We are confident, but not overconfident, asserts Stimac ahead of final

There’s a huge interest in the Blue Tigers among the tourists at the team hotel. The other day, an elderly Polish gentleman said, “I belong to the land of Boniek (Zbigniew) and Robert Lewandowski. But you have Sunil Chhetri. I have heard about him –79 International goals – wow,” he smiled. “Win the final. Good luck.”
The sentiment stays the same among the tourists from other countries – from Portugal, Russia, The Netherlands, the UK, USA, and others. “The Cup needs to come back to our hotel. We will be cheering for you guys.”
The Blue Tigers, however, understand the job is not yet done – there’s still a match left to be conquered – the SAFF Championship final against Nepal.
“We are not allowing complacency to step in. We are aware of what we need to do. There is a very tiny line between being confident and overconfident and I am keeping a close eye that we don’t cross that line,” Head Coach Igor Stimac stated.
“We are rising as a group, as a team and as a big family playing better football with every given day. We have to be patient, keep working hard and be confident. Nepal are a known opponent to us, as much we are to them. We take confidence in having won the last two matches. But I reiterate, we are not overconfident,” Stimac added.

The Blue Tigers had their practice session earlier today (October 15, 2021), and the to and fro travel was extremely turbulent – the Indian Ocean being extremely rough which led to some of the boys experiencing nausea.
The team news stays that three players have already been ruled out of the final – besides, Farukh Choudhury (ACL injury), Brandon Fernandes (quadriceps injury), and Subhashish Bose (suspended owing to a red card) are not available for selection.
Assistant Coach Shanmugam Venkatesh maintained that the boys need to “enjoy the final.”
“Nepal are an extremely competitive team, and the motivation of playing for both teams in a final is quite normal. We respect Nepal as a team. We have told our boys to enjoy the final,” Venkatesh, who won two SAFF Championships as a player, uttered.
“It gives us the satisfaction that there are some boys from the U-17 World Cup batch who are settling in fast into the Senior Team. The players realise the importance of the final and the character on display after the first two games have been exemplary. Youngsters like Lalengmawia, Suresh, Yasir have played a huge role on and off the pitch, while the seniors have gelled well with Sunil, Gurpreet, Kotal, Subhashish, and Bheke leading from the front to keep the flag flying high,” he expressed.

“We are ready to give our best in the final. We understand that it won’t be an easy match. We are a young team, and the coach wants to build up a team for the future. I am eager to play my part as much as the others,” Lalengmawia maintained.
“The medical staff needs to be lauded. Playing 5 matches in 13 days is tough on the players, and there is no way it would have been possible had not the medical staff worked incredibly hard to keep them fit,” Venkatesh explained.
Stimac informed that though Subhashish will be missed, he is working on an able replacement. “Subhashish will be missed for sure because he is a left-footed player. He was our sole option as a left central defender at this stage, but we are working to replace him,” the Head Coach informed.
The team captain indicated that the boys are working on the recovery process. “We didn’t start the manner we were expected to. To win a game that was a must-win for us amidst hostile conditions was really satisfying.
But we know the work is not done yet. So we are working on the recovery process, trying to eat, sleep and rest well and step on the pitch and win a trophy.” The kick-off against Nepal on Saturday (October 16, 2021) is at IST 8.30 pm and the match will be telecast live on Eurosport.
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read: Kerala United end campaign with a win over ARA FC
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football
FC Goa appoints Manolo Marquez as new Head Coach
FC Goa confirm the appointment of Manolo Marquez as the Club’s new Head Coach. The Spaniard has put pen to paper on a multi-year contract that will see him take…
Coach’s trust goes a long way in building a player’s career, says Akash Mishra
In the last nine matches the Indian senior men’s team have played, Akash Mishra has not been on the pitch for only 12 minutes. Such has been his rise over…
Manolo Marquez: I know we’ll field a good team and enjoy a good season
Manolo Marquez, speaking in his first press conference since being announced as FC Goa’s new head coach sounded upbeat about the upcoming 2023-24 season, as he takes over the reins…
Shashwat Panwar on a journey of improvement with India U-17s
NEW DELHI: The India U-17 Men’s National Team have been on an impressive run in their training camps in Spain and Germany, pitting themselves against the youth teams of some of…
Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023: A quick-start guide to the Blue Tigers’ opponents
BHUBANESWAR: Since its inception in 2018, the Hero Intercontinental Cup has not been just a four-nation tournament, but also a convergence of various footballing styles and cultures. The inaugural edition was staged…
132nd Durand Cup to reach Shillong and Kokrajhar
Kolkata, June 07, 2023: The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the 132nd Durand Cup football tournament, today announced Shillong in Meghalaya and Kokrajhar in Assam, as the newest host cities for the…
Vikram Partap Singh signs extension with Mumbai City FC until 2026
Mumbai, 7 June 2023: Mumbai City FC are delighted to announce that Vikram Partap Singh has signed a three-year contract extension, keeping him with the Islanders until May 2026. The 21-year-old prodigious…
India U-17s beat Muang Thong United in training game
NEW DELHI: The India U-17 Men’s National Team defeated Muang Thong United U-17s 3-0 at the Kirin Valley Sports Complex in Khoyai, Thailand, on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Korou Singh gave…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Local lad Rahul Bheke signs one-year contract extension with Mumbai City FC
Mumbai City FC defender Rahul Bheke has signed a one-year contract extension with the Club, extending his stay with the Islanders until the end of the 2023-24 season. The 32-year-old…
Stimac bullish before Hero Intercontinental Cup opener against Mongolia
BHUBANESWAR: The India Senior Men’s Team will begin their Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023 campaign with a first-ever meeting against Mongolia on Friday, June 9, 2023, at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar…
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Millat FC to hold trials for MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season Millat had a decent run in…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
MFA Elite Division club KSA to conduct trials for the upcoming season
Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season KSA had an amazing…