The support felt like we were playing at home: Igor Stimac

Manvir Singh’s 75th minute goal helped India to edge past Kuwait
India emerged victorious with an impressive 1-0 triumph in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup second round qualifiers at the Jaber Al-Ahmed International Stadium in Kuwait City.
The game commenced with the Indian team diligently seeking opportunities to score a goal. However, neither team managed to find the back of the net during the entirety of the first half. It was not until the 75th minute of the second half when Manvir Singh, with an assist from Lallianzuala Chhangte, successfully scored the sole goal of the match. This decisive goal resulted in India’s victory.
Indian National Football Team head coach Igor Stimac spoke to the media along with player Manvir Singh after FIFA World Cup Qualifiers game against Kuwait. Given below are the excerpts.
Coach’s confidence on the team
During the press conference, Indian Football Team coach Igor Stimac and player Manvir Singh displayed evident satisfaction regarding the team’s performance. They eloquently conveyed their thoughts on the matter of utmost importance.
Igor Stimac said, “I am not surprised by the outcome, but I always maintain respect for our opponents. Nevertheless, I have complete confidence in our team and their abilities. Our goal is to win the game, although it is important to exercise caution when expressing such sentiments, as it may be perceived as underestimating our opponents. I have utmost trust in our team and the effort they have put in over the past four and a half years.”
“We have worked diligently with them, supporting and guiding them, acknowledging their mistakes and urging them to persevere. And now, we are beginning to see the results of our efforts. We maintained complete control over the game and denied Kuwait any opportunity. I had some concerns as we were missing three key players due to significant injuries, but the players who took their place did an exceptional job”, Igor Stimac added.
Tactics against Kuwait
Igor Stimac also shared his thoughts on their gameplay against Kuwait and their prospects in the upcoming matches. He stated, “Kuwait is perceived to have a technical advantage over India due to the higher number of technically skilled individual players. However, for reasons unknown, they were unable to showcase their abilities in the recent match. Our team demonstrated commendable patience, recognizing the pressure that Kuwait was under.”
“With the support we received from the stands, it felt as if we were playing on home turf. We were fully aware that a draw in this game would significantly increase our chances of securing the second position in the group. Therefore, our strategy aimed to unsettle Kuwait, inducing nervosity and impatience, causing them to resort to long ball tactics”, he added.
Manvir’s performance
When Manvir Singh was asked about his performance in the game, he said, “I am pleased to have successfully scored a goal. It is undeniably due to the hard work and dedication of my teammates. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to score, and I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to score more goals in the upcoming matches. The feeling of happiness that accompanies scoring a goal is truly indescribable.”
India will face Qatar in their next match on 21st November at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.
- Karim Benzema unfollows Cristiano Ronaldo on Instagram
- ISL 2024-25: Updated Points Table, most goals, and most assists after match 141, Odisha FC vs Mohammedan SC
- Carlo Ancelotti reveals Kylian Mbappe is fit to play against Real Betis
- Napoli vs Inter Milan Prediction, betting tips & odds
- Al Orobah vs Al Nassr: Live streaming, TV channel, kick-off time & where to watch Saudi Pro League 2024-25