AIFF held a meeting with head coach Igor Stimac as Indian men’s football team continues to struggle for results on the pitch.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) held a virtual discussion with Indian men’s football team coach Igor Stimac on 2 April regarding concerns around the form of the Blue Tigers and the shock defeat to Afghanistan. India’s 2-1 loss to Afghanistan in March 2024 dealt a big blow to India’s chances of reaching the Round 3 of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for the first time.
After the demoralising loss at home, AIFF President, Kalyan Chaubey, formed a committee to look into the matter as India have been unable to win a game since their victory over Kuwait in November 2023. At the AFC Asian Cup 2023, India lost all their three matches and did not score a single goal. In the two qualifiers against Afghanistan, India were held to a goalless draw in Saudi Arabia before losing 2-1 at Guwahati to the same team.
AIFF on Thursday announced through a statement that the federation held talks with Stimac. In the meeting, the coach was asked to focus on the next two qualifiers, victories in which can help India make history. This has also brought an end to the speculations of AIFF sacking him.
Apart from the former Croatian player and coach, Menla Ethenpa, Member, Executive Committee and Chairperson, Finance Committee, Anilkumar Prabhakaran, Member, Executive Committee and Chairperson, Competitions Committee and M Satyanarayan, Acting Secretary General, AIFF were also present in the meeting.
Three other members of the committee, NA Haris, Vice President, AIFF, IM Vijayan and Climax Lawrence, could not attend the meeting. Haris could not attend because of the demise of his mother. AIFF said that all three were apprised of the outcome of the meeting.
During the meeting, while commenting on his recent remarks in a press conference where he had said that he would resign if India failed to qualify for Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers 2026, Stimac said his remarks were made in response to a question in the said press conference.
“A year ago, I said that we would try and qualify for Round 3 and currently we are second in the group and two teams qualify. We will discuss this issue further after the match against Kuwait on June 6, 2024,” the coach told the meeting.
“The game against Kuwait on June 6 will be one of the biggest days in Indian football, as a win will immensely brighten our chances to qualify for Round 3 for the first time. The staff and the players are all aware of this historic moment that awaits us, and we will do everything in our capacity to win,” Stimac told the meeting.
“Fruitful discussions were had with the AIFF committee members. I appreciate everyone’s concern and hope we will join together to create history in June,” said the head coach.
Anilkumar and Ethenpa told Stimac to just focus on the games ahead and plan his preparation accordingly, as per the AIFF statement.
Vijayan, who is a member of the Executive Committee and the chairman of the Technical Committee, said: “I am happy that we had a good discussion with the head coach. In the World Cup qualifiers, we have two matches in hand with a chance to make Round 3 for the first time in history. It is time we focussed on the next two matches and stayed solidly behind the National Team so that they could do their best.”
The statement added that the Acting Secretary General promised all necessary support to the coach, his support staff and the team to prepare for the final two games in Round 2 in the best possible way.
Find us on YouTube
Find us on YouTube
is on YouTube
Copyright @ 2024. Firstpost – All Rights Reserved
