Bengaluru, Oct 21: Sunil Chhetri, the hero of Bengaluru FC who helped his team become first ever Indian football club to book a berth in the AFC Cup final by scoring a brace against Johor Darul Takzim, does not agree with the appreciation his one-time idol Bhaichung Bhutia has made.

Bengaluru FC become first Indian team to enter AFC Cup final

The former Indian captain has hailed Chhetri as the best ever striker Indian football has produced.

Sunil, speaking over phone from Bengaluru, on Thursday said, "Bhaichung adorns me. So he has made such loving comments. But it is not that at all. Starting from PK Banerjee, Chuni Goswami to Bhaichung Bhutia, all have been great footballers India has produced. There should not be any comparison between them and me at all. I can only say that we are trying to maintain the torch they laid, long before."

Chhetri, however, paid his gratitude to the Bengaluru FC fans for their support, in an attractive manner.

Chhetri informed, “While boarding on the team bus to go to the Stadium before the match, I found a letter on my seat in the bus. This was written by our club fans and more interesting part was that the fans, in their wish letter, has mentioned a famous line, once said by legendary Pele. The line was, "Unless you receive the stiffest hurdle you cannot develop the attitude of crossing them." After going through the letter, we all were highly charged up."

The Bengaluru FC captain also had a lot of praise for Indian football's two traditional football clubs, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan for their wishes to Bengaluru FC.

Sunil added, “It was great to watch one East Bengal flag and one Mohun Bagan flag at the Stadium. I felt the whole Indian football got united and prayed for our victory."

Now, Bengaluru FC will meet Iraq's Air Force Club in the final. Spanish coach of Bengaluru FC Alberto Rocha has began planning for their strong opposition in the final, to be played on 5th November.

OneIndia News