Sunil Chhetri: We have been hot and cold, need to play at same level

India football captain Sunil Chhetri on Wednesday said that his side has been hot and cold in the FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers and he addressed the need for playing consistently at the same levelChhetri had added another feather to his illustrious cap as he overtook Messi to become the secondhighest active international goalscorer on Monday He achieved the feat when he struck a brace to help India defeat Bangladesh 20 at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium at Al Sadd Club in DohaEven if we win the last match against Afghanistan I dont think we can call the campaign a success I look back at the matches against Bangladesh in Kolkata Oman in Guwahati and Afghanistan away in Dushanbe where we did not play well We have been hot and cold and thats what bothers me We need to continue playing at the same level said Chhetri in an official release issued by the All India Football Federation AIFFIndia will next lock horns against Afghanistan in the Qualifiers on June 15 The side is already out of contention to qualify for FIFA World Cup 2022 but the Blue Tigers can still qualify for AFC Asian Cup Chhetri highlighted how head coach Igor Stimac has given chances to a number of players in the last two yearsIt is difficult to transition play a certain way face higherranked teams and also get results We want to be in sync with the coach and what he wants from us and deliver upon it Thats all we can do Results havent been ideal but we must look at the silver linings said ChhetriThe coach is not afraid of giving chances to players If he sees someone who is good he will always give the boy a chance No player can say that I didnt get a chance which is a good thing Both the coach and players are looking to make a base of the first 14 No coach likes to change his team every time and he is on the lookout for making his first 14 The players also have to help out and once it clicks it will be more stable he addedThe 36yearold who made his Blue Tigers debut in 2005 against Pakistan also briefed how he guides the youngsters in the team on how to focus on oneself and the importance of being fit and taking care of ones bodyI advise youngsters to think about what you can do and not think about what others are saying I learnt this early in my life if you are more focused and thinking about yourself you wont get time to worry about what others are saying and thinking said ChhetriAlso ReadKylian Mbappe will be Euro 2020 hero Former India footballersThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever