SAFF Championship: Sunil Chhetri equals Pele’s record – Team India captain Sunil Chhetri etched himself in the record books on Sunday after scoring the winner against Nepal. The goal was the Indian veteran’s 77th in international football, putting him level on terms with Brazilian icon Pele. international scoring record in India’s win over Nepal. The win helped India clinch a win and stay alive in the competition after being on the brink of elimination.
SAFF Championship: Sunil Chhetri equals Pele’s international scoring record in India’s win over Nepal
Sunil Chhetri scored the solitary goal in the game against Nepal in the 82md minute, to ensure that Team India remained in the hunt in the ongoing SAFF Championship. The 37-year-old Chhetri, playing in his 123rd match for India has now taken his tally to 77 international goals, equalling Pele’s international record. He is now in joint third with UAE’s Ali Mabkhout (77) in the list of highest scorers among active footballers, behind Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (112) and Argentina’s Lionel Messi (79) both of who scored in the ongoing international break.
👑 The Indian King equals The King! All hail the joint-8th top scorer in men’s international history 🙇
🇵🇹 Cristiano (112 goals)
🇮🇷 Ali Daei (109)
🇲🇾 Dahari (89)
🇭🇺 Puskas (84)
🇿🇲 Chitalu (79)
🇦🇷 Messi (79)
🇮🇶 Saeed (78)
🇧🇷 Pele (77)
🇦🇪 Mabkhout (77)
🇮🇳 @chetrisunil11 (77) pic.twitter.com/qc5rS9r2e8— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) October 10, 2021
India had drawn against Nepal 0-0 and beat the Himalayan nation 2-0 in the previous encounters this year before Sunday’s win and the three points keeps their hopes alive in the SAFF Championship. Chhetri had a glorious chance in the first half as well, but failed to convert it despite having the gol to himself. Igor Stimac’s side struggled to convert chances and apply pressure, but the introduction of Farukh Chaudhary proved to be the difference, with Mumbai born star proving the assist.
SAFF Championship: Sunil Chhetri equals Pele’s international scoring record in India’s win over Nepal
Speaking after the game, Sunil Chhetri said, “We have been very poor in front of goal. At least we got a three points today. We have improved a lot today with the pressing up front and got good chances. We are alive in the tournament so that’s good.”
They will now face off against hosts Maldives in a do-or-die game for the Blue Tigers. India will seal their spot in the finals for the eighth time if they manage to get past the defending champions. A win by a big margin will all but ensure the title clash. A draw meanwhile will lead Chhetri and Co. to depend on the results of other teams like Bangladesh and Nepal to pan out in their favour which will lead to a four-way tie.
