In Sunil Chhetri's farewell match, the match between India and Kuwait ended in a goalless draw. India could not win in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, but about one lakh football fans present in the Salt Lake Stadium left no stone unturned in showering love on Chhetri. After the match, Chhetri had tears in his eyes and the eyes of his fans were also moist. Chhetri also thanked the fans with folded hands by walking around the entire stadium.
When the Indian team gave him a guard of honour, he started crying bitterly. Earlier in the match, India got many chances, but the Indian team could not take advantage of them. With this draw, India has got five points and now it will have to wait to reach the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. India has to play its last group match against strong Qatar.
Fans crowd in Chhetri's last match
Thousands of fans had reached the stadium to bid farewell to Chhetri. Most of them were wearing jersey number 11 of this star striker. There was a pang in their hearts that now they will not be able to see their favorite player representing India.
Chhetri had already announced that the World Cup qualifier match against Kuwait will be his last match at the international level and this was the reason why none of his fans wanted to miss watching him play his last match for India.
Chhetri hugged Jamuna Das
Chhetri, who was sitting on the seat next to the driver, was the first to get off the bus. After getting off the bus, Chhetri went to 'Lozenge Mashi' Jamuna Das, who has witnessed every match played on this ground and is a supporter of East Bengal. Chhetri hugged her and then walked towards the ground.
As soon as he reached the ground, the tricolor started waving all around and the stadium started resonating with Chhetri Chhetri. There was a huge poster in the stadium, which read in Bengali, Sonar Sunil. 'Tomay Hrid Mazhare Rakhbo' (Golden Sunil, I will keep you in my heart.) Apart from this, many other posters were also waving, in which Sunil Chhetri was praised. Chhetri, standing behind goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh, was also seen singing the national anthem loudly. Earlier, All India Football Federation President Kalyan Chaubey and State Sports Minister Arup Bhattacharya welcomed him. Mamata also wished West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote in her post on Christmas, "Welcome Sunil Chhetri to a wonderful new journey. A new phase of your life is starting from today. You have been the golden boy of Bengal, captain of the Indian team, Asia's sports icon, a player who scored goals at the world level and achieved many achievements. I am confident that you will continue to play in the future as well."