Former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia expressed hope that this year will be a fine one for the Indian football and said that the team needs a consistent striker to replace the retired legend and former captain Sunil Chhetri. Bhutia was talking to ANI in Siliguri and said, “After a disastrous 2024, I hope 2025 will be a good year for the team. We have the Asia Cup qualifier which I believe we will be able to qualify. We have got a couple of good matches coming, some friendlies. The team also looks good.” Talking about replacing Chhetri, Bhutia said that the team needs someone who can score goals as consistently as the 40-year-old icon.

“There are some good players coming up. Hopefully this year, we can get our next Sunil Chhetri. There is a gap within the team and there is still a search for it. There are not many strikers consistent in goal-scoring. But there are some good players like Liston Colaco and Manvir Singh (from Mohun Bagan Super Giant) who are playing well,” he added.

Bhutia said that the team needs to start winning as they did not register even a single win last year and they need to boost up their ranking for the sake of qualification for future competitions and the team’s confidence.

“The team needs more time in terms of training and preparations for the Asia Cup. The Coach is new (Manolo Marquez). Although he knows most of the players from ISL (Indian Super League), knowing players more will help him coordinate,” he added.

India was drawn against Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangladesh in Group C of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round. The draw, which saw 24 teams divided into six groups of four, was held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on December 9, 2024.

Only the six group winners will qualify and join the 18 teams who have already punched their tickets to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 after the second round of qualifying. The Qualifiers Final Round will be contested over six match days in a home-and-away format between March 25, 2025 and March 31, 2026. India, aiming to qualify for three successive Asian Cups for the first time in their history, will begin their campaign at home against Bangladesh.

India has faced all three opponents in the recent past. The Blue Tigers last faced Bangladesh in the 2021 SAFF Championship, Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers in Kolkata in June 2022, and Singapore in the Hung Thinh Friendly Tournament in Vietnam in September 2022.

As of now, India is ranked at 126th in the FIFA Men’s Football Team Rankings.

Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier (left) and Bhaichung Bhutia.© NDTV

The legendary Bhaichung Bhutia has called for the ouster of the current dispensation in the All India Football Federation (AIFF), holding the sports body responsible for the decline in the national team’s performance in recent times. Bhutia came down heavily on the AIFF, saying the absence of a roadmap for Indian football has resulted in humiliating defeat at the hands of Syria (0-3) and a tame draw against Mauritius (0-0) in the recently held three-nation Intercontinental Cup at home. The former India captain demanded an overhaul of the AIFF administration.

“I think it’s not a great sign, we have been on the decline for quite some time now. From being ranked in the top 100 to going down at 125. I think football needs a new governing body and election and a fresh start.”

“Otherwise, I think it’s only going down,” Bhutia told PTI Videos in an exclusive interview on Friday.

“I think there has to be really serious discussion, thorough debate that has to be done for taking the game forward. I think that our constitution has to be reformed, the case is still in the Supreme Court.

“I hope the Supreme Court gives a verdict as soon as possible. The federation has to have a new constitution and a new body, a new election has to happen,” the football legend added.

India’s disappointing performance in the Intercontinental Cup was preceded by their failure to make the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers despite getting a relatively easy draw, leading to the sacking of former head coach Igor Stimac and paving the way for a legal battle with the Croat.

Bhutia further said, “Overall it’s time that the federation focuses on how to take Indian football forward. You cannot just have Vision 2046 on paper and not implement things. It is important now that the federation stops doing NGO kind of work,” Bhaichung observed.

“In the last two years the amount of controversies, and allegations happening is so negative for the sport.

“I was in an Executive Committee meeting and it was unfortunate to see how we were talking more about how the Bastar region became engulfed in terrorism and nothing about football.

“It’s great you do a social thing but the federation’s primary job is not about doing social things only, it’s about performance, getting results from the national team and junior team. So I think it’s important we focus there,” he pointed out.

After’s Stimac’s termination, the AIFF had appointed Manolo Márquez as the Indian men’s team head coach, who is also in charge of ISL side FC Goa.

