How many times have you seen a full stadium for an Indian football match? Very rarely right? But this doesn’t mean that Indians, in general, don’t follow football as such. The Champions League finale a few weeks back saw thousands of fans gathering at various sports bars and private screening parties to collectively go nuts over football. And very rarely do we see the same audience in the stadium cheering for their home teams and boosting their confidence like anything, but it did happen and it was a sight to behold.
A few days back, Indian Football captain Sunil Chhetri put out a heartfelt message where he asked the fans to come and watch the match, even if it meant for abuses. He also promised that their team will offer them a wonderful match to see, and so the stadium was full and the Indian team did offer a wonderful match to the attendees.
This is nothing but a small plea from me to you. Take out a little time and give me a listen. pic.twitter.com/fcOA3qPH8i
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) June 2, 2018
India won the second Intercontinental Cup match against Kenya by 3-0, along with that, it was Sunil Chhetri’s 100th international match and out of the 3, he scored 2 goals for the team. Viewers on the stands couldn’t stop cheering for the team and echoes of India! India! Went loud in the stadium. Fans tuning in to watch the match at home shared the same feeling and here’s how they reacted on Twitter.
Master @chetrisunil11 scores in his 100th International match. That's his 60th International goal. #Chhetri100 #INDvKEN #WeAreIndia #BackTheBlue #AsianDream pic.twitter.com/Vvp8AvbXkc
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 4, 2018
The heavy rain in Mumbai seems to be troubling the Kenyan team.
The Indian team is not bothered by the rains. Coz, they have Chhetri ☔️ #INDvKEN
— Shridhar V (@iimcomic) June 4, 2018
#INDvKEN Everyone who thinks social media is only about negativity & outrage, look at what happened in that stadium in Andheri. All it took was one video. Most heartwarming photos & updates all over my TL. 🙏
— Naomi Datta (@nowme_datta) June 4, 2018
Thanks to Mumbai rains and Sunil Chhetri, lot of people now know that Football is not impacted by Duckworth Lewis. #INDvKEN
— Rahul Roushan (@rahulroushan) June 4, 2018
A special victory indeed. Well done, #TeamIndia! Super achievement @chetrisunil11 on your 100th appearance and the 2 goals 🙂 #INDvKEN pic.twitter.com/bGn1mUPPdr
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 4, 2018
What a spectacular victory and such a heartwarming sight watching the packed house chanting INDIA… INDIA… #INDvKEN pic.twitter.com/MvRxp3hJqY
— All India Bakchod (@AllIndiaBakchod) June 4, 2018
What a sight. What a heartwarming sight. More than this 3-0 win against Kenya, it feels great to see the packed house in Mumbai and the champion @chetrisunil11 himself acknowledging it. Lets keep the passion flowing. Congratulations Guys. #IndianFootball #INDvKEN #BleedBlue.
— Siddharth Kaul (@iamsidkaul) June 4, 2018
A truly inspiring and well deserved win for our IndianFootball team.👏🏻✌🏼🇮🇳
Many congratulations to the team for the 3-0 win against Kenya today!
Amazing show by the team & Captain @chetrisunil11 on his 100th match! #BackTheBlue #INDvKEN— geeta phogat (@geeta_phogat) June 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/EastIndiaComedy/status/1003702196054003715
We may be no fans of football but today we must support #India #footBALL at least for one person @chetrisunil11.
All The Best @chetrisunil11 for your 100th Game for @IndianFootball & You will always have Support from us!!#ChakDeIndia 🇮🇳#Chhetri100 ❤️#INDvKEN
— Ankita Shah (@Ankita_Shah8) June 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/DanishSait/status/1003675474315304960
Vikings clap. Bleed blue. #INDvKEN pic.twitter.com/aaNNGm4IMw
— Susegad Kamat (@susegadkamat) June 4, 2018
Just saw an old Aunty coming for the match with her two daughters. This is beyond awesome! #WeAreIndia #Chhetri100 #INDvKen
— Tazeen Syed (@Tazeen_11) June 4, 2018
A rallying cry…full house. Responded with a clinical performance. Well done, captain @chetrisunil11, you’re a 🌟 Keep Shining…you and your men have made India proud. #INDvKEN #Chettri100 🙇♂️👏
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 4, 2018
Congratulations team india that indeed was a spectacular victory ! Congrats @chetrisunil11 on your 100th international game and those extra special goals ! Game On ⚽️👉 #INDvKEN @IndianFootball
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) June 4, 2018
Way to go boys!! That was a spectacular match team India! @chetrisunil11, scoring twice in your 100th match is no simple feat…what a performance! @IndianFootball #INDvKEN
— arjunk26 (@arjunk26) June 4, 2018
What a fabulous victory for @IndianFootball . 3-0 , brilliant from @chetrisunil11 in his 100th international match. Great atmosphere in the ground as well. #INDvKEN
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 4, 2018
.@chetrisunil11 bhai, hundred games for India is a massive achievement. But, I know you can play a hundred more. Good luck, captain! #Chhetri100 #INDvKEN 🇮🇳
— CK Vineeth (@ckvineeth) June 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/Kitchenofcrickt/status/1003670392085463040
What happened last night made all of us aware of how we can do wonders when we come together to cheer for our teams. All these sportsmen need is support and they’ll shine brightly through it all. After the match, Sunil Chhetri had another message for the fans who came to watch the match and stadium or cheered the team from homes. Here’s what he tweeted.
We promise you that if that’s the kind of support we get every time we play for the country, we will give our lives on the pitch. India, this night was special because we were in this together. Those in the stands shouting, and the ones at home cheering – thank you!
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) June 4, 2018
Various fellow sportsmen and celebrities came to support the team too and all of this is just one legendary memory in Indian football history. Hope to see the turnout as massive as this one for every match our boys play. Congratulations and all the best for the upcoming matches.
Jyotsna Amla