We Need Players Who Can Score: Coach Marquez on Chhetri’s Return
The Indian football team is gearing up for their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers opener against Bangladesh, and the return of veteran striker Sunil Chhetri has brought a sense of optimism to the team’s camp. Chhetri, who had announced his retirement from international football last year, has come out of retirement to lead the team in the qualifiers. However, India’s head coach Manolo Marquez believes that the team needs players who can score goals to achieve success in the tournament.
Speaking to the media, Marquez emphasized the importance of scoring goals, stating, “At this moment, the most important thing is to get results.” He acknowledged that India have struggled to score goals under his tenure, managing only two goals in four games. The coach believes that Chhetri’s return will provide a much-needed boost to the team’s attacking prowess.
Chhetri’s return is seen as a huge boost for the team, and Marquez is confident that the veteran striker will bring experience and leadership to the team. “We need players who can score goals, and Sunil is one of those players,” Marquez said. “He has a lot of experience and has played at the highest level. He knows how to score goals, and we need that kind of expertise in the team.”
Chhetri’s return is not just about his goal-scoring ability; it’s also about the leadership and experience he brings to the team. The veteran striker has been an integral part of the Indian team for over a decade and has led the team to several important victories. His return will provide a sense of stability and continuity to the team, and Marquez believes that it will have a positive impact on the team’s performance.
However, Marquez also emphasized that Chhetri’s return is not a guarantee of success. The coach believes that the team needs to work hard and improve their overall performance if they want to achieve success in the tournament. “We need to work on our defense, we need to work on our midfield, and we need to score goals,” Marquez said. “We need to be a cohesive unit and work together as a team if we want to achieve our goals.”
India’s preparations for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers have been marred by injuries and suspensions, which has forced Marquez to make several changes to his team. The coach believes that the team’s injuries and suspensions have been a setback, but he is confident that the team can overcome them.
“We have had some setbacks, but we are working hard to overcome them,” Marquez said. “We have a good squad, and we are confident that we can achieve our goals. We need to stay focused and work together as a team if we want to succeed.”
The AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers present a new challenge for the Indian team, and Marquez believes that the tournament will be a test of the team’s character. “The qualifiers are a big challenge for us, and we need to be at our best if we want to succeed,” Marquez said. “We need to be focused, we need to be disciplined, and we need to work together as a team if we want to achieve our goals.”
In conclusion, Marquez’s comments highlight the importance of scoring goals in international football. The Indian team has struggled to score goals under his tenure, and Chhetri’s return provides a much-needed boost to the team’s attacking prowess. Marquez believes that the team needs players who can score goals, and Chhetri is one of those players. The coach’s emphasis on the importance of scoring goals and the need for the team to work hard and improve their overall performance is a clear message to the team and their fans.
