Indian defender Subhasish Bose has vowed that the team will do everything to win against Kuwait. The Blue Tigers will face Kuwait at the Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday in the World Cup qualifiers and it is going to be a crucial game for the team as far as their third round qualification is concerned.
India was recently stunned against Afghanistan by 2-1 and Igor Stimac’s men will be determined to prove their mettle. India’s football team has never reached the third round of the World Cup qualifiers and a win against Kuwait will ensure the team’s berth in the Asian Cup.
“The match against Kuwait is hugely important for us. It is a golden opportunity to create history in Indian football. After all, India could never reach Round 3 of the World Cup qualifiers. A victory in this match would also ensure our place in the 2027 Asian Cup final rounds,” Bose told AIFF.com.
Furthermore, this will be veteran Sunil Chhetri’s last game at the International level and the team will want to give him a fitting farewell.
“The motivation level among the players is higher than usual; they all know this will be Sunil bhai’s farewell match and there is an urge among all of us to make it memorable. We all want to win this match, a farewell gift for Sunil Bhai.
“Sunil Bhai is a role model and an inspiration for many youngsters, who joined the national team much later. It’s a special match, indeed. But it’s also an India match; we are all playing for India and will do everything for an Indian victory. We want to win this match to make 140 crore people in this country happy,” said Bose.
Bose admitted it will be a challenge to fill in the big shoes of Sunil Chhetri but feels players like Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali have got the game to take Indian football to new heights.
“We have many talented strikers in the team. (Lallianzuala) Chhangte, Manvir (Singh), Rahim (Ali). They are good, and given the opportunity and game time, they are capable of delivering the goods. The absence of Sunil Bhai will definitely create a void.
“But I have seen that things change with the time. There are players in the current Indian team who have leadership qualities; some of them are captaining their club sides and doing well in their areas,” he added.
