Bhutia to play in his 100th international match Sunday

Bhaichung Bhutia will become India's first player to figure in 100 international matches when he will lead the team against Kyrgyzstan in a Nehru Cup.

Talismanic national football captain Bhaichung Bhutia is all set to scale a new high in his illustrious career as he will become India’s first player to figure in 100 international matches when he leads the team against Kyrgyzstan in a Nehru Cup match here on Sunday.

Bhutia started his international career against Thailand in a Nehru Cup match in Kolkata in 1995 and has scored more than 50 goals for the country.

“I am honoured to play in 100 matches for my country. I have been giving my best for my country for the past 14 years and will do the same against Kyrgyzstan on Sunday,” said an elated Bhutia after his team’s training session at a city college ground here.

“I still remember my first match against Thailand in 1995 under Rustam Akramov. I was not in the starting XI in that match and came off the bench. That was the only time I came off the bench. After that first match I have been in the starting line-up till now,” he said.

Bhutia said he did not score in his first match but did so in his second — in the same 1995 Nehru Cup against Uzbekistan after coach Akramov told him to play as striker.

“Akramov told me to play as striker from the second match onwards and I scored in that match. I had been playing as midfielder till then but I became a striker and that changed my career,” reminisced the 32-year-old Sikkimese.

Asked how long he would like to carry on playing for India,Bhutia said,”I will play as long as I am enjoying the game. I am fit and enjoying my game now.

Story continues below this ad

“I want to play 200 matches but that would only be possible if I play for three or four more years and India play at least 15 international matches,” he joked.

National coach Bob Houghton hailed Bhutia as a “superstar diamond” of Indian football and hoped that he plays for some more years for the country.

“He is a superstar footballer of India and a great human being too. In fact,he is a superstar diamond,In my 30 years of international coaching career,as coach of national teams and top clubs in various countries,I have coached several superstars.

“And superstars are always difficult to deal with but this superstar is different he is a great human being and inspirational leader,” said the Englishman who took charge of Indian team in June 2006.

Story continues below this ad

Asked how long he would want Bhutia continue playing for India,Houghton joked “for 10 years”. “I hope he plays for some years that will be good for Indian football”.

Renedy Singh,India’s most experienced and senior player after Bhutia,said the team was happy for his achievement.

“He is a great player and great leader. I hope he players for many more years for the country. We are very happy and proud of him on his feat,” said the midfielder,who also has played for more than 10 years for the country.