India coach Igor Stimac allows Sandesh Jhingan to skip national camp

By
Triyasha Chatterjee
-
0
Sandesh Jhingan has signed a two-year deal with Croatian club HNK Sibenik.

Kolkata: India head coach Igor Stimac isn’t in a mood to hold Sandesh Jhingan for the national camp ahead of the friendlies and has allowed the defender for his maiden European stint at HNK Sibenik in Croatia. Jhingan has already travelled to the European country.

The 28-year-old Indian completed his move to the Croatian top-division club officially on Wednesday from ATK Mohun Bagan on a two-year deal with an option to extend. He thus became the sixth Indian after Bhaichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri, Aditi Chauhan, Bala Devi and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to play in Europe.   

“Having in mind that the Croatian League has already had five rounds, and the players are fit, we are thinking as to how we can help Sandesh get into form as soon as possible, and also try to facilitate him get his place in the team,” Stimac told reporters in the city on Monday. 

“It’s important for him to get into the playing XI. So we may consider releasing him from the camp and bringing him back but allow him to stay with the club,” said Stimac, who coached Croatia during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Stimac is currently in the city for the national camp ahead of the international friendlies against Nepal. This is also the first time in over a decade Kolkata is hosting a national camp for the senior side. Not only Stimac, but the whole Indian team is looking up to Jhingan for him to do well in Croatia.    

Stimac had earlier been a to Kolkata when India played Bangladesh in a World Cup Qualifier in 2019 in front of a full house and knows very well what place the sport holds in the city. The Croatian stated he would want more of his team playing in at the Salt Lake Stadium. 

“I am really happy and grateful about the organisation of this game, and we will do our best to have such games like this one,” Stimac said on the sidelines of the India XI versus IFA XI friendly tie on the occasion of the ‘Khela Hobe Divas’ – a Government of West Bengal initiative.

“Kolkata is a great football place and during the pandemic when it is difficult to find games, this is one of the best places to train. I was cautious about my players not picking up injuries, and wanted to understand how they handled the game. They went into the pitch after a long time, and without much practice,” the dressing room favourite boss added.

India were supposed to play against the likes of Libya and Jordan in Istanbul but the long quarantine rules in Istanbul made AIFF change plans. The AIFF also looked at options in Malaysia but once again harsh quarantine rules came into play. Finally, they zeroed on Nepal. 

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR