'We're expecting much better Afghanistan side…' - India coach Igor Stimac ahead of FIFA WC Qualifiers clash

India boss Igor Stimac wants his team to replicate the Kuwait-heroics in Abha too!

With a hope to get back on track, the Indian national men’s football team will take to the field against Afghanistan in the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2027 AFC Asian Cup joint qualifiers in Saudi Arabia.

The Blue Tigers come into this game after a disastrous 2023 AFC Asian Cup campaign in January and will be keen to change their fortunes. India are currently placed third in their group behind Qatar and Kuwait.

Ahead of the game, India’s head coach Igor Stimac and captain Sunil Chhetri addressed the media. Excerpts from the conversation are below.

Thoughts ahead of the game

The head coach opened up about his thoughts ahead of the games and said that it is going to be a very important game for both sides.

“It’s a really important game for both teams. We got our three points in the first game against Kuwait and it is important for us to have a similar performance here in another away game to confirm our aspirations for the second position,” he asserted.

On the ‘travel’

AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey had announced that the Indian national football team will travel to Saudi Arabia in a charter flight. However, the plan was later cancelled citing unavailability of a charter plane. When asked about the same, the head coach replied, “For your information, we didn’t come here in a charter flight.”

Thoughts on Afghanistan

When asked about his thoughts on Afghanistan, Igor Stimac said that the team has undergone major changes and therefore his side is going to have a serious approach going into the match.

“We have faced Afghanistan several times in the past. We played three games in the last two and a half years, and it was always tough. But, the team has changed significantly with many changes. They had a three-week camp here during January and February to adapt to the conditions. We are expecting a much better Afghanistan than what we have seen against Qatar and Kuwait. We are very serious about a pro approaching this game,” he quipped.

Sunil Chhetri’s comments

Thoughts going into the game

Skipper Sunil Chhetri was also asked about his thoughts going into the game. He said that the team is very much looking forward to this away clash.

“We know it’s an away game against a team which we have played a lot in the last 4-5 years. We are here and we can’t wait for the first half of the game,” he revealed.

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