Head coach Igor Stimac on Monday stated that India don’t have anything to lose however a hell of so much to achieve of their 2026 FIFA World Cup spherical 2 qualifiers match in opposition to Asian champions Qatar on Tuesday. India’s 1-0 away win in opposition to Kuwait on November 16 will definitely enhance their confidence however Stimac made it clear that “Qatar is out of our league”, although the house aspect will search to take inspiration from their well-known goal-less draw in opposition to the Asian champions 4 years in the past. “The Kuwait sport was a very powerful sport in our qualifiers on this group. We had an away win in opposition to our direct opponent for the second spot,” Stimac stated on the pre-match press convention. “We’re very sensible, we all know that Qatar is out of our league. However we additionally know that that is soccer, probably the most stunning sport on the planet which gives alternatives and that is our alternative.” Stimac urged his gamers to think about Tuesday’s match on the Kalinga Stadium as every other sport and provides their greatest.
“Everyone knows their energy and what they’re able to and in what manner they destroyed Afghanistan a couple of days again,” stated Stimac, referring to Qatar’s 8-1 win over Afghanistan of their earlier match on November 16.
“It is a sport like every other, that’s what my gamers want to simply accept and put together for. What we will do is give our greatest.
“This can be a sport the place there’s nothing to lose for us and a hell of so much to achieve for. So, let’s go for it.”
Not pondering of previous consequence: Sandhu
Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who had captained the Indian group that performed out the well-known 0-0 attract Doha on September 10, 2019, stated he’s not eager about the previous consequence now.
“It should be a problem as they’re a high quality aspect. However there’s nothing to be frightened of, simply to present our greatest.
“We’re enjoying at our residence and we have to use this benefit to go for the utmost, give a superb combat and hope for one of the best,” stated Sandhu, including that no person is considering the previous outcomes.
In that drawn match in Doha 4 years in the past, India survived waves of Qatari assaults and Sandhu produced 11 saves and noticed the upright coming to his rescue as soon as.
“I’d love most factors for the least work attainable. I need the gamers to get on the scoresheet and get us a win, that’s a lot better for me than me making many saves,” he stated.
Talismanic striker Suni Chhetri didn’t play that match as he was indisposed. However he’ll, as normal, be the pivotal participant on Tuesday.
“Having Sunil is all the time a bonus, there isn’t a doubt about that,” Sandhu stated.
“Up to now 4 years, a variety of gamers have developed and performed a variety of soccer collectively and they’re maturing.
“Overlook what had occurred 4 years in the past, allow us to transfer ahead. We’re a distinct group now, we’re a greater group. We should exit with zero worry and provides our absolute all the things.”
“It was the beginning of a course of. Now 4 years later, we will say that the method of reconstructing the group is completed however it’ll by no means cease,” stated the Croatian, who took cost of the group just some months earlier than the 2019 attract Qatar.
“We’ve got a a lot larger pool of gamers who’re contenders for the nationwide group positions. We are able to go for numerous choices inside the sport. We’re nonetheless in love with the 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation relying on the opponent.” Stimac stated consistency and good efficiency degree of the group was additionally clear.
“Once you play 11 consecutive matches with out shedding, you do not lose a match in opposition to Iraq (in Kings Cup in Thailand), it’s fairly evident that you’re constant.” He additionally vented his frustration on the poor refereeing — although with out mentioning something — throughout India’s match in opposition to Malaysia within the Merdeka Cup final month. India misplaced that match 2-4.
“I cannot return and point out the event in Malaysia (Merdeka) as a result of I haven’t got something good to say about it. It is not about my group, my gamers however about what occurred there,” he stated.
“It is unhappy that my work and the work of my boys … dedication and starvation will depend on a couple of poor individuals who (have been) deciding on a sure day to destroy all our work of the previous few years.
“With one poor resolution or dangerous resolution, as a result of that modifications 10 positions within the rankings, think about that and I’m judged on the rankings on the finish of the day.”
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