India's squad for AFC Asian Cup is ready: Here's coach Igor Stimac's unequivocal message to his players

India’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Qatar ended in a 3-0 defeat on Tuesday, but coach Igor Stimac was already looking at the future. After the game at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, India are third in Group A with three points and behind Kuwait on goal difference. India’s hopes of reaching the third round for the first time are well and truly alive. But before the next group games in March 2024, there’s the big matter of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in January-February. India, 102nd in the FIFA rankings, are placed in a tough group comprising Australia (27), Uzbekistan (73) and Syria (92). The Qatar game was India’s last before the AFC Asian Cup starts and by default became a qualifying contest for Indian players to book their slot in the 23-member squad. “The result was not our priority today. My priority as a coach today was to get answers on some questions which were haunting me for a certain time. And as you already know, we’re not having any more games prior to the match against Australia. I have all my answers, and that’s a huge win out of this game,” Stimac, the 1998 World Cup bronze medal winner, said in the post-match press conference after Qatar game. “I have a clear picture, clarity on what needs to be done, and who are the players who can go there?” Quite naturally Stimac kept his cards close to his chest, but still revealed some, sending stern messages to some players and praising a few. No one bore the brunt of the Croat’s ire more than Udanta Singh. Stimac fires warning to Udanta The winger from FC Goa was substituted after the first half in which he failed to link up effectively with right-back Nikhil Poojary and was ineffective from the flank. Stimac’s message to him was to return to his club and work harder to earn the national shirt again. “We’ve been having Udanta with us for a long time. And having doubts, all of us. Expecting a lot. Not getting enough. You know? Same was today. I’m sorry to say that. But we don’t have time to wait for some players. You know, some players got enough chances,” Stimac warned. “So, Udanta will need to go back to his club and there prove to everyone in the country that he deserves the national team shirt again. I’m not harsh on him, don’t get me wrong. I love the boy and everyone knows my biggest hopes for big competitions were Ashique Kuruniyan and Udanta. “Because they have enormous speed, they have enormous energy, they have enormous endurance for it. But if you don’t push yourself every day, if you don’t work hard enough every day, if you don’t take care of yourself every day in a way that it’s your last day, no good things will happen and we are not the team who can keep carrying people who are not improving on a daily basis on a yearly basis.” [caption id=“attachment_13415002” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Despite Qatar scoring thrice, India defender Rahul Bheke had a decent game. AIFF image[/caption] Praise for Rahul Bheke and Subhasish Bose and a message for Aakash Mishra Subhasish Bose played as left-back against Qatar instead of first-choice Aakash Mishra and the Mohun Bagan Super Giant player impressed with his work rate and defensive ability. The India coach rated Bose highly and also had a sly message for his No. 1 choice. “Subasish Bose, he’s been with us since the first day. And as you all know, Aakash got this position in a wonderful way. And Aakash is the one from the youngsters who’s been playing on a regular basis for the last couple of years without missing a single minute on the pitch,” the former Derby County captain said. “And it’s obvious to all of us who are following all the games that Aakash’s form has dropped significantly. And it’s normal for me as a coach, but his form didn’t drop significantly in a way that can hurt the team. He can do more. What he’s doing is enough, but he can do much more, you know. So this was a wonderful situation for Subhasish to prove himself. “He’s been working so hard and I felt sorry, to be honest, watching him, but not being able to move Akash from the position and giving him the chance. Today was a great opportunity to give Subasish a chance to confirm his position for the Asian Cup and he did it and I congratulate him. He confirmed his position as an option for the left full-back for the Asian Cup.” Stimac also praised defender Rahul Bheke for his big performances against Kuwait and Qatar and put all speculations over his future to an end. “I’m very happy for Rahul Bheke. First, because he had two tremendous games against Kuwait and today again. He proved to everyone that he is worthy of being in the national team. So don’t judge. Don’t judge his quality any more…let’s stop being harsh on Rahul Bheke.” Some more players confirmed their spots for Asian Cup Stimac confirmed that Lalengmawia Ralte, also known as Apuia, and Suresh Singh Wangjam will also be travelling with the squad for the Asian Cup. “Apuia confirmed his position. Suresh confirmed his position,” he said. [caption id=“attachment_13415882” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Lalengmawia (Apuia) is back in Indian national team and ready for AFC Asian Cup 2023. AIFF image[/caption] Pritam Kotal can only come back if he plays right back Veteran defender Pritam Kotal is playing as a centre-back for Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League (ISL) and that has put him out of competition for the national team in his natural position as a right full-back. “Nikhil is the first choice (for right-back), definitely. He is the one, I would say that at the moment is the most underrated player in ISL,” the 56-year-old revealed. “Kotal is one of the contenders for the position, but we need much more from him. Obviously, he is playing as a centre-back in the club, and I don’t, don’t see him in the national team as a centre-back.” On the possibility of new players joining the Indian squad Players like Northeast United FC’s Parthib Gogoi and FC Goa’s Jay Gupta have been making waves with their performances in the ongoing ISL season, but Stimac feels that it will take a lot more for them to enter the national team setup. He said that players who are part of the Blue Tigers right now have been with the squad for quite a while and have proven themselves over a long period. “Don’t push guys who had one good performance, or half a good performance, or scored one goal in the ISL to come to the national team. It’s a longer process proving yourself, proving yourself in the league, and then preparing to become a national team player,” Stimac said.