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 their star striker Sunil Chhetri has brought a ray of hope to the fans. The 39-year-old legend has come out of retirement to help the team in their quest for a spot in the prestigious tournament. However, coach Manolo Marquez has made it clear that Chhetri’s return is not a guarantee of success, and the team needs players who can score goals consistently.
Speaking to the media, Marquez emphasized the importance of scoring goals, stating, “At this moment, the most important thing is to get results.” He added that the team has been struggling to score goals, and they need players who can make a significant impact on the pitch. The Indian team has managed to score only two goals in their last four games under Marquez, which is a cause for concern.
Chhetri’s return is a welcome boost for the team, as he is one of India’s most prolific goal-scorers. With 84 goals in 131 appearances, he is the country’s all-time leading scorer. His experience and skill will undoubtedly be a valuable asset to the team, but Marquez is not relying solely on Chhetri to get the results.
The coach has been working with the team to improve their attacking prowess, and he believes that they have the potential to score more goals. “We have been working on our attacking game, and we have seen some positive signs,” he said. “We need to be more clinical in front of goal and take our chances. We have the players who can score goals, and we need to believe in ourselves.”
Chhetri’s return has also given the team a boost in terms of morale. His presence on the pitch is sure to lift the spirits of his teammates, and his experience will be invaluable in big games like the qualifiers. However, Marquez is not relying on Chhetri’s individual brilliance to get the results. Instead, he wants the team to play as a unit and work together to score goals.
“We need to play as a team and work together to score goals,” Marquez said. “We have players who can score goals, but we need to create chances and take them. We need to be more clinical in front of goal and make the most of our chances.”
The Indian team has a tough road ahead of them, with a series of away games against formidable opponents. However, Marquez is confident that his team can rise to the challenge and get the results they need. “We are ready for the qualifiers,” he said. “We have been preparing for this moment, and we are confident that we can get the results we need.”
Chhetri’s return has given the team a new lease of life, and his experience and skill will undoubtedly be a valuable asset in the qualifiers. However, Marquez is not relying solely on Chhetri to get the results. Instead, he wants the team to play as a unit and work together to score goals.
The Indian football team has a long way to go before they can be considered a force to be reckoned with in international football. However, with Chhetri’s return and Marquez’s guidance, they have a good chance of making a splash in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers. The team’s next game is against Bangladesh, and they will be looking to make a statement and get the results they need to progress in the tournament.
