Nirmal Chettri

{{short description|Indian footballer (born 1990)|bot=PearBOT 5}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Nirmal Chettri

| image = Nirmal Chettri.jpg

| caption = Chettri with East Bengal in 2011

| fullname = Nirmal Chettri

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1990|10|21}}

| birth_place = Melli, Sikkim, India

| height = {{convert|1.77|m|abbr=on}}

| currentclub = Southern Samity

| clubnumber = 3

| position = Defender

| youthyears1 = 2000–2005

| youthclubs1 = Namchi Sports Hostel

| youthyears2 = 2005–2006

| youthclubs2 = Sports Academy of Sikkim

| youthyears3 = 2006

| youthclubs3 = Sikkim

| years1 = 2006–2008

| clubs1 = Air India

| caps1 =

| goals1 =

| years2 = 2008–2012

| clubs2 = East Bengal

| caps2 = 125

| goals2 = 8

| years3 = 2012–2013

| clubs3 = Mohun Bagan

| caps3 = 33

| goals3 = 3

| years4 = 2013–2014

| clubs4 = → Mohammedan (loan)

| caps4 = 12

| goals4 = 2

| years5 = 2014–2015

| clubs5 = Kerala Blasters

| caps5 = 12

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2014–2015

| clubs6 = → Dempo (loan)

| caps6 = 16

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2016-2018

| clubs7 = NorthEast United

| caps7 = 25

| goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2017

| clubs8 = → DSK Shivajians (loan)

| caps8 = 13

| goals8 = 0

| clubs9 = FC Goa

| years9 = 2018–2019

| caps9 = 1

| goals9 = 0

|clubs10 = RG Punjab

| years10 = 2019–2020

| caps10 = 7

| goals10 = 0

| clubs11 = Southern Samity

| years11 = 2022–

| nationalyears1 = 2005

| nationalteam1 = India U17

| nationalcaps1 =

| nationalgoals1 =

| nationalyears2 = 2009–2013

| nationalteam2 = India U23

| nationalcaps2 = 9

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2011–2014

| nationalteam3 = India

| nationalcaps3 = 19

| nationalgoals3 = 0

}}

Nirmal Chettri (born 21 October 1990 in Melli, Sikkim) is an Indian footballer who plays mainly as a defender and last played for Southern Samity in the Calcutta Football League.

Club career

=Early career=

Chettri began his footballing career in 2000 with Namchi Sports Hostel after being discovered in the Sikkim governments Search for More Bhaichung's campaign (In reference to then India striker and Sikkimese-born Baichung Bhutia).{{cite web|title=Sikkim footballer Nirmal Chettri makes international debut|url=http://isikkim.com/2011-12-sikkim-footballer-nirmal-chettri-makes-international-debut-08-01/|work=iSikkim|access-date=8 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317192822/http://isikkim.com/2011-12-sikkim-footballer-nirmal-chettri-makes-international-debut-08-01/|archive-date=17 March 2012|url-status=dead}} In 2002 Chettri played for Namchi in the Subroto Cup where he led the team to the final, only to lose to Mizoram 1–2. He then represented Namchi in the Interreligious Peace Sports Festival in South Korea in 2004. In that same year he represented Namchi in the Chief Minister Gold Cup. Within those three years Chettri won 3 National Talent Scholarships from the AIFF. In 2005 Chettri joined Sports Academy of Sikkim and competed in the Mini SAARC. Chettri also played for Sikkim in the 2006–07 Santosh Trophy. After good performances with Sikkim Chettri was scouted and signed for Air India FC of the I-League in 2007. He stayed at Air India till 2008.

