Stimac meets CoA for the first time, both mum on coach's new contract

Stimac's existing contract ends in September. He met the Committee of Administrators (CoA) on Friday virtually for the first time after the panel took charge of the affairs of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), following the ouster of the Praful Patel-led dispensation. Three senior players -- Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sandesh Jhingan -- who wear the captain's armband on rotational basis, also met the CoA members.

However, both the CoA and Stimac refrained from saying whether the issue of his contract came up for discussion in the meeting. The Croatian World Cup bronze winner had earlier expressed his desire for the CoA to decide on his contract quickly. "It was a good meeting and I am quite sure we will keep working together," Stimac told PTI.

"More important things than the contract for me are to support the national team's needs and make sure we have enough time and games for preparation." Last month, the Indian team qualified for the 2023 Asian Cup after winning all the three group matches in Kolkata, a convincing result which took the country to the continental showpiece for a second straight time. In a series of tweets after the meeting, Stimac reiterated his plans for international friendly matches for the national team later this year and longer camps next year ahead of the Asian Cup. He had attributed the strong show of his team in Kolkata to the longer camp his players had.

"I am thankful to them (CoA) for their support to understand that the NT (national team) needs to be the focus now. Needing proper camp which is minimum 2 weeks in September in Kerala. 2 international friendlies & 1 practice game with KBFC (Kerala Blasters).