Remembering India’s Asian Cup 2011 campaign: Sunil the Superstar

Following the retirement of IM Vijayan after the 2003 Afro Asian Games, Bhaichung Bhutia was the only remaining top class striker and superstar in Indian football and for a while it looked like we wouldn’t be able to find an ideal partner for the Sikkimese Sniper, until a boy from Delhi started making the most of his immense potential.

The boy in question of course is Sunil Chhetri who came to the limelight after joining Mohun Bagan as an 18-year-old. However, it was the spell at JCT where Sunil really stepped up and did justice to his potential.

Then the appointment of Bob Houghton as India coach soon saw Sunil become the regular strike partner of Bhaichung and his growing popularity showed signs that in him, Indian football had its next superstar.

The hattrick in the AFC Challenge Cup 2008 final against Tajikistan, a result that saw India qualify for Asian Cup 2011, enhanced Sunil’s reputation and he nearly realised his dream of playing abroad in 2009 when Queens Park Rangers agreed to sign him but the striker was denied a work permit due to India’s FIFA Ranking.

A trial at Coventry City followed in January 2010 and finally in March 2010, Sunil got a contract in foreign shores as USA’s MLS (Major League Soccer) outfit Kansas City Wizards signed him up. But the India international found it difficult to get into their team and was never a regular there.

Only a good showing in Asian Cup 2011 could confirm the prediction that Sunil had what it took to become India’s talisman once Bhaichung retired and the Delhi lad didn’t disappoint.

Sunil was one of only six players to score in more than one game in the group stage and that is highly commendable considering the fact that he played for a team who rarely had possession and created very few chances in the three matches.

The former East Bengal and Dempo striker was a handful for some of the best defenders in the continent and often made something out of nothing, although his finishing could have been better as he easily could have added a couple more to his tally.

Sunil scored one each against Bahrain and South Korea, with the one against the Koreans coming from a penalty, which he himself won after expertly getting away from defender Kwak Tae Hwi.

The most important aspect about Sunil’s performances in Qatar 2011 was the maturity that he showed while leading the attack in the absence of Bhaichung, who could only manage a substitute appearance against South Korea.

There will never be another Bhaichung Bhutia but for some time it was unimaginable to have an Indian national team without him. However, Sunil’s display in the Asian Cup gave hope and his progress was even monitored by scouts around the world, including Australia’s A-League outfit Perth Glory.

A move to Australia didn’t materialise however and Sunil had to return to India after being released by Kansas City. He had spells at United Sports Club (now Prayag United) and Mohun Bagan but securing another move abroad only looked like a matter of time and in July 2012 he joined Sporting Lisbon ‘B’.

The 28-year-old, who is already an Arjuna award winner, is the current captain of the national team and will be expected to lead India to 2014 AFC Challenge Cup success and qualify for Australia 2015.