Home ›› 04 Oct 2021 ›› Sport
Comments from Indian football team coach Igor Stimac heats up the India-Bangladesh face off in the SAFF championship, scheduled to take place at Male today.
In the pre-match press conference on Sunday Stimac said that the penalty which was awarded to Bangladesh against Sri Lanka was “funny”
“The game which Bangladesh won in the other night it was an easy game. It was kind of a funny penalty from which they won the game,” said the Croatian coach.
“Everything happened outside the box. The defender was in front of the striker. I am not going to comment on that. I said for me it’s funny” replied the Indian coach when he was asked to elaborate his “funny” comments.
Bangladesh skipper Jamal Bhuyan thinks that this is some kind of “mind game” ahead of the tensed game,
“I think he wants to put pressure on us, he does not want to talk about his own team and talk about the lacking. He wants to talk about Bangladesh and blah blah blah. We know these are mind games. We are not giving any attention to what he says”, the defensive midfielder told the media.
Bangladesh do not have a great record against India and in the last two meetings during the World Cup qualifiers India drew 1-1 at home and won 2-0 in the return leg.
Bangladesh coach Oscar Bruzon admits the reality but is still hopeful about winning,
“India is the favorite team according to the FIFA rankings. They have a better league in the sub-continent. They have good players who love to keep possessions. Tomorrow we are gonna have a very tough game.
“I know India well, tactically and personally as there are many players in the team when I was a coach there. Everybody know what they are, they are the most successful team in the tournament. But I prefer to focus on our work. But we will fancy our chances”, he said in the press conference on Sunday.
“I don’t understand football as a speciation or defensive game. We go to the pitch to find all the possible ways. Tomorrow we will try to grab the three points. We will try to play to our strengths. I am sure within the first 15-20 minutes they will try to play a very energetic game. Going all out. We will plan accordingly “Bruzon added.
The Spanish coach also said that the team will be same as the first game but the strategy will be different.
“We are not having the different idea. We will try to control the game before they can take control of the ball. We would like to have a compact defence, avoid their quick circulation of the ball, our rival tomorrow (India) is more demanding, they are very sharp on their wings. This is what we will try to adjust with our players,” said the Bangladesh head coach.
Bruzon, who took the charge just two weeks ahead of the tournament believes that Bangladesh have played the best football so far in the tournament,
“So far, Bangladesh is the team that has played better football. So, this is one point. They are trying destabilise us, they will regret it. At present Bangladesh have three points and they have zero points. In determination and confidence, Bangladesh is the best team of the tournament”, said the Spanish coach.
Sunil Chetri is one of the biggest football stars in India who caused heartbreak for Bangladesh couple of times and Bruzon said he has also plans of him.
“Sunil is highly experienced, fox in the box, professional, hard worker, he has the qualities of one of the best players of the world. If he gets half meter of free space or half-second of edge, he will use it. But in duels, in physical fights, Sunil struggles. We will have our plans obviously for him, we have better defenders to stop him,” said the Bangladesh head coach.
Bruzon also said that he is very confident about winning,
“As Jamal said, they are scared, they are playing mind games. Their coach talking about the penalty of our game, let them talk. I am very confident about winning”, the Spanish coach told the media.
