Kolkata: The coach of Indian men’s football team Igor Stimac is positive about team India and is hopeful to beat Vietnam and Singapore in the upcoming friendly tournament. The visitor had qualified for AFC Asian Cup in June defeating Cambodia, Afghanistan and Hong Kong.
“With regards to the momentum that we have after the June AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, the optimism is high and the positiveness which currently surrounds the team should only bode well for us,” Stimac said. “I am very happy that over the last three and a half years, we have fulfilled the goals that were there in front of us. And with I’m sure we made everyone happy with the qualifiers in June with our style of play and the mindset that we showed in the game,” he said.
With the last campaign going well in June, Stimac is confident of victory against Vietnam who ranks higher than India in FIFA rankings. “Obviously, Vietnam has a lot of momentum with their performances in the last couple of years. They have a good team and are playing at home, which is why they are probably the favourites.
“But we also have a good chance as we have a young squad. I think we have enough quality to match them, and if we stay positive and play with a good mind-set, we can do it,” quoted coach.
The players are currently training with their respective Indian Super League tournaments or their upcoming tournament. Coach Stimag is wary of their fitness levels. “We are definitely capable of winning the tournament, but I think it’s the small things that will decide who wins it,” said India head coach Igor Stimac.
The Croatian coach is positive about the talented team with a large number of players of the squad being under the age of 25. “The confidence, with which they played, especially the youth, gives us a lot of hope. Most of our boys are around 22 years old right now. In a few years, they will be 25 years old, with a vast array of International experience, and that will only help India further,” he said.
Team India Squad
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem and Amrinder Singh.
Defenders: Sandesh Jhingan, Roshan Singh Naorem, Anwar Ali, Akash Mishra, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Harmanjot Singh Khabra and Narender.
Midfielders: Liston Colaco, Muhammed Ashique Kuruniyan, Vikram Partap Singh, Udanta Singh Kumam, Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Yasir Mohammad, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Sahal Abdul Samad, Rahul Kannoly Praveen and Lallianzuala Chhangte.
Forwards: Sunil Chhetri and Ishan Pandita.
Fixtures:
September 24: Singapore vs India, 5.30 PM IST.
September 27: Vietnam vs India, 5.30 PM IST.
