Indian Football Team is currently ranked number 100 in the updated FIFA World Rankings and despite the triumphs in SAFF Championship 2023 and Intercontinental Cup, coach Igor Stimach isn't a happy man. (More Football News)
The Croatian coach is displeased with the current football team despite the Sunil Chhetri-led side coming leaps and bounds in the span of few months.
In a recent interview with The Times Of India, Stimac stated that 'India is still not living in the real world' and there need to be steps taken to make the team compete with the best teams across the globe.
"The boys are carrying the bad habits from ISL. Decision-making in the final third is poor. They look to pass where shooting to score is necessary," Stimac was quoted in the Times of India, citing the certain issues associated with the team.
"Certain things need to change and change fast. There must be a clear acceptance of my plan and it has to happen within the coming weeks. We cannot wait till January for that conversation to start," said Stimac whose contract is set to expire after the Asian Cup next year.
Stimac also fired warning to the AIFF and other stakeholders in the Indian football fraternity that the gap between the national side and the global teams will only widen if cetain 'constructive steps' aren't taken quickly.
"We in India are not living in the real world. The gap with the rest of our competitors will only increase if we drag our feet. We have to decide whether we want to play in India and be happy or (go out and) try to compete with the rest of the world."
Igor Stimac also shared his view on Indian football's leading scorer Sunil Chhetri. He said, "I would like him (Chhetri) to play for the national team at least as long as I am here. Unlike others who ask when Sunil will retire, I would do everything to keep him playing. From the day I joined, I have been hearing about his age. But what counts is his fitness, commitment, passion, hunger, and leadership skills. He is the best player India has ever had and his record speaks for it," he concluded.
