Under-fire Igor Stimac will continue to take charge of India’s FIFA World Cup second round qualifiers against Kuwait and Qatar as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has asked the senior men’s team head coach to focus on the upcoming two games. This comes a week after the technical committee headed by Indian football great IM Vijayan recommended the dismissal of the Croatian World Cup footballer following the shock defeat to Afghanistan at home in Guwahati on March 26.
A committee formed by AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey and headed by Vice President NA Haris held talks with Stimac during a virtual meeting on Tuesday after the loss to Afghanistan.
Vijayan, member of the AIFF executive committee and chairman of the technical committee, said: “I am happy that we had a good discussion with the head coach. In the World Cup qualifiers we have two games in hand with a chance to reach round 3 for the first time in history.
“It’s time we focus on the next two matches and stay firmly behind the national team so they can do their best.” Three members of the committee, including Haris, Vijayan and Climax Lawrence, could not attend the meeting.
During the meeting, Stimac was also asked to clarify his comments before the home match in Afghanistan, where he had said he would resign if India failed to qualify for the third round of the qualifiers.
“A year ago I said we would try to qualify for Round 3 and currently we are second in the group with two teams qualifying. We will discuss this matter further after the match against Kuwait on June 6, 2024,” Stimac said during the meeting.
Stimac had also earlier said that the results against Kuwait and Qatar in June will be the real indication of the Indian football team’s prospect of a maiden appearance in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
He reiterated the same during the meeting with AIFF officials.
“The match against Kuwait on June 6 will be one of the biggest days in Indian football as a win will greatly increase our chances of qualifying for Round 3 for the first time,” Stimac said.
“The staff and players are all aware of this historic moment that awaits us, and we will do everything we can to win,” the coach said.
“Fruitful discussions have been held with the members of the AIFF committee. I appreciate everyone’s concern and hope that we will make history together in June.” After taking charge of the Blue Tigers in 2019, Stimac’s contract was extended last year until 2026.
India will host Kuwait at the Salt Lake Stadium in Calcutta on June 6 and play away against Qatar on June 11.
The match against Kuwait is as good as a final as three points will see India qualify from the group for the first time.
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