SC Portugal: A once in a lifetime chance for Sunil Chhetri!

For Indian national football team captain Sunil Chhetri the transfer to the 'B' team of Sporting Clube de Portugal (Sporting Lisbon) is a chance of a lifetime and the striker from Delhi knows what it not only means to him personally, but the whole of the Indian nation especially those who follow Indian football.

The good things is that the people behind this deal have worked very hard to make it happen and they are not those who are after simple fame and money, but Indian football is close to their heart though commercial considerations would surely come in, if it all works out.

Sunil Chhetri himself knows what a chance he has been given, which no Indian footballer before him has had and if one saw him speak at the press conference last Thursday one is sure that he will do whatever he can to try and succeed.

Sunil had said, "From 165th (India's FIFA ranking, though we had risen that day to 163rd) to playing in the fifth ranked nation in the world (Portugal), it's one opportunity I will never forget in my life."

And Sunil said further, "I will have to do a lot of hard work. I will leave no stone unturned, so that I don't regret later in my life. When I am 40, I don't want to feel that I could have done better."

"I am excited. I want to see where do I stand... Want to grab it (the opportunity) with both hands. I can't let go this opportunity," Sunil added.

It was a wise decision to place Sunil initially in the reserve 'B' team of Sporting Clube de Portugal, then here Sunil gets the change to acclimatise himself and get used to Portuguese football then SCP's 'B' team plays in the 2nd Division, which will be of a higher standard then the I-League.

What now comes good for Sunil Chhetri will be his time with MLS side Kansas City Wizards in the US and the training stints at Coventry City and Glasgow Rangers besides the India training camps in Portugal and Spain.

Now the ground work is done, when Sunil joins Sporting Clube de Portugal 'B' teams training in a few days he will have to prove his worth and quality as a striker and attacking minded player.

I wish Sunil all the best!!!