"We’ll make it," Igor Stimac confident of qualifying for AFC Asian Cup

The Indian football team head coach also spoke regarding the Blue Tigers' upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier matches in June.

The Indian football team returns to action after a few months gap on June 2 against Qatar. It’ll be their first FIFA World Cup qualifier since 2019 – with three games scheduled in June 2021. The Blue Tigers also face Bangladesh & Afghanistan and know that winning both games can assure them a third place finish in the group. Ahead of the games, Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac spoke about the upcoming fixtures in a press conference.

Here are the excerpts.

Difficulties in preparation

The Croatian was asked about how he aims to make up for lost time, following the cancellation of preparatory camps in India.

“Our initial plan was to start the camp on 15th April. When that was not possibly, then we moved it to May 1 to Kolkata. We had planned  to play four-five games with some local teams and friendly games with other national team. Due to the pandemic reason, everything was cancelled. In the end, we were happy knowing that the last three games will be organized and played in Doha because they have great facilities," he began.

“But if I knew that everything would be like it is today, I would never have accepted it – to be honest. We can organize such games in such ways in India as well. In the end, we lost out on two home games. We’re currently in the bubble which India proved that can be organized in a great way with every ISL club in such great facilities. Here we are now, not in a great condition. We are far away from proper preparation for a World Cup qualifier – but it is what it is,” the tactician added.

Quarantine in Qatar

Igor Stimac seemed a bit unhappy with the quarantine procedure in Qatar as he opened up about it.

“The issue is very simple. I’m well aware that Qatar is a future host of the World Cup and we all know they have great facilities for football teams. When we accepted to come here, we also appreciate Qatar for organizing the tournament. But as a coach, personally, I expected a lot more from this organization," he quipped.

“I know that we changed all our plans because of the pandemic situation, because we were initially to come here earlier. But, as a coach, I expected better," he complained.

"I expected the possibility of using the gyms for our training sessions. We don’t have the possibility of handling morning sessions here. We are holding our morning sessions in front of our rooms and our players are eating delivery food which was left in front of our rooms. That’s not proper preparation for professional players. I’m pretty sure that the Qatari team is not in the same condition. It’s as simple as that," he explained.

“Now we are discussing this topic too much. I need to say that the pandemic situation is terrible all over the world. Everybody is trying to do their best. Even in such situation, AIFF with their stakeholders organized the ISL. We all know greatly it went. Everything was provided to the teams, players and coaches," the tactician added.

"Now I see the situation here, I don’t see why we’re here in quarantine. We’ve already tested three times here. All the tests are negative. I don’t know why we can’t have proper meeting halls where we can analyze the opponents. I don’t know why we can’t spend time eating together. Instead of that, we have one chance to go out for training sessions in the evening. This is not proper football work that needs to be obtained before the qualifiers."

Current aim with the Indian football team

Igor Stimac was quizzed how his objectives for the national team have changed since he was appointed.

“Our goals have never changed, never mind the situation. We made the decision at the beginning of our work to use the first two years of our work to make everything possible to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup. If the chance was there, then we would take it with both hands to qualify for the World Cup. You are well aware that in the first two games of our qualifiers we faced sides with high quality and we had decent results that had everyone excited.

“The high quality of those games is because we had three-four camps before that. We had the chance to put some things to place and explain to the players what was expected from them. We had no problems coming from ISL but that from normal footballers’ life.

The Indian boss also added that the Blue Tigers will surely qualify for the AFC Asian Cup, regardless of the position they finish at in the group.

"We couldn’t use important players like Sandesh (Jhingan), Brandon (Fernandes) because of injuries on some occasions. We lost some important players in some qualifiers but we are still alive with our goals. The pandemic situation didn’t allow us to hold any camp apart from the Dubai camp in March. But, we are still alive in our goals. I believe regardless of any position we occupy in our groups, we’ll make it to the Asian Cup and then we have enough time to work together and make everyone in India happy with the quality of our game,” he continued.

Importance of Sunil Chhetri's return and Dubai camp

Talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri is now back with the national team and Igor Stimac was asked how important it will be for obtaining a top-three finish in the group.

“Having Sunil back is great for each one of us. As I speak to Sunil everyday, we agree that we have to be clever here. We have three games in 12 days. I need to make decisions on when is the best time to use Sunil. Obviously, for us, the most important games here are against Afghanistan and Bangladesh. After training in five-six days' time, I’ll have more of an idea about the condition of the team and make decisions accordingly,” he remarked.

The 53-year-old also mentioned the things he learnt from the preparatory camp in Dubai in March. “What I learnt from the Dubai camp is quite easy. We learnt that youngsters need more time," he said.

"We learnt that it’s far different to play in ISL than coming out to play international games. But, that is what we’ll do. We’ll use friendly games to give our young players exposure to gain experience for the International games and can serve for the national team for the qualifiers,” he explained.

Plans for youngsters and Udanta Singh

Stimac also spoke about how he will use the young players in the squad and difficulties with experienced stars like Udanta Singh.

“I feel the youngsters who are here with us are here for precisely one reason – to feel the atmosphere and how it feels like competitive games. I’m not sure that one of them will be used because we need experienced players and we need players who know how to handle difficult situations. It might happen that none of the young players get any chances to play. But, they’re here learning from our work and learning from what I expect from them on the pitch.

“Udanta is paying the price of the last ISL season. We are all well aware that he was in the form expected. Before the ISL started, there were changes in the coaching staff.

"Under the previous coach, Udanta was playing in the position he likes and producing good performances. I know his abilities and I know he is one of the main strikers. He’s got enough strength, enough speed and enough character to give what I’m asking from him. That’s why he’s here," he explained.

"He’s been in all our games because he proved he can play against one of the best left full-back in Asia. In the first qualifier when Udanta was fit enough and ready, he nearly destroyed him in that game. I’m very confident to provide everything to Udanta to bring him back to his best form,” he recalled.

Challenges of upcoming games

Igor Stimac realizes how difficult it will be for India in the upcoming games as he explained his expectations.

“I said that I’m very confident that at the end of this journey, we’re going to participate in the AFC Cup. Never mind which position we occupy in the group. Our actual situation is far from what’s needed. Qatar team is fully prepared for the games. All the Bangladesh players played their national league before coming here for the qualifiers. They’ll be well prepared for the games as their league finished on 10 May.

23 out of 28 Afghanistan players are playing in Europe and the USA. They are in full competitive swing and will be fully fit to play these games here. On the other hand, you know the situation of our teams. But we will give everything we have in these games.

Thoughts on Glan Martins

The Indian football team boss also spoke on new inductee Glan Martins.

“I followed Glan from when he was in Churchill Brothers, when I was going to watch live games in I-League. Since then, I’ve seen something in Glan which is needed in our team – that is aggressiveness. That reading of the game and courage that he brings on the pitch. That’s something we lack in our team. I’m glad that Glan is here with us, he can learn our process, feel international football and bring something to our game,” he concluded.

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