‘When we meet Australia, we would need higher levels than what we face in ISL’: Sunil Chhetri on the need to have longer camp before Asian Cup

Echoing the voices of coach Igor Stimac and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, India captain Sunil Chhetri has called for an extended training camp ahead of the Asian Cup in January next year. Led Chhetri, the Indian team has stayed unbeaten this year so far and a key reason for that has been attributed to long training camps where Stimac has been able to drill his ideas as well as worked on the team’s fitness. India are in Group B of the Asian Cup, along side Australia, Syria and Uzbekan. “See, for a team like ours which will face Australia, Syria and Uzbekan; we need it. That is why both the gentlemen have spoken about it, and I really hope we get it,” Chhetri said on Sunday.

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Stimac has asked for at least four weeks to prepare ahead of the continental showpiece event while Sandhu too has urged the decision makers to have an extended period of training.

Explaining why a longer camp is needed, Chhetri said: “When you are playing the ISL, all the boys will be used to the level of ISL – which is the premium level in our country. But let us be honest to ourselves, when we meet Australia, we would need a couple, if not more, levels higher than what we are facing in ISL. And that is the reason why when we meet together and train together, it will help us. So this is one reason why we need a longer camp.
“And to take that forward, it will also be great to face one of the top seven teams to play a friendly. Suppose we get Iran, Japan, or Saudi Arabia to play a match before meeting Australia in the Asian Cup then that will give us a very good picture, and we will be a little bit more ready than we will be if we do not play those top seven teams. This is my wish, but the coach will take a call on whom we play,” he said.

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“This is why those four weeks will be important. If we only get five days, we will not be able to organise that important friendly. What happens will eventually depend on all the talks, but I hope we get as much time as possible,” said Chhetri.
“What happens when you go to the camp is there are injuries, then all players come from different mentality from the club that has to be taken care of. After all of this, we need two or three good friendlies, and that will be good for our preparation,” he further added.
Chhetri is one of the most physically fit footballers in the world. At the age of 38, he is still playing at the highest level and is the all-time leading scorer for the Indian national team.

Strict diet, rigorous regimen
Chhetri’s fitness is due to several factors, including his strict diet, rigorous training regimen, and positive attitude. So what is his secret to playing back-to-back matches spanning 120 mins?
“Get up at 6 o’clock and take a shower. Read something and do a bit of stretching. 7.30 am, have some coffee and go to training. Come at 11 and have an ice bath. 12.30 pm, have lunch and take a nap. Get up at 3.30 and go to the gym or train double time training for club and country. Come back, have some snacks, have dinner before 7.30 pm, and sleep 10.30 pm,” Chhetri revealed.
“That is what I do every day. I only eat what I need, and I seldom eat what I want, and I take care of my body. That is the reason why I do not feel tired,” he said.
“In the camp also, we have created a culture where we can express ourselves freely and be happy, but as far as food and sleep is concerned, we do not negotiate. So if you are saying a small change, it is because we have understood that to stay on top, we need to eat right and sleep well,” he said.

“I will still have bad days, but physically I do not want to struggle because it does not require brains or anything extra. All it needs is discipline,” he added.
In a recent interview with The Indian Express, coach Stimac said he would do everything he could to help Chhetri play for another five years.
Responding to it, the Indian talisman said, “I am enjoying my football, I take care of myself, but I don’t know. I do not have a date in my head for retirement. The day I do not add anything to this team, I will be gone,” he signed off.