If you have not been living under a rock, you have heard Indian football team's skipper Sunil Chhetri's heartfelt plea to all the fans of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Cristiano Ronaldo-- "abuse us, criticise us but please come to watch the Indian national team play." The skipper, who scored his third international hat-trick in-front of a near-empty Mumbai Football Arena (MFA) stand, asked fans to come to the stadium, even if they wanted to criticise the Indian football team. His appeal did not go in vain. As the word spread, YouTubers, social media influencers urged everyone to show their support to the national team. Chhetri's appeal was backed by India's cricket heroes Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar who took to social media and prompted fans to shell out for tickets. This is nothing but a small plea from me to you. Take out a little time and give me a listen. pic.twitter.com/fcOA3qPH8i — Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) June 2, 2018 History was being scripted on 4th June. Here are all the amazing things that took place at the Mumbai stadium hosting India and Kenya teams. #1 Tickets sold out In what may be a rare instance for the Indian football team, the Intercontinental Cup match between India and Kenya at the Mumbai Football arena officially sold out. #2 Heavy downpour couldn't play a spoilsport Football fans were unfazed by the heavy rains that lashed the Mumbai Football Arena in Andheri. The outpouring of emotion over the last two days was followed by a heavy downpour, which threatened to play spoilsport. Puddles of water had formed in the field of play and what followed was a scrappy first half. This, however, didn't stop the crowd from cheering for the men in blue. People found the humourous side to it. The heavy rain in Mumbai seems to be troubling the Kenyan team. The Indian team is not bothered by the rains. Coz, they have Chhetri ?? #INDvKEN — Shridhar V (@iimcomic) June 4, 2018 #3 Mumbai stadium was no less than a rock concert India took on Kenya in front of a crowd that was so charged up, they could very well provide electricity during summer's power cuts. Nearly 9000 people showed up, a turnaround from the mere 2,569 who turned out to watch India thrash Taiwan 5-0 last week. It's hard to describe in words, so here's the video: #4 Sunil Chhetri scripted a fairy tale Chhetri was in no mood to disappoint the thousands who answered the Indian captain's emotional plea and turned up at the stadium. The skipper scored two goals in his 100th international appearance. Chhetri led the attack by converting a penalty in the 68th minute and sealed Kenya's fate in the dying minutes by netting the ball with a beautiful chip shot to the Kenyan goalkeeper's surprise. #5 Social media cheered all the way Gone are the days when Indian football lovers only rooted for the Europian clubs. Netizens were busy live tweeting the match with full enthusiasm. No this is not cricket this is football 😍 mera desh badal raha h.#INDvKEN #IndianFootball #Chhetri100 pic.twitter.com/4KnPdLBJ92 — Mask ishan (@Mr_LoLwa) June 4, 2018 A special victory indeed. Well done, #TeamIndia! Super achievement @chetrisunil11 on your 100th appearance and the 2 goals :-) #INDvKEN pic.twitter.com/bGn1mUPPdr — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 4, 2018 What a spectacular victory and such a heartwarming sight watching the packed house chanting INDIA... INDIA... #INDvKEN pic.twitter.com/MvRxp3hJqY — All India Bakchod (@AllIndiaBakchod) June 4, 2018 Congratulations India on beating Kenya 3-0 in #IntercontinentalCup2018; Skipper @chetrisunil11 was brilliant leading from the front, scoring twice in his 100th match. Fantastic performance #INDvsKEN pic.twitter.com/T4IEosHDcH — VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 4, 2018 What a fantastic victory. Congratulations @chetrisunil11 on your 100th international match and for making it extra special with the two goals and a fantastic victory in front of a packed stadium. Great news for @IndianFootball #INDvKEN pic.twitter.com/f5isKrYxdi — Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 4, 2018 #6 India emerged victorious Adding cherry to the cake, India comfortably beat Kenya by 3-0. Apart from Chhetri's two goals, Jeje Lalpekhlua unleashed a pile driver off a rebound into the top corner from the edge of the box in the 71st minute. This is India's second successive victory in the Intercontinental Cup and they take on New Zealand on 7th June at the same venue. (PTI Photo / Mitesh Bhuvad) #7 Acknowledgement and promise "We promise you that if that’s the kind of support we get every time we play for the country, we will give our lives on the pitch. India, this night was special because we were in this together. Those in the stands shouting, and the ones at home cheering - thank you!" wrote Chhetri on his Twitter page. We promise you that if that’s the kind of support we get every time we play for the country, we will give our lives on the pitch. India, this night was special because we were in this together. Those in the stands shouting, and the ones at home cheering - thank you! — Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) June 4, 2018 With folded hands, Chhetri thanked the crowd for showing up in such huge numbers and believing in the team. After the game, the Blue Tigers walked up to the fans and acknowledged their presence, with Chhetri taking his players for a lap of honour as his proud family savoured the moment from the stands. You can watch the match highlights here to get inspired and support the team in their next outing.<doc-sep>"Sometimes you guys think the level is not the same so why waste your time?" said Chhetri. "I agree the level is not the same, not even close, but with our desire and determination, we will try our best to make your time worth it."