=East Bengal=

In 2008 Chettri signed for East Bengal F.C. of the I-League. He made his Asian debut in the AFC Cup in 2010 against Al-Ittihad Aleppo of Syria on 10 March.{{cite web|title=AFC CUP 2010 MATCH SUMMARY|url=http://www.the-afc.com/en/component/joomleague/?view=report&compID=385&matchId=2808|work=Asian Football Confederation|access-date=8 August 2012}} During a friendly match against FC Bayern Munich under 23s at Barasat, their manager Gerd Müller praised Chettri saying that "East Bengal's number three (Nirmal Chettri) was brilliant".{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1470/east-bengal/2009/03/05/1139370/feature-the-rock-that-is-nirmal-chettri|title=Feature: The Rock That Is Nirmal Chettri|publisher=Goal.com|date=5 March 2009|access-date=5 August 2009|author=Subhankar Mondal}} Chettri replied to this by saying, "I am delighted with his (Gerd Muller) compliment as he was such a great player. It is always good to get such praise from great players but I will not get carried away and will work hard as I have a long way to go."{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/105/main/2009/01/19/1068442/chettri-delighted-with-muller-praise|title=Chettri Delighted With Muller Praise|publisher=Goal.com|date=19 January 2009|access-date=5 August 2009|author=Amoy Ghoshal}} He has established himself as a regular in East Bengal's first team sense.

=Mohun Bagan=

On 19 May 2012 Chettri signed with arch-rivals Mohun Bagan of the I-League.{{cite web|last=Noronha|first=Anselm|title=East Bengal defender Nirmal Chettri set to sign for Mohun Bagan next month|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/05/19/3112065/east-bengal-defender-nirmal-chettri-set-to-sign-for-mohun|work=goal.com|access-date=8 August 2012}} He made a dream debut in the green & maroon jersey scoring McDowell Mohun Bagan's opening goal in their 6–0 thrashing of West Bengal Police in the Calcutta Premier Division.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mohunbaganac.com/players/nirmal-chettri |title=Nirmal Chettri - McDowell Mohun Bagan Athletic Club |access-date=13 May 2013 |archive-date=14 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614013927/http://www.mohunbaganac.com/players/nirmal-chettri |url-status=dead }}

Chettri made his professional debut for Mohun Bagan on 20 September 2012 against Churchill Brothers during the club's opening match in the 2012 Indian Federation Cup where the club drew the match 0–0.{{cite web|last=Vaz|first=John|title=Mohun Bagan 0–0 Churchill Brothers: The Goans held to an entertaining draw by the Mariners|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/91302/churchill-brothers-sc-vs-mohun-bagan/report|work=Goal.com|access-date=27 November 2012}}

On 12 May 2013 in the last match of the 2012-13 I-League, he was assisted by Denson Devadas on the 5th minute to score the 1st goal in the 3–0 victory over United Sikkim F.C. at the Paljor Stadium.{{cite web |url=http://www.mohunbaganac.com/match-preview-review?match_id=82&tab=2 |title=McDowell Mohun Bagan - Review - Mariners end I league with a convincing win |website=www.mohunbaganac.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819082934/http://www.mohunbaganac.com/match-preview-review?match_id=82&tab=2 |archive-date=2014-08-19}}

=Mohammedan=

On 26 November 2013 it was announced that Nirmal has signed for Mohammedan on loan from IMG RELIANCE.{{cite web|title=Mohammedan Sporting loan Nirmal Chettri from IMG-Reliance|url=http://www.sportskeeda.com/2013/11/26/i-league-mohammedan-sporting-loan-nirmal-chettri-from-img-reliance/|work=Sportskeeda|access-date=26 November 2013}}

=Kerala Blasters=

Kerala blasters have picked Nirmal for the upcoming ISL football league.{{cite web| url = http://www.goal.com/en-india/live-update/1994/isl-domestic-player-draft-live| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140723135712/http://www.goal.com/en-india/live-update/1994/isl-domestic-player-draft-live| archive-date = 2014-07-23| title = ISL Domestic Player Draft - LIVE! - Goal.com}}

=Dempo (loan)=

After the 2014 season, Chettri signed with Dempo in the I-League on loan for the whole season.{{cite news|title=Nirmal joins Dempo|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Goa/Nirmal-joins-Dempo/articleshow/45745810.cms|website=Times of India|date=4 January 2015 |access-date=4 January 2015}}

= FC Goa =

Ahead of the 2018–19 season, Chettri was signed by FC Goa.{{cite news |title=FC Goa announce signing of Nirmal Chhetri |url=https://www.sportstarlive.com/football/fc-goa-announce-signing-of-nirmal-chhetri/article24398904.ece |access-date=13 July 2018 |work=Sportstarlive |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |date=12 July 2018 |language=en}}