“I am not looking at it, I think in India we need a good set of people coming in, who have a good vision for the game because that is what we require right now.

“I quit my politics, in terms of electorate politics, but I am always there to support football. Fight for the presidency is not the main thing.

“I think it’s time to take the game forward and I think, we have good talent at the grassroots, but things are not working out well,” Bhutia concluded.

Bhaichung Bhutia, the former captain of the Indian football team, is unlikely to taste victory in electoral politics even this time. He is trailing Rikshal Dorjee Bhutia of the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha by over 4,000 votes in the Barfung seat after the third and final round counting.

Overall state figures too aren’t painting a happy picture for Mr Bhutia and his Sikkim Democratic Front party. The incumbent SKM is set for a massive victory over the SDF, winning 31 out of 32 seats as per the election trends.

The Sikkim assembly elections 2024 were held in a single phase on April 19. Though all leads are in, the results are yet to be officially declared.

Mr Bhutia had formed his own Hamro Sikkim Party in 2018, but merged it with the SDF last year. He is currently the vice-president of the SDF, the main opposition party in the Himalayan state known for its picturesque lakes.

The former footballer had fought elections twice from West Bengal as a Trinamool candidate – the 2014 Lok Sabha polls from Darjeeling and the 2016 assembly elections from Siliguri. He lost both.

Then he moved his electoral base to Sikkim and formed his own party. He fought the 2019 assembly elections from Gangtok and Tumen-Lingi, but tasted defeated in both his attempts. He also lost the 2019 bypoll from Gangtok.

Batting maestro Virat Kohli, 2011 World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh and former star footballer Bhaichung Bhutia were among the leading sports personalities who lauded Sunil Chhetri’s achievements after the iconic India striker on Thursday announced his decision to retire from international football. Chhetri, the long-serving national team captain announced his decision to call it a day after the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6.

Commenting on Chhetri’s video post on Instagram, Kohli wrote for his good friend: “My brother. Proud.” Yuvrai called him a legend, saying the legacy of the 39-year-old veteran of 150 national appearances will remain for a very long time.

“A real legend of the game who took Indian football onto the global stage. Your passion has inspired a generation to take up the game… your legacy in Indian sports will be remembered forever…you can look back with pride as you get set for your final game, thank you legend,” wrote Yuvraj in an Instagram story.

Chhetri, who made his international debut in 2005, has scored 94 goals for the country. He will leave the scene as India’s all-time top scorer and most-capped player.

Legendary India forward Bhutia, who Chhetri succeeded as captain, told PTI that it was a great loss for Indian football.

“Sunil, no doubt, will go down as one of the greatest players India had ever produced. His contribution to Indian football is immense. It’s a great loss for Indian football,” said Bhutia, the former India captain.

“I am fortunate to have played with him as senior player. When I came in (I M) Vijayan was senior to me, after that Sunil (Chhetri) came. I am fortunate to have served Indian football in between two stalwarts of Indian football,” added Bhutia.

Cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal, member of the India squad for the T20 World Cup, wished Chhetri a “happy retirement”.

“What a run you have had! Congratulations on an amazing career,” wrote Chahal on ‘X’, while Chhetri’s Bengaluru FC and India team-mate, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, wished he could change his compatriot’s mind.

“Never wanted to see this happen, I wish I could do something to change your mind but I also understand why it is happening bhai. The whole country needs to celebrate your international career on the 6th of June the way you deserve. My Captain,” Sandhu wrote on ‘X’.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) said Chhetri will continue to motivate the coming generations.

“Your legacy on and off-the-field will always be remembered! You have always been and will continue to inspire us. Thank you.” BCCI termed Chhetri a “phenomenal icon”, saying his “career has been nothing short of extraordinary and you have been a phenomenal icon for Indian football and Indian sports,” while India spinner Kuldeep Yadav congratulated the legend on a “fantastic career”.

IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru saluted the No. 11 jersey, saying, “What a ride this has been, skipper! 94 international goals, so many laurels, an unbroken conviction and you’ve inspired so many young Indians to dream big. Happy farewell to the No.11 (No.9) but India’s 1,” wrote RCB on ‘X’.