Igor Stimac: Looking forward to giving Prabir Das a chance at int'l level

The Blue Tigers head coach spoke highly of certain young players in the ISL.

Igor Stimac has explained that he is ready to give ATK defender Prabir Das a chance at the international stage when India next take the field under him.

Das impressed for the Indian Super League (ISL) winning side earlier this season, picking up five assists and boasting some solid defensive stats as well.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Igor Stimac had glowing sentiments on the right-back and said, “From the players I didn’t have a chance to work with, he (Prabir) and (FC Goa right-back) Seriton (Fernandes) impressed me most. He is brave, determined, adept in providing good crosses and we can use him in different positions. "

“I am certainly looking forward to meet him and give him a chance to prove himself at the international level. We need more warriors in our team with abilities to play,” he also added.

Not just that, but Stimac also sang praises for ATK’s breakout star Sumit Rathi, who won the ISL Emerging Player of the Year award for his excellent work in the Kolkata-side’s backline.

“He is young and that’s what we looking for. Good height and physical presence. His positioning sense is solid. I will tell you more once I find out how much he can advance his game, how good and quick is his learning ability,” the Croatian stated.

Stimac also believes that Sahal Abdul Samad didn’t get enough playing time at Kerala Blasters last season, but believes the youngster will be back to his best eventually.

He explained, “He played exactly 791 minutes out of 18 games -- nearly 50 %. It’s not enough, and he needs to do more and better. He is a brilliant young man, very intelligent and committed to his football. I am quite sure that he will find a way during this break to work more on his individual strength.

“He is one of the most important players in our future plans and we are going to do all it takes with his respective club manager in helping him get back to his best,” he further added.

Moreover, Stimac also suggested that the ISL will see a longer season very soon and it’ll be discussed between the footballing bodies after the Coronavirus scare is over.

He said, “It’s going to happen soon. We worked together with FSDL (Football Sports Development Limited who run ISL) officials on a new long term calendar, discussing many important issues which could bring to our teams more competitive games. We will sit down very soon again once we get over the Corona scare.”

Igor Stimac has returned home to Croatia as the coronavirus scare has suspended all sporting activities in India, but he’ll hope to do his best with the emerging talents once everything is clear again.