We have spoken to the boys and asked them to be calm, reveals Mahesh Gawli

The Blue Tigers will take on Al-Azraq in the final hurdle to the SAFF Championship 2023 trophy.

After a tough semi-final that tested their nerves, India are en route to the final with only Kuwait in their way between India winning their ninth SAFF Championship trophy. Having played out a stalemate and a positive penalty shootout, Mahesh Gawli’s men are equipping themselves for the tough game ahead of them.

Moreover, head coach Igor Stimac’s absence is going to play a crucial part and the interim coach must step up to instruct his team well. Sandesh Jhingan attended the press conference ahead of the game alongside Gawli to tend to the media’s questions.

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On the final and the importance of his presence for the team’s morale 

Sandesh Jhingan was absent from India’s penultimate showdown against Lebanon. The teams showed grit as they battled out a stalemate before the Blue Tigers put the Cedars to the sword in a penalty shootout. The seasoned veteran shared his thoughts on the match he missed, and the upcoming final with the media as he said: 

“Firstly, good morning and of course, I missed being on the pitch against Lebanon and I don’t wanna miss the big games. I think the team did very well. Sitting out there, I felt that the team didn’t miss me much. Gurpreet (Singh Sandhu), Mehtab (Singh), Anwar (Ali) and the whole backline did pretty well.

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If you take the juice out of it, all that matters is how the team fares. Once you’ve trained in a certain system, if you’ve trained well, it’s all about how well-equipped you are to handle different situations. We’ve ensured that over the last few weeks. It’s all about team philosophy and team unity. 

I personally was pretty confident, to be honest, and I was prepared for the final. So yeah, well done to the whole team. We deserved to win and now the whole focus is on Kuwait. It’s gonna be a tough game and we look forward to it. Both of us want to be champions and there will be plenty of aggression on show.

The uncertainty of football is that results can go either way. What is in your hands is to prepare well and just do your job. (You have to) keep improving yourself, and doing what the system and coach want from you. And if we do it and God wants us to win, then it will surely happen.”

On his journey playing at the heart of the the Indian defense and Anwar Ali’s development as a centre-back partner

The towering centre-back is full of experience with 60 caps to his name. He has overseen a shift in the team’s mentality and gameplay. His immediate partner Anwar Ali is touted to be the next star to take up his mantle. Despite his medical problems, Ali has been a revelation as Jhingan revealed. The virtuoso voiced out in support of him and also commended the current crop of players as he said: 

“I think he’s doing well. He’s worked hard. We all know about his condition (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy). It takes a strong mentality to combat such a situation. But credit to his family and his close ones for support. On top of that, he’s doing brilliantly to keep up at this level even at such a young age. He has to stay humble and keep working hard.

It is all about the team. If we two are doing well and forming a partnership, but we don’t have an understanding with the midfielders and the strikers, it will never work out. It is the evolution of the whole team. As I have always said, the sky’s the limit for this batch.”

On long-term goals and the importance of Intercontinental Cup matches before the SAFF Championship  

India played and won the Hero Intercontinental Cup a few days before the SAFF Championship. Mahesh Gawli said that the entire tour took a lot of hard work and perseverance which the team will continue to display. He further mentioned,

“The group stage was not so easy for the boys. They had to be mentally strong because they know they are playing for their country. From the coaching staff and management to the players; everyone worked hard to reach this level. I think we’ll see the results quite soon.”

On fans and their unwavering support

Fans have flocked to the stadiums and been very vocal in their show of support for the Indian national football team. The Blue Tigers visibly enjoyed this renewed vigour as they put in some spirited performances. Centre-back Jhingan sent the expected 25,000 supporters on a weekday, a note of thanks as he chimed in:

“They’ve been brilliant and that too for the whole season, last year here. As a BFC (Bengaluru FC) player, I enjoyed the weekends. Especially in the ISL. Then again while playing for the national team, against Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia, it felt really special with their support from the stands. The day we started off against Pakistan to now, they have been brilliant.

It’s all down to one last push so let’s hope for it together. We all are part of the growth of this boat together. Going forward, wherever we will be we will be together. So we can tell the next few generations that when this thing was happening we played a part in getting this team to whichever heights it may achieve in the future.” 

On winning the SAFF Championship as both player and coach

Mahesh Gawli was part of the squad in 2005 as India beat Bangladesh in a 2-0 win in the SAFF Championship finals. 18 years later, with Igor Stimac absent, he is once again in the same place but in a managerial capacity. In fact, he has the opportunity to be the first person to win the championship as both player and manager. On being asked which feat is more difficult, the interim manager replied,

“I think this one will be more difficult. Kuwait are a very strong side as you all might have seen. They have a good number of technically gifted players and are defensively strong as well. Physicality is also an important asset and a game-changing point, but it will be a totally different game in the finals.

The last match against them was very heated. But we have spoken to the boys and asked them to be calm and cool because it is a game, and we have to win. Even though I enjoyed the win in Karachi more, I think winning this (as coach) will make me happy in a different way.”