With Asian Cup spot up for grabs, 'favourites' India face their moment of truth

Stimac have blown hot and cold, setting a high standard with some spectacular defensive shows against Asian powerhouses but also embracing inconsistency failing to get it over the line against relatively easier opponents. Come Wednesday, the Stimac project in Indian football will be facing its moment of truth. As India take on Cambodia to begin their campaign at the third and final round of Asian Cup qualifiers at the Salt Lake Stadium, not only a place in the game's biggest stage in the continent will be up for grabs, but it is also expected to define the team's evolution under the former Croatian World Cupper.

By Stimac's own admission, world No. 106 India - the highest among the opponents - will start "favourites" in the group, which also has Afghanistan and Hong Kong waiting in the wings to queer the pitch for the hosts. "We need to prove that we are favourites and we need to control as well as be ready to handle the counter-attacks (from Cambodia). I must say we are ready for that," Stimac said on Tuesday, the eve of India's Group D opener against Cambodia. With 13 teams having already qualified for next year's Asian Cup, 11 spots are still to be filled --- by the six group winners and five best second-placed finishers. India have an envious record against 171-ranked Cambodia, having won four of the five meetings between them. The India coach, however, warned his players against taking their foot off the pedal.

"I don't look at rankings. Cambodia have come here with the same desire to win the game as we so. We need to be ready, hungry and fully motivated for these games. Today, football doesn't have easy games anymore. That may have happened 50 years ago," Stimac said. With qualifying for the World Cup still