Cameroon are one of the strongest I`ve played against: Chhetri
India will have to play like a "team possessed" if they are to win the Nehru Cup final against strong Cameroon here tomorrow, says skipper Sunil Chhetri
|Last Updated: Sep 01, 2012, 05:47 PM IST|Source: Bureau
New Delhi: India will have to play like a "team possessed" if they are to win the Nehru Cup final against strong Cameroon here tomorrow, says skipper Sunil Chhetri.
"Every team takes the field with a sole aim to win. But it`s not that easy every time. We need to play to our potential and not bother about other aspects. We need to play like a team possessed," said Chhetri on the eve of the final.
The tournament has hosted many a quality teams since its revival in 2007, but Chhetri placed Cameroon at the top, describing them as a "class side".
"They are a very strong side. In fact, among all the teams that I have played against in the Nehru Cup since 2007, this is the most capable side. They are a class side," the Portugal-returned striker said.
Elaborating on his answer, he said, "I have been fortunate enough to play against Japan, Australia, South Korea donning the national jersey and I can tell you they (Cameroon) are among the strongest teams I have played against."
Assessing the hosts` performance against the Africans in the last round-robin league encounter, which the former lost 0-1, Chhetri said he was proud of his teammates` display.
"I`m very proud of the manner we played. We came back strongly after conceding an early goal. They didn`t have many shots at our goal except for the penalty and the last-minute chance. Instead, we created more openings and should have scored," Chhetri, who was rested for the match, said.
The striker said Wim Koevermans` wards have been in constant touch with his former teammates Bhaichung Bhutia and Rennedy Singh.
"We speak almost every alternate day and it`s not just me; it`s the entire team who is in touch with him. He is very involved with the team. And it`s not Bhaichung alone but even Rennedy Singh and others. I`m sure they are following us and want us to win as much we want to win," he said.
PTI
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies Setting
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device and the processing of information obtained via those cookies (including about your preferences, device and online activity) by us and our commercial partners to enhance site navigation, personalise ads, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. More information can be found in our Cookies and Privacy Policy. You can amend your cookie settings to reject non-essential cookies by clicking Cookie Settings below.
Manage Consent Preferences
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work or you may not be able to login.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advert as well as help measure the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we may not know when you have visited our site, and may not be able to monitor its performance.