PANAJI: India do not have much to show in the Fifa World Cup 2022 qualifiers. Already out of the race with three points – all draws – from their first five matches, India’s focus is now on Asian Cup 2023. Captain Sunil Chhetri , who teamed up with Puma on World Football Day, explains why fans can expect better days. Excerpts from an exclusive interview with TOI.

After the impressive draw against Qatar, everything has gone downhill for India with last-gasp draws against Afghanistan and Bangladesh. How do you explain that?

We should have done better. We did really well against Oman in the second half, away. Should have buried those chances against Afghanistan. Although disappointed, personally, because these are my last qualifiers, I must say the margins were very small. If I had scored the open header against Afghanistan, that's three points there. Against Oman, if we had defended that one great ball, that's goalless. The good thing is we are competing against stronger teams.

But that’s never good enough while playing the World Cup qualifiers…

Yes, we have to be ruthless. We have changed our game; we are more accustomed to passing, we put up a fight, but in the end it’s the small margins that make all the difference. We missed six or seven open chances (against Bangladesh) at home. After the momentum against Qatar, we should have buried those chances. Even against Afghanistan, we should have got those three points.

India have been competitive in all five games so far and drew away to Qatar. But, like coach Igor Stimac says, the final touch has been missing. How do you solve that problem?

I take responsibility. If I see the four games that I played, (there are) almost seven-eight chances which I shouldn’t have missed. Before pushing the blame on anyone, it’s me first. Others too have to take responsibility. We have missed many chances which should have been converted at this level. You don’t get these many chances. We should have done better. I am sure all of us playing in the attacking line are thinking about it and will improve. You work on it, keep trying and one day, the ball will go in. Sadly, we are talking of the qualifiers. We have to be in top form; just good finishing would have given us seven-eight points.

Is this Indian team more confident than before?

It’s the results. When you play Oman and Qatar, and you do well, it gives you confidence. But then again when you play Bangladesh and lose two points, it also demoralizes you. Generally, recent results like Qatar, Oman, UAE and Thailand have made us a lot more confident. We have to keep building on it.

Are we making enough progress under Stimac?

We train well, coach has lovely ideas. He wants to keep the ball and the whole country can see that. He doesn’t get scared of playing anyone. Yes, results have not been going our way, but we should not blame just one person. He works really hard and gives a lot of chances to youngsters. We enjoy his training. I think we are doing well. The results will come.

How long can you shoulder the burden of scoring goals for India?

To be honest, it’s not a burden, it’s an absolute pleasure . Till the time I can, I will keep doing it. There is nothing else I want to do. Playing for the country is a privilege, scoring is an honour, winning matches an absolute delight. I don’t think it’s a burden because there are a lot of others who help me. We have a lot of youngsters who are coming up; Manvir (Singh) is doing well for his club. I have high hopes on him as number nine. Farukh (Choudhary) is doing well in the league. There is Sahal (Abdul). It takes a little bit of time.

