The Indian men’s football team coach Igor Stimac had said the AFC Asian Cup was “not an important tournament” with even the most ardent fan of the Blue Tigers having a hard time justifying the statement.
The Croatian had said those words after India’s loss at home to Qatar in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Joint Qualification, opting to prioritise the joint qualifiers as they offer the chance to secure more international matches.
AUS vs IND – WATCH LIVE
The preparation has not been ideal with the coach’s demands for a prolonged camp as well as a break to the Indian domestic football competition falling on deaf ears.
Injuries to key players in crucial roles have not helped too. In fact, the Indian team have been practising in Doha, while most of the other participating teams chose to play friendlies.
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So in perspective, Igor Stimac’s dismissal of the AFC Asian Cup’s importance is as much as impertinence as caution.
Sunil Chhetri and Co. have been drawn in a rather difficult group with Australia (January 13), Uzbekistan (January 18), and Syria (January 23), having the arduous task of trying to navigate their way through to the knockouts.
When India take to the field against Australia at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan on Saturday (17:30 IST) , all that will count for naught.
When fans tune in to watch, it will just be their Blue Tigers up against the Socceroos, underdogs versus the favourites.
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In fact, the last time India played the 2011 edition of the Asian Cup in Doha, it was Australia as their first opponent. Only two people remain in the current Blue Tigers side from the outfit that faced Australia 12 years ago – striker Sunil Chhetri and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
“We didn’t have much knowledge of the Australian back in 2011. Not when compared to the minute details we have now,” Sunil Chhetri was quoted as saying by AIFF.
“We’ve watched their friendlies against Palestine (1-0) and Bahrain (2-0), so we know about the challenges we are facing ahead. I must admit, however, that with such familiarity, the fear factor goes out of the window,” he said.
Gurpreet, on the other hand, is relishing the opportunity to play one of the top sides in Asia: “It’s not an easy group to be in, but it’s where we should aim to be. Only when you face challenges and discomforts, do you know where you stand. Australia are a World Cup side, and Uzbekistan and Syria have also done quite well. But we should not think too low of ourselves. We’re also here on merit, and we will do our best to make the most of it,” he told AIFF.
The gulf in class and stature of some of the players on paper is only outshined by the calibre on the pitch.
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