluru FC in 23 matches of the ongoing Indian Super League and has played a key role in the team’s qualification for the playoffs.
Explaining his decision during the post-match press conference of FC Goa’s game against Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Marquez said, “We are in a competition that we need to win and we need to score goals. Be it in open play or through set-pieces. In the four games under me, we have scored two goals and we need to score (more).”
“If you look at the ISL, then Sunil Chhetri is the top Indian goalscorer followed by Brison Fernandes and Subhasish Bose. This is the national team and we need players who can play well immediately,” he added.
The Blue Tigers boss tipped Chhetri as India’s best striker at the moment and said the national team needs results.
“I have always maintained that the players that will play in the national team in the coming years are most important but the national team needs results. At this moment, Chhetri is the best Indian striker. I think there is no doubt,” he further explained.
India squad ahead of March international break:
Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Vishal Kaith.
Defenders: Asish Rai, Boris Singh Thangjam, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia, Mehtab Singh, Rahul Bheke, Roshan Singh Naorem, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose.
Midfielders: Ashique Kuruniyan, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Brandon Fernandes, Brison Fernandes, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Lalengmawia, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Suresh Singh Wangjam.
Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Farukh Choudhary, Irfan Yadwad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh.
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