GUWAHATI: Head coach Igor Stimac on Monday mentioned he’ll resign from the put up if the Indian soccer staff fails to achieve the third spherical of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Stimac has prioritised qualification to the third spherical and safe a direct entry into the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
“If I do not take India to the third spherical I’ll depart, with my delight, with my honour on the whole lot that was performed right here within the 5 years of labor.I’ll depart my place to another person,” Stimac informed reporters on the eve of India’s dwelling leg match towards Afghanistan.
India can nonetheless advance to the third spherical however the job has received rather a lot harder following final week’s stalemate within the away leg towards Afghanistan, from which they gained solely a degree.
The Blue Tigers at the moment stand second within the group with 4 factors from three video games, one forward of Kuwait, who’re on three factors from as many matches. India have by no means reached the third of the Qualifiers.
Stimac, who has been on the helm since 2019, final yr obtained a contract extension that can maintain him in cost till June 2026.
He mentioned that he was not stunned by Afghanistan’s good present towards India as a number of of their gamers ply their commerce in Europe.
Needs longer preparatory camps
Stimac additionally known as for longer preparatory camps for the nationwide squad forward of huge tournaments.
He mentioned that each time an extended preparatory camp was carried out the outcomes have been good.
“In my 4 years there have been three lengthy camps that we had. One was 5 years in the past proper right here previous to video games towards Oman and Qatar, you bear in mind how effectively the staff performed that point.
“Second was for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in Kolkata, the staff was flying — 3 video games, 3 wins, 8-1 aim distinction. Third lengthy camp was final yr previous to the tournaments that we performed brilliantly, may see the depth and everybody knew what they needed to do.”
Not sufficient Indian strikers
He expressed issues on the dearth of latest strikers within the ISL, saying a lot of the gamers occupying the place within the Indian Tremendous League are from overseas.
“Scoring downside has been haunting us for 5 years, even earlier than I got here right here the scoring downside was haunting us. I’ve talked about that overseas gamers are occupying scoring positions and that’s hurting us.
“It isn’t simple for them as most of them should not enjoying their positions on the membership this season, other than Sunil.”
Stimac additionally mentioned that there have been some necessary classes learnt from the disappointing marketing campaign within the AFC Asian Cup, the place India misplaced all of the three matches.
“We have to minimise foolish errors. Within the sport towards Uzbekistan, we managed the match effectively however the errors that we dedicated, they scored resulting from these. We’ve got to study to punish the opposition for his or her errors, that we have now to study.”
Stimac has prioritised qualification to the third spherical and safe a direct entry into the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
“If I do not take India to the third spherical I’ll depart, with my delight, with my honour on the whole lot that was performed right here within the 5 years of labor.I’ll depart my place to another person,” Stimac informed reporters on the eve of India’s dwelling leg match towards Afghanistan.
India can nonetheless advance to the third spherical however the job has received rather a lot harder following final week’s stalemate within the away leg towards Afghanistan, from which they gained solely a degree.
The Blue Tigers at the moment stand second within the group with 4 factors from three video games, one forward of Kuwait, who’re on three factors from as many matches. India have by no means reached the third of the Qualifiers.
Stimac, who has been on the helm since 2019, final yr obtained a contract extension that can maintain him in cost till June 2026.
He mentioned that he was not stunned by Afghanistan’s good present towards India as a number of of their gamers ply their commerce in Europe.
Needs longer preparatory camps
Stimac additionally known as for longer preparatory camps for the nationwide squad forward of huge tournaments.
He mentioned that each time an extended preparatory camp was carried out the outcomes have been good.
“In my 4 years there have been three lengthy camps that we had. One was 5 years in the past proper right here previous to video games towards Oman and Qatar, you bear in mind how effectively the staff performed that point.
“Second was for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in Kolkata, the staff was flying — 3 video games, 3 wins, 8-1 aim distinction. Third lengthy camp was final yr previous to the tournaments that we performed brilliantly, may see the depth and everybody knew what they needed to do.”
Not sufficient Indian strikers
He expressed issues on the dearth of latest strikers within the ISL, saying a lot of the gamers occupying the place within the Indian Tremendous League are from overseas.
“Scoring downside has been haunting us for 5 years, even earlier than I got here right here the scoring downside was haunting us. I’ve talked about that overseas gamers are occupying scoring positions and that’s hurting us.
“It isn’t simple for them as most of them should not enjoying their positions on the membership this season, other than Sunil.”
Stimac additionally mentioned that there have been some necessary classes learnt from the disappointing marketing campaign within the AFC Asian Cup, the place India misplaced all of the three matches.
“We have to minimise foolish errors. Within the sport towards Uzbekistan, we managed the match effectively however the errors that we dedicated, they scored resulting from these. We’ve got to study to punish the opposition for his or her errors, that we have now to study.”
