With a penalty shootout victory against Kuwait, India claimed their ninth SAFF Championship 2023. Sunil Chhetri, the club’s inspiring captain, guided the team to victory under coach Igor Stimac. While the country rejoices, the Blue Tigers prepare for even larger things, with the AFC Asian Cup 2023 and World Cup 2026 fast approaching.
The Indian men’s national team, under head coach Igor Stimac, has won three international titles since the start of the year. This success has changed the perception of the team among fans. Previously struggling to attract spectators, the team is now a popular topic of conversation.
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Opinions about Stimac were divided, but he has managed to build a well-drilled unit. Their performances against Lebanon and Kuwait showcased their improvement under the Croatian, as the nation expects him to continue.
I am not in this for money. In the last few years, I have received many offers which are far more financially lucrative. They could have earned me more money for myself and the family. I am in this for a cause. To help Indian football grow. And to be able to do that, we need to put a few steps in place,” Stimac was quoted saying.
India has been unbeaten in 11 games, even against tough opponents. Stimac has gained support, and there are talks of extending his contract beyond February 2024, which is when it currently ends after the AFC Asian Cup.
“When I started, it was as if people did not want to put these steps in place. Despite getting me on board to help Indian football, the attempt was to pull me down to your level and your policies. Rather than following my vision and getting better.”
“If India has to rival the best Asian teams and get better, we need to follow a certain path. We need to make sacrifices,” the former Croatian center-back asserted.
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Stimac said that he has been preparing a series of presentations for a meeting with All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey. The report includes an assessment of his overall work as well as specific parameters that must be met in order for him to remain beyond the AFC Asian Cup 2023.
“1 am working on a series of presentations for the AIFF. I have promised the President, who is a very good, able, and passionate man that I will send him the presentations. It will summarise my work over the last four years and outline my vision for the next four years .” he added.
“I am almost done with the presentations and will be sending things to the AIFF in the next five-six days. I will then seek an urgent meeting with them. If we have to travel this journey together, we need to agree to a plan for the next four years. And we have to do it now. Not in September, not in January, but now.”
Finally, Stimac stated unequivocally that if these criteria and vision are not met, he would gladly wave farewell to the Blue Tigers.Stimac also stated that if he believes his vision does not line with that of the AIFF, he will contemplate quitting the hot seat immediately.
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My contract is a very loose one. All I need to do is give a 60-day notice and walk away. You can’t hold me back. And as I said, I am not in this for money. I have now seen what we can do. What India can do with its football. And I know football. That’s the only thing I know. So we need to agree on some things, and do so now,” Stimac concluded.
Either we do this together for the next four years, or I am happy to put in my papers and walk away without a word,” Stimac averred.
The Indian National Team hopes to build on their recent successes and continue their great form into the AFC Asian Cup in January. Their next assignments are the King’s Cup in Thailand in September and the Merdeka Cup in Malaysia in October. During the international window of November-December.
India will compete in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers against a number of opponents. Following that, they will have stiff tests against Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria. Sunil Chhetri and his squad, on the other hand, are excitedly anticipating the future matches.
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