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Stimac names Indian squad for Friendlies against Nepal

By Sanjay Jadhav 27 August 2021

New Delhi: A day after Indian Men’s Senior National Team beat Hero I-League team Mohammedan Sporting 2-0 in an exhibition match at the VYBK on Sunday (August 26) evening, Head Coach Igor Stimac maintained that “we need to be careful as we head to the next two matches.”

He also named the list of 25 players who will be travelling to Nepal to play the back-to-back International Friendlies on September 2 and 5, respectively.

“We can’t expect much after 10 days of preparation. The legs are still heavy from the load, and we need to slow down, and refresh the players,” Stimac told www.the-aiff.com.

“I am happy with the manner our players performed. They should have scored a few goals much earlier. But it was not easy under the heavy downpour, and a heavy pitch,” Stimac explained. It rained all throughout the match, and the downpour was heavy from midway in the second half.

“The conditions were challenging,” Stimac added. “The boys are all ready for 45 minutes, and we need to be careful going into the next two games against Nepal. We understand that the ATK Mohun Bagan and BFC players will be in better shape than others for two matches against Nepal.”

While the ATK Mohun Bagan players join the camp in Kolkata today, the BFC players will join the rest of the squad in New Delhi on 29th evening. The Blue Tigers leave for Nepal the next day, i.e., August 30.

The National Team probables have been training in Kolkata since August 15. That had marked the return of the National Team camp in Kolkata after 15 years with the Blue Tigers last having camped in Kolkata way back in 2006 prior to the FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Saudi Arabia.

25-man India Squad:

Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

Defenders: Pritam Kotal, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Mandar Rao Dessai, Akash Mishra, Rahul Bheke, Subhasish Bose, Seriton Fernandes.

Midfielders: Lalengmawia, Bipin Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco, Yasir Mohammad, Glan Martins, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Jeakson Singh, Pronay Halder.

Forwards: Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Sunil Chhetri, Farukh Choudhary.

(AIFF Media)

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Conditions were heavy and we need to slow down to refresh the players: Igor Stimac

By Sanjay Jadhav 27 August 2021

New Delhi: A day after Indian Men’s Senior National Team beat Hero I-League team Mohammedan Sporting in an exhibition match in the VYBK on Sunday (August 26) evening, Head Coach Igor Stimac maintained that “we need to be careful as we head to the next two matches.”

“We can’t expect much after 10 days of preparation. The legs are still heavy from the load, and we need to slow down, and refresh the players,” Stimac told www.the-aiff.com.

The Indian squad rode on a goal each from Farukh Choudhury and Ishan Pandita to win 2-0.

“I am happy with the manner our players performed. They should have scored a few goals much earlier. But it was not easy under the heavy downpour, and a heavy pitch,” Stimac explained.

It rained all throughout the match, and the downpour was heavy from midway in the second half.

“The conditions were challenging. The boys are all ready for 45 minutes, and we need to be careful going into the next two games against Nepal. We understand that the ATK Mohun Bagan and BFC players will be in better shape than others for two matches against Nepal.”

While the ATK Mohun Bagan players join the camp in Kolkata today, the BFC players will join the rest of the squad in New Delhi on 29th evening.

The Blue Tigers leave for Nepal the next day, i.e., August 30. The first International Friendly is slated for April 2, while the second one is on April 5.

A contingent of 23 players have been camping in Kolkata from August 15 onwards. The Blue Tigers had earlier played another exhibition match against a combined IFA XI which they had won by a solitary goal scored by Akash Mishra.

(AIFF Media)

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Men's National Team

Blue Tigers to kick-off camp in Kolkata from August 15

By Sanjay Jadhav 9 August 2021

New Delhi: Keeping an eye on their preparation for the forthcoming International Friendlies in September 2021, the Indian National Team will be camping in Kolkata from August 15, 2021, onwards. All players and staff will be assembling by the day with training sessions starting from the next day (August 16, 2021).

This marks the return of the National Team camp in Kolkata after 15 years, with the Blue Tigers last having camped in Kolkata way back in 2006 prior to the FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Saudi Arabia. The camp will be conducted under a secured bio-bubble adhering to the laid-down health parameters in wake of the current pandemic situation. The contingent will also be undergoing regular testing.

