Baichung: Asian Cup not my last assignment for India

I had the chance to speak to Baichung Bhutia a few times over the last few days. His first aim here in Qatar was always to be somewhat match fit to play a few minutes in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. Now India face South Korea in their final group game tomorrow and if the result permits then coach Bob Houghton is set to give Baichung a few minutes of playing time.

It would be a dream come true for Baichung, who has achieved so much for himself and Indian football over the last decade and a half, so many have assumed that these few minutes against South Korea would be his last in India colours.

But Baichung Bhutia himself said earlier today after the practice that he does not intend to end his international career like this, forcing himself somewhat on for a few minutes even though he isn't fully fit though the stage would have been perfect for Bhai's international farewell, but the way isn't fitting as he himself things.

So Baichung is hoping to regain full match fitness in the coming weeks and months to return to India duty before retiring from the national team. If and when Baichung would retire he has kept open, but a likely pre-condition for his continuation with Team India would be that Bob Houghton stays on as a national coach.

And if Baichung stays on then maybe some of the other candidates to retire after the Asian Cup might play on, which could help India in their transitional phase where the older generation moves out and the younger generation takes over. It might not be as abrupt as I would have feared.