International career

File:Nirmal Chettri2.JPG

=Youth=

Chettri has earned caps for the India youth team at U17 and U23 level. Chettri also trained with the Under-14 team in Jharkhand in 2003 and 2004. Chettri represented the U17 team during the team's exposure trip to Portugal in 2005. Chettri was then selected for the India U23 team that was selected to take part in the 2009 SAFF Championship which the India senior team choose not to play in SAFF Cup due to practice arrangements for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. He came on in the 115th minute in the final against Maldives on 13 December 2009 in which India U23 won on penalties 3–1.http://www.kolkatafootball.com/saff_cup_football_2009.html SAFF Cup 2009 Nirmal missed his penalty and Maldives missed their penalties 3 times.

Chettri played for India U23 as well during the 2012 Olympic Qualifiers. He played in India U23's first match of qualification against Myanmar U23 on 23 February 2011. India U23 won 2–1.{{cite web|last=Deb|first=Debapriya|title=Pre-Olympic Qualifier: India v Myanmar – LIVE Commentary Updates|url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/pre-olympic-qualifier-india-v-myanmar-live-commentary-updates/|work=The Hard Tackle|date=23 February 2011|access-date=8 August 2012}}

=Senior=

Chettri made his senior international debut for India during the 2011 SAFF Championship against Bhutan on 5 December 2011, India won the match 5–0.{{cite web|last=Bali|first=Rahul|title=Bhutan 0–5 India: Clifford Miranda And Sunil Chhetri Star As Bhutan Make An Early Exit|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/71288/bhutan-vs-india/report|work=goal.com|access-date=8 August 2012}} Chettri then proceeded to play in India's next 4 games in the tournament which ended with the Final against Afghanistan on 11 December 2011 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.{{cite web|last=Strack-Zimmermann|first=Benjamin|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/45891/Nirmal_Chettri.html|title=NFT player — National team & Club appearances: Chettri, Nirmal|publisher=National Football Teams|access-date=18 January 2022|archive-date=14 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414191238/https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/45891/Nirmal_Chettri.html|website=national-football-teams.com}} The game ended 4–0 in India's favour, thus giving Chettri his first major honour with the senior national team.{{cite web|last=Bali|first=Rahul|title=India 4–0 Afghanistan: The Men In Blue Successfully Defend Their SAFF Championship Title|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/71650/india-vs-afghanistan/report|work=goal.com|access-date=8 August 2012}} Chettri was then selected in the India squad for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup. During the tournament Chettri only played in one match and that was the last match against North Korea on 13 March 2012. India lost the match 0–4 but that did not matter as India was knock-out at the Group stage before the match.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/component/joomleague/?view=report&compID=408&matchId=4373|title=the-afc.com|website=www.the-afc.com}} Nirmal has been a regular under new India coach Wim Koevermans also and played an important role in India's Nehru Cup 2012 triumph.

= International =

:Statistics accurate as of 9 April 2015

National team		Apps
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="4"\| India \|2011	4	0
2012	4	0
2013	7	0
\|Total	15	0

Honours

East Bengal

Federation Cup (India): 2009, 2010;{{cite web|title=The resurrection of East Bengal|url=https://www.sportstarlive.com/tss3303/stories/20100121502802600.htm|website=sportstarlive.com|publisher=Sportstar|access-date=14 July 2018|date=21 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211012546/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/magazine/the-resurrection-of-east-bengal/article29707283.ece|archive-date=11 December 2021}} runner-up: 2011

Calcutta Premier Division: 2010, 2011

Indian Super Cup: 2011

Mohammedan Sporting

IFA Shield: 2014

Kerala Blasters

Indian Super League runner-up: 2014

FC Goa

Indian Super League runner-up: 2018–19
Indian Super Cup: 2019

India

SAFF Championship: 2011; runner-up: 2013
Nehru Cup: 2012

India U23

SAFF Championship: 2009

Personal life

Chhetri is of Nepali origin.{{cite web|title=Nepal Origin Indian International Nirmal Chhetri expresses Deep Shick Over The Loss of Two Nepal u-14 Players|url=http://www.goalnepal.com/news.php?id=8582|publisher=GoalNepal.com|date=13 August 2012|access-date=14 September 2013|archive-date=12 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222232/http://www.goalnepal.com/news.php?id=8582|url-status=dead}}