In a career highlighted by many thrilling matches, Igor Stimac is no stranger to high-stakes encounters. The affable Croatian, known for his serene smile, has spent four decades in top-tier football, experiencing numerous moments when the sport felt like more than just a game. Now, as the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers approach, Stimac anticipates an encounter that could very well redefine Indian football.
The Blue Tigers, as the Indian national team is fondly known, will clash with Kuwait on June 6 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, a match Stimac calls “the most important match for India in three decades.” The anticipation is palpable, with fans and players alike gearing up for an event that promises to be historic.
India’s quest in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers dates back to 1985. Despite multiple attempts, they have yet to progress beyond the first round. Stimac acknowledges this challenging history but highlights the monumental significance of the upcoming match. “The game against Kuwait is going to be the most important match for India in the last three decades. India never could achieve the third round in the World Cup Qualifiers. Having the very opportunity to be in that position is an achievement by itself,” said Stimac.
A victory not only propels India to Round 3 but also secures their place in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia. The June 6 encounter thus holds the weight of a potential double triumph. In Round 3, the competition intensifies as 18 nations are split into three groups of six, playing in a home-and-away format.
“Reaching there (Round 3) will be another step in Indian football history. It will be an amazing thing to have the opportunity to play another 10 games against the best Asian teams and dream big about trying to reach the biggest stage of football,” Stimac added, underscoring the gravitas of the occasion.
Preparation for this monumental match has been methodical. Stimac shared his meticulous approach: “In the way we always do. We now have the opportunity to train and spend time together for a longer period to bring the intensity level up and achieve the needed level of international football.” The intent is clear: to cultivate an environment where the players can peak in terms of performance and mental resilience.
Game readiness involves more than just physical conditioning. “For such an important game, we need to do a few things; in regards to strength conditioning, in regards to understanding what it needs, in regards to how important this game is, and in regards to mental strength and self-confidence. So, we work on all aspects needed for our boys to be on top of their form in this game,” emphasized Stimac.
Key tactics revolve around patience and intelligent play. “Winning the game is crucial.
. And to reach that target, we need to be very clever. We need to understand that in the game, we require patience. If we don’t open the scoring in the first half an hour, we need to be intelligent and play quality football together with pace,” Stimac elaborated.
India has crossed paths with Kuwait thrice in the past year, including a dramatic win in the SAFF Championship final in Bangalore. These encounters have boosted Stimac’s confidence. “Each of those matches was very tough and I can clearly state that we controlled all those games in superb ways. We dominated for the bigger parts in each one of these games. We were above them physically. But on other occasions, before the Kuwait games, we had many games that helped us reach that level,” he noted.
However, the current scenario presents unique challenges. With no ongoing leagues or club games, the team had limited match practice. “But we did play two games between us to reach the intensity we required. And I need to tell you that the boys were superb in those two games. I am very happy with them; happy with everything that was done in the last three weeks,” Stimac stated with optimism.
In response to whether anything crucial was missing, Stimac remained pragmatic. “I don’t have the right to think about it. We have to focus on what we have. What we can do and what can be improved. In the final week, we are concentrating on set pieces, offensive tactics, and a few details regarding the shape, team composure, and speed of passing.”
Compounding the preparations, defender Mehtab Singh, who left due to personal reasons, is expected to rejoin the camp shortly. The emphasis now lies on mental preparedness and unity. “It’s a huge game. The careers of the boys can change with this game. I want them to enjoy and do their best in the game,” Stimac concluded, encapsulating the sense of opportunity and pressure that hangs in the air.
As the clock ticks down to June 6, the fervor builds, with every Indian football enthusiast hoping that this night will indeed be an epoch-making event in the annals of Indian football history.
