India vs Qatar: Blue Tigers have ‘nothing to lose’, says coach Igor Stimac

File picture of Igor Stimac, head coach of the Indian males’s soccer group. Picture credit score: X/@IndianFootball

Bhubaneswar: Head coach Igor Stimac on Monday mentioned that India don’t have anything to lose however a hell of quite a bit to achieve of their 2026 FIFA World Cup Spherical 2 qualifiers match in opposition to Asian champions Qatar in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.

India’s 1-0 away win in opposition to Kuwait on 16 November will definitely increase their confidence however Stimac made it clear that “Qatar is out of our league”, although the house facet will search to take inspiration from their well-known goal-less draw in opposition to the Asian champions 4 years in the past.

“The Kuwait sport was crucial sport in our qualifiers on this group. We had an away win in opposition to our direct opponent for the second spot,” Stimac mentioned on the pre-match press convention.

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“We’re very sensible, we all know that Qatar is out of our league. However we additionally know that that is soccer, essentially the most lovely sport on this planet which offers alternatives and that is our alternative.”

Stimac urged his gamers to contemplate Tuesday’s match on the Kalinga Stadium as some other sport and provides their greatest.

“Everyone knows their power and what they’re able to and in what manner they destroyed Afghanistan just a few days again,” mentioned Stimac, referring to Qatar’s 8-1 win over Afghanistan of their earlier match on 16 November.

“It’s a sport like some other, that’s what my gamers want to just accept and put together for. What we will do is give our greatest.

“It is a sport the place there’s nothing to lose for us and a hell of quite a bit to achieve for. So, let’s go for it.”

Not pondering of previous outcome: Sandhu

Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who had captained the Indian group that performed out the well-known 0-0 attract Doha on 10 September, 2019, mentioned he’s not fascinated by the previous outcome now.

“It’s going to be a problem as they’re a high quality facet. However there’s nothing to be afraid of, simply to provide our greatest.

“We’re taking part in at our dwelling and we have to use this benefit to go for the utmost, give struggle and hope for one of the best,” mentioned Sandhu, including that no person is considering the previous outcomes.

In that drawn match in Doha 4 years in the past, India survived waves of Qatari assaults and Sandhu produced 11 saves and noticed the upright coming to his rescue as soon as.

“I might love most factors for the least work attainable. I would like the gamers to get on the scoresheet and get us a win, that’s significantly better for me than me making many saves,” he mentioned.

Talismanic striker Suni Chhetri didn’t play that match as he was indisposed. However he’ll, as standard, be the pivotal participant on Tuesday.

“Having Sunil is all the time a bonus, there isn’t a doubt about that,” Sandhu mentioned.

“Previously 4 years, a whole lot of gamers have developed and performed a whole lot of soccer collectively and they’re maturing.

“Neglect what had occurred 4 years in the past, allow us to transfer ahead. We’re a unique group now, we’re a greater group. We should exit with zero worry and provides our absolute every part.”

Group has progressed quite a bit in 4 years because the 2019 Qatar match: Stimac

“It was the beginning of a course of. Now 4 years later, we will say that the method of reconstructing the group is completed however it’s going to by no means cease,” mentioned the Croatian, who took cost of the group just some months earlier than the 2019 attract Qatar.

“We have now a a lot larger pool of gamers who’re contenders for the nationwide group positions. We will go for varied choices inside the sport. We’re nonetheless in love with the 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation relying on the opponent.”

Stimac mentioned consistency and good efficiency stage of the group was additionally clear.

“Whenever you play 11 consecutive matches with out dropping, you don’t lose a match in opposition to Iraq (in Kings Cup in Thailand), it’s fairly evident that you’re constant.”

He additionally vented his frustration on the poor refereeing — although with out mentioning something — throughout India’s match in opposition to Malaysia within the Merdeka Cup final month. India misplaced that match 2-4.

“I cannot return and point out the match in Malaysia (Merdeka) as a result of I don’t have something good to say about it. It’s not about my group, my gamers however about what occurred there,” he mentioned.

“It’s unhappy that my work and the work of my boys … dedication and starvation will depend on just a few poor individuals who (had been) deciding on a sure day to destroy all our work of the previous few years.

“With one poor choice or dangerous choice, as a result of that modifications 10 positions within the rankings, think about that and I’m judged on the rankings on the finish of the day.”