"Don't Send Us Anywhere If...": Indian Football Team Coach Igor Stimac Blasts Asian Games 2023 Preparation After Exit

29.09.2023 - 03:45 sports.ndtv.com

Indian football team coach Igor Stimac once again criticised the lack of preparation time for the side ahead of the Asian Games 2023 after his side was defeated by Saudi Arabia in the Round of 16 stage.

The side, led by Sunil Chhetri, went down fighting as Saudi Arabia won the match 0-2 but Stimac believes that the result could have been way worse.

There were doubts over India's participation in the Asian Games followed by tussle with clubs over the availability of certain players.

As a result, the team selection took a lot of time and the selected players were unable to practice together before travelling to China. "Big lesson from this tournament is - Don't send us anywhere if we can't get our best players to represent the country.

Football asian games 2023 Asian Games Medals Tally Igor Stimac China India Saudi Arabia

India lost 2-4 to hosts Malaysia in the opening match, a virtual semifinal to bow out of the Merdeka Cup in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. Malaysia took the lead as early as in the seventh minute through Dion Cools before Naorem Mahesh Singh equalised for India with a beautiful volley in the 13 minute. A silly challenge from Nikhil Poojary on Arif Amin inside the Indian box gifted Malaysia a penalty and Amin made no mistake in finding the net from the spot in the 20th minute. To make matters worse for India, Faisal Halim increased the score-line 3-1 in Malaysia's favour four minutes from half time.

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Senior national team head coach Igor Stimac's contract has been extended until 2026, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on Thursday, rewarding him for overseeing three title triumphs this year. As per the contract, the Croat will automatically get an extension by another two years if India qualify for the third round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Former India stopper Mahesh Gawli, the assistant coach of the senior men's team, was appointed as the head coach of the men's U-23 team.

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Men's Football: India Lose 0-2 vs Saudi Arabia, Crash Out Of Asian Games 2023

A formidable Saudi Arabia didn't bring their 'A' game to the fore yet were strong enough to ward off a gutsy challenge from India winning their pre-quarterfinal match 2-0 in the men's football competition in Hangzhou on Thursday. There was no doubt about Saudi Arabia's supremacy as forward Mohammed Khalil Marran's opportunistic twin strikes in the 51st and 57th minute ended Sunil Chhetri-led India's campaign at the continental event. However, Igor Stimac's players can hold their heads high with the kind of performance that they put in despite so much uncertainty and with AIFF sending a second string side due to the obstinate attitude from the Indian Super League (ISL) organisers who refused to release top players.

Asian Games: India Football Team Holds Training Session Ahead Of Saudi Arabia Clash

The Indian football team held its first training session in Hangzhou before their round of 16 match at the Asian Games. "Finally got done with the first training session with our boys, enjoying beautiful facilities in Hangzhou. Only in the city they have 29 new stadiums and in the region 41. It's amazing what China has done for football infrastructure to grow the sport," India Head Coach Igor Stimac wrote on X. Stimac earlier appreciated the Blue Tigers for qualifying to the round of 16 of the tournament even after completing their recovery sessions at a park in China.