New Delhi: Former India captain Baichung Bhutia will announce his retirement from international football on Wednesday to bring to an end an illustrious 16-year career.
The 34-year-old poster boy of Indian football will announce his decision to bid adieu at a press conference at the All India Football Federation headquarters here. In fact, speculation had been rife on the imminent retirement of the striker, who has been struggling with injury for the last one year.
Earlier this year, he managed to play for just 15 minutes in the Asian Cup in Qatar in January, most prestigious event India has ever taken part in the last 27 years. He was also dropped from the Indian squad selected for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers because of his injury.
Even though he took the move in his stride, he was miffed with the team management for not having shown him the courtesy of speaking to him at least once before making the decision public. Just a few days back, he pulled out of India's tour to England that is scheduled to be held in September.
Bhutia captained India for more than 10 years and scored 43 international goals, more than any other footballer of the country. He is also the only Indian and one among few international players to have played more then 100 matches for his country.
Born on December 15, 1976 at Namchi, the five feet eight inch Bhutia made his international debut against Uzbekistan in 1995. He reached the milestone of 100 international matches during the 2009 Nehru Cup.
He led India to the South Asian Football Federation Championships thrice, two Nehru Cup titles (in 2007 and 2009) and the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup which gave India the right to play in the Asian Cup this year for the first time after 1984.
The most recognisable face of Indian football, he has been decorated with Arjuna Award and Padma Shri.
Baichung is likely to continue to play for his club United Sikkim FC which he founded with an aim to make it become a top side in the country. The club failed to qualify for the I-League this season but he will be keen to take the side to the Federation Cup main round, the qualifiers of which will begin on September 8.
(With Agency inputs)
Comments
0 comment