India vs Qatar, FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Igor Stimac explains why Amrinder Singh started over Gurpreet

Indian football team coach Igor Stimac said inclusion of Amrinder Singh over Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in the playing XI against Qatar, which ended 0-3 for the hosts , was his reward for contribution to the senior national team. Stimac made five changes to the starting XI from the team that beat Kuwait in the 2026 FIFA World Cup second round qualifiers. While the outfield changes were understandable as India were circumspect of the challenge that lay ahead, the selection of Amrinder over Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was difficult to understand. India’s No. 1 goalkeeper, Gurpreet, had made 11 stunning saves in the famous draw against Qatar in 2019 as the Blue Tigers nullified the 2022 World Cup hosts in their own backyard. Tuesday, however, wasn’t a great day for Amrinder, who was put under pressure from the very first minute by a Qatar team that was determined, sharp and nippy. The first goal for Qatar came through Mustafa Meshaal in the fourth minute and it was the earliest India conceded under Stimac but there was another chance even earlier which Akram Afif squandered. The move began with a misdirected pass from Amrinder who gifted the ball way to Almoez Ali but had a sigh of relief after Afif missed. At the start of the second half, Amrinder spilled an Afif shot, that was nudged on by Almoez Ali, to give Qatar a 2-0 lead in the 47th minute and dash India’s hopes of a comeback.

GOALL!! Akram Afif's shot slips through the hands of Amrinder Singh and Almoez Ali nudges the ball in over the line to make it 2-0! pic.twitter.com/DldqLlSNiV

— Qatar Football Live (@QFootLive) November 21, 2023

It would be unfair to put the blame of defeat only on Amrinder as the Indian defence was caught off-guard multiple times by a much-quicker Qatari attack but not having your No 1 goalkeeper in a big game has its disadvantages and it became apparent. Stimac, however, was defiant about his changes and highlighted the importance of Odisha FC goalkeeper Amrinder in the national setup and how the competition between the goalkeepers has allowed Gurpreet to be better. “We all know that Gurpreet had two fantastic games against Qatar. He’s our first choice goalkeeper. We don’t have any doubt about that. But you know why he’s our first choice goalkeeper? Because Amrinder is always pushing him. Did you ask yourself why Gurpreet’s form in the national team is so different from his club form? Because he’s got Amrinder here, who is disciplined, committed, with hunger, with patience, waiting for his chance and working hard,” Stimac said in the post-match press conference. “And whenever he gets the chance, he’s there for us. And this game today was credit to him. To his discipline, to his patience, to his commitment, to his loyalty to the national team shirts and to providing to us the best Gurpreet we can get.” While Stimac didn’t say it in as many words, it’s possible that the decision to start Amrinder ahead of Gurpreet was taken with an eye on the AFC Asian Cup 2023. India will not be playing any more internationals before the tournament in January where they are in a tough group that includes Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria. All three teams are significantly ahead of 102nd ranked India. With Qatar ranked 41 sports ahead of India, Stimac said that result was not his “priority” but he was focussed on finding answers to the questions that were “haunting” him. “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 game against Australia. “I have all my answers, and that’s a huge win out of this game. I have a clear picture, clarity, what needs to be done, and who are the players who can go there.”