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Bhutia joins India camp
Former India Captain Bhaichung Bhutia has joined the team camp in Kolkata for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: February 25, 2007 10:36 AM IST
Read Time:2 min
Kolkata:
Former India Captain Bhaichung Bhutia has joined the team camp in Kolkata for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier. India takes on Saudi Arabia on August 16. Bhutia had earlier decided to quit international football, but the star striker is back and says he is more motivated than ever before. "Let me make it very clear, I said my motivation factor is lacking, I am thinking of retiring. I never said I was going to retire. I needed time to think on my retirement, I did take some time. I spoke to a lot of people, Mr. Dasmunshi, President AIFF, I spoke to the coach yesterday as well. Yes, I've decided I wanted to be back and I'm happy to be back," said Bhutia. With Bhutia's participation in the camp for next week's AFC Asia Cup qualifiers confirmed, its time to strategise. And Bhutia hopes the team and Coach Bob Houghton can show results sooner rather than later. "I think we need to take one match at a time and we are working for that. As I said already I need more time to get fit and the team looks good. It was my first training session with the coach and things look really good. I think he needs more time to prove himself, probably one, one-and-a-half years," he added. The Saudi Arabia team has in its ranks some footballers, who played the World Cup. But with Bhaichung raring to go and the rest of the Indian team overcoming minor injuries fast, perhaps Saudi Arabia should not expect a walkover on August 16.Topics mentioned in this article
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