Indian football is getting better day by day: Igor Stimac

Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac said the second international friendly match against Nepal was a good one for his team. India beat Nepal 2-1 courtesy of goals from skipper Sunil Chhetri and Farukh Choudhary at Dasarath Stadium on Sunday. Although the home side pulled one back through Tej Tamang, it wasn’t enough. Chhetri set up substitute Farukh in the 62nd minute to take the lead before the 37-year-old extended the lead in the 80th minute. It was his 75th international goal.

Indian emerged unbeaten from the two games in Kathmandu with the first match ending 1-1, against the same opponents. In the post-match press conference, Stimac said that the second match was much better than the first one.

“I think it was a good game of football that all the fans could enjoy. This second game was much better than the previous one. We need to congratulate the players on their attitude and their willingness to go and win the game. I especially need to appreciate my players because they were much more patient, waiting for the first goal, to open up the Nepali defense, and as you know, when that happens, everything is much easier.”

The first half was a tight affair as the home side caused some problems to the Indian defence. In the 13th minute, Manish Dangi found himself in space inside the box and Chinglensana Singh tracked back to stop the shot.

Stimac brought in Farukh for Bipin Singh after the break and the 24-year-old broke the deadlock after the hour-mark. Chinglensana’s curling cross from the left was laid perfectly to the path of Farukh by Chhetri. The Jamshedpur FC forward placed the ball past the keeper into the corner to score the opening goal.

“After we scored the first goal, we started rising with confidence”

Stimac said that the Indian football team is improving but there is still a lot to prove in the future.

“After we scored the first goal, we started rising with confidence and playing as we need to play. I think overall India were the better of the two sides over the two games and deservedly are going forward with a win. But I think India still has a lot to prove and many points to improve on.” said Stimac.

Consequently, after the goal, the Nepal defence opened up as they pushed forward for the equalizer and India extended the lead through a counter-attack move finished by the captain. Tamang’s long ranger reduced the deficit five minutes from time, but the Indian defence stood firm to see out the win. 

The Croatian was also quick to praise the opponents. “Nepal played well; they improved a lot. I can see how much it means to the team when it has two months of preparation,” said Stimac.

Meanwhile, in the first of the two friendlies against Nepal, India had to come from behind to draw the match at 1-1. Substitute Anirudh Thapa scored the equalizer in the 60th minute after Anjan Bista had given the lead to the home side in the first half. The team had played some good fighting football against the Blue Tigers and Stimac’s side had to dig deep.

India’s next competitive assignment is the SAFF Championship beginning on October 3, 2021, in the Maldives. India’s first match is against Bangladesh on October 4 and then they will face Sri Lanka, Nepal and the hosts Maldives.