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India's head football coach, Igor Stimac, expressed uncertainty regarding the Indian football team's fate in the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games. The Games, distinguished by their U-23 format, present a challenge due to limited knowledge about the competition and India's absence from the U-23 scene for two years.
"It's difficult to say (how far India will go in the Asian Games) because it's an under-23 competition, and you don't have much information about all the teams you're going to face there. I think we are the only team that hasn't played a single game with the under-23s in the last two years," remarked Stimac.
The rapid succession of matches at the Games also presents a challenge. India faces their primary group adversary, China, in their opening match and has less than a 48-hour gap before squaring off against Bangladesh.
Following the Asian Games, the spotlight will shift to Thailand's King's Cup on September 7, where India aims to maintain the momentum of their impressive home performances, which boasts a 16-game undefeated streak. The tournament could see India, the 2019 bronze medalists, sans their top striker, Sunil Chhetri, due to personal reasons.
Addressing Chhetri's potential absence, Stimac stated, "Absolutely. That's why we are following our boys at the (ongoing) Durand Cup too. And they are doing well. They are showing a good attitude, putting on good performances."
The King's Cup and the subsequent Hangzhou Asian Games present distinct challenges. Stimac highlighted India's advancements in defense and shared his apprehensions about sustaining high-intensity football. "The most important thing is for our national team to be resistant enough and have the level of intensity we need in the game to do well," he commented.
Given the tight-packed football calendar, including the King's Cup, Merdeka Cup, World Cup Qualifiers, and the Asian Cup, strategic preparation is crucial. "We need to be very wise and use the time, which will be given to us, properly," advised Stimac.
Emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the Asian Games, Stimac hinted at a young squad for the King's Cup, saying, "At the moment, we are probably not taking the best possible Indian team to the King's Cup in Thailand... our priority in September is the Asian Games, not the results in the King's Cup."
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