Will injured Bhaichung play AFC Asian Cup?
January 7th, 2011 - 1:41 pm ICT by IANSDoha, Jan 7 (IANS) India’s football captain Bhaichung Bhutia’s chances of playing in the AFC Asian Cup receded considerably Friday with the team management unwilling to take a chance with his fitness following his calf muscle injury.Bhutia, however, has not lost hope and wants to give himself time till Monday, the day of the opening match against Australia at the Al Sadd Stadium.
“I am still giving myself two-three days. We can make a change even six hours before the match and Rafi is travelling with us. So even if I am out, Rafi will be leading the attack with Sunil Chettri,” Bhaichung told IANS.
Given that he might not make it to the first match, he is trying hard to be fit for the remaining two matches against Bahrain (Jan 14) and South Korea (Jan 18).
I-League’s top scorer and Churchill Brothers striker Mohammad Rafi, who has been put on stand by for the captain, is travelling with the team and will replace Bhaichung if he is ruled out.
If Bhaichung is ruled out, the team management is going retain him as a technical official so that the Indian captain can boost the morale of the team from the technical bench. Climax Lawrence or Gourmangi Singh will be leading the team in Bhaichung’s absence.
- I am giving myself another 2-3 days, says Bhaichung (Lead) - Jan 07, 2011
- AIFF flip-flop may cost Bhaichung a place in Asian Cup team (Roundup) - Jan 07, 2011
- In another flip-flop, AFC re-registers Bhutia in Asian Cup team (Intro Roundup) - Jan 08, 2011
- India forced to play Rafi in Asian Cup opener - Jan 09, 2011
- Tough to retain an injured Bhaichung in team: AIFF - Jan 07, 2011
- Will give our best against Australia: Bhutia - Jan 09, 2011
- Rafi replaces Sushil in India's Asian Cup squad (Lead) - Jan 09, 2011
- Four new faces in India squad for Bayern Munich game - Dec 28, 2011
- Climax and Mahesh retired early, says Baichung - Feb 25, 2012
- Armando drops Bhaichung along with 11 seniors from World Cup probables - Jun 02, 2011
- Chettri to lead India in AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers - Mar 21, 2011
- Climax was rested, not dropped: Savio - Feb 01, 2012
- Rafi is best Indian footballer, Odafe foreigner of the year - Sep 13, 2010
- Nobody can replace Bhaichung, says Gouramangi - Jan 07, 2012
- India looking to upset UAE in World Cup qualifiers - Jul 22, 2011
Tags: absence, afc asian cup, al sadd, asian cup, bahrain, bench, bhaichung bhutia, calf muscle injury, churchill brothers, climax, football captain, indian captain, jan 7, match, mohammad rafi, six hours, south korea, striker, team management, top scorer