Describing India’s incapability to attain targets as “an old problem”, head coach Igor Stimac on Tuesday mentioned the group can’t be depending on only one participant to search out the opposition web, in an obvious reference to talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri.
India have thus far scored two targets within the ongoing SAFF Championships and each got here by means of 37-year-old Chhetri, who equalled legendary Pele together with his 77th strike within the match towards Nepal.
“I’m quite happy with our performance in last three games — looking at the way we played, at possession numbers. We dominated them and our goalkeeper wasn’t much disturbed,” Stimac mentioned on the media convention forward of India’s final round-robin league match towards hosts Maldives.
“But there is an old problem which is following us and that’s converting chances. We cannot be dependent on just one player and need to be more confident in front of goal,” he added.
Currently at third spot with 5 factors from three matches, India want nothing lower than a win towards Maldives to remain in reckoning for the ultimate of the regional match.
A draw or a loss will knock India out and that would be the worst end result for the nation in latest reminiscence, which might additionally increase doubts about Stimac’s continuation on the helm of affairs.
The worst efficiency for seven-time champions India earlier than this version was the third-place end in 2003 and the nation has both gained or completed runners-up in 11 earlier editions.
We know what we have to do tomorrow, says Stimac forward of India’s 🇮🇳 conflict towards Maldives 🇲🇻
Read 👉🏼 https://t.co/2c7CzWyUc6#SAFFChampionship2021 🏆 #AgainTheBlue 💙 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/L197aoRUMF
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 12, 2021
“The situation is a bit easier for Maldives as they need just a draw, and hence, it’s clear what we need to do in tomorrow’s game,” mentioned the Croatian.
The head coach mentioned the win towards Nepal has boosted the arrogance of his gamers.
“The greatest motivation is to win video games. It wasn’t simple to have two back-to-back attracts within the first two video games. Hence, it was a type of a aid for all of the gamers to beat Nepal. They wanted confidence.
“In fact, they deserved to win all the three games but in football, you cannot win unless you score goals.”
Talking about opposition group, he mentioned, “Maldives are a much-improved side. They are more compact than they were before. They stress more on passing and possession-based football. They are creating chances, and their movements are great upfront.”
“There is an affordable understanding between (star striker) Ali Ashfaq and others. They know how you can transfer when Ashfaq has the ball, and he is aware of the place they’re working with out even them.
“But how they are going to play also depends on us, as to how much we let them play. If my midfielders and defenders do what I expect them to do, Maldives shouldn’t be able to play much.”
Stimac mentioned Wednesday’s match goes to witness two nice veterans on the pitch — Ashfaq for Maldives and Chhetri for India.
“It’s a joy to watch them play, and if they were playing in the same team, it would have been a great combination for any coach.”
