Indian men’s football team head coach, Igor Stimac has claimed that the upcoming World Cup qualifier match against Kuwait could change the ‘careers’ of his players. India desperately need a win to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the third round of World Cup qualifiers but the recent form suggests that the home side will have to play out of their skins to make it happen.
The match, scheduled for Thursday (Jun 6) at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata would pit the two teams who have met on three occasions in the last year.
“It’s a huge game. The careers of the boys can change with this game. I want them to enjoy and do their best in the game,” Stimac told the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
“For such an important game, we need to do a few things; in regards to strength conditioning, in regards to understanding what it needs, in regards to how important this game is, and in regards to mental strength and self-confidence. So, we work on all aspects needed for our boys to be on top of their form in this game,” he added.
Disastrous result against Afghanistan
India had a disastrous outing in the last World Cup qualifier match against Afghanistan at home, early this year. The Blue Tigers suffered a humiliating 1-2 loss against Afghanistan’s B-team coached by Ashley Westwood.
Throughout the match, there were sporadic chants of ‘Stimac Out’ which increased in intensity after Afghanistan clinched a late victory. Fans outside the stadium could be seen jeering the Croatian in some of the videos going viral on social media.
After India conceded two second-half goals to lose the match, the fans partook in the ‘Viking Clap’ celebrations by the Afghan side to show defiance towards the footballing board.
Notably, prior to the match against Afghanistan, Stimac had claimed that he would leave his job if he failed to take India into the third round.
“If I don’t take India to the third round I will leave, with my pride, with my honour on everything that was done here in the five years of work. I will leave my position to someone else,” Stimac said.
Prior to the Asian Cup in January this year, Stimac remarked that he prioritised qualification to the third round over the continental cup as it booked a direct entry into the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. However, up until now, it appears that Stimac may have failed on both fronts.
(With inputs from agencies)