India’s skipper wants his team to put their best foot forward & qualify for the Asian Cup

India men’s national team skipper and talisman, Sunil Chhetri has reiterated that his side wants to win and qualify for the upcoming 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers as they face Hong Kong in their final qualifying game on Tuesday, June 14.

India’s final game is probably going to be their toughest considering that their opponents on the night are also unbeaten, having won both their games so far. The Group D final round match between the top two teams will determine who advances to the Asian Cup 2023 as group winner. Even the team in second place has a good chance of making it to the Asian Cup.

Chhetri who has scored three goals so far, once again showing why he is so vital for the Blue Tigers believes that his side will play to win as they not only want to qualify for the 2023 Asian Cup – but also win the tournament outright.

“So, the specialty of this tournament is if we win Tuesday’s game. We’re going to qualify for Asian Cup. It has only happened two times before when we have played a qualifier and we qualified for the Asian Cup and that is brilliant. It is something that we aspire to be at. When you go to Asia Cup, which is the World Cup for Asian teams, it’s an unbelievable feeling. So that is the specialty of this tournament,” he said in a media interaction.

“I’m not sure whether the specialty has got anything to do with me being 37. I’m being honest, it’s not even a joke.  Me being 37, or Suresh being 20 does not help us in terms of the specialty of this tournament itself. But it’s very, very special because we want to win this tournament. And we want to go to the Asian Cup. We were there at Asia Cup the last time and we know the feeling to rub shoulders with the best in Asia is what we want to do. So that’s the plan. And that is why this tournament is very, very special for us,” the striker added.

While there is no doubt that India will play to win, head coach, Igor Stimac will be hoping that his star striker can continue his good form and lead them to the main tournament.