Indian men's football team captain Sunil Chhetri wants to repay the fans for their support with a positive result against Kyrgyz Republic in the final match of Hero Tri-Nation International Football Tournament at the Khuman Lampak Stadium, in Imphal, Manipur on Tuesday.

The Blue Tigers began the tournament with a 1-0 win against Myanmar last Wednesday. The hosts will battle it out for the Hero-Tri Nation trophy against a Kyrgyz Republic side that is ranked 12 spots above them in the FIFA rankings.

With the senior Indian national team playing for the first time in Manipur, the Blue Tigers received unwavering support from the home crowd in their opening game. The Khuman Lampak Stadium was jam-packed and Chhetri was amazed with the reception from the home crowd.

Chhetri, who played for the first time in Manipur, was thrilled to see the passion for football in the state.

“We got such amazing support from the crowd in the first game against Myanmar. This is the second time I have come here, and the first time that I’ve played in Imphal, but I understand why people of Manipur are crazy about football. I just hope that we can get a positive result against Kyrgyz Republic and hope we can give an amazing game to the people,” he said in an interview to the-aiff.com.

“I also saw a lot of travelling fans, as well as little girls and mothers come to the stands, and that is really good for the game,” he added.

India just need a draw to seal the Hero Tri-Nation title after Myanmar and Kyrgyz Republic played out a 1-1 draw in the second game of the tournament. Meanwhile, a win would help Kyrgyz Republic win the title. However, Chhetri warned his side not to take their opponents lightly going by the result against Myanmar.

“Kyrgyz Republic have physically strong and fast players. Don’t be fooled by what happened against Myanmar, because they are a top side. We have seen their last 10 games, and believe me when I say, they are a very good side,” he said.

“All the matches that we have played against them in the past have also been tough matches,” he added.

Chhetri was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet against Myanmar despite several chances coming his way. The talisman found the net in that game, only for his goal to be ruled off-side. However, Chhetri reiterated his hunger to score goals for the national team and was hopeful of scoring against Kyrgyz Republic.

“My hunger to score is the same as it has always been, and it will be the same against the Kyrgyz Republic. Off-sides and penalty decisions are a part of the game, and you think about them for a certain amount of time, but then you move on and look forward to the next match,” Chhetri stated, reflecting on his performance. “What you rather do is to minimise mistakes and move on,” he added.

“I don’t want to sound pompous, but I feel that there aren’t many players who are as hungry to score as I am,” he said.

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