The Indian national football team are all set to feature in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers within a week’s time as they start the campaign on 8th June. Before the final round of qualifiers head coach Igor stimac sounded very optimistic as he touched on several topics starting from playing in Kolkata and evaluating the teams that they will face and discussing the preparations of his boys.
Stimac shared how playing in Kolkata adds as an extra motivation for the Indian players as it is a football city where the sport is very popular. He therefore calls all the supporters to come to the stadium and support the Blue Tigers.
“Kolkata is a football city. One can feel football, live football, breathe football. you get that extra push that is needed to get the players over the limit. I would like to call all the supporters to come back to the stadium and support us. I felt real passion when I last saw them in Kolkata, and it would be great to play with their support behind our back,” Igor Stimac shared in an interview.
Speaking about the teams that they face in the Asian Cup qualifiers, Stimac highlighted how Afghanistan are a team that will pose the maximum threat against hius Blue Tigers. He also points out how the Afghans are playing football in different leagues in the world where the footballing structure is much better.
“Afghanistan are the one that comes first to mind,” Stimac replied regarding the toughest team to face in the qualifiers. ”More so because physically, they are much stronger. They have so many players from foreign leagues that have well-organized football throughout the year. While these players are playing in quality leagues abroad, we are trying to build that same here, which will take time. That’s why I consider them as one of the major opponents.”
Lastly the Croatian tactician shared how India will be approaching the matches with utmost positivity and conviction. He shares how the mindset of defending for 90 minutes won’t help the team win matches. “ We are going in with a positive mindset. To be successful you need a positive mindset, a good character, and a little bit of luck. If you go into a game with the intent to defend for 90 minutes, you will not succeed. You need to go into the game with the intention of hurting your opponents, or you will go down – be it in the first five minutes, or in added time,” Stimac concluded.
India will face countries like Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Cambodia in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. All three matches will be held in Kolkata at the Salt Lake stadium.
