Our preparation far from being ideal: Igor Stimac
Livid with the strict quarantine arrangements for COVID-19 in Qatar, the Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac on Friday said their preparation is "far from being ideal" for the upcoming World Cup and Asian Cup Qualifiers. Already out of contention for a World Cup berth, India will face Asian champions Qatar on June 3.
Indian team reached Qatar ahead of schedule
India will take on Bangladesh (June 7) and Afghanistan (June 15) in their remaining group E matches, with an aim to qualify for the 2023 Asian Cup in China. The Sunil Chhetri-led Blue Tigers, who were slated to reach Qatar on May 30, advanced their arrival to May 19. As per strict quarantine, they are not allowed to train in gym or eat together.
Stimac is angry that team is not getting any practice
"If I knew that everything will be like it is today, I would never accept, to be honest. We could organize such games in such a way in India also. At the end we lost possibility of playing two home games," Stimac told reporters.
'This is not proper football work before World Cup Qualifiers'
"Here we are now, not in great conditions. This is far away from a proper preparation for the World Cup Qualifiers. This is not a proper football work which needs to be obtained before the World Cup Qualifiers," Stimac said. "I'm well aware that Qatar is future host of the World Cup, and we know about the great facilities for football teams," he said.
Players are practicing in the corridors: Stimac
"But, as a coach, personally I expected a lot more from this organization. I know that we changed our plans due to COVID-19. I say a big thank you to Qatar government for allowing us to come over here," he said. "Under the current circumstances, the Indian players are forced to practice on the corridor, in front of their respective rooms," 53-year-old Stimac said.
No access to gym or proper food: Stimac
"I didn't expect this. I expected as a coach that we're going to have a possibility of using the gym," the Croatian World Cupper said. "We are doing our morning sessions in the hall in front of our rooms, and our players are eating delivery food, which is left in front of rooms," he said. "That's not proper preparation for football players," he added.
The Indian team has tested COVID-19 negative three times
"I'm quite sure that the Qatari team is not in the same position," Stimac said. He also said that they are forced to go through all this despite being tested COVID-19 negative three times.
'Why aren't we getting to spend more time together?'
"We were tested three times already, all the tests are negative. Why we don't have a proper meeting hall, so we can discuss and analyze our opponents, why we don't have a possibility of spending more time together, eating together," he said. "Instead of that we have one chance going out in the evenings for the training session, that's all," he added.
Most players haven't played any match since ISL
With India reeling under a second wave of the pandemic, most of the players, barring the ones from Bengaluru FC and FC Goa who were involved in the AFC club tournaments, have not played any match since the ISL got over earlier this year.
Confident of making it to the AFC Cup: Stimac
But Stimac is hopeful that they would make the Asian Cup. Currently placed third with three points, India still has a bright chance to make the continental showpiece even if they finish last in their group. "I'm confident that at the end of this journey, we will be in the AFC Cup. But at this moment, the Qatar team is fully prepared," he said.