<doc-sep>Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri's plea ensured the venue for Monday’s contest, Mumbai Football Arena, has been sold out hours before the start of India's second group fixture in the Intercontinental Cup against Kenya. After scoring a hat-trick in a near-empty Mumbai Football Arena in the opening game of the Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai, Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri made a heartfelt plea for football fans to throng the ground and support them in their remaining matches of the tournament. Set to become the first Indian player to play 100 games at senior level, Chhetri's plea not only struck a chord with the people across the nation, but more importantly, it has transpired into action. The venue for Monday’s contest, Mumbai Football Arena, has been sold out hours before the start of India's second group fixture in the Intercontinental Cup against Kenya. Official Ticketing partner BookMyShow's chief operating officer-Non Movies, Albert Almeida, said, “Sunil Chhetri’s heartfelt appeal, amplified by the media and national icons including Virat Kohli, made a miraculous difference to the response to the ticket sales for today’s match between India and Kenya. Such a massive response to a football game in India, which incidentally also marks Chhetri’s 100th international, is completely unprecedented and will be a huge step forward for Indian football.” According to reports, for the first match on 1 June, only 2569 spectators turned up at the venue that can hold over 8,000-10,000 spectators. From celebrated personalities to large fan groups, Chhetri’s impassioned plea saw support pouring from various sources who did their bit in spreading the word. Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and legend Sachin Tendulkar recorded their message backing the Blue Tigers’ skipper. Football fan groups like Blue Pilgrims, who made up most of the 2000-odd spectators in the stadium in the previous game, and predominantly cricket fan groups like North-Stand Gang and Bharat Army have vowed their attendance. Indian football legend, Bhaichung Bhutia, the first and the only Indian player to play 100 international matches will be there in attendance as well. Member of North-Stand Gang, Vipul Yadav said, “Few of my friends have not been to football stadiums in India. But having attended many matches in the stadium, we do understand the plight of athletes who don't receive support. We do plan to go for all future matches held in Mumbai." Popular Mumbai-based YouTuber, Nikunj Lotia, (Be YouNick) booked an entire stand and asked fanatics to come in.<doc-sep>
In what seems like a miracle, considering the football scene in India, tickets to the match between India and Kenya have officially been sold out. Yes, you read that right. Sunil Chhetri, one of the greatest footballers that India has produced, recently made a heartfelt plea to all the fans of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Cristiano Ronaldo-- "abuse us, criticise us but please come to watch the Indian national team play." The skipper who scored his third international hat-trick in-front of a near-empty Mumbai Football Arena (MFA) stand asked fans to come to the stadium, even if they want to criticise the Indian football team. "To all of you, who have lost hope or don't have any hope in Indian football, we request you to come and watch us in the stadium," the skipper said. This is nothing but a small plea from me to you. Take out a little time and give me a listen. pic.twitter.com/fcOA3qPH8i — Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) June 2, 2018 Chhetri also had a request for all the arm-chair critics of Indian football -- please abuse but make the 'Blue Tigers' feel relevant. "I mean it's not fun to criticise and abuse on internet. Come to the stadium, do it on our face, scream at us, shout at us, abuse us, who knows one day we might change you guys, you might start cheering for us. You guys have no idea how important you guys are and how important your support is," the skipper appealed. Following Chhetri's video, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli took to social media and asked everyone to show support. In his video message, Kohli said, “In support of what my good friend and Indian captain Sunil Chhetri posted sometime back, I want to request everyone to go and watch Indian football play. Anyone who loves any kind of sport, go and cheer for the team in the stadiums because they are working hard, they are a talented team and I have seen these players evolve and learn over the last few seasons and get so much better at their game.” Please take notice of my good friend and Indian football skipper @chetrisunil11's post and please make an effort. pic.twitter.com/DpvW6yDq1n — Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) June 2, 2018 As the word spread, Indian Internet came to the rescue. Famous YouTubers such as Nikunj Lotia (@BeYouNick) and Prajakta Koli (@mostlysane) came out in support of Chhetri and asked their fans to support the national football team. In fact, @BeYouNick bought an entire stand and asked football lovers to attend the match free of cost. What happened next will bring a smile to your face. The Intercontinental cup match between India and Kenya at the Mumbai Football arena on 4th June has officially sold out. An error message that Chhetri wouldn't mind seeing over and over again. Incidentally, this will also be Chhetri's 100th International match. And, now, everyone wants a ticket. Legend 💫 can I have tickets pls 😀🙌🏽 https://t.co/OysLcazVVc — Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) June 3, 2018 In case, you couldn't get your hands on tickets, fret not, India takes on New Zealand on 7th June at the same venue and tickets are available here.