India’s football head coach Igor Stimac was delighted after the team lifted the Hero Intercontinental Cup by beating Lebanon 2-0 in the summit clash at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhuvneshwar, Odisha on Sunday. This is the second time when the Blue Tigers have won the tournament.
After a goalless first half, Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri gave a much-needed boost as he scored just after the break. Subsequently, Chhangte scored 20 minutes later to double the advantage with a simple tap-in.
In fact, in the group stage, India was held to a goalless draw by Lebanon but Stimac’s side was able to get through the opposition in the all-important final.
“We delivered, as I said. I am very happy for the boys, not for myself. It’s just another game. I feel sorry for them for they couldn’t win the previous game against Lebanon. They absolutely deserved it with the numbers we had after the game – runs, sprints, tackles, jumps, passing accuracy, creating chances. Overall, we were a far better side but that’s football,” Stimac stated in the post-match press conference.
“In the final, we worked much harder and pushed more and more until we opened them. As a coach, I’m very happy for my boys and proud of them. All credit must go to them, I’m just helping them to rise up,” he further said.
The Croatian added that the players can improve in the upcoming tournaments. India will next play in the SAFF championship and Stimac feels his players can even get better.
“I know we can do better. As a coach I cannot show satisfaction, where are we going to go that way? We are looking to work, do more and push for more. Lebanon are already behind us (in the current FIFA rankings), they are not a better ranked side. Sorry to say that, but we jumped over them (in the rankings) a few days ago. It’s still a long way to go. When you go out there in the (AFC Asian Cup) and face Australia and Uzbekistan, you really need to be ready for everything and all sorts of quality in football. And we are going to get there, give me time,” Stimac explained.
SAFF will commence on Wednesday and the Blue Tigers will play their opening game against arch-rivals Pakistan. India will also take on Nepal and Kuwait in the tournament.
