Igor Stimac lauds FIFA U-17 World Cup for developing players

Indian men’s football team head coach Igor Stimac lauds Indian Arrows project and hosting of FIFA U-17 World Cup for the development of Indian football. The Indian team registered its best ever finish in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers in UAE, finishing second in the group. “This just proves that the project which started years ago in India with Indian Arrows and the FIFA U-17 World Cup were the right steps in developing a new generation of players who will have more confidence on the pitch and not hesitate to face anyone,” Stimac stated after India’s goalless draw against Kyrgyz Republic in the final group match on Saturday.

India finished their campaign on a high, bagging four points from three games. Stimac’s side started the qualifiers with an impressive 2-1 win over higher ranked Oman in the opening game. Although they lost 1-0 to UAE in the next game, the final group match against Kyrgyz Republic finished 0-0. 

Both India and Kyrgyz Republic finished with four points apiece and both teams had the same number of goal difference(0) and goals scored (2), therefore a penalty shootout was  held to decide who finished second and third respectively. India won the shootout 4-2 courtesy of some spectacular saves from goalkeeper Dheeraj singh. 

Top teams from each group qualify directly for next year’s continental showpiece along with best four second placed teams from all groups. India will now need to wait till the conclusion of other group matches to know if it can qualify for its maiden AFC U-23 Asian Cup.

“I would like to congratulate everyone, especially UAE, Fujairah, and everyone involved for organising the tournament so nicely. We enjoyed our stay here. Deservedly, they qualified to the finals too,” he mentioned.” 

Dheeraj had an impressive campaign

“We still have hopes to qualify for the finals. The boys absolutely deserve it. Everyone in India sees that we have a bright future ahead,” Stimac averred.” 

Meanwhile Dheeraj had an impressive campaign conceding just two goals in three games and the 21-year-old glove-man made a number of brilliant saves to help his team accumulate four points.

“Yes, he’s the man of the match because he made some crucial stops in the first half when we gave the Kyrgyz two gifts without a reason, and he was there to keep us in the game. Finally, saving those two penalties in the shootout was something extraordinary.”

Stimac continued, “He’s already been with the senior team for a while. He’s already competed in the AFC Champions League last season and he was magnificent there. He’s a fantastic stop-stopper at the penalty shootouts. We believed he could come up with a few saves there.”

Other than Dheeraj, the likes of Forwards Rahim Ali, Rahul K P, Vikram Pratap Singh, midfeilder Apuia also gave a good account of themselves. Rahim and Vikram netted in the first match against Oman. Meanwhile, Apuia who is also part of the senior team bosses the midfield.