PROVED THOSE WHO DOUBTED OUR FITNESS WRONG: STIMAC

DOHA: The players all-hailed Igor Stimac. The Croat used Tuesday’s 0-0 draw against Asian champions Qatar to praise them back and hard tackle those who questioned India’s fitness.

“Against Qatar, we proved to everyone who was talking about a lack of fitness among the players. Qatar are in a different league compared to any team in Asia and my boys made sprints till the very last minute. They defended with such concentration throughout, which really proves their fitness,” said Stimac. “Qatar had more chances. But we also had our own and that makes us more experienced. With experience, we will convert those opportunities,” he said.

‘MORE THAN HAPPY’

“As a coach, I am more than happy to get a point against the Asian champions. All credit to my players and I’m really proud of them.”

The players reciprocated. Left back Mandar Rao Dessai credited Stimac for bringing ‘positive vibes’ in the change room. “The coach did a lot of research on the opponents and gave us a lot of short videos to watch, and prepare. We watched them perhaps a million times,” said Dessai.

“This is quite unbelievable. All the boys are really happy for the coach. He has brought in a lot of changes to our game. We understand we have to do more, and we will surely do more,” said Sahal Abdul Samad.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu said the result smelt of team spirit. “We have played just two matches and we have played well against two powerful teams. It gives us added motivation and confidence that in football, anything is possible,” said Sandhu.

Stimac, 52, said the result merits a full house in their next match, against Bangladesh in Kolkata on October 15.