FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2024
Who’ll replace Sunil in the squad is becoming a very unpleasant question nowadays. It’s been really difficult to find someone who scores consistently. Right now there is no player who can replace him and we’re running out of time. Maybe he has another year or two. As far as a Goan player taking that spot someday, Aaren and Devendra have a bright future.
- Conrad Barretto,
Football Entrepreneur, Margao
Not for long. It’s time that there’s a change in the coaching set up too so that the youngsters are pushed to play a key role. Looking at some Goan strike options, we already have Liston who’s doing great & also Devendra Murgaonkar can step in very soon as he looks like a potent finisher especially after a successful Durand Cup wherein he deserved to win the Golden Boot.
- Omi, Musician, Vasco-Da-Gama
The captain, leader, legend of the Indian team leads his team by example but that doesn’t mean other players around him keep depending on him for outcomes of games, cause once he retires there will be none who can take on the responsibility of the team on his shoulders. The only thing young lads around him in the squad can do is learn from him, unless there is hunger to learn and score goals nothing can get this Indian team to the top. Manvir, Passi and others are good players but I don’t see the hunger in them to score, the stats themselves have proven this. I can see glimpses of hope however from young players especially our Goan Lads: Brandon and Liston who have the potential to become huge players in the coming years for their respective clubs and the national team. Liston is lethal upfront and over time he’ll be better for sure!
- Kunal Kunkolienkar,
Student, Margao
I think Sunil Chhetri will continue playing for India at the most for a year or 2 and its high time the Indian team should look for an alternative to feel in his shoes, it will be not easy but the fact that we got players like Brandon Fernandes in the mix who according to me is currently the best player in India, and we should start building the team around him so that in the long run we will be a commendable team
- Melcom Fernandes,
Employed, Canacona
While Sunil Chhetri still remains India’s best and he will continue to stay this way for a while and for a few reasons, his discipline, motivation and love for the game is undeniable. While a few, the likes of Manvir, Wangjam and Liston are good, they still lack a bit of the finishing abilities and how to score under pressure. But I still feel these things come with experience and more game time. Our youngsters need more time in the national setup to make an impact there and that will happen with time and minutes on the field under their belt. Our hopes lie in the likes of Bryce Miranda and Princeton Rebello.
- Joed Almeida, RJ, Radio Indigo
We definitely have young guns from Goa like Liston Colaco and Glan Martins who have recently showcased promising results. Sunil Chetri is a legend for Indian football and unless ISL and AIFF gives more opportunities for Indians players for the forward position it is difficult to produce more players in that position. The more Competitive games the national team will play the more exposure the Indian talents will gain. Currently Manvir Singh has been working hard which is a healthy sign for Indian squad ahead
- Sidharth Mehta,
Businessman, Navelim
A like for like replacement will take a while, but players like Devendra, Liston have great potential. Among non Goans, Ishan Pandita looks to be a real gem set to make that CF spot his. But as a national team talisman, Chhetri will pass the baton to Brandon Fernandes, who arguably might be the best midfielder in the history of Indian football.
- Nishad Hegde,
Law student, Fatorda
