‘Not about my last game’

India captain Sunil Chhetri during a practice session ahead of their match against Kuwait in Kolkata on Tuesday. Pic/PTI

Indian football team talisman Sunil Chhetri on Wednesday played down the hype around his last international match and sought to bring the focus back to the team's crucial FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Kuwait here.

A win on Thursday will almost guarantee the Indian team a maiden appearance in the third round of the FIFA World Cup, the finals of which are scheduled to be held in USA, Canada and Mexico in 2026.

Chhetri last month announced that the second leg match against Kuwait would be his last in international football, having enjoyed a glorious career spanning 19 years. "I think most of us have met already 20 days back and we have spoken about my last game. That's done," Chhetri said on the eve of the second round match.

"We are here only and only to speak about Kuwait and India and I'm trying really hard to not think about this game like this," he added.

An emotional Chhetri requested the scribes not to keep asking him about his retirement "again and again" so that they can play with a free mind. "I again request... it's not about me and my last game, it's about us and Kuwait. And inside me, I'm fighting a small battle, please don't make it worse asking ‘how are you feeling', again and again.

"Only you guys who are putting this question... We don't talk about it in the dressing room. We are still the same, we are still having fun. There is not a talk about the last game, we are done with it. We really need to win this game. Once we win this game, it gives us a great chance to go to the third round, which we have never done.

"So all our might, everything that we have is just pointed towards fighting it out, because one thing we know for sure, this is not going to be easy."
"And one thing we are very happy is that we are playing in Kolkata, we are going to have tremendous support. So it's going to be a battle, and the good thing is we are all ready."

Asked if he would reconsider his plan if they qualify for the third round, the 39-year-old said, "No sir, the suits are made, I'm going to go and watch the boys play as a fan. I'm not somebody who just says something that comes on his mind, I might look like that but I think a lot and I've given it my thought. It's been 19 years, I had a great ride, and this is it."