The head coach of the Indian football team, Igor Stumak, revealed on Wednesday that he was in tears after watching footage of the side’s defeat to Oman despite leading the 82nd minute of their opening World Cup qualifier in 2019. India were leading 1–0 in 24th place. Minute strike from Taweez Sunil Chhetri in the first match of the 2022 World Cup qualifier against Oman in Guwahati in September 2019, but the Gulf country scored two late goals to emerge the winners.
“When I looked back at the earlier matches, I cried a few times. That first match (against Oman) was important, that match was going to determine if we were going to fight for the first two terms in the group (and Will qualify for the next round), ”Stimac said at a virtual press conference.
“As it happened, with bad luck or inexperience (of players) in such important games, we fell down and that was something I always cry about.
“I am sorry, not for myself, as I have faced similar situations during my career,” he said of India’s international friendly move against Oman on Thursday.
Stimack said there are currently no “good quality” players playing in the I-League, who can be selected for the national team. All the players in the 27-member squad are from Indian Super League teams, which has become the top-tier event in the country.
“At the moment there is no player (in the I-League) who has the ability to join the national team. There is nothing to hide about it. All the best players in the I-League are going to be part of the ISL. Because They are followed by scouting by all ISL clubs.
“My staff Venkatesh is following all the players of the I-League. But the door is open and we are going to act as per the feedback received from the I-League scouting system,” he said.
Stimac said the team was starting from scratch after the disruption by the COVID-19 epidemic and said it would not expect too much from them in the two matches. India are playing the UAE in the second friendly on Monday.
“We were planning a lot of things last year such as changes in the scheduling of the season, more games, Super Cups, etc. But the epidemic has destroyed everything. The team will have to start from scratch as well, although the players in the ISL. Have played in. International matches. Overall different.
“We wanted to give them experience of playing strong teams, this would give them more confidence and fearlessness in the future. I have told them that there should be no pressure on them.”
Talking about Oman, Stimac said, “I have seen their match against Jordan. They are really on the physical side, well and really patient. We also worked hard and we had a good game yesterday. Let’s hope so. “
Oman is coming into Thursday’s match after a 0–0 draw against Jordan on March 20.
Senior player and key defender Sandesh Jhingan said that respect for other Asian teams was not there for the current Indian side 10-15 years ago.
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“We too are a strong team now. That is why countries like Oman and UAE are agreeing to play in international friendship with us because they can learn from us as we learn from them.
“The respect that other strong teams of the continent showed us was not there in the Indian team 10-15 years ago.”
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