National team Head Coach Igor Stimac has named his initial list of 23 probables, leaving out players from ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC owing to the two club’s commitments in the AFC Cup in the Maldives. Players from both clubs will be joining the squad immediately after finishing their club commitments in the continental tournament.

Head Coach Igor Stimac averred: “I am very happy to meet with my players again and get ready for the upcoming challenges forward together.”

“We wish both the Indian clubs good luck and hope they do well in the AFC Cup. Meanwhile, we need to check on the rest of the players who will kick-off the camp with us next week, and choose the best ones until the rest of the players join us,” Stimac, who coached Croatia to qualification for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014, added.

The 23 players joining the camp on August 15 are as follows:

GOALKEEPERS: Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, Vishal Kaith.

DEFENDERS: Asish Rai, Seriton Fernandes, Rahul Bheke, Adil Khan, Chinglensana Singh, Narender, Akash Mishra, Mandar Rao Dessai.

MIDFIELDERS: Bipin Singh, Brandon Fernandes, Lalengmawia, Glan Martins, Jeakson Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Yasir Mohammed, Halicharan Narzary.

FORWARDS: Rahul KP, Farukh Choudhary, Ishan Pandita, Rahim Ali.

The ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC players who will be joining the camp after their AFC Cup duties are as follows:

GOALKEEPERS: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

DEFENDERS: Pritam Kotal, Ashutosh Mehta, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose.

MIDFIELDERS: Udanta Singh, Pronay Halder, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Ashqiue Kuruniyan

FORWARDS: Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Sunil Chhetri.

(AIFF Media)

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During off-season, midfielder Len Doungel delighted to assist in family’s paddy field

By Sanjay Jadhav 26 July 2021

New Delhi: Far away from the big cities and the fancy hotels that top footballers in India are now used to, Blue Tigers winger Len Doungel has been toiling away in a field that is much different to the one that he is used to.

In his native M. Bunglung village, the 27-year-old joins the rest of his family out in farming on their paddy fields.

“This is the farming season – June, July and August – on our paddy fields in Manipur. My dad has always been a farmer, and I remember he used to cultivate the fields from when I was a little kid,” Len said to the-aiff.com.

While Len spends most of the year with his team during the season, the onset of the off-season means more family and farm time for the footballer.

“When I come back to my village, it’s all about helping my parents with different things. There are no five-star hotels here. We all stay together in our house and help each other in everything, and that also means helping out on the paddy fields,” said Len. “Just because I am a professional footballer in the Hero ISL, doesn’t mean that I can’t get my hands into the mud.”

He averred, “There is a lot of knowledge that is required for farming, and that is something that I have learnt since I was a child. This is not knowledge that we should throw away. There’s an entire process for planting paddy – how to get the water supply from the rivers, the need to cut off the grass at the correct moment. If your land has grass, it won’t let the paddy plants grow. There is a whole set of complicated processes that are involved, and I love helping out my family with it whenever I can.”

Being the eldest child out of nine siblings, Len had found himself lending a hand to his father from the age of seven. “Back then we used to till the land with the help of an ox. Nowadays, there are other ways of doing that,” he informed.

Recalling the struggle in his younger days, Len remembered that his younger version used to somehow find the time to squeeze in lessons at school, a bit of farming, and even have time to train with the football at his feet.

“It was difficult for us during those days. We never really thought that we could reach this level of football. I used to help my father out on the field early in the morning, then go to school during the day, and then whatever free time we had, we used to play football,” he smiled. “We couldn’t afford a normal football, so I used to have a little plastic ball and used to carry it around everywhere I went.”

Having started out on his professional career 10 years back, Len has come through the Indian Arrows setup, a developmental side started by the AIFF that aims to promote young talented Indian footballers through the Hero I-League.

Since then, the winger has played for a number of top clubs across the country and has also played International Football, scoring his maiden goal in the India colours against Afghanistan in Dushanbe, in 2019.

His journey in the beautiful game has also allowed him to help his family out in terms of financial matters. “We could not afford school fees or books when I was young. But, I am happy that since I have started earning through football, things have gotten better. I have managed to get a new house for my parents and my siblings. I am the eldest and have to take the responsibility,” stated Len, who is now supporting his siblings, some of whom are pursuing their careers as footballers in different academies, while others are studying.

