India vs Kuwait: How is Kolkata feeling ahead of Sunil Chhetri Farewell Match?

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Indian football is going to witness the end of the Sunil era today (June 6). Sunil Chhetri, the evergreen gladiator of Indian football is hanging his boots after the World Cup Asian Qualifiers match against Kuwait.

India's football dynamic is in a delicate stage as history beckons the Blue Tigers in this crucial match, which is set to take place at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.

A win would advance them towards history, as the Indian football team will get closer towards the 3rd Qualification Round of the World Cup 2026. But similarly, a defeat can have damaging ramifications given the Indian team will be travelling to Qatar, where grinding out any positive result is extremely unlikely.

Kolkata, the Mecca of Indian football, is buzzing ahead of this monumental clash. As much as the fans will flock towards the Salt Lake Stadium for Sunil Chhetri, they are aware of the bigger picture as well.

As MyKhel spoke with a few of the fans around the stadium, they are all unanimous and want to see India win and gift Sunil Chhetri the perfect farewell.

"I have come here for Sunil Chhetri, but want to make it memorable with an India victory. Chhetri is an idol. My love and interest in Indian football grew after witnessing Chhetri during his Mohun Bagan and East Bengal days. So, we are here to see India winning this match and getting to the next stage," said Aritra Jana, an ardent India supporter who has come all the way from Kakdwip, a place around 90 km away from Kolkata.

Sunil Chhetri announced his retirement from international football last month. The India legend has played 151 matches for the Blue Tigers, scoring 94 goals in process. The 39-year-old is the 3rd highest scorer in international football, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

When asked about their awareness regarding the importance of the match for Indian football, the Kolkata crowd says it is going to be a monumental match and a defeat must end the tenure of Igor Stimac.

"We won against Kuwait in the away match. But if we lose now, Igor Stimac must be sacked. He has been promising us so much and this is the litmus test for him and the Indian team. The players should win it for Sunil Chhetri, but if we lose, I don't think Stimac will be the coach in Qatar," an ardent fan named Semanti Roychowdhury said, who is a student by profession and is also a huge Sunil Chhetri fan.

The fans have come from across the parts of Bengal to watch Sunil Chhetri in his final hurrah. A quartet of friends have arrived some 600 km away from Siliguri, who are also buoyant about the result and want to bid Sunil goodbye on a winning note.

"We are here to watch our legend Sunil Chhetri today. I hope India will win and the feeling is very good. We are going to the next round for sure," one of them exclaimed.

All in all, the city of joy is ready to bid adieu to the Indian legend. It is to be seen how the Blue Tigers fare in this monumental clash. The onus will be on the Indian team to redeem themselves and give themselves the much needed advantage, which will ensure the grand stand swansong of Chhetri, the legend.