In a major development centering the Indian Football team’s participation at the Asian Games, RevSportz has learnt that skipper Sunil Chhetri and Coach Igor Stimac are both trying to make a special request to the ISL clubs to release 2 players each and in some case 1 based on the latest list submitted by the coach to the AIFF.
They both feel that it is the only way India can be competitive and if the clubs do this it won’t harm their ISL preparations or AFC cup chances. This is a final ditch attempt at a compromise formula where everyone is happy.
Sources close to the development confirm that the skipper is very keen to make an impact at the Asian Games but knows that with the team selected as of now, it is going to be impossible. The coach and captain are united in their approach in requesting the clubs to do this in national interest so that India puts its best foot forward.
The Federation senior management is expected to meet Coach Stimac tomorrow at Football House in Delhi and it is to be seen if this last ditch attempt to send a good team leads to some results. With the captain now taking the lead with the coach in sync, it can be surmised that there can be no better way to appeal to the clubs. Sunil Chhetri is India’s best ever football brand and it will be an appeal the clubs will seriously need to consider.
It can also be confirmed that the captain and the coach will travel to China together. If one goes the other will and it won’t be that one goes while the other doesn’t.
Clearly we haven’t yet seen the end of this story.
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