Indian football team coach Igor Stimac is optimistic despite the loss, looking forward to playing next match
Indian team head coach Igor Stimac said that they are looking forward to the match against the Asian champion Qatar in Doha.
Guwahati: After India’s loss to Oman in their first FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying match, head coach Igor Stimac said that they are looking forward to the match against the Asian champion Qatar in Doha.
Though India were leading in the match by one goal, it was taken away by the visiting team in the last 10 minutes with two well-calculated goals in front of a houseful Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. Sunil Chhetri scored in the 24th minute, and for Oman, Al-Mandhar Al Alawi scored in the 82nd and 90th minute.
The Indian team was handed a comparatively easy draw for the World Cup second round Asian qualifiers, being clubbed with Qatar, Oman, Afghanistan and Bangladesh in Group E.
On how he would motivate the boys to face a tougher opponent in Doha, especially after this loss, Stimac said that he has already done his job.
They are already motivated. This game is already forgotten and don’t talk about it anymore. From now our preparation starts for the Qatar game. It’s not going to be easy…we know that. Qatar is the strongest team in Asia but there’s a good game to learn in front of us. Obviously, we need to change at least five players for that game. There’s no reason to fear to go there and play good football and score goals.
He, however, said that it’s because of the experience for which Oman got the upper hand in the match. Stimac also said that he has full faith in his boys and can expect a better team in future,
But as a coach, I’m proud of my boys. And everyone is proud of them. Today everyone can see a new Indian team -- a team which is absolutely different from before, and a team which has a bright future. We have many more options now. It’s not about 13 or 14 players. This is the way to keep working. In the times to come, we are not going to lose games like this, but for that, we need to work very hard.
Stimac who joined as the India manager in May this year also appreciated Oman for their victory. “I congratulate the Oman team for using their experience and winning the match. They made everyone proud today by the way they played. They fought so hard for their country,” he said.