Ahead of India’s AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 marketing campaign, the Blue Tigers’ head coach, Igor Stimac, on Saturday stated that he’s searching for gamers with robust character. While talking in an interview with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Stimac stated that they had been searching for “experience and physical strength” whereas deciding the 26-member squad for the upcoming event.
“All these boys from the list are very similar in terms of football quality so what we are looking for in the final list of 26 is definitely experience and physical strength and the final line would be drawn by the strength of their character. This is something that is really important for us as a team and as a family because no matter the talent, if there is no character, nothing can be achieved,” Stimac was quoted by ISL’s official web site as saying.
He added that they need to work on their “defensive, offensive transition and set pieces” for his or her forthcoming fixtures.
“The things we are looking to work on are defensive compactness, offensive transition and the set pieces, mostly,” he stated.
What an absolute stunner of a free kick from @yandhanda within the #SPL yesterday. Imagine having him a part of the @IndianFootball group within the #AFCAsianCup… @kalyanchaubey @stimac_igor  pic.twitter.com/S5jlGoY0IN
 Baljit Singh Rihal (@BaljitRihal) December 31, 2023
Talking about their opponents within the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, he praised all of Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria and stated that they’re “very good sides.”
“All three opponents are very good sides. Technically good, physically strong, and have great speed, so we are not going to have much difference in approach in all these three games,” Stimac stated.
India will play their opening Group B match towards Australia on January 13 on the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan earlier than dealing with Uzbekistan on January 18 on the similar venue. Stimac’s facet will then transfer to the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor to tackle Syria on January 23.
India’s 26-member squad for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023: Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Vishal Kaith. Defenders: Akash Mishra, Lalchungnunga, Mehtab Singh, Nikhil Poojary, Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose. Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Udanta Singh. Forwards: Ishan Pandita, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Sunil Chhetri, Vikram Partap Singh.
