Igor Stimac Lowers Expectations against Qatar, Asks for 8 weeks to prepare team

Ahead of a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier with the hosts Qatar, Indian men’s football team coach Igor Stimac has revealed that he will not put the team under undue pressure against the 2019 AFC Cup Champions.

India had gotten a respectable draw in Doha, Qatar, in the first leg played last year, which is one of the best results under the Croat.

Qatar will visit India on October 8 for the game, which will be played in Bhubaneswar, after which they will face Bangladesh away from home on the 12th of November, followed by a match against Afghanistan in Kolkata five days later.

Although a place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is out of reach for the blue Tigers, there is still a chance to play at the 2023 Asian Cup should they get the desired results in the remaining games.

Stimac disclosed that it would be detrimental to promise a victory against Qatar, but nevertheless, his team will approach the match with a mentality not to lose.

“With a strong belief in what we do and a clear mindset, everything is possible. We are certainly not going to come out on the pitch to lose the game. But to promise victory against Asian champions and such a great team as Qatar would be suicidal, We are in the process of building up a new respectable team, and I am trying to avoid putting our youngsters under extra pressure so they can enjoy their football and gain experience for the future.” Stimac was quoted on news18 speaking from his home country in Croatia

Meanwhile, the manager has identified that arranging international friendlies due to the coronavirus pandemic, he revealed that he would love to have a duration of 8 weeks to prepare the team and play some friendlies as well.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu