Chhetri MLS move will open door for other players: Houghton

Mumbai: National football coach Bob Houghton said striker Sunil Chhetri joining United States Major League Soccer side Kansas City Wizards will open the doors for other Indian players to ply trade overseas.

"The move will make a lot of difference to Sunil Chhetri. He is fulfilling his ambition to go and play at international level," Houghton said at the sidelines of India International Sports Summit."If he had obtained a work permit he could have been playing in Europe. I would have liked him to play in Europe as the standard is better. But this is a great move for Sunil (to play in MLS)," he said. "His move should inspire more players to play abroad," he added.Houghton said though the national team will miss Chhetri in its preparations for the 2011 Asian Cup, his progress in the US will be closely monitored. PTI