Bhaichung to lead India Against Bayern Munich
INDIA TODAY
Bhaichung Bhutia's rise from Tinkitam, a small hamlet in Sikkim, to become Indian football's torch-bearer is now a story that the fans in the country know by heart.And when his illustrious international career comes to an end with a match against German giants Bayern Munich at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday, life will come a full circle for the former India captain as it was in this very stadium that he took his first step to become one of the greatest footballer to ever don India colours.
"It was at the Nehru Stadium that I first played at a national level tournament. It was a match of the National School Talent Contest under-12 football tournament," Bhutia told Mail Today on Sunday."After that I never played here as the Ambedkar Stadium was used for football matches in Delhi. I really cherish the fact that I have got the opportunity to end my international career where I started."
After that beginning, Bhutia has seen and done a lot. From becoming the all-time leading scorer for India (43 goals in 107 matches) to playing with the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Kaka in a friendly match, the journey has been more than memorable. Another milestone will be added to it when Bhutia leads India against Bayern, whom he thinks is as good as the German national team.
"Bayern Munich are as good as the German national side. But it's an opportunity for the Indian players to know how much they need to work to take themselves to the level of the top international players," he said after a two- hour practice session with the team. Bhutia is also well aware of the difference in class between his team and its rivals. "One cannot compare the pace and technique of the two teams. More than the result, I think one should see the commitment of the players," said the 35-year-old striker.
While age is not on his side, Bhutia is fully conscious about his fitness level. "I have recovered from my muscle injury and for the last one month it has not been troubling me," Bhutia said. "I will start the match and want to play for the full 90 minutes. But I wish the injury does not flare up again." This will be last time Bhutia will don the national colours but he said his exit will not be an emotional one.
"I had already announced my retirement last year and definitely I won't be crying or anything of that sort," he joked. "For me, it is just about enjoying my last match. International players normally retire during a tournament or an international match but that did not happen with me due to injury. I feel honoured to play my farewell match against a top side like Bayern Munich."
When asked to choose from the current crop of Indian strikers who have the potential to follow in his footsteps, Bhutia said: "Sunil Chhetri is there. Then there is Jeje (Lalpekhlua) and Sushil Singh. Sunil has been performing very well recently but he cannot be called a young player. We need to focus at the grass-root level to nurture talent." And grooming young talents will be one of Bhutia's main concerns after retirement. Also, making his club United Sikkim one of the top teams in the domestic leagues is a goal for him.
"I don't want to be in the All India Football Federation now, but I will contribute to Indian football by making United Sikkim a successful side in the country in terms of results and financial viability," he said. "It is important that investors come in and that can happen if the clubs are financially rewarding. So I want to make United Sikkim successful. I have another project in Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools through which I can train kids."
"It was at the Nehru Stadium that I first played at a national level tournament. It was a match of the National School Talent Contest under-12 football tournament," Bhutia told Mail Today on Sunday."After that I never played here as the Ambedkar Stadium was used for football matches in Delhi. I really cherish the fact that I have got the opportunity to end my international career where I started."
After that beginning, Bhutia has seen and done a lot. From becoming the all-time leading scorer for India (43 goals in 107 matches) to playing with the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Kaka in a friendly match, the journey has been more than memorable. Another milestone will be added to it when Bhutia leads India against Bayern, whom he thinks is as good as the German national team.
"Bayern Munich are as good as the German national side. But it's an opportunity for the Indian players to know how much they need to work to take themselves to the level of the top international players," he said after a two- hour practice session with the team. Bhutia is also well aware of the difference in class between his team and its rivals. "One cannot compare the pace and technique of the two teams. More than the result, I think one should see the commitment of the players," said the 35-year-old striker.
While age is not on his side, Bhutia is fully conscious about his fitness level. "I have recovered from my muscle injury and for the last one month it has not been troubling me," Bhutia said. "I will start the match and want to play for the full 90 minutes. But I wish the injury does not flare up again." This will be last time Bhutia will don the national colours but he said his exit will not be an emotional one.
"I had already announced my retirement last year and definitely I won't be crying or anything of that sort," he joked. "For me, it is just about enjoying my last match. International players normally retire during a tournament or an international match but that did not happen with me due to injury. I feel honoured to play my farewell match against a top side like Bayern Munich."
When asked to choose from the current crop of Indian strikers who have the potential to follow in his footsteps, Bhutia said: "Sunil Chhetri is there. Then there is Jeje (Lalpekhlua) and Sushil Singh. Sunil has been performing very well recently but he cannot be called a young player. We need to focus at the grass-root level to nurture talent." And grooming young talents will be one of Bhutia's main concerns after retirement. Also, making his club United Sikkim one of the top teams in the domestic leagues is a goal for him.
"I don't want to be in the All India Football Federation now, but I will contribute to Indian football by making United Sikkim a successful side in the country in terms of results and financial viability," he said. "It is important that investors come in and that can happen if the clubs are financially rewarding. So I want to make United Sikkim successful. I have another project in Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools through which I can train kids."
Read More News in English and Hindi Related to Bhaichung Bhutia :-
Padma Shri Bhaichung Bhutia retires in 2011
भूटिया की नई टीम NORTH BENGAL FOOTBALL
125 करोड़ में फुटबॉल के 11 खिलाड़ी नहीं! क्यों?- बाइचुंग
बाइचुंग भूटिया ने अंतर्राष्ट्रीय फुटबाल को कहा "अलविदा"
Posted by Unknown
on 20:44. Filed under
Sikkim,
खेल,
बाइचुंग भूटिया,
सिक्किम
.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
Feel free to leave a response