“Football keeps us all going.”

(AIFF Media)

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I try to learn from calm minds like Sunil Chhetri, Roy Krishna: Manvir Singh

By Sanjay Jadhav 10 June 2021

Doha: Striker Manvir Singh who headed to the National team after a successful domestic season maintains that nothing is constant as a striker. In a candid interview, Manvir opens up about learning from Sunil Chhetri and Roy Krishna, his maturity, the forthcoming match against Afghanistan and talks at length about him playing as a striker and also as a winger. EXCERPTS:

How much have you matured as a striker in recent years?

A striker is all about the confidence and that only comes though the game time he gets. The more you get to play, the more mature you become. It’s all about your intuition, the movements inside the box, sniffing it, and eventually the finishing. I reiterate, you can only get all of that when you get to play. Otherwise, your talent and determination will always be on the bench.

What is the biggest takeaway for a striker?

I have learnt that nothing is constant. There will be days when you will score and there will be misses too. A striker needs to move on and stay focused.

Can you elaborate?

My job becomes easier when I play alongside top strikers. I just watch Sunil-bhai and try to imitate his calm in front of the goal. At the end of the day, that ice-cool head makes all the difference. That’s education for me. In a match a striker won’t get a million chances.

There will be days when you will get just one chance, or maybe a half chance. If you are able to make it count, you have done your job. I also need to mention that I look up to Roy Krishna’s calm in front of the goal. They are my heroes.

How would you describe yourself as a player – a winger, or as a striker?

At the outset, I was an out and out striker. But a player needs to be flexible. Modern-day football is not just about sticking to one position and role. I have been playing on the wings – both on the right wing and left wing in recent times. I feel that has helped me understand the dynamics of a team’s attacking philosophy. It is a plus point for any player.

Sunil has been there for so long. How do you describe his longevity?

My dad Kuldip Singh who played for PSEB as a striker and scored quite a few goals in the Federation Cup, Durand Cup and the IFA Shield besides a host of other tournaments always mentions to me to learn from Sunil-bhai the art of his longevity. In fact, he had played against him, and always tells me: “When you are seeing him from close, learn as much as you can. Sunil’s speciality is that he has been there for so long. And that is extremely hard work.”

Being around him I have already taken my baby steps. The rest is for me to sustain, and improve.

What can we expect from the next match against Afghanistan?

We need to sustain the momentum gathered in the match against Bangladesh and even in the 0-1 loss against Qatar. But everyone is aware that all of that is past. The match on 15th is a fresh canvas. We need to paint it the right manner. The coach has been constantly working with us. We need to pay him back.

(AIFF Media)

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International Friendlies

We need to fight like a swarm of bees, says Sunil Chhetri

By Sanjay Jadhav 9 June 2021

Doha: National Team striker Sunil Chhetri has hailed the energy and tenacity displayed by the players in the game, comparing it to a swarm of “bees.”

A couple of days after Sunil scored a brace against Bangladesh to help India win 2-0, Sunil averred: “I tell the boys and myself to just turn up and give everything on the pitch, and then you will take whatever result comes. You saw Glan (Martins) and Suresh (Singh Wangjam) in the last game, that’s the kind of energy you want in games. They did make mistakes but their energy, fighting spirit, talking and listening — that’s all you need.”

“You might not get as many moments of individual brilliance and technical play like through-balls but if we can fight like how bees fight by coming together — that’s the foundation. The opponent should think that we will be annoying and fighting and defending as a team, and that is the first step. Slowly, other things will come from there,” Chhetri quipped.

‘BOYS ARE HUNGRY AND VERY FIT’

The talismanic forward, who has now taken his international tally of goals to 74 in 117 matches, spoke about how the players are “comfortable” with the style of football that head coach Igor Stimac wants them to play and praised the fitness levels in the team.

“The players are comfortable with the style the head coach wants us to play. It is a very simplified one and we need continuous training and matches to keep building on it,” he stated.

“We want to see more passing, as it would mean running less and more 1v1 situations. The players want that too and are capable of it, but it needs time. A lot of players are comfortable with the ball and it will definitely come soon.”

“Our next step from here is to be braver with the ball. We understand defending, communicating and taking care of ourselves. Everyone in the team is physically really fit and we are a very young side with many new boys. The head coach encourages us to keep the ball and the way forward is to keep the ball more and look to increase the number of passes and organized attacks.”

‘RELAX, KEEP YOUR HEAD HIGH’

Chhetri added that the team will continue to move forward together in their progression and mentioned that the whole team — players, coaches and technical staff are “in sync” with one another.

“Against Bangladesh, we were hurried at times in the final third and we will surely learn with more matches. For example, Manvir was a bit upset after missing one chance. I told him to relax and keep his head up, and that we all will miss chances.

“The boys are ready now — they are hungry, their GPS numbers are very good and they work very hard. The coaches and technical staff are in sync with the players and the next step is passing more, but it will not happen overnight,” he opined.

‘DEMAND FITNESS FROM ALL THE PLAYERS’

The 36-year-old, who made his Blue Tigers debut in 2005 against Pakistan, also touched upon how he guides the youngsters in the team on how to focus on oneself and the importance of being fit and taking care of one’s body.

“I advise youngsters to think about what you can do and not think about what others are saying. I learnt this early in my life — if you are more focused and thinking about yourself, you won’t get time to worry about what others are saying and thinking,” he maintained.

“I stress on fitness because it does not require brains. Doing the right exercises, avoiding the wrong kind of food, taking good sleep, drinking enough water — all these are easy and that is why I demand high fitness. I tell them that you have been chosen from 1.4 billion people, so it should be enough motivation to stay disciplined.”

“Bhaichung-bhai (Bhaichung Bhutia) always told me that you have to try and be a good example, and that is what I try to do. Being punctual, eating well, taking care of my body — the boys can see it and it is not difficult to motivate them. Earlier, I used to feel like a warden at times but now, it’s a natural process in the team,” he smiled.

‘CHANCES GIVEN TO MANY PLAYERS’

In the ongoing FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Qatar 2022, India are currently placed at six points from seven games, having lost out narrowly to Asian champions Qatar 1-0 despite going down early to 10 men, and then defeating neighbours Bangladesh via two unanswered goals.

Chhetri highlighted how head coach Stimac has given chances to a number of players in the last two years and emphasised the importance of being consistent in performances over the qualification campaign.

“It is difficult to transition, play a certain way, face higher-ranked teams and also get results. We want to be in sync with the coach and what he wants from us, and deliver upon it. That’s all we can do. Results haven’t been ideal but we must look at the silver linings.”

“The coach is not afraid of giving chances to players. If he sees someone who is good, he will always give the boy a chance. No player can say that I didn’t get a chance, which is a good thing. Both the coach and players are looking to make a base of the first 14.”

“No coach likes to change his team every time and he is on the lookout for making his first 14. The players also have to help out and once it clicks, it will be more stable.”

“Even if we win the last match against Afghanistan, I don’t think we can call the campaign a success. I look back at the matches against Bangladesh in Kolkata, Oman in Guwahati and Afghanistan away (in Dushanbe), where we did not play well. We have been hot and cold, and that’s what bothers me. We need to continue playing at the same level,” he added.

In their last match of the qualifiers, the Blue Tigers will now go up against Afghanistan on June 15, 2021, at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, with the third-place spot in the group on the line. The match will kick-off at 7.30 PM IST and will be broadcast live on the Star Network, Disney + Hotstar and Jio TV.

(AIFF Media)

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International Friendlies

Sunil trains like is he 25, plays like he is 25, and scores goals like he is 25: Igor Stimac

By Sanjay Jadhav 8 June 2021

Doha: “I do not count the number of goals. 10 years later, we will sit together, have a chat and then count,” smiled Sunil Chhetri immediately after the final whistle against Bangladesh in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Qatar 2022.

Sunil scored two goals in a span of 13 minutes to help India seal a 2-0 victory, India’s first win in a World Cup qualifier away from home since 2001.

The record book states that Chhetri, on 74 goals, is second behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the all-time goal scorer’s list among active players in International Football, as he overtook Lionel Messi who is on 72 goals.

“Many people keep on asking as to when Sunil is going to retire. He works so hard on the pitch, and in every training session, he is by far the best. He is in such good shape and is working with such professionalism. He is working as if he is 25, playing as if he is 25, and scoring goals like he is 25,” Head Coach Igor Stimac stated.

‘Ironman’ Sandesh Jhingan felt that Sunil’s name will still be remembered even after a century. “Some 100 or 200 years down the line, people will still talk about Sunil Chhetri. As long as there is Indian Football, people will remember his name. It’s for everyone to see what he does on the field. Hence, I would rather like to mention that off the field he is the perfect example for all to follow.”

“I will keep on mentioning that there’s one guy floating in between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – and that’s my teammate, my captain Sunil Chhetri,” Gurpreet Singh Sandhu expressed. “It shows his commitment and how consistent he has been scoring goals – one after the other. It’s simply remarkable,” he added.

Chhetri smiled, looked to his side, shook his head, and smiled again. “The match against Bangladesh was a tough match, frustrating at times,” he referred. “We were guilty of missing a lot of chances. We could have done better. It has been a topsy-turvy qualifying campaign. Looking back, we understand that we could have done a lot better. We will talk about it but I am happy that we got three points,” Chhetri said.

One reminds him about his International goals. “You know what. All of this is past. We play Afghanistan, and we have to be at our best. It will be a new day, a new canvas. And it is up to us to paint it the manner we want to,” he argued. The alarm on his watch rings. Sunil gets up, gestures and walks off for the recovery session at the gym. The session is some 10 minutes away but he knows he cannot be late. In fact, and you can bet he will be the first one to step in.

(AIFF Media)

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International Friendlies

‘Bangladesh are a great fighting team that puts in quality work on the pitch’

By Sanjay Jadhav 6 June 2021

Doha: Indian National Team Head Coach Igor Stimac, on the eve of the Blue Tigers’ match against Bangladesh, described the opposition as a “team with great fighting spirit”, that puts in “quality work” on the pitch.

Stimac was speaking at the official pre-match press conference for India’s match against Bangladesh in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 preliminary joint round qualification round scheduled to be played at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha tomorrow (Monday, June 7).

“In the football world, I would say they are very annoying team who disturb the opposition with so much defensive work, quality work – with blocks – quite similar to what we did against Qatar,” Stimac averred.

“In football at times, you need to do everything possible to irritate the rival team, to annoy them, to cut their passing. Bangladesh are fighting it for every point in the group, and whatever they do, they do it as a team,” the Head Coach averred.

The kick-off is at IST 7.30 pm (local Doha time 5 pm) and the match will be telecast live on Star Sports Network and Disney + Hotstar.

Defender Sandesh Jhingan stressed that the team aims to carry forward the “character” displayed in the match against Qatar into the match against Bangladesh.

“The match against Qatar was not easy. But we displayed a certain character and arrogance in the 90 minutes against the Asian champions. We aim to do great in our second game. We will give our best with our desire, commitment and try to make everyone proud,” Jhingan maintained.

Stimac added: “The match against Bangladesh is a big game for our fans and the team. We are going to approach the game to win it without meaning any disrespect to our opponents. Our aim has stayed the same since the beginning – to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.”

The last time the two teams met at the YBK in Kolkata back in October 2019, the match ended 1-1.

“We are going to try to show some composure different from that of the Qatar or Oman match. It’s up to us whether we can handle the match better in regards to ball possession, ball movement, speed and accuracy of passing and the eventual execution,” Stimac expressed.

Sandesh, who was conferred with the Arjuna Award last season highlighted that football often comes up with many surprises.

“In football you can get surprised and get bad results any day. The main job is the preparation – both physically and mentally,” he explained. “As players we need to stick to the game plan and show the right desire and commitment which the gaffer wants and expects from us,” he added.

“The matches against Qatar and Bangladesh are so different – from one extreme to another. In the first game we played the best team in Asia who were so superior and have been training every day in comparison to us having just eight days of training prior to the start of the competition. In fact, without the help of the Qatar FA and Qatari government, we wouldn’t have even begun our training,” Stimac opined.

“Bangladesh were also in a similar situation to us as far as preparation is concerned. But they have the advantage of their players being much more competitively fit as their season ended in the second week of May in comparison to most of our players not having any competitive football since February.”

(AIFF Media)

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International Friendlies

Blue Tigers, ‘young’ and focussed, ready to face Asian Champions Qatar

By Sanjay Jadhav 2 June 2021

Doha, Qatar: Calls keep on coming, the phone just doesn’t stop ringing. NRIs based in Doha stay desperate to meet and greet the Blue Tigers. But the bio bubble is in place, playing spoilsport to all aspirations. Nevertheless, requests flow.

A day prior to India’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifiers, also the preliminary qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023, the Blue Tigers, all in an effort to make up for lost time, press hard on the lush green. The last time India played Asian champions Qatar, it ended goalless – one of the most significant results ever achieved in recent times in Indian Football.

“The situation was different then. The situation is different now,” goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who had captained India on that day besides putting in an inspiring performance, quips. “We had headed into Doha after a longish camp. The tempo was exceptionally high despite the defeat against Oman in the previous match. In the past few days in Doha we have picked ourselves up besides getting ready for not just Qatar, but the two other matches which are to follow,” he adds.

The Blue Tigers landed in Doha on May 19 and began their training sessions from May 21. The camp was earlier scheduled to be held in Kolkata from May 2, but owing to the pandemic, it had to be cancelled. The pandemic even robbed India of friendly matches in Dubai.

The day begins early in Doha. At 5.15 am there’s bright sunlight, the decibels of the speeding rubber on the tarmac increase with every minute. The mercury rises to 45 degrees and more during the day. However, the evenings are significantly pleasant – the cool breeze blowing across the Qatari capital comes as a solace.

The team news states that midfielder Rowllin Borges has suffered a hamstring injury, and remains doubtful. The rest fight it hard to get into the final 23. The tournament regulations do allow a new 23 to be registered for every match.

At the official hotel, a horde of volunteers across multiple nationalities enquire as to where Sunil Chhetri is. The bio bubble and social distancing prohibits them from walking up and taking a selfie. They stay content watching him from a distance.

The last time Sunil was here, he was confined to the hotel room, a viral fever prohibited him from even attending a practice session, and even traveling to the stadium on matchday.

This time, he is omnipresent – leading the warm-ups and the gym sessions with great gusto, running up to have talks with Manvir, Gurpreet, Sandesh, and others, besides being engaged with Head Coach Igor Stimac for discussions. Post practice, he even prefers to pose with the juniors for a photo session.

“Qatar are one of the top teams in Asia,” Sunil maintains. “They have had some decent results against top European and South American teams in the recent past. The last time we took a point against them makes us confident as a team. We understand that they will come out all guns blazing at us, and we need to stick together as a team,” he expresses.

For the record, since 2018 Qatar have won 21 of the 35 matches played, with six draws, and eight losses, and sit atop Group E at the moment with 15 points from six games.

The return leg was supposed to be India’s home match. But owing to the pandemic situation, all the remaining matches involving all the five teams in Group E are now being played in Doha at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.

Head Coach Igor Stimac is tireless. He understands the significance of these three matches, and is aware of the commitment of his boys. “I reiterate, they are all good professionals, and I don’t have much of a task in keeping them motivated,” he avers. “The boys have been working hard with full commitment on the training pitch. They know that they are representing their country, and they will do everything possible to defend the India colours.”

At the hotel lobby, members of the Afghanistan team support staff exchange pleasantries, and enquire about the current age of the Indian squad. “It’s such a young squad you have,” they say in unison. “Very young squad, such young boys.”

“We have not played to our potential. It’s time to raise our hand and play the way we want to. Nothing is easy in International football. But you need to do it yourself,” Sandesh Jhingan smiles before boarding the team bus.

The kick-off on June 3 (Thursday) is at IST 10.30 pm, and all of India’s matches will be telecast live in India on the Star Sports Network and be streamed on Disney Hotstar and Jio TV.

(AIFF Media)

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International Friendlies

Important to make up for lost time ahead of World Cup Qualifiers: Igor Stimac

By Sanjay Jadhav 28 May 2021

New Delhi: With a little under a week to go for India’s first match in the World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers against Asian champions Qatar, Indian National Football Team Head Coach Igor Stimac highlighted the importance of making up for lost time on the training ground.

“Our initial plan was to start the camp from mid-April. When that was not possible, we tried to start on May 2 in Kolkata. We also had plans to play a few friendlies. But then the pandemic struck, and everything was cancelled — due to nobody’s fault of course,” said Stimac. “We have been able to arrange a few days of the camp finally in Doha. It’s not ideal, but it is what it is, and we must get on with making up for the lost time.”

The pandemic has brought about the new normal, something that has seeped even into the realm of the ‘Beautiful Game.’ While the SOPs that the teams are required to follow during the new normal may pose certain challenges, the Head Coach issued his personal gratitude to the Qatari Government.

With Asian champions Qatar leading Group E, followed by Oman, securing a top spot may be out of reach, but the Blue Tigers’ Asian dream is very much alive, as they aim to secure a third-placed finish.

“I am very confident that at the end of the journey, we will be in the AFC Asian Cup. Never mind the group position right now, because the actual situation is far from the present,” informed Stimac.

“Qatar is a fully prepared team, Bangladesh finished their season on May 10, and 23 out of the 28 Afghan players are playing in Europe or USA with their season in full swing. Our team’s situation is different, but I can promise you that we will give it everything. The boys will give each atom of energy in their bodies to answer all doubts on the pitch. We will do everything to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup. Only then, will our proper work start.”

“We are aware that Qatar is the future host, and they have great facilities for their teams. Perhaps we may have expected more in terms of that, but we appreciate the efforts by Qatar to organise (these matches). I’d once again like to convey a big thank you to the Qatari Government,” he stated.

Currently standing fourth in Group E of the Qualifiers, behind Asian champions Qatar, Oman and Afghanistan with three points to their name, India are set to play their last three Qualifying matches in Doha, Qatar (due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic) against the hosts Qatar (June 3), Bangladesh (June 7), and Afghanistan (June 15).

While the pandemic has been taking a toll on everyone around the world, Stimac believes that his players are motivated enough as they know the situation that everyone is currently facing.

“Motivating them is not a problem. They are all good professionals and I do not have any problem in keeping them motivated,” said Stimac. They are well aware of the situation and are working hard with full commitment on the training pitch with a few days left for the Qualifiers,” he averred. “They know that they are representing their country, and they will do everything possible to defend the India colours.”

As the times and situations all around have gotten difficult due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Blue Tigers view their glass as half full.

“People are suffering everywhere due to the pandemic, and the boys see this as an opportunity to make everyone in India happy with their performances. We need to take this chance with both hands and bring smiles to all the faces,” Stimac observed.

The Croatian coach further went on to explain that his goal has not changed from the time that he took over as the head coach of the Blue Tigers, back in 2019.

“Never mind the situation – our goals have not changed. We will use the initial two years to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup. If there was a chance, we would have taken a shot at World Cup qualification too. We have had some setbacks in the form of injuries to key players too – Sandesh (Jhingan), (Rowllin) Borges and Brandon (Fernandes). We have suffered a lot, but we are still alive with our goals. I am convinced that we will qualify for the AFC Asian Cup, and then we can convince India about the quality of our game,” he continued.

Unlike the last match against Qatar 18 months back, or the two friendlies against Oman and UAE earlier this year, Stimac has the services of iconic striker Sunil Chhetri at his disposal. “Having Sunil back is great for each one of us. As I speak, we need to be clever with Sunil every day. We have three games coming up in 12 guys, and we need to decide on how to use him. The Afghanistan and Bangladesh games are more important (in terms of India’s position in the group),” he said. “We will have a clearer picture of the condition of the player in a few days.”

Along with captain Chhetri, his teammate from Bengaluru FC Udanta Singh is also back in the team, and the coach intends to use the attacker’s experience in the big games ahead.

“Udanta paid the price in the ISL because he was not in the best of form. There was also a change in position after the change in coach at his club. But he has shown that he is more than a decent forward – he’s got strength, he’s got speed, and he’s got character. He has proved that he can destroy the best fullbacks in Asia, on his day,” said the Blue Tigers boss.

Igor Stimac had handed debuts to more than 10 players in the two International Friendlies earlier this year, paving the way for a number of new faces in the squad for the Qualifiers in Qatar. However, the coach explained that it was more a case of testing out the good performers in the Hero ISL.

“Most of the youngsters are here to get a feel of the atmosphere of international competitive games. It might happen that they may get a chance, but they are here primarily to learn what is required of them on the pitch and off it,” said Stimac.

(AIFF Media)

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