Team above individual interest: Chhetri

NEW DELHI, August 16: With the Capital playing host to its first ever international soccer event in over two decades, Delhi boy Sunil Chhetri is upbeat about showing his skills in front of the home crowd in the ONGC Nehru Cup, starting on Friday.
"As hardly any big tournament is held in Delhi, getting a chance to play here is always special," the India striker said.
Though the 22-year-old, partnering Bhaichung Bhutia in the front, would be facing Syria, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh for the first time, he is confident about making a vital contribution towards India's cause here.
"All the opposition teams are new for me. But that hardly matters as I think the right strategy has got more to do with concentrating on our own game than knowing the opposition's ways better," Chhetri said, and added that coach Bob Houghton had briefed the team well about the rivals.
When it comes to neighbours Bangladesh, while many of the Indian team members would expect familiar play and tactics as the visitors are being coached by former India coach Syed Naeemuddin, Chhetri would be treading an unknown territory there as well. But that's no cause for worry.
The JCT striker, looking forward to carry his National Football League form - where he finished as the top Indian scorer with 12 goals and the best player - into the Nehru Cup, said that the hosts stood a good chance of clinching the title. "We are a better squad than what we were six months ago. Now the knowledge of duty towards the team prevails over individual interests," he said.
"Our team spirit is stronger and every player knows and is eager to perform his duties well, even if that means playing in other than your usual position if required," Chhetri explained.
Chhetri, crediting these changes entirely to Houghton, added that even though expectations from him have risen, he is under no extra pressure. "I don't think I am the one under pressure. We all want to do well, need to perform and give our best in the tournament," Chhetri said. "And of course, I would like people to come in large number to support us."