"We In India Not Living In Real World": Coach Igor Stimac Fires Shots

The Indian football team is on a roll, having won the Intercontinental Cup and the SAFF Championship, but the head coach Igor Stimac is still unhappy. The Croatian coach, who saw some of his players produce their best football in recent competitions, isn't pleased with the way the team has grown. In an interview, Stimac made a rather blunt remark, saying football in India is still not living in the real world, and some serious steps are required to be taken in order to make the team compete globally.

Despite the fact that India bagged the Intercontinental Cup and the SAFF Championship, Stimac said that he "is not happy".

"The boys are carrying the bad habits from ISL. Decision-making in the final third is poor. They look to pass where shooting to score is necessary," he told the Times of India, delving into certain issues within the team.

"Certain things need to change and change fast. There must be a clear acceptance of my plan and it has to happen within the coming weeks. We cannot wait till January for that conversation to start," said Stimac whose contract with the national team ends after the Asian Cup next year.

Stimac warned the stakeholders in Indian football that the gap between the national team and other elite teams will only increase if constructive steps aren't taken quickly.

"We in India are not living in the real world. The gap with the rest of our competitors will only increase if we drag our feet. We have to decide whether we want to play in India and be happy or (go out and) try to compete with the rest of the world."

The Croatian also highlighted that India needs to release players earlier for the national team and not just 5 days before an event begins as the players need more time to get into the