The Blue Tigers have been without a doubt one of the few bright spots in the ongoing SAFF Championships as India’s all-time leading goal scorer Sunil Chhetri has excelled.
The four goals he has scored in the three matches so far have contributed to the Indian team’s victorious performance in the competition, which has made it to the final, which will take place on October 16.
During his latest performance, Sunil Chhetri played a key role in India’s must-win match against the Maldives on Wednesday. As a result of Tupa’s double, India was able to qualify for the final after beating Indonesia by a score of 3-1.
He has reached 79 international goals with these two goals, surpassing none other than the legendary Pele in the process, as he now sits a mere four behind the Brazilian legend.
Some rate her as one of the greatest football players in the history of the game, and she is certainly one of the greatest.
Why this comparison?
In his time with the Brazilian national team
Pele saved the day by scoring 77 goals for the Selecao in three titles from 1958 to 1970. Sunil Chhetri, an Indian who has now overtaken him in the tally of his tally of five wins, has now taken his place. Despite facing vastly different opponents, Pele is still a proud Indian, even though his opponents are massively different from those faced by Chhetri.
By taking into account his 79 goals, he also places himself among the three highest active international goalscorers in the entire history of the game. Lionel Messi (81) and Cristiano Ronaldo (115) are both legends in their own right and only two players in history rank above them.
There was a great need for Chhetri to shine on Wednesday, and he certainly did just that. Ali Ashfaq was able to equalise for the Maldives at the stroke of half-time, although India had given themselves an early lead through Manvir Singh.
Stimac’s men desperately needed a goal to guarantee their place in the semifinals, because even a draw would be enough to eliminate India.
A cross from Lalengmawia was brought down by Manvir Singh inside the penalty box, leading to Chhetri replacing Singh with a volley. With India in the lead, Chhetri scored a goal just after the hour mark to put India in the lead.
As soon as he saw the free-kick he headed into the top corner, giving India insurance and seeing to the rest of the game. He gave India a win and also took him one goal closer to Messi’s world record number of international goals.
In the final of the SAFF Championship on Saturday, Chhetri will have the opportunity to either go straight ahead of Messi or pass him in terms of goals scored
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