Bhattacharya praises Chhetri's decision to retire, foresees extended club career

There is no better person to speak about Sunil Chhetri as a footballer and a human being than former national team defender and fatherinlaw Subrata Bhattacharya who feels the Indian talisman will play club football for a long time post international retirementChhetri is making his swansong appearance in Indian team jersey in the second round FIFA World Cup qualifier match against Kuwait at the Salt Lake Stadium on ThursdayIts a perfect decision he Chhetri thinks his time has come to retire from international jersey and he could not have chosen a better time Bhattacharya told PTI hereThis day comes for every sportsperson and its nothing new But the good thing is he will play at club levelHe is second to none in fitness and I see him playing at club level for a long time after his retirement Even Chuni Goswami retired in 1966 but played till 1972 he addedHaving started his journey as a 21yearold forward scoring a goal against Pakistan in Quetta on June 12 2005 the longserving Indian captain went on to become the highest goalscorer 94 goals from 150 appearances for countryIt was a 17yearold Chhetris Shyam Thapalike bicycle kick that caught Bhattacharyas attention during a Mohun Bagan trial in 2002 as the then coach instructed the Mariners officials to sign him upHe was small in stature and could go unnoticed but there he was showing his acrobatic skills with a bicycle kick and scored a goal It quicky reminded me of Shyam Thapa former India international at his peak and I made up my mind to sign him for Mohun BaganChhetri began his toptier football journey with a threeyear contract at the age of 17 and there was no looking back since thenHe possessed remarkable agility consistently outmanoeuvreing defenders with his exceptional aerial prowess to score goals effortlessly the former coach and Indian defender recalled fondlyBut I never thought he would go on to become an Indian football legend and the top goalscorer for the nation Perhaps it was his hunger for success the dedication and work ethics took him there something to look forward to by the rising Indian footballers I never have to tell anything on football he is Gods gift There is no discussion about football at home said the septuagenarian who went on to become Chhetris fatherinlawAlso ReadWin vs Kuwait will be biggest moment of my career StimacBut Bhattachraya had a tinge of regret that he would not be able to see live Chhetris final appearance in his Indian No 11 jerseyI am looking forward to see him play in his last international match lets see how does he play but I will watch it from TV I dont have any tickets how will go Nobody has given me any tickets No Im not going he said after asking repeatedlyDid his soninlaw not give him any ticketsBhattachraya however chose not to elaborate Im not going just that I will watch the match on TVThe All India Football Federation has not distributed any complimentary passesWith agency inputs