[ad_1]
Amidst nationwide celebrations of India’s victory in the 2023 SAFF Championship, there is one man who refuses to be complacent and is already focused on the future. Coach Igor Shtymak, who has won widespread praise for dramatically improving the team, refuses to rest on his laurels and calls out the need for changes.
While the Croatian has expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance over the past two months, he emphatically stresses that there are various areas for players to improve.
As mentioned before Times of IndiaStimac also opened up about the need to change the league’s structure which, in turn, would benefit players in the long run.
Moreover, he expressed his interest in a four-week training camp before the Asian Cup. However, this demand seems uncertain due to the scheduling of the Indian Premier League (ISL), which is set to start in September.
Stimac said on the subject:
“I’m not happy, the boys carry bad ISL habits. Decision making in the final third is poor. They look to pass where shooting is essential to score. There are certain things that need to change and change quickly. There has to be a clear acceptance of my plan and that has to happen within weeks.” Coming up, we can’t wait until January to start that conversation.
“Hiding behind FIFA’s regulations to release players just five days before a competition won’t work. These rules are made for the best players in the world. We’re nowhere near that level.”
The Indian football fraternity certainly warmed to Stimak’s ideas and fully supported the head coach’s belief in the team’s need for more exposure before important tournaments.
As Indian football faced a slump due to inadequate planning in the leagues and national teams’ camps, fans lauded Stimak’s honesty and unwavering commitment to improving football preparation.
Here are some reactions to Stimac quotes:
Stimac’s willingness to take action has drawn comparisons among fans to legendary manager Jose Mourinho, known for speaking fearlessly when necessary.
Moreover, Stimac’s actions on the pitch, such as his red card drama in the SAFF Championship, show some similarities to Mourinho’s. However, for Indian football, this signifies a positive step forward as it underscores Stimac’s dedication to the cause.
Here are some additional reactions:
India coach Igor Stemak is urging the creation of a national team to compete in challenging environments
In addition to openly addressing several concerns, Igor Shtemak stressed the importance of exposing players to challenging environments to further improve their abilities.
He also stressed the need for immediate action to ensure continued and consistent progress.
“In India we don’t live in the real world. The gap to the rest of our competitors will only increase if we dare our feet. We have to decide if we want to play in India and be happy or go out and try to compete with the rest of the world,” said Stimak.
India is definitely on the right track, especially with Igor Stematic leading. After winning the SAFF Championship, they are set to participate in the next King’s Cup in September, followed by the Merdeca Cup in October, and the FIFA 2026 qualifiers in November before contesting next year’s Asian Cup.
[ad